IELTS Speaking: Cách Trả Lời “Describe A Time When You Had To Deal With A Difficult Decision At Work” – Bài Mẫu Band 6-9

Mở bài

Chủ đề về quyết định khó khăn trong công việc là một trong những đề tài phổ biến và thực tế nhất trong kỳ thi IELTS Speaking. Đây là dạng câu hỏi yêu cầu thí sinh kể về một tình huống cụ thể khi phải đối mặt với sự lựa chọn quan trọng trong môi trường làm việc – một chủ đề vừa gần gũi với người đi làm, vừa đủ thách thức với sinh viên chưa có nhiều kinh nghiệm.

Theo thống kê từ các đề thi thực tế, chủ đề này xuất hiện với tần suất cao trong các kỳ thi IELTS từ năm 2020 đến 2024, đặc biệt trong Part 2 và Part 3. Khả năng xuất hiện trong tương lai được đánh giá ở mức Cao vì tính ứng dụng thực tiễn và khả năng mở rộng thảo luận sâu về workplace, decision-making, và professional development.

Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ học được:

  • Các câu hỏi thường gặp về chủ đề work decisions trong cả 3 Part
  • Bài mẫu chi tiết theo nhiều band điểm từ 6-7, 7.5-8 đến 8.5-9 với phân tích cụ thể
  • Hơn 50 từ vựng và cụm từ ăn điểm liên quan đến workplace và decision-making
  • Chiến lược trả lời hiệu quả từ góc nhìn của một IELTS Examiner
  • Những lỗi phổ biến của học viên Việt Nam và cách khắc phục

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 đời sống hàng ngày, bao gồm cả công việc và quyết định cá nhân. Đây là phần “warm-up” giúp bạn làm quen với giám khảo và môi trường thi.

Chiến lược quan trọng: Trả lời tự nhiên nhưng luôn mở rộng ý với 2-3 câu. Đừng chỉ trả lời “Yes” hoặc “No”. Mỗi câu trả lời nên có: Direct answer → Reason/Explanation → Example/Detail.

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

  • Trả lời quá ngắn, thiếu elaboration
  • Dùng từ vựng quá đơn giản (good, bad, like, don’t like)
  • Thiếu ví dụ cụ thể từ kinh nghiệm bản thân
  • Ngần ngại, thiếu tự tin khi nói về công việc

Các Câu Hỏi Thường Gặp

Question 1: Do you find it easy to make decisions at work?

Question 2: What kind of decisions do you make in your daily work?

Question 3: Who do you usually ask for advice when making important decisions?

Question 4: Have you ever made a wrong decision at work?

Question 5: Do you prefer making decisions quickly or taking time to think?

Question 6: How do you feel when you have to make difficult choices?

Question 7: Are you more decisive now than you were in the past?

Question 8: What do you do when you’re unsure about a decision?

Phân Tích và Gợi Ý Trả Lời Chi Tiết


Question: Do you find it easy to make decisions at work?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

  • Trả lời trực tiếp: Yes/No hoặc It depends
  • Giải thích lý do tại sao dễ hoặc khó
  • Đưa ví dụ cụ thể về loại quyết định

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Well, it depends on the situation. For small decisions like scheduling meetings, it’s quite easy. But for bigger decisions that affect my team, I need more time to think carefully. Sometimes I feel stressed when I have to decide quickly.”

Phân tích:

  • Điểm mạnh: Có structure rõ ràng, đưa ra ví dụ cụ thể về scheduling meetings
  • Hạn chế: Từ vựng còn basic (easy, bigger, stressed), thiếu depth trong explanation
  • Tại sao Band 6-7: Vocabulary adequate nhưng chưa sophisticated, grammar đơn giản, ý tưởng chưa develop đầy đủ

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“Well, I’d say it varies depending on the complexity of the decision. For routine matters like prioritizing daily tasks, I can usually make decisions quite swiftly because I’ve developed a clear framework over time. However, when it comes to strategic decisions that could have significant implications for my team or projects, I tend to be more deliberate and consult with relevant stakeholders before committing to a course of action.”

Phân tích:

  • Điểm mạnh: Vocabulary sophisticated (varies depending on, complexity, routine matters, strategic decisions, implications, deliberate, stakeholders), grammar complex với relative clause và time clause
  • Tại sao Band 8-9: Fluency tự nhiên với discourse marker “Well, I’d say”, lexical resource phong phú với collocations chuẩn (significant implications, consult with stakeholders), grammar range đa dạng, ý tưởng sâu sắc với sự phân biệt rõ ràng giữa routine và strategic decisions

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

  • varies depending on: phụ thuộc vào, thay đổi tùy theo
  • routine matters: các vấn đề thường ngày, công việc thường xuyên
  • strategic decisions: quyết định mang tính chiến lược
  • have significant implications: có ảnh hưởng đáng kể
  • deliberate (adj): thận trọng, cân nhắc kỹ lưỡng
  • consