IELTS Speaking: Cách Trả Lời Chủ Đề Người Truyền Cảm Hứng Theo Đuổi Đam Mê – Bài Mẫu Band 6-9

Chủ đề “Describe A Person Who Has Encouraged You To Pursue Your Passions” là một trong những đề tài xuất hiện thường xuyên trong IELTS Speaking, đặc biệt ở Part 2 và Part 3. Đây không chỉ là câu hỏi về con người mà còn là cơ hội để bạn thể hiện khả năng kể chuyện, diễn đạt cảm xúc và phân tích tác động của người khác đến cuộc sống bản thân.

Theo thống kê từ các trung tâm thi IELTS và diễn đàn học viên, chủ đề về “người có ảnh hưởng tích cực” xuất hiện với tần suất cao từ năm 2020 đến nay, đặc biệt trong các quý 2 và 3 hàng năm. Khả năng chủ đề này tiếp tục xuất hiện trong các kỳ thi sắp tới được đánh giá ở mức Cao, do tính ứng dụng rộng rãi và khả năng kết hợp với nhiều góc độ khác nhau như giáo dục, gia đình, sự nghiệp.

Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ học được:

• Phân tích chi tiết cách tiếp cận chủ đề từ góc nhìn của Examiner
• Bộ câu hỏi thực tế cho cả 3 Part với độ khó tăng dần
• Bài mẫu theo từng band điểm 6-7, 7.5-8, và 8.5-9 kèm phân tích chuyên sâu
• Hơn 50 từ vựng và cụm từ ăn điểm với pronunciation guide
• Chiến lược trả lời hiệu quả để tối đa hóa band điểm
• Những lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam và cách khắc phục
• Lời khuyên insider từ kinh nghiệm chấm thi 20 năm

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Introduction and Interview

Tổng Quan Về Part 1

Part 1 kéo dài 4-5 phút với các câu hỏi ngắn về cuộc sống hàng ngày và sở thích cá nhân. Đây là phần “warm-up” giúp bạn làm quen với giọng nói của examiner và tạo ấn tượng ban đầu.

Chiến lược quan trọng:

• Trả lời trực tiếp câu hỏi trong câu đầu tiên
• Mở rộng với lý do, ví dụ cụ thể (2-3 câu là đủ)
• Giữ tone tự nhiên, như đang trò chuyện
• Không nói quá dài (tránh vượt quá 30 giây mỗi câu)

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

• Trả lời quá ngắn gọn: “Yes, I do” hoặc “No, I don’t” rồi im lặng
• Dùng từ vựng quá đơn giản lặp đi lặp lại: “good”, “bad”, “like”, “don’t like”
• Thiếu ví dụ cụ thể từ kinh nghiệm bản thân
• Nói theo template nghe máy móc
• Không tự nhiên về ngữ điệu, nghe như đang đọc

Các Câu Hỏi Thường Gặp

Question 1: Do you have any hobbies or interests?

Question 2: Who influenced you most when you were growing up?

Question 3: Do you think it’s important to have someone support your interests?

Question 4: What kind of activities are you passionate about?

Question 5: Did your parents encourage you to try new things when you were young?

Question 6: Do you prefer to pursue hobbies alone or with others?

Question 7: How much time do you spend on your interests each week?

Question 8: Have your interests changed over the years?

Phân Tích và Gợi Ý Trả Lời Chi Tiết

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Question: Who influenced you most when you were growing up?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Nêu rõ người đó là ai (quan hệ với bạn)
• Giải thích ngắn gọn họ ảnh hưởng như thế nào
• Thêm một ví dụ cụ thể nếu có thể

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I think my older brother influenced me the most. He was very good at sports and always encouraged me to be active. When I was young, he taught me how to play football and we practiced together every weekend.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Trả lời trực tiếp, có ví dụ cụ thể (chơi bóng đá vào cuối tuần)
• Hạn chế: Từ vựng đơn giản (good at, very), cấu trúc câu cơ bản, thiếu chi tiết về ảnh hưởng sâu sắc
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Đủ ý nhưng chưa impressive, vocabulary adequate nhưng không sophisticated, grammar đúng nhưng simple structures

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“Without a doubt, my older brother had the most profound impact on me during my formative years. He was incredibly athletically gifted and had this amazing ability to instill confidence in others. What I remember most is how he’d patiently coach me in football every weekend, never making me feel inadequate despite my initial lack of skill. His unwavering encouragement really shaped my attitude towards challenges in general.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh:
  • Từ vựng sophisticated: “profound impact”, “formative years”, “athletically gifted”, “instill confidence”
  • Cấu trúc đa dạng: “Without a doubt”, “What I remember most is…”, “despite + noun phrase”
  • Ý tưởng sâu sắc hơn: không chỉ dừng ở việc chơi bóng mà còn nói về ảnh hưởng đến thái độ sống
  • Collocations tự nhiên: “unwavering encouragement”, “patiently coach”
• Tại sao Band 8-9:
  • Fluency: Câu trả lời trôi chảy, không hesitation
  • Vocabulary: Precise và idiomatic, không overuse từ đơn giản
  • Grammar: Complex structures được sử dụng tự nhiên (relative clause, despite clause)
  • Pronunciation: Natural linking và word stress trong “profound IMpact”, “forMAtive years”

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• profound impact: tác động sâu sắc
• formative years: những năm hình thành nhân cách
• athletically gifted: có thiên hướng thể thao
• instill confidence: truyền đạt sự tự tin
• unwavering encouragement: sự động viên không lung lay

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Question: Do you think it’s important to have someone support your interests?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Đưa ra quan điểm rõ ràng (Yes/No hoặc It depends)
• Giải thích tại sao với 1-2 lý do
• Có thể thêm personal experience ngắn

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Yes, I think it’s very important. When someone supports you, you feel more confident to try new things. For example, I wanted to learn guitar but I was worried I wasn’t talented enough. My friend encouraged me and now I can play quite well.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Có stance rõ ràng, có ví dụ từ kinh nghiệm cá nhân
• Hạn chế: Từ “very important” quá general, cấu trúc đơn giản, ví dụ hơi dài cho Part 1
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Answer đầy đủ nhưng thiếu depth, vocabulary acceptable nhưng repetitive

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“Absolutely, I’d say it’s crucial, especially in the early stages of developing a new interest. Having someone in your corner can make all the difference between giving up at the first hurdle and persevering through challenges. I’ve found that even subtle encouragement from someone you respect can boost your motivation significantly and help you push beyond your comfort zone.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh:
  • Opening mạnh mẽ: “Absolutely, I’d say”
  • Vocabulary nâng cao: “crucial”, “persevering”, “subtle encouragement”, “comfort zone”
  • Idiomatic expression: “make all the difference”, “in your corner”, “at the first hurdle”
  • Structure phức tạp: “between…and…”, “can make all the difference”
  • Không chỉ personal mà còn general observation
• Tại sao Band 8-9:
  • Fluency: Natural flow với discourse markers
  • Vocabulary: Idiomatic và precise
  • Grammar: Gerunds, modals, complex noun phrases
  • Ideas: Thoughtful với mention về “early stages” và “subtle encouragement”

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• crucial: cực kỳ quan trọng
• make all the difference: tạo nên sự khác biệt lớn
• persevere: kiên trì
• in your corner: ủng hộ bạn (idiom boxing)
• subtle encouragement: sự động viên tinh tế
• push beyond your comfort zone: vượt ra khỏi vùng an toàn

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Question: Have your interests changed over the years?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• So sánh past vs present
• Giải thích lý do thay đổi (hoặc không thay đổi)
• Keep it concise (2-3 câu)

