Chủ đề “Describe A Piece Of Good News You Heard About Someone You Know Well” là một trong những đề bài phổ biến và thân thiện nhất trong IELTS Speaking Part 2. Với tư cách là một examiner chính thức có hơn 20 năm kinh nghiệm chấm thi, tôi nhận thấy đây là cơ hội tuyệt vời để thí sinh thể hiện khả năng kể chuyện tự nhiên và sử dụng từ vựng về cảm xúc, thành tựu cá nhân.
Tần suất xuất hiện: Chủ đề này xuất hiện với tần suất cao trong các kỳ thi IELTS từ 2020 đến 2024, đặc biệt trong quý 1 và quý 3 hàng năm. Theo thống kê từ các test takers thực tế, đề bài về “good news” xuất hiện trung bình 2-3 lần mỗi quý tại các trung tâm thi ở Việt Nam. Dự đoán khả năng xuất hiện trong tương lai: Cao, vì đây là chủ đề positive, dễ gây cảm xúc tích cực và phù hợp với nhiều thí sinh.
Những gì bạn sẽ học được trong bài viết này:
- 10+ câu hỏi thực tế cho cả 3 Part về chủ đề tin tức tốt lành
- 3 bài mẫu chi tiết theo các band điểm 6-7, 7.5-8, và 8.5-9 với phân tích sâu
- 30+ từ vựng và cụm từ ăn điểm về cảm xúc, thành công, và chia sẻ tin tức
- Chiến lược trả lời hiệu quả từ góc nhìn examiner
- Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam và cách khắc phục
- Phân tích band descriptors để hiểu rõ tiêu chí chấm điểm
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. Examiner muốn thấy bạn có thể trả lời tự nhiên, mở rộng ý tưởng (2-3 câu cho mỗi câu hỏi) và sử dụng từ vựng đa dạng.
Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:
- Trả lời quá ngắn chỉ với Yes/No hoặc một câu đơn giản
- Dùng từ vựng quá cơ bản như “happy”, “good”, “nice”
- Thiếu ví dụ cụ thể từ kinh nghiệm bản thân
- Không có linking words để kết nối ý tưởng
- Phát âm “news” thành “new” (thiếu /z/ cuối)
Các Câu Hỏi Thường Gặp
Question 1: Do you like hearing good news?
Question 2: How do you usually hear news about your friends and family?
Question 3: Do you prefer to hear news in person or through messages?
Question 4: What kind of news do you find most interesting?
Question 5: Do you think people share good news more than bad news?
Question 6: How do you feel when you hear good news about someone close to you?
Question 7: Do you usually share good news immediately or wait for the right time?
Question 8: Have you received any good news recently?
Question 9: Do you think social media has changed how people share news?
Question 10: What do you usually do when you hear good news?
Phân Tích và Gợi Ý Trả Lời Chi Tiết
Question: Do you like hearing good news?
🎯 Cách tiếp cận:
- Trả lời trực tiếp (Yes/Absolutely)
- Giải thích lý do (tại sao thích)
- Thêm ví dụ hoặc tác động cụ thể
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“Yes, I like hearing good news very much. It makes me feel happy and positive. When I hear good news about my friends or family, I feel excited and want to celebrate with them.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Trả lời rõ ràng, có lý do cơ bản, đề cập đến cảm xúc
- Hạn chế: Từ vựng đơn giản (happy, good, excited), thiếu chi tiết cụ thể
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Vocabulary adequate nhưng không sophisticated, grammar đơn giản (simple present, simple structures), ý tưởng rõ ràng nhưng chưa sâu
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
“Absolutely! I’m always thrilled to hear good news, especially about people I care about. It gives me a real boost and helps me see the positive side of life, particularly during challenging times. Just last week, when I heard my colleague got promoted, it lifted my spirits and reminded me that hard work really does pay off.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh:
- Vocabulary sophisticated: “thrilled”, “gives me a real boost”, “lifted my spirits”
- Grammar đa dạng: relative clause (people I care about), adverbial phrase (during challenging times)
- Ý tưởng cụ thể: có example thực tế, diễn đạt impact sâu sắc hơn
- Tại sao Band 8-9:
- Fluency: tự nhiên, không hesitation
- Vocabulary: idiomatic expressions, precise word choice
- Grammar: complex structures được sử dụng tự nhiên
- Content: personal example làm câu trả lời authentic
💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:
- thrilled (adj): /θrɪld/ – vô cùng phấn khích, hạnh phúc
- give someone a boost: động viên, tiếp thêm năng lượng cho ai đó
- lift someone’s spirits: làm ai đó vui vẻ, phấn chấn hơn
- pay off: mang lại kết quả tốt đẹp
Question: How do you usually hear news about your friends and family?
🎯 Cách tiếp cận:
- Nêu các phương thức chính (2-3 cách)
- So sánh hoặc đưa ra preference
- Giải thích tại sao dùng cách đó
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“I usually hear news from my friends through social media like Facebook or Instagram. Sometimes they call me or send messages on Zalo. For family news, my parents usually tell me directly when we have dinner together.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Nêu được nhiều phương thức, có phân biệt friends vs family
- Hạn chế: Cấu trúc câu đơn giản, thiếu linking words, không có personal touch
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Communication rõ ràng nhưng mechanical, từ vựng đủ dùng nhưng không impressive
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
“Well, it really depends on the person. For close friends, we usually keep each other in the loop through messaging apps like Zalo or WhatsApp – it’s quick and convenient. However, for significant news, like job promotions or engagements, people tend to call or meet up in person, which I actually prefer because it feels more genuine and heartfelt. As for family, we have a group chat where everyone shares updates, though my mum still insists on calling me to fill me in on all the details!”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh:
- Vocabulary: “keep each other in the loop”, “significant news”, “genuine and heartfelt”, “fill me in on”
- Grammar: mixed conditionals, relative clauses, contrasting structures (however, though)
- Discourse markers: “Well”, “However”, “As for”
- Personal touch: đề cập mẹ thích gọi điện, tạo sự tự nhiên
- Tại sao Band 8-9:
- Fluency: natural conversation flow
- Vocabulary: idiomatic và colloquial appropriately
- Grammar: range of complex structures
- Coherence: ý được organize logic (friends → family, apps → calls)
💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:
- it depends on: tùy thuộc vào
- keep someone in the loop: cập nhật thông tin cho ai đó
- significant news: tin tức quan trọng
- genuine and heartfelt: chân thành và từ trái tim
- fill someone in on: kể chi tiết cho ai đó về điều gì
Question: Do you prefer to hear news in person or through messages?
🎯 Cách tiếp cận:
- Đưa ra preference rõ ràng
- Giải thích lý do cho cả hai phương thức
- Có thể đề cập it depends on the type of news
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“I prefer to hear important news in person because I can see the person’s face and emotions. But for small news, messages are okay because they are convenient and fast.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Có comparison, đưa ra lý do cơ bản
- Hạn chế: Vocabulary repetitive (news, person), thiếu elaboration
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate communication nhưng lacks depth và sophistication
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
“Honestly, it’s a bit of both, depending on the nature of the news. For momentous occasions like someone getting engaged or having a baby, I’d much rather hear it face-to-face because there’s something special about sharing that moment of joy together and seeing their excitement firsthand. The emotional connection is just incomparable. That said, for everyday updates or minor achievements, messages work perfectly fine – they’re efficient and don’t require coordinating schedules. Plus, some people actually feel more comfortable breaking good news via text because they’re shy about being the centre of attention.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh:
- Vocabulary: “momentous occasions”, “face-to-face”, “firsthand”, “emotional connection”, “breaking news”, “centre of attention”
- Grammar: conditional-like structure (depending on), comparative (incomparable), gerunds (coordinating, sharing)
- Critical thinking: xét cả hai góc độ, thừa nhận complexity
- Natural speech patterns: “Honestly”, “That said”, “Plus”
- Tại sao Band 8-9:
- Fluency: seamless transitions between ideas
- Lexical resource: precise vocabulary, collocations
- Grammar: sophisticated structures
- Content: nuanced understanding của human behavior
💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:
- it’s a bit of both: cả hai đều được, tùy trường hợp
- momentous occasions: dịp quan trọng, trọng đại
- face-to-face: trực tiếp, mặt đối mặt
- firsthand: trực tiếp, tận mắt
- break the news: thông báo tin (thường là tin quan trọng)
- centre of attention: trung tâm chú ý
Học viên đang luyện tập trả lời câu hỏi IELTS Speaking Part 1 về chủ đề tin tức và giao tiếp
IELTS Speaking Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)
Tổng Quan Về Part 2
Part 2 là phần độc thoại kéo dài 2-3 phút, sau 1 phút chuẩn bị. Đây là phần quan trọng nhất để demonstrate vocabulary range và storytelling ability của bạn.
