Mở bài
Chủ đề “Describe A Person Who Is Good At Writing” là một trong những đề tài thú vị và khá phổ biến trong IELTS Speaking Part 2. Đây là dạng câu hỏi yêu cầu bạn miêu tả một người có kỹ năng viết lách xuất sắc – có thể là nhà văn chuyên nghiệp, nhà báo, blogger, hoặc đơn giản là một người bạn có tài năng viết.
Tần suất xuất hiện: Chủ đề này xuất hiện với tần suất trung bình đến cao trong các kỳ thi IELTS từ năm 2020 đến 2024, đặc biệt trong bối cảnh truyền thông số và content creation ngày càng phát triển. Dự đoán khả năng xuất hiện trong tương lai: Cao, vì chủ đề liên quan đến kỹ năng cá nhân và có thể kết hợp với nhiều góc độ khác nhau như công nghệ, giáo dục, nghề nghiệp.
Chủ đề này quan trọng vì nó cho phép examiner đánh giá khả năng của bạn trong việc miêu tả con người, sử dụng từ vựng liên quan đến kỹ năng và tài năng, cũng như khả năng kể chuyện một cách mạch lạc. Bài viết này sẽ trang bị cho bạn:
- Câu hỏi thường gặp trong cả 3 Part với phân tích chi tiết
- Bài mẫu theo nhiều band điểm (6-7, 7.5-8, 8.5-9) kèm phân tích chuyên sâu
- Kho từ vựng và cụm từ ăn điểm về writing và creative skills
- Chiến lược trả lời hiệu quả từ góc nhìn examiner
- Lời khuyên thực tế để tránh những lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam
IELTS Speaking Part 1: Introduction and Interview
Tổng Quan Về Part 1
Part 1 của IELTS Speaking kéo dài 4-5 phút với các câu hỏi ngắn về cuộc sống hàng ngày, sở thích cá nhân và các chủ đề quen thuộc. Với chủ đề writing, examiner thường hỏi về thói quen viết lách, sở thích đọc và quan điểm về kỹ năng này.
Chiến lược: Trả lời tự nhiên với 2-3 câu cho mỗi câu hỏi. Đừng chỉ nói “Yes” hay “No” – hãy mở rộng ý bằng cách đưa ra lý do, ví dụ hoặc chi tiết bổ sung.
Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:
- Trả lời quá ngắn gọn, thiếu elaboration
- Sử dụng từ vựng đơn giản lặp đi lặp lại (good, nice, interesting)
- Thiếu ví dụ cụ thể từ kinh nghiệm bản thân
- Ngại paraphrase câu hỏi trong câu trả lời
Các Câu Hỏi Thường Gặp
Question 1: Do you like writing?
Question 2: What kinds of things do you usually write?
Question 3: Do you think writing is important?
Question 4: Do you prefer writing by hand or typing on a computer?
Question 5: Have you ever written a letter to someone?
Question 6: Do you write a diary or journal?
Question 7: What kind of writing do you find most difficult?
Question 8: Do you think good writing skills are important for your future career?
Phân Tích và Gợi Ý Trả Lời Chi Tiết
Question: Do you like writing?
🎯 Cách tiếp cận:
- Trả lời trực tiếp có hay không
- Giải thích lý do (tại sao thích/không thích)
- Đưa ví dụ cụ thể về loại hình viết bạn làm
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“Yes, I like writing quite a bit. I usually write emails for work and sometimes I write short posts on social media. I find it’s a good way to express my thoughts and communicate with others clearly.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Trả lời rõ ràng, có đưa ra ví dụ cụ thể (emails, social media posts), có lý do cơ bản
- Hạn chế: Từ vựng khá basic (good way, quite a bit), thiếu chi tiết về cảm xúc/trải nghiệm cá nhân
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Câu trả lời đủ độ dài và mạch lạc nhưng vocabulary chưa sophisticated, grammar đơn giản với mostly simple sentences
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
“I’d say I’m quite passionate about writing, actually. I find it to be an incredibly therapeutic way to organize my thoughts and articulate my ideas. I particularly enjoy creative writing – I occasionally dabble in writing short stories or reflective essays about my personal experiences. What I love most is how writing allows me to capture moments and emotions that might otherwise fade from memory.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Vocabulary phong phú và precise (passionate about, therapeutic, articulate, dabble in, fade from memory), complex sentences với relative clauses, ý tưởng sâu sắc về giá trị của writing
- Tại sao Band 8-9: Fluency tự nhiên với discourse marker (“actually”, “I’d say”), lexical resource xuất sắc với collocations chuẩn, grammar đa dạng, ideas sophisticated thể hiện personal insight
💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:
- passionate about: say mê, đam mê
- therapeutic: có tác dụng chữa lành, thư giãn
- articulate (v): diễn đạt rõ ràng
- dabble in: thử sức, làm theo sở thích (không chuyên nghiệp)
- reflective essays: bài viết suy ngẫm
- fade from memory: phai nhạt trong ký ức
Question: What kinds of things do you usually write?
🎯 Cách tiếp cận:
- Liệt kê 2-3 loại hình viết cụ thể
- Giải thích mục đích của từng loại
- Có thể so sánh tần suất hoặc độ ưa thích
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“Well, I write different things depending on the situation. For work, I write reports and emails every day. In my free time, I sometimes write comments on Facebook or write messages to my friends. I also write shopping lists to remember what to buy.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Có phân loại rõ ràng (work vs personal), đưa ra nhiều ví dụ cụ thể
- Hạn chế: Vocabulary repetitive (write xuất hiện quá nhiều lần), thiếu variety trong cách diễn đạt
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Content adequate nhưng language chưa flexible, thiếu less common vocabulary
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
“Well, my writing varies quite a bit depending on the context. Professionally, I’m constantly drafting reports and composing business correspondence, which requires a fairly formal and concise style. On a more personal level, I’m an avid journaler – I try to jot down my thoughts and reflections each evening, which helps me process the day’s events. I also occasionally contribute blog posts about travel experiences, where I can adopt a more conversational and descriptive tone.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Paraphrasing xuất sắc (write → drafting, composing, jot down, contribute), có phân loại theo register (formal vs conversational), vocabulary sophisticated (avid journaler, process events, correspondence)
- Tại sao Band 8-9: Demonstrates flexible use of language, variety in vocabulary, complex sentence structures, shows awareness of different writing styles
💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:
- depending on the context: tùy thuộc vào ngữ cảnh
- drafting reports: soạn thảo báo cáo
- business correspondence: thư từ công việc
- avid journaler: người thích viết nhật ký
- jot down: ghi chép nhanh
- process the day’s events: xử lý/suy ngẫm các sự kiện trong ngày
- conversational tone: giọng điệu đàm thoại, thân mật
Question: Do you prefer writing by hand or typing on a computer?