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Yes, they have changed a lot. When I was younger, I liked playing video games, but now I prefer outdoor activities like hiking. I think it’s because I spend too much time at the computer for work, so I want to do something different in my free time.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: So sánh rõ ràng, có lý do logic
• Hạn chế: “A lot” và “too much” hơi vague, “something different” không specific
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Clear comparison nhưng vocabulary basic

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“They’ve definitely evolved over time. In my teenage years, I was heavily into gaming, but as I’ve matured, I’ve gravitated towards more physical pursuits like hiking and cycling. I think it’s partly a natural progression as I’ve become more health-conscious, and partly a conscious effort to counterbalance the sedentary nature of my office job.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh:
  • Vocabulary sophisticated: “evolved”, “gravitated towards”, “natural progression”, “counterbalance”, “sedentary”
  • Phrasal verb natural: “heavily into”
  • Complex reasoning: “partly…and partly…”
  • Self-awareness: “conscious effort”, “health-conscious”
• Tại sao Band 8-9:
  • Vocabulary: Topic-specific và precise
  • Grammar: Perfect tenses used accurately, compound sentences
  • Ideas: Shows reflection và understanding của personal development

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• evolved: phát triển, tiến hóa
• heavily into something: rất đam mê cái gì đó
• gravitate towards: bị thu hút về phía
• natural progression: sự phát triển tự nhiên
• health-conscious: quan tâm đến sức khỏe
• counterbalance: cân bằng, bù đắp

Học viên đang luyện thi IELTS Speaking Part 1 về chủ đề người truyền cảm hứng theo đuổi đam mê

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)

Tổng Quan Về Part 2

Part 2 là phần quan trọng nhất, chiếm thời gian 3-4 phút (1 phút chuẩn bị + 2 phút nói + 1 phút follow-up questions). Đây là lúc bạn thể hiện khả năng độc thoại, tổ chức ý tưởng và duy trì fluency.

Chiến lược quan trọng:

• Sử dụng đúng 1 phút chuẩn bị: Ghi chú keywords, không viết câu hoàn chỉnh. Outline nên có 4-5 bullet points tương ứng với yêu cầu đề
• Nói đủ 2 phút: Examiner sẽ dừng bạn lại nếu vượt quá, nhưng nếu bạn nói dưới 1.5 phút, điểm sẽ bị ảnh hưởng
• Cover tất cả bullet points: Mỗi bullet nên có ít nhất 2-3 câu
• Thì động từ: Nếu đề là “Describe a person who encouraged you”, dùng quá khứ cho các hành động cụ thể, nhưng có thể dùng hiện tại khi nói về ảnh hưởng kéo dài
• Phần “explain” là quan trọng nhất: Đây là nơi bạn ghi điểm cao với deeper thinking

Lỗi thường gặp:

• Không sử dụng hết thời gian chuẩn bị, vội vàng bắt đầu nói
• Viết quá nhiều trong 1 phút (nên chỉ ghi 10-15 keywords)
• Nói dưới 1.5 phút hoặc vượt quá 2.5 phút
• Bỏ sót bullet points (đặc biệt là phần “explain”)
• Lặp từ “and then…and then…” quá nhiều
• Đọc thuộc lòng template nghe unnatural
• Không có eye contact vì cứ nhìn xuống notes

Cue Card

Describe a person who has encouraged you to pursue your passions

You should say:

• Who this person is
• How you know this person
• What passions they encouraged you to pursue
• And explain how this person’s encouragement has affected you

Phân Tích Đề Bài

• Dạng câu hỏi: Describe a person (người có ảnh hưởng tích cực)

• Thì động từ: Mainly past tense cho các sự kiện cụ thể (when they encouraged you), present perfect cho ảnh hưởng kéo dài đến hiện tại (has affected), present tense cho tình trạng hiện tại

• Bullet points phải cover:

  • Who: Tên (có thể fake), quan hệ với bạn, độ tuổi/nghề nghiệp (ngắn gọn)
  • How you know: Gặp ở đâu, bao lâu rồi, context của mối quan hệ
  • What passions: Specific passion (đừng nói chung chung “many things”), tại sao bạn quan tâm đến nó
  • Explain (QUAN TRỌNG): Cách họ encourage, tác động cụ thể đến cuộc sống bạn, cảm xúc của bạn về họ

• Câu “explain” quan trọng: Đây là phần chiếm 40-50% bài nói, nơi bạn thể hiện critical thinking, emotional depth, và vocabulary range. Đừng chỉ liệt kê facts mà phải phân tích feelings và long-term impact.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7

Thời lượng: Khoảng 1.5-2 phút

I’d like to talk about my high school English teacher, Ms. Lan, who really encouraged me to pursue my passion for writing.

I first met Ms. Lan when I was in grade 10, about six years ago. She was my English literature teacher and she was different from other teachers because she was very energetic and always made the lessons interesting. She really cared about her students and wanted us to succeed.

The passion she encouraged me to pursue was creative writing. Before meeting her, I liked reading books but I never thought about writing stories myself. Ms. Lan noticed that I wrote good essays and she told me I had talent. She encouraged me to join the school writing club and enter some writing competitions.

Her encouragement affected me in many ways. First, it made me more confident about my writing ability. Before, I thought I wasn’t good enough, but her words made me believe in myself. She also gave me practical help, like checking my stories and giving me feedback. Because of her support, I won second prize in a city writing competition, which was a big achievement for me. Even now, I still write in my free time and I’m thinking about studying journalism at university. Without Ms. Lan’s encouragement, I probably wouldn’t have discovered this passion, and I’m very grateful to her.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	6-7	Nói liền mạch, có sequencing rõ ràng (First, Before, Because of). Dùng discourse markers đơn giản. Có một chút hesitation ở phần giải thích nhưng không ảnh hưởng nhiều.
Lexical Resource	6-7	Vocabulary adequate và relevant: “energetic”, “succeed”, “talent”, “practical help”, “achievement”. Có một số collocations tốt như “believe in myself”, “discover this passion”. Tuy nhiên thiếu less common vocabulary và idioms.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	6-7	Mix của simple và complex sentences. Có một số structures tốt: “Before meeting her”, “Because of her support”, “Without…I wouldn’t have”. Nhưng không có nhiều variety về clause types.
Pronunciation	6-7	Clear và intelligible. Word stress đúng cho hầu hết từ. Có thể có một chút Vietnamese accent nhưng không gây hiểu lầm.

Điểm mạnh:

• ✅ Cover đầy đủ tất cả bullet points
• ✅ Có specific examples (writing club, competition, second prize)
• ✅ Structure rõ ràng, dễ follow
• ✅ Thời lượng hợp lý (gần 2 phút)
• ✅ Có personal reflection ở cuối

Hạn chế:

• ⚠️ Vocabulary khá basic: “very energetic”, “really cared”, “good essays”
• ⚠️ Thiếu emotional depth ở phần explain
• ⚠️ Một số collocation không natural: “wrote good essays” (better: “produced well-written essays”)
• ⚠️ Grammar structures lặp lại: nhiều câu bắt đầu với “She…”

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 7.5-8

Thời lượng: Khoảng 2-2.5 phút

I’d like to talk about my former English teacher, Ms. Lan, who played a pivotal role in encouraging me to pursue my passion for creative writing.

I first encountered Ms. Lan during my sophomore year of high school, roughly six years ago. She taught English literature, and what set her apart from other educators was her infectious enthusiasm for the subject and her genuine investment in her students’ personal development. She had this remarkable ability to make classic literature feel relevant and exciting to teenagers.

The particular passion she nurtured in me was creative writing. Prior to her class, I’d been an avid reader but had never seriously considered writing as something I could excel at. Ms. Lan recognized something in my essay assignments that I hadn’t seen myself. She pulled me aside one day after class and told me I had a distinctive voice that deserved to be developed. She strongly encouraged me to join the school’s writing club and even went out of her way to recommend some writing competitions I could enter.

