IELTS Speaking: Cách Trả Lời “Describe A Memorable Day At School” – Bài Mẫu Band 6-9

Mở bài

Chủ đề “Describe A Memorable Day At School” là một trong những đề tài phổ biến và thường xuyên xuất hiện trong kỳ thi IELTS Speaking, đặc biệt ở Part 2. Đây là một chủ đề thuộc nhóm “Past Experience” – yêu cầu thí sinh kể lại một trải nghiệm cụ thể trong quá khứ tại trường học. Chủ đề này không chỉ kiểm tra khả năng sử dụng thì quá khứ mà còn đánh giá khả năng mô tả cảm xúc, sự kiện và giải thích tại sao khoảnh khắc đó đáng nhớ.

Theo thống kê từ các đề thi thực tế, chủ đề về trường học và giáo dục xuất hiện với tần suất cao từ năm 2020 đến nay, đặc biệt trong các quý 1 và quý 3 hàng năm. Dự đoán khả năng xuất hiện trong tương lai vẫn ở mức cao do tính phổ biến và tính liên quan đến trải nghiệm của hầu hết mọi người.

Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ học được:

• Các câu hỏi thường gặp trong cả 3 Part liên quan đến chủ đề trường học
• Bài mẫu chi tiết theo nhiều band điểm từ 6-7, 7.5-8 đến 8.5-9
• Hơn 50 từ vựng và cụm từ ăn điểm với phiên âm chi tiết
• Chiến lược trả lời hiệu quả cho từng phần thi
• Lời khuyên từ góc nhìn của một Examiner với hơn 20 năm kinh nghiệm
• Phân tích sâu về những sai lầm phổ biến của học viên Việt Nam

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Introduction and Interview

Tổng Quan Về Part 1

Part 1 của IELTS Speaking kéo dài từ 4-5 phút với các câu hỏi ngắn gọn về đời sống hàng ngày. Đây là phần “warm-up” để examiner đánh giá sơ bộ khả năng giao tiếp tự nhiên của bạn. Chiến lược hiệu quả nhất là trả lời trực tiếp câu hỏi, sau đó mở rộng bằng 1-2 câu giải thích hoặc ví dụ cụ thể.

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam trong Part 1:

• Trả lời quá ngắn, chỉ Yes/No mà không mở rộng ý
• Dùng từ vựng quá đơn giản như “good”, “bad”, “happy”
• Thiếu ví dụ cụ thể từ kinh nghiệm cá nhân
• Không sử dụng discourse markers để nối ý tự nhiên
• Ngập ngừng quá lâu trước khi trả lời

Các Câu Hỏi Thường Gặp

Question 1: Did you enjoy your time at school?

Question 2: What was your favourite subject at school?

Question 3: Do you still keep in touch with your school friends?

Question 4: What did you like most about your school?

Question 5: Were there any teachers who influenced you greatly?

Question 6: Did you participate in any school activities or clubs?

Question 7: How different is your school compared to schools nowadays?

Question 8: What subjects did you find most challenging at school?

Phân Tích và Gợi Ý Trả Lời Chi Tiết

Question: Did you enjoy your time at school?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Trả lời trực tiếp Yes/No với qualifying word (mostly, generally)
• Đưa ra lý do cụ thể
• Thêm một ví dụ ngắn hoặc memory đáng nhớ

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Yes, I enjoyed my time at school. I had good friends and the teachers were nice. I liked playing sports during break time and learning new things every day.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Trả lời rõ ràng, có đề cập đến bạn bè, thầy cô và hoạt động
• Hạn chế: Từ vựng đơn giản (good, nice, liked), thiếu chi tiết cụ thể, không có cảm xúc sâu sắc
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Câu trả lời adequate nhưng lacks sophistication. Ngữ pháp đúng nhưng đơn giản, vocabulary basic, thiếu elaboration.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

Yes, absolutely! Looking back, my school years were incredibly formative. I was fortunate to be surrounded by like-minded peers who shared my passion for learning. What I valued most was the sense of camaraderie we built through various activities, from inter-class competitions to charity events. Those experiences really shaped who I am today.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Sử dụng discourse marker tự nhiên (Looking back), từ vựng tinh tế (formative, camaraderie, like-minded), cụm từ nâng cao (shaped who I am today), có chiều sâu emotional
• Tại sao Band 8-9: Fluency tốt với transitions mượt mà, lexical resource sophisticated với collocations chính xác (incredibly formative, sense of camaraderie), grammar range đa dạng (relative clauses, phrasal verbs), ideas có depth và personal reflection.

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• incredibly formative: vô cùng có ý nghĩa trong việc hình thành tính cách
• like-minded peers: những người bạn cùng chí hướng
• sense of camaraderie: tinh thần đồng đội, tình bạn thân thiết
• inter-class competitions: các cuộc thi giữa các lớp
• shaped who I am today: định hình con người tôi ngày hôm nay

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Question: What was your favourite subject at school?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Nêu rõ môn học yêu thích
• Giải thích tại sao (do giáo viên, do nội dung, do khả năng bản thân)
• Có thể thêm impact của môn học đó đến hiện tại

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

My favourite subject was English because I enjoyed reading stories and learning about grammar. My English teacher was very patient and made the lessons interesting. This helped me improve my English skills a lot.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Structure rõ ràng (subject → reason → teacher → result), có logic
• Hạn chế: Vocabulary repetitive (English xuất hiện 3 lần), expressions đơn giản (very patient, interesting, a lot), thiếu specific examples
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Clear communication nhưng lacks lexical variety và grammatical complexity. Ideas basic, không có unique perspective.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

I was particularly drawn to Literature, which really resonated with me. I found it fascinating how we could delve into different perspectives through novels and poetry. Our teacher had this remarkable ability to bring texts to life, encouraging us to read between the lines rather than just memorise facts. That analytical approach actually sparked my interest in critical thinking, which has been invaluable in my career.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Phrasal verbs academic (drawn to, delve into, read between the lines), collocations sophisticated (remarkable ability, analytical approach, sparked my interest), grammar complex với relative clauses, clear progression từ past đến present impact
• Tại sao Band 8-9: Demonstrates flexibility với varied sentence structures, precise vocabulary choices, thoughtful ideas với personal insight, natural flow với appropriate discourse markers.