🎯 Cách tiếp cận:
- Đưa ra sở thích rõ ràng
- Giải thích advantages của lựa chọn đó
- Có thể đề cập đến trường hợp ngoại lệ
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“I prefer typing on a computer because it’s faster and more convenient. When I write by hand, my handwriting is not very neat and it takes more time. Also, I can easily correct mistakes when I type, which is very useful.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Clear preference, có đưa ra reasons (faster, convenient, can correct mistakes)
- Hạn chế: Ideas khá superficial, vocabulary basic (faster, convenient, very useful)
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate response với basic reasoning, nhưng thiếu depth và sophisticated vocabulary
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
“That’s an interesting question because my preference actually shifts depending on the purpose. For anything work-related or lengthy, I definitely lean towards typing – it’s far more efficient and allows me to edit seamlessly. However, there’s something quite special about handwriting when it comes to personal notes or creative brainstorming. I find that writing by hand engages my brain differently and often helps me think more clearly and retain information better. So I’d say it’s a matter of choosing the right tool for the task.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Balanced view thể hiện critical thinking, vocabulary precise và varied (lean towards, seamlessly, brainstorming, engages my brain), có nuance trong ý tưởng
- Tại sao Band 8-9: Shows sophisticated reasoning, uses complex structures, demonstrates flexibility in perspective, vocabulary is precise and less common
💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:
- shifts depending on: thay đổi tùy thuộc vào
- lean towards: nghiêng về, thiên về
- edit seamlessly: chỉnh sửa một cách liền mạch
- engage my brain differently: kích hoạt não bộ theo cách khác
- retain information: ghi nhớ thông tin
- choosing the right tool for the task: chọn công cụ phù hợp cho từng công việc
Để hiểu rõ hơn về cách quản lý thời gian khi chuẩn bị cho các câu trả lời trong IELTS Speaking, bạn có thể tham khảo thêm describe a time when you had to manage a tight schedule để học cách tổ chức ý tưởng hiệu quả.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)
Tổng Quan Về Part 2
Part 2 là phần độc thoại kéo dài 3-4 phút (1 phút chuẩn bị + 2 phút nói). Đây là phần quan trọng nhất để thể hiện khả năng sử dụng ngôn ngữ liên tục và mạch lạc.
Thời gian chuẩn bị: 1 phút – sử dụng hiệu quả bằng cách ghi chú keywords, không viết câu hoàn chỉnh
Thời gian nói: 2-3 phút – cần nói đủ thời gian, không quá ngắn
Đặc điểm: Bạn phải nói liên tục về một chủ đề cụ thể mà không bị examiner ngắt lời (trừ khi bạn nói quá 3 phút)
Chiến lược:
- Ghi chú nhanh các từ khóa trong 1 phút, tập trung vào các bullet points
- Trả lời đầy đủ tất cả các yêu cầu trong đề bài
- Sử dụng thì động từ phù hợp (thường là quá khứ khi kể về người cụ thể)
- Mở rộng ý với examples và personal reflections
- Nói đủ 2 phút – đừng dừng quá sớm
Lỗi thường gặp:
- Sử dụng hết 1 phút chuẩn bị để viết câu thay vì brainstorm ý tưởng
- Nói dưới 1.5 phút hoặc vượt quá 3 phút
- Bỏ sót một hoặc nhiều bullet points
- Không maintain fluency, dừng quá nhiều
- Thiếu personal touch, nói chung chung
Cue Card
Describe a person who is good at writing
You should say:
- Who this person is
- How you know this person
- What kind of writing this person does
- And explain why you think this person is good at writing
Phân Tích Đề Bài
Dạng câu hỏi: Describe a person – yêu cầu miêu tả về một người cụ thể
Thì động từ: Chủ yếu dùng hiện tại đơn khi nói về người đó hiện tại, có thể dùng quá khứ khi kể về cách bạn gặp họ
Bullet points phải cover:
- Who this person is: Giới thiệu tên, nghề nghiệp, mối quan hệ với bạn
- How you know this person: Kể về hoàn cảnh gặp gỡ, thời gian quen biết
- What kind of writing this person does: Mô tả cụ thể loại hình viết lách họ làm
- And explain why you think this person is good at writing: Đây là phần QUAN TRỌNG NHẤT – phải giải thích chi tiết với examples và personal opinions
Câu “explain” quan trọng: Phần “explain” thường chiếm 40-50% thời gian nói và là nơi bạn thể hiện critical thinking, vocabulary range, và depth of ideas. Đừng chỉ nói “because they write well” – hãy phân tích cụ thể qualities, impacts, techniques mà người đó có.
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7
Thời lượng: Khoảng 1.5-2 phút
“I’d like to talk about my former English teacher, Ms. Nguyen, who is really good at writing. I met her when I was in high school, about five years ago. She taught me English for two years and I was very impressed by her writing skills.
Ms. Nguyen writes many different types of things. She writes articles for education magazines about teaching methods. She also writes short stories in her free time and has published some of them in local newspapers. Sometimes she writes poems too, which I think is very difficult.
I think she is good at writing for several reasons. First, her writing is always very clear and easy to understand. When she explains difficult grammar points in her articles, students can understand them easily. Her vocabulary is very rich and she uses many interesting words. Second, her stories are very engaging. When I read her short stories, I always want to know what happens next. She knows how to make readers interested.
Another reason is that she pays attention to details. She always checks her writing many times before publishing it. She told me that good writing needs time and effort. I learned a lot from her about how to improve my writing skills. She inspired me to write more carefully and think about my readers.”
Phân Tích Band Điểm
| Tiêu chí | Band | Nhận xét |
|---|---|---|
| Fluency & Coherence | 6-7 | Có sử dụng linking words (First, Second, Another reason) nhưng còn mechanical, ideas được present logically nhưng không very smooth |
| Lexical Resource | 6-7 | Vocabulary adequate (impressed, engaging, pays attention to details) nhưng chưa sophisticated, một số collocations chưa natural (very good at writing, very impressed) |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | 6-7 | Mix of simple và complex sentences, có dùng relative clauses nhưng chưa varied, mostly accurate với một số minor errors |
| Pronunciation | 6-7 | (Giả định) Generally clear với occasional mispronunciation, intonation acceptable |
Điểm mạnh:
- ✅ Cover đầy đủ tất cả bullet points trong đề bài
- ✅ Có examples cụ thể (articles, short stories, poems)
- ✅ Structure rõ ràng với introduction, body, conclusion
- ✅ Đủ độ dài (khoảng 1.5-2 phút)
Hạn chế:
- ⚠️ Vocabulary còn basic và repetitive (very good, very impressed, very difficult)
- ⚠️ Thiếu sophisticated expressions và idiomatic language
- ⚠️ Ideas chưa deeply developed, explanation còn surface-level
- ⚠️ Grammar structures chưa đa dạng, mostly simple-complex combinations
📝 Sample Answer – Band 7.5-8
Thời lượng: Khoảng 2-2.5 phút
“I’d like to tell you about my university professor, Dr. Mai, who is an exceptionally talented writer. I first encountered her work about three years ago when I was taking her creative writing course, and I’ve been thoroughly impressed by her abilities ever since.
Dr. Mai is primarily an academic writer – she specializes in literary criticism and has published numerous papers in prestigious international journals. However, what makes her particularly interesting is that she also maintains a popular blog where she writes about Vietnamese culture and literature in a much more accessible style. Additionally, she’s the author of two novels that have been quite well-received by both critics and general readers.
What really sets her apart as a writer is her remarkable versatility. She can seamlessly switch between highly academic prose and engaging, conversational writing depending on her audience. When I read her academic papers, I’m always struck by how she presents complex ideas in such a clear and logical manner. Her arguments are always well-structured and backed up by solid evidence.
But what I find even more impressive is her creative writing. Her novels have this captivating quality where you just can’t put them down. She has an incredible gift for creating vivid characters and weaving compelling narratives. I remember reading one of her short stories that was so emotionally powerful it stayed with me for weeks.
Another aspect I really admire is her dedication to the craft. She once told our class that she revises each piece at least five or six times, paying attention to every single word choice. This meticulous approach really shows in the polish and refinement of her final work. She’s taught me that good writing isn’t just about having ideas – it’s about honing those ideas through careful revision and paying attention to nuance.”
Phân Tích Band Điểm
| Tiêu chí | Band | Nhận xét |
|---|---|---|
| Fluency & Coherence | 7.5-8 | Smooth flow với natural use of discourse markers, ideas well-developed and logically connected, minor hesitations không ảnh hưởng communication |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5-8 | Wide range of vocabulary (exceptionally talented, versatility, meticulous approach), good use of collocations (sets her apart, backed up by evidence), some less common items (honing, nuance) |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | 7.5-8 | Variety of complex structures (relative clauses, participle phrases), consistently accurate với occasional minor errors, flexible use of tenses |
| Pronunciation | 7.5-8 | (Giả định) Clear and consistent, good control of stress and intonation, occasional non-native features không ảnh hưởng understanding |
So Sánh Với Band 6-7
| Khía cạnh | Band 6-7 | Band 7.5-8 |
|---|---|---|
| Vocabulary | “very good at writing”, “very impressed” | “exceptionally talented writer”, “thoroughly impressed”, “sets her apart” |
| Grammar | “She writes articles for education magazines” | “She specializes in literary criticism and has published numerous papers in prestigious international journals” |
| Ideas | “Her writing is clear and easy to understand” | “She presents complex ideas in such a clear and logical manner, with arguments well-structured and backed up by solid evidence” |
| Depth | Surface-level observations | Detailed analysis với specific examples và personal reflections |
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9
Thời lượng: 2.5-3 phút đầy đủ
“I’d like to talk about my mentor, Sarah Chen, who is, without a doubt, one of the most accomplished writers I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. I first became acquainted with her work about four years ago when I stumbled upon her award-winning blog on digital nomad lifestyle and cultural adaptation, and I was immediately captivated by her unique voice and perspective.
Sarah is a multifaceted writer whose work spans several genres. Professionally, she’s a freelance journalist who has contributed pieces to major publications like The Guardian and The New York Times, covering topics ranging from technology to social issues. She’s also authored two critically acclaimed memoirs about her experiences living in different countries. What’s particularly remarkable is that she’s equally adept at crafting long-form investigative pieces and bite-sized, impactful social media content.
What truly distinguishes her as an exceptional writer, in my view, is her extraordinary ability to connect with readers on a deeply human level. There’s this authenticity and vulnerability in her writing that makes even the most mundane topics feel utterly compelling. I remember reading her essay about the challenges of maintaining relationships while constantly traveling, and it was so profoundly honest and relatable that it resonated with thousands of readers worldwide. She has this rare gift of articulating universal human experiences in ways that feel both intimately personal and broadly accessible.
Another quality that sets her head and shoulders above other writers is her meticulous attention to craft. She once shared in an interview that she goes through upwards of ten drafts for each piece, refining not just the content but the rhythm and cadence of every sentence. This unwavering commitment to excellence is evident in the polish and sophistication of her final work. Her sentences have this musical quality – they’re not just grammatically correct, they’re aesthetically pleasing to read.
What I find most inspiring, though, is how she’s leveraged her writing to create meaningful impact. Her investigative piece on the exploitation of migrant workers actually sparked policy discussions in several countries. This demonstrates that her talent extends beyond merely crafting beautiful prose – she understands the power of words to drive social change.
Working with her has been absolutely transformative for my own development. She’s taught me that exceptional writing is the result of marrying creativity with discipline, and that truly resonating with readers requires both technical mastery and emotional intelligence. Her influence has fundamentally shaped how I approach not just writing, but communication in general.”
Phân Tích Band Điểm
| Tiêu chí | Band | Nhận xét |
|---|---|---|
| Fluency & Coherence | 8.5-9 | Completely natural delivery, sophisticated use of cohesive devices, ideas develop seamlessly with clear progression, demonstrates full flexibility |
| Lexical Resource | 8.5-9 | Sophisticated vocabulary used naturally (multifaceted, profoundly honest, unwavering commitment), precise and nuanced expressions (musical quality, marrying creativity with discipline), idiomatic language (head and shoulders above, stumbled upon) |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | 8.5-9 | Full range of structures used flexibly and accurately, complex sentences handled with ease, error-free or errors extremely rare, demonstrates complete control |
| Pronunciation | 8.5-9 | (Giả định) Native-like features, effortless use of intonation and stress for meaning, fully comprehensible throughout |
Tại Sao Bài Này Xuất Sắc
🎯 Fluency Hoàn Hảo:
Bài nói flow tự nhiên như đang kể chuyện cho bạn bè, không có hesitation hay repetition, mỗi ý được develop fully trước khi chuyển sang ý tiếp theo. Sử dụng discourse markers sophisticated (without a doubt, what’s particularly remarkable, though) một cách tự nhiên.
📚 Vocabulary Tinh Vi:
- “multifaceted writer” thay vì “writes many things” – thể hiện precision
- “profoundly honest and relatable” thay vì “very honest” – demonstrating nuance
- “marrying creativity with discipline” – metaphorical language ở native level
- “sparked policy discussions” – precise collocation về impact
- “sets her head and shoulders above” – idiomatic expression natural
📝 Grammar Đa Dạng:
- Complex relative clauses: “who is, without a doubt, one of the most accomplished writers I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing”
- Participle phrases: “covering topics ranging from technology to social issues”
- Gerund structures: “maintaining relationships while constantly traveling”
- Inversion for emphasis: “What truly distinguishes her…”
- Passive voice strategically: “has been absolutely transformative”
💡 Ideas Sâu Sắc:
Không chỉ describe mà còn analyze và reflect. Ví dụ: không nói “she writes well” mà explain “extraordinary ability to connect with readers on a deeply human level” với concrete example về essay và impact của nó. Có personal growth element (how she influenced speaker) thể hiện deeper thinking.
Tương tự như việc describe a time when you had to adapt to new online communication tools, kỹ năng viết lách trong thời đại số cũng đòi hỏi sự linh hoạt và thích ứng với nhiều nền tảng khác nhau.
Follow-up Questions (Rounding Off Questions)
Examiner thường hỏi thêm 1-2 câu ngắn sau Part 2 để transition sang Part 3 hoặc để bạn clarify điểm nào đó:
Question 1: Do you think you could become a good writer like her?
Band 6-7 Answer:
“I think it would be difficult because she has many years of experience and natural talent. But I can try to improve my writing by practicing more and learning from her techniques.”
Band 8-9 Answer:
“That’s quite an ambitious aspiration! While I don’t think I could match her level of mastery – she has decades of experience and what seems like an innate gift for language – I do believe I could develop competence in certain areas. What I’ve learned from observing her is that exceptional writing is less about talent and more about dedication to continuous improvement. So if I committed to deliberate practice the way she has, I could certainly elevate my skills significantly.”
