IELTS Speaking: Cách Trả Lời Chủ Đề “Describe a Person Who Is Very Successful in Their Career” – Bài Mẫu Band 6-9

Chủ đề về người thành công trong sự nghiệp là một trong những đề bài phổ biến và quan trọng nhất trong IELTS Speaking. Từ năm 2020 đến nay, chủ đề này xuất hiện với tần suất cao trong các kỳ thi thực tế trên toàn thế giới, đặc biệt tại các trung tâm thi ở Việt Nam như IDP và British Council. Dự đoán khả năng xuất hiện trong tương lai: Rất cao.

Chủ đề này quan trọng vì nó cho phép bạn thể hiện khả năng miêu tả con người, phân tích yếu tố thành công, và thảo luận về các vấn đề xã hội rộng hơn như giáo dục, công việc, và phát triển cá nhân. Examiner đánh giá cao những thí sinh có thể kết nối câu chuyện cá nhân với những insight sâu sắc về xã hội.

Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ học được:

• 10+ câu hỏi thực tế cho cả 3 Part, được tổng hợp từ các đề thi gần đây
• Bài mẫu chi tiết theo 3 mức band điểm (6-7, 7.5-8, 8.5-9) với phân tích từng tiêu chí chấm
• 50+ từ vựng và cụm từ ăn điểm liên quan đến sự nghiệp và thành công
• Chiến lược trả lời hiệu quả từ góc nhìn của một IELTS Examiner chính thức
• Những lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam và cách khắc phục

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Introduction and Interview

Tổng Quan Về Part 1

Part 1 kéo dài 4-5 phút với các câu hỏi ngắn về cuộc sống hàng ngày và sở thích cá nhân. Đây là phần “warm-up” để bạn làm quen với examiner và môi trường thi. Tuy nhiên, đừng xem nhẹ Part 1 vì nó tạo ấn tượng ban đầu quan trọng.

Đặc điểm của Part 1:

• Câu hỏi đơn giản, liên quan đến bản thân
• Trả lời tự nhiên, không cần quá formality
• Mỗi câu trả lời nên dài 2-3 câu (không chỉ Yes/No)
• Sử dụng thì hiện tại đơn và hiện tại hoàn thành chủ yếu

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

• Trả lời quá ngắn gọn: “Yes, I do” rồi im lặng
• Dùng từ vựng quá đơn giản, lặp đi lặp lại
• Không đưa ra ví dụ cụ thể từ kinh nghiệm bản thân
• Học thuộc template và áp dụng máy móc
• Lo lắng quá mức dẫn đến nói không tự nhiên

Các Câu Hỏi Thường Gặp

Question 1: Do you know anyone who is very successful in their career?

Question 2: What kind of career would you like to have in the future?

Question 3: Do you think success in career is important?

Question 4: What do you think makes someone successful at work?

Question 5: Do you prefer to work for a big company or a small one?

Question 6: How important is salary when choosing a career?

Question 7: Do you think people today change jobs more often than in the past?

Question 8: What career advice would you give to young people?

Phân Tích và Gợi Ý Trả Lời Chi Tiết

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Question: Do you know anyone who is very successful in their career?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Trả lời trực tiếp có hay không
• Giới thiệu ngắn gọn người đó là ai
• Nêu lý do tại sao bạn coi họ là thành công

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Yes, I know my uncle who is very successful. He is a manager in a big company in Ho Chi Minh City. He works very hard and earns a good salary. I think he is successful because he has a good position.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Trả lời trực tiếp câu hỏi, có ví dụ cụ thể (chú), đề cập đến vị trí công việc
• Hạn chế: Từ vựng đơn giản (very successful, big company, good salary), cấu trúc câu đơn giản, thiếu chi tiết về sự thành công
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Đủ thông tin cơ bản nhưng chưa impressive về mặt ngôn ngữ và ý tưởng

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“Absolutely! My former mentor, who’s now a senior executive at a multinational tech firm, springs to mind. What I find most impressive about her is not just her meteoric rise through the ranks, but also how she balances her demanding career with family life. She’s someone who genuinely embodies what I’d call holistic success.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh:
  • Từ vựng tinh tế: “senior executive”, “multinational tech firm”, “meteoric rise”, “embodies”
  • Cấu trúc phức tạp: relative clause “who’s now…”, cleft sentence “What I find most…”
  • Ý tưởng sâu sắc: không chỉ nói về thành công về mặt chức vụ mà còn về work-life balance
  • Discourse marker tự nhiên: “Absolutely!”, “springs to mind”
• Tại sao Band 8-9: Thể hiện khả năng sử dụng ngôn ngữ linh hoạt, chính xác, và sophisticated. Fluency cao với pausing tự nhiên. Vocabulary range rộng với collocations chuẩn native speaker.

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• senior executive: giám đốc cấp cao
• multinational tech firm: công ty công nghệ đa quốc gia
• meteoric rise: sự thăng tiến nhanh chóng như vũ bão
• balance demanding career: cân bằng sự nghiệp đòi hỏi cao
• genuinely embodies: thật sự thể hiện/hiện thân

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Question: What kind of career would you like to have in the future?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Nói về ngành nghề mong muốn
• Giải thích tại sao bạn quan tâm đến ngành này
• Đề cập đến những kỹ năng hoặc sở thích liên quan

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I would like to work in marketing. I think marketing is interesting because you can be creative. I like to use social media and I think I can do well in this field. Also, marketing jobs usually pay well.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Trả lời rõ ràng, có lý do cơ bản, đề cập đến sở thích cá nhân
• Hạn chế: Từ vựng chung chung (interesting, creative, pay well), thiếu cụm từ chuyên ngành, lý do chưa thuyết phục
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Communicative và adequate nhưng chưa demonstrate được range và accuracy cao

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“I’m particularly drawn to a career in digital marketing consultancy. What appeals to me most is the dynamic nature of the field – it’s constantly evolving with new platforms and consumer behaviors. I’ve always had a knack for understanding what makes content resonate with audiences, and I’d love to leverage that skill in helping brands craft compelling narratives. Plus, the potential for remote work and entrepreneurial opportunities really aligns with my long-term aspirations.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh:
  • Vocabulary sophisticated: “drawn to”, “appeals to me”, “dynamic nature”, “craft compelling narratives”
  • Grammar range: Present perfect “I’ve always had”, complex sentences với multiple clauses
  • Personal insight: không chỉ nói về công việc mà còn về lifestyle preferences và long-term thinking
  • Natural flow: sử dụng linking words và phrases mượt mà
• Tại sao Band 8-9: Demonstrates native-like command của language với precise expressions và insightful content. Grammar errors minimal và không ảnh hưởng communication.

