IELTS Speaking: Cách Trả Lời Chủ Đề “Describe A Journey You Took By Public Transport” – Bài Mẫu Band 6-9

Chủ đề về giao thông công cộng là một trong những đề tài phổ biến nhất trong IELTS Speaking, đặc biệt ở Part 2. Đề bài yêu cầu thí sinh mô tả một chuyến đi bằng phương tiện công cộng không chỉ kiểm tra khả năng kể chuyện của bạn mà còn đánh giá vốn từ vựng liên quan đến giao thông, địa điểm và trải nghiệm cá nhân.

Tần suất xuất hiện:
Chủ đề này xuất hiện với tần suất cao trong các kỳ thi IELTS từ 2020 đến 2024, đặc biệt tại các trung tâm thi ở Việt Nam và châu Á. Theo thống kê từ các nguồn như IELTS-Blog.com và recent actual tests, đề tài về public transport xuất hiện khoảng 15-20% trong tổng số đề thi Speaking Part 2. Dự đoán khả năng xuất hiện trong tương lai vẫn ở mức cao do tính practical và universal của chủ đề.

Những gì bạn sẽ học được:

• 10+ câu hỏi thường gặp trong cả 3 Part về chủ đề giao thông công cộng
• Bài mẫu chi tiết theo 3 mức band điểm (6-7, 7.5-8, 8.5-9) với phân tích chuyên sâu
• 20+ từ vựng và cụm từ ăn điểm cho chủ đề này
• Chiến lược trả lời hiệu quả từ góc nhìn Examiner
• Các lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam và cách khắc phục

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Introduction and Interview

Tổng Quan Về Part 1

Part 1 kéo dài 4-5 phút với các câu hỏi về đời sống hàng ngày và sở thích cá nhân. Đối với chủ đề giao thông công cộng, examiner thường hỏi về thói quen di chuyển, ưu tiên phương tiện và trải nghiệm sử dụng dịch vụ công cộng.

Chiến lược:

• Trả lời trực tiếp câu hỏi trong câu đầu tiên
• Mở rộng với lý do hoặc ví dụ cụ thể (2-3 câu)
• Sử dụng thì hiện tại đơn cho thói quen, hiện tại hoàn thành cho kinh nghiệm

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

• Trả lời quá ngắn chỉ “Yes” hoặc “No”
• Dùng từ vựng đơn giản lặp đi lặp lại như “good”, “nice”, “convenient”
• Thiếu ví dụ cụ thể từ trải nghiệm bản thân
• Không sử dụng discourse markers tự nhiên

Các Câu Hỏi Thường Gặp

Question 1: Do you often use public transport?

Question 2: What type of public transport do you prefer?

Question 3: How do people in your country travel to work?

Question 4: Did you use public transport when you were younger?

Question 5: What are the advantages of public transportation?

Question 6: Is public transport expensive in your country?

Question 7: Would you like to see improvements in public transport where you live?

Question 8: Do you think public transport is better than private cars?

Phân Tích và Gợi Ý Trả Lời Chi Tiết

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Question: Do you often use public transport?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Trả lời có/không rõ ràng
• Đưa ra tần suất cụ thể (daily, occasionally, rarely)
• Giải thích lý do và cho ví dụ về phương tiện thường dùng

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Yes, I use public transport quite often. I usually take the bus to work because it’s cheaper than driving. Sometimes I also use the metro when I need to go downtown because it’s faster.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Trả lời trực tiếp, có đưa ra lý do (cheaper, faster), đề cập 2 loại phương tiện
• Hạn chế: Từ vựng cơ bản (cheaper, faster), cấu trúc câu đơn giản, thiếu detail về frequency
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Vocabulary adequate nhưng chưa sophisticated, grammar đơn giản nhưng accurate, ý tưởng rõ ràng nhưng chưa fully developed

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“Absolutely, I’m a regular commuter on public transport. I take the bus to my office on a daily basis since it’s far more cost-effective than maintaining a private vehicle. What’s more, using the metro during rush hour helps me avoid the gridlock that’s typical in my city, which means I can arrive at work feeling less stressed and more productive.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh:
  • Vocabulary nâng cao: “regular commuter”, “cost-effective”, “gridlock”, “rush hour”
  • Grammar đa dạng: present simple cho habits, present continuous trong reduced clause
  • Ý tưởng chi tiết: không chỉ cheaper mà giải thích về maintaining cost, không chỉ faster mà nói về stress reduction
  • Discourse marker tự nhiên: “Absolutely”, “What’s more”
• Tại sao Band 8-9:
  • Fluency: Câu trả lời trôi chảy, tự nhiên với markers
  • Vocabulary: Precise và topic-specific (commuter, gridlock)
  • Grammar: Complex structures (relative clause với which)
  • Ideas: Developed với multiple reasons và consequences

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• regular commuter: người thường xuyên đi lại bằng phương tiện công cộng
• cost-effective: tiết kiệm chi phí, hiệu quả về mặt tài chính
• rush hour: giờ cao điểm
• avoid the gridlock: tránh tình trạng kẹt xe nghiêm trọng

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Question: What type of public transport do you prefer?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Nêu rõ loại phương tiện ưa thích
• So sánh với các loại khác để làm rõ sự ưu tiên
• Đưa ra lý do cụ thể liên quan đến comfort, speed, hoặc convenience

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I prefer using the metro to other types of public transport. It’s very fast and doesn’t get stuck in traffic. Buses are okay but they can be slow sometimes, especially during peak times.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Có comparison với buses, đưa ra lý do về speed
• Hạn chế: Từ vựng simple (fast, slow, okay), thiếu detail về personal experience
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Ý tưởng rõ ràng nhưng development còn limited, vocabulary functional nhưng chưa impressive

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“I’d say I’m particularly fond of the metro system. Compared to buses, it’s significantly more punctual and reliable since it operates on a fixed schedule and isn’t affected by traffic congestion. Another thing I appreciate is the air-conditioned carriages, which make the journey much more comfortable, especially during the sweltering summer months. While buses might be more flexible in terms of routes, I find the metro’s predictability far more valuable for my daily commute.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh:
  • Vocabulary sophisticated: “fond of”, “punctual”, “fixed schedule”, “sweltering”, “predictability”
  • Grammar complex: comparison structures, relative clauses, while-contrast
  • Ideas well-developed: multiple reasons với concrete details (AC, summer heat)
  • Balanced view: acknowledges bus advantages nhưng defends preference
• Tại sao Band 8-9:
  • Fluency: Natural flow với discourse markers (I’d say, Another thing, While)
  • Vocabulary: Precise collocations (sweltering summer, traffic congestion)
  • Grammar: Variety (passive voice, comparative structures)
  • Critical thinking: Shows nuanced understanding với concession

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• fond of: yêu thích, ưa chuộng
• punctual: đúng giờ
• fixed schedule: lịch trình cố định
• traffic congestion: tình trạng tắc nghẽn giao thông
• sweltering summer months: những tháng hè nóng nực
• predictability: tính dự đoán được, ổn định

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Question: Did you use public transport when you were younger?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Sử dụng thì quá khứ đơn và “used to” cho habits
• So sánh với hiện tại nếu có sự khác biệt
• Kết nối với memories hoặc specific experiences

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Yes, I did. When I was in high school, I took the bus every day to go to school. My parents were busy so they couldn’t drive me. It was quite crowded in the morning but I got used to it.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Đúng thì, có context (high school), đề cập reason (parents busy)
• Hạn chế: Vocabulary basic (busy, crowded, got used to), thiếu emotional connection hoặc vivid details
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Grammar correct nhưng simple, ý tưởng adequate nhưng chưa engaging