Question 2: What do you think is the most difficult part of writing?
Band 6-7 Answer:
“I think the most difficult part is organizing ideas clearly. Sometimes I have many thoughts but I don’t know how to put them in order. Also, choosing the right words can be challenging.”
Band 8-9 Answer:
“From my experience, I’d say the most challenging aspect is striking a balance between clarity and creativity. On one hand, you want your writing to be immediately comprehensible and well-structured, but on the other, you don’t want it to be so formulaic that it becomes dull. Another significant challenge is maintaining your authentic voice while adapting to different audiences and formats – that’s something I’ve seen Sarah navigate masterfully but which I still find quite demanding.”
IELTS Speaking Part 3: Two-way Discussion
Tổng Quan Về Part 3
Part 3 kéo dài 4-5 phút với các câu hỏi trừu tượng và sâu hơn, yêu cầu bạn phân tích, đánh giá và discuss về các vấn đề xã hội liên quan đến chủ đề Part 2.
Đặc điểm:
- Câu hỏi mang tính analytical và abstract hơn Part 1
- Yêu cầu critical thinking và ability to discuss issues in depth
- Không còn là personal experiences mà là general observations về society
- Cần demonstrate ability to speculate, compare, evaluate
Yêu cầu:
- Phân tích cause and effect
- So sánh past, present, future
- Đưa ra và defend opinions với reasoning
- Acknowledge different perspectives
- Use examples từ society, not just personal
Chiến lược:
- Mở rộng câu trả lời (4-6 câu tối thiểu)
- Sử dụng discourse markers để structure ideas (Well, Actually, From my perspective…)
- Balance giữa personal opinions và general observations
- Admit complexity: “It’s a complex issue because…”
- Give examples từ society: “In Vietnam, we can see that…”
Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:
- Trả lời quá ngắn, không elaborate
- Chỉ nói về bản thân thay vì broader society
- Thiếu abstract vocabulary
- Không structure câu trả lời logically
- Avoid expressing opinions vì sợ “wrong answer” (không có câu trả lời đúng sai trong Speaking!)
Các Câu Hỏi Thảo Luận Sâu
Theme 1: Importance of Writing Skills
Question 1: Why do you think writing skills are important in today’s society?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Opinion + Explanation (Why)
- Key words: writing skills, important, today’s society
- Cách tiếp cận: Direct answer → Reasons (2-3) + Examples from modern context → Conclusion/broader implication
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“I think writing skills are very important nowadays because we communicate a lot through writing. For example, we send emails at work and messages on social media every day. If people can’t write clearly, they might have misunderstandings with others. Also, many jobs require good writing skills, like marketing or journalism. So I believe writing is an essential skill for success in modern life.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Có basic structure (opinion → examples → conclusion) nhưng chưa sophisticated
- Vocabulary: Adequate (communicate, essential skill, misunderstandings) nhưng fairly common
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Ideas relevant và clear nhưng development còn superficial, thiếu depth trong analysis
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:
“Well, I’d argue that writing skills have become increasingly crucial in today’s world, perhaps even more so than in previous generations. First and foremost, we’re living in what many call the information age, where the vast majority of professional communication happens through written mediums – emails, reports, proposals, and so on. Someone who can articulate their ideas clearly and persuasively in writing has a significant competitive advantage in the job market.
Beyond the professional realm, I think writing is also fundamental to civic participation and democratic discourse. Social media has given everyone a platform, and those who can express their viewpoints coherently are more likely to influence public opinion and contribute meaningfully to important conversations about social issues.
Moreover, there’s a cognitive dimension to this. Research suggests that writing actually sharpens our thinking – when we commit ideas to paper, we’re forced to organize our thoughts logically and examine our assumptions. So strong writing skills don’t just help us communicate better; they help us think more critically as well. In an era of information overload and fake news, this ability to think and communicate clearly is more valuable than ever.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Highly organized: Opening statement → Professional importance → Social importance → Cognitive benefits → Conclusion with contemporary context. Each point fully developed với examples
- Vocabulary: Sophisticated và precise (increasingly crucial, articulate, civic participation, democratic discourse, information overload), variety of less common words and phrases
- Grammar: Complex structures handled naturally (relative clauses: “someone who can…”, conditional: “those who can… are more likely to…”, passive: “research suggests”)
- Critical Thinking: Multi-dimensional analysis (professional, social, cognitive aspects), references broader context (information age, fake news), shows deep understanding
💡 Key Language Features:
- Discourse markers: Well, First and foremost, Beyond, Moreover – structure ideas clearly
- Tentative language: I’d argue, perhaps, I think – appropriately cautious
- Abstract nouns: civic participation, democratic discourse, competitive advantage, cognitive dimension
- Signposting phrases: “In an era of…”, “Research suggests that…” – adds authority
Question 2: How has technology changed the way people write?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Change/Compare (Past vs Present)
- Key words: technology, changed, the way people write
- Cách tiếp cận: Acknowledge the change → Specific changes (2-3 aspects) → Evaluate (positive/negative) → Future speculation (optional)
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“Technology has changed writing in many ways. In the past, people wrote by hand or used typewriters, but now everyone uses computers and phones. This makes writing faster and easier. Also, people write shorter messages now, like on social media. However, some people worry that this makes writing quality worse because people use abbreviations and don’t check grammar carefully.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Basic comparison between past and present
- Vocabulary: Common words (faster, easier, worry)
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Addresses the question adequately but analysis lacks sophistication, limited range of ideas
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:
“Technology has fundamentally transformed writing in several significant ways. Most obviously, there’s been a shift from handwritten to digital composition, which has dramatically increased both the speed and accessibility of writing. Anyone with a smartphone can now produce and publish content instantly, which has democratized writing in a way that was unimaginable a few decades ago.
However, the changes go much deeper than just the medium. The very nature of writing has evolved. We’ve seen the emergence of entirely new genres – think of tweets, blog posts, and instant messages – each with its own conventions and constraints. The 280-character limit on Twitter, for example, has spawned a unique form of concise, punchy writing that’s quite different from traditional prose.
There’s also an interesting duality in how technology has affected writing quality. On one hand, tools like autocorrect and Grammarly have made it easier for people to produce error-free writing. On the other hand, the emphasis on speed and brevity in digital communication has led to concerns about declining writing standards – people becoming less attentive to proper grammar, punctuation, and coherent structure.