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• be drawn to: bị thu hút bởi
• appeals to me: hấp dẫn tôi
• dynamic nature: tính chất năng động
• have a knack for: có năng khiếu về
• leverage that skill: tận dụng kỹ năng đó
• craft compelling narratives: tạo ra những câu chuyện hấp dẫn
• long-term aspirations: khát vọng dài hạn

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Question: What do you think makes someone successful at work?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Đưa ra 2-3 yếu tố quan trọng
• Giải thích hoặc cho ví dụ cho mỗi yếu tố
• Có thể đề cập đến kinh nghiệm quan sát thực tế

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I think there are two important things. First is hard work. If you work hard, you can achieve your goals. Second is good communication skills. You need to talk to colleagues and customers well. These two things can help you become successful.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Structure rõ ràng (first, second), đề cập hai yếu tố hợp lý
• Hạn chế: Vocabulary basic (hard work, good communication skills), ý tưởng surface-level, thiếu examples cụ thể
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate response nhưng lacks sophistication trong language và depth trong ideas

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“Well, I’d say it’s a combination of factors. First and foremost, perseverance is crucial – the ability to push through setbacks and stay committed to your goals. But equally important is adaptability. In today’s fast-paced work environment, those who can pivot quickly and embrace change tend to stay ahead of the curve. And I’d also add emotional intelligence – being able to read the room, build rapport with colleagues, and navigate office politics skillfully can make or break a career.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh:
  • Multiple factors với detailed explanation
  • Advanced vocabulary: “perseverance”, “adaptability”, “emotional intelligence”, “pivot quickly”, “stay ahead of the curve”
  • Discourse markers sophisticated: “First and foremost”, “But equally important”, “And I’d also add”
  • Real-world understanding: đề cập đến office dynamics và workplace realities
  • Grammar variety: gerunds, infinitives, modal verbs
• Tại sao Band 8-9: Demonstrates excellent command với precise lexis, complex structures, và thoughtful analysis. Speaks fluently với minimal hesitation.

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• combination of factors: sự kết hợp của nhiều yếu tố
• perseverance: sự kiên trì
• push through setbacks: vượt qua thất bại
• stay committed: duy trì sự cam kết
• fast-paced work environment: môi trường làm việc nhịp độ nhanh
• pivot quickly: thay đổi hướng nhanh chóng
• stay ahead of the curve: đi trước xu hướng
• emotional intelligence: trí tuệ cảm xúc
• read the room: hiểu được tình hình/không khí
• build rapport: xây dựng mối quan hệ tốt
• navigate office politics: điều hướng chính trị văn phòng

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 + 2-3 phút nói). Đây là phần quan trọng nhất trong IELTS Speaking vì bạn phải duy trì fluency trong thời gian dài mà không được ngắt lời.

Chiến lược hiệu quả:

• Phút chuẩn bị: Ghi chú keywords cho mỗi bullet point, KHÔNG viết câu hoàn chỉnh. Sử dụng mind-mapping hoặc danh sách đơn giản.
• Cấu trúc thời gian: Intro (15s) + Main points theo bullets (1.5-2 phút) + Conclusion (15-30s)
• Sử dụng thì: Thường là quá khứ khi kể chuyện, hoặc hiện tại khi miêu tả người/vật vẫn liên quan đến hiện tại
• Kỹ thuật mở rộng: Thêm feelings, consequences, comparisons, specific examples

Lỗi thường gặp:

• Nói dưới 1.5 phút (thiếu điểm Fluency)
• Bỏ sót một hoặc nhiều bullet points
• Dùng hết 1 phút chuẩn bị viết câu hoàn chỉnh thay vì keywords
• Lặp lại từ vựng quá nhiều
• Dừng giữa chừng vì không biết nói gì thêm

Để hiểu rõ hơn về cách miêu tả một người có tính kỷ luật cao trong công việc – một phẩm chất quan trọng của người thành công, bạn có thể tham khảo thêm hướng dẫn chi tiết về cách miêu tả người kỷ luật trong công việc.

Cue Card

Describe A Person Who Is Very Successful In Their Career

You should say:

• Who this person is
• What their career/job is
• How you know about this person
• And explain why you think they are very successful

Phân Tích Đề Bài

• Dạng câu hỏi: Describe a person (miêu tả người)
• Thì động từ chủ yếu: Hiện tại đơn/hiện tại hoàn thành (vì người này vẫn đang thành công) hoặc quá khứ đơn (nếu kể câu chuyện họ đã đạt thành công như thế nào)
• Bullet points phải cover:
  • Who: Tên/mối quan hệ của người đó với bạn
  • What career: Nghề nghiệp cụ thể, vị trí hiện tại
  • How you know: Cách bạn biết người này (trực tiếp hay gián tiếp)
  • Why successful: Phần quan trọng nhất – phân tích chi tiết về thành công (achievements, qualities, impact)
• Câu “explain” quan trọng: Đây là phần ghi điểm cao nhất. Không chỉ liệt kê thành tích mà phải phân tích REASONS và demonstrate critical thinking.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7

Thời lượng: Khoảng 1.5-2 phút

“I’d like to talk about my cousin, his name is Minh. He is a software engineer and he works for a big technology company in Hanoi.

I know him very well because we grew up together in the same family. We often meet during family gatherings and he sometimes tells me about his work.

Minh graduated from university five years ago and he quickly got a good job. Now he is a team leader in his company and he manages about ten people. He has a high salary and recently bought a new apartment in the city center.

I think he is very successful because he achieved a lot in a short time. He worked very hard when he started his career. He often stayed late at the office to finish his projects. His boss was impressed with his work and gave him promotions.

Also, he is very smart and he learns new things quickly. In the technology field, you need to update your knowledge all the time, and Minh does this very well. He takes online courses and reads many technical books.

Another reason is that he has good communication skills. Even though he is an engineer, he can explain technical things in a simple way. This helps him work well with his team and with clients.

I admire him a lot and I hope I can be as successful as him in the future.”

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	6-7	Có thể nói liên tục nhưng có một số pausing. Sử dụng basic linking words (also, another reason, because). Ý tưởng được tổ chức tương đối rõ ràng theo các bullet points.
Lexical Resource	6-7	Từ vựng adequate cho chủ đề: software engineer, team leader, salary, promotion. Tuy nhiên, thiếu sophisticated expressions và có lặp từ (very, good, work).
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	6-7	Sử dụng được thì quá khứ và hiện tại chính xác. Có một số complex sentences nhưng chủ yếu là simple và compound sentences. Ít lỗi ngữ pháp.
Pronunciation	6-7	Phát âm rõ ràng, có thể hiểu được. Có thể có một số lỗi nhỏ về trọng âm từ nhưng không ảnh hưởng communication.

Điểm mạnh:

• ✅ Trả lời đầy đủ tất cả bullet points
• ✅ Có cấu trúc rõ ràng với intro và conclusion
• ✅ Đưa ra nhiều reasons cho success (hard work, smart, communication)
• ✅ Độ dài phù hợp (khoảng 1.5-2 phút)

Hạn chế:

• ⚠️ Từ vựng còn basic và có lặp lại
• ⚠️ Thiếu specific examples và details sinh động
• ⚠️ Cấu trúc câu đơn giản, ít variety
• ⚠️ Chưa có personal feelings và reflection sâu sắc

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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 manager, Ms. Lan, who I consider to be one of the most successful professionals I’ve ever encountered. She’s currently the Marketing Director for a leading e-commerce platform in Vietnam.

I had the privilege of working under her guidance for about two years when I was an intern at her company. During that time, I witnessed firsthand how she climbed the corporate ladder from a mid-level manager to her current executive position.