Thời gian chuẩn bị: 1 phút
- Đừng viết câu hoàn chỉnh, chỉ ghi keywords
- Note down các điểm chính cho từng bullet point
- Nghĩ về opening và closing sentence
Thời gian nói: 2-3 phút
- Đừng nói quá nhanh vì lo thiếu thời gian
- Mục tiêu: 2 phút là đủ, không cần full 3 phút
- Examiner sẽ stop bạn khi hết thời gian
Chiến lược:
- Cover tất cả bullet points (rất quan trọng!)
- Sử dụng past tenses khi kể về tin tức đã xảy ra
- Đưa vào cảm xúc và reactions cụ thể
- Phần “explain” cuối cùng là nơi bạn ghi điểm cao nhất
Lỗi thường gặp:
- Nói dưới 1.5 phút (quá ngắn)
- Bỏ sót bullet points, đặc biệt là phần “explain”
- Dùng present tense thay vì past tense
- Thiếu linking devices để connect ý
- Không thêm cảm xúc cá nhân
Cue Card
Describe a piece of good news you heard about someone you know well
You should say:
- What the news was
- When and how you heard it
- Who this person is
- And explain why you think it was good news
Phân Tích Đề Bài
-
Dạng câu hỏi: Describe an event/experience (kể về một sự kiện đã xảy ra)
-
Thì động từ: Past tenses (simple past, past continuous, past perfect)
-
Bullet points phải cover:
- Content của tin tức (what)
- Thời điểm và cách thức nhận tin (when/how)
- Giới thiệu người trong câu chuyện (who)
- Giải thích tại sao đó là tin tốt (why – phần quan trọng nhất!)
-
Câu “explain” quan trọng: Đây là phần bạn cần dành nhiều thời gian nhất (30-40 giây). Đừng chỉ nói “because I was happy” – hãy elaborate về impact của tin tức, significance của nó với người đó, và feelings của bạn.
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7
Thời lượng: Khoảng 1.5-2 phút
“I’d like to talk about good news I heard about my best friend Linh last year.
The news was that she got accepted into a master’s program at a university in Australia. This was something she had wanted for a long time because she wanted to study abroad and improve her career.
I heard this news in September last year. She called me one evening when I was at home. She sounded very excited on the phone and told me immediately. I was surprised because I didn’t know the results would come out so soon.
Linh is my closest friend since high school. We have known each other for about 8 years now. She is a very hardworking person and always studies seriously. She had been preparing for this for many months, taking English tests and writing application essays.
I think this was good news for several reasons. First, it was her dream to study in Australia. Second, this program is very competitive and difficult to get into, so it showed that her hard work paid off. I felt really happy for her because I know how much effort she put in. Also, this opportunity will help her future career a lot. When I heard the news, I felt proud of her and excited. We celebrated by going out for dinner together that weekend.”
Phân Tích Band Điểm
| Tiêu chí | Band | Nhận xét |
|---|---|---|
| Fluency & Coherence | 6-7 | Mạch lạc, có linking words cơ bản (first, second, also), cover đủ bullet points nhưng transitions chưa smooth |
| Lexical Resource | 6-7 | Từ vựng adequate (got accepted, hardworking, competitive) nhưng repetitive (good news, very), thiếu sophistication |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | 6-7 | Mix của simple và complex sentences, sử dụng past tenses chính xác, có relative clauses nhưng chưa diverse |
| Pronunciation | 6-7 | Clear và dễ hiểu, có thể có small errors trong word stress |
Điểm mạnh:
- ✅ Cover đầy đủ tất cả bullet points
- ✅ Có chronology rõ ràng (when, how, sequence of events)
- ✅ Personal connection được thể hiện
- ✅ Đủ 1.5-2 phút
Hạn chế:
- ⚠️ Từ vựng chưa impressive: “very excited”, “really happy”, “a lot”
- ⚠️ Thiếu idiomatic expressions
- ⚠️ Grammar structures đơn giản, lặp lại patterns
- ⚠️ Phần explain chưa đủ sâu về emotional impact
📝 Sample Answer – Band 7.5-8
Thời lượng: Khoảng 2-2.5 phút
“I’d like to share a piece of wonderful news I received about my childhood friend, Minh, which really made my day a few months ago.
The news was that Minh had been offered a position as a senior graphic designer at a well-known international advertising agency in Ho Chi Minh City. What made it even more special was that he beat out more than 200 other candidates for this role, which is quite a remarkable achievement considering how competitive the creative industry is.
I actually found out about it in quite a modern way – through an Instagram story he posted. It was late on a Friday evening in March, and I was scrolling through my feed when I saw his post with a photo of an official offer letter. The caption said something like ‘Dreams do come true‘. I immediately video-called him to get all the details, and I could hear the excitement in his voice as he filled me in on everything – the interview process, the moment he received the email, and his plans for the new role.
Minh and I go way back – we’ve been friends for nearly 15 years, since primary school. He’s always been passionate about art and design, even as a kid. Over the years, I’ve watched him work tirelessly to build his portfolio, taking on freelance projects while working a regular job to pay the bills. He’s the kind of person who never gives up on his dreams, no matter how tough things get.
I considered this genuinely good news for multiple reasons. Firstly, on a personal level, Minh had been going through quite a rough patch in his previous job – he felt underappreciated and creatively stifled. This new opportunity was like a breath of fresh air for him. Secondly, from a career perspective, this position opens up so many doors in the industry and finally gives him the platform to showcase his talents. But what really warmed my heart was knowing that his persistence and dedication had paid off. It restored my faith in the idea that talent and hard work are eventually recognized. When I heard the news, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride and joy – the kind you feel when someone you care about achieves something they’ve been working towards for years. It reinforced my belief that we should never stop pursuing our passions.”
Phân Tích Band Điểm
| Tiêu chí | Band | Nhận xét |
|---|---|---|
| Fluency & Coherence | 7.5-8 | Smooth flow, excellent use của discourse markers, logical sequencing, minimal hesitation |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5-8 | Wide range, less common vocabulary (beat out, creatively stifled, breath of fresh air), good collocations (rough patch, opens up doors), some paraphrasing (wonderful news, genuinely good news) |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | 7.5-8 | Variety of complex structures (relative clauses, participle clauses), accurate tenses, conditionals, good control |
| Pronunciation | 7.5-8 | Clear pronunciation với natural stress và intonation patterns |
So Sánh Với Band 6-7
| Khía cạnh | Band 6-7 | Band 7.5-8 |
|---|---|---|
| Vocabulary | “got accepted”, “very excited” | “offered a position”, “beat out”, “excitement in his voice” |
| Grammar | Simple sentences: “I felt happy for her” | Complex: “It restored my faith in the idea that…” |
| Ideas | Surface-level: “it was her dream” | Deeper: “rough patch”, “creatively stifled”, emotional impact chi tiết |
| Coherence | Basic linking: “first, second, also” | Sophisticated: “What made it even more special…”, “But what really…” |
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9
Thời lượng: 2.5-3 phút đầy đủ
“I’d like to tell you about an incredibly heartwarming piece of news I received about my cousin, Mai, which truly touched my heart and has stayed with me ever since.