Perhaps most significantly, technology has blurred the line between formal and informal writing. In the past, there was a clear distinction between personal letters and business correspondence, but now an email can straddle both registers depending on the context. This requires writers to be more versatile and adaptable than ever before.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Sophisticated organization: Speed/accessibility → New genres → Quality (both positive and negative) → Register changes. Shows ability to examine issue from multiple angles
- Vocabulary: Advanced (fundamentally transformed, democratized, spawned, duality, straddle both registers), precise collocations
- Grammar: Full range including complex conditionals, participle phrases, relative clauses used naturally
- Critical Thinking: Balanced analysis acknowledging both benefits and drawbacks, historical perspective, prediction element
💡 Key Language Features:
- Contrast markers: However, On one hand… On the other hand – show balanced view
- Academic style: “there’s been a shift”, “the very nature has evolved” – sophisticated expressions
- Hedging: Perhaps, concerns about – appropriate caution
- Examples: Twitter, Grammarly – concrete illustrations of abstract points
Theme 2: Education and Writing
Question 1: Do you think schools should focus more on teaching creative writing or practical writing?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Opinion/Compare
- Key words: schools, focus more, creative writing, practical writing
- Cách tiếp cận: Acknowledge both sides → State your position (or balanced view) → Explain reasoning → Give examples
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“I think both types are important, but maybe practical writing is more useful for most students. Creative writing is good for developing imagination, but practical writing like emails and reports is needed in almost every job. However, schools should teach both because some students might want to become writers or work in creative fields. So the best approach is to balance these two types.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Balanced attempt nhưng còn simplistic
- Vocabulary: Basic (important, useful, good for)
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Shows awareness of both sides nhưng reasoning chưa developed fully, examples too general
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:
“This is quite a nuanced question because both forms of writing serve valuable but different purposes. If I had to weigh in, I’d say that ideally, schools should integrate both, but with an emphasis that shifts depending on students’ age and educational level.
For younger children, I believe creative writing should take precedence. At that stage, the goal should be to foster a love of writing and help students find their voice. Creative writing exercises – like storytelling, poetry, or imaginative essays – encourage children to experiment with language and develop their creativity, which are foundational skills that transcend any specific type of writing.
As students progress into secondary and higher education, there should be a gradual shift toward practical writing skills – things like composing professional emails, writing research papers, or crafting persuasive arguments. These are the skills they’ll undoubtedly need in university and their careers, regardless of their field. In Vietnam, for instance, many graduates struggle with professional communication precisely because they’ve had limited exposure to this type of writing.
That said, I don’t think it’s an either-or situation. The beauty of creative writing is that many of its principles – like engaging your audience, using vivid language, and structuring ideas logically – are equally applicable to practical writing. A good business proposal, for example, needs to be both clear and compelling, which requires some of that creative flair.
Ultimately, I’d advocate for a curriculum that recognizes the complementary nature of these writing styles rather than treating them as separate silos.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Highly sophisticated: Acknowledge complexity → Position with qualification → Age-appropriate approach → Real-world example → Synthesis of both types → Conclusion
- Vocabulary: Advanced academic register (nuanced question, transcend, complementary nature, separate silos), precise expressions
- Grammar: Complex structures including conditionals, relative clauses, participle phrases all handled accurately
- Critical Thinking: Nuanced position avoiding simplistic either-or, consideration of developmental stages, synthesis of opposing views, practical example from Vietnamese context
💡 Key Language Features:
- Qualifying language: “If I had to weigh in”, “That said”, “Ultimately” – shows sophisticated reasoning
- Signposting: “For younger children”, “As students progress” – clear structure
- Abstract reasoning: “complementary nature”, “transcend any specific type” – high-level thinking
- Balanced view: Acknowledges merits of both before proposing integrated approach
Việc phát triển kỹ năng viết lách cũng có điểm tương đồng với describe a time when you took part in a charity event trong việc thể hiện sự đóng góp và ảnh hưởng tích cực đến cộng đồng.
Question 2: What challenges do students face when learning to write in a foreign language?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Problems/Challenges
- Key words: challenges, students, learning to write, foreign language
- Cách tiếp cận: Identify multiple challenges (2-3) → Explain each với examples → Possible solutions (optional)
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“Students face several problems when writing in a foreign language. First, they don’t have enough vocabulary to express their ideas clearly. They often use simple words because they don’t know more advanced words. Second, grammar is difficult, especially with complex sentences. They might make mistakes with tenses or word order. Also, they think in their native language first and then translate, which can make their writing sound unnatural. These problems make learning to write in a foreign language quite challenging.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Lists challenges clearly với basic explanation
- Vocabulary: Adequate (express ideas, advanced words, unnatural) nhưng fairly straightforward
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Relevant points nhưng analysis lacks depth, no sophisticated vocabulary or complex reasoning
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:
“Writing in a foreign language presents a unique set of challenges that go far beyond just vocabulary or grammar. From my own experience and observing other learners, I’d identify several key obstacles.
Perhaps the most fundamental challenge is what linguists call ‘thinking in translation’. Most learners instinctively formulate ideas in their native language and then attempt to render them in the target language. This not only slows down the writing process considerably but often results in awkward phrasing that sounds unnatural to native speakers. The sentence structure and idioms that work perfectly in Vietnamese, for example, can sound completely wrong when directly translated into English.
Another significant hurdle is the lack of ‘feel’ for the language. Native speakers have an intuitive sense of what sounds right – which collocations work, what register is appropriate for different contexts, and so on. Foreign language learners, however, have to consciously learn these patterns, which is both time-consuming and prone to errors. Even advanced learners might write something that’s grammatically correct but stylistically off because they haven’t yet internalized those subtle nuances.
There’s also the challenge of limited exposure. In countries like Vietnam where English isn’t widely spoken, students have relatively few opportunities to see authentic writing in various contexts – from informal blog posts to formal academic papers. Without this breadth of exposure, it’s difficult to develop versatility in writing style.
The psychological dimension shouldn’t be overlooked either. Many students become overly cautious and stick to simple, ‘safe’ structures they’re confident about, which inhibits their progress. They’re so worried about making errors that they avoid taking risks, and ironically, this hinders their development as writers.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Masterfully organized: Introduction → Thinking in translation → Lack of intuitive feel → Limited exposure → Psychological barriers. Each point thoroughly developed
- Vocabulary: Sophisticated (render, awkward phrasing, intuitive sense, internalized, breadth of exposure, inhibits progress, hinders development), academic register
- Grammar: Full range including passive voice, relative clauses, participle phrases, all handled naturally and accurately
- Critical Thinking: Multi-dimensional analysis (cognitive, linguistic, environmental, psychological aspects), draws on both personal experience and general observation, sophisticated understanding of language acquisition
💡 Key Language Features:
- Introducing ideas: “Perhaps the most fundamental”, “Another significant hurdle”, “There’s also” – varied signposting
- Academic vocabulary: “linguists call”, “instinctively formulate”, “internalized” – shows breadth of knowledge
- Cause-effect: “This not only… but also”, “which results in” – logical connections
- Hedging appropriately: “From my own experience”, “Most learners” – balanced claims
Theme 3: Digital Age and Writing
Question 1: How do you think social media has affected people’s writing abilities?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Impact/Effect (both positive and negative)
- Key words: social media, affected, writing abilities
- Cách tiếp cận: Acknowledge complexity → Positive effects → Negative effects → Balanced conclusion
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“Social media has both positive and negative effects on writing. On the positive side, people write more often now because they post on Facebook or Instagram every day. This gives them practice. However, the negative side is that they write very short messages and use informal language with many abbreviations like ‘u’ instead of ‘you’. This might make their formal writing worse. Also, people don’t check their spelling carefully on social media. So overall, social media increases writing frequency but might decrease writing quality.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Basic positive-negative structure
- Vocabulary: Simple (positive side, negative side, write more often)
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Balanced view nhưng analysis superficial, examples basic
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:
“Social media’s impact on writing abilities is actually quite paradoxical – it’s both expanded and diminished certain aspects of literacy in fascinating ways.