What really sets her apart is her impressive track record. Under her leadership, the marketing team increased brand awareness by 300% and boosted online sales significantly. She spearheaded several groundbreaking campaigns that went viral on social media and won multiple industry awards.

But what I find most admirable is not just her professional achievements, but her approach to leadership. She’s someone who genuinely invests in her team’s development. I remember how she would dedicate time to mentoring junior staff, including myself, even when she had a packed schedule. She leads by example – often being the first to arrive and the last to leave, but never asking her team to do anything she wouldn’t do herself.

Another key to her success is her remarkable ability to adapt. In an industry that’s constantly changing, she stays ahead of the curve by continuously upskilling and embracing new technologies. She’s also built an extensive professional network, which has opened doors for numerous collaborative opportunities.

I think what truly makes her successful is the balance she’s struck between ambition and empathy. She’s driven and results-oriented, but never at the expense of her team’s wellbeing. This holistic approach has earned her not just promotions, but genuine respect from everyone who works with her.”

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	7.5-8	Nói trôi chảy với minimal hesitation. Sử dụng sophisticated linking devices (What really sets her apart, But what I find most admirable, Another key to her success). Ý tưởng được phát triển logic và coherent.
Lexical Resource	7.5-8	Từ vựng phong phú và precise: spearheaded, track record, leads by example, ahead of the curve, holistic approach. Có collocation tốt: climbed the corporate ladder, packed schedule, results-oriented.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	7.5-8	Sử dụng đa dạng cấu trúc: relative clauses, conditionals, complex sentences. Grammar errors minimal và không ảnh hưởng meaning.
Pronunciation	7.5-8	Phát âm rõ ràng với good control của features như word stress, sentence stress và intonation. Easy to understand với minimal L1 influence.

So Sánh Với Band 6-7

Khía cạnh	Band 6-7	Band 7.5-8
Vocabulary	“big company”, “good job”, “high salary”	“leading e-commerce platform”, “climbed the corporate ladder”, “impressive track record”
Grammar	“He works for a big company” (simple)	“Under her leadership, the marketing team increased…” (passive + complex)
Ideas	Basic facts về success	Detailed achievements với specific numbers + analysis về leadership qualities
Personal Connection	“I know him because we are family”	“I had the privilege of working under her guidance” + personal reflections

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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 Dr. Nguyen Thanh Phong, who, in my view, epitomizes what it means to be truly successful in one’s career. He’s a renowned cardiologist and the Chief of Cardiology at one of Vietnam’s most prestigious medical institutions.

I first learned about Dr. Phong through my aunt, who’s actually one of his patients. She’d been suffering from a complicated heart condition that several doctors had struggled to diagnose. When Dr. Phong finally identified the issue and successfully treated her, she couldn’t stop singing his praises. Intrigued, I did some research and discovered that his reputation extends far beyond just his clinical expertise.

What makes Dr. Phong exceptionally successful isn’t merely his impressive credentials – though those are certainly notable. He pioneered several minimally invasive cardiac procedures in Vietnam and has published extensively in peer-reviewed international journals. But what truly distinguishes him is the multifaceted nature of his success.

On a professional level, he’s revolutionized cardiac care in our country. He was instrumental in establishing Vietnam’s first state-of-the-art cardiac research center, which has drastically improved treatment outcomes for thousands of patients. His work has garnered international recognition, and he’s frequently invited to speak at prestigious medical conferences worldwide.

However, what I find most compelling about his success story is his commitment to giving back. Despite his demanding schedule, he runs a charitable program that provides free heart surgeries for underprivileged children. He’s also passionate about mentoring the next generation of doctors, regularly conducting pro bono training sessions for young physicians in rural areas.

What resonates with me most is his philosophy that true success isn’t just about personal achievement, but about creating a lasting impact. In an interview I read, he said something that really struck a chord with me: “Success is measured not by how high you climb, but by how many people you bring with you.” This ethos is reflected in everything he does.

I think what makes him genuinely successful – as opposed to simply successful on paper – is this rare combination of technical excellence, humanitarian values, and visionary leadership. He’s not just excelling in his field; he’s transforming it. And he’s doing so with humility and grace, which, in my opinion, is the hallmark of authentic success. His career trajectory serves as an inspiration and a reminder that success, when pursued with purpose and compassion, can transcend personal gain and become something truly meaningful.”

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	8.5-9	Speaks fluently với natural pausing for effect, không phải do lack of words. Sophisticated cohesive devices sử dụng natural và effortless. Ý tưởng phát triển fully với clear progression.
Lexical Resource	8.5-9	Vocabulary precise và sophisticated: epitomizes, renowned, pioneered, multifaceted, compelling, resonates. Idiomatic language natural: singing his praises, struck a chord, hallmark. Collocations native-like: state-of-the-art, peer-reviewed journals, pro bono.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	8.5-9	Full range của structures với complete flexibility và accuracy. Complex sentences flow naturally. Errors extremely rare và không ảnh hưởng communication.
Pronunciation	8.5-9	Pronunciation features như word linking, weak forms, sentence stress được sử dụng effectively. Intonation natural và expressive. Accent có thể nhận biết được nhưng không gây khó khăn cho listener.

Tại Sao Bài Này Xuất Sắc

🎯 Fluency Hoàn Hảo:
Bài nói có rhythm tự nhiên với pausing để nhấn mạnh ý quan trọng. Không có filler words (um, ah) hay long pauses do thiếu vocabulary. Candidate demonstrates confidence và control.

📚 Vocabulary Tinh Vi:

• Epitomizes (thay vì “is a good example of”) – shows precision
• Singing his praises (idiom tự nhiên thay vì “said good things”)
• Resonates with me (sophisticated hơn “I like”)
• Struck a chord (idiomatic expression về emotional impact)
• Multifaceted nature (thay vì “many sides”)
• Hallmark of authentic success (signature expression cho level cao)

📝 Grammar Đa Dạng:

• Relative clauses: “who, in my view, epitomizes…”
• Inversion for emphasis: “Intrigued, I did some research”
• Passive voice for academic tone: “has been recognized internationally”
• Cleft sentences: “What truly distinguishes him is…”
• Conditional implications: “when pursued with purpose…”

💡 Ideas Sâu Sắc:

• Không chỉ list achievements mà analyze what makes them significant
• Contrast giữa “successful on paper” và “genuinely successful”
• Philosophical reflection về meaning của success
• Personal connection thông qua aunt’s story
• Balanced perspective: professional achievements + humanitarian work

Cấu trúc nổi bật:

• Introduction hook: “epitomizes what it means to be truly successful”
• Personal connection: Aunt’s story makes it authentic
• Multi-layered analysis: Professional achievements → Humanitarian work → Philosophy
• Memorable quote: Direct quote từ interview
• Thoughtful conclusion: Personal reflection về meaning của success

Follow-up Questions (Rounding Off Questions)

Sau khi bạn kết thúc Part 2, examiner thường hỏi 1-2 câu ngắn để transition sang Part 3. Đây KHÔNG phải là Part 3 chính thức mà chỉ là bridging questions.

Question 1: Do you think you would like to have a career similar to this person?

Band 6-7 Answer:
“Yes, I think so. I admire what he does and I would like to help people too. However, becoming a doctor requires many years of study, so it would be difficult.”