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“Absolutely, public transport was actually an integral part of my childhood. I used to commute by bus to school for about six years throughout my secondary education. Looking back, those bus rides were quite formative – I learned to be independent and navigate the city on my own. The morning buses were often packed with commuters, which taught me patience and adaptability. Interestingly, those experiences have made me much more comfortable using public transport now, whereas many of my peers who were always driven by their parents find it quite daunting.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh:
  • Vocabulary advanced: “integral part”, “formative”, “navigate”, “daunting”, “adaptability”
  • Grammar sophisticated: past simple + used to, relative clauses, whereas contrast
  • Ideas deeply developed: không chỉ describe mà còn reflect về impact
  • Personal insight: so sánh với peers shows critical thinking
• Tại sao Band 8-9:
  • Fluency: Natural storytelling với reflective tone
  • Vocabulary: Abstract nouns (independence, adaptability) cho depth
  • Grammar: Perfect mix of tenses và complex structures
  • Ideas: Shows personal growth narrative, không chỉ answer question mà còn provide insight

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• integral part: phần không thể thiếu
• used to commute: từng thường xuyên đi lại
• secondary education: giáo dục trung học
• formative: có tính hình thành, định hình
• navigate: di chuyển, tìm đường
• packed with commuters: chật cứng người đi làm
• adaptability: khả năng thích nghi
• daunting: gây nản lòng, khó khăn

Tương tự như describe a weekend that you enjoyed, những trải nghiệm đi lại bằng phương tiện công cộng cũng có thể mang lại những kỷ niệm đáng nhớ và bài học quý giá trong cuộc sống. Việc biết cách kể lại những trải nghiệm này một cách sinh động sẽ giúp bạn ghi điểm cao trong bài thi IELTS Speaking.

Học viên luyện tập IELTS Speaking về chủ đề giao thông công cộng trong lớp học

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)

Tổng Quan Về Part 2

Part 2 là phần độc thoại quan trọng nhất, chiếm tỷ trọng lớn trong việc đánh giá band điểm của bạn. Bạn có 1 phút chuẩn bị và phải nói liên tục 2-3 phút về một chủ đề cụ thể.

Thời gian chuẩn bị: 1 phút

• Đọc kỹ đề và tất cả bullet points
• Ghi chú keywords, KHÔNG viết câu hoàn chỉnh
• Lập outline theo thứ tự bullet points
• Note 1-2 từ vựng nâng cao bạn muốn dùng

Thời gian nói: 2-3 phút

• Mục tiêu: Tối thiểu 2 phút, lý tưởng 2.5 phút
• Examiner sẽ không ngắt lời cho đến khi hết 2 phút
• Cover đầy đủ tất cả bullet points
• Dành nhiều thời gian cho câu “explain” (phần quan trọng nhất)

Lỗi thường gặp:

• Không sử dụng hết 1 phút chuẩn bị, vội vàng bắt đầu nói
• Nói dưới 1.5 phút khiến examiner phải hỏi thêm
• Bỏ sót hoặc nói quá ngắn cho một số bullet points
• Không phát triển phần “explain why/how you felt”
• Nói theo kiểu liệt kê thay vì storytelling tự nhiên

Cue Card

Describe A Journey You Took By Public Transport

You should say:

• Where you went
• What type of public transport you used
• What you did during the journey
• And explain how you felt about this journey

Phân Tích Đề Bài

Dạng câu hỏi: Describe an experience/event (kể về một trải nghiệm cụ thể)

Thì động từ: Quá khứ đơn (past simple) là chủ đạo vì đây là một chuyến đi đã xảy ra. Có thể dùng past continuous cho background actions.

Bullet points phải cover:

1. Where you went: Điểm đến của chuyến đi – cần nêu rõ địa điểm, có thể thêm context về mục đích chuyến đi
2. What type of public transport: Bus/metro/train/ferry – mô tả cụ thể loại phương tiện, có thể thêm details về tuyến đường
3. What you did during the journey: Hoạt động trong lúc di chuyển – đây là phần tạo nên câu chuyện thú vị
4. Explain how you felt: Cảm xúc và đánh giá – QUAN TRỌNG NHẤT, chiếm 30-40% thời gian

Câu “explain” quan trọng: Đây là phần ghi điểm cao nhất. Đừng chỉ nói “I felt happy” mà phải giải thích WHY bạn cảm thấy như vậy, chuyến đi đó có ý nghĩa gì, nó khác biệt như thế nào so với các chuyến đi khác, lasting impression là gì.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7

Thời lượng: Khoảng 1.5-2 phút

“I’d like to talk about a journey I took by bus last summer. I went from Hanoi to Halong Bay, which is a famous tourist destination in Vietnam. It took about three and a half hours.

I chose to go by bus because it was cheaper than taking a private car, and also quite convenient. The bus was comfortable with air conditioning and reclining seats. During the journey, I did several things to pass the time. First, I listened to music on my phone. I also looked out of the window to see the scenery passing by. The countryside was quite beautiful with rice fields and mountains. I took some photos too. Sometimes I talked to the passenger sitting next to me, who was also going to Halong Bay for vacation.

The journey was quite pleasant overall. I felt relaxed because I didn’t have to drive or worry about directions. The bus driver was experienced and drove safely. I also felt excited because I was looking forward to seeing Halong Bay, which I had wanted to visit for a long time.

One thing I really liked was that I could rest during the journey. I even took a short nap in the middle of the trip because the bus was smooth and quiet. When we arrived at Halong Bay, I felt refreshed and ready to start my holiday. It was much better than driving myself because I had energy to enjoy the destination. So overall, it was a good experience and I would take that bus route again.”

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	6-7	Có linking words cơ bản (first, also, because), structure rõ ràng theo bullet points, một số hesitation nhỏ có thể xảy ra
Lexical Resource	6-7	Từ vựng adequate (comfortable, convenient, pleasant) nhưng chưa sophisticated, một số collocations đơn giản (take a nap, pass the time)
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	6-7	Mix của simple và complex sentences, thì quá khứ correct, có một số complex structures nhưng limited (relative clauses, because-clauses)
Pronunciation	6-7	Clear và understandable, word stress và sentence stress cơ bản đúng

Điểm mạnh:

• ✅ Cover đầy đủ tất cả bullet points một cách rõ ràng
• ✅ Có structure logic với sequencing (first, also, sometimes)
• ✅ Đưa ra reasons cho choices (cheaper, convenient)
• ✅ Có personal details làm câu chuyện authentic (talked to passenger, took a nap)

Hạn chế:

• ⚠️ Vocabulary còn basic và repetitive (quite, good, nice)
• ⚠️ Grammar structures chưa đủ variety (mostly simple past và simple sentences)
• ⚠️ Phần “explain feelings” chưa đủ deep, còn surface-level (felt relaxed, felt excited)
• ⚠️ Thiếu vivid descriptions và sensory details

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 7.5-8

Thời lượng: Khoảng 2-2.5 phút

“I’d like to share my experience of taking a long-distance train journey from Hanoi to Da Nang last spring. It was a memorable trip that I took to attend my cousin’s wedding, and I decided to opt for the sleeper train rather than flying, which turned out to be an excellent decision.

The journey took approximately 14 hours overnight, and I booked a four-berth cabin in the soft sleeper class. What made this journey particularly interesting was that I was traveling with two friends, so we had great company throughout the trip. The fourth berth was occupied by a friendly elderly gentleman who turned out to be quite a seasoned traveler with fascinating stories.

During the journey, we did quite a variety of things. In the evening, we played cards and chatted while enjoying some snacks we’d brought along. As the train chugged through the countryside, we watched the sun setting over the rice paddies, which was absolutely breathtaking. Later in the evening, our fellow passenger shared stories about Vietnam during the 1980s, which was incredibly interesting and gave us a different perspective on our country’s history. Around 10 PM, we settled into our bunks, and I spent some time reading before drifting off to sleep to the rhythmic sound of the train on the tracks.

I felt genuinely happy about this journey for several reasons. Firstly, it was much more economical than flying, which meant I could save money for the wedding gift. But more importantly, it was the sense of adventure that really appealed to me. Unlike flying, where you’re cooped up in a cabin for just two hours, the train journey allowed me to genuinely experience the journey itself, not just the destination. I also appreciated the nostalgic atmosphere – there’s something romantic about train travel that planes simply can’t match. The gentle rocking motion was surprisingly soothing, and I actually slept better than I expected. When we arrived in Da Nang the next morning, feeling surprisingly refreshed, I realized that sometimes the journey itself can be just as rewarding as the destination.”