On the positive side, social media has undeniably democratized writing and encouraged more people to write regularly. A generation ago, writing was largely confined to academic or professional contexts for most people. Now, through platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and blogging sites, millions of people are actively producing written content daily. This constant practice can sharpen certain skills – particularly the ability to write concisely and engagingly, to capture attention quickly, and to adapt tone for different audiences. Some of the most compelling social commentary I’ve read has come from Twitter threads that demonstrate remarkable clarity and persuasive power.
However, there are legitimate concerns about the quality of writing that social media fosters. The premium on brevity – driven by character limits and short attention spans – has led to a trend toward oversimplification. Complex ideas get reduced to soundbites, nuance gets lost, and there’s less emphasis on developing arguments systematically. What’s more, the informal nature of social media has blurred boundaries between casual and formal writing, and many young people now struggle to code-switch between these registers when needed.
Perhaps most worrying is how social media rewards sensationalism over substance. Writing that’s deliberately provocative or emotionally charged gets more engagement, which incentivizes a certain style of writing that prioritizes impact over accuracy. This can cultivate bad habits – like making sweeping generalizations or sacrificing precision for effect.
That said, I think the issue is less about social media itself and more about how we’re teaching media literacy. If we can help young people understand that different contexts demand different writing approaches, then the skills honed on social media – brevity, engagement, audience awareness – can actually complement more traditional forms of writing rather than replace them.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Highly sophisticated: Paradox introduction → Positive impacts with examples → Negative impacts with reasoning → Synthesis with forward-looking perspective
- Vocabulary: Advanced (paradoxical, democratized, confined to, legitimate concerns, premium on brevity, code-switch, incentivizes, cultivate bad habits), precise and varied
- Grammar: Full range including complex relative clauses, passive structures, participle phrases, conditional forms – all natural and accurate
- Critical Thinking: Nuanced analysis acknowledging complexity, avoids simplistic judgments, considers both micro (individual) and macro (societal) effects, solution-oriented conclusion
💡 Key Language Features:
- Contrasting ideas: “On the positive side… However”, “That said” – sophisticated discourse markers
- Evaluative language: “undeniably”, “legitimate concerns”, “perhaps most worrying” – shows critical evaluation
- Cause-effect chains: “which incentivizes… that prioritizes… This can cultivate” – logical reasoning
- Conditional thinking: “If we can help… then the skills… can actually complement” – sophisticated reasoning
Question 2: Do you think artificial intelligence will replace human writers in the future?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Future prediction/Speculation
- Key words: artificial intelligence, replace, human writers, future
- Cách tiếp cận: Acknowledge current AI capabilities → Analyze what AI can/cannot do → Predict future scenario → Human advantages
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“I don’t think AI will completely replace human writers. AI can write some things like news reports or simple articles, and it’s getting better every year. However, creative writing and emotional content still need human writers because AI cannot feel emotions. Also, readers prefer stories written by real people because they are more interesting and personal. So AI might help writers but not replace them completely.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Clear position với basic reasoning
- Vocabulary: Straightforward (getting better, feel emotions, more interesting)
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Relevant points nhưng analysis lacks sophistication, limited exploration of complexities
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:
“This is a fascinating and somewhat contentious question. While AI has made remarkable strides in writing – we now have systems that can generate coherent articles, compose poetry, and even mimic specific writing styles – I believe the complete replacement of human writers is unlikely, at least in the foreseeable future.
To be fair, AI is already proving highly effective at certain types of writing. Routine, data-driven content – like financial reports, sports summaries, or basic news articles – can now be produced by algorithms with impressive accuracy and speed. In these domains, we’re likely to see AI taking over a significant share of the work, simply because it’s more efficient and cost-effective.
However, there are fundamental limitations to what AI can achieve in writing. First and foremost, genuine creativity – the ability to make unexpected connections, to challenge conventions, or to express truly original ideas – remains distinctly human territory. AI can recombine existing patterns in novel ways, but it doesn’t actually understand what it’s writing in the way humans do. It lacks lived experience, emotional depth, and genuine insight into the human condition – all of which are crucial for compelling writing.
Moreover, there’s something irreducibly valuable about knowing a text was written by a human. Think about memoirs, personal essays, or investigative journalism – part of their power comes from the authenticity of human experience and perspective. An AI might be able to string together grammatically correct sentences about loss or joy, but it can’t actually have felt those emotions, and readers can sense that difference.
What I foresee is more of a collaborative future rather than replacement. AI will likely function as a powerful tool that writers use – perhaps to generate first drafts, suggest alternative phrasings, or handle repetitive aspects of writing – but the creative vision, the critical thinking, and the emotional resonance will still need to come from humans.
Ultimately, while AI may transform the writing profession – and possibly displace some routine writing jobs – I believe the core of meaningful writing will remain a distinctly human endeavor. After all, writing has always been fundamentally about one human communicating with another, and that essential human connection is something AI can’t replicate.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Masterfully organized: Acknowledge current state → Concede AI strengths → Explain limitations → Human advantage → Future prediction → Philosophical conclusion
- Vocabulary: Sophisticated (contentious question, remarkable strides, irreducibly valuable, displace, distinctly human endeavor), precise technical and abstract vocabulary
- Grammar: Full range including complex conditionals, relative clauses, passive voice, participle phrases – all handled naturally
- Critical Thinking: Nuanced analysis avoiding binary thinking, considers multiple dimensions (technical, creative, emotional, economic), forward-looking with realistic assessment, philosophical depth about human nature
💡 Key Language Features:
- Concession patterns: “To be fair”, “However”, “Moreover” – shows balanced reasoning
- Future speculation: “I foresee”, “likely to”, “What I envision” – appropriate hedging for predictions
- Philosophical language: “irreducibly valuable”, “distinctly human”, “essential human connection” – deeper thinking
- Examples: Memoirs, investigative journalism – concrete illustrations of abstract points
Để hiểu thêm về các cách tiếp cận linh hoạt trong IELTS Speaking, bạn có thể xem thêm về how many word for part 2 ielts để nắm rõ yêu cầu độ dài chuẩn cho từng phần thi.