Band 8-9 Answer:
“That’s an interesting question. While I’m deeply inspired by his work, I think I’m more drawn to a different path. What I’d love to emulate from his career is not the specific field, but rather his approach – that blend of excellence and social responsibility. I believe you can apply those principles in any profession.”

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Question 2: How long have you known about this person?

Band 6-7 Answer:
“I’ve known about him for about three years, since my aunt became his patient. Before that, I didn’t know who he was.”

Band 8-9 Answer:
“I’d say it’s been roughly three years since I first became aware of his work, though my understanding of his contributions has deepened considerably over time. Initially, I only knew him through my aunt’s glowing recommendations, but as I learned more about his broader impact, my admiration grew.”

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Tổng Quan Về Part 3

Part 3 là phần thử thách nhất trong IELTS Speaking, kéo dài 4-5 phút với các câu hỏi trừu tượng và sâu sắc. Đây là nơi examiner đánh giá khả năng phân tích, critical thinking, và academic discussion của bạn.

Đặc điểm của Part 3:

• Câu hỏi về issues rộng hơn liên quan đến chủ đề Part 2
• Yêu cầu analyze, compare, evaluate, speculate
• Không còn là personal experiences mà là social commentary
• Vocabulary cần formal và abstract hơn

Chiến lược hiệu quả:

• Mở rộng câu trả lời: Mỗi answer nên 3-5 câu với clear structure
• Sử dụng discourse markers: Well, Actually, To be honest, I’d say that…
• Show multiple perspectives: On the one hand… On the other hand…
• Thừa nhận complexity: It’s a complex issue, It depends on various factors
• Provide examples: Từ society, not just personal

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

• Trả lời quá ngắn (1-2 câu) như Part 1
• Không develop ideas với reasons và examples
• Thiếu từ vựng abstract và academic
• Không show critical thinking
• Ngại express opinions mạnh mẽ
• Over-generalize mà không qualify statements

Các Câu Hỏi Thảo Luận Sâu

Theme 1: Defining Success

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Question 1: What do you think is the most important factor for career success?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Opinion question với yêu cầu rank importance
• Key words: “most important factor” – cần justify tại sao factor này outweigh các factors khác
• Cách tiếp cận: State your opinion → Explain why → Acknowledge other factors → Conclude

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I think the most important factor is hard work. If you work hard, you can achieve your goals. Many successful people worked very hard to get where they are today. Of course, luck is also important sometimes, but I believe hard work is more important because you can control it.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Có opinion rõ ràng → reason → acknowledge alternative → conclusion
• Vocabulary: Basic (hard work, achieve goals, get where they are)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate answer nhưng lacks depth và sophisticated language. Ideas đơn giản và không có concrete examples.

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

“Well, that’s quite a loaded question because success is such a multifaceted concept. But if I had to pinpoint one factor, I’d say it’s resilience – the ability to bounce back from setbacks and persevere through challenges.

Here’s why I think so: In today’s volatile job market, adversity is inevitable. What separates those who ultimately succeed from those who don’t is often not talent or even hard work, but rather their capacity to weather storms and learn from failures. We can look at countless examples of successful entrepreneurs who faced multiple rejections before their breakthrough.

That said, I wouldn’t want to oversimplify things. Resilience needs to be coupled with other factors like strategic thinking and continuous learning. You can be resilient but still lack direction, which might lead you to persist on the wrong path. So I’d say resilience is foundational, but it needs to be complemented by wisdom and adaptability.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Well-organized: Acknowledge complexity → State opinion with qualification → Explain with reasoning → Provide example → Qualify statement → Nuanced conclusion
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated và precise: multifaceted, pinpoint, resilience, volatile, adversity, weather storms, oversimplify
• Grammar: Complex structures: conditionals (“if I had to”), relative clauses, passive voice (“is often not… but rather”)
• Critical Thinking: Shows balanced view, acknowledges complexity (“loaded question”), qualifies statements (“That said”, “I wouldn’t want to oversimplify”)

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: Well, Here’s why, That said, So I’d say
• Tentative language: I’d say, might lead, I wouldn’t want to
• Academic vocabulary: multifaceted concept, volatile job market, foundational, complemented by
• Sophisticated expressions: loaded question, bounce back, weather storms, coupled with

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Question 2: Do you think successful people are always happy?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Yes/No question nhưng cần elaborate extensively
• Key words: “always” – absolute term cần challenge
• Cách tiếp cận: Reject absolute statement → Discuss nuances → Provide examples → Conclude with balanced view

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“No, I don’t think so. Some successful people are very stressed because of their work. They have a lot of pressure and responsibility. They might have money and a good position, but they don’t have time for family or hobbies. So success doesn’t always mean happiness.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear position → Basic reasons → Simple conclusion
• Vocabulary: Adequate nhưng repetitive và simple
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Communicates main idea nhưng lacks sophistication và depth of analysis

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

“Actually, I think that’s a common misconception – that success and happiness are inherently linked. The reality is far more nuanced.

If we define success in purely material or status-oriented terms – like wealth, power, or prestige – then no, successful people aren’t necessarily happy. In fact, there’s quite a bit of research suggesting that high-achievers often struggle with issues like burnout, imposter syndrome, and work-life imbalance. They might be constantly chasing the next milestone, never feeling truly satisfied with what they’ve achieved.

However, I think the issue lies in how we conceptualize success. If success encompasses not just external achievements but also internal fulfillment – things like meaningful relationships, personal growth, and living aligned with one’s values – then success and happiness become more closely intertwined.

There’s also the question of causality. Does success lead to happiness, or do happy people tend to be more successful? Some research suggests the latter – that positive psychology and wellbeing actually contribute to better performance and sustainable success. So it’s not a straightforward relationship but rather a complex interplay between the two.”

**Phản hồi này tương tự như cách xử lý tình huống căng thẳng nhưng vẫn giải quyết tốt, đòi hỏi sự phân tích sâu sắc và khả năng nhìn nhận nhiều góc độ.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Challenge assumption → Explain why (with research reference) → Present alternative perspective → Discuss causality → Conclude with complexity
• Vocabulary: Academic và sophisticated: misconception, inherently linked, nuanced, conceptualize, causality, intertwined
• Grammar: Variety của structures including conditionals, questions for effect, complex noun phrases
• Critical Thinking: Shows academic approach, references research, discusses multiple dimensions, challenges the premise

💡 Key Language Features:

• Academic discourse: “there’s quite a bit of research suggesting”, “some research suggests”
• Qualifying language: “far more nuanced”, “not necessarily”, “more closely intertwined”
• Abstract concepts: imposter syndrome, work-life imbalance, internal fulfillment, complex interplay
• Analytical phrases: “the issue lies in”, “the question of causality”, “it’s not a straightforward relationship”

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Theme 2: Career Trends and Society

Question 3: How have people’s attitudes towards careers changed compared to the past?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Compare and contrast (past vs present)
• Key words: “changed” – cần identify specific shifts
• Cách tiếp cận: Describe past attitudes → Contrast with present → Explain reasons for change → Provide examples

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I think people’s attitudes have changed a lot. In the past, people wanted a stable job and they stayed in one company for their whole life. But now, young people want to try different jobs and they change careers more often. They also care more about work-life balance and doing something they enjoy.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Past vs present comparison with basic reasons
• Vocabulary: Simple comparisons, basic concepts
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate comparison nhưng lacks specific examples và sophisticated analysis

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

“I’d say there’s been a profound shift in how people approach their careers, particularly over the last few decades.