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• drawn to: bị thu hút bởi
• resonated with: có được sự đồng cảm sâu sắc với
• delve into: đào sâu, tìm hiểu kỹ càng
• bring texts to life: làm cho văn bản trở nên sinh động
• read between the lines: hiểu ý nghĩa ngầm
• sparked my interest in: khơi dậy sự quan tâm của tôi về

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Question: Do you still keep in touch with your school friends?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Trả lời Yes/No hoặc Some of them
• Giải thích frequency và methods (social media, meet-ups)
• Có thể đề cập đến changes trong friendship over time

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Yes, I keep in touch with some of my school friends. We usually chat on Facebook or WhatsApp. Sometimes we meet for coffee when we have free time. It’s nice to see them again.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Trả lời đầy đủ với frequency words (usually, sometimes), specific platforms, có mention activities
• Hạn chế: Simple present tense throughout, basic vocabulary (chat, meet, nice), thiếu emotional depth hoặc reflection về friendship
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate communication với clear meaning, nhưng lacks sophistication trong vocabulary và grammar range.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

I do, although not as frequently as I’d like. Life gets hectic, you know. I maintain regular contact with my closest circle through social media, and we try to arrange get-togethers every few months. What’s interesting is how our friendships have evolved over the years – we’ve all gone our separate ways professionally, but there’s still that underlying bond from our shared experiences at school. Those genuine connections are really hard to replicate.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Natural conversational style (you know), sophisticated vocabulary (hectic, underlying bond, genuine connections), idiomatic expressions (gone our separate ways), complex ideas về evolution of friendship, grammar varied với present perfect và modal verbs
• Tại sao Band 8-9: Fluent và natural với appropriate fillers, lexical resource impressive với precise word choice, grammatical structures complex và accurate, ideas thoughtful với personal reflection.

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• maintain regular contact with: duy trì liên lạc thường xuyên với
• arrange get-togethers: sắp xếp các buổi gặp mặt
• evolved over the years: phát triển qua nhiều năm
• gone our separate ways: đi những con đường riêng (về sự nghiệp)
• underlying bond: mối liên kết sâu sắc bên trong
• genuine connections: những mối quan hệ chân thật

Học sinh thảo luận nhóm tại lớp học minh họa không khí học tập sôi nổi trong IELTS Speaking chủ đề memorable day at school

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)

Tổng Quan Về Part 2

Part 2 là phần độc thoại kéo dài 2-3 phút, được coi là phần challenging nhất của IELTS Speaking. Bạn có đúng 1 phút để chuẩn bị và ghi chú, sau đó phải nói liên tục mà không bị examiner ngắt lời. Đây là lúc examiner đánh giá sâu về fluency, vocabulary range, grammar complexity và khả năng develop ideas của bạn.

Chiến lược hiệu quả:

• Sử dụng trọn vẹn 1 phút chuẩn bị để ghi keywords, không viết câu hoàn chỉnh
• Lên kế hoạch cover đủ 4 bullet points, phân bổ thời gian đều
• Nói tối thiểu 1.5 phút, tốt nhất là 2 phút đầy đủ
• Sử dụng thì quá khứ consistently khi kể về sự kiện đã xảy ra
• Thêm cảm xúc và personal reflection để bài nói thêm authentic

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

• Không tận dụng hết 1 phút chuẩn bị, vội vàng bắt đầu
• Nói dưới 1.5 phút hoặc bị thiếu ý
• Bỏ sót một hoặc nhiều bullet points
• Lạm dụng “and then” để nối ý, thiếu linking devices đa dạng
• Kể chuyện theo dạng list events thay vì develop details
• Mix thì quá khứ và hiện tại không nhất quán

Cue Card

Describe a memorable day at school

You should say:

• When and where it happened
• What you did on that day
• Who you were with
• And explain why this day was so memorable for you

Phân Tích Đề Bài

• Dạng câu hỏi: Describe an event/experience (Past event)
• Thì động từ: Quá khứ (Past Simple, Past Continuous chủ yếu, có thể dùng Past Perfect để sequence events)
• Bullet points phải cover:
  • When/Where: Cần specific time frame (năm học nào, tháng nào) và location (lớp học, sân trường, assembly hall…)
  • What you did: Đây là phần main content, cần detail cụ thể về hoạt động, events diễn ra
  • Who you were with: Mention classmates, teachers, friends với vai trò của họ trong ngày đó
  • Why memorable: Đây là phần quan trọng nhất để ghi điểm cao – cần explain feelings, impact, significance của ngày đó
• Câu “explain” quan trọng: Phần explain why it was memorable thường chiếm 30-40% thời gian nói. Đây là nơi bạn show emotional depth, reflection, và personal growth. Không chỉ nói “it was happy” mà phải giải thích deeper meaning.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7

Thời lượng: Khoảng 1.5-2 phút

I would like to talk about a memorable day at my high school. It happened when I was in grade 11, about five years ago. The day I remember most was our school’s sports day, which took place on the big football field.

On that day, I participated in several competitions. In the morning, I joined the 100-meter race with my classmates. I was very nervous because I had never run in front of so many people before. After that, we had team games like relay races and tug of war. My class worked together and we tried our best to win.

I was with my close friends and our class teacher, Mr. Nam. He encouraged us a lot and gave us advice on how to work as a team. My best friend, Minh, was also there. He helped me stay calm before my race.

This day was memorable for me because it was the first time I felt really proud of my class. We didn’t win first place, but we had a great time together. I learned that teamwork is very important. Also, I overcame my fear of performing in front of many people. After that day, I became more confident. It was a simple day but it had a big impact on me. I still remember the feeling of running on that field and hearing my classmates cheer for me.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	6.5	Nói liên tục nhưng có một số hesitation. Sử dụng basic sequencing (in the morning, after that). Thiếu variety trong linking devices.
Lexical Resource	6.5	Vocabulary adequate với một số collocations đơn giản (tried our best, stay calm, had a great time). Có word choice errors nhỏ. Thiếu less common vocabulary.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	6.5	Mix của simple và complex sentences. Past tenses được sử dụng correctly. Có một số structures như “the first time I felt” nhưng chủ yếu là simple sentences.
Pronunciation	6.5	Dễ hiểu với một số lỗi pronunciation không ảnh hưởng nghiêm trọng đến communication.

