Chủ đề về việc vượt qua khó khăn, thử thách là một trong những đề tài phổ biến và có ý nghĩa nhất trong kỳ thi IELTS Speaking. Đây không chỉ là cơ hội để bạn kể về trải nghiệm cá nhân mà còn thể hiện khả năng sử dụng từ vựng đa dạng, cấu trúc ngữ pháp phức tạp và tư duy phản biện sâu sắc.
Tần suất xuất hiện: Chủ đề này xuất hiện thường xuyên trong các kỳ thi IELTS từ 2020 đến nay, đặc biệt trong Part 2 và Part 3. Theo thống kê từ các nguồn như IELTS-Simon.com và ielts-blog.com, đề tài về challenges và obstacles xuất hiện khoảng 15-20% trong tổng số đề thi Speaking. Dự đoán khả năng xuất hiện trong tương lai: Cao, vì đây là chủ đề liên quan trực tiếp đến phát triển cá nhân và kỹ năng sống.
Những gì bạn sẽ học được từ bài viết này:
- 20+ câu hỏi thực tế về chủ đề obstacles trong cả 3 Part
- Bài mẫu chi tiết theo 3 band điểm (6-7, 7.5-8, 8.5-9) với phân tích cụ thể
- 30+ từ vựng và cụm từ ăn điểm đặc thù cho chủ đề
- Chiến lược trả lời hiệu quả từ góc nhìn Examiner
- Lời khuyên để tránh những lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam
IELTS Speaking Part 1: Introduction and Interview
Tổng Quan Về Part 1
Thời gian của Part 1 là 4-5 phút, với các câu hỏi ngắn về đời sống hàng ngày và kinh nghiệm cá nhân. Đặc điểm quan trọng nhất của Part 1 là tính tự nhiên – bạn cần trả lời như đang trò chuyện thông thường, không quá formal. Chiến lược hiệu quả là mở rộng câu trả lời thành 2-3 câu: trả lời trực tiếp, giải thích lý do, và thêm ví dụ cụ thể.
Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:
- Trả lời quá ngắn gọn chỉ Yes/No hoặc một câu đơn
- Sử dụng từ vựng quá đơn giản như “difficult”, “hard” lặp đi lặp lại
- Thiếu ví dụ cụ thể từ kinh nghiệm bản thân
- Nói không tự nhiên, giống như đọc thuộc
Các Câu Hỏi Thường Gặp
Question 1: Do you think challenges are important in life?
Question 2: What was the biggest challenge you faced as a child?
Question 3: How do you usually deal with difficult situations?
Question 4: Do you prefer to solve problems alone or ask for help?
Question 5: What kind of obstacles do young people face today?
Question 6: Have you ever helped someone overcome a difficulty?
Question 7: Do you think people today face more challenges than in the past?
Question 8: What motivates you when facing difficulties?
Question 9: Are you good at handling pressure?
Question 10: Have you ever given up on something difficult?
Phân Tích và Gợi Ý Trả Lời Chi Tiết
Question: Do you think challenges are important in life?
🎯 Cách tiếp cận:
- Đưa ra câu trả lời rõ ràng (Yes/No)
- Giải thích tại sao bạn nghĩ như vậy
- Thêm một ví dụ ngắn gọn hoặc personal reflection
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“Yes, I think challenges are important. They help us become stronger and learn new things. For example, when I had difficulty with Math in school, I studied harder and improved my problem-solving skills.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Câu trả lời rõ ràng, có lý do và ví dụ cụ thể
- Hạn chế: Từ vựng còn đơn giản (difficult, help, become stronger), cấu trúc câu chưa phức tạp
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Đáp ứng yêu cầu cơ bản với fluency tốt nhưng thiếu sophistication về mặt ngôn ngữ
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
“Absolutely, I believe challenges are essential for personal growth. They push us out of our comfort zones and help us develop resilience. Without facing obstacles, we’d never discover our true potential. Take my university entrance exam preparation, for instance – that grueling experience taught me discipline and perseverance that I still apply today.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Sử dụng từ vựng tinh vi (essential for personal growth, resilience, grueling experience, perseverance), cấu trúc câu phức tạp với mệnh đề quan hệ và conditional, ý tưởng sâu sắc về “discover true potential”
- Tại sao Band 8-9:
- Fluency: Trôi chảy, không hesitation
- Vocabulary: Collocations tự nhiên (push out of comfort zones, develop resilience)
- Grammar: Đa dạng cấu trúc (conditional, relative clause)
- Ideas: Có chiều sâu tư duy và liên kết logic
💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:
- essential for personal growth: thiết yếu cho sự phát triển cá nhân
- push us out of our comfort zones: đẩy chúng ta ra khỏi vùng an toàn
- develop resilience: phát triển khả năng phục hồi/kiên cường
- grueling experience: trải nghiệm vất vả/khắc nghiệt
- perseverance: sự kiên trì, bền bỉ
Question: How do you usually deal with difficult situations?
🎯 Cách tiếp cận:
- Mô tả phương pháp/chiến lược của bạn
- Giải thích tại sao cách này hiệu quả
- Có thể thêm ví dụ ngắn
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“When I face difficult situations, I try to stay calm and think carefully. I usually make a plan to solve the problem step by step. Sometimes I ask my friends or family for advice if I need help.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Trả lời đầy đủ, có structure (stay calm → make plan → ask for help)
- Hạn chế: Vocabulary basic (difficult, try, think carefully, make a plan), thiếu depth trong explanation
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate nhưng chưa impressive
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
“My approach typically involves taking a step back to assess the situation objectively first. Rather than panicking or making hasty decisions, I find it helpful to break down the problem into manageable chunks. I’m also quite open to seeking advice from people with more experience, as I believe there’s no shame in admitting you need guidance. This systematic approach has served me well in both academic and personal contexts.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh:
- Vocabulary sophisticated: “assess objectively”, “hasty decisions”, “manageable chunks”, “systematic approach”
- Grammar: Complex structures (Rather than + V-ing, relative clause “people with more experience”)
- Ideas: Balanced approach (self-reliance + seeking help)
- Discourse markers: “typically”, “rather than”, “as I believe”
- Tại sao Band 8-9: Demonstrates full control of language với natural, fluent delivery
💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:
- taking a step back: lùi lại một bước (để có góc nhìn tổng quan)
- making hasty decisions: đưa ra quyết định vội vàng
- break down into manageable chunks: chia nhỏ thành những phần có thể quản lý được
- open to seeking advice: sẵn sàng tìm kiếm lời khuyên
- systematic approach: cách tiếp cận có hệ thống
- served me well: phục vụ tôi tốt (mang lại hiệu quả cho tôi)
Học viên IELTS Speaking Part 1 trả lời câu hỏi về vượt qua khó khăn với sự tự tin
Question: What kind of obstacles do young people face today?
🎯 Cách tiếp cận:
- Nêu 2-3 challenges cụ thể
- Giải thích ngắn gọn tại sao đây là obstacles
- Có thể thêm personal observation
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“I think young people today face many problems. One big problem is finding a good job because there is a lot of competition. Another problem is social media pressure, which makes them feel stressed about their appearance and lifestyle.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Nêu được 2 challenges cụ thể và relevant
- Hạn chế: Word choice đơn giản (problems, big problem, makes them feel), thiếu sophistication
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Clear communication nhưng limited vocabulary range
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
“Today’s youth are grappling with several significant challenges. Perhaps the most pressing is the fierce competition in the job market, which has been exacerbated by economic uncertainty. Additionally, they’re dealing with unprecedented levels of social media-induced anxiety, constantly comparing themselves to curated online personas. There’s also the burden of sky-high expectations from both society and family, which can lead to burnout and mental health issues.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh:
- Vocabulary range: “grappling with”, “pressing”, “exacerbated by”, “unprecedented levels”, “curated personas”, “sky-high expectations”, “burnout”
- Grammar: Complex structures (which has been…, which can lead to…)
- Ideas: Multiple dimensions của problem (economic, social, psychological)
- Natural flow với discourse markers (Perhaps, Additionally, There’s also)
- Tại sao Band 8-9: Wide vocabulary range, sophisticated grammar, well-developed ideas với natural delivery
💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:
- grappling with: vật lộn, đối mặt với (khó khăn)
- fierce competition: cạnh tranh khốc liệt
- exacerbated by: bị làm trầm trọng thêm bởi
- unprecedented levels of: mức độ chưa từng có của
- curated online personas: nhân cách trực tuyến được chọn lọc kỹ lưỡng
- sky-high expectations: kỳ vọng cao ngất ngưởng
- burnout: kiệt sức, cạn kiệt năng lượng
Để hiểu rõ hơn về cách describe a person who has positively influenced your life có thể giúp bạn vượt qua khó khăn, bạn có thể tham khảo thêm những kỹ thuật mô tả người ảnh hưởng tích cực trong cuộc sống.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)
Tổng Quan Về Part 2
Part 2 là phần độc thoại kéo dài 2-3 phút, trong đó bạn có 1 phút chuẩn bị và ghi chú. Đây là phần quan trọng nhất để thể hiện khả năng sử dụng ngôn ngữ liên tục và mạch lạc. Đặc điểm của Part 2 là bạn sẽ không bị ngắt lời, vì vậy cần nói đủ thời gian và cover tất cả các bullet points.
Chiến lược hiệu quả:
- Sử dụng đầy đủ 1 phút để ghi chú keywords, không viết câu hoàn chỉnh
- Nói tối thiểu 1.5 phút, lý tưởng là 2 phút
- Trả lời đầy đủ tất cả bullet points theo thứ tự
- Sử dụng thì quá khứ khi kể về trải nghiệm đã xảy ra
- Dành nhiều thời gian cho phần “explain” vì đây là nơi ghi điểm cao
Lỗi thường gặp:
- Không sử dụng hết thời gian chuẩn bị, vội vàng bắt đầu
- Nói dưới 1.5 phút, dừng lại quá sớm
- Bỏ qua một hoặc nhiều bullet points
- Nói không theo cấu trúc, lan man
- Sử dụng sai thì động từ
Cue Card
Describe A Situation When You Had To Overcome An Obstacle
You should say:
- What the obstacle was
- When and where this happened
- How you dealt with it
- And explain how you felt after overcoming this obstacle
Phân Tích Đề Bài
- Dạng câu hỏi: Describe an experience (kể về một trải nghiệm)
- Thì động từ: Quá khứ (past simple, past continuous, past perfect)
- Bullet points phải cover:
- What: Rõ ràng obstacle là gì (academic, personal, physical, professional)
- When/Where: Context cụ thể về thời gian và địa điểm
- How: Process giải quyết – đây là phần quan trọng nhất, cần chi tiết
- Explain feelings: Cảm xúc sau khi vượt qua – nơi thể hiện reflection và vocabulary range
- Câu “explain” quan trọng: Đây là phần ghi điểm cao nhất vì examiner muốn thấy ability to reflect, express complex emotions, và demonstrate personal growth
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7
Thời lượng: Khoảng 1.5-2 phút
“I’d like to talk about a difficult situation I faced during my first year at university. The obstacle I had to overcome was adapting to a completely new learning environment and managing my time effectively.
This happened two years ago when I first moved to Hanoi for my studies. I was living away from home for the first time, and everything felt overwhelming. The university courses were much more demanding than high school, and I had to balance studying with living independently.
To deal with this challenge, I started by creating a daily schedule. I wrote down all my classes, study time, and personal activities. At first, it was hard to follow the plan, but I kept trying. I also joined a study group with my classmates, which helped me understand difficult subjects better. Gradually, I learned to cook simple meals and manage my finances, which made me feel more confident.
After about three months, I successfully overcame this obstacle. I felt really proud of myself because I proved that I could be independent. I also felt more mature and responsible. This experience taught me that with patience and effort, I can handle difficult situations. Now I’m much better at organizing my life and I don’t feel stressed like before.”
Phân Tích Band Điểm
| Tiêu chí | Band | Nhận xét |
|---|---|---|
| Fluency & Coherence | 6-7 | Mạch lạc, có structure rõ ràng, sử dụng một số linking words (at first, gradually, after about three months) nhưng còn đơn giản |
| Lexical Resource | 6-7 | Từ vựng adequate (overwhelming, demanding, manage finances, independent) nhưng chưa sophisticated, một số repetition (difficult, feel) |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | 6-7 | Sử dụng một số complex structures (when I first moved, which helped me, which made me feel) nhưng majority là simple sentences |
| Pronunciation | 6-7 | Rõ ràng, dễ hiểu nhưng có thể có một số lỗi nhỏ về word stress |
Điểm mạnh:
- ✅ Cover đầy đủ tất cả bullet points
- ✅ Structure logic và dễ follow
- ✅ Có personal details và emotions
- ✅ Thời lượng phù hợp
Hạn chế:
- ⚠️ Vocabulary range hạn chế, lặp lại “difficult”, “feel”
- ⚠️ Grammar structures chủ yếu là simple và compound sentences
- ⚠️ Thiếu idiomatic expressions và sophisticated phrases
- ⚠️ Phần explain feelings chưa đủ sâu sắc
📝 Sample Answer – Band 7.5-8
Thời lượng: Khoảng 2-2.5 phút
“I’d like to share a challenging experience I encountered during my final year of high school, which really tested my determination and problem-solving skills. The obstacle I faced was preparing for the notoriously difficult national university entrance exam while simultaneously dealing with a serious health issue.
This situation unfolded about three years ago in my hometown of Da Nang. I had been studying intensively for months when I suddenly developed severe back pain that made it excruciating even to sit at my desk for extended periods. The doctors diagnosed it as a herniated disc, likely caused by poor posture and stress.
Dealing with this dual challenge required a multifaceted approach. First, I had to accept that I couldn’t study for 12 hours straight anymore. I devised a new study schedule that incorporated regular breaks and stretching exercises every 30 minutes. I also sought help from my teachers, who were incredibly supportive and provided me with concise study materials focusing on essential topics. Additionally, I underwent physiotherapy twice a week, which gradually improved my condition. What really helped was maintaining a positive mindset – instead of seeing this as a setback, I reframed it as an opportunity to study more efficiently.