Her encouragement has had a profound and lasting impact on my life. On a practical level, she provided invaluable mentorship, spending her lunch breaks reviewing my drafts and offering constructive criticism. This hands-on support helped me hone my craft significantly. More importantly, though, she instilled in me a sense of self-belief that I’d previously lacked. I remember feeling incredibly validated when I won second place in a city-wide writing competition—something I never would have attempted without her gentle prodding.

Even today, years after leaving her classroom, I still write regularly and I’m seriously considering a career in journalism. Ms. Lan didn’t just teach me about writing techniques; she taught me that with the right encouragement and dedication, you can transform a casual interest into a lifelong passion. I remain deeply grateful for her unwavering faith in my abilities.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	7.5-8	Speaks fluently với minimal hesitation. Excellent use của cohesive devices: “Prior to”, “More importantly”, “Even today”. Ideas được develop logically với clear progression.
Lexical Resource	7.5-8	Wide range of vocabulary: “pivotal role”, “infectious enthusiasm”, “genuine investment”, “distinctive voice”. Good collocations: “hone my craft”, “gentle prodding”. Some less common phrases: “went out of her way”, “pulled me aside”.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	7.5-8	Variety of complex structures: relative clauses (“who played”, “that I hadn’t seen”), past perfect (“I’d been”), participle clauses (“spending her lunch breaks”). Mostly error-free.
Pronunciation	7.5-8	Clear pronunciation với good intonation. Natural word linking và sentence stress. Minimal L1 influence.

So Sánh Với Band 6-7

Khía cạnh	Band 6-7	Band 7.5-8
Vocabulary	“very energetic”, “really cared”	“infectious enthusiasm”, “genuine investment”
Grammar	“She was different from other teachers”	“What set her apart from other educators was…”
Ideas	“made me more confident”	“instilled a sense of self-belief”, “incredibly validated”
Depth	Surface-level description	Emotional depth với reflection về long-term impact

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9

Thời lượng: 2.5-3 phút đầy đủ

I’d like to tell you about my high school English teacher, Ms. Lan, who was instrumental in unlocking my passion for creative writing—a passion that has since become an integral part of my identity.

Our paths crossed when I was a rather directionless sophomore, about six years ago. Ms. Lan taught English literature, but to call her simply a teacher would be a gross understatement. She was more of a literary mentor and career catalyst rolled into one. What truly distinguished her was not just her encyclopedic knowledge of literature, but her uncanny ability to tap into each student’s latent potential. She had this rare gift of making you feel seen and understood in a way that’s quite rare in institutional education.

The specific passion she cultivated in me was creative writing—something that had been lying dormant beneath my voracious reading habit. I’d always been what you might call a bookworm, but the notion that I could actually create stories rather than just consume them had never really occurred to me. Ms. Lan was the first person to hold up a mirror to my potential. After reading one of my essay assignments, she sought me out and told me, quite matter-of-factly, that I possessed a distinctive narrative voice that would be criminal to waste. She didn’t just offer empty praise; she provided a concrete roadmap, encouraging me to join the writing club and meticulously guiding me through several competition entries.

The ripple effects of her encouragement have been nothing short of transformative. On a tangible level, her mentorship was invaluable—she’d sacrifice her lunch breaks to pore over my manuscripts, offering incisive yet compassionate feedback that helped me evolve from a competent student writer into someone with genuine literary aspirations. But beyond the technical skills, what she really gave me was something infinitely more precious: the permission to dream bigger. I still vividly remember the surge of validation I felt when I clinched second place in a city-wide writing competition—a feat that seemed utterly unattainable before her intervention.

What’s perhaps most remarkable is that her influence hasn’t waned over time. Even now, years removed from her classroom, I write almost daily, and I’m actively pursuing journalism as a career path. Ms. Lan didn’t merely teach me about plot structure or character development; she taught me that sometimes all it takes to unlock someone’s potential is one person who believes in them enough to say, “You can do this, and here’s how.” Her steadfast conviction in my abilities during those formative years has become the inner voice that pushes me to take creative risks and embrace challenges rather than shy away from them. In many ways, she didn’t just encourage a passion—she helped me forge an identity.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	8.5-9	Speaks fluently and coherently với no apparent effort. Sophisticated use của cohesive devices và discourse markers. Ideas flow naturally với excellent development và progression.
Lexical Resource	8.5-9	Wide vocabulary range với sophisticated precision: “instrumental in unlocking”, “gross understatement”, “uncanny ability”, “lying dormant”, “criminal to waste”. Natural idioms: “hold up a mirror”, “pore over”. Topic-specific vocabulary sử dụng accurately.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	8.5-9	Full range of structures với flexibility và accuracy. Complex sentences: “What’s perhaps most remarkable is that…”, conditional structures, relative clauses được nest một cách tự nhiên. Virtually error-free.
Pronunciation	8.5-9	Pronunciation features được sử dụng effectively để enhance comprehension. Natural intonation patterns, appropriate stress và rhythm. Minimal L1 influence.

Tại Sao Bài Này Xuất Sắc

🎯 Fluency Hoàn Hảo:
Không có hesitation, không có repetition. Mỗi câu flows naturally sang câu tiếp theo. Sử dụng discourse markers sophisticated như “What truly distinguished her”, “What’s perhaps most remarkable” để guide listener.

📚 Vocabulary Tinh Vi:

• “instrumental in unlocking” thay vì “helped me discover” – more impactful và precise
• “dormant beneath my voracious reading habit” – visual imagery mạnh mẽ, “voracious” là less common word
• “criminal to waste” – idiomatic và emphatic
• “ripple effects” – metaphor tự nhiên thay vì “effects”
• “pore over my manuscripts” – phrasal verb sophisticated thay vì “read carefully”
• “waned” thay vì “decreased” – more literary choice

📝 Grammar Đa Dạng:

• “To call her simply a teacher would be a gross understatement” – infinitive as subject, conditional implication
• “What truly distinguished her was not just…but…” – cleft sentence cho emphasis
• “Something that had been lying dormant” – past perfect continuous trong relative clause
• “Years removed from her classroom” – reduced relative clause (years after I was removed from)

💡 Ideas Sâu Sắc:

• Không chỉ describe facts mà còn analyze emotional journey: “permission to dream bigger”, “inner voice”
• Reflection về identity formation: “she helped me forge an identity”
• Metaphors thoughtful: “hold up a mirror to my potential”, “ripple effects”
• Shows personal growth over time: “from competent student writer into someone with genuine literary aspirations”

Thí sinh tự tin trình bày cue card IELTS Speaking Part 2 về người động viên theo đuổi đam mê

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Follow-up Questions (Rounding Off Questions)

Sau khi bạn nói xong 2 phút, examiner thường hỏi 1-2 câu ngắn liên quan đến topic. Đây không phải Part 3 chính thức, chỉ là “winding down” transition.

Question 1: Do you still keep in touch with this person?

Band 6-7 Answer:
“Yes, I do. We message each other on Facebook sometimes, and I visited her at school last year to say hello. She was happy to hear about my progress.”

Band 8-9 Answer:
“Yes, actually. While we don’t see each other regularly, we’ve maintained a meaningful connection through social media. I made it a point to visit her last year to express my gratitude in person, and it was wonderful to catch up and share how her mentorship has continued to shape my trajectory.”

💡 Key differences:

• Band 6-7: factual, simple
• Band 8-9: “meaningful connection” thay vì just “keep in touch”, “express gratitude in person” thay vì “say hello”, “shape my trajectory” thay vì “progress”

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Question 2: Would you like to encourage others in the same way?

Band 6-7 Answer:
“Yes, definitely. I think it’s important to help others when you can. If I see someone with talent, I would try to encourage them like Ms. Lan encouraged me.”