Traditionally, career choices were largely driven by stability and security. Our parents’ generation often subscribed to the idea of a “job for life” – you’d join a company, climb the corporate ladder steadily, and retire with a decent pension. Success was pretty straightforward to measure: steady employment, incremental salary increases, and social status derived from your position.

Fast forward to today, and the landscape looks radically different. There’s been a paradigm shift towards prioritizing fulfillment over security. Younger generations are more likely to pursue portfolio careers – juggling multiple roles or frequently pivoting between different fields. They’re asking questions like “Does this work align with my values?” or “Am I making a meaningful impact?” rather than simply “Is this a stable job?”

Several factors have driven this transformation. Globalization and technology have made career mobility far more feasible. The gig economy has normalized non-traditional employment arrangements. Plus, there’s been a cultural shift – mental health and work-life balance are no longer fringe concerns but mainstream priorities.

That said, I think this shift is somewhat generation-specific and class-dependent. Not everyone has the luxury of prioritizing fulfillment over financial stability, especially in developing economies where economic security remains precarious.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear temporal comparison (traditionally → today) → Reasons for change → Qualification about who this applies to
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated temporal markers, precise vocabulary for career concepts, abstract nouns
• Grammar: Perfect tenses for historical context, present perfect for ongoing change, conditional implications
• Critical Thinking: Multi-dimensional analysis including economic, technological, and cultural factors; acknowledges limitations of generalization

💡 Key Language Features:

• Temporal discourse: Traditionally, Fast forward to today, over the last few decades
• Academic expressions: profound shift, paradigm shift, driven this transformation
• Career-specific vocabulary: portfolio careers, climb the corporate ladder, gig economy, employment arrangements
• Nuanced language: somewhat, largely, more likely to, rather than simply

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Theme 3: Success and Personal Qualities

Question 4: Is it better to be successful in career or have a good family life?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: False dichotomy – cần challenge the either/or assumption
• Key words: “better” – requires value judgment
• Cách tiếp cận: Reject binary choice → Discuss importance of both → Address trade-offs → Offer nuanced conclusion

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I think both are important. Career success can give you money and satisfaction, but family life gives you love and support. It’s difficult to choose one because people need both. Maybe the best thing is to find a balance between career and family.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Acknowledge both sides → Basic reasoning → Safe conclusion about balance
• Vocabulary: General terms (money, satisfaction, love, support)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Diplomatic answer nhưng doesn’t demonstrate sophisticated thinking or challenge the premise

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

“Well, I think the question itself presents a false dichotomy, as if these two things are mutually exclusive. In reality, I’d argue they’re deeply interconnected and both contribute to what we might call a well-rounded life.

Let me unpack that a bit. Career success, when defined broadly, isn’t just about professional achievements – it’s also about personal fulfillment, intellectual stimulation, and contributing to society. These things can actually enhance your family life by making you a more satisfied and well-developed person. Conversely, a strong family foundation often provides the emotional support and stability that enables people to take risks and excel professionally.

That said, the rub comes when we’re talking about trade-offs. And yes, realistically, there are situations where pursuing career ambitions might come at the expense of family time, particularly in demanding professions or during critical career junctures. The question then becomes: what’s the opportunity cost of each choice?

I think this is where personal values and life stages come into play. What feels like the “better” choice might vary considerably depending on someone’s priorities, circumstances, and cultural context. For instance, someone establishing their career in their 20s might reasonably prioritize professional development, whereas someone in their 40s might gravitate towards family as their children grow up.

Ultimately, I believe the ideal is not choosing one over the other, but rather striving for integration – finding ways to pursue professional goals while nurturing family relationships. That might look like setting boundaries, being strategic about which opportunities to pursue, and redefining success to include both dimensions.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Challenge premise → Explain interconnection → Acknowledge trade-offs → Discuss contextual factors → Offer sophisticated conclusion
• Vocabulary: Abstract và precise: false dichotomy, mutually exclusive, interconnected, opportunity cost, gravitate towards
• Grammar: Complex structures including conditionals, relative clauses, gerunds as subjects
• Critical Thinking: Sophisticated analysis that rejects simplistic framing, considers multiple variables, acknowledges context-dependency

💡 Key Language Features:

• Academic discourse: “presents a false dichotomy”, “let me unpack that”, “the rub comes when”
• Sophisticated connectors: Conversely, That said, Ultimately
• Qualifying language: when defined broadly, reasonably prioritize, might vary considerably
• Abstract expressions: opportunity cost, personal values, life stages, striving for integration

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Question 5: Do you think it’s more difficult for women to be successful in their careers?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Sensitive social issue requiring balanced analysis
• Key words: “more difficult for women” – gender disparity topic
• Cách tiếp cận: Acknowledge reality → Explain systemic factors → Discuss progress → Remain balanced and factual

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Yes, I think women face more difficulties. In many companies, there are not many women in high positions. Women also have to take care of children, which makes it harder to focus on their career. However, things are getting better now and more women are becoming successful.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Direct answer → Basic reasons → Optimistic note
• Vocabulary: Simple, general statements
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Addresses the question but lacks sophistication và depth of analysis. Doesn’t reference specific barriers or systemic issues.

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

“This is a complex and somewhat contentious issue, but I think the evidence suggests that yes, women do face disproportionate challenges in advancing their careers, though the extent varies across industries and cultures.

Let me elaborate. There are several systemic barriers that women encounter. First, there’s the well-documented phenomenon of the “glass ceiling” – women are often underrepresented in senior leadership positions despite comprising a significant portion of the workforce. Research shows that unconscious bias in hiring and promotion decisions still persists, even in supposedly progressive environments.

Beyond workplace dynamics, there’s also the societal dimension. Women still disproportionately shoulder domestic responsibilities and caregiving duties, which can hinder career progression, especially during critical career-building years. The concept of “maternal penalty” – where women face discrimination or reduced opportunities after having children – is well-established in labor economics.

However, I think it’s important to acknowledge progress. We’re seeing incremental improvements: more family-friendly policies, paternity leave, flexible work arrangements, and growing awareness of gender equity issues. Companies are increasingly recognizing that diversity isn’t just ethically right but also economically beneficial.

That said, cultural context matters enormously. In some societies, traditional gender norms are more entrenched, while others have made more substantial strides towards workplace equality. Vietnam, for instance, has seen interesting developments with many women in entrepreneurial roles, though structural barriers certainly still exist.