After six months of perseverance and adaptation, I successfully passed the entrance exam and my back condition significantly improved. I felt an immense sense of accomplishment – not just because I achieved my academic goal, but because I learned that obstacles can be opportunities for growth. This experience fundamentally changed my perspective on challenges. I realized that resilience isn’t about being unbreakable, it’s about bouncing back and finding creative solutions. Now, whenever I face difficulties, I remember this experience and it gives me the confidence that I can overcome anything with the right attitude and strategy.”
Phân Tích Band Điểm
| Tiêu chí | Band | Nhận xét |
|---|---|---|
| Fluency & Coherence | 7.5-8 | Trôi chảy tự nhiên, sử dụng cohesive devices hiệu quả (First, Additionally, What really helped), có clear progression |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5-8 | Wide range of vocabulary (unfolded, excruciating, herniated disc, multifaceted approach, reframed, perseverance), natural collocations |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | 7.5-8 | Đa dạng structures (relative clauses, passive voice, participle clauses), ít lỗi |
| Pronunciation | 7.5-8 | Clear pronunciation với good stress và intonation patterns |
So Sánh Với Band 6-7
| Khía cạnh | Band 6-7 | Band 7.5-8 |
|---|---|---|
| Vocabulary | “difficult situation”, “hard to follow” | “challenging experience”, “tested my determination”, “excruciating”, “multifaceted approach” |
| Grammar | “I wrote down all my classes” (simple past) | “I devised a new study schedule that incorporated regular breaks” (complex structure) |
| Ideas | “I felt proud because I proved I could be independent” | “I realized that resilience isn’t about being unbreakable, it’s about bouncing back and finding creative solutions” (deeper reflection) |
Tương tự như describe a time when you had to adjust to new safety protocols, việc điều chỉnh và thích nghi là yếu tố quan trọng khi vượt qua thử thách.
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9
Thời lượng: 2.5-3 phút đầy đủ
“I’d like to recount a particularly formidable obstacle I encountered during my university years that truly put my resilience to the test. The challenge I faced was spearheading a community project that initially met with fierce opposition from local stakeholders, all while juggling my academic responsibilities.
This situation came to a head approximately two years ago in a rural district on the outskirts of Hanoi. As part of my social work major, I had taken on the ambitious task of establishing a free English learning center for underprivileged children. However, what I naively assumed would be a straightforward endeavor turned into a minefield of challenges. Many parents were skeptical about the project’s sustainability, local authorities were concerned about licensing issues, and I was struggling to secure funding and recruit volunteer teachers.
Navigating this complex situation required a delicate balance of persistence, diplomacy, and creativity. First and foremost, I invested considerable time in building trust with the community. Rather than pushing my agenda, I organized informal meetings where parents could voice their concerns and I could address them transparently. I meticulously prepared all necessary documentation for the authorities, demonstrating our commitment to operating within legal frameworks. To tackle the funding challenge, I leveraged social media to launch a crowdfunding campaign that resonated with thousands of supporters. Perhaps most critically, I learned to delegate responsibilities effectively, recruiting passionate volunteers and empowering them to take ownership of different aspects of the project. There were moments when I seriously contemplated giving up, particularly when we faced a setback with our initial venue falling through. However, I kept reminding myself of the profound impact this center could have on the children’s futures.
After eight months of relentless effort and countless setbacks, we successfully launched the center, which is now thriving with over 50 students and 15 volunteer teachers. The sense of fulfillment I experienced was beyond words. More than just pride in the tangible outcome, I felt profoundly grateful for the transformative personal growth this obstacle facilitated. This experience fundamentally reshaped my understanding of what it means to overcome challenges. I learned that true obstacles aren’t roadblocks – they’re crucibles that forge character and reveal untapped potential. The process taught me that sustainable success rarely comes from bulldozing through problems, but rather from engaging with complexity, building coalitions, and maintaining unwavering commitment to a meaningful purpose. In retrospect, I wouldn’t change a single difficulty we faced, as each one enriched my capability to lead with empathy and strategic thinking. This experience has become a touchstone that I return to whenever I encounter daunting challenges in my personal or professional life.”
Phân Tích Band Điểm
| Tiêu chí | Band | Nhận xét |
|---|---|---|
| Fluency & Coherence | 8.5-9 | Hoàn toàn fluent, natural hesitation minimal, excellent cohesion với sophisticated discourse markers |
| Lexical Resource | 8.5-9 | Extensive vocabulary (formidable, spearheading, came to a head, minefield, leverage, resonated with, crucibles), idiomatic và precise |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | 8.5-9 | Full range of structures với rare errors, sophisticated usage (inversion, cleft sentences, mixed conditionals implied) |
| Pronunciation | 8.5-9 | Fully operational pronunciation với nuanced intonation và stress patterns |
Tại Sao Bài Này Xuất Sắc
🎯 Fluency Hoàn Hảo:
- Không có hesitation đáng kể, flow tự nhiên như native speaker
- Sử dụng fillers sophisticated (First and foremost, Perhaps most critically, In retrospect)
- Storytelling engaging với emotional arc rõ ràng
📚 Vocabulary Tinh Vi:
- “spearheading a community project” – không chỉ “leading” mà là “spearheading” thể hiện vai trò pioneering
- “minefield of challenges” – metaphor sống động thay vì “many challenges”
- “crucibles that forge character” – literary và powerful imagery
- “touchstone” – sophisticated word choice thay vì “reference point”
📝 Grammar Đa Dạng:
- Participle clauses: “demonstrating our commitment”, “recruiting passionate volunteers”
- Relative clauses embedded: “a center which is now thriving with over 50 students”
- Sophisticated structures: “Rather than pushing my agenda, I organized…” (preference structure)
- Cleft sentences implied: “What I naively assumed would be…”
💡 Ideas Sâu Sắc:
- Không chỉ kể story mà còn reflect deeply về meaning của experience
- Balanced perspective: acknowledge doubts (“seriously contemplated giving up”) nhưng overcome
- Philosophical insight: “true obstacles aren’t roadblocks – they’re crucibles that forge character”
- Connection to broader life lessons: “touchstone that I return to”
Thí sinh IELTS Speaking Part 2 đang kể câu chuyện vượt qua khó khăn một cách tự tin và hấp dẫn
Follow-up Questions (Rounding Off Questions)
Sau khi bạn hoàn thành Part 2, examiner có thể hỏi thêm 1-2 câu ngắn để chuyển tiếp sang Part 3:
Question 1: Would you face the same situation again if you had the choice?
Band 6-7 Answer:
“Yes, I would. Even though it was difficult, I learned a lot from that experience and it made me stronger.”
Band 8-9 Answer:
“Without hesitation, yes. While I wouldn’t romanticize the struggle, I recognize that the most profound personal development often comes from navigating challenges. The insights I gained were invaluable and have shaped my approach to life in meaningful ways.”
Question 2: Do you think this experience changed you as a person?
Band 6-7 Answer:
“Yes, definitely. It made me more confident and taught me that I can handle problems on my own. I’m now better at time management too.”