Band 8-9 Answer:
“Absolutely. I feel a certain obligation to pay it forward, actually. Having experienced firsthand how transformative the right encouragement can be, I’d love to serve as a catalyst for others in the same way Ms. Lan did for me. I think there’s something profoundly rewarding about helping someone unlock potential they didn’t know they had.”

💡 Key differences:

• Band 8-9 uses: “obligation to pay it forward” (idiomatic), “serve as a catalyst” (sophisticated metaphor), “profoundly rewarding” (stronger than “important”), “unlock potential they didn’t know they had” (more evocative)

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IELTS Speaking Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Tổng Quan Về Part 3

Part 3 là phần khó nhất, kéo dài 4-5 phút với câu hỏi trừu tượng, sâu sắc về social issues liên quan đến chủ đề Part 2. Đây là lúc examiner assess khả năng critical thinking, analyze issues và discuss từ nhiều perspectives.

Yêu cầu:

• Phân tích, so sánh, đưa ra quan điểm có cơ sở
• Xem xét issues từ multiple angles
• Đưa ra examples từ society, không chỉ personal experience
• Acknowledge complexity của vấn đề (rarely black and white)

Chiến lược:

• Mở rộng câu trả lời: 4-6 câu mỗi question
• Structure: Direct answer → Reason 1 + example → Reason 2 + example → Nuance/Conclusion
• Sử dụng discourse markers: Well, Actually, I think, On the one hand, Having said that
• Tentative language: I would say, It seems to me, To some extent, Generally speaking
• Thừa nhận complexity: “It’s not straightforward”, “It depends on the context”, “There’s no simple answer”

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

• Trả lời quá ngắn (1-2 câu) rồi im lặng chờ câu hỏi tiếp
• Chỉ nói về personal experience thay vì societal trends
• Thiếu lý lẽ logic, chỉ state opinion không có reasoning
• Vocabulary quá đơn giản cho abstract topics
• Không dám disagree hay show nuanced thinking
• Speak too definitively: “Everyone thinks…”, “All people…” thay vì “Many people tend to…”

Các Câu Hỏi Thảo Luận Sâu

Theme 1: Role of Encouragement in Society

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Question 1: Why do you think some people need encouragement to pursue their passions while others don’t?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Compare & Explain (so sánh hai types của người)
• Key words: “some people”, “need encouragement”, “while others don’t”
• Cách tiếp cận: Đưa ra 2-3 factors khác nhau (personality, upbringing, confidence levels) với examples

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I think it depends on their personality. Some people are naturally more confident and they believe in themselves, so they don’t need others to tell them they can do something. But other people are less confident, maybe because of their family background or past experiences. They need someone to encourage them and tell them they have talent. For example, shy people usually need more support than outgoing people.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Có comparison (some vs others), có reason, có example
• Vocabulary: Basic (naturally more confident, shy, outgoing)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Đủ ý nhưng analysis không deep, vocabulary adequate nhưng không sophisticated, thiếu nuance

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“Well, I’d say it boils down to a combination of personality traits and formative experiences. Some individuals are simply wired to be more self-assured and intrinsically motivated—they possess what psychologists call an internal locus of control, meaning they believe their success depends primarily on their own efforts rather than external validation. These people tend to take the initiative without needing a cheerleader.

On the flip side, those who crave external encouragement often have experienced conditional approval during their upbringing—perhaps their achievements were only recognized when they met specific expectations. This can create a dependency on validation that persists into adulthood. There’s also the factor of risk tolerance; pursuing a passion often involves stepping into the unknown, and people with lower confidence naturally seek reassurance that they’re making the right choice.

That said, I think virtually everyone benefits from encouragement at some point, even the most self-driven individuals. The difference is perhaps that some people need it to take the first step, while others need it to sustain their momentum during challenging periods.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Well-organized: Direct statement → Group 1 analysis → Group 2 analysis → Nuanced conclusion
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated: “boils down to”, “wired”, “intrinsic motivation”, “locus of control”, “conditional approval”, “dependency on validation”, “risk tolerance”
• Grammar: Complex: relative clauses, participle phrases (“meaning they believe”), conditionals embedded naturally
• Critical Thinking: Đưa ra psychological concepts, acknowledge complexity (“virtually everyone benefits”), avoid overgeneralizing

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: “Well, I’d say”, “On the flip side”, “That said”
• Tentative language: “tend to”, “often”, “perhaps”, “I think”
• Abstract nouns: “validation”, “reassurance”, “momentum”, “dependency”
• Sophisticated collocations: “boils down to”, “take the initiative”, “step into the unknown”, “sustain momentum”

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Question 2: Do you think parents should push their children to develop specific talents, or let them discover interests naturally?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Opinion (với two opposing views)
• Key words: “push”, “specific talents” vs “discover naturally”
• Cách tiếp cận: Acknowledge both sides, then give your stance với reasons. Có thể choose một side hoặc middle ground.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I think both ways have advantages. If parents push children, the children might discover talents they didn’t know they had. For example, many famous musicians started because their parents made them practice. But if parents push too hard, children might feel stressed and lose interest. So I think the best way is somewhere in the middle—parents should introduce different activities to children, but not force them if they really don’t like it.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Balanced view, có example, có conclusion
• Vocabulary: Adequate (“push too hard”, “lose interest”, “somewhere in the middle”)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Clear opinion nhưng analysis shallow, thiếu sophisticated vocabulary và complex reasoning

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“This is quite a contentious issue, and I’d say the answer lies somewhere on a spectrum rather than at either extreme. On the one hand, there’s merit to guided exposure—parents often have the life experience and foresight to recognize potential in their children that the kids themselves might not yet see. Many prodigies in fields like music or sports benefited from early, structured training that their parents initiated. There’s also the reality that developing expertise in any field requires sustained effort and discipline, qualities that children don’t naturally possess, so some degree of parental scaffolding is necessary.

However, heavy-handed pushing can backfire spectacularly. When children feel they’re being coerced into activities that don’t resonate with them, it can breed resentment and actually kill their intrinsic motivation. I’ve seen cases where children who were pushed relentlessly into, say, piano lessons, end up despising music altogether once they gain autonomy.

I think the sweet spot is what I’d call informed guidance—parents exposing children to a diverse array of activities and then stepping back to see what genuinely sparks their interest. It’s about planting seeds rather than forcing growth. Parents should be attentive observers, ready to provide resources and encouragement when a child shows genuine curiosity, but also willing to let go if the interest fizzles out. After all, passion that’s externally imposed rarely has the staying power of passion that’s internally discovered.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Introduction → Argument for one side + example → Counter-argument + example → Nuanced conclusion with metaphor
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated: “contentious issue”, “spectrum”, “guided exposure”, “prodigies”, “parental scaffolding”, “heavy-handed”, “backfire spectacularly”, “breed resentment”, “sweet spot”
• Grammar: Complex structures throughout: inversion (“there’s merit”), relative clauses, conditional implications, gerunds as objects
• Critical Thinking: Shows balanced perspective, uses metaphors (“planting seeds vs forcing growth”), acknowledges real-world complexity, gives personal observations (“I’ve seen cases”)

💡 Key Language Features:

• Academic style: “contentious issue”, “lies somewhere on a spectrum”, “merit to…”
• Hedging language: “I’d say”, “might not yet see”, “I think the sweet spot is”
• Contrast structures: “On the one hand…However”, “rather than”
• Vivid expressions: “backfire spectacularly”, “breed resentment”, “fizzles out”, “staying power”

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Theme 2: Education System and Passion Development

Question 3: How well do you think the education system supports students in discovering and pursuing their passions?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Evaluate (đánh giá effectiveness)
• Key words: “education system”, “supports”, “discovering and pursuing passions”
• Cách tiếp cận: Critical analysis của current system, point out strengths và weaknesses, có thể compare với other systems hoặc suggest improvements