The news itself was quite momentous – Mai had been selected as one of only ten recipients nationwide for a prestigious scholarship to pursue her PhD in Environmental Science at Cambridge University. What made this particularly extraordinary was that she comes from quite a modest background in a rural area of Vietnam, where educational opportunities are often scarce and the journey to higher education is fraught with challenges. This scholarship wasn’t just about academic recognition; it represented a life-changing opportunity that would have been financially out of reach otherwise, as it covers full tuition, living expenses, and even research funding for four years.
I found out about this remarkable achievement in April last year, and interestingly enough, I wasn’t the first to know. Mai is quite humble by nature and had actually told her parents first, who then couldn’t contain their excitement and called my mother. The news spread like wildfire through our extended family. When my mother rang me that evening, I could detect the emotion in her voice even before she said anything. She was almost choked up with pride as she relayed the news. I remember feeling this incredible rush of emotions – joy, pride, and perhaps even a tinge of admiration for Mai’s resilience. I immediately sent Mai a message, and we arranged to video call later that night. During our conversation, what struck me most wasn’t just her happiness, but her profound sense of disbelief – she kept saying she had to ‘pinch herself‘ to make sure it was real.
Mai has always been someone I’ve looked up to despite being a few years older. She’s my aunt’s daughter, and we’ve been close since childhood. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the obstacles she had to overcome – from studying by candlelight during power cuts in her village to traveling two hours each way to attend a better high school in the provincial capital. She’s embodied determination and grit in ways that are truly inspiring. Throughout her undergraduate years, she worked multiple part-time jobs to make ends meet while maintaining stellar grades. Her passion for environmental conservation stems from seeing the environmental degradation in her hometown and wanting to make a tangible difference.
I regarded this as exceptional news on several profound levels. First and foremost, from a personal standpoint, it validated all those years of sacrifice and unwavering commitment she’d demonstrated. There’s something deeply satisfying about witnessing someone you care about reap the rewards of their dedication. Secondly, from a broader societal perspective, Mai’s success story challenges the narrative that quality education is only accessible to those from privileged backgrounds. She’s become a role model not just for our family, but for young people in her community who might have thought such achievements were beyond their grasp. The ripple effect of her success is already visible – I’ve heard that several students in her village have become more ambitious about their own educational goals.
What resonated with me most deeply, however, was the emotional journey behind this news. It made me reflect on how success isn’t just about individual achievement; it’s also about lifting others up and breaking barriers. When I heard the news, I experienced what I can only describe as pure elation mixed with a profound sense of hope. It reaffirmed my belief that socioeconomic circumstances don’t have to define one’s destiny. Moreover, it reminded me of the importance of perseverance and keeping sight of one’s goals even when the path seems impossible.
The news also had a transformative effect on our family’s perspective on education and opportunity. It sparked conversations about supporting other young relatives in their educational pursuits and has actually galvanized the family to set up a small fund to help students from our hometown. In a way, Mai’s good news transcended individual success and became a catalyst for collective action. That’s why, to me, this wasn’t just good news – it was profoundly meaningful news that has continued to inspire everyone who knows her story.”
Phân Tích Band Điểm
| Tiêu chí | Band | Nhận xét |
|---|---|---|
| Fluency & Coherence | 8.5-9 | Seamless flow, sophisticated signposting (First and foremost, Secondly, What resonated most), complex idea development, natural speech patterns với appropriate hesitation devices |
| Lexical Resource | 8.5-9 | Sophisticated vocabulary (momentous, fraught with, tinge of, embodied, reap the rewards), natural collocations (modest background, stellar grades, ripple effect), skillful paraphrasing, idiomatic language (spread like wildfire, pinch herself, make ends meet) |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | 8.5-9 | Wide range of structures used naturally (relative clauses, participle clauses, cleft sentences, passive voice, conditionals, gerunds), accurate control, complex sentences flow naturally |
| Pronunciation | 8.5-9 | Features of connected speech, appropriate intonation patterns, word stress consistently accurate |
Tại Sao Bài Này Xuất Sắc
🎯 Fluency Hoàn Hảo:
Bài nói flows naturally như một câu chuyện thực sự, không có cảm giác mechanical hoặc memorized. Sử dụng discourse markers sophisticatedly: “First and foremost”, “What struck me most”, “What resonated with me most deeply” để guide listener through complex ideas.
📚 Vocabulary Tinh Vi:
- “fraught with challenges” thay vì “full of difficulties”
- “choked up with pride” thay vì “very proud”
- “reap the rewards” thay vì “get the benefits”
- “transcended individual success” – abstract noun usage cho deeper meaning
📝 Grammar Đa Dạng:
- Cleft sentence: “What made this particularly extraordinary was that…”
- Relative clause: “Mai, who has always been someone I’ve looked up to…”
- Participle clause: “During our conversation, what struck me most wasn’t just…”
- Complex conditional: “It reaffirmed my belief that socioeconomic circumstances don’t have to define…”
💡 Ideas Sâu Sắc:
Không chỉ kể về tin tức, mà còn analyze:
- Broader societal impact (challenging narratives about education access)
- Ripple effects (inspiring others, family fund)
- Personal philosophical reflection (success lifting others up)
- Emotional complexity (not just happy, but elation mixed with hope)
Thí sinh đang tự tin trình bày bài nói Part 2 về tin tức vui của người thân trong phòng thi IELTS
Follow-up Questions (Rounding Off Questions)
Examiner có thể hỏi thêm 1-2 câu ngắn sau Part 2 trước khi chuyển sang Part 3:
Question 1: Do you still keep in touch with this person?
Band 6-7 Answer:
“Yes, we still talk regularly on social media and sometimes meet up when she’s back in Vietnam during holidays.”
Band 8-9 Answer:
“Absolutely! We’re actually closer than ever. Even though she’s now halfway across the world, we make it a point to catch up via video calls at least once a month. Technology has really been a lifesaver in maintaining our bond, and whenever she’s back in Vietnam during the academic breaks, we always make the most of our time together.”
Question 2: How did other people react to this news?
Band 6-7 Answer:
“Everyone in the family was very happy and proud of her. Her parents celebrated by having a big family dinner, and many relatives congratulated her.”
Band 8-9 Answer:
“The reaction was overwhelmingly positive across the board. Her parents were over the moon and hosted a proper celebration with extended family. What was particularly touching was seeing how the news resonated with people in her village – several teachers and former classmates reached out to express their admiration. It really became a community celebration rather than just a family affair, which speaks volumes about how well-regarded she is.”
IELTS Speaking Part 3: Two-way Discussion
Tổng Quan Về Part 3
Part 3 kéo dài 4-5 phút với các câu hỏi abstract và thought-provoking liên quan đến chủ đề Part 2. Đây là phần khó nhất vì yêu cầu critical thinking và analytical skills.
Yêu cầu:
- Phân tích issues từ nhiều góc độ (personal → societal)
- Đưa ra opinions có lý lẽ và evidence
- Compare và contrast ideas
- Acknowledge complexity của vấn đề
Chiến lược:
- Dùng 3-5 câu cho mỗi answer (không quá ngắn!)