Điểm mạnh:

• ✅ Cover đủ 4 bullet points một cách rõ ràng
• ✅ Chronology logic và dễ follow
• ✅ Có personal reflection ở phần cuối
• ✅ Length phù hợp, khoảng 1.5-2 phút

Hạn chế:

• ⚠️ Vocabulary basic và repetitive (very nervous, very important, big impact)
• ⚠️ Thiếu descriptive details về feelings và atmosphere
• ⚠️ Linking words đơn điệu (after that, also, because)
• ⚠️ Grammar structures không đa dạng, chủ yếu là simple past

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 7.5-8

Thời lượng: Khoảng 2-2.5 phút

I’d like to share a particularly memorable day from my school years, which took place during my final year of high school, back in 2018. It was the day of our annual talent show, held in the school’s main auditorium, and it turned out to be far more significant than I had initially anticipated.

That morning, I was a bundle of nerves because I had signed up to perform a piano piece in front of the entire school – something I’d never done before. I spent hours before the show practicing in the music room, my fingers trembling slightly every time I thought about the audience. When my turn finally came, I took a deep breath and walked onto the stage. Surprisingly, once I started playing, everything else just faded away. I was completely immersed in the music, and when I finished, the applause was overwhelming.

I was there with my closest circle of friends, who had been incredibly supportive throughout my preparation. My music teacher, Mrs. Lan, was also there, and her encouraging smile from the front row really gave me the confidence I needed. After my performance, several of my classmates, including some I barely knew, came up to congratulate me.

What made this day truly unforgettable was the sense of achievement I experienced. It wasn’t just about the performance itself, but about pushing beyond my comfort zone. I’d always been quite reserved and introverted, preferring to stay in the background. That day taught me that taking risks can lead to incredibly rewarding experiences. The boost in self-confidence I gained has stayed with me ever since, and I believe it was a turning point in my personal development. Looking back, that single day helped shape my attitude towards challenges in life.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	7.5	Speaks fluently với minimal hesitation. Sử dụng variety of linking devices (Surprisingly, Looking back). Ideas được develop logically với clear progression.
Lexical Resource	7.5-8	Less common vocabulary sử dụng chính xác (immersed, overwhelming, reserved, introverted). Good collocations (bundle of nerves, faded away, comfort zone). Có paraphrase effectively.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	7.5	Wide range của structures: relative clauses, participle clauses (something I’d never done), complex sentences. Majority của sentences error-free.
Pronunciation	7.5	Clear pronunciation với natural rhythm và stress. Intonation appropriate.

So Sánh Với Band 6-7

Khía cạnh	Band 6-7	Band 7.5-8
Vocabulary	“very nervous”, “tried our best”	“a bundle of nerves”, “pushing beyond my comfort zone”
Grammar	“I was very nervous because…”	“I’d always been quite reserved and introverted, preferring to stay in the background”
Ideas	“I learned teamwork is important”	“That day taught me that taking risks can lead to incredibly rewarding experiences. The boost in self-confidence has stayed with me”

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9

Thời lượng: 2.5-3 phút đầy đủ

I’d like to recount what I consider to be the most pivotal day of my secondary school experience, which occurred in my penultimate year, specifically in November 2017. It was the day of our school’s inter-house debate competition, held in the packed assembly hall, and it turned out to be a defining moment that fundamentally altered my perception of my own capabilities.

Leading up to the event, I’d been meticulously preparing for weeks, poring over research materials and rehearsing my arguments until the early hours of the morning. However, nothing could have adequately prepared me for the sheer intensity of standing before several hundred students and faculty members. As I took my position at the podium, I felt this peculiar mixture of terror and exhilaration. The topic was about environmental sustainability, something I was genuinely passionate about, which helped anchor me during those nerve-wracking initial moments.

What unfolded over those twenty minutes was nothing short of transformative. Once I found my rhythm, I felt an almost euphoric sense of connection with the audience. I could see people leaning forward, nodding in agreement, and even my opponents seemed genuinely engaged with the points I was raising. The back-and-forth exchange during the rebuttal session was intellectually stimulating in a way I’d never experienced before – it was like mental sparring, requiring quick thinking and unwavering focus.

I was fortunate to have my debate team members there – three brilliant individuals who’d pushed me to refine my arguments and challenged my assumptions throughout our preparation. Our debate coach, Mr. Hoang, whose mentorship had been instrumental, watched from the judges’ panel with what I can only describe as quiet pride.

The reason this day remains indelibly etched in my memory isn’t simply because we won – though that was certainly gratifying. It’s because I experienced a profound shift in how I viewed myself. Prior to this, I’d always been the person who shied away from the spotlight, content to observe rather than participate. This experience taught me that we often underestimate our own potential, and that venturing beyond our self-imposed limitations can yield unexpected rewards. The intellectual confidence I gained that day has been a cornerstone of my academic and professional journey since. It made me realise that authentic growth often occurs in those moments when we feel most vulnerable, when we’re pushing against the boundaries of what we think we’re capable of. That single afternoon fundamentally reshaped my approach to challenges, teaching me to embrace discomfort as a catalyst for personal evolution.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	9	Speaks fluently với no hesitation. Sophisticated cohesive devices sử dụng naturally. Ideas được develop fully với excellent coherence và logical flow exceptional.
Lexical Resource	9	Sophisticated vocabulary range (indelibly etched, catalyst for evolution, self-imposed limitations). Precise và natural collocations. Idiomatic language used skillfully. Paraphrasing excellent.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	9	Full range của structures used accurately và appropriately. Complex sentences với multiple clauses. Varied tenses (past perfect continuous, past simple, present perfect). Virtually error-free.
Pronunciation	8.5	Clear với sophisticated features như sentence stress, rhythm, intonation patterns. Natural flow.

Tại Sao Bài Này Xuất Sắc

🎯 Fluency Hoàn Hảo:
Bài nói không có hesitation, sử dụng fillers một cách tự nhiên và strategic. Transitions giữa các ideas seamless với sophisticated discourse markers như “Leading up to”, “What unfolded over”, “Prior to this”.

📚 Vocabulary Tinh Vi:

• “indelibly etched in my memory” thay vì “I remember clearly” – shows lexical precision
• “mental sparring” – metaphorical language demonstrates creativity
• “catalyst for personal evolution” – abstract noun phrases show academic vocabulary range
• “self-imposed limitations” – sophisticated compound adjective
• “unwavering focus” – powerful collocation

📝 Grammar Đa Dạng:

• “I’d been meticulously preparing… poring over research materials” – past perfect continuous với present participle
• “nothing could have adequately prepared me” – modal perfect showing hypothetical past
• “whose mentorship had been instrumental” – non-defining relative clause
• “It’s because I experienced a profound shift in how I viewed myself” – complex sentence với noun clause

💡 Ideas Sâu Sắc:
Không chỉ kể chuyện mà còn reflect deeply về meaning của experience. Có philosophical observations về growth, vulnerability, và potential. Shows maturity trong thinking và ability to articulate complex emotions và insights.