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“In my country, I think the education system doesn’t support this very well. Schools focus too much on academic subjects like math and science, and not enough on creative subjects like art or music. Students have to study many hours for exams, so they don’t have time to explore their interests. Some schools have clubs for different activities, but not all schools have good facilities. I think the system should give students more freedom to choose what they want to study.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear evaluation (negative), có reasons, có suggestion
• Vocabulary: Basic (“focus too much”, “not enough”, “give more freedom”)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Opinion rõ ràng nhưng analysis surface-level, thiếu specific examples và sophisticated vocabulary

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9:

“Well, if I’m being honest, I think most mainstream education systems, including Vietnam’s, are woefully inadequate in this regard. The fundamental problem is that they’re still largely built on an industrial-era model that prioritizes standardization over individualization. Schools tend to operate on a one-size-fits-all approach, funneling students through a rigid curriculum that’s heavily weighted towards academic subjects—mathematics, sciences, literature—while relegating supposedly “extracurricular” pursuits like arts, music, or sports to the margins.

This narrow focus is compounded by the relentless pressure of high-stakes examinations. In Vietnam, for instance, students are essentially preparing for university entrance exams from the moment they enter secondary school. This leaves precious little bandwidth for genuine exploration or the pursuit of non-academic passions. The few opportunities that do exist—school clubs, for example—are often under-resourced and treated as secondary to the “real” business of academic achievement.

That said, there are some encouraging developments. Some progressive schools are beginning to adopt more holistic approaches, incorporating passion projects or inquiry-based learning into their curricula. Finland’s education system, for instance, has garnered international acclaim for its emphasis on student autonomy and well-being alongside academics. But these remain exceptions rather than the rule.

Ultimately, I think systemic reform is needed—a shift towards viewing education not just as knowledge transmission, but as nurturing well-rounded individuals who have the self-awareness and confidence to pursue meaningful lives. That means rebalancing priorities, reducing examination pressure, and genuinely valuing diverse forms of intelligence and achievement.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Critical evaluation → Problem analysis với specific examples → Positive developments → Conclusion với solution
• Vocabulary: Highly sophisticated: “woefully inadequate”, “industrial-era model”, “one-size-fits-all”, “funneling”, “rigid curriculum”, “relegating”, “compounded by”, “precious little bandwidth”, “holistic approaches”, “garnered international acclaim”
• Grammar: Full range: passive constructions (“are still largely built”), participle phrases (“including Vietnam’s”), complex noun phrases (“the relentless pressure of high-stakes examinations”)
• Critical Thinking:
  • Identifies root cause (“industrial-era model”)
  • Uses specific country example (Vietnam, Finland)
  • Acknowledges positive trends but realistic về limitations
  • Proposes thoughtful solutions
  • Shows awareness của education theory (“knowledge transmission vs nurturing well-rounded individuals”)

💡 Key Language Features:

• Evaluative language: “woefully inadequate”, “fundamental problem”, “encouraging developments”
• Academic vocabulary: “standardization”, “individualization”, “compounded by”, “systemic reform”
• Examples from real world: Vietnam’s exam system, Finland’s progressive model
• Metaphors: “funneling students”, “margins”, “bandwidth”

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Theme 3: Social and Cultural Factors

Question 4: In what ways do cultural attitudes affect people’s willingness to pursue unconventional passions or career paths?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Cause-Effect (how cultural attitudes influence behavior)
• Key words: “cultural attitudes”, “unconventional passions”, “career paths”
• Cách tiếp cận: Identify specific cultural factors, explain mechanisms, give examples from different cultures nếu có thể

📝 Sample Answer – Band 7-8:

“Cultural attitudes play a huge role in this. In many Asian cultures, including Vietnam, there’s a strong emphasis on stable, prestigious careers like doctor, engineer, or teacher. Families often pressure children to follow these traditional paths because they’re seen as safe and respectable. This makes it difficult for young people to pursue unconventional careers like artist, musician, or entrepreneur, even if they’re passionate about them.

There’s also the concept of ‘face’ or social reputation in Asian cultures. If someone chooses an unusual career and fails, it brings shame not just to them but to their whole family. This fear of judgment can be very powerful. In contrast, Western cultures tend to value individualism more, so people feel freer to take risks and follow their passions, even if they’re unconventional.

However, I think these attitudes are gradually changing. As societies become more prosperous and information becomes more accessible through the internet, people are being exposed to diverse career possibilities and success stories that challenge traditional thinking.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear analysis của Asian vs Western cultures, specific examples, forward-looking conclusion
• Vocabulary: Good range: “emphasis on”, “prestigious careers”, “unconventional”, “concept of face”, “value individualism”, “gradually changing”
• Tại sao Band 7-8: Strong analysis với cultural insights, good examples, shows awareness của change over time. Vocabulary và grammar mostly sophisticated.

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9:

“Cultural attitudes exert tremendous influence on this, often in quite insidious ways. In collectivist societies—and I’m thinking particularly of East Asian cultures here—there’s often a deeply ingrained notion of prescribed life paths. Success tends to be narrowly defined in terms of specific professions that carry social prestige: medicine, law, engineering, academia. These aren’t just career preferences; they’re deeply intertwined with concepts of filial piety and family honor.

The social pressure operates on multiple levels. There’s the overt pressure from parents and relatives who genuinely believe they’re acting in the young person’s best interest by steering them toward ‘safe’ careers. But there’s also the more subtle, pervasive pressure of societal expectations. When someone announces they want to be, say, a dancer or a novelist, they often encounter well-meaning concern that thinly veils skepticism, or worse, outright dismissal. This creates what psychologists call a chilling effect—people self-censor their aspirations before even attempting to pursue them.

The stigma attached to failure is particularly pronounced in cultures where collective identity takes precedence over individualism. There’s the concept of ‘face’ in Chinese culture, or similar constructs across Asia, where one’s choices are seen as reflections on the entire family. This amplifies risk aversion—pursuing an unconventional passion becomes not just a personal gamble but a potential source of family shame if things don’t pan out.

Contrast this with cultures that have deeply embedded narratives around individualism and self-actualization—think of the American “follow your dreams” ethos. While these cultures certainly have their own pressures, there’s generally more cultural permission to deviate from the norm, to view failure as a learning experience rather than a permanent stain on one’s character.

That said, I think we’re witnessing a fascinating cultural shift. Globalization and social media have exposed younger generations to alternative success models—YouTubers, indie game developers, social entrepreneurs. There’s a growing recognition that the traditional paths aren’t necessarily guarantors of fulfillment or even financial security. In Vietnam, for instance, I’ve noticed more young people openly pursuing creative careers, though they still face considerable pushback. It’s a gradual evolution rather than a revolution, but the direction of change seems clear.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Complex multi-layered analysis: Introduction → Mechanism 1 (prescribed paths) → Mechanism 2 (social pressure) → Mechanism 3 (stigma of failure) → Contrasting example (Western cultures) → Current trends
• Vocabulary: Exceptional range: “insidious ways”, “deeply ingrained”, “prescribed life paths”, “intertwined with”, “filial piety”, “overt vs subtle pressure”, “thinly veils”, “chilling effect”, “self-censor”, “amplifies risk aversion”, “cultural permission”, “guarantors of fulfillment”
• Grammar: Full sophisticated range:
  • Relative clauses: “where collective identity takes precedence”
  • Participle phrases: “thinking particularly of”, “well-meaning concern that thinly veils”
  • Dash usage for elaboration: “—and I’m thinking particularly of…”
  • Complex conditionals embedded: “if things don’t pan out”
• Critical Thinking:
  • Psychological concepts: “chilling effect”, “self-censoring”, “risk aversion”
  • Anthropological insights: “filial piety”, “concept of face”, “collectivist vs individualist societies”
  • Nuanced comparison: Không simply “Asian bad, Western good” mà acknowledge “these cultures certainly have their own pressures”
  • Contemporary analysis: Social media impact, globalization effects
  • Specific examples: Vietnam’s changing attitudes, American “follow your dreams” ethos
  • Balanced view: “gradual evolution rather than revolution”