- Start với discourse markers (Well, I think, In my opinion)
- Structure: Direct answer → Reason 1 → Example/Elaboration → Reason 2 (if time) → Concluding thought
- Sử dụng tentative language (It seems to me, I would say, To some extent)
- Đưa examples từ society/world, không chỉ personal
Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:
- Trả lời quá ngắn (1-2 câu)
- Không có clear position hoặc reasoning
- Chỉ nói về personal experience, thiếu broader perspective
- Không sử dụng academic vocabulary
- Thiếu examples cụ thể
- Không acknowledge different viewpoints
Các Câu Hỏi Thảo Luận Sâu
Theme 1: Sharing News and Communication
Question 1: Why do you think people like sharing good news with others?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Cause/Reason – giải thích psychological và social motivations
- Key words: “why”, “people” (general, not just you), “like sharing”
- Cách tiếp cận: Đưa ra 2-3 reasons với examples, analyze both personal và social aspects
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“I think people share good news because they want to feel happy together with others. When something good happens, they are excited and want their friends and family to know. Sharing news also helps them celebrate their success. For example, when someone gets a promotion, they post on Facebook so everyone can congratulate them.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Direct answer → reason → example, adequate nhưng simple
- Vocabulary: Basic (happy, excited, good), repetitive (share, news)
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Ý rõ ràng nhưng lacks depth, không explore psychological/social dimensions sâu
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:
“Well, I think there are several interconnected reasons why people are naturally inclined to share good news. First and foremost, from a psychological standpoint, sharing positive experiences actually amplifies our own joy. There’s something called ‘capitalizing on positive events‘ in psychology, which suggests that when we share good news and receive enthusiastic responses, it enhances our wellbeing and makes the achievement feel more real and significant. It’s almost like we need others to validate our happiness to fully experience it.
Secondly, from a social perspective, sharing good news strengthens social bonds and reinforces relationships. When we share our successes with friends or family, we’re essentially saying ‘I value you enough to include you in my important moments,’ which deepens connections. Additionally, good news has a contagious quality – it lifts the mood of those around us and creates positive energy in our social circles, which most people find inherently rewarding.
There’s also, I’d argue, a more pragmatic dimension to it. In today’s hyper-connected world, sharing achievements on social media has become a way to maintain our social presence and even manage our personal brand, particularly for professional news. However, I think the core motivation remains deeply human – we’re fundamentally social creatures who thrive on connection and shared experiences.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Well-organized: Introduction → Psychological reason + explanation → Social reason + explanation → Additional dimension + Philosophical conclusion
- Vocabulary: Sophisticated and precise: “amplifies”, “capitalizing on”, “validate”, “reinforces”, “contagious quality”, “inherently rewarding”, “pragmatic dimension”, “hyper-connected world”
- Grammar: Range of complex structures:
- Cleft sentence: “There’s something called…”
- Relative clauses: “which suggests that…”, “which most people find…”
- Participle phrase: “sharing positive experiences”
- Abstract noun phrases: “a psychological standpoint”, “social perspective”
- Critical Thinking: Multi-layered analysis (psychological → social → modern dimension), acknowledges complexity, uses academic concepts
💡 Key Language Features:
- Discourse markers: “First and foremost”, “Secondly”, “Additionally”, “However”
- Tentative language: “I think”, “I’d argue”, “suggests that”
- Abstract nouns: “wellbeing”, “validation”, “dimension”, “presence”
- Academic vocabulary: “interconnected”, “amplifies”, “pragmatic”, “fundamentally”
Question 2: Do you think people today share too much information on social media?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Opinion + Evaluation – cần balanced view
- Key words: “too much”, “social media” (contemporary issue)
- Cách tiếp cận: Acknowledge both sides, give nuanced opinion, consider consequences
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“Yes, I think some people share too much on social media. They post everything about their life, including very private things that should be personal. This can be dangerous because strangers can see this information. However, some people like to share because it’s a way to connect with friends who live far away.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Direct yes → reason → problem → counterpoint
- Vocabulary: Basic (too much, very private, dangerous, strangers)
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Clear position nhưng analysis superficial, lacks sophistication trong presenting ideas
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:
“This is quite a nuanced issue, and I’d say it varies considerably depending on who we’re talking about. There’s certainly a growing concern that we’re living in an era of oversharing, where people feel compelled to document and broadcast virtually every aspect of their lives, from what they eat for breakfast to intimate relationship details. This phenomenon can be problematic for several reasons.
On one hand, excessive sharing can compromise privacy and even pose security risks. When people share their location, daily routines, or personal information indiscriminately, they’re potentially making themselves vulnerable to various threats, from identity theft to physical safety concerns. Moreover, this constant need to share can blur the boundaries between public and private life, and there’s evidence suggesting it can actually diminish the quality of our real-world relationships – we’re so focused on curating our online personas that we might neglect genuine, face-to-face connections.
On the other hand, we need to consider that social media has fundamentally changed how we communicate and maintain relationships. For many people, particularly those separated by geography, platforms like Facebook or Instagram serve as vital tools for staying connected. The key issue isn’t necessarily the volume of sharing, but rather the lack of discernment about what to share and with whom.
All things considered, I’d argue that it’s less about people sharing ‘too much’ universally, and more about cultivating digital literacy – understanding the implications of what we share, with whom, and why. The problem lies not in the act of sharing itself, but in doing so without thoughtfulness or awareness of the potential consequences.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Acknowledge complexity → Present issue → Negative aspects with examples → Positive aspects → Balanced conclusion
- Vocabulary: Sophisticated: “nuanced issue”, “era of oversharing”, “document and broadcast”, “curating”, “cultivating digital literacy”
- Grammar: Complex conditionals, relative clauses, passive structures, hedging language
- Critical Thinking: Balanced perspective, acknowledges different contexts, proposes solution (digital literacy), considers both individual and societal dimensions
💡 Key Language Features:
- Hedging/Tentative: “I’d say”, “can be problematic”, “evidence suggesting”
- Contrasting: “On one hand… On the other hand”, “All things considered”
- Academic phrases: “This phenomenon”, “fundamentally changed”, “cultivating digital literacy”
Theme 2: News and Its Impact
Question 3: How has the way people receive news changed in recent years?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Compare/Contrast – past vs present
- Key words: “changed”, “recent years”
- Cách tiếp cận: Describe past situation → present situation → analyze implications
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“In the past, people got news from newspapers and TV. Now, most people use their phones and social media to read news. This is faster and more convenient. People can get news immediately when something happens, instead of waiting for the newspaper the next day. However, sometimes the news on social media is not true.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Past → present → advantage → disadvantage
- Vocabulary: Functional but basic (got news, read news, faster)
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Covers the question adequately nhưng lacks elaboration và sophisticated vocabulary
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:
“We’ve witnessed a radical transformation in how people consume news over the past decade or so. Traditionally, people relied heavily on established media channels – newspapers, television broadcasts, and radio – which operated on quite rigid schedules and gatekept information through professional editors and journalists. The process was relatively slow but generally credible and verified.
Fast forward to today, and the landscape is dramatically different. The advent of smartphones and social media has made news instantaneous and omnipresent. People now access breaking news within seconds through platforms like Twitter, Facebook, or news apps that send push notifications. We’ve essentially moved from a passive consumption model – where we waited for news to be delivered to us – to an active, on-demand model where news is available 24/7 at our fingertips. Furthermore, the sources have proliferated – it’s no longer just professional journalists; citizen reporters, influencers, and even algorithms curate what news we see.
However, this democratization of information comes with significant trade-offs. The speed and accessibility are offset by concerns about accuracy and misinformation. The filter bubble effect, where algorithms show us news that aligns with our existing views, can limit our exposure to diverse perspectives. Additionally, the 24/7 news cycle and constant notifications can lead to information overload and what some researchers call ‘news fatigue.’