Thí sinh tự tin thuyết trình trước lớp học thể hiện kỹ năng speaking trong IELTS chủ đề describe a memorable day at school

Follow-up Questions (Rounding Off Questions)

Sau khi bạn hoàn thành Part 2, examiner thường hỏi thêm 1-2 câu ngắn để transition sang Part 3. Đây là những câu hỏi đơn giản, trả lời trong 20-30 giây.

Question 1: Do you think you’ll always remember that day?

Band 6-7 Answer:
Yes, I think so. It was a very important day for me and I learned a lot from it. I still think about it sometimes.

Band 8-9 Answer:
Absolutely. I think certain experiences leave such a lasting impression that they become integral to our personal narrative. That day certainly falls into that category – it was a watershed moment that I draw upon whenever I face similar challenges.

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Question 2: Have you been back to your school since you left?

Band 6-7 Answer:
Yes, I went back once to visit my old teachers. The school looked different because they had built new buildings.

Band 8-9 Answer:
I have, actually. I popped in about a year ago and it was quite surreal. There’s something strangely nostalgic about walking through those familiar corridors, though everything seemed smaller somehow. It really drove home how much we change without realising it.

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Tổng Quan Về Part 3

Part 3 kéo dài 4-5 phút và là phần thách thức nhất, yêu cầu bạn thảo luận các vấn đề trừu tượng liên quan đến chủ đề Part 2. Đây không còn là personal experience nữa mà là social issues, trends, comparisons giữa quá khứ và hiện tại, predictions về tương lai.

Yêu cầu của Part 3:

• Phân tích vấn đề từ nhiều góc độ
• Đưa ra quan điểm có lý lẽ rõ ràng
• So sánh và đối chiếu các khía cạnh khác nhau
• Sử dụng examples từ society, không chỉ cá nhân
• Thừa nhận complexity và nuances của vấn đề

Chiến lược hiệu quả:

• Mở rộng mỗi câu trả lời đến 3-5 câu (30-45 giây)
• Sử dụng discourse markers để structure ideas (Well, I think… On the one hand… On the other hand… Overall…)
• Đưa ra general examples từ society, research, common knowledge
• Thừa nhận nhiều perspectives: “While some people believe…, others argue that…”
• Show critical thinking bằng cách weigh up pros and cons

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

• Trả lời quá ngắn gọn như Part 1
• Không có structure rõ ràng trong câu trả lời
• Thiếu abstract vocabulary để discuss ideas
• Chỉ nói về personal experience thay vì societal trends
• Không justify opinions với reasoning
• Tránh né câu hỏi khó bằng cách trả lời general

Khi gặp chủ đề describe a time you helped someone, bạn cũng cần sử dụng chiến lược tương tự trong việc phân tích các khía cạnh xã hội rộng hơn của hành động giúp đỡ người khác.

Các Câu Hỏi Thảo Luận Sâu

Theme 1: Educational Experiences and Impact

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Question 1: Do you think school memories are important for children’s development?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Opinion + Explanation with reasoning
• Key words: school memories, important, children’s development
• Cách tiếp cận: State opinion → Explain why (multiple reasons) → Give examples → Acknowledge potential counterargument

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Yes, I think school memories are very important for children. School is where children learn many things, not just from books but also from experiences. Good memories at school can make children feel happy and confident. Bad memories might affect them negatively. For example, if a child has a good memory of winning a competition, they will feel more confident to try new things in the future.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Có opinion và reason nhưng basic level. Flow okay nhưng thiếu sophistication.
• Vocabulary: Adequate (important, confident, affect, negatively) nhưng repetitive và không precise.
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Communication clear nhưng lacks depth. Ideas straightforward without complexity hoặc nuanced thinking.

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

Absolutely, I’d argue that school memories play a crucial role in shaping children’s psychological and emotional development. These experiences, whether positive or negative, serve as formative touchstones that influence how young people perceive themselves and navigate social situations later in life. For instance, a child who has fond memories of collaborative projects might develop stronger interpersonal skills and be more inclined to seek teamwork opportunities in their career. Conversely, negative experiences like bullying or academic failure can leave lasting scars, potentially affecting their self-esteem and willingness to take risks. That said, what’s particularly important is not just the memories themselves, but how children are guided to process and learn from these experiences. With proper emotional support and reflective practices, even challenging memories can become catalysts for resilience and personal growth.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Well-organized với clear progression: Direct answer → Explanation với examples → Balanced view → Nuanced conclusion. Sử dụng signposting effectively.
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated và precise (formative touchstones, navigate social situations, inclined to seek, leave lasting scars, catalysts for resilience). Topic-specific terms used naturally.
• Grammar: Complex structures: relative clauses (who has fond memories), conditionals implied, noun phrases (psychological and emotional development), parallel structures.
• Critical Thinking: Shows balanced perspective, acknowledges complexity (positive vs negative, memories vs how they’re processed), demonstrates mature understanding của issue.

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: Absolutely, For instance, Conversely, That said, With proper…
• Tentative language: I’d argue that, might develop, can become
• Abstract nouns: development, resilience, self-esteem, willingness
• Hedging devices: particularly important, potentially affecting

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Question 2: How have schools changed compared to when you were a student?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Compare and Contrast (Past vs Present)
• Key words: changed, compared to, when you were
• Cách tiếp cận: Identify areas of change → Give specific examples for each → Evaluate whether positive or negative → Consider what hasn’t changed

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Schools have changed a lot since I was a student. Now, schools use more technology in teaching. Students can use computers and tablets in class. Also, teaching methods are different. Teachers now try to make lessons more interactive and interesting. In my time, we just listened to teachers and took notes. Another change is that students now have more choices in subjects and activities.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear comparison với several points. Uses appropriate comparison language (now, in my time).
• Vocabulary: Basic comparative vocabulary (changed a lot, more, different) lacks precision.
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Communicates ideas clearly nhưng lacks detailed analysis và sophisticated vocabulary để describe changes.