💡 Key Language Features:

• Academic discourse: “exert tremendous influence”, “operates on multiple levels”, “amplifies risk aversion”
• Sophisticated hedging: “tend to be”, “often”, “generally more”, “seems clear”
• Contrast structures: “not just…but…”, “Contrast this with…”, “rather than”
• Abstract nouns: “stigma”, “aspiration”, “self-actualization”, “fulfillment”, “pushback”
• Metaphorical language: “chilling effect”, “thinly veils”, “permanent stain”

Thí sinh thảo luận sâu trong IELTS Speaking Part 3 về vai trò xã hội trong việc động viên theo đuổi đam mê

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Question 5: Do you think social media has changed how young people discover and pursue their passions?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Analyze change/impact (technology’s effect on behavior)
• Key words: “social media”, “changed”, “discover and pursue”, “young people”
• Cách tiếp cận: Discuss both positive và negative impacts, give specific examples, acknowledge complexity

📝 Sample Answer – Band 7-8:

“Absolutely, social media has had a huge impact. On the positive side, it’s made it much easier for young people to discover new interests. For example, someone might see a video on TikTok or YouTube about cooking, painting, or coding, and suddenly realize they want to try it themselves. These platforms expose people to possibilities they might never have encountered in their local environment.

Social media has also made it easier to learn and develop skills. There are countless free tutorials and online communities where people can get advice and feedback. Plus, you can connect with like-minded people around the world, which is really encouraging when your local friends don’t share your interests.

However, there are downsides too. Social media can create unrealistic expectations because people only show their best work and successes. This might discourage beginners who compare themselves to others. There’s also the problem of short attention spans—people might jump from one interest to another without developing real depth in anything.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear position → Positive impacts với examples → Negative impacts with analysis
• Vocabulary: Good range: “expose people to possibilities”, “like-minded people”, “unrealistic expectations”, “short attention spans”
• Tại sao Band 7-8: Balanced analysis, relevant examples, shows critical thinking, good vocabulary

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 9:

“Social media has fundamentally revolutionized the landscape of passion discovery and pursuit, though the effects are decidedly double-edged.

On the positive side, we’re seeing unprecedented democratization of access. Platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok serve as vast repositories of inspiration and instruction. A teenager in a small Vietnamese town now has the same access to world-class guitar tutorials or digital art techniques as someone in New York or London. This has shattered geographic barriers that once constrained people to whatever passions their immediate environment could support. The algorithmic curation of content also means that once you show interest in something, you’re rapidly exposed to a rabbit hole of related content that can deepen engagement.

Moreover, social media has created viable pathways for passion-based careers that simply didn’t exist a decade ago. The ability to build an audience and monetize niche interests through platforms like Patreon, YouTube revenue, or Instagram sponsorships means that pursuits once dismissed as “impractical hobbies”—say, miniature painting or vintage fashion—can now be economically sustainable. This has legitimized unconventional passions in the eyes of skeptical parents and society.

However, there are significant pitfalls. The highlight-reel nature of social media creates what I’d call passion envy—people compare their messy beginnings to others’ polished outcomes, which can be deeply demotivating. There’s also the phenomenon of performative passion—pursuing interests primarily for the social capital and external validation they generate rather than intrinsic enjoyment. I’ve noticed some young people seem to curate passions the way they curate their profiles, chasing trends rather than authentic interests.

The attention economy also plays a role. Social media’s infinite scroll and dopamine-driven design can actually undermine the kind of sustained, focused practice that mastery requires. People might dabble in dozens of things without committing deeply to any single pursuit—what some call the “jack of all trades, master of none” phenomenon.

On balance, I think social media is a powerful amplifier—it can accelerate passion discovery and provide unprecedented support systems, but it can also amplify insecurities and fragment attention. The key, perhaps, is mindful engagement—using these tools to explore and connect while maintaining enough self-awareness to avoid the pitfalls.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Exceptional organization: Introduction with thesis → Positive impacts (access + economic viability) → Negative impacts (comparison + performative behavior + attention issues) → Balanced conclusion
• Vocabulary: Outstanding range: “unprecedented democratization”, “vast repositories”, “shattered geographic barriers”, “algorithmic curation”, “rabbit hole”, “economically sustainable”, “highlight-reel nature”, “passion envy”, “performative passion”, “social capital”, “curate passions”, “dopamine-driven design”, “jack of all trades”
• Grammar: Full sophisticated range with flexibility và accuracy throughout
• Critical Thinking:
  • Sociological concepts: “democratization of access”, “attention economy”, “performative behavior”
  • Psychological insights: “passion envy”, “external validation vs intrinsic enjoyment”, “dopamine-driven design”
  • Economic analysis: “monetize niche interests”, “economically sustainable”, “legitimized unconventional passions”
  • Coinage of terms: “passion envy” (original analytical term)
  • Contemporary examples: Specific platforms (Patreon, TikTok), specific scenarios (teenager in Vietnamese town)
  • Nuanced conclusion: Tool as “amplifier” rather than inherently good/bad
  • Meta-awareness: “mindful engagement”, “self-awareness”

💡 Key Language Features:

• Academic precision: “fundamentally revolutionized”, “decidedly double-edged”, “unprecedented democratization”
• Metaphorical language: “rabbit hole”, “highlight-reel”, “infinite scroll”, “powerful amplifier”
• Sophisticated hedging: “I’d call”, “seems to”, “perhaps”, “On balance”
• Contrast and balance: “though the effects are”, “However”, “On the positive side…However”, “can…but it can also”
• Idiomatic expressions: “jack of all trades”, “double-edged”, “on balance”

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Theme 4: Long-term Impact and Personal Development

Question 6: How important is it for people to have a passion outside of their work?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Opinion + Justify (importance evaluation)
• Key words: “important”, “passion outside of work”
• Cách tiếp cận: Take a stance, provide multiple reasons (psychological, social, health), acknowledge counter-view

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I think it’s very important to have passions outside of work. First, it helps people relax and reduce stress. If you only focus on work, you can become burned out. Hobbies give you something to look forward to after a long day. Second, having other interests makes you a more interesting person. You can meet new people through your hobbies and have more things to talk about. Finally, some people turn their hobbies into side businesses, which can provide extra income. So overall, I believe everyone should have at least one passion outside their job.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear opinion → Three reasons → Conclusion
• Vocabulary: Adequate: “reduce stress”, “burned out”, “look forward to”, “interesting person”, “side businesses”
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Organized với multiple reasons, but analysis fairly surface-level, vocabulary functional but not sophisticated

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9:

“I’d argue it’s not just important—it’s absolutely essential for psychological well-being and holistic development, though I recognize this might sound hyperbolic to some.

From a mental health perspective, having passions outside work serves as a critical buffer against occupational burnout. When your entire identity and sense of purpose are wrapped up in your professional role, any setbacks or stagnation at work can be psychologically devastating. Hobbies and passions provide what psychologists call psychic diversification—you’re not putting all your emotional eggs in one basket. If work is going poorly, you can still derive satisfaction and self-worth from your passion for, say, rock climbing or pottery.

There’s also the matter of cognitive benefits. Engaging in diverse activities—especially those that involve learning new skills or creative expression—has been shown to enhance neuroplasticity and cognitive flexibility. Someone who spends their workday doing data analysis but their evenings playing jazz guitar is exercising different neural pathways, which can actually make them better at their day job through improved creativity and problem-solving.