Từ vựng và cụm từ quan trọng
Topic-Specific Vocabulary
| Từ vựng/Cụm từ | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| articulate | v/adj | /ɑːˈtɪkjuleɪt/ | diễn đạt rõ ràng; có khả năng diễn đạt tốt | She’s very articulate and can express complex ideas simply. | articulate ideas/thoughts/feelings, clearly articulate, articulate speaker |
| eloquent | adj | /ˈeləkwənt/ | hùng hồn, có sức thuyết phục | His eloquent writing moved thousands of readers. | eloquent speech/writer, eloquently expressed, eloquent testimony |
| compelling | adj | /kəmˈpelɪŋ/ | hấp dẫn, thuyết phục mạnh mẽ | Her memoir is a compelling account of survival. | compelling story/narrative, compelling evidence, compelling read |
| versatile | adj | /ˈvɜːsətaɪl/ | linh hoạt, đa năng | She’s a versatile writer who can handle multiple genres. | versatile writer/talent, remarkably versatile, versatile skills |
| meticulous | adj | /məˈtɪkjələs/ | tỉ mỉ, cẩn thận | He’s meticulous about grammar and punctuation. | meticulous attention to detail, meticulous research, meticulous writer |
| captivating | adj | /ˈkæptɪveɪtɪŋ/ | quyến rũ, lôi cuốn | Her captivating prose keeps readers engaged. | captivating story/narrative, captivating style, captivating read |
| prolific | adj | /prəˈlɪfɪk/ | nhiều sản phẩm, sung mãn | He’s a prolific author with over 30 published books. | prolific writer/author, prolific output, remarkably prolific |
| craft (n) | n | /krɑːft/ | nghề thủ công; kỹ năng viết lách | She has mastered the craft of storytelling. | master the craft, craft of writing, hone one’s craft |
| nuance | n | /ˈnjuːɑːns/ | sắc thái, chi tiết tinh tế | His writing captures the nuances of human emotion. | subtle nuance, capture nuances, nuanced understanding |
| prose | n | /prəʊz/ | văn xuôi | Her prose is both beautiful and accessible. | poetic prose, elegant prose, clear prose |
| manuscript | n | /ˈmænjuskrɪpt/ | bản thảo | She submitted her manuscript to five publishers. | draft a manuscript, submit a manuscript, unpublished manuscript |
| draft (v/n) | v/n | /drɑːft/ | nháp; soạn thảo | I’ve drafted three versions of this article. | draft an article/essay, first draft, rough draft |
| revise | v | /rɪˈvaɪz/ | sửa đổi, chỉnh sửa | Good writers revise their work multiple times. | revise extensively, revise and edit, thoroughly revise |
| coherent | adj | /kəʊˈhɪərənt/ | mạch lạc, chặt chẽ | Her argument is coherent and well-structured. | coherent argument/narrative, logically coherent, coherent structure |
| evocative | adj | /ɪˈvɒkətɪv/ | gợi cảm, gợi nhớ | His evocative descriptions transport readers to another place. | evocative language/imagery, highly evocative, evocative writing |
| concise | adj | /kənˈsaɪs/ | ngắn gọn, súc tích | Her writing style is clear and concise. | concise explanation/writing, clear and concise, admirably concise |
| vivid | adj | /ˈvɪvɪd/ | sống động, rõ nét | She uses vivid imagery to bring scenes to life. | vivid description/imagery, vivid portrayal, strikingly vivid |
| voice | n | /vɔɪs/ | giọng văn, phong cách riêng | She has developed a unique authorial voice. | distinctive voice, find one’s voice, authentic voice |
| narrative | n | /ˈnærətɪv/ | tường thuật, câu chuyện | The narrative unfolds gradually over three generations. | compelling narrative, narrative structure, craft a narrative |
| composition | n | /ˌkɒmpəˈzɪʃn/ | tác phẩm; cách sắp xếp | Her compositions show remarkable maturity. | written composition, musical composition, master composition |
Idiomatic Expressions & Advanced Phrases
| Cụm từ | Nghĩa | Ví dụ sử dụng | Band điểm |
|---|---|---|---|
| put pen to paper | bắt đầu viết | When she finally put pen to paper, the words flowed naturally. | 7.5-8 |
| have a way with words | có tài ăn nói/viết lách | He really has a way with words – his articles are always engaging. | 7.5-8 |
| read between the lines | hiểu ý ngầm, đọc ý sau lời văn | Good readers can read between the lines to understand subtext. | 7-8 |
| paint a picture with words | miêu tả sinh động | Her writing paints a vivid picture of life in rural Vietnam. | 7.5-8 |
| set pen to paper | bắt tay vào viết | Once she sets pen to paper, she can write for hours. | 7-8 |
| weave a narrative | dệt nên một câu chuyện | He skillfully weaves multiple narratives into one coherent story. | 8-9 |
| capture the essence of | nắm bắt được bản chất | Her memoir captures the essence of immigrant experience. | 8-9 |
| hit the nail on the head | nói trúng vấn đề | His article about social media addiction really hit the nail on the head. | 7-8 |
| food for thought | điều đáng suy ngẫm | Her essay on AI ethics provides real food for thought. | 7.5-8 |
| get your point across | truyền đạt ý tưởng thành công | She’s excellent at getting complex points across in simple language. | 7-8 |
| ring true | nghe có vẻ đúng, chân thật | His descriptions of poverty ring true because he lived it. | 7.5-8 |
| turn of phrase | cách diễn đạt độc đáo | She has a unique turn of phrase that makes her writing memorable. | 8-9 |
| off the top of one’s head | ngẫu hứng, không chuẩn bị | He can write coherent paragraphs off the top of his head. | 7-8 |
| strike a chord | gây được tiếng vang, chạm đến cảm xúc | Her article about motherhood struck a chord with millions. | 7.5-8 |
| word for word | từng chữ một, y nguyên | She can recite poetry word for word from memory. | 6.5-7 |
Discourse Markers (Từ Nối Ý Trong Speaking)
Để bắt đầu câu trả lời:
- 📝 Well,… – Dùng khi cần thời gian suy nghĩ ngắn hoặc câu trả lời phức tạp
- 📝 Actually,… – Khi đưa ra góc nhìn khác hoặc thông tin bất ngờ
- 📝 To be honest,… – Khi muốn nói thật lòng, thẳng thắn
- 📝 I’d say that… – Khi đưa ra quan điểm cá nhân có cân nhắc
- 📝 From my perspective,… – Từ góc nhìn của tôi
- 📝 In my view,… – Theo quan điểm của tôi
Để bổ sung ý:
- 📝 On top of that,… – Thêm vào đó (informal)
- 📝 What’s more,… – Hơn nữa, còn nữa
- 📝 Not to mention… – Chưa kể đến
- 📝 Additionally,… – Thêm vào đó (formal)
- 📝 Furthermore,… – Hơn thế nữa (formal)
- 📝 Moreover,… – Hơn nữa (formal)
Để đưa ra quan điểm cân bằng:
- 📝 On the one hand,… On the other hand,… – Một mặt… mặt khác
- 📝 While it’s true that…, we also need to consider… – Mặc dù đúng là… nhưng ta cũng cần xem xét
- 📝 To be fair,… – Để công bằng thì…
- 📝 Having said that,… – Nói như vậy nhưng…
- 📝 That said,… – Dù vậy…
Để kết luận:
- 📝 All in all,… – Tóm lại, xét về tổng thể
- 📝 At the end of the day,… – Cuối cùng thì, xét cho cùng
- 📝 Ultimately,… – Cuối cùng, về cơ bản