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	7.5-8	Smooth flow với sophisticated linking (Firstly, But more importantly, Unlike), well-organized với clear progression, minimal hesitation
Lexical Resource	7.5-8	Wide range với less common vocabulary (seasoned traveler, chugged through, cooped up), good collocations (drifting off to sleep, rhythmic sound), some idiomatic language
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	7.5-8	Variety of complex structures (relative clauses, participle clauses, comparative structures), accurate tense usage, conditional meanings
Pronunciation	7.5-8	Clear articulation, good use of intonation và stress patterns

So Sánh Với Band 6-7

Khía cạnh	Band 6-7	Band 7.5-8
Vocabulary	“comfortable”, “pleasant”, “quite beautiful”	“breathtaking”, “nostalgic atmosphere”, “gentle rocking motion”
Grammar	“The bus was comfortable with air conditioning”	“Unlike flying, where you’re cooped up in a cabin, the train journey allowed me to…”
Ideas	“I felt relaxed because I didn’t have to drive”	“Sometimes the journey itself can be just as rewarding as the destination” – philosophical insight
Details	“I took some photos”	“We watched the sun setting over the rice paddies” – vivid imagery

Những điểm nâng cấp rõ rệt:

• Vocabulary tinh tế hơn với descriptive adjectives và phrasal verbs
• Grammar có variety với comparative structures, relative clauses
• Ideas sâu sắc hơn với reflection về journey vs destination
• Details cụ thể hơn với sensory descriptions (sound, visual, feeling)

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9

Thời lượng: 2.5-3 phút đầy đủ

“I’d like to recount a particularly enriching journey I took by metro from the heart of London to Greenwich last autumn. I was in London for a week-long conference, and rather than spending all my time in the city center, I decided to venture out to Greenwich to visit the Royal Observatory and the famous Prime Meridian line – something I’d been itching to do since studying geography in school.

I took the Jubilee Line and then transferred to the Docklands Light Railway, which is this fascinating automated elevated train system that offers absolutely spectacular views of the Thames and the regenerated docklands area. What made this mode of transport particularly appealing was that it operates without a driver, so I could sit right at the front and enjoy an unobstructed panoramic view of the route ahead – almost like being on a futuristic theme park ride, but considerably more practical.

The journey itself was quite captivating on multiple levels. Initially, I was engrossed in people-watching – London’s metro system is like a microcosm of the city’s incredible diversity, with passengers from seemingly every corner of the globe. I found myself struck by how everyone maintained this peculiar sense of personal space despite being packed like sardines during the rush hour segment of my journey. As we emerged from the underground tunnels onto the elevated tracks, the atmosphere completely transformed. The stark contrast between the claustrophobic underground and the sweeping river views was quite dramatic. I spent the remainder of the journey glued to the window, watching as the architectural landscape shifted from sleek modern skyscrapers to historic maritime buildings. I even struck up a brief conversation with a local resident who graciously offered some insider tips about Greenwich’s hidden gems, which exemplifies that wonderful serendipity that can occur during public transport journeys.

As for my feelings about this experience, I’d say it left me feeling profoundly content and even somewhat philosophical. There’s something inherently democratizing about public transport – you’re rubbing shoulders with people from all walks of life, from high-powered executives to students to pensioners, all converging in this shared space for their different purposes. It made me reflect on how public transport serves as this great equalizer in society. Beyond these lofty thoughts, though, I genuinely appreciated the sheer efficiency and environmental sustainability of the system. The fact that I could travel such a distance for just a few pounds, without contributing to traffic congestion or carbon emissions, felt remarkably responsible. The journey also gave me this wonderful sense of autonomy – I wasn’t at the mercy of a taxi driver or constrained by a tour group’s schedule; I could explore at my own pace. What really struck a chord with me was the realization that the journey was equally as enriching as the destination itself. The kaleidoscope of people, places, and perspectives I encountered during that 45-minute metro ride has stayed with me just as vividly as my memories of standing on the Prime Meridian. It reinforced my belief that when we rush through life focusing solely on destinations, we often miss out on the unexpected treasures that reveal themselves during the journey itself.”

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	8.5-9	Effortless flow với sophisticated discourse markers (Initially, Beyond these, What really…), complex cohesive devices, natural digressions that enhance rather than disrupt
Lexical Resource	8.5-9	Sophisticated vocabulary (microcosm, serendipity, democratizing, kaleidoscope), precise collocations (stark contrast, struck a chord), idiomatic expressions used naturally (itching to do, rubbing shoulders), skillful use of less common words
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	8.5-9	Full range of structures with flexibility (participle clauses, conditional forms, cleft sentences, inversion), consistently accurate, structures enhance meaning rather than being decorative
Pronunciation	8.5-9	Effortless to understand, appropriate use of features like weak forms, connected speech, varied intonation patterns for effect

Tại Sao Bài Này Xuất Sắc

🎯 Fluency Hoàn Hảo:

• Câu chuyện develops naturally với clear narrative arc
• Digressions (như phần suy ngẫm về democracy) enhance rather than distract
• Sophisticated signposting không mechanical: “Initially”, “As we emerged”, “Beyond these lofty thoughts”

📚 Vocabulary Tinh Vi:

• “microcosm of the city’s incredible diversity” – metaphor showing advanced thinking
• “struck a chord with me” – idiom used naturally, không forced
• “kaleidoscope of people, places, and perspectives” – poetic yet appropriate
• “at the mercy of”, “constrained by” – precise phrasal expressions
• “serendipity” – sophisticated abstract noun showing education level

📝 Grammar Đa Dạng:

• “What made this mode of transport particularly appealing was that…” – cleft sentence for emphasis
• “I found myself struck by how everyone maintained…” – complex structure với reflexive verb và noun clause
• “The fact that I could travel such a distance…, without contributing to…, felt remarkably responsible” – multiple layers of subordination
• “It reinforced my belief that when we rush through life focusing solely on…, we often miss out on…” – conditional meaning trong time clause

💡 Ideas Sâu Sắc:

• Không chỉ describe mà còn philosophize về public transport như “great equalizer”
• Reflection về journey vs destination – universal theme được articulate beautifully
• Environmental awareness được weave in naturally
• Personal growth narrative: từ simple sightseeing đến profound realization

🎨 Descriptive Excellence:

• Sensory details: “glued to the window”, “packed like sardines”, “stark contrast”
• Visual imagery: “sleek modern skyscrapers” transitioning to “historic maritime buildings”
• Atmospheric description: “claustrophobic underground” vs “sweeping river views”

🌟 Authentic Voice:

• Sounds like genuine reflection, không như memorized script
• Personal anecdotes (conversation with local) add authenticity
• Balanced tone: không overly formal hay casual, perfectly appropriate

Một chuyến đi bằng phương tiện công cộng có thể mang lại nhiều trải nghiệm thú vị, giống như cách describe a conversation with a stranger that left a positive impression có thể trở thành một kỷ niệm đáng nhớ trong lòng bạn.

Tàu điện tự động DLR ở London với tầm nhìn toàn cảnh sông Thames và khu Docklands

Follow-up Questions (Rounding Off Questions)

Examiner có thể hỏi thêm 1-2 câu ngắn sau Part 2 để transition sang Part 3. Đây là câu hỏi đơn giản, không cần trả lời quá dài.

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Question 1: Do you think you’ll take more journeys by public transport in the future?

Band 6-7 Answer:
“Yes, I think I will. It’s good for the environment and also saves money. I’m planning to use the metro more often for my daily commute.”

Band 8-9 Answer:
“Absolutely. I’ve become increasingly conscious of my carbon footprint, so I’m definitely planning to prioritize public transport whenever feasible. Plus, those unexpected encounters and quiet moments of observation during journeys have made me realize they’re actually quite enriching experiences rather than just necessary evil.”