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

Well, the transformation has been quite remarkable, particularly in terms of pedagogical approaches and technological integration. When I was at school, education was very much teacher-centred and didactic – we were essentially passive recipients of information, with success measured predominantly through rote memorization and standardised tests. Nowadays, there’s been a significant shift towards more student-centred learning, with greater emphasis on critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and experiential learning. The ubiquity of digital technology has also revolutionised the learning landscape – students now have instant access to vast repositories of information, and blended learning models incorporating online resources are becoming the norm. However, I’d say that while these changes are largely positive, there’s a trade-off – some worry that excessive screen time might diminish face-to-face interaction skills. What hasn’t changed, though, is the fundamental importance of dedicated educators who can inspire and nurture young minds, regardless of the medium of instruction.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Sophisticated comparison structure: Then → Now → Evaluation → What remains constant. Shows ability to organize complex ideas logically.
• Vocabulary: Academic và precise (pedagogical approaches, didactic, ubiquity, repositories, trade-off, medium of instruction). Demonstrates range với education-specific terminology.
• Grammar: Variety của structures: passive voice (was measured, are becoming), present perfect (has been, has revolutionised), participle clauses (incorporating online resources), conditional thinking implied.
• Critical Thinking: Balanced analysis acknowledging both progress và potential drawbacks. Shows sophisticated understanding với ability to identify what’s timeless despite changes.

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: Well, Nowadays, However, though
• Tentative language: I’d say that, some worry that, might diminish
• Abstract nouns: transformation, integration, emphasis, trade-off, importance
• Academic collocations: shift towards, measured predominantly, instant access to

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Theme 2: Education System and Quality

Question 3: What makes a school day memorable for students?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Explanation with multiple factors
• Key words: makes, memorable, students
• Cách tiếp cận: Identify various factors → Explain each with reasoning → Give examples → Possibly rank by importance

📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

I think there are several key ingredients that contribute to a memorable school day. First and foremost, there’s the element of novelty – anything that breaks the monotony of routine tends to stick in our minds. This could be a field trip, a guest speaker, or even an unconventional teaching method. Secondly, emotional intensity plays a pivotal role. Days when students experience heightened emotions – whether it’s the thrill of winning a competition, the pride of delivering a presentation, or even the anxiety of an important exam – tend to be more memorable. Another factor is social connection. Moments that involve meaningful interactions with peers or teachers, such as collaborative projects or heart-to-heart conversations, often leave lasting impressions. What’s interesting is that these memorable days don’t necessarily have to be purely positive – even challenging experiences, when handled constructively, can become defining moments that students look back on with appreciation. Ultimately, I’d say memorability is closely linked to personal significance – when a day involves something that resonates with a student’s interests, values, or aspirations, it’s far more likely to remain etched in their memory.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Highly organized với clear signposting (First and foremost, Secondly, Another factor, Ultimately). Each factor fully explained với examples.
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated range (key ingredients, novelty, monotony, pivotal role, heightened emotions, defining moments, resonates with). Natural collocations throughout.
• Grammar: Complex structures consistently: relative clauses, participle phrases (when handled constructively), comparative structures (more likely to).
• Critical Thinking: Multi-faceted analysis showing depth. Includes interesting insight về negative experiences. Shows understanding of psychological aspects.

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Theme 3: Social and Cultural Aspects

Question 4: Do you think the pressure on students today is greater than in the past?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Compare + Opinion with reasoning
• Key words: pressure, greater than, in the past
• Cách tiếp cận: Acknowledge complexity → Present different viewpoints → Give specific examples → State personal position with nuance

📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

That’s quite a nuanced question because it depends on what type of pressure we’re considering. In some respects, I’d argue that today’s students face unprecedented pressures. The pervasiveness of social media has created this constant need for external validation and social comparison, which simply didn’t exist for previous generations. Students today are bombarded with images of curated perfection, leading to heightened anxiety about their appearance, popularity, and achievements. On the academic front, the pressure has also intensified due to increasingly competitive university admissions and job markets – students feel they need to excel in not just academics but also extracurriculars, volunteering, and skill-building to stand out.

However, it would be shortsighted to say that previous generations had it easier. They faced different pressures – perhaps more rigid social expectations, less flexibility in career paths, and fewer support systems for mental health. What’s different now is the nature and visibility of pressure. Today’s pressures are more psychologically oriented and constantly present due to technology, whereas past pressures might have been more about meeting conventional milestones within specific timeframes.

Overall, I’d say the pressure isn’t necessarily quantitatively greater, but it’s qualitatively different and perhaps more insidious because it’s harder to escape from in our hyper-connected world. The key issue isn’t so much the level of pressure, but whether students have the coping mechanisms and support structures to manage it effectively.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Extremely well-organized: Acknowledgement of complexity → Argument for increased pressure với examples → Counterargument → Balanced conclusion. Demonstrates sophisticated argumentation skills.
• Vocabulary: Advanced và precise (nuanced, unprecedented, pervasiveness, curated perfection, insidious, hyper-connected, coping mechanisms). Shows lexical flexibility với paraphrasing.
• Grammar: Full range: conditionals, comparative structures (more psychologically oriented), complex noun phrases (the nature and visibility of pressure), parallel structures.
• Critical Thinking: Exceptional depth showing ability to consider multiple perspectives, distinguish between types of pressure, và reach nuanced conclusion. Shows maturity và analytical thinking.

Đối với những ai quan tâm đến describe a time when you faced an unexpected problem, việc phân tích sâu về áp lực học đường cũng giúp làm phong phú thêm góc nhìn về những thách thức mà học sinh phải đối mặt.

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Question 5: Should schools focus more on academic achievements or personal development?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Opinion with justification (potential either/or or balanced view)
• Key words: focus more, academic achievements, personal development
• Cách tiếp cận: Present both sides → Evaluate merits of each → State position (likely balanced) → Practical suggestions

📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

This is really the million-dollar question in education, isn’t it? I think the answer lies in striking a balance rather than prioritising one over the other, though I understand why this debate exists.

On the one hand, those who advocate for academic focus argue, quite reasonably, that measurable academic outcomes provide students with tangible qualifications that open doors to higher education and career opportunities. In today’s knowledge-based economy, strong academic foundations are undeniably important. Moreover, academic rigour can itself foster personal qualities like discipline, perseverance, and intellectual curiosity.