What’s particularly interesting is how this shift has altered not just the medium, but the content itself – news has become more bite-sized, sensationalized, and designed for viral spread rather than in-depth analysis. This represents both opportunities for greater information access and challenges in terms of maintaining informed, critical citizenship.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Past situation → present transformation → consequences (both positive and negative) → deeper analysis of content changes
- Vocabulary: Sophisticated: “radical transformation”, “gatekept”, “advent”, “proliferated”, “democratization”, “filter bubble effect”, “information overload”, “news fatigue”
- Grammar: Complex structures, passive voice, participle phrases, relative clauses
- Critical Thinking: Multi-dimensional analysis, acknowledges complexity, uses academic concepts, balanced view
Question 4: Do you think good news or bad news has more impact on people?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Opinion + Compare
- Key words: “more impact”, comparing effects
- Cách tiếp cận: Consider psychological research, give both sides, personal opinion with reasoning
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“I think bad news has more impact because people remember bad things more easily than good things. When we hear bad news, we feel worried or sad, and these feelings are strong. Good news makes us happy, but we forget it quickly. For example, when there is a disaster, everyone talks about it for a long time, but good news is soon forgotten.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Direct opinion → psychological reason → example
- Vocabulary: Basic emotional vocabulary (worried, sad, happy)
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Clear opinion với basic reasoning, nhưng lacks depth và academic support
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:
“This is a fascinating question that actually touches on some well-established psychological principles. From what I understand, research suggests that bad news generally has a more profound and lasting impact on people than good news – a phenomenon psychologists call ‘negativity bias.’ Essentially, our brains are hardwired to pay more attention to negative information because, from an evolutionary perspective, being attuned to threats was crucial for survival.
This manifests in several ways. Bad news tends to linger in our memories longer, trigger stronger emotional responses, and influence our behavior more significantly. For instance, people are far more likely to share negative stories – a study I came across suggested that articles with negative superlatives in their headlines were substantially more likely to be clicked on than positive ones. Media companies are well aware of this, which partly explains why news coverage often seems to skew negative – the old journalism adage goes, ‘If it bleeds, it leads.’
That said, I think it’s important to acknowledge that good news can have profound impacts too, albeit in different ways. While it might not generate the same immediate, intense reaction, positive news can foster hope, inspire action, and contribute to our overall wellbeing and sense of community. The recent global movement around solution journalism – which focuses on responses to social problems rather than just the problems themselves – suggests there’s growing recognition that positive news serves an important function in maintaining a balanced perspective and motivating constructive engagement with the world’s challenges.
On balance, I’d say bad news has more visceral, immediate impact, but we shouldn’t underestimate the cumulative effect of positive news in shaping our worldview and maintaining psychological resilience.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Introduce concept → explain negativity bias with scientific support → give examples → present counter-argument → balanced conclusion
- Vocabulary: Academic: “touches on”, “profound impact”, “negativity bias”, “hardwired”, “manifests in”, “visceral”, “cumulative effect”
- Grammar: Complex sentences with embedded clauses, sophisticated linking
- Critical Thinking: References research, uses academic concepts, provides examples, balanced analysis, acknowledges complexity
Giảng viên IELTS đang hướng dẫn chiến lược trả lời câu hỏi Part 3 với biểu đồ phân tích band descriptors
Theme 3: Success and Achievement
Question 5: What kinds of achievements are most valued in your society?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Describe + Analyze – về cultural values
- Key words: “kinds of achievements”, “valued”, “your society” (Việt Nam context)
- Cách tiếp cận: List different types → analyze why → consider if changing
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“In Vietnamese society, academic achievements are very important. Parents are proud when their children get good grades or enter good universities. Also, career success is valued, especially if someone has a high position or earns good money. Having a stable job in government or big companies is respected. Family success is also important, like getting married and having children.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Lists types of achievements with basic explanation
- Vocabulary: Adequate (academic achievements, career success, stable job)
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Answers the question clearly nhưng thiếu deeper cultural analysis
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:
“Vietnamese society places considerable emphasis on several types of achievements, though these values are gradually evolving with generational shifts and increasing global influence.
Traditionally, academic success has been paramount – there’s a deeply ingrained cultural belief, rooted in Confucian values, that education is the pathway to social mobility and family honor. You’ll often hear Vietnamese parents boasting about their children’s exam scores or university admissions, and terms like ‘tiger parents’ exist precisely because this academic pressure is so prevalent. The gaokao-equivalent university entrance exam here is almost a defining moment in young people’s lives.
Career achievements, particularly climbing the corporate ladder or securing prestigious positions, also carry substantial weight. There’s still a lingering preference for stable, respectable professions – doctors, engineers, civil servants – though this is slowly changing as entrepreneurship gains more legitimacy. Financial success is increasingly visible and celebrated, perhaps more openly than in previous generations, though it’s somewhat nuanced – ostentatious displays of wealth can be frowned upon, while prudent accumulation is admired.
What’s particularly interesting is how traditional markers of success, like marriage and starting a family, remain significant but are being re-evaluated by younger generations who are postponing these milestones in favor of personal development and career building. There’s a growing tension between conventional expectations and contemporary aspirations.
I’d also note that we’re seeing an emerging appreciation for less traditional achievements – creative pursuits, social contributions, and work-life balance are gaining recognition, especially among urban millennials and Gen Z. However, these newer values coexist with, rather than replace, more traditional ones, creating a fascinating cultural dynamic where multiple definitions of success operate simultaneously.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Introduction with caveat → traditional values with historical context → career aspects → evolving family values → emerging trends → conclusion
- Vocabulary: Sophisticated: “paramount”, “ingrained”, “rooted in”, “social mobility”, “prevalent”, “lingering preference”, “ostentatious displays”, “prudent accumulation”
- Grammar: Complex structures, relative clauses, participle phrases
- Critical Thinking: Historical context (Confucian values), generational analysis, acknowledges change, nuanced understanding of cultural complexity
Question 6: Do you think it’s important to celebrate other people’s successes? Why?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Opinion + Reason
- Key words: “important”, “celebrate”, “other people’s” (not your own)
- Cách tiếp cận: Give clear stance → multiple reasons (personal, social, psychological) → potential counterargument
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“Yes, I think it’s very important to celebrate other people’s success. When we congratulate them, they feel happy and appreciated. It also shows that we are good friends and we care about them. Celebrating success together makes relationships stronger. If we don’t celebrate, people might feel lonely or think we are jealous.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Direct opinion → reasons → consequence of not celebrating
- Vocabulary: Basic (happy, appreciated, good friends, care)
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Clear reasoning nhưng lacks depth và sophisticated analysis
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:
“Absolutely, I believe celebrating others’ successes is fundamentally important for both personal and collective wellbeing, and I’d argue this for several compelling reasons.
From a relational standpoint, celebrating someone’s achievements demonstrates genuine care and investment in their happiness. It’s what psychologists call ‘active-constructive responding‘ – when we respond to good news with authentic enthusiasm rather than passive acknowledgment or, worse, dismissiveness, we strengthen the bonds of that relationship. There’s actually research showing that how people respond to positive events is a stronger predictor of relationship quality than how they respond to negative ones, which I find quite illuminating.
On a more personal developmental level, celebrating others’ success cultivates important qualities like generosity of spirit and helps us combat our natural tendency toward envy or competitiveness. There’s something character-building about genuinely feeling joy for someone else’s achievements, even when we might be struggling ourselves. It shifts our mindset from a zero-sum mentality – where someone else’s success somehow diminishes our own potential – to an abundance mindset, recognizing that success is not a finite resource.
From a broader social perspective, when we normalize celebrating each other’s achievements, we create a more supportive and encouraging community. This collective celebration can foster a positive feedback loop where people feel emboldened to pursue their goals knowing they’ll have a cheering section, which ultimately elevates everyone. It’s particularly crucial in individualistic societies where isolation and comparison culture can be pervasive.
That being said, I think there’s a caveat worth mentioning – celebrations should be authentic and proportionate. There’s a difference between genuinely celebrating someone’s meaningful achievement and performative enthusiasm that rings hollow, or excessive flattery for minor accomplishments that can actually undermine motivation rather than support it.