I’d also add that this conversation is evolving to include intersectionality – recognizing that women’s experiences aren’t monolithic but are shaped by factors like socioeconomic status, education level, and industry sector.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Acknowledge complexity → Present evidence-based analysis → Discuss societal factors → Acknowledge progress → Consider cultural context → Introduce intersectional perspective
• Vocabulary: Academic và precise: systemic barriers, disproportionate challenges, unconscious bias, maternal penalty, intersectionality
• Grammar: Sophisticated structures including nominalization, passive voice for objectivity, present perfect for ongoing trends
• Critical Thinking: Evidence-based approach, acknowledges complexity, considers multiple dimensions, remains balanced and analytical

💡 Key Language Features:

• Academic hedging: “somewhat contentious”, “suggests that”, “the extent varies”
• Evidence-based language: “research shows”, “well-documented phenomenon”, “well-established in labor economics”
• Social science vocabulary: glass ceiling, unconscious bias, maternal penalty, intersectionality
• Balanced discourse: “However”, “That said”, “I’d also add”

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Theme 4: Future of Work

Question 6: How do you think the definition of career success will change in the future?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Speculation about future trends
• Key words: “will change” – requires prediction based on current trends
• Cách tiếp cận: Identify current trends → Project future developments → Explain driving factors → Provide examples

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I think success will be different in the future. Maybe people will not care so much about money and job titles. They might care more about happiness and free time. Also, technology is changing how we work, so people might have different types of jobs in the future.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Basic prediction → Some reasons → Vague future scenario
• Vocabulary: Simple, general terms
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Makes predictions nhưng lacks specificity, evidence, and sophisticated analysis of trends

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

“That’s a fascinating question, and I think we’re already seeing the seeds of transformation that will reshape how we conceptualize career success.

First and foremost, I believe there’ll be a decisive shift away from traditional markers like linear career progression and job titles towards more holistic measures. We’re already witnessing younger generations prioritizing factors like purpose, flexibility, and work-life integration over conventional status symbols. I’d expect this trend to accelerate and become mainstream.

Technology will play a pivotal role in this transformation. As artificial intelligence and automation disrupt traditional career paths, success might increasingly be defined by one’s ability to adapt, continuously learn, and leverage technology rather than by tenure in a single role or organization. The concept of “career” itself might become more fluid – think portfolio careers, project-based work, and hybrid roles that defy conventional categorization.

I also think environmental and social consciousness will become integral to how we define success. The next generation of professionals is likely to place premium on whether their work contributes to sustainability or addresses social challenges. Companies and individuals who can demonstrate positive impact will be increasingly valued.

Another dimension I’d highlight is the globalization of opportunity. With remote work becoming normalized, geographic constraints are dissolving. Success might be measured less by which city or country you work in and more by the global networks you build and the international impact you create.

However, I think there’s a risk of romanticizing this vision. Economic realities will still matter enormously, especially in developing contexts. While privileged sectors might enjoy the luxury of redefining success, many people will continue to grapple with basic economic security. So we might see a bifurcation – different definitions of success coexisting across different socioeconomic strata.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Identify current seeds of change → Discuss technological impact → Consider social/environmental factors → Address globalization → Qualify with economic realities
• Vocabulary: Future-oriented vocabulary, precise predictions, sophisticated abstract nouns
• Grammar: Future constructions, conditional statements, present continuous for ongoing trends
• Critical Thinking: Evidence-based speculation, considers multiple drivers of change, acknowledges limitations and contradictions

💡 Key Language Features:

• Speculative language: “I believe there’ll be”, “I’d expect”, “might become”, “is likely to”
• Trend language: seeds of transformation, decisive shift, accelerate, normalized, dissolving
• Future-oriented expressions: play a pivotal role, increasingly valued, coexisting
• Analytical caution: “there’s a risk of”, “economic realities will still matter”, “might see a bifurcation”

Từ vựng và cụm từ quan trọng

Topic-Specific Vocabulary

Từ vựng/Cụm từ	Loại từ	Phiên âm	Nghĩa tiếng Việt	Ví dụ	Collocation
meteoric rise	noun phrase	/ˌmiːtiˈɒrɪk raɪz/	sự thăng tiến thần tốc	Her meteoric rise to CEO surprised everyone.	experience a meteoric rise, meteoric rise to fame/success
climb the corporate ladder	idiom	/klaɪm ðə ˈkɔːpərət ˈlædə(r)/	thăng tiến trong công việc	She’s been climbing the corporate ladder steadily.	start climbing, rapidly climb, struggle to climb
groundbreaking	adj	/ˈɡraʊndbreɪkɪŋ/	đột phá, mang tính tiên phong	His groundbreaking research changed the field.	groundbreaking work/research/discovery, truly groundbreaking
spearhead	verb	/ˈspɪəhed/	dẫn đầu, khởi xướng	She spearheaded the digital transformation initiative.	spearhead a campaign/project/movement
track record	noun phrase	/træk ˈrekɔːd/	thành tích đã đạt được	He has an impressive track record in sales.	proven track record, strong/solid track record, track record of success
lead by example	idiom	/liːd baɪ ɪɡˈzɑːmpl/	nêu gương, làm gương	Great leaders lead by example.	always lead by example, try to lead by example
ahead of the curve	idiom	/əˈhed əv ðə kɜːv/	đi trước xu hướng	Innovative companies stay ahead of the curve.	stay/remain ahead of the curve, put someone ahead of the curve
resilience	noun	/rɪˈzɪliəns/	khả năng phục hồi, sức bật	Resilience is crucial for entrepreneurial success.	demonstrate/show resilience, build resilience, emotional resilience
perseverance	noun	/ˌpɜːsɪˈvɪərəns/	sự kiên trì	Her perseverance paid off eventually.	require perseverance, show perseverance, through sheer perseverance
adaptability	noun	/əˌdæptəˈbɪləti/	khả năng thích nghi	Adaptability is key in today’s job market.	demonstrate adaptability, require adaptability, flexibility and adaptability
emotional intelligence	noun phrase	/ɪˈməʊʃənl ɪnˈtelɪdʒəns/	trí tuệ cảm xúc	Leaders need high emotional intelligence.	develop emotional intelligence, high/low emotional intelligence
work-life balance	noun phrase	/wɜːk laɪf ˈbæləns/	cân bằng công việc-cuộc sống	She prioritizes work-life balance.	achieve/maintain work-life balance, healthy work-life balance
portfolio career	noun phrase	/pɔːtˈfəʊliəʊ kəˈrɪə(r)/	sự nghiệp đa dạng, nhiều vai trò	More people are choosing portfolio careers.	pursue a portfolio career, transition to a portfolio career
glass ceiling	idiom	/ɡlɑːs ˈsiːlɪŋ/	rào cản vô hình (ngăn thăng tiến)	Women still face a glass ceiling in many industries.	break/shatter the glass ceiling, encounter the glass ceiling
burnout	noun	/ˈbɜːnaʊt/	kiệt sức, cạn kiệt năng lượng	High-achievers are prone to burnout.	experience/suffer burnout, avoid burnout, risk of burnout
upskilling	noun	/ˈʌpskɪlɪŋ/	nâng cao kỹ năng	Continuous upskilling is essential in tech.	invest in upskilling, upskilling and reskilling, upskilling programs
pivot	verb	/ˈpɪvət/	thay đổi hướng đi	She decided to pivot her career towards consulting.	successfully pivot, pivot to a new field/career
holistic success	noun phrase	/həʊˈlɪstɪk səkˈses/	thành công toàn diện	He defines success as holistic success.	pursue holistic success, achieve holistic success