Moreover, passions often provide a sense of agency and intrinsic motivation that might be lacking in one’s professional life. Many people feel they have limited control at work—they answer to bosses, follow procedures, meet others’ expectations. A personal passion is something you pursue purely for yourself, on your own terms. This autonomy is psychologically nourishing in ways that extrinsic motivators like salary or status can never be.

That said, I think the degree of necessity varies. Some fortunate individuals have careers that perfectly align with their passions—they’ve managed to monetize what they love. For these people, work and passion are one and the same, and demanding they cultivate separate hobbies might be artificial. There’s also cultural variation; in some achievement-oriented cultures, the concept of “work-life balance” with distinct boundaries might feel less relevant.

But for the vast majority of people who work primarily out of economic necessity rather than passion, having meaningful pursuits outside work isn’t a luxury—it’s a vital component of a fulfilling life. It’s what transforms existence from mere survival to something approaching flourishing.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Sophisticated multi-angle analysis: Introduction với strong thesis → Mental health argument → Cognitive benefits → Autonomy and intrinsic motivation → Acknowledgment of exceptions → Conclusion reinforcing main point
• Vocabulary: Exceptional: “hyperbolic”, “critical buffer”, “occupational burnout”, “wrapped up in”, “psychologically devastating”, “psychic diversification”, “neuroplasticity”, “cognitive flexibility”, “sense of agency”, “intrinsic motivation”, “psychologically nourishing”, “extrinsic motivators”, “flourishing vs survival”
• Grammar: Full range với complete flexibility:
  • Conditional: “If work is going poorly…”
  • Relative clauses embedded naturally throughout
  • Participle phrases: “engaging in diverse activities”, “someone who spends…”
  • Dash usage for clarification: “—you’re not putting…”
  • Contrast structures: “from mere survival to something approaching flourishing”
• Critical Thinking:
  • Psychological frameworks: “psychic diversification”, “psychologically devastating”, “cognitive flexibility”, “intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation”
  • Neuroscience reference: “neuroplasticity”, “neural pathways”
  • Acknowledges complexity: Counter-argument về people whose work aligns with passion, cultural variations
  • Philosophical dimension: “transforms existence from mere survival to flourishing” (echoes Aristotelian eudaimonia)
  • Metaphor: “emotional eggs in one basket”, “critical buffer”
  • Evidence-based: “has been shown to enhance” (references research without overstating)

💡 Key Language Features:

• Emphatic opening: “not just important—it’s absolutely essential”
• Academic vocabulary: “holistic development”, “occupational burnout”, “cognitive benefits”, “achievement-oriented cultures”
• Hedging when appropriate: “might sound hyperbolic”, “I’d argue”, “degree of necessity varies”
• Sophisticated synonyms: “psychologically nourishing”, “meaningful pursuits”, “vital component”
• Abstract concepts: “agency”, “autonomy”, “flourishing”, “sense of purpose”

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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
instrumental in	adj phrase	/ˌɪnstrəˈmentl ɪn/	đóng vai trò then chốt trong	She was instrumental in helping me discover my passion for writing.	be instrumental in + V-ing, play an instrumental role
profound impact	noun phrase	/prəˈfaʊnd ˈɪmpækt/	tác động sâu sắc	His encouragement had a profound impact on my confidence.	have a profound impact, profound influence, profound effect
formative years	noun phrase	/ˈfɔːrmətɪv jɪrz/	những năm hình thành (tuổi trẻ)	During my formative years, my teacher shaped my attitude.	during formative years, in one’s formative years
instill confidence	verb phrase	/ɪnˈstɪl ˈkɑːnfɪdəns/	truyền đạt sự tự tin	Good mentors instill confidence in their students.	instill confidence, instill values, instill discipline
unwavering support	noun phrase	/ʌnˈweɪvərɪŋ səˈpɔːrt/	sự hỗ trợ không lay chuyển	Her unwavering support helped me through difficult times.	provide unwavering support, unwavering encouragement, unwavering belief
nurture a passion	verb phrase	/ˈnɜːrtʃər ə ˈpæʃn/	vun đắp đam mê	Teachers should nurture passions in their students.	nurture a passion, nurture talent, nurture potential
distinctive voice	noun phrase	/dɪˈstɪŋktɪv vɔɪs/	giọng điệu/phong cách riêng biệt	She told me I had a distinctive voice in my writing.	distinctive voice, unique voice, authentic voice
hone one’s craft	verb phrase	/hoʊn wʌnz kræft/	trau dồi kỹ năng	Years of practice help you hone your craft.	hone skills, hone techniques, hone abilities
self-belief	noun	/self bɪˈliːf/	lòng tin vào bản thân	Encouragement fosters self-belief in young people.	develop self-belief, build self-belief, lack self-belief
pivotal role	noun phrase	/ˈpɪvətl roʊl/	vai trò then chốt	Mentors play a pivotal role in career development.	play a pivotal role, pivotal moment, pivotal experience
gravitate towards	phrasal verb	/ˈɡrævɪteɪt təˈwɔːrdz/	bị thu hút về phía	As I matured, I gravitated towards more intellectual pursuits.	gravitate towards, naturally gravitate, gravitate away from
counterbalance	verb	/ˈkaʊntərˌbæləns/	cân bằng, bù đắp	Hobbies counterbalance the stress of work.	counterbalance stress, counterbalance effects, counterbalance influence
persevere	verb	/ˌpɜːrsəˈvɪr/	kiên trì, bền bỉ	With encouragement, you’re more likely to persevere through challenges.	persevere through, persevere despite, persevere with
intrinsic motivation	noun phrase	/ɪnˈtrɪnsɪk ˌmoʊtɪˈveɪʃn/	động lực nội tại	Intrinsic motivation is more sustainable than external rewards.	intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, develop intrinsic motivation
transformative experience	noun phrase	/trænsˈfɔːrmətɪv ɪkˈspɪriəns/	trải nghiệm mang tính thay đổi	Meeting that mentor was a transformative experience.	transformative experience, transformative impact, transformative journey
locus of control	noun phrase	/ˈloʊkəs əv kənˈtroʊl/	điểm kiểm soát (tâm lý học)	People with internal locus of control believe they shape their destiny.	internal locus of control, external locus of control
risk aversion	noun phrase	/rɪsk əˈvɜːrʒn/	né tránh rủi ro	Cultural factors can increase risk aversion among young people.	risk aversion, high risk aversion, overcome risk aversion
cognitive flexibility	noun phrase	/ˈkɑːɡnətɪv ˌfleksəˈbɪləti/	sự linh hoạt nhận thức	Learning new skills enhances cognitive flexibility.	cognitive flexibility, improve cognitive flexibility, cognitive abilities
psychic diversification	noun phrase	/ˈsaɪkɪk daɪˌvɜːrsɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/	đa dạng hóa tinh thần	Having multiple interests provides psychic diversification.	psychic diversification, emotional diversification
occupational burnout	noun phrase	/ˌɑːkjuˈpeɪʃənl ˈbɜːrnaʊt/	kiệt sức nghề nghiệp	Passions outside work prevent occupational burnout.	experience occupational burnout, prevent burnout, burnout symptoms