Band 8-9 Answer:
“Absolutely, it was a watershed moment in my personal development. Beyond just building confidence, it fundamentally altered my perception of adversity. I now see challenges not as insurmountable barriers but as opportunities for growth. It also instilled in me a sense of resilience that permeates every aspect of my life.”
IELTS Speaking Part 3: Two-way Discussion
Tổng Quan Về Part 3
Part 3 kéo dài 4-5 phút và là phần khó nhất, yêu cầu thảo luận sâu về các vấn đề trừu tượng liên quan đến chủ đề Part 2. Đặc điểm chính là câu hỏi đòi hỏi phân tích, so sánh, đánh giá và dự đoán xu hướng. Đây là nơi examiner đánh giá khả năng tư duy phản biện và sử dụng ngôn ngữ academic của bạn.
Yêu cầu:
- Phân tích nhiều góc độ của vấn đề (social, economic, cultural perspectives)
- Đưa ra quan điểm cá nhân có lý lẽ chặt chẽ
- So sánh quá khứ và hiện tại, dự đoán tương lai
- Sử dụng examples từ society, không chỉ personal experience
Chiến lược:
- Mở rộng câu trả lời (3-5 câu minimum)
- Sử dụng discourse markers để structure ideas (Well, Actually, On the one hand)
- Acknowledge complexity: “It’s a complex issue”, “There are multiple factors”
- Give balanced views before concluding với personal stance
Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:
- Trả lời quá ngắn, thiếu elaboration và examples
- Không đưa ra reasoning rõ ràng cho opinions
- Thiếu từ vựng trừu tượng (abstract nouns như resilience, perseverance, adversity)
- Chỉ nói về personal experience thay vì societal issues
- Không thừa nhận different perspectives
Các Câu Hỏi Thảo Luận Sâu
Theme 1: Social Impact of Challenges
Question 1: Why do you think some people give up easily when facing obstacles while others persist?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Compare/Contrast + Cause-Effect
- Key words: give up easily vs persist, reasons
- Cách tiếp cận: Identify multiple factors (personality, upbringing, support system, past experience), give examples, acknowledge complexity
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“I think there are several reasons for this difference. First, some people have stronger personalities and more confidence, so they don’t give up easily. Also, family background is important – if parents always encourage their children, these children will be more persistent. Another factor is past experience. People who have overcome difficulties before will be better at handling new challenges. On the other hand, some people give up because they fear failure or don’t have support from others.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Có organize ideas (First, Also, Another factor, On the other hand)
- Vocabulary: Adequate nhưng chưa sophisticated (stronger personalities, don’t give up, fear failure)
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Clear communication với reasonable ideas nhưng thiếu depth trong analysis và vocabulary range hạn chế
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:
“Well, this is a fascinating question that touches on both psychology and sociology. I believe the difference largely boils down to a combination of innate resilience and learned behaviors. People who persist typically possess what psychologists call a ‘growth mindset’ – they view challenges as opportunities rather than threats. This perspective is often cultivated through upbringing; children raised in environments where failure is normalized as part of learning tend to develop stronger perseverance muscles, so to speak.
Additionally, there’s the crucial role of support systems. Those with robust social networks can draw strength from others during difficult times, whereas individuals who feel isolated may succumb to despair more readily. Past experiences also play a pivotal role – successfully overcoming previous obstacles creates a positive feedback loop that bolsters confidence in one’s ability to handle future challenges.
However, I think we must be careful not to oversimplify this issue. Sometimes what appears to be ‘giving up easily’ might actually be a rational reassessment of priorities or recognition of one’s limitations. There’s a fine line between healthy persistence and stubborn refusal to acknowledge when a path isn’t working. In today’s society, where burnout is increasingly prevalent, knowing when to pivot rather than persist can be a form of wisdom.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Well-organized với clear progression: psychological factors → social factors → nuanced view
- Vocabulary: Sophisticated (innate resilience, cultivated, normalized, succumb to despair, pivotal role, bolsters confidence, reassessment of priorities)
- Grammar: Complex structures (relative clauses, passive voice, conditional implied, participle clauses)
- Critical Thinking: Balanced view, acknowledges complexity, challenges assumptions về “giving up”
💡 Key Language Features:
- Discourse markers: Well (thinking time), Additionally (adding point), However (contrasting view)
- Tentative language: I believe, typically, often, tend to, might actually be
- Abstract nouns: resilience, perseverance, despair, wisdom, burnout, priorities
- Academic phrases: boils down to, play a pivotal role, positive feedback loop
Question 2: How can parents help children develop the ability to overcome difficulties?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Problem-Solution / Recommendation
- Key words: parents, children, develop ability, overcome difficulties
- Cách tiếp cận: Multiple strategies (modeling behavior, gradual challenge, emotional support, teaching coping mechanisms)
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“Parents play an important role in teaching children to overcome difficulties. First, they should not solve every problem for their children. Instead, they should let children try to solve problems themselves and only help when necessary. Parents should also encourage children when they face challenges and praise their effort, not just results. Teaching children to be patient and not give up easily is also important. Additionally, parents can share their own experiences of overcoming difficulties to inspire their children.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Clear với multiple suggestions
- Vocabulary: Basic education-related vocabulary
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Practical suggestions nhưng thiếu sophistication và depth
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:
“This is actually one of the most crucial questions in child development. I’d say the key lies in striking a delicate balance between providing support and fostering independence. Parents should resist the temptation to helicopter parent – constantly swooping in to rescue their children at the first sign of struggle. Instead, they need to create what I’d call ‘supported risk-taking environments’ where children can face age-appropriate challenges with a safety net in place.
Modeling resilience is equally vital. Children are incredibly perceptive; they learn far more from observing how parents handle setbacks than from any lecture about perseverance. When parents openly discuss their own struggles and demonstrate constructive coping strategies, they’re essentially providing a roadmap for navigating difficulties.
Moreover, the way parents frame failure matters tremendously. Rather than treating mistakes as something to be avoided at all costs, they should be reframed as valuable learning opportunities. This involves praising effort over outcomes and helping children extract lessons from unsuccessful attempts.
I also believe exposure to manageable adversity is essential. This might sound counterintuitive, but shielding children from all difficulties actually undermines their capacity to develop resilience. Gradual exposure to challenges – whether it’s learning a difficult skill, handling social conflicts, or managing academic pressure – helps build what researchers call ‘stress inoculation’, making children more equipped to handle larger obstacles later in life.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Sophisticated organization (balance → modeling → reframing → exposure) với clear topic sentences
- Vocabulary: Precise và varied (helicopter parent, swooping in, stress inoculation, roadmap, undermines capacity)
- Grammar: Full range (relative clauses, participle phrases, cleft sentences “what I’d call”)
- Critical Thinking: Nuanced understanding (counterintuitive point về exposure to adversity), research-informed (researchers call)
💡 Key Language Features:
- Discourse markers: Actually (emphasizing importance), Instead (contrast), Moreover (addition), I also believe (personal stance)
- Tentative language: I’d say, might sound, whether it’s
- Metaphors: safety net, roadmap, stress inoculation
- Academic vocabulary: fostering, constructive coping strategies, extract lessons, gradual exposure
Khi nói về describe a public figure who has made a difference in the world, chúng ta có thể thấy nhiều ví dụ về những người đã vượt qua khó khăn lớn để đạt được thành công.