On the other hand, an excessive emphasis on grades and test scores can come at the expense of well-rounded development. Students might excel academically yet lack crucial life skills like emotional intelligence, resilience, adaptability, and interpersonal communication – qualities that are increasingly valued in the modern workplace and are essential for overall wellbeing. There’s mounting evidence that personal development aspects like character education, social-emotional learning, and creative thinking are not just “nice to have” but fundamental to long-term success and happiness.

In my view, the ideal approach is to recognise that these two dimensions are not mutually exclusive but rather complementary. Schools should integrate personal development into the academic curriculum rather than treating them as separate entities. For instance, collaborative projects can teach both subject content and teamwork; reflective writing can develop both literacy skills and self-awareness. What we need is a holistic education model that equips students with strong academic foundations while simultaneously nurturing their emotional, social, and ethical development. After all, the goal of education should be to produce not just high achievers, but well-rounded individuals who can contribute meaningfully to society.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Exceptionally well-structured debate: Acknowledges complexity → Argument A với reasoning → Argument B với counter-reasoning → Integrated solution → Philosophical conclusion. Shows sophisticated argumentation.
• Vocabulary: Highly sophisticated (million-dollar question, striking a balance, advocate for, come at the expense of, mounting evidence, mutually exclusive, holistic education model). Academic register maintained throughout.
• Grammar: Full range expertly used: conditionals implied, complex noun phrases (knowledge-based economy, social-emotional learning), parallel structures (not just… but), participle clauses.
• Critical Thinking: Outstanding critical analysis showing ability to evaluate multiple perspectives, synthesise ideas, và propose integrated solution. Demonstrates philosophical depth về purpose of education.

Giáo viên tận tâm hướng dẫn học sinh trong lớp học minh họa sự quan trọng của phát triển toàn diện trong IELTS Speaking chủ đề trường học

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Theme 4: Future of Education

Question 6: How do you think schools will be different in the future?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Future prediction with reasoning
• Key words: how, will be different, in the future
• Cách tiếp cận: Identify trends → Predict specific changes → Explain drivers of change → Consider implications (positive/negative)

📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

Well, if current trends are anything to go by, I think we’re headed towards a radically transformed educational landscape, though the timeline for these changes remains uncertain.

In terms of technology, I’d anticipate much greater integration of artificial intelligence and personalised learning platforms. We might see a shift away from the one-size-fits-all classroom model towards adaptive learning systems that tailor content to individual students’ pace and learning style. Virtual and augmented reality could revolutionise subjects like history and science, allowing students to virtually explore ancient civilizations or manipulate molecular structures in 3D space. Tương tự như describe a famous cultural figure in your country, việc sử dụng công nghệ VR có thể giúp học sinh trải nghiệm trực tiếp các di sản văn hóa.

The physical space of schools might also evolve. We could see more flexible learning environments that move away from traditional rows of desks towards collaborative spaces, quiet zones, and project areas. There might be a blurring of boundaries between formal schooling and community-based learning, with students spending more time on internships, fieldwork, and real-world projects.

Curriculum-wise, I suspect there’ll be greater emphasis on future-ready skills like computational thinking, digital literacy, sustainability awareness, and cross-cultural competence. The rigid division between subjects might give way to more interdisciplinary approaches that mirror how knowledge is actually applied in the real world.

However, I think it’s important to sound a note of caution. While technology holds tremendous promise, we need to ensure that it enhances rather than replaces human connection and that access remains equitable. There’s also the risk that rapid change could leave behind educators who need substantial retraining and schools that lack resources. The challenge will be harnessing innovation while preserving the irreplaceable elements of education – inspiring mentorship, social interaction, and the cultivation of curiosity and critical thinking. Ultimately, the future of schools should be about augmenting human potential, not just automating education.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Highly sophisticated với multiple layers: Technology changes → Physical space changes → Curriculum changes → Cautionary considerations → Philosophical conclusion. Shows ability to think comprehensively about complex topic.
• Vocabulary: Advanced và topic-specific (augmented reality, adaptive learning systems, interdisciplinary approaches, computational thinking, harnessing innovation, augmenting human potential). Demonstrates impressive lexical range.
• Grammar: Expert use của full range: future forms (I’d anticipate, We might see, could revolutionise), conditional structures implied, complex noun phrases, parallel structures.
• Critical Thinking: Exceptional analytical depth với forward-thinking predictions grounded in current trends, balanced với thoughtful consideration của risks và challenges. Shows sophisticated understanding của education technology và social implications.

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Question 7: What role should parents play in their children’s education?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Opinion about roles and responsibilities
• Key words: role, should, parents, children’s education
• Cách tiếp cận: Identify different roles → Explain importance of each → Consider balance and limitations → Cultural/individual variations

📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

I believe parents play a multifaceted role in education that extends far beyond simply ensuring attendance and checking homework. Their involvement is fundamental to children’s academic and personal success.

First and foremost, parents are primary role models for learning attitudes. Children who see their parents valuing education, reading regularly, or engaging in lifelong learning are more likely to internalise these values themselves. This modelling of curiosity and intellectual engagement is perhaps more powerful than any direct instruction.

Secondly, parents provide crucial emotional scaffolding. Education inevitably involves challenges and setbacks, and parents who offer unconditional support, help children develop resilience, and maintain perspective during difficult times are invaluable. This doesn’t mean shielding children from failure, but rather helping them reframe setbacks as learning opportunities.

Thirdly, parents serve as advocates for their children within the education system. This might involve communicating with teachers, addressing learning difficulties, or ensuring that their child’s individual needs are met. Đối với Describe a time when you had to lead a project to success, sự hỗ trợ và guidance từ phụ huynh có thể đóng vai trò quan trọng trong việc phát triển kỹ năng lãnh đạo của trẻ.

However, there’s a delicate balance to strike. Overly involved parents can inadvertently stifle children’s autonomy and problem-solving skills. The phenomenon of “helicopter parenting” – where parents hover over every aspect of their child’s education – can undermine the development of independence and intrinsic motivation. Parents need to know when to step back and allow children to navigate challenges independently.

Moreover, we must acknowledge that parental involvement looks different across cultures and socioeconomic contexts. Some parents may lack the resources – whether time, education, or language skills – to be involved in traditional ways, yet they still impart important values and support. Schools need to recognise diverse forms of parental engagement rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all expectation.