Idiomatic Expressions & Advanced Phrases

Cụm từ	Nghĩa	Ví dụ sử dụng	Band điểm
make all the difference	tạo ra sự khác biệt lớn	A little encouragement can make all the difference between giving up and succeeding.	7.5-9
in someone’s corner	ủng hộ ai đó (idiom boxing)	It’s important to have someone in your corner when pursuing challenging goals.	8-9
push beyond one’s comfort zone	vượt ra ngoài vùng an toàn	Good mentors help you push beyond your comfort zone.	7.5-9
take the initiative	chủ động, nắm quyền chủ động	Some people naturally take the initiative without needing external encouragement.	7-9
step into the unknown	bước vào điều chưa biết	Pursuing a passion often means stepping into the unknown.	8-9
at the first hurdle	ngay từ trở ngại đầu tiên	Without support, many people give up at the first hurdle.	7.5-8.5
boil down to	quy về, tóm gọn lại	Success often boils down to having the right support system.	7.5-9
hold up a mirror to	phản chiếu, cho thấy rõ	Good teachers hold up a mirror to your potential.	8.5-9
plant seeds	gieo mầm, khởi đầu	Parents should plant seeds of curiosity rather than forcing interests.	8-9
backfire spectacularly	phản tác dụng nghiêm trọng	Pushing children too hard can backfire spectacularly.	8-9
breed resentment	sinh ra oán giận	Excessive pressure can breed resentment in young people.	7.5-9
fizzle out	phai nhạt, tàn lụi	Interest that’s forced often fizzles out quickly.	7-8.5
dabble in	thử sức, nghịch ngợm với	Many people dabble in various hobbies without committing deeply.	7-8
jack of all trades, master of none	biết nhiều thứ nhưng không tinh thông thứ nào	Social media can create jacks of all trades, masters of none.	8-9
the sweet spot	điểm tối ưu, vị trí hoàn hảo	The sweet spot is gentle guidance without pressure.	7.5-8.5
put all one’s eggs in one basket	đặt tất cả vào một chỗ (rủi ro)	It’s risky to put all your eggs in one basket by focusing only on work.	7-9

Discourse Markers (Từ Nối Ý Trong Speaking)

Để bắt đầu câu trả lời:

• 📝 Well,… – Sử dụng khi cần một chút thời gian suy nghĩ: “Well, I’d say encouragement is crucial for most people.”
• 📝 Actually,… – Khi đưa ra góc nhìn bất ngờ hoặc khác: “Actually, I think some people need less encouragement than we assume.”
• 📝 To be honest,… – Khi nói thẳng thắn: “To be honest, I think the education system fails most students in this regard.”
• 📝 I’d say that… – Khi đưa ra opinion có suy nghĩ: “I’d say that cultural attitudes play a huge role here.”

Để bổ sung ý:

• 📝 On top of that,… – Thêm vào đó: “On top of that, social media has created new ways to monetize passions.”
• 📝 What’s more,… – Hơn nữa (formal hơn moreover): “What’s more, having diverse interests improves cognitive flexibility.”
• 📝 Not to mention… – Chưa kể đến: “Not to mention the mental health benefits of having hobbies outside work.”
• 📝 Beyond that,… – Ngoài điều đó ra: “Beyond that, passions provide a sense of identity.”

Để đưa ra quan điểm cân bằng:

• 📝 On the one hand,… On the other hand,… – “On the one hand, pushing children can expose them to opportunities. On the other hand, it can breed resentment.”
• 📝 While it’s true that…, we also need to consider… – “While it’s true that some people are self-motivated, we also need to consider those who aren’t.”
• 📝 Having said that,… – Tuy nhiên, dẫu vậy: “Having said that, not everyone has equal access to encouragement.”
• 📝 That said,… – Điều đó nói lên rằng: “That said, cultural attitudes are gradually changing.”

Để kết luận:

• 📝 All in all,… – Tóm lại: “All in all, I believe encouragement is essential for most people.”
• 📝 At the end of the day,… – Cuối cùng thì: “At the end of the day, passion needs both internal drive and external support.”
• 📝 On balance,… – Xét cho cùng: “On balance, the benefits of social media outweigh the drawbacks.”
• 📝 Ultimately,… – Về căn bản, cuối cùng: “Ultimately, each person’s journey is unique.”

Grammatical Structures Ấn Tượng

1. Conditional Sentences (Câu điều kiện):

Mixed conditional (Type 2 + 3):

• Formula: If + past simple, would + have + past participle
• Ví dụ: “If I didn’t have her support (past), I wouldn’t have pursued (would + have + PP) this career path.”

Inversion for emphasis:

• Formula: Had + subject + past participle, would have…
• Ví dụ: “Had she not encouraged me, I would never have discovered my passion for writing.”

2. Relative Clauses (Mệnh đề quan hệ):

Non-defining relative clause:

• Formula: …, which/who + verb, …
• Ví dụ: “My teacher, who recognized my potential early on, played a pivotal role in my development.”

Reduced relative clause:

• Formula: Remove “who/which + be”
• Ví dụ: “Students lacking confidence (= who lack confidence) often need more encouragement.”

3. Passive Voice (Câu bị động) cho academic tone:

Impersonal passive:

• It is thought/believed/said that…
• Ví dụ: “It is widely believed that early encouragement shapes lifelong attitudes.”

Passive reporting:

• Research has shown that…
• Ví dụ: “Studies have demonstrated that external encouragement can boost intrinsic motivation.”

4. Cleft Sentences (Câu chẻ) cho emphasis:

What-cleft:

• What I find most…, is…
• Ví dụ: “What I find most remarkable about her approach is that she never imposed her own preferences.”

It-cleft:

• It is/was… that…
• Ví dụ: “It was her unwavering belief in me that made the difference.”

The thing that…, is…

• Ví dụ: “The thing that set her apart was her ability to see potential others missed.”

5. Participle Clauses (Mệnh đề phân từ):

Present participle (showing simultaneous action):

• Ví dụ: “Recognizing my hesitation, she offered gentle encouragement rather than pressure.”

Past participle (passive meaning):

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

6. Inversion for Dramatic Effect:

Negative adverbials at the beginning:

• Never have I…, Rarely do we…, Not only… but also…
• Ví dụ: “Never have I met someone so dedicated to nurturing young talent.”
• Ví dụ: “Not only did she provide feedback, but she also connected me with opportunities.”

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Lời khuyên cuối từ Examiner:

Việc chuẩn bị cho chủ đề “Describe a person who has encouraged you to pursue your passions” không chỉ là học thuộc từ vựng hay template. Điều quan trọng nhất là:

1. Chọn một người thật trong cuộc đời bạn – Điều này giúp bạn nói tự nhiên và chân thành hơn. Có thể là giáo viên, gia đình, bạn bè, hoặc thậm chí một người lạ.

2. Có specific details – Thay vì nói “she was nice”, hãy nói “she spent her lunch breaks reviewing my drafts”. Specific examples làm câu chuyện believable và memorable.

3. Show emotional depth – Đừng chỉ mô tả facts. Nói về feelings: “I felt validated”, “Her words gave me permission to dream bigger”. Emotion makes your answer human.

4. Practice fluency, not perfection – Band 9 không có nghĩa là không mắc lỗi. Nó có nghĩa là communicate effectively. Một small grammar mistake không ảnh hưởng nhiều nếu overall message rõ ràng và vocabulary good.

5. Đừng cố nhồi nhét tất cả từ vựng cao cấp – Sử dụng advanced vocabulary naturally trong context. “Instill confidence” sounds better than “put confidence inside me”. Naturalness trumps complexity.

6. Timing is crucial – Practice với timer. Part 2 phải đủ 2 phút nhưng không quá 2.5 phút. Part 3 mỗi answer nên 4-6 câu (30-45 giây).

Chủ đề này là cơ hội tuyệt vời để show không chỉ English ability mà còn emotional intelligence và critical thinking. Examiner muốn thấy một human being đang share một meaningful story, không phải một robot reciting memorized text.

Hãy nhớ: The best IELTS answers sound like natural conversations with thoughtful people, not academic essays read aloud.

Chúc bạn thành công trong kỳ thi IELTS!