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Question 2: Would you recommend this type of journey to others?

Band 6-7 Answer:
“Yes, definitely. It was a good experience and other people might enjoy it too. It’s also cheaper than other options.”

Band 8-9 Answer:
“Without hesitation. I think there’s something inherently valuable about slowing down and experiencing the journey rather than just fixating on the destination. It offers a refreshing alternative to our usual fast-paced lifestyle, and the cost-effectiveness is just an added bonus.”

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IELTS Speaking Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Tổng Quan Về Part 3

Part 3 là phần thử thách nhất của IELTS Speaking, kéo dài 4-5 phút với các câu hỏi trừu tượng và phân tích sâu. Examiner sẽ mở rộng chủ đề từ Part 2 sang các vấn đề xã hội, xu hướng và so sánh.

Yêu cầu:

• Phân tích, so sánh, đánh giá issues ở societal level
• Đưa ra quan điểm cá nhân có lý lẽ rõ ràng
• Xem xét nhiều góc độ của vấn đề (advantages/disadvantages, past/present/future)
• Sử dụng abstract vocabulary và complex ideas

Chiến lược:

• Mỗi câu trả lời nên 3-5 câu (30-45 giây)
• Structure: Direct answer → Reason 1 + example → Reason 2 → Nuance/Exception
• Sử dụng discourse markers để organize: “Well”, “I’d say”, “On the one hand”
• Đưa ra examples từ society, không chỉ personal experience
• Thừa nhận complexity: “It depends on…”, “To some extent…”

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

• Trả lời quá ngắn (1-2 câu) thiếu elaboration
• Không structure rõ ràng, nhảy lung tung giữa các ý
• Thiếu từ vựng trừu tượng (sustainability, accessibility, infrastructure)
• Chỉ nói về Việt Nam, không có global perspective
• Không dare đưa ra strong opinion, quá nhiều “maybe”, “I don’t know”

Các Câu Hỏi Thảo Luận Sâu

Theme 1: Social Impact và Benefits

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Question 1: What are the main benefits of public transport for society?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Benefits question – cần liệt kê và giải thích multiple advantages
• Key words: “main benefits”, “for society” (không phải cá nhân)
• Cách tiếp cận: Identify 2-3 key benefits, explain mỗi benefit với examples hoặc consequences, có thể prioritize benefit nào important nhất

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Public transport has many benefits for society. First, it reduces traffic jams because fewer people drive their own cars. This makes the roads less crowded. Second, it’s better for the environment because buses and trains produce less pollution than many individual cars. Also, it helps people who can’t afford a car to travel to work or school easily.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear với “First”, “Second”, “Also” nhưng còn mechanical
• Vocabulary: Basic (traffic jams, less crowded, pollution) và repetitive
• Ideas: Correct nhưng underdeveloped, thiếu depth trong explanation
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Answers question adequately nhưng lacks sophistication trong language và ideas

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“Well, I’d argue that public transport delivers multifaceted benefits that extend far beyond mere convenience. First and foremost, there’s the environmental dimension – comprehensive public transport systems dramatically reduce carbon emissions by decreasing reliance on private vehicles. In cities like Tokyo or Singapore, where public transport is highly efficient and accessible, you see significantly lower per capita emissions compared to car-dependent cities like Los Angeles. Beyond environmental considerations, there’s also a crucial social equity aspect. Public transport essentially democratizes mobility, ensuring that people across all socioeconomic strata can access employment opportunities, education, and healthcare services. This is particularly vital for elderly citizens, students, and lower-income families who might otherwise be geographically constrained. On top of that, from an economic standpoint, robust public transport networks can actually stimulate urban development and boost property values around transit hubs, creating a virtuous cycle of investment and growth. So really, when you look at it holistically, public transport is less about moving people from A to B and more about creating equitable, sustainable, and economically vibrant communities.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Sophisticated với “First and foremost”, “Beyond”, “On top of that”, creates clear hierarchy of ideas
• Vocabulary:
  • Abstract nouns: “multifaceted benefits”, “social equity aspect”, “virtuous cycle”
  • Precise verbs: “democratizes”, “stimulate”, “boost”
  • Collocations: “per capita emissions”, “socioeconomic strata”, “geographically constrained”
• Grammar:
  • Complex structures: “when you look at it holistically”
  • Passive voice: “can be accessed”
  • Relative clauses: “who might otherwise be…”
• Critical Thinking:
  • Multiple dimensions (environmental, social, economic)
  • Real-world examples (Tokyo, Singapore, LA)
  • Acknowledges interconnections between factors
  • Concludes với broader philosophical statement

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: “First and foremost”, “Beyond environmental considerations”, “On top of that”
• Tentative language: “I’d argue that”, “essentially”, “So really”
• Abstract nouns: “accessibility”, “equity”, “sustainability”, “mobility”
• Hedging: “can actually”, “might otherwise”

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Question 2: How does public transport affect urban development?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Cause-Effect relationship
• Key words: “affect”, “urban development” – cần explain mechanisms of influence
• Cách tiếp cận: Identify ways PT shapes cities, provide concrete examples, consider both planning và spontaneous development

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Public transport has a big effect on how cities develop. Areas near train stations or bus stops usually become more popular and busy. More shops and businesses open there because many people pass through. This makes those areas grow faster than other parts of the city. Also, city planners think about public transport when they design new areas.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Basic cause-effect explanation
• Vocabulary: Simple (big effect, popular, busy, grow faster)
• Ideas: Correct nhưng surface-level, thiếu specific examples
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate answer nhưng lacks depth và sophisticated language

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“Public transport plays an absolutely pivotal role in shaping urban landscapes in several profound ways. Most notably, areas around major transit nodes – such as metro stations or high-frequency bus corridors – tend to experience what urban planners call transit-oriented development. Essentially, these zones become magnets for commercial and residential investment because they offer unparalleled accessibility. You see this pattern replicated globally – whether it’s the bustling neighborhoods surrounding metro stations in Hong Kong or the high-density mixed-use developments near subway stops in New York. What’s particularly interesting is that this creates a ripple effect: as property values rise around transit hubs, it incentivizes more compact, vertical development rather than urban sprawl, which in turn makes the public transport system itself more economically viable since you have higher population density to serve. From a broader perspective, the presence or absence of comprehensive public transport can actually determine the overall morphology of a city. Cities built around extensive rail networks, like Tokyo or London, tend to develop in radial patterns with distinct commercial centers, whereas car-dependent cities like Phoenix or Houston sprawl horizontally with much lower density. So in essence, public transport doesn’t just facilitate movement within cities – it fundamentally dictates how those cities take shape and evolve over time.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear progression từ micro (transit nodes) đến macro (city morphology)
• Vocabulary:
  • Urban planning terms: “transit-oriented development”, “transit nodes”, “urban sprawl”
  • Descriptive phrases: “magnets for investment”, “ripple effect”, “radial patterns”
  • Academic register: “morphology”, “economically viable”, “replicated globally”
• Grammar:
  • Participle clauses: “whether it’s the bustling neighborhoods…”
  • Conditional meaning: “as property values rise, it incentivizes…”
  • Cleft sentence: “What’s particularly interesting is that…”
• Critical Thinking:
  • Cause-effect chains (transit → development → density → viability)
  • Comparative analysis (Tokyo vs Phoenix)
  • Technical terminology shows expertise
  • Meta-level conclusion về fundamental shaping force

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: “Most notably”, “What’s particularly interesting”, “From a broader perspective”
• Academic phrases: “urban planners call”, “this pattern replicated globally”
• Cause-effect language: “creates a ripple effect”, “incentivizes”, “dictates how”

Khi nói về các địa điểm công cộng và phát triển đô thị, bạn cũng có thể liên hệ đến describe a tourist attraction that is popular in your country để làm phong phú thêm câu trả lời của mình với những ví dụ cụ thể và sinh động.