In sum, I’d say the ideal role is that of an engaged supporter rather than a co-teacher or manager. Parents should foster a positive learning environment at home, show genuine interest in their children’s education, collaborate with educators, and empower their children to take ownership of their learning journey. It’s about being present without being overbearing, supporting without enabling dependency.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Exceptionally comprehensive với clear sections: Introduction → Multiple roles explained (với signposting: First and foremost, Secondly, Thirdly) → Important caveats → Cultural considerations → Synthesised conclusion. Shows masterful organization.
• Vocabulary: Highly sophisticated (multifaceted, internalise, emotional scaffolding, inadvertently stifle, intrinsic motivation, overbearing, enabling dependency). Demonstrates extensive range với precise word choice.
• Grammar: Full range deployed skillfully: relative clauses, conditional structures, gerunds as subjects, complex noun phrases, parallel structures. Virtually error-free.
• Critical Thinking: Outstanding depth showing nuanced understanding của complex issue. Considers multiple perspectives, acknowledges cultural variations, identifies potential pitfalls, và reaches balanced, thoughtful conclusion. Shows maturity và sophistication in thinking.

Từ vựng và cụm từ quan trọng

Topic-Specific Vocabulary

Từ vựng/Cụm từ	Loại từ	Phiên âm	Nghĩa tiếng Việt	Ví dụ	Collocation
formative	adj	/ˈfɔːrmətɪv/	có tác động hình thành, quan trọng trong giai đoạn phát triển	Those were formative years that shaped my personality.	formative years, formative experience, formative period, formative influence
camaraderie	n	/ˌkæməˈrɑːdəri/	tình bạn thân thiết, tinh thần đồng đội	The camaraderie among classmates made school enjoyable.	sense of camaraderie, develop camaraderie, foster camaraderie, build camaraderie
resonate with	phrasal v	/ˈrezəneɪt wɪð/	tạo được sự đồng cảm, có tiếng vang với	The teacher’s words really resonated with me.	resonate deeply, resonate strongly, resonate with someone’s experience
delve into	phrasal v	/delv ˈɪntuː/	đào sâu, nghiên cứu kỹ càng	We had the opportunity to delve into complex topics.	delve deeper, delve into details, delve into the subject
pivotal	adj	/ˈpɪvətl/	then chốt, cực kỳ quan trọng	It was a pivotal moment in my education.	pivotal role, pivotal moment, pivotal experience, play a pivotal role
bundle of nerves	idiom	/ˈbʌndl əv nɜːrvz/	rất lo lắng, căng thẳng	I was a bundle of nerves before the presentation.	become a bundle of nerves, feel like a bundle of nerves
immersed in	adj phrase	/ɪˈmɜːrst ɪn/	đắm chìm trong, mải mê với	I became completely immersed in the activity.	deeply immersed, fully immersed, become immersed, get immersed
push beyond comfort zone	idiom	/pʊʃ bɪˈjɒnd ˈkʌmfət zəʊn/	vượt qua vùng an toàn, thử thách bản thân	That day pushed me beyond my comfort zone.	step out of comfort zone, move beyond comfort zone, push someone beyond
watershed moment	n phrase	/ˈwɔːtəʃed ˈməʊmənt/	khoảnh khắc then chốt, bước ngoặt quan trọng	Winning that debate was a watershed moment for me.	mark a watershed moment, prove to be a watershed moment
indelibly etched	adj phrase	/ɪnˈdeləbli etʃt/	khắc sâu không thể xóa nhòa	The memory is indelibly etched in my mind.	indelibly etched in memory, remain indelibly etched
mental sparring	n phrase	/ˈmentl ˈspɑːrɪŋ/	trao đổi, tranh luận trí tuệ sắc bén	The debate was excellent mental sparring.	engage in mental sparring, intellectual sparring
pedagogical	adj	/ˌpedəˈɡɒdʒɪkl/	thuộc về sư phạm, giáo dục	Modern pedagogical approaches emphasize student participation.	pedagogical approach, pedagogical methods, pedagogical practice, pedagogical innovation
rote memorization	n phrase	/rəʊt ˌmeməraɪˈzeɪʃn/	học thuộc lòng máy móc	Education shouldn’t rely solely on rote memorization.	rely on rote memorization, move away from rote memorization
unprecedented	adj	/ʌnˈpresɪdentɪd/	chưa từng có, không có tiền lệ	Students face unprecedented pressures today.	unprecedented level, unprecedented challenges, unprecedented pressure
pervasiveness	n	/pəˈveɪsɪvnəs/	tính phổ biến lan rộng	The pervasiveness of social media affects education.	growing pervasiveness, pervasiveness of technology
curated perfection	n phrase	/kjʊəˈreɪtɪd pəˈfekʃn/	sự hoàn hảo được chọn lọc kỹ càng (trên mạng xã hội)	Social media shows curated perfection, not reality.	images of curated perfection, illusion of curated perfection
insidious	adj	/ɪnˈsɪdiəs/	âm thầm nguy hiểm, ngấm ngầm	The pressure is more insidious than obvious.	insidious effects, insidious influence, insidious nature
hyper-connected	adj	/ˈhaɪpə kəˈnektɪd/	kết nối quá mức, siêu kết nối	We live in a hyper-connected world.	hyper-connected society, hyper-connected environment, hyper-connected world
holistic	adj	/həʊˈlɪstɪk/	toàn diện, tổng thể	Schools should adopt a holistic approach to education.	holistic approach, holistic development, holistic education, holistic view
augmented reality	n phrase	/ɔːɡˈmentɪd riˈæləti/	thực tế tăng cường (công nghệ AR)	Augmented reality can transform science education.	augmented reality technology, augmented reality applications

Idiomatic Expressions & Advanced Phrases

Cụm từ	Nghĩa	Ví dụ sử dụng	Band điểm
leave a lasting impression	tạo ấn tượng sâu sắc, lâu dài	That teacher left a lasting impression on all her students.	7.5-8
integral to	không thể thiếu, là phần thiết yếu của	School experiences are integral to personal development.	8-9
drive home	nhấn mạnh, làm rõ một điểm	That experience really drove home the importance of preparation.	7.5-8
pop in	ghé qua (không chính thức)	I popped in to see my old teachers last month.	7-8
million-dollar question	câu hỏi then chốt, quan trọng nhất	That’s the million-dollar question in education.	8-9
strike a balance	đạt được sự cân bằng	Schools must strike a balance between academics and wellbeing.	7.5-8
come at the expense of	phải đánh đổi, hy sinh	Academic focus shouldn’t come at the expense of creativity.	8-9
mutually exclusive	loại trừ lẫn nhau	Academic success and personal development aren’t mutually exclusive.	8.5-9
if current trends are anything to go by	nếu dựa vào xu hướng hiện tại	If current trends are anything to go by, education will become more tech-focused.	8.5-9
headed towards	đang hướng tới	We’re headed towards a more personalised education system.	7.5-8
one-size-fits-all	áp dụng chung cho mọi người (thường không hiệu quả)	The one-size-fits-all approach to education is outdated.	8-9
give way to	nhường chỗ cho, được thay thế bởi	Traditional methods may give way to innovative approaches.	8-9
sound a note of caution	đưa ra lời cảnh báo	I’d sound a note of caution about over-reliance on technology.	8.5-9