In essence, celebrating others’ successes isn’t just about being nice – it’s about reinforcing positive social norms, strengthening communities, and nurturing the kind of environment where everyone can thrive.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Strong agreement → relational reasons with research → personal development aspect → societal benefits → caveat/nuance → powerful conclusion
- Vocabulary: Highly sophisticated: “fundamentally important”, “active-constructive responding”, “illuminating”, “zero-sum mentality”, “abundance mindset”, “emboldened”, “pervasive”, “performative enthusiasm”
- Grammar: Full range of complex structures, nested clauses, sophisticated linking
- Critical Thinking: Multiple dimensions (personal, relational, societal), references psychological concepts, balanced with caveat, deep analysis of human behavior
Từ vựng và cụm từ quan trọng
Topic-Specific Vocabulary
| Từ vựng/Cụm từ | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| thrilled | adj | /θrɪld/ | vô cùng phấn khích, sung sướng | I was absolutely thrilled when I heard she got the job. | be thrilled to bits, thrilled to death, absolutely thrilled |
| over the moon | idiom | /ˈəʊvə ðə muːn/ | vui mừng khôn xiết | My parents were over the moon when they heard the good news. | absolutely over the moon, be over the moon about something |
| break the news | phrase | /breɪk ðə njuːz/ | thông báo tin (thường là quan trọng) | She called me to break the news about her engagement. | break the news to someone, break the good/bad news |
| made my day | idiom | /meɪd maɪ deɪ/ | làm cho ngày của tôi tuyệt vời | Hearing about your promotion really made my day! | really made my day, completely made my day |
| momentous | adj | /məˈmentəs/ | trọng đại, có ý nghĩa lịch sử | It was a momentous occasion for the entire family. | momentous occasion, momentous decision, momentous event |
| remarkable achievement | phrase | /rɪˈmɑːkəbl əˈtʃiːvmənt/ | thành tựu đáng chú ý | Getting that scholarship was a remarkable achievement. | truly remarkable, remarkable achievement in, remarkable feat |
| beat out | phrasal verb | /biːt aʊt/ | đánh bại, vượt qua (trong cạnh tranh) | She beat out 200 other candidates for the position. | beat out the competition, beat out rivals |
| rough patch | idiom | /rʌf pætʃ/ | giai đoạn khó khăn | He’s been going through a rough patch at work lately. | go through a rough patch, hit a rough patch |
| breath of fresh air | idiom | /breθ əv freʃ eə/ | điều gì đó mới mẻ, sảng khoái | This opportunity was like a breath of fresh air for him. | like a breath of fresh air, real breath of fresh air |
| pay off | phrasal verb | /peɪ ɒf/ | mang lại kết quả tích cực | All her hard work finally paid off. | hard work pays off, effort pays off, patience pays off |
| restore faith in | phrase | /rɪˈstɔː feɪθ ɪn/ | khôi phục niềm tin vào | The news restored my faith in humanity. | restore faith in something/someone, restore someone’s faith |
| overwhelming sense of | phrase | /ˌəʊvəˈwelmɪŋ sens əv/ | cảm giác tràn ngập | I felt an overwhelming sense of pride. | overwhelming sense of joy/pride/relief |
| warm my heart | idiom | /wɔːm maɪ hɑːt/ | làm cho tim tôi ấm áp, cảm động | Her success really warmed my heart. | it warms my heart to, really warms my heart |
| keep in the loop | idiom | /kiːp ɪn ðə luːp/ | giữ ai đó được cập nhật thông tin | She always keeps me in the loop about family matters. | keep someone in the loop, stay in the loop |
| fill someone in on | phrasal verb | /fɪl ˈsʌmwʌn ɪn ɒn/ | cung cấp thông tin chi tiết cho ai | He filled me in on all the details of the interview. | fill someone in on details, fill me in on what happened |
| spread like wildfire | idiom | /spred laɪk ˈwaɪldfaɪə/ | lan truyền cực nhanh | The news spread like wildfire through the office. | spread like wildfire through, news spreads like wildfire |
| choked up | adj | /tʃəʊkt ʌp/ | nghẹn ngào, xúc động | She was choked up with emotion when sharing the news. | get choked up, choked up with emotion |
| pinch oneself | idiom | /pɪntʃ wʌnˈself/ | nhéo mình (để tin là có thật) | She had to pinch herself to believe it was real. | have to pinch yourself, need to pinch myself |
| look up to | phrasal verb | /lʊk ʌp tuː/ | kính trọng, ngưỡng mộ | I’ve always looked up to my older cousin. | look up to someone as, really look up to |
| make ends meet | idiom | /meɪk endz miːt/ | kiếm đủ sống, xoay sở tài chính | She worked two jobs to make ends meet. | struggle to make ends meet, barely make ends meet |
| reap the rewards | phrase | /riːp ðə rɪˈwɔːdz/ | gặt hái thành quả | After years of study, she’s finally reaping the rewards. | reap the rewards of, reap the rewards of hard work |
| role model | noun | /rəʊl ˈmɒdl/ | tấm gương, hình mẫu | She’s become a role model for young students. | positive role model, serve as a role model |
| ripple effect | noun | /ˈrɪpl ɪˌfekt/ | hiệu ứng lan tỏa | Her success had a ripple effect on the whole community. | create a ripple effect, have a ripple effect |
| catalyst for | noun | /ˈkætəlɪst fɔː/ | chất xúc tác cho, động lực thúc đẩy | The news became a catalyst for positive change. | act as a catalyst, catalyst for change |
Idiomatic Expressions & Advanced Phrases
| Cụm từ | Nghĩa | Ví dụ sử dụng | Band điểm |
|---|---|---|---|
| give someone a boost | tiếp thêm năng lượng, động viên ai đó | Hearing the good news gave me a real boost during a difficult week. | 7.5-9 |
| lift someone’s spirits | làm ai đó vui vẻ, phấn chấn hơn | The positive news really lifted everyone’s spirits in the office. | 7.5-9 |
| on cloud nine | vô cùng hạnh phúc | She’s been on cloud nine since she heard about the promotion. | 7-8 |
| a dream come true | giấc mơ thành hiện thực | Getting accepted to Cambridge was a dream come true for her. | 6.5-7.5 |
| the icing on the cake | phần tốt nhất, hoàn thiện thêm | The scholarship was already great, but the travel grant was the icing on the cake. | 7.5-8.5 |
| turn over a new leaf | bắt đầu lại, thay đổi tích cực | This job opportunity allows him to turn over a new leaf. | 7-8 |
| strike while the iron is hot | nắm lấy cơ hội khi còn có thể | When she heard the news, she decided to strike while the iron is hot. | 7.5-8.5 |
| beyond one’s wildest dreams | vượt xa mong đợi | Her success was beyond her wildest dreams. | 7.5-9 |
| couldn’t be happier for someone | không thể vui hơn cho ai đó | I couldn’t be happier for my friend after hearing the wonderful news. | 7-8 |
| moved to tears | xúc động đến rơi nước mắt | I was moved to tears when I heard about her achievement. | 7-8 |
| couldn’t contain one’s excitement | không thể kiềm chế sự phấn khích | She couldn’t contain her excitement when sharing the news. | 7.5-8.5 |
| a weight off one’s shoulders | một gánh nặng được gỡ bỏ | Hearing the positive news was like a weight off her shoulders. | 7.5-8.5 |
Discourse Markers (Từ Nối Ý Trong Speaking)
Để bắt đầu câu trả lời:
- 📝 Well,… – Dùng khi cần suy nghĩ, tạo không gian tự nhiên trước câu trả lời
- 📝 Actually,… – Khi đưa ra góc nhìn khác hoặc correcting information
- 📝 To be honest,… – Khi nói thật, thể hiện honesty
- 📝 I’d say that… – Khi đưa ra quan điểm cá nhân một cách tentative
- 📝 From my perspective,… – Góc nhìn cá nhân, formal hơn
- 📝 It’s interesting that you ask because… – Tạo engagement với câu hỏi
Để bổ sung ý:
- 📝 On top of that,… – Thêm vào đó, ngoài ra
- 📝 What’s more,… – Hơn nữa, thêm nữa
- 📝 Not to mention… – Chưa kể đến
- 📝 Additionally,… – Formal, academic
- 📝 Furthermore,… – Academic, adding information
- 📝 Plus,… – Informal, conversational
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 cũng cần xem xét
- 📝 Having said that,… – Tuy nhiên, mặc dù vừa nói vậy
- 📝 That said,… – Điều đó nói lên rằng
- 📝 That being said,… – Formal version của “that said”
Để kết luận:
- 📝 All in all,… – Tóm lại, nhìn chung
- 📝 At the end of the day,… – Cuối cùng thì
- 📝 All things considered,… – Xét mọi khía cạnh
- 📝 In essence,… – Về bản chất
- 📝 On balance,… – Cân nhắc tất cả các yếu tố
Để làm rõ hoặc elaborate:
- 📝 What I mean is… – Ý tôi là
- 📝 In other words,… – Nói cách khác
- 📝 To put it another way,… – Diễn đạt theo cách khác
- 📝 Let me put it this way,… – Để tôi nói như thế này
Grammatical Structures Ấn Tượng
1. Conditional Sentences (Câu điều kiện):
Mixed conditional:
- Formula: If + past perfect, would + base verb (hoặc ngược lại)
- Ví dụ: “If she hadn’t worked so hard, she wouldn’t be where she is today.”