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Theme 2: Environmental Impact và Sustainability

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Question 3: Do you think governments should invest more in public transport?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Opinion question với policy implications
• Key words: “should invest more”, “governments” – cần strong opinion với justification
• Cách tiếp cận: Clear stance (Yes/No/Depends) → Reasons với societal benefits → Acknowledge counterarguments nếu có → Conclude

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Yes, I think governments should definitely invest more in public transport. It would help reduce air pollution in cities, which is a serious problem. Also, better public transport means fewer cars on the road, so there will be less traffic. Some people might say it’s expensive, but I think the benefits are worth it in the long term.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear opinion với reasons
• Vocabulary: Functional (reduce, serious problem, worth it) nhưng basic
• Ideas: Valid points nhưng lacks elaboration
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Direct answer with reasons nhưng chưa có depth trong analysis

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“Absolutely, I’d go so far as to say it should be a top priority for governments worldwide, particularly in rapidly urbanizing nations. The return on investment for public transport infrastructure is actually remarkably compelling when you consider the full spectrum of benefits. On the environmental front, every dollar invested in public transit yields substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions – studies have shown that comprehensive metro systems can reduce a city’s carbon footprint by up to 30%. But it goes well beyond environmental considerations. Economically speaking, efficient public transport unlocks productivity by reducing commute times and alleviating congestion, which costs economies billions in lost productivity annually. In Bangkok, for instance, traffic congestion is estimated to cost the economy around 3% of GDP each year – a figure that could be dramatically reduced with better transit infrastructure.

Now, I recognize that the upfront capital costs are substantial, and some fiscally conservative governments might balk at such investments. However, this is precisely where we need to shift from short-term thinking to long-term strategic planning. The cities that invested heavily in public transport decades ago – like Tokyo, London, or Singapore – are now reaping enormous dividends in terms of livability, economic competitiveness, and environmental sustainability. Conversely, cities that neglected this investment are now playing costly catch-up. To my mind, the question isn’t really whether governments can afford to invest in public transport – it’s whether they can afford not to, given the mounting challenges of climate change, urban congestion, and social inequality that we’re facing globally.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Opinion → Environmental justification + example → Economic justification + data → Counterargument acknowledged → Rebuttal → Strong conclusion
• Vocabulary:
  • Economic terms: “return on investment”, “fiscal conservative”, “reaping dividends”
  • Policy language: “top priority”, “strategic planning”, “capital costs”
  • Impact vocabulary: “yields substantial reductions”, “alleviating congestion”, “mounting challenges”
• Grammar:
  • Modal verbs for opinion: “should be”, “can afford not to”
  • Conditional structures: “cities that invested… are now reaping”
  • Concession: “Now, I recognize that… However”
• Critical Thinking:
  • Multi-dimensional argument (environment + economy + society)
  • Concrete data (30% reduction, 3% GDP loss)
  • Real-world examples (Bangkok, Tokyo)
  • Acknowledges opposing view then rebuts effectively
  • Rhetorical question at end for impact

💡 Key Language Features:

• Strong opinion markers: “Absolutely, I’d go so far as to say”, “To my mind”
• Discourse organization: “On the environmental front”, “But it goes well beyond”, “Now, I recognize that”
• Contrastive language: “Conversely”, “However”
• Rhetorical devices: “whether they can afford not to”

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Question 4: How can public transport systems become more environmentally friendly?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Problem-Solution / Suggestion question
• Key words: “how”, “become more” – cần specific solutions
• Cách tiếp cận: Identify current issues → Propose solutions với mechanisms → Examples of successful implementation

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“There are several ways to make public transport greener. First, cities can use electric buses instead of diesel ones. This would reduce air pollution significantly. Second, trains can use solar power or other renewable energy. Some countries are already doing this successfully. Also, governments can encourage people to use public transport more by making it cheaper or more convenient.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear với numbered solutions
• Vocabulary: Basic (greener, air pollution, renewable energy)
• Ideas: Relevant nhưng lacks technical detail
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Provides solutions nhưng explanation superficial

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“Well, I think we’re actually at a pivotal moment where technology and policy can converge to radically transform the environmental footprint of public transport. The most obvious avenue is electrification – transitioning from fossil fuel-powered vehicles to electric or hydrogen-powered alternatives. Cities like Shenzhen in China have already achieved remarkable success with this, having converted their entire bus fleet of over 16,000 vehicles to electric, which has drastically cut emissions and noise pollution. Building on that, the energy powering these electric vehicles needs to come from renewable sources – there’s little point running electric trains if the electricity is generated from coal. We’re seeing promising developments in this area, with countries like Denmark integrating wind power into their rail networks.

Beyond vehicle technology, I think there’s huge untapped potential in optimizing operational efficiency. Smart routing systems powered by AI can minimize empty runs and reduce fuel consumption by ensuring vehicles are deployed where demand actually exists. Singapore’s dynamic bus routing system is a great example of this in action. What’s more, we need to think about the broader ecosystem – things like integrated cycling infrastructure that allows people to seamlessly combine bikes with trains, reducing the need for feeder buses. Copenhagen has excelled at this multimodal approach.

Perhaps most crucially, though, systemic change requires political will and sustained investment. Governments need to view this not as an expense but as an investment in public health, climate resilience, and economic productivity. The cities that take bold action now will be the ones best positioned to thrive in an increasingly carbon-constrained future.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Technology solutions → Energy source → Operational efficiency → Infrastructure integration → Political conclusion
• Vocabulary:
  • Technical terms: “electrification”, “hydrogen-powered”, “smart routing systems”, “multimodal approach”
  • Environmental language: “carbon-constrained future”, “environmental footprint”, “climate resilience”
  • Action verbs: “converge”, “transform”, “optimize”, “integrate”
• Grammar:
  • Conditional logic: “there’s little point running electric trains if…”
  • Present perfect for recent developments: “has achieved”, “have converted”
  • Participle clauses: “powered by AI”, “ensuring vehicles…”
• Critical Thinking:
  • Holistic approach (technology + operations + policy)
  • Multiple concrete examples (Shenzhen, Denmark, Singapore, Copenhagen)
  • Acknowledges limitations (electric vehicles with coal power)
  • Meta-level analysis về systemic change
  • Forward-looking conclusion

💡 Key Language Features:

• Transition phrases: “Building on that”, “Beyond vehicle technology”, “What’s more”, “Perhaps most crucially”
• Examples introduction: “Cities like”, “is a great example”, “has excelled at”
• Emphasis structures: “The most obvious avenue”, “huge untapped potential”

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Theme 3: Challenges và Future Trends

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Question 5: What challenges do public transport systems face in developing countries?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Problem identification với geographical focus
• Key words: “challenges”, “developing countries” – cần specific context
• Cách tiếp cận: Identify multiple challenges → Explain underlying causes → Consequences → Possible solutions nếu có

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Developing countries face many problems with public transport. First, they don’t have enough money to build good systems like metro or modern buses. The infrastructure is often poor and old. Also, many people prefer to buy motorcycles or cars when they have money, so they don’t use public transport much. Overcrowding is another issue, especially during rush hours.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Lists problems với basic explanation
• Vocabulary: Simple (don’t have enough money, poor, old)
• Ideas: Valid nhưng lacks nuance về why these challenges exist
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Identifies issues nhưng analysis shallow

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“Developing nations grapple with a particularly complex set of challenges that are quite different from those in more affluent countries. At the heart of the issue is what I’d call a vicious cycle of underfunding and underutilization. Many developing countries face severe fiscal constraints, making it difficult to allocate sufficient capital for the massive upfront investment that quality public transport infrastructure requires. When you’re juggling competing priorities like healthcare, education, and basic sanitation, long-term transport infrastructure often gets relegated to the back burner.