Idiomatic Expressions & Advanced Phrases

Cụm từ	Nghĩa	Ví dụ sử dụng	Band điểm
spring to mind	nảy ra trong đầu, nghĩ đến ngay	When you mention successful people, Steve Jobs springs to mind.	7.5-9
sing someone’s praises	ca ngợi ai đó nhiệt tình	Everyone sings her praises for her leadership.	7.5-9
strike a chord	chạm đến cảm xúc, gây ấn tượng sâu	His speech about purpose really struck a chord with me.	8-9
read the room	hiểu được không khí, tình hình	Successful leaders know how to read the room.	7.5-9
weather the storm	vượt qua khó khăn	His company weathered the storm during the recession.	7.5-9
push through setbacks	vượt qua thất bại	Entrepreneurs must push through setbacks constantly.	7-8
stay ahead of the curve	đi trước xu hướng	Tech companies need to stay ahead of the curve.	7.5-8.5
build rapport	xây dựng mối quan hệ tốt	She’s excellent at building rapport with clients.	7-8
navigate office politics	xử lý chính trị văn phòng	Knowing how to navigate office politics is crucial.	7.5-9
make a lasting impact	tạo ảnh hưởng lâu dài	She wants her work to make a lasting impact.	7.5-8.5
at the expense of	với cái giá của, bằng việc hy sinh	He achieved success at the expense of his health.	7.5-8.5
a false dichotomy	sự phân chia sai lầm (giả định hai lựa chọn loại trừ nhau)	It’s a false dichotomy to say you must choose between career and family.	8.5-9

Discourse Markers (Từ Nối Ý Trong Speaking)

Để bắt đầu câu trả lời:

• 📝 Well,… – Sử dụng khi cần thời gian suy nghĩ ngắn hoặc khi câu trả lời phức tạp
• 📝 Actually,… – Khi đưa ra góc nhìn khác hoặc thông tin bất ngờ
• 📝 To be honest,… – Khi nói thật hoặc chia sẻ ý kiến cá nhân
• 📝 I’d say that… – Cách mềm mại để đưa ra quan điểm
• 📝 That’s an interesting question… – Thể hiện bạn đang suy nghĩ sâu về câu hỏi

Để bổ sung ý:

• 📝 On top of that,… – Thêm vào đó (formal hơn “also”)
• 📝 What’s more,… – Hơn nữa
• 📝 Not to mention… – Chưa kể đến
• 📝 Another key point is… – Một điểm quan trọng khác
• 📝 I’d also add that… – Tôi cũng muốn thêm rằng

Để đưa ra quan điểm cân bằng:

• 📝 On the one hand,… On the other hand,… – Một mặt… mặt khác
• 📝 While it’s true that…, we also need to consider… – Mặc dù đúng là… chúng ta cũng cần xem xét
• 📝 That said,… – Tuy nhiên, dù vậy
• 📝 Having said that,… – Sau khi nói điều đó
• 📝 Conversely,… – Ngược lại

Để giải thích hoặc làm rõ:

• 📝 What I mean by that is… – Ý tôi là
• 📝 Let me elaborate… – Để tôi giải thích chi tiết hơn
• 📝 To put it another way,… – Nói cách khác
• 📝 Here’s why I think so… – Đây là lý do tại sao tôi nghĩ vậy
• 📝 Let me unpack that a bit… – Để tôi phân tích kỹ hơn

Để kết luận:

• 📝 All in all,… – Tóm lại, xét cho cùng
• 📝 At the end of the day,… – Cuối cùng thì
• 📝 Ultimately,… – Sau cùng, cuối cùng
• 📝 In a nutshell,… – Tóm gọn lại
• 📝 The bottom line is… – Điểm cốt lõi là

Grammatical Structures Ấn Tượng

1. Conditional Sentences (Câu điều kiện):

Mixed conditional (kết hợp quá khứ và hiện tại):

• Formula: If + past perfect, would + base verb
• Ví dụ: “If she had studied harder in university, she would be in a better position now.”

Inversion for emphasis:

• Formula: Had + subject + past participle, subject + would have
• Ví dụ: “Had he taken that opportunity, he would have become much more successful.”

2. Relative Clauses (Mệnh đề quan hệ):

Non-defining relative clauses (thêm thông tin):

• Formula: …, which/who + verb…
• Ví dụ: “My mentor, who has 20 years of experience, taught me everything about leadership.”

Cleft sentences với relative clauses:

• Formula: What + subject + verb + is…
• Ví dụ: “What I find most impressive about her is her ability to stay humble despite her success.”

3. Passive Voice (Câu bị động):

Impersonal passive (câu bị động khách quan):

• Formula: It is thought/believed/said that…
• Ví dụ: “It is widely believed that emotional intelligence matters more than IQ for career success.”
• Ví dụ: “It has been shown that diverse teams perform better.”

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

What-cleft:

• Formula: What I find/think/believe + most + adjective, is…
• Ví dụ: “What I find most admirable about successful people is their resilience.”

The thing that-cleft:

• Formula: The thing that + verb + is…
• Ví dụ: “The thing that separates successful people from others is their ability to learn from failure.”

5. Advanced Gerund and Infinitive Structures:

Gerunds as subjects:

• Formula: Gerund + verb
• Ví dụ: “Climbing the corporate ladder requires more than just hard work.”

Complex infinitive structures:

• Formula: Subject + verb + adjective + enough + to-infinitive
• Ví dụ: “She’s adaptable enough to thrive in any work environment.”

6. Nominalization (Danh từ hóa – academic style):

Biến động từ/tính từ thành danh từ để tạo văn phong formal:

• “succeed” → “success” / “successful” → “successfulness”
• Ví dụ: “The implementation of flexible policies has led to an improvement in employee satisfaction.” (thay vì “When companies implemented flexible policies, employees became more satisfied”)

7. Inversion for emphasis (Đảo ngữ nhấn mạnh):

Negative adverbials:

• Formula: Never/Rarely/Seldom + auxiliary verb + subject + main verb
• Ví dụ: “Never have I met someone so dedicated to their career.”
• Ví dụ: “Rarely do we see such a combination of talent and humility.”

Những người thành công thường biết cách xử lý áp lực trong công việc một cách hiệu quả, đây là một kỹ năng quan trọng giúp họ vượt qua thử thách.

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Chiến Lược Và Lời Khuyên Từ Examiner

5 Điều Examiners Muốn Thấy Nhưng Thí sinh Việt Nam Thường Thiếu

1. Natural pausing và self-correction

Nhiều thí sinh Việt Nam cố gắng nói nhanh và không dừng nghĩ rằng đó là fluency. Thực tế, native speakers thường pause để suy nghĩ, và self-correction cho thấy bạn đang monitor ngôn ngữ của mình.

✅ Cách làm đúng:

• “Well, let me think… I’d say the most important factor is… actually, no, let me rephrase that. What I really mean is…”
• Pause ngắn (1-2 giây) để suy nghĩ là natural và acceptable

❌ Tránh:

• Nói liền một mạch như đọc thuộc
• Dùng quá nhiều filler words (um, ah, like)

2. Examples từ society, không chỉ cá nhân

Part 3 yêu cầu social commentary. Thí sinh Việt Nam thường chỉ nói về bản thân mình.