- “If I were more confident, I would have applied for that position years ago.”
Inversion (Đảo ngữ):
- Formula: Had + subject + past participle, would have…
- Ví dụ: “Had I known about the opportunity earlier, I would have encouraged her to apply.”
- “Were I in her position, I’d be over the moon too.”
2. Relative Clauses (Mệnh đề quan hệ):
Non-defining relative clauses:
- Formula: …, which/who + clause, …
- Ví dụ: “The scholarship, which covers full tuition, will allow her to focus entirely on research.”
- “My cousin, who has always been passionate about environment, finally got the recognition she deserves.”
3. Passive Voice (Câu bị động):
Impersonal passive:
- It is thought/believed/said that…
- Ví dụ: “It is widely believed that good news spreads faster on social media than through traditional channels.”
- “It has been proven that sharing positive news strengthens social bonds.”
4. Cleft Sentences (Câu chẻ):
What-cleft:
- What I find most… is…
- Ví dụ: “What I found most touching about the news was seeing how it inspired others in her community.”
- “What really matters is not just the achievement itself, but the journey behind it.”
The thing that…, is…
- Ví dụ: “The thing that impressed me most was her humility despite such a remarkable achievement.”
It-cleft:
- It was… that…
- Ví dụ: “It was her persistence that ultimately led to this success.”
5. Participle Clauses:
Present participle:
- Ví dụ: “Hearing the news, I immediately called her to congratulate.”
- “Working multiple jobs while studying, she demonstrated incredible determination.”
Past participle:
- Ví dụ: “Moved by her story, many people in the community offered support.”
6. Gerunds and Infinitives trong Complex Structures:
- Ví dụ: “There’s something deeply satisfying about witnessing someone you care about reap the rewards of their dedication.”
- “Celebrating others’ successes helps combat our natural tendency toward competitiveness.”
7. Inversion for Emphasis:
Not only… but also:
- Ví dụ: “Not only did she get the scholarship, but she was also offered a research assistant position.”
Seldom/Rarely at beginning:
- Ví dụ: “Rarely have I seen someone so dedicated to their goals.”
Chiến Lược Trả Lời Theo Từng Part
Chiến Lược Part 1: Be Natural and Concise
✅ DO:
- Trả lời 2-3 câu cho mỗi question
- Add personal examples hoặc reasons
- Use varied vocabulary (không lặp lại “good”, “happy”)
- Show personality – examiners appreciate authenticity
- Practice pronunciation của “news” (/njuːz/) vs “new” (/njuː/)
❌ DON’T:
- Học thuộc câu trả lời template
- Trả lời quá dài (không cần full answer cho Part 1)
- Sử dụng vocabulary quá phức tạp không tự nhiên
- Chỉ trả lời Yes/No
Time management: Mỗi câu hỏi nên mất 15-20 giây trả lời.
Chiến Lược Part 2: Structure is Key
Trong 1 phút chuẩn bị:
- Bullet point 1 (What): Note down topic của tin tức – dùng keywords như “scholarship”, “promotion”, “engagement”
- Bullet point 2 (When/How): Ghi thời gian cụ thể + method (call, message, in person)
- Bullet point 3 (Who): Keywords về người đó – relationship, characteristics
- Bullet point 4 (Explain): Ghi 2-3 reasons why it’s good news – đây là phần quan trọng nhất!
Opening sentence template (tự nhiên):
- “I’d like to talk about…”
- “I’m going to describe…”
- “Let me tell you about…”
Transition phrases:
- “As for when I heard this…”
- “Regarding the person…”
- “What makes this particularly special is…”
Timing guide:
- Introduction: 15-20 seconds
- What + When/How: 40-50 seconds
- Who: 30-40 seconds
- Explain (WHY): 50-60 seconds
- Total: Aim for 2-2.5 minutes
✅ DO:
- Use past tenses consistently
- Add emotional responses (I was thrilled, It warmed my heart)
- Include specific details (dates, places, exact quotes nếu nhớ)
- Show relationship với người trong câu chuyện
- Elaborate phần “explain” – đây là nơi ghi điểm cao!
❌ DON’T:
- Học thuộc bài mẫu word-by-word
- Nói quá nhanh vì sợ hết thời gian
- Bỏ sót bất kỳ bullet point nào
- Dùng present tenses khi nói về past events
- Kết thúc đột ngột thiếu concluding thought
Chiến Lược Part 3: Think Critically and Deeply
Structure for Part 3 answers:
- Direct answer (5-10 seconds): “I think…”, “In my opinion…”, “I’d say…”
- Main reason with explanation (20-30 seconds): “First and foremost…”, “From a … perspective…”
- Example or elaboration (15-20 seconds): “For instance…”, “This is evident in…”
- Additional point or counter-argument (15-20 seconds): “Additionally…”, “On the other hand…”
- Conclusion (10-15 seconds): “So all in all…”, “In essence…”
Total time per answer: 60-90 seconds (3-5 câu đầy đủ)
✅ DO:
- Think beyond personal experience → societal implications
- Use tentative language (It seems, I would argue, To some extent)
- Acknowledge complexity (“This is a nuanced issue…”)
- Give balanced views (present multiple perspectives)
- Use discourse markers để structure answer
- Reference broader concepts (psychological research, social trends)
❌ DON’T:
- Trả lời quá ngắn (1-2 câu)
- Chỉ nói về personal experience
- Có absolute statements without nuance (“Everyone thinks…”, “It’s always…”)
- Contradict yourself
- Use controversial political statements
Useful thinking frameworks:
Compare/Contrast questions:
- Past vs Present
- Different groups (young vs old, urban vs rural)
- Positive vs Negative aspects
Opinion questions:
- Personal level → Community level → Society level
- Short-term vs Long-term effects
- Theory vs Practice
Problem-Solution questions:
- Identify causes
- Suggest multiple solutions
- Acknowledge challenges
Sơ đồ chiến lược chi tiết cho ba phần thi IELTS Speaking với timeline và cấu trúc câu trả lời
Common Mistakes và Cách Khắc Phục
Lỗi 1: Vocabulary Repetition
❌ Sai:
“I heard good news. The news was good. I felt good about the news. It was really good.”