This underfunding manifests in several ways: outdated rolling stock, inadequate route coverage, unreliable service, and substandard safety conditions. In many cities across Africa and South Asia, buses are often decades old, poorly maintained, and overcrowded to dangerous levels. Unsurprisingly, this creates a negative feedback loop – when public transport is unreliable and uncomfortable, those who can afford alternatives will opt for private vehicles, which further erodes the revenue base and ridership that would justify improvements. I’ve witnessed this firsthand in cities like Lagos and Dhaka, where the wealthy increasingly retreat into private cars while the poor are left to contend with appalling conditions on overcrowded buses.

Another dimension is the institutional and governance challenge. Many developing countries lack the regulatory frameworks and technical expertise to plan, implement, and maintain sophisticated transport systems. Corruption can also siphon off funds meant for infrastructure, and political instability makes long-term planning difficult. On top of that, rapid, unplanned urbanization means cities are expanding faster than infrastructure can keep pace, with informal settlements springing up in areas with little to no public transport access.

That said, I do see some encouraging signs. Cities like Bogotá with its BRT system and Addis Ababa with its new light rail have shown that with political commitment and innovative financing models – perhaps through public-private partnerships or development bank loans – it’s possible to make significant strides. The key is breaking that initial cycle by demonstrating that investment in public transport can yield tangible benefits that justify further investment.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Core problem (funding cycle) → Manifestations → Consequences → Governance issues → Urbanization → Hope/Solutions
• Vocabulary:
  • Development economics: “fiscal constraints”, “capital allocation”, “revenue base”
  • Problem description: “vicious cycle”, “negative feedback loop”, “erodes”
  • Governance terms: “regulatory frameworks”, “technical expertise”, “political instability”
  • Urban planning: “unplanned urbanization”, “informal settlements”
• Grammar:
  • Cause-effect chains: “when public transport is unreliable… those who can afford alternatives will opt…”
  • Present perfect: “I’ve witnessed”, “have shown”
  • Passive constructions: “gets relegated”, “are left to contend with”
  • Conditional: “with political commitment… it’s possible to…”
• Critical Thinking:
  • Systems thinking (interconnected challenges)
  • Comparative perspective (developing vs affluent countries)
  • Personal observation (Lagos, Dhaka)
  • Root cause analysis (not just symptoms)
  • Balanced view (challenges but also solutions)
  • Economic reasoning (feedback loops, incentives)

💡 Key Language Features:

• Problem introduction: “grapple with”, “at the heart of the issue”
• Consequence markers: “this manifests in”, “unsurprisingly”, “this creates”
• Adding complexity: “another dimension”, “on top of that”
• Balanced perspective: “that said”, “I do see some encouraging signs”
• Abstract nouns: “underfunding”, “underutilization”, “manifestations”, “governance”

Việc phát triển hệ thống giao thông công cộng hiện đại cũng góp phần tạo nên những điểm đến hấp dẫn, tương tự như describe a nature park you’d like to explore hay những không gian công cộng khác thu hút du khách và người dân địa phương.

Xe buýt đông đúc tại thành phố đang phát triển thể hiện thách thức về giao thông công cộng

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Question 6: How do you think public transport will change in the future?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Prediction/Future trends
• Key words: “will change”, “future” – cần speculate with evidence
• Cách tiếp cận: Current trends → Future developments → Implications → Potential challenges

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I think public transport will become more modern and high-tech in the future. We might see more electric buses and trains. Also, technology like apps will make it easier to plan journeys and buy tickets. Maybe we’ll have self-driving buses too. Public transport will probably be faster and more comfortable than it is now.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Lists future possibilities
• Vocabulary: Basic (more modern, high-tech, easier)
• Ideas: Predictable predictions without depth
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Addresses question nhưng lacks sophistication trong speculation

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“I envision quite a radical transformation of public transport over the coming decades, driven by the convergence of several technological and social trends. Most prominently, I think we’ll see the widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles – not necessarily individual self-driving cars, but rather fleets of autonomous buses and shuttles that can operate on-demand rather than fixed schedules. This could revolutionize the first-mile, last-mile problem that currently plagues many systems. Imagine summoning a small autonomous vehicle through an app that takes you to the nearest metro station, seamlessly integrating with your larger journey.

Beyond automation, I’m particularly excited about the potential of hyperloop technology and high-speed maglev trains for intercity travel. While these might sound futuristic, we’re already seeing pilot projects in places like Dubai and China. If these technologies can be scaled economically, they could render short-haul flights obsolete, which would be tremendously beneficial for carbon reduction.

On the digital front, I expect unprecedented levels of integration through Mobility-as-a-Service platforms. Rather than thinking about buses, trains, and bikes as separate systems, we’ll have unified apps that seamlessly plan and bill for multimodal journeys. You might start on a bike-share, transition to a metro, and finish with an autonomous pod, all booked and paid for through a single interface. Singapore and Helsinki are pioneering this model already.

However, I do think we need to be cautiously optimistic. Technological advancement doesn’t automatically translate to equitable access. There’s a real risk of creating a two-tiered system where the wealthy enjoy on-demand autonomous vehicles while traditional public transport, which serves lower-income populations, languishes from underinvestment. We need to ensure that innovation benefits everyone, not just those who can afford it.

Looking even further ahead, I think we might see a fundamental reimagining of urban design itself, where 15-minute cities – where everything you need is within a 15-minute walk or bike ride – reduce the need for extensive transit systems altogether. Paris is actively pursuing this vision. So the future might not just be about better public transport, but about cities where we need less transport altogether because everything is more locally accessible.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Near-term tech (autonomous) → Medium-term infrastructure (hyperloop) → Digital integration → Cautionary note → Long-term urban vision
• Vocabulary:
  • Future-focused: “envision”, “radical transformation”, “revolutionize”, “pioneering”
  • Technology terms: “autonomous vehicles”, “hyperloop”, “maglev”, “Mobility-as-a-Service”
  • Integration language: “seamlessly integrating”, “unified platforms”, “multimodal”
  • Social concern: “equitable access”, “two-tiered system”, “languishes”
• Grammar:
  • Future forms: “I think we’ll see”, “could revolutionize”, “might sound”
  • Conditional: “if these technologies can be scaled”
  • Present continuous for ongoing change: “are pioneering”, “is actively pursuing”
  • Imagine + gerund: “imagine summoning”
• Critical Thinking:
  • Multiple timescales (near/medium/long-term)
  • Specific examples (Dubai, Singapore, Helsinki, Paris)
  • Technology assessment với realistic limitations
  • Social equity considerations
  • Paradigm shift thinking (less transport needed)
  • Evidence of current trends supporting predictions

💡 Key Language Features:

• Speculation language: “I envision”, “I expect”, “I do think”
• Enthusiasm markers: “particularly excited about”, “tremendously beneficial”
• Caution markers: “however”, “we need to be cautiously optimistic”
• Future modals: “might see”, “could revolutionize”, “would be”
• Examples: “places like”, “we’re already seeing”

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Question 7: Should public transport be free for everyone?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Controversial opinion question
• Key words: “should be free”, “for everyone” – needs balanced argument
• Cách tiếp cận: Acknowledge complexity → Arguments for → Arguments against → Nuanced position → Practical considerations

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“This is a difficult question. Free public transport would be good because more people would use it, which helps the environment. Also, poor people could travel more easily. However, governments need money to maintain and improve the transport system. If it’s free, they might not have enough funding. Maybe they could make it free for students and elderly people only.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Arguments for và against, với compromise suggestion
• Vocabulary: Basic (good, poor people, not have enough)
• Ideas: Valid points nhưng lacks depth trong economic analysis
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Balanced view nhưng arguments underdeveloped

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“This is one of those policy questions where my head and heart pull me in different directions, so I think the answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. Intuitively, the idea of free public transport is incredibly appealing – it would democratize mobility, eliminate financial barriers for low-income populations, and potentially drive significant modal shift away from private vehicles, which would be tremendous for the environment and congestion.