Theme 2: Workplace and Education Challenges
Question 3: Do you think schools should teach students how to deal with failure and setbacks?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Opinion + Justification
- Key words: schools, teach, failure, setbacks
- Cách tiếp cận: State opinion clearly → reasons why → potential implementation → acknowledge counterargument if relevant
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“Yes, I strongly believe schools should teach this. Many students today don’t know how to handle failure because they only focus on getting good grades. If schools teach students about dealing with setbacks, it will prepare them better for real life. They could include this topic in life skills classes or have counselors talk to students about it. This would help reduce stress and make students more confident when they face problems later.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Clear position với supporting reasons
- Vocabulary: Basic educational vocabulary
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Clear ideas nhưng lacking sophistication trong language và depth trong reasoning
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:
“Absolutely, I believe this should be a cornerstone of modern education. The traditional academic model, which disproportionately emphasizes success and achievement, has inadvertently created a generation of students who are ill-equipped to handle setbacks. This has contributed to rising rates of anxiety and depression among young people, particularly in high-pressure educational systems like those in many Asian countries.
Integrating resilience education into the curriculum could take multiple forms. Schools could implement dedicated well-being programs that explicitly teach emotional regulation techniques, cognitive reframing skills, and problem-solving strategies. These could be woven into existing subjects rather than treated as standalone lessons – for instance, discussing famous scientists’ failures before their breakthroughs in science classes, or analyzing how historical figures overcame adversity in history lessons.
However, the most powerful approach would be systemic change in how we assess and reward students. If our evaluation systems continue to penalize failure and only celebrate perfect performance, any resilience education will ring hollow. Schools need to create psychologically safe environments where taking risks and making mistakes is not just tolerated but actively encouraged as part of the learning process.
That said, we must be mindful that this shouldn’t become another pressure point for students – turning resilience into yet another skill they must master perfectly. The goal should be fostering genuine adaptability rather than checking boxes on a curriculum document.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Opinion → justification với data point → practical suggestions → systemic considerations → nuanced caveat
- Vocabulary: Sophisticated (cornerstone, disproportionately emphasizes, ill-equipped, inadvertently created, cognitive reframing, woven into, ring hollow, fostering adaptability)
- Grammar: Complex structures (relative clauses, participle phrases, conditional elements)
- Critical Thinking: Multiple dimensions (educational, psychological, systemic), acknowledges potential pitfall
💡 Key Language Features:
- Strong stance markers: Absolutely, I believe this should be
- Causal language: has contributed to, has inadvertently created
- Contrast markers: However, That said
- Hypothetical structures: If our evaluation systems continue to…, any resilience education will…
Question 4: What types of challenges do people typically face in the workplace today?
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“I think people face many challenges at work nowadays. One big challenge is the fast pace of change, especially with new technology. Workers need to keep learning new skills or they might lose their jobs. Another problem is work-life balance – many people work long hours and feel stressed. There’s also a lot of competition for promotions and good positions. Young workers especially struggle with gaining experience and proving themselves to their bosses.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Lists multiple challenges clearly
- Vocabulary: Workplace vocabulary adequate nhưng basic
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Addresses question well nhưng lacks sophistication
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:
“The contemporary workplace landscape is fraught with challenges that are quite different from those of previous generations. Perhaps the most pervasive is the relentless pace of technological disruption. Workers across industries are grappling with the need for continuous upskilling and reskilling just to remain relevant. This creates what I’d call ‘professional precariousness’ – a constant anxiety about obsolescence that takes a psychological toll.
Another significant challenge is the erosion of work-life boundaries, which has been dramatically accelerated by remote work arrangements. While flexibility sounds appealing, the reality is that many professionals find themselves perpetually tethered to their devices, unable to truly disconnect and recharge. This has led to what experts term ‘productivity paranoia’ among remote workers and escalating burnout rates across sectors.
Additionally, there’s increasing complexity around navigating workplace dynamics in an era of heightened awareness about diversity, equity, and inclusion. While these developments are undoubtedly positive, they require workers to be far more emotionally intelligent and culturally competent than in the past.
For younger professionals specifically, there’s the formidable challenge of entering saturated job markets while burdened with educational debt and facing skyrocketing living costs. The traditional career trajectories that previous generations relied upon have largely dissolved, requiring more entrepreneurial thinking and adaptability even within conventional employment.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Systematically covers different dimensions (technological, lifestyle, social, generational)
- Vocabulary: Sophisticated workplace terminology (relentless pace, professional precariousness, perpetually tethered, productivity paranoia, formidable challenge, saturated markets)
- Grammar: Complex sentences với multiple clauses, sophisticated connectors
- Critical Thinking: Contemporary insights (remote work impact, DEI complexity), generational comparison
💡 Key Language Features:
- Emphasis markers: Perhaps the most pervasive, Another significant challenge
- Contemporary terminology: technological disruption, work-life boundaries, productivity paranoia
- Causal structures: has been dramatically accelerated by, has led to
- Metaphorical language: erosion, tethered, dissolved
Theme 3: Cultural and Generational Perspectives
Question 5: Do you think challenges people face today are more difficult than those faced by previous generations?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Compare (past vs present) + Opinion
- Key words: challenges today vs previous generations, more difficult
- Cách tiếp cận: Balanced view (both perspectives) → personal conclusion with reasoning
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“This is a difficult question to answer. I think both generations faced hard times, but in different ways. In the past, people had problems like poverty and war, which were very serious. Today, we have better living conditions, but we face new problems like climate change and technology stress. I believe each generation has its own difficulties, so it’s hard to say which one is worse. Young people today have more pressure from social media and job competition, while older generations had to deal with less developed healthcare and education systems.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Attempts balanced view
- Vocabulary: Basic comparison vocabulary
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Addresses both sides nhưng analysis lacks depth
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:
“This is a nuanced question that defies simple comparison, as challenges are often contextual and subjective. I’d argue it’s less about difficulty and more about the nature of obstacles having fundamentally changed.
Previous generations certainly faced existential threats that were immediate and tangible – wars, famines, epidemics without modern medicine. These were visceral challenges with clear stakes and solutions, if difficult ones. There was often a sense of collective struggle and communal support that made hardships more bearable.
Today’s challenges, while perhaps not as immediately life-threatening for many, are characterized by ambiguity and complexity. We’re grappling with slow-burning crises like climate change and social inequality that require sustained, coordinated action without clear endpoints. The mental health crisis affecting young people is partly attributable to this constant, low-level existential dread about the future.
Moreover, modern challenges are compounded by what I’d call ‘the paradox of choice and connectivity’. We have unprecedented access to information and opportunities, yet this creates decision paralysis and constant comparison with others, fueling dissatisfaction. Social media has amplified social pressures and created new dimensions of vulnerability that previous generations never navigated.