✅ Đúng:
“I received wonderful news. The announcement was thrilling. I felt elated. It was genuinely uplifting.”
Cách khắc phục:
- Prepare synonyms cho common words:
- Good news → wonderful/great/fantastic/uplifting news
- Happy → thrilled/delighted/elated/overjoyed
- Tell → inform/notify/break the news/share/relay
Lỗi 2: Thiếu Specificity
❌ Sai:
“I heard good news about my friend. She did well in something important. I was happy for her.”
✅ Đúng:
“I heard that my close friend Lan had been offered a position as Marketing Manager at a multinational company. She’d been working towards this goal for three years, so I was absolutely thrilled for her.”
Cách khắc phục:
- Include specific details: names (có thể dùng tên giả), positions, timeframes
- Use concrete examples thay vì vague statements
Lỗi 3: Wrong Tenses
❌ Sai:
“Last year, my brother gets married. I am very happy when I hear the news.”
✅ Đúng:
“Last year, my brother got married. I was overjoyed when I heard the news.”
Cách khắc phục:
- Khi kể chuyện trong quá khứ → past tenses
- Practice với recorder, listen back để catch tense errors
Lỗi 4: Over-complicated Vocabulary
❌ Sai:
“I was flabbergasted and my countenance exhibited conspicuous manifestations of euphoria.” (Quá unnatural!)
✅ Đúng:
“I was absolutely delighted and couldn’t hide my excitement.”
Cách khắc phục:
- Aim for natural, conversational language
- Advanced vocabulary phải sử dụng correctly và naturally
- If not sure, use simpler words correctly thay vì risk mistakes
Lỗi 5: Thiếu Personal Connection
❌ Sai:
“People like to share good news because it makes them happy. Good news is important in society.”
✅ Đúng:
“From my experience, when I share good news with close friends, I find that their enthusiasm actually amplifies my own joy. It creates this wonderful sense of connection that goes beyond just the achievement itself.”
Cách khắc phục:
- Balance general statements với personal insights
- Use phrases: “In my experience…”, “I’ve noticed that…”, “From what I’ve observed…”
Lỗi 6: Not Developing Ideas
❌ Sai:
“I think good news is better than bad news because it makes people happy.” (Dừng ở đây)
✅ Đúng:
“I think good news has a more positive impact on wellbeing. From a psychological standpoint, positive news can boost our mood, increase motivation, and create a ripple effect of optimism in our social circles. For example, when someone in a workplace receives recognition, it often inspires colleagues to work harder towards their own goals. This collective uplift is something bad news rarely achieves.”
Cách khắc phục:
- Always ask yourself “Why?” and “How?” để elaborate
- Add examples sau khi state opinion
- Use this structure: Statement → Reason → Example/Evidence → Impact
Tips Từ Examiner
Insider Knowledge
Điều examiners thực sự đánh giá cao:
-
Authenticity over perfection: Một câu trả lời tự nhiên với minor errors vẫn tốt hơn một câu trả lời hoàn hảo nhưng sounds memorized.
-
Coherent storytelling: Trong Part 2, một câu chuyện mạch lạc, có cảm xúc thật sẽ impress hơn là vocabulary phức tạp nhưng fragmented.
-
Critical thinking trong Part 3: Examiners muốn thấy bạn có thể analyze issues, không chỉ list facts.
-
Natural conversation flow: Sử dụng fillers tự nhiên như “Well”, “Let me think”, “That’s a good question” thay vì awkward silence.
What Examiners Notice
✅ Positive signals:
- Natural eye contact
- Appropriate gestures
- Varied intonation (không monotone)
- Self-correction tự nhiên (“I mean…”, “What I wanted to say is…”)
- Asking for clarification nếu không hiểu (“Could you repeat that?”, “Do you mean…?”)
❌ Red flags:
- Robotic delivery
- Memorized chunks that don’t fit question
- Long pauses (hơn 3-4 giây)
- Completely off-topic answers
- Over-reliance on formulaic language
How to Recover From Mistakes
If you blank out:
- “That’s an interesting question. Let me think…”
- “Well, I’ve never really thought about it this way, but I’d say…”
- DON’T: Stay silent hoặc panic
If you mispronounce:
- Self-correct naturally: “I mean [correct pronunciation]”
- DON’T: Stop và apologize profusely
If you don’t understand:
- “I’m sorry, could you rephrase that?”
- “Do you mean [paraphrase]?”
- DON’T: Guess và answer completely wrong thing
Lộ Trình Luyện Tập
Tuần 1-2: Foundation Building
Mục tiêu: Build vocabulary bank và familiarize với question types
Ngày 1-3:
- List 50 từ vựng về emotions, achievements, communication
- Practice pronunciation với online dictionaries
- Record yourself saying each word 5 times
Ngày 4-7:
- Learn 20 collocations liên quan đến good news
- Create personal examples cho mỗi collocation
- Practice Part 1 questions: 5 questions/day
Ngày 8-14:
- Study sample answers (Band 6-7 và 8-9)
- Analyze differences: highlight advanced vocabulary and structures
- Practice Part 2: Brainstorm ideas cho 3 different news stories
Tuần 3-4: Skill Development
Mục tiêu: Improve fluency và coherence
Ngày 15-21:
- Record yourself answering Part 1 questions
- Listen back, identify hesitations và repetitions
- Re-record with improvements
- Practice 2 Part 2 cue cards, time yourself strictly
Ngày 22-28:
- Focus on Part 3 abstract questions
- Practice giving 2-minute responses với proper structure
- Study discourse markers, incorporate vào answers
- Mock test: Complete all 3 parts trong 11-14 phút
Tuần 5-6: Refinement
Mục tiêu: Polish pronunciation và advanced language use
Ngày 29-35:
- Shadow native speakers (TED talks, IELTS videos)
- Focus on intonation và stress patterns
- Practice complex grammatical structures
- Record và compare với native samples
Ngày 36-42:
- Full mock tests: 3 complete tests với timer
- Get feedback từ teacher hoặc study partner
- Identify remaining weak areas
- Focus practice on những areas cần improve
Tuần 7-8: Exam Readiness
Mục tiêu: Confidence building và final polishing
Ngày 43-49:
- Daily speaking practice: 30 minutes/day
- Mix của all 3 Parts
- Practice với different topics
- Maintain vocabulary journal: review daily
Ngày 50-56:
- Light practice to maintain sharpness
- Review key vocabulary và phrases
- Relax và get adequate sleep
- Visualize success trong exam room
Kết Luận
Chủ đề “describe a piece of good news you heard about someone you know well” là một cơ hội tuyệt vời để showcase storytelling ability và emotional intelligence của bạn trong IELTS Speaking. Với preparation đúng cách, bạn có thể turn một simple topic này thành một impressive performance.
Key takeaways:
🎯 For Part 1: Be natural, concise, và personal. Mỗi answer 2-3 câu là đủ.
🎯 For Part 2: Structure là king. Cover tất cả bullet points, especially elaborate phần “explain”. Aim for 2-2.5 minutes.
🎯 For Part 3: Think critically, present balanced views, use sophisticated language naturally. Mỗi answer 60-90 giây.
Remember:
- Vocabulary range quan trọng hơn vocabulary complexity
- Natural delivery beats perfect grammar với robotic tone
- Personal examples make your answers memorable
- Critical thinking trong Part 3 là điểm khác biệt giữa Band 7 và Band 8+
Final advice từ một examiner: Đừng cố gắng impress bằng big words không tự nhiên. Hãy focus vào telling a genuine story với clear structure, appropriate vocabulary, và confident delivery. Examiners có thể spot memorized answers từ xa, nhưng họ appreciate authentic communication.
Chúc bạn tự tin và success trong kỳ thi IELTS Speaking! Remember, preparation là key, nhưng being yourself là secret weapon của bạn. Good luck!