Some cities have experimented with this model with mixed results. Luxembourg recently made all public transport free nationwide, and Tallinn in Estonia has had fare-free public transport for residents since 2013. The evidence suggests that while ridership does increase, the magnitude of the increase is often less dramatic than anticipated, partly because the most price-sensitive users were often already eligible for heavily subsidized or free passes. What’s more, the people who switch from driving tend to be those who were already on the fence, not committed car users.

The fundamental challenge, to my mind, is the opportunity cost of foregone fare revenue. That money – which can represent 30-50% of operating budgets for many systems – has to come from somewhere, meaning either higher taxes or reallocation from other public services. I’d argue that directing those funds toward expanding coverage, improving frequency, and enhancing comfort might actually yield greater benefits than making the existing system free. A more frequent, reliable, and comfortable service that charges a modest fee might attract more riders than a free but infrequent and overcrowded service.

That said, I do think there’s a compelling case for means-tested or demographically targeted fare reductions. Making transport free for students, elderly citizens, and low-income individuals strikes me as a more pragmatic approach that balances equity concerns with fiscal reality. Cities like London have implemented this quite effectively with their free travel for under-18s.

Ultimately, I think the question isn’t really whether public transport should be free, but rather how we can make it affordable, accessible, and attractive enough that cost isn’t a prohibitive barrier for anyone. Whether that means completely free, nominally priced, or heavily subsidized for those in need is a calculation that varies depending on each city’s financial realities and social priorities.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Acknowledge complexity → Evidence from experiments → Economic challenges → Alternative proposal → Nuanced conclusion
• Vocabulary:
  • Economic terms: “opportunity cost”, “foregone revenue”, “operating budgets”, “fiscal reality”
  • Policy language: “means-tested”, “demographically targeted”, “modal shift”
  • Nuance expressions: “mixed results”, “more nuanced than”, “strikes me as”
  • Emphasis: “fundamental challenge”, “tremendous for”, “compelling case”
• Grammar:
  • Conditional structures: “if it’s completely free… the money has to come from somewhere”
  • Comparative structures: “more frequent… than a free but infrequent”
  • Concessive clauses: “while ridership does increase, the magnitude…”
  • Present perfect for current policies: “have implemented”, “have experimented”
• Critical Thinking:
  • Acknowledges emotional vs rational perspectives
  • Evidence-based reasoning (Luxembourg, Tallinn, London)
  • Economic analysis (opportunity costs, budget implications)
  • Considers unintended consequences (who actually switches)
  • Proposes middle-ground solution
  • Context-dependent conclusion (varies by city)
  • Meta-level reflection về what question is really asking

💡 Key Language Features:

• Acknowledging complexity: “one of those questions where”, “more nuanced than”
• Evidence phrases: “the evidence suggests”, “studies have shown”
• Personal stance: “to my mind”, “I’d argue that”, “strikes me as”
• Balancing views: “that said”, “while… partly because”, “ultimately”
• Hedging: “might actually yield”, “tends to be”, “can represent”

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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
commute	v/n	/kəˈmjuːt/	đi lại (giữa nhà và nơi làm việc)	I commute to work by metro every day.	daily commute, long commute, commute time, regular commuter
gridlock	n	/ˈɡrɪdlɒk/	tình trạng tắc nghẽn giao thông nghiêm trọng	The city center experiences terrible gridlock during rush hour.	traffic gridlock, avoid gridlock, cause gridlock, gridlock situation
rush hour	n	/rʌʃ aʊər/	giờ cao điểm	The buses are always packed during rush hour.	morning rush hour, evening rush hour, peak rush hour, avoid rush hour
punctual	adj	/ˈpʌŋktʃuəl/	đúng giờ	The metro system in Singapore is extremely punctual.	highly punctual, remarkably punctual, punctual service, punctual arrival
fare	n	/feər/	giá vé	The fare for a single journey is quite reasonable.	bus fare, train fare, fare increase, concessionary fare, fare-free
transit hub	n	/ˈtrænsɪt hʌb/	trung tâm giao thông	The new station serves as a major transit hub.	major transit hub, busy transit hub, transit hub development
rolling stock	n	/ˈrəʊlɪŋ stɒk/	phương tiện vận tải (tàu, xe)	The company needs to upgrade its aging rolling stock.	modern rolling stock, outdated rolling stock, invest in rolling stock
congestion	n	/kənˈdʒestʃən/	sự tắc nghẽn	Traffic congestion costs the economy billions.	traffic congestion, reduce congestion, alleviate congestion, congestion charge
accessibility	n	/əkˌsesəˈbɪləti/	khả năng tiếp cận	Good public transport improves accessibility for disabled people.	improve accessibility, enhance accessibility, accessibility features, accessible transportation
infrastructure	n	/ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃər/	cơ sở hạ tầng	The government is investing heavily in transport infrastructure.	transport infrastructure, aging infrastructure, infrastructure development, infrastructure investment
intercity	adj	/ˌɪntəˈsɪti/	liên thành phố	Intercity trains connect major cities efficiently.	intercity travel, intercity rail, intercity bus, intercity connection
autonomous vehicle	n	/ɔːˈtɒnəməs ˈviːəkl/	phương tiện tự lái	Autonomous vehicles could revolutionize public transport.	fully autonomous, autonomous bus, autonomous technology
carbon footprint	n	/ˈkɑːbən ˈfʊtprɪnt/	lượng khí thải carbon	Using public transport reduces your carbon footprint significantly.	reduce carbon footprint, lower carbon footprint, carbon footprint reduction
modal shift	n	/ˈməʊdl ʃɪft/	chuyển đổi phương thức di chuyển	The city aims to achieve modal shift from cars to public transport.	encourage modal shift, achieve modal shift, modal shift strategy
transit-oriented development	n	/ˈtrænsɪt ˈɔːrientɪd dɪˈveləpmənt/	phát triển đô thị hướng đến giao thông công cộng	TOD encourages high-density housing near stations.	TOD project, promote TOD, TOD principles
ridership	n	/ˈraɪdərʃɪp/	số lượng hành khách	Ridership has increased by 20% since the new line opened.	increase ridership, boost ridership, declining ridership, ridership numbers
feeder service	n	/ˈfiːdər ˈsɜːvɪs/	dịch vụ tiếp nối (đưa đón đến các tuyến chính)	Feeder buses connect residential areas to metro stations.	feeder bus, feeder route, feeder system
multimodal	adj	/ˌmʌltiˈməʊdl/	đa phương thức	Multimodal transport systems offer greater flexibility.	multimodal journey, multimodal integration, multimodal transport
park and ride	n	/pɑːk ənd raɪd/	đỗ xe và đi phương tiện công cộng	Park and ride facilities encourage people to use public transport.	park and ride scheme, park and ride facility
capacity	n	/kəˈpæsəti/	sức chứa, công suất	The new trains have 30% more capacity than the old ones.	passenger capacity, seating capacity, operating capacity, at full capacity

Idiomatic Expressions & Advanced Phrases

Cụm từ	Nghĩa	Ví dụ sử dụng	Band điểm
packed like sardines	chật như hộp cá hộp	During rush hour, commuters are packed like sardines on the metro.	7.5-9
at the mercy of	phụ thuộc hoàn toàn vào, không có quyền kiểm soát	When you rely on taxis, you’re at the mercy of traffic conditions.	7.5-9
a hop, skip and a jump away	rất gần, chỉ một quãng ngắn	The metro station is just a hop, skip and a jump away from my house.	7-8
the first/last mile problem	vấn đề quãng đường đầu/cuối (từ nhà đến trạm)	Bike-sharing schemes help solve the last mile problem.	8-9
a stone’s throw from	rất gần	The bus stop is just a stone’s throw from the office.	7-8
on the move	đang di chuyển, di động	Smart apps help travelers stay productive while on the move.	7-8
strike a balance between	cân bằng giữa	The city needs to strike a balance between car use and public transport.	7.5-9
the backbone of	xương sống, nền tảng của	Public transport is the backbone of any modern city.	7.5-8.5
a vicious cycle	vòng xoáy luẩn quẩn	Underfunding creates a vicious cycle of poor service and declining ridership.	8-9
a ripple effect	hiệu ứng lan tỏa	Investment in one metro line can have a ripple effect on surrounding areas.	8-9
in the driver’s seat	nắm quyền kiểm soát	With good public transport, passengers are in the driver’s seat of their journey.	7.5-8.5
chug along	di chuyển chậm và ổn định (thường là tàu)	The old train chugged along through the countryside.	7-8
at breakneck speed	với tốc độ chóng mặt	The bullet train travels at breakneck speed.	7.5-8.5
off the beaten track	xa trung tâm, ít người biết đến	Local buses can take you to places off the beaten track.	7.5-8.5
a mixed blessing	vừa có lợi vừa có hại	Increased connectivity can be a mixed blessing for quiet neighborhoods.	8-9