That said, I think it’s counterproductive to engage in ‘oppression olympics’ about whose struggles were harder. Each generation faces distinct obstacles shaped by their historical moment. Rather than ranking suffering, we should recognize that resilience takes different forms in different contexts and learn from how various generations have adapted to their unique challenges.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Sophisticated argumentation (challenge premise → past challenges → present challenges → synthesis → philosophical conclusion)
- Vocabulary: Highly sophisticated (defies simple comparison, existential threats, visceral challenges, slow-burning crises, decision paralysis, oppression olympics)
- Grammar: Full range of complex structures
- Critical Thinking: Nuanced understanding, challenges binary thinking, philosophical depth
💡 Key Language Features:
- Hedging language: I’d argue, perhaps not as, partly attributable to
- Contrasting structures: Previous generations…Today’s challenges, while…
- Sophisticated connectors: Moreover, That said, Rather than
- Abstract concepts: ambiguity, paradox, vulnerability, resilience
Tương tự như khi describe a situation that made you laugh, việc tìm thấy niềm vui và sự nhẹ nhõm trong những thời điểm khó khăn cũng là một kỹ năng quan trọng giúp vượt qua thử thách.
Question 6: How has technology changed the way people overcome obstacles?
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“Technology has made it easier for people to solve problems in many ways. For example, if you don’t understand something, you can search for information on Google immediately. People can also connect with experts online to get advice. Social media helps people share their experiences and support each other when facing difficulties. However, technology also creates new problems like addiction and too much information, which can be overwhelming.”
Phán tích:
- Structure: Benefits → drawbacks structure
- Vocabulary: Basic technology vocabulary
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Relevant points nhưng lacks sophistication và depth
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:
“Technology has fundamentally transformed the landscape of problem-solving in ways that are both empowering and complicating. On the positive side, it has democratized access to information and resources that were previously gatekept by institutions or geography. Someone facing a health challenge, for instance, can now access medical knowledge, connect with fellow sufferers in online communities, and even consult specialists remotely through telemedicine. This dismantling of information asymmetries has been genuinely transformative for many.
Furthermore, technology has accelerated the pace of innovation in problem-solving tools. AI-powered applications can now help people tackle everything from mental health issues to financial planning, often making expert-level assistance accessible to those who couldn’t afford it previously. Crowdsourcing platforms have enabled people to mobilize collective intelligence and resources for challenges that would have been insurmountable individually.
However, this technological empowerment comes with caveats. First, there’s the problem of information overload and quality discernment – when facing an obstacle, people can become paralyzed by conflicting advice and pseudoscientific solutions proliferating online. The algorithmic curation of information can also trap people in echo chambers that reinforce rather than challenge their assumptions.
Additionally, technology has created what I’d call ‘solution dependency’ – an erosion of self-reliance and critical thinking as people default to apps and algorithms rather than developing their own problem-solving capabilities. There’s also the troubling trend of technology companies monetizing people’s vulnerabilities, packaging solutions to problems that their own products sometimes create or exacerbate.
In balance, I’d say technology is a double-edged sword – it’s amplified our capacity to overcome obstacles while simultaneously introducing new complexities that require discernment and digital literacy to navigate effectively.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Benefits (với examples) → Drawbacks (với nuanced analysis) → Balanced conclusion
- Vocabulary: Sophisticated tech-related vocabulary (democratized access, gatekept, information asymmetries, crowdsourcing, algorithmic curation, echo chambers, solution dependency)
- Grammar: Complex structures throughout
- Critical Thinking: Multiple dimensions, acknowledges complexity, introduces original concepts (solution dependency)
💡 Key Language Features:
- Causal language: has fundamentally transformed, has democratized, has accelerated
- Contrast markers: However, Additionally, In balance
- Qualifying language: comes with caveats, I’d call, I’d say
- Metaphorical expressions: double-edged sword, echo chambers, dismantling of asymmetries
Giám khảo IELTS đánh giá thí sinh trong Part 3 với câu hỏi thảo luận sâu về vượt qua khó khăn
Từ vựng và cụm từ quan trọng
Topic-Specific Vocabulary
| Từ vựng/Cụm từ | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| obstacle | n | /ˈɒbstəkl/ | trở ngại, chướng ngại vật | The biggest obstacle I faced was lack of confidence. | overcome an obstacle, face an obstacle, insurmountable obstacle, significant obstacle |
| resilience | n | /rɪˈzɪliəns/ | khả năng phục hồi, sức chịu đựng | Building resilience helps you bounce back from setbacks. | develop resilience, emotional resilience, demonstrate resilience, remarkable resilience |
| perseverance | n | /ˌpɜːsɪˈvɪərəns/ | sự kiên trì, bền bỉ | Success requires perseverance and dedication. | show perseverance, require perseverance, sheer perseverance, unwavering perseverance |
| adversity | n | /ədˈvɜːsəti/ | nghịch cảnh, hoàn cảnh khó khăn | She showed great courage in the face of adversity. | face adversity, overcome adversity, triumph over adversity, cope with adversity |
| setback | n | /ˈsetbæk/ | thất bại tạm thời, trở ngại | The project suffered several setbacks. | experience a setback, major setback, temporary setback, recover from a setback |
| formidable | adj | /fɔːˈmɪdəbl/ | đáng gờm, ghê gớm (về độ khó) | We faced a formidable challenge. | formidable challenge, formidable obstacle, formidable opponent, formidable task |
| daunting | adj | /ˈdɔːntɪŋ/ | làm nản lòng, đáng sợ | The task seemed daunting at first. | daunting challenge, daunting prospect, daunting task, find something daunting |
| surmount | v | /səˈmaʊnt/ | vượt qua, khắc phục | We managed to surmount all difficulties. | surmount difficulties, surmount obstacles, surmount challenges, successfully surmount |
| grapple with | v phrase | /ˈɡræpl wɪð/ | vật lộn với, đối mặt với | Young people are grappling with mental health issues. | grapple with problems, grapple with challenges, grapple with questions, currently grappling with |
| navigate | v | /ˈnævɪɡeɪt/ | điều hướng, xử lý (khó khăn) | Learning to navigate workplace conflicts is essential. | navigate challenges, navigate difficulties, successfully navigate, navigate through |
| tenacity | n | /təˈnæsəti/ | sự gan lì, bền bỉ | His tenacity helped him succeed. | show tenacity, remarkable tenacity, sheer tenacity, demonstrate tenacity |
| fortitude | n | /ˈfɔːtɪtjuːd/ | sự gan dạ, nghị lực | She showed great fortitude during difficult times. | mental fortitude, moral fortitude, demonstrate fortitude, inner fortitude |
| stumbling block | n phrase | /ˈstʌmblɪŋ blɒk/ | trở ngại, vấn đề cản trở | Lack of funding was the main stumbling block. | major stumbling block, significant stumbling block, overcome a stumbling block, prove to be a stumbling block |
| uphill battle | n phrase | /ˌʌphɪl ˈbætl/ | cuộc chiến khó khăn, nhiệm vụ vất vả | Changing people’s minds is an uphill battle. | face an uphill battle, fight an uphill battle, prove an uphill battle |
| hurdle | n | /ˈhɜːdl/ | rào cản, trở ngại | We cleared all the regulatory hurdles. | overcome hurdles, major hurdle, clear a hurdle, face hurdles |
| breakthrough | n | /ˈbreɪkθruː/ | bước đột phá, tiến triển quan trọng | The research team achieved a major breakthrough. | major breakthrough, significant breakthrough, make a breakthrough, achieve a breakthrough |
| turning point | n phrase | /ˈtɜːnɪŋ pɔɪnt/ | bước ngoặt, điểm chuyển mình | That conversation was a turning point in my life. | major turning point, prove a turning point, reach a turning point, mark a turning point |
| cope with | v phrase | /kəʊp wɪð/ | đối phó với, xử lý | She learned to cope with stress effectively. | cope with pressure, cope with stress, cope with difficulties, able to cope with |
| weathering | v/n | /ˈweðərɪŋ/ | vượt qua (bão tố), chịu đựng | The company is weathering the economic crisis. | weathering the storm, weathering difficulties, successfully weathering, weathering challenges |
| grueling | adj | /ˈɡruːəlɪŋ/ | vất vả, mệt nhọc | The training program was grueling but rewarding. | grueling experience, grueling schedule, grueling work, grueling process |
Idiomatic Expressions & Advanced Phrases
| Cụm từ | Nghĩa | Ví dụ sử dụng | Band điểm |
|---|---|---|---|
| push through barriers | vượt qua rào cản | We need to push through cultural barriers to achieve equality. | 7.5-8 |
| rise to the challenge | nỗ lực đáp ứng thử thách | When the crisis hit, our team rose to the challenge admirably. | 7.5-8 |
| come to a head | đạt đến điểm bùng phát | The conflict came to a head when both parties refused to compromise. | 8-9 |
| hit rock bottom | chạm đáy, rơi vào hoàn cảnh tồi tệ nhất | After hitting rock bottom, he found the motivation to rebuild his life. | 7.5-8 |
| turn the corner | vượt qua giai đoạn khó khăn nhất | After months of struggle, we finally turned the corner. | 7.5-8 |
| against all odds | bất chấp mọi khó khăn | Against all odds, she completed her degree while working full-time. | 8-9 |
| in the face of adversity | trước nghịch cảnh | His composure in the face of adversity was remarkable. | 8-9 |
| bounce back | phục hồi nhanh chóng | Children have an amazing ability to bounce back from disappointments. | 7-8 |
| silver lining | mặt tích cực trong tình huống xấu | Every cloud has a silver lining – this setback taught me valuable lessons. | 7.5-8 |
| bite the bullet | cắn răng chịu đựng, đối mặt với điều khó khăn | I had to bite the bullet and have that difficult conversation. | 7.5-8 |
| weather the storm | vượt qua giai đoạn khó khăn | With determination, we can weather any storm together. | 7.5-8 |
| up against the wall | trong tình thế bí | When I was up against the wall financially, I had to be creative. | 7.5-8 |
Discourse Markers (Từ Nối Ý Trong Speaking)
Để bắt đầu câu trả lời:
- 📝 Well,… – Sử dụng khi cần thời gian suy nghĩ ngắn trước khi trả lời
- 📝 Actually,… – Khi đưa ra góc nhìn khác hoặc sửa chữa/làm rõ ý
- 📝 To be honest,… – Khi muốn nói thẳng thắn, chân thành
- 📝 I’d say that… – Khi đưa ra quan điểm hoặc đánh giá
- 📝 From my perspective,… – Nhấn mạnh quan điểm cá nhân
- 📝 In my experience,… – Dựa trên trải nghiệm bản thân
Để bổ sung ý:
- 📝 On top of that,… – Thêm vào đó, hơn thế nữa
- 📝 What’s more,… – Hơn nữa, thêm vào đó
- 📝 Not to mention… – Chưa kể đến, chưa nói đến
- 📝 Additionally,… – Thêm vào đó (formal hơn)
- 📝 Furthermore,… – Hơn nữa (academic)
- 📝 Beyond that,… – Ngoài ra
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…
- 📝 That said,… – Tuy nhiên, dù vậy thì…
- 📝 Having said that,… – Dù đã nói như vậy thì…
- 📝 However,… – Tuy nhiên
Để kết luận:
- 📝 All in all,… – Tóm lại, nhìn chung
- 📝 At the end of the day,… – Cuối cùng thì, xét cho cùng
- 📝 In the final analysis,… – Cuối cùng khi phân tích
- 📝 To sum up,… – Tóm lại
- 📝 Overall,… – Nhìn chung, tổng thể
Để đưa ra ví dụ:
- 📝 For instance,… – Ví dụ như
- 📝 Take… for example,… – Lấy… làm ví dụ
- 📝 A case in point is… – Một trường hợp điển hình là…
- 📝 To illustrate this,… – Để minh họa điều này
Grammatical Structures Ấn Tượng
1. Conditional Sentences (Câu điều kiện):
Mixed conditional (Kết hợp quá khứ và hiện tại):
- Formula: If + past perfect, would/could + base verb
- Ví dụ: “If I hadn’t faced that obstacle, I wouldn’t be as resilient as I am today.”
- Giải thích: Dùng để nói về điều kiện trong quá khứ ảnh hưởng đến hiện tại
Inversion (Đảo ngữ):
- Formula: Had + subject + past participle, subject + would have…
- Ví dụ: “Had I known how challenging it would be, I might have prepared differently.”
- Giải thích: Tạo phong cách formal và sophisticated, thay thế cho “If I had known…”
2. Relative Clauses (Mệnh đề quan hệ):
Non-defining relative clauses:
- Formula: …, which/who + clause,…
- Ví dụ: “This experience, which fundamentally changed my perspective, taught me the value of perseverance.”
- Giải thích: Thêm thông tin bổ sung, tạo câu phức tạp hơn
Reduced relative clauses:
- Ví dụ: “The obstacles faced by young people today are different from those encountered by previous generations.”
- Giải thích: Rút gọn relative clause để câu gọn gàng hơn
3. Passive Voice (Câu bị động):
Impersonal passive (Bị động khách quan):
- Formula: It is thought/believed/said that…
- Ví dụ: “It is widely believed that challenges build character and resilience.”
- Giải thích: Tạo tính khách quan, tránh “I think” quá nhiều
Passive with reporting verbs:
- Ví dụ: “Research has shown that exposure to manageable adversity strengthens coping mechanisms.”
- Giải thích: Trích dẫn research/evidence một cách academic
4. Cleft Sentences (Câu chẻ):
What-cleft:
- Formula: What + subject + verb + is/was…
- Ví dụ: “What I find most challenging about obstacles is maintaining motivation during prolonged struggles.”
- Giải thích: Nhấn mạnh thông tin quan trọng
It-cleft:
- Formula: It is/was… that/who…
- Ví dụ: “It was my mentor’s guidance that helped me overcome the biggest obstacle in my career.”
- Giải thích: Tập trung attention vào một element cụ thể
5. Participle Clauses (Mệnh đề phân từ):
Present participle:
- Ví dụ: “Facing numerous setbacks, I learned the importance of resilience.”