- 📝 In the final analysis,… – Xét đến cùng
- 📝 To sum up,… – Tóm lại
Để đưa ra ví dụ:
- 📝 For instance,… – Ví dụ như
- 📝 Take… for example – Lấy… làm ví dụ
- 📝 A case in point is… – Một ví dụ điển hình là
- 📝 To illustrate this,… – Để minh họa điều này
Grammatical Structures Ấn Tượng
1. Conditional Sentences (Câu điều kiện):
-
Mixed conditional: “If she hadn’t developed her writing skills early, she wouldn’t be such a successful journalist today.” (Nếu cô ấy không phát triển kỹ năng viết từ sớm, cô ấy đã không thành công như hôm nay)
-
Inversion for emphasis: “Had I known about her blog earlier, I would have started following her work years ago.” (Nếu tôi biết về blog của cô ấy sớm hơn, tôi đã theo dõi tác phẩm của cô ấy từ nhiều năm trước)
2. Relative Clauses (Mệnh đề quan hệ):
-
Non-defining: “My friend Sarah, who has published three novels, is an incredibly disciplined writer.” (Bạn tôi Sarah, người đã xuất bản ba cuốn tiểu thuyết, là một nhà văn cực kỳ kỷ luật)
-
Reduced relative clause: “Writers possessing natural talent still need to hone their craft.” (Những nhà văn có tài năng bẩm sinh vẫn cần trau dồi kỹ năng)
3. Passive Voice (Câu bị động):
-
It is thought/believed/said that… “It is widely believed that good writing cannot be taught, only learned through practice.” (Người ta tin rằng kỹ năng viết hay không thể dạy được, chỉ có thể học qua thực hành)
-
Reporting passive: “Her work has been praised by critics for its emotional depth.” (Tác phẩm của cô ấy được các nhà phê bình khen ngợi về chiều sâu cảm xúc)
4. Cleft Sentences (Câu chẻ):
-
What I find most… is… “What I find most impressive about her writing is the way she captures subtle emotions.” (Điều tôi thấy ấn tượng nhất về văn của cô ấy là cách cô ấy nắm bắt những cảm xúc tinh tế)
-
The thing that… is… “The thing that sets great writers apart is their dedication to continuous improvement.” (Điều khiến các nhà văn vĩ đại khác biệt là sự cống hiến cho việc cải thiện không ngừng)
5. Inversion for Emphasis:
-
Not only… but also… “Not only does she write compelling fiction, but she also excels at academic writing.” (Cô ấy không chỉ viết tiểu thuyết hấp dẫn mà còn xuất sắc trong viết học thuật)
-
Rarely/Seldom… “Rarely have I encountered a writer with such versatility.” (Hiếm khi tôi gặp một nhà văn đa năng như vậy)
Cách tổ chức và xử lý thông tin trong bài viết cũng tương tự như cách should i outline essay in the introduction ielts trong Writing, đều cần có cấu trúc rõ ràng và logic.
Chiến lược trả lời hiệu quả
Chiến lược chung cho cả 3 Parts
1. Mở rộng câu trả lời tự nhiên:
- Không chỉ trả lời đúng câu hỏi mà còn elaborate
- Sử dụng công thức: Direct Answer → Reason/Explanation → Example → Personal Reflection (không nhất thiết phải đủ 4 phần)
- Tránh học thuộc lòng template – nghe rất unnatural
2. Sử dụng paraphrasing:
- Đừng lặp lại từ trong câu hỏi quá nhiều
- Thay thế bằng synonyms hoặc restructure câu
- Ví dụ: “good at writing” → “talented writer”, “has excellent writing skills”, “possesses strong writing abilities”
3. Quản lý thời gian:
- Part 1: 2-3 câu cho mỗi câu hỏi (20-30 giây)
- Part 2: Tối thiểu 1.5 phút, tốt nhất là 2 phút đầy đủ
- Part 3: 3-5 câu cho mỗi câu hỏi (40-60 giây)
4. Tự tin và tự nhiên:
- Giao tiếp như đang nói chuyện, không phải recite
- Chấp nhận pause tự nhiên để suy nghĩ (nhưng không quá lâu)
- Dùng fillers một cách tự nhiên: “Let me think…”, “That’s an interesting question…”
Lỗi cần tránh
Trong Part 1:
- ❌ Trả lời chỉ một từ: “Yes”, “No”
- ❌ Nói quá dài, lan man (hơn 30 giây)
- ❌ Dùng vocabulary quá khó một cách gượng ép
Trong Part 2:
- ❌ Chuẩn bị viết câu hoàn chỉnh trong 1 phút
- ❌ Nói dưới 1.5 phút
- ❌ Đọc notes thay vì nhìn examiner
- ❌ Bỏ sót bullet points
- ❌ Học thuộc template và áp dụng cứng nhắc
Trong Part 3:
- ❌ Chỉ nói về bản thân thay vì general issues
- ❌ Trả lời quá ngắn như Part 1
- ❌ Không có reasoning rõ ràng
- ❌ Tránh express opinions vì sợ sai
Tips từ Examiner
1. Pronunciation quan trọng không kém vocabulary:
- Tập intonation – lên xuống giọng tự nhiên
- Word stress đúng quan trọng hơn accent
- Clarity và coherence quan trọng hơn sounding native
2. Grammar errors nhỏ không critical:
- Band 7-8 vẫn có thể có minor errors
- Quan trọng là variety và complexity của structures
- Đừng quá lo lắng về mistakes mà mất tự tin
3. Content và Ideas:
- Không có câu trả lời “đúng” hay “sai”
- Examiner đánh giá cách bạn express ideas, không phải ideas itself
- Authentic personal opinions tốt hơn generic answers
4. Practice như thế nào:
- Record yourself và nghe lại để identify weaknesses
- Practice với timer để quen với time pressure
- Focus vào fluency trước, accuracy sau
- Học vocabulary in context, không học danh sách từ vựng
5. Ngày thi:
- Đến sớm 30 phút để calm down
- Small talk với examiner ở đầu giúp warm up
- Nếu không hiểu câu hỏi, hỏi lại: “Sorry, could you repeat that?”
- Maintain eye contact natural, thoải mái
Kết luận
Chủ đề “Describe a person who is good at writing” là một trong những đề tài thú vị cho phép bạn thể hiện được nhiều khía cạnh của kỹ năng Speaking. Để đạt band điểm cao, bạn cần:
Về Vocabulary:
- Sử dụng topic-specific words liên quan đến writing và creativity
- Paraphrase linh hoạt thay vì lặp từ
- Incorporate idiomatic expressions một cách tự nhiên
- Balance giữa common và less common vocabulary
Về Grammar:
- Demonstrate variety của sentence structures
- Sử dụng complex sentences nhưng vẫn maintain accuracy
- Mix different tenses appropriately
- Show control of advanced structures (conditionals, relative clauses, passive voice)
Về Fluency & Coherence:
- Speak smoothly với minimal hesitation
- Sử dụng discourse markers để connect ideas
- Maintain logical flow trong câu trả lời
- Develop ideas fully với examples và explanations
Về Ideas:
- Cover all bullet points trong Part 2
- Provide depth trong Part 3 thay vì superficial answers
- Show critical thinking và ability to analyze
- Personal touch làm câu trả lời memorable
Practice Strategy:
- Không học thuộc – focus vào developing ideas spontaneously
- Record và review performance thường xuyên
- Build vocabulary in context qua reading và listening
- Practice với real IELTS questions từ các kỳ thi gần đây
Nhớ rằng, IELTS Speaking không phải là kỳ thi kiến thức mà là kỳ thi communication skills. Examiner muốn thấy bạn có thể communicate effectively, naturally, và confidently bằng tiếng Anh. Với preparation đúng cách và mindset tích cực, bạn hoàn toàn có thể đạt được band điểm mục tiêu.
Chúc bạn ôn tập hiệu quả và tự tin trong kỳ thi IELTS Speaking sắp tới!