✅ Cách làm đúng:

• “We can see this trend in Vietnam where more young people are choosing to work for startups rather than state-owned enterprises.”
• “Research has shown that…”
• “A good example of this is…”

❌ Tránh:

• “I think…” (không có supporting evidence)
• Chỉ nói về kinh nghiệm cá nhân trong Part 3

3. Qualifying statements (không nói quá absolute)

Native speakers hiếm khi nói “always”, “never”, “all” mà thường qualify với “often”, “tend to”, “in many cases”.

✅ Cách làm đúng:

• “Generally speaking…”
• “In many cases…”
• “To some extent…”
• “It largely depends on…”

❌ Tránh:

• “All successful people are…”
• “Everyone needs to…”
• “It’s always better to…”

4. Acknowledging complexity

High-band answers thể hiện sophisticated thinking bằng cách nhận ra vấn đề phức tạp.

✅ Cách làm đúng:

• “It’s a multifaceted issue…”
• “There are several dimensions to consider…”
• “It’s not a straightforward relationship…”
• “The reality is more nuanced…”

❌ Tránh:

• Đưa ra câu trả lời quá đơn giản
• Không xem xét các góc độ khác

5. Personal voice và authenticity

Examiners muốn nghe giọng nói thật của bạn, không phải template học thuộc.

✅ Cách làm đúng:

• Chia sẻ opinions thật
• Dùng expressions phản ánh thinking process: “That’s interesting…”, “I’ve never thought about it that way before…”
• Kể stories có authentic details

❌ Tránh:

• Template sentences: “There are two reasons for this. Firstly… Secondly…”
• Fake stories rõ ràng không có thật
• Mechanical response không có personality

Common Mistakes và Cách Khắc phục

Mistake 1: Over-preparing Part 2 bằng cách học thuộc toàn bộ

Tại sao sai: Examiners được training để phát hiện memorized answers. Điều này có thể dẫn đến:

• Fluency không natural (như đọc script)
• Không trả lời đúng cue card (vì bạn nói bài đã học)
• Có thể bị hỏi thêm và không trả lời được

Cách khắc phục:

• Chuẩn bị ideas và vocabulary, không học câu hoàn chỉnh
• Practice flexibility: luyện nói về cùng topic với nhiều góc độ khác nhau
• Record và nghe lại để check xem có nghe như “reciting” không

Mistake 2: Dùng từ vựng quá academic không phù hợp context

Ví dụ sai:
❌ “My uncle’s remuneration is substantial” (quá formal cho Speaking)

Nên nói:
✅ “My uncle earns a good salary” hoặc “My uncle is well-compensated”

Nguyên tắc:

• Speaking cần conversational nhưng sophisticated
• Dùng academic vocabulary cho Part 3 nhưng vẫn natural
• Tránh dùng từ quá formal như “purchase” (nói “buy”), “commence” (nói “start”)

Mistake 3: Không extend answers trong Part 1

Ví dụ sai:
❌ Q: “Do you know anyone successful?” A: “Yes, I do.”

Nên làm:
✅ “Yes, actually my former manager comes to mind. She’s now a director at a tech company and I really admire her leadership style.”

Nguyên tắc:

• Part 1 cần 2-3 câu mỗi answer
• Format: Direct answer + Explain/Example + Optional elaboration

Mistake 4: Không develop ideas trong Part 3

Ví dụ sai:
❌ Q: “Is career success important?” A: “Yes, very important because it gives you money and status.”

Nên làm:
✅ “Well, I’d say career success is certainly important, but perhaps we need to define what we mean by ‘success.’ If we’re talking purely about financial rewards, then yes, it matters because it provides security. But I think there’s a broader definition that includes personal fulfillment and contribution to society, which might be even more significant in the long run.”

Nguyên tắc:

• Part 3 cần 4-6 câu mỗi answer
• Structure: State opinion → Explain → Example/Evidence → Qualify/Add nuance

Lộ Trình Chuẩn Bị Hiệu Quả

4-6 tuần trước thi:

Tuần 1-2: Foundation

• Học và practice 50 từ vựng cốt lõi về career/success
• Record bản thân trả lời 10 Part 1 questions khác nhau
• Identify pronunciation issues và practice correction
• Học các discourse markers và practice sử dụng naturally

Tuần 3-4: Building Fluency

• Practice 5-7 Part 2 topics khác nhau về career theme
• Focus vào extending ideas và adding details
• Practice Part 3 với partner hoặc teacher
• Làm quen với cách miêu tả hàng xóm thú vị để mở rộng khả năng miêu tả người

Tuần 5-6: Fine-tuning

• Mock tests với timing chính xác
• Focus vào weak areas identified từ mock tests
• Practice flexibility: trả lời unexpected questions
• Review recordings và identify còn những errors nào

1 tuần trước thi:

• Review vocabulary đã học (không học từ mới)
• Practice speaking 20-30 phút mỗi ngày
• Focus vào confidence và natural delivery
• Nghỉ ngơi đầy đủ

Ngày thi:

• Đến sớm 30 phút để làm quen môi trường
• Warm up bằng cách nói chuyện tiếng Anh (với bạn hoặc tự nói)
• Thư giãn và nhớ: examiner muốn bạn succeed
• Smile và maintain eye contact

Tâm Lý Thi Cử

Overcome nervousness:

1. Nhớ rằng: Examiner không phải judge bạn như một người mà assess English của bạn
2. Reframe mistakes: Lỗi nhỏ không đáng sợ, examiner focus vào overall performance
3. Practice under pressure: Luyện tập với strangers hoặc trong môi trường formal
4. Breathing technique: Hít thở sâu trước khi vào phòng thi

Việc trải qua những thay đổi lớn trong cuộc sống giúp chúng ta phát triển khả năng thích nghi – một kỹ năng quan trọng không chỉ trong sự nghiệp mà còn trong kỳ thi IELTS Speaking.

What to do nếu bạn không hiểu câu hỏi:
✅ “Sorry, could you please repeat that?”
✅ “I’m not quite sure I understand. Are you asking about…?”

❌ Đừng im lặng hoặc đoán mò trả lời sai hướng

What to do nếu bạn không biết trả lời:
✅ “That’s an interesting question. I haven’t really thought about it before, but I’d say…”
✅ “I’m not entirely sure, but from what I’ve observed…”

❌ Đừng nói “I don’t know” và dừng lại

What to do nếu bạn nói sai:
✅ Self-correct naturally: “I mean…”, “Actually, what I meant to say was…”

❌ Đừng panic hoặc apologize quá nhiều

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Chủ đề “Describe a person who is very successful in their career” là một trong những topics quan trọng và phổ biến nhất trong IELTS Speaking. Thành công không chỉ đến từ việc học thuộc câu trả lời mẫu, mà từ việc phát triển khả năng express ideas một cách natural, sophisticated, và authentic.

Hãy nhớ rằng IELTS Speaking test là một conversation, không phải một performance. Examiners đánh giá cao những thí sinh có thể communicate effectively, demonstrate critical thinking, và show personality qua cách nói của mình. Với sự chuẩn bị đúng cách, vocabulary phù hợp, và confidence trong delivery, bạn hoàn toàn có thể đạt band điểm mong muốn.

Chúc bạn thành công trong kỳ thi IELTS Speaking!