Discourse Markers (Từ Nối Ý Trong Speaking)

Để bắt đầu câu trả lời:

• 📝 Well,… – Khi cần vài giây suy nghĩ, tạo sự tự nhiên
• 📝 Actually,… – Khi đưa ra góc nhìn bất ngờ hoặc sửa ý
• 📝 To be honest,… / To be frank,… – Khi nói thật, thể hiện sincerity
• 📝 I’d say that… / I’d argue that… – Khi đưa ra quan điểm cá nhân mạnh
• 📝 Looking at it from… / From my perspective,… – Giới thiệu viewpoint

Để bổ sung ý:

• 📝 On top of that,… – Thêm vào đó (informal hơn In addition)
• 📝 What’s more,… / Moreover,… – Hơn nữa (formal)
• 📝 Not to mention… / Let alone… – Chưa kể đến
• 📝 Beyond that,… / Beyond this,… – Ngoài ra
• 📝 Another thing is… / Another dimension is… – Khía cạnh khác

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…, ta cũng cần xem xét
• 📝 Having said that,… / That said,… – Tuy nhiên, nói như vậy
• 📝 To some extent,… but… – Ở một mức độ nào đó… nhưng
• 📝 I can see both sides… / There are merits to both views… – Tôi thấy cả hai mặt

Để đưa ra ví dụ:

• 📝 For instance,… / For example,… – Ví dụ
• 📝 Take… for example – Lấy… làm ví dụ
• 📝 A case in point is… – Một trường hợp điển hình là
• 📝 Cities like… / Countries such as… – Các thành phố như… / Các quốc gia chẳng hạn như

Để kết luận:

• 📝 All in all,… / All things considered,… – Tóm lại, xét mọi mặt
• 📝 At the end of the day,… – Cuối cùng thì (informal)
• 📝 Ultimately,… / In the final analysis,… – Sau cùng (formal)
• 📝 So really,… / So essentially,… – Vậy thực chất
• 📝 The bottom line is… – Điểm mấu chốt là

Để thể hiện quan điểm mạnh:

• 📝 I strongly believe that… – Tôi tin tưởng mạnh mẽ rằng
• 📝 I’m convinced that… – Tôi tin chắc rằng
• 📝 There’s no doubt in my mind that… – Không nghi ngờ gì trong đầu tôi rằng
• 📝 It’s crystal clear that… – Rõ ràng là

Grammatical Structures Ấn Tượng

1. Conditional Sentences (Câu điều kiện):

Mixed conditional (kết hợp loại 2 và 3):

• Formula: If + past perfect, would/could + infinitive
• Ví dụ: “If the government had invested in metro systems decades ago, our cities would be much less congested now.”

Inversion (đảo ngữ):

• Formula: Had + S + past participle, S + would have…
• Ví dụ: “Had I known about the delays, I would have taken an alternative route.”
• Formula: Should + S + infinitive, S + will…
• Ví dụ: “Should public transport become free, ridership would likely increase dramatically.”

2. Relative Clauses (Mệnh đề quan hệ):

Non-defining (bổ sung thông tin):

• Formula: …, which/who/where + clause
• Ví dụ: “The new metro line, which opened last year, has significantly reduced commute times.”
• Ví dụ: “Singapore, where public transport is highly efficient, serves as a model for other cities.”

Reduced relative clauses:

• Ví dụ: “Passengers traveling during peak hours often face overcrowding.” (thay vì “who are traveling”)
• Ví dụ: “The measures implemented by the government have proven effective.” (thay vì “which were implemented”)

3. Passive Voice (Câu bị động):

Impersonal passive structures:

• It is thought/believed/said that…
  • Ví dụ: “It is widely believed that electric buses are the future of urban transport.”
• S + is/are thought/believed/said to…
  • Ví dụ: “Public transport is thought to reduce carbon emissions by up to 30%.”

Passive with modals:

• Ví dụ: “More funding should be allocated to improving accessibility for disabled passengers.”
• Ví dụ: “The infrastructure could have been better maintained with adequate investment.”

4. Cleft Sentences (Câu chẻ):

What-clauses (nhấn mạnh tân ngữ):

• Formula: What + S + V + is/was…
• Ví dụ: “What I find most impressive about the Tokyo metro is its punctuality.”
• Ví dụ: “What really matters is not just speed, but reliability and comfort.”

It-clauses (nhấn mạnh chủ ngữ hoặc trạng ngữ):

• Formula: It + is/was + noun/adv + that/who…
• Ví dụ: “It was the introduction of the Oyster card that revolutionized London’s transport system.”
• Ví dụ: “It’s during rush hour that the system faces its greatest challenges.”

The-clauses:

• Formula: The thing/reason/way that…
• Ví dụ: “The thing that distinguishes successful transit systems is consistent investment.”
• Ví dụ: “The reason why many people avoid public transport is the lack of reliability.”

5. Advanced Participle Clauses:

Present participle (diễn tả hành động đồng thời):

• Ví dụ: “Using public transport regularly, I’ve noticed significant improvements over the years.”

Past participle (mang ý nghĩa bị động):

• Ví dụ: “Equipped with modern amenities, the new buses offer a comfortable journey.”

Perfect participle (diễn tả hành động xảy ra trước):

• Ví dụ: “Having experienced the excellent metro system in Seoul, I now appreciate how important investment in infrastructure is.”

6. Inversion for Emphasis:

Negative adverbials:

• Formula: Not only + auxiliary + S + V, but also…

• Ví dụ: “Not only does public transport reduce emissions, but it also improves social equity.”

• Formula: Never + have/has + S + past participle…

• Ví dụ: “Never have I experienced such efficient public transport as in Switzerland.”

• Formula: Seldom/Rarely + auxiliary + S + V…

• Ví dụ: “Seldom do we see such comprehensive investment in public infrastructure.”

7. Fronting (đặt trạng ngữ lên đầu câu):

Ví dụ:

• “Only by investing in public transport can we hope to reduce urban congestion.”
• “So efficient is the Singapore metro that it serves as a model globally.”
• “Under no circumstances should we neglect public transport infrastructure.”

Tương tự như cách describe a famous sports personality from your country đòi hỏi bạn phải có vốn từ vựng phong phú và khả năng diễn đạt tự nhiên, việc nói về giao thông công cộng cũng cần sự chuẩn bị kỹ lưỡng về mặt ngôn ngữ và ý tưởng.

Sổ tay từ vựng IELTS Speaking về chủ đề giao thông công cộng với các cụm từ quan trọng

Việc thành thạo các cấu trúc ngữ pháp nâng cao và từ vựng chuyên ngành về giao thông công cộng sẽ giúp bạn tự tin hơn trong phòng thi IELTS Speaking. Hãy nhớ rằng, điều quan trọng không chỉ là biết những từ này mà còn là khả năng sử dụng chúng một cách tự nhiên và phù hợp với ngữ cảnh. Luyện tập thường xuyên với các câu hỏi thực tế, ghi âm lại câu trả lời của bạn và so sánh với các bài mẫu band cao sẽ giúp bạn cải thiện đáng kể kỹ năng Speaking và đạt được band điểm mục tiêu trong kỳ thi IELTS.