Discourse Markers (Từ Nối Ý Trong Speaking)

Để bắt đầu câu trả lời:

• 📝 Well,… – Dùng khi cần thời gian suy nghĩ ngắn hoặc khi câu hỏi phức tạp
• 📝 Actually,… – Khi đưa ra góc nhìn khác hoặc thông tin surprising
• 📝 To be honest,… – Khi chia sẻ quan điểm thật
• 📝 I’d say that… – Cách sophisticated để đưa ra opinion
• 📝 Looking back,… – Khi reflect về quá khứ
• 📝 From my perspective,… – Formal way để present personal view

Để bổ sung ý:

• 📝 On top of that,… – Thêm vào đó, hơn nữa
• 📝 What’s more,… – Ngoài ra, còn nữa
• 📝 Not to mention… – Chưa kể đến
• 📝 Moreover,… – Hơn thế nữa (formal)
• 📝 Additionally,… – Thêm vào đó (academic)

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… chúng ta cũng cần xem xét…
• 📝 That said,… – Tuy nhiên, dù vậy thì…
• 📝 Having said that,… – Dù đã nói như vậy…

Để đưa ra ví dụ:

• 📝 For instance,… – Ví dụ như
• 📝 To illustrate this point,… – Để minh họa điểm này
• 📝 A case in point is… – Một ví dụ điển hình là
• 📝 Take… for example – Lấy… làm ví dụ

Để kết luận:

• 📝 All in all,… – Tóm lại, nhìn chung
• 📝 At the end of the day,… – Cuối cùng thì
• 📝 Ultimately,… – Rốt cuộc, sau cùng
• 📝 In sum,… – Tóm lại (formal)
• 📝 Overall,… – Nhìn chung

Grammatical Structures Ấn Tượng

1. Conditional Sentences (Câu điều kiện):

Mixed conditional (kết hợp type 2 và 3):

• Formula: If + past perfect, would + base verb
• Ví dụ: “If I hadn’t participated in that debate, I wouldn’t be as confident as I am today.”
• Giải thích: Diễn tả hành động quá khứ ảnh hưởng đến hiện tại

Inversion for emphasis:

• Formula: Had + subject + past participle, subject + would have…
• Ví dụ: “Had I known how transformative that day would be, I would have documented it more carefully.”
• Giải thích: Cấu trúc đảo ngữ trang trọng, academic

2. Relative Clauses (Mệnh đề quan hệ):

Non-defining relative clauses:

• Formula: …, which/who + clause, …
• Ví dụ: “My teacher, who had decades of experience, really knew how to inspire students.”
• Giải thích: Thêm thông tin không thiết yếu, làm câu phong phú hơn

Reduced relative clauses:

• Formula: Noun + present/past participle…
• Ví dụ: “The experience gained from that day has been invaluable.” / “Students facing such challenges need support.”

3. Passive Voice (Câu bị động):

Impersonal passive với reporting verbs:

• It is thought/believed/said that…
• Ví dụ: “It is widely believed that school memories play a crucial role in shaping personality.”
• Giải thích: Cấu trúc academic để present general opinions

Passive with modal verbs:

• Formula: Modal + be + past participle
• Ví dụ: “Educational approaches should be adapted to individual learning styles.”

4. Cleft Sentences (Câu chẻ):

What-cleft for emphasis:

• Formula: What + clause + is/was…
• Ví dụ: “What I found most memorable was not the award itself, but the sense of achievement.”
• Giải thích: Nhấn mạnh phần thông tin quan trọng

It-cleft for focus:

• Formula: It + be + focus + that/who…
• Ví dụ: “It was my literature teacher who inspired my love of reading.”

5. Participle Clauses (Mệnh đề phân từ):

Present participle showing simultaneous action:

• Ví dụ: “Standing on that stage, looking at hundreds of faces, I felt a mixture of terror and excitement.”

Past participle showing passive meaning:

• Ví dụ: “Encouraged by my teacher, I decided to enter the competition.”

6. Inversion for Emphasis:

Negative adverbials at the start:

• Formula: Never/Rarely/Seldom + auxiliary + subject + main verb
• Ví dụ: “Never had I felt so proud as I did on that graduation day.”
• Giải thích: Nhấn mạnh dramatic, formal

7. Subjunctive Mood:

After verbs of suggestion/recommendation:

• Formula: suggest/recommend/propose + that + subject + base verb
• Ví dụ: “I would suggest that schools invest more in extracurricular activities.”
• Giải thích: Formal, academic tone

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Việc nắm vững các từ vựng, cụm từ và cấu trúc ngữ pháp trên sẽ giúp bạn tự tin hơn khi đối mặt với chủ đề “describe a memorable day at school” cũng như các chủ đề liên quan khác trong kỳ thi IELTS Speaking. Hãy nhớ rằng, không phải học thuộc lòng mà là hiểu và sử dụng chúng một cách tự nhiên trong ngữ cảnh phù hợp. Thực hành thường xuyên với các bài mẫu ở nhiều band điểm khác nhau sẽ giúp bạn phát triển intuition về cách sử dụng ngôn ngữ effectively.

Một điểm quan trọng nữa là vocabulary và grammar chỉ là công cụ – điều làm nên sự khác biệt thực sự là ideas và cách bạn express feelings một cách authentic. Examiner muốn nghe những câu chuyện genuine với emotional depth, không phải những câu văn rehearsed nghe như robot. Vì vậy, hãy tập trung vào việc kể câu chuyện của bạn một cách tự nhiên, passionate, và personal, rồi enhance nó bằng vocabulary và structures phù hợp.

Chúc các bạn học tập hiệu quả và đạt được band điểm như mong muốn trong kỳ thi IELTS Speaking!