- Giải thích: Nối 2 actions, tạo câu fluent hơn
Past participle:
- Ví dụ: “Equipped with new skills, I was ready to tackle the next challenge.”
- Giải thích: Thể hiện trạng thái/kết quả của hành động trước đó
6. Inversion for Emphasis (Đảo ngữ nhấn mạnh):
Negative adverbials:
- Formula: Never/Rarely/Seldom + auxiliary + subject + verb…
- Ví dụ: “Never have I faced such a formidable obstacle.”
- Giải thích: Nhấn mạnh mức độ nghiêm trọng/hiếm có
Only after/when/if:
- Ví dụ: “Only after overcoming this challenge did I realize my true potential.”
- Giải thích: Nhấn mạnh thời điểm hoặc điều kiện
Khi bạn describe a city that is famous for its architecture, bạn cũng có thể nhắc đến những thách thức trong việc bảo tồn kiến trúc lịch sử.
Chiến Lược Tổng Thể Để Đạt Band Điểm Cao
Chuẩn Bị Trước Khi Thi
1. Xây dựng bank câu chuyện cá nhân:
- Chuẩn bị 5-7 câu chuyện thực tế về các obstacles bạn đã vượt qua
- Đảm bảo stories cover different areas: academic, personal, social, professional
- Practice kể từng story trong 2 phút với đầy đủ details và emotions
- Record và nghe lại để improve fluency
2. Mở rộng vocabulary actively:
- Học từ vựng trong context, không học đơn lẻ
- Tạo mind map về chủ đề obstacles với branches: types of obstacles, ways to overcome, emotions, results
- Practice using new vocabulary trong speaking ngay lập tức
- Focus on collocations hơn là individual words
3. Master grammatical structures:
- Chọn 5-6 complex structures để sử dụng tự nhiên
- Practice incorporating chúng vào responses
- Don’t force – chỉ dùng khi natural và relevant
4. Develop critical thinking:
- Với mỗi Part 3 question type (compare, cause-effect, opinion, prediction), practice structuring answers
- Learn to see multiple perspectives của một issue
- Practice acknowledging complexity và nuance
Trong Phòng Thi
Part 1 Strategy:
- Relax và be natural – đây là warm-up
- Extend answers đến 2-3 câu minimum
- Add personal examples để make answers interesting
- Vary sentence structures và vocabulary
- Maintain eye contact với examiner
Part 2 Strategy:
- Sử dụng đầy đủ 1 phút preparation time
- Ghi keywords only, không viết câu
- Follow structure: Introduction → Bullet points theo thứ tự → Explain feelings (dành nhiều thời gian nhất)
- Nếu run out of ideas trước 2 phút, elaborate trên feelings và lessons learned
- Use storytelling techniques: set scene, build tension, resolution
- Speak naturally, không đọc notes
Part 3 Strategy:
- Take 2-3 seconds to think before answering
- Structure answers clearly: Direct answer → Reason 1 + example → Reason 2 + example → Conclusion/Nuance
- Show critical thinking bằng cách acknowledge different viewpoints
- Use discourse markers để signal structure
- Extend answers nhưng stay relevant
- Nếu không hiểu question, ask examiner to repeat or clarify
Lỗi Cần Tránh
Common Mistakes của học viên Việt Nam:
❌ Học thuộc template và apply cứng nhắc
- Template makes your answer sound robotic
- Examiners nhận ra immediately và this negatively affects scores
- Instead: Learn flexible phrases và adapt to each question
❌ Sử dụng vocabulary quá phức tạp không phù hợp
- Using “big words” incorrectly worse than using simple words correctly
- Focus on appropriacy và accuracy hơn là complexity
- Natural collocation > impressive individual words
❌ Quá focus vào grammar đến mức hesitate nhiều
- Fluency quan trọng bằng accuracy
- Better to speak fluently với một vài grammar mistakes than keep stopping to correct yourself
- Self-correction một lần okay, nhưng don’t overdo it
❌ Không trả lời đúng câu hỏi
- Always address the question directly first
- Then expand với details và examples
- Part 3 especially: Don’t just talk about personal experience cho abstract questions
❌ Speaking quá nhanh hoặc quá chậm
- Natural pace quan trọng cho pronunciation score
- Nếu nervous, consciously slow down một chút
- Practice với native speed audio để get used to natural rhythm
❌ Memorizing answers và recite
- Examiners trained để recognize memorized answers
- This results in lower scores across all criteria
- Your answer should sound like spontaneous conversation
❌ Thiếu eye contact và body language
- IELTS Speaking là communication test
- Maintain natural eye contact
- Use appropriate gestures
- Show engagement through facial expressions
Lộ Trình Học Tập Hiệu Quả
4-6 tuần trước thi:
Tuần 1-2: Foundation Building
- Học vocabulary theo themes (10-15 từ/ngày)
- Practice Part 1 questions daily (5-6 questions)
- Record answers và self-evaluate
- Focus on extending answers naturally
Tuần 3-4: Intensive Practice
- Practice Part 2 với timer (2-3 cue cards/ngày)
- Start tackling Part 3 questions
- Work on discourse markers và advanced structures
- Get feedback from teacher/study partner nếu possible
Tuần 5-6: Refinement & Mock Tests
- Full mock tests (all 3 parts) 2-3 lần/tuần
- Analyze recordings chi tiết
- Work on specific weaknesses identified
- Review vocabulary và consolidate learning
- Practice với different topics để build flexibility
Ngày trước thi:
- Light review of key vocabulary
- Practice 1-2 Part 2 stories để warm up
- Relax và get good sleep
- Don’t try to learn new material
Ngày thi:
- Arrive early để settle nerves
- Warm up voice bằng cách nói tiếng Anh một chút
- Stay positive và confident
- Remember: Be yourself và communicate naturally
Kết Luận
Chủ đề “Describe a situation when you had to overcome an obstacle” là một trong những đề tài phổ biến và có ý nghĩa nhất trong IELTS Speaking. Đây là cơ hội tuyệt vời để bạn showcase không chỉ language skills mà còn personal growth và critical thinking.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Authenticity matters most – Nói về real experiences với genuine emotions sẽ impressive hơn fabricated stories với fancy vocabulary
✅ Structure your answers – Clear organization giúp examiner follow ideas dễ dàng và demonstrates coherence
✅ Balance all criteria – Don’t just focus on vocabulary; fluency, grammar, và pronunciation equally important
✅ Practice strategically – Quality practice với feedback valuable hơn mindless repetition
✅ Think beyond personal experience – Especially for Part 3, analyze societal và abstract dimensions
✅ Be natural – IELTS Speaking test communication ability, not ability to perform rehearsed speech
Remember, vượt qua obstacles trong thực tế và trong IELTS Speaking test share common principles: preparation, persistence, flexibility, và positive mindset. Với dedication và right approach, bạn hoàn toàn có thể achieve target band score.
Chúc bạn thành công trong kỳ thi IELTS Speaking! May obstacles bạn face trên journey này ultimately strengthen your abilities và lead to the success you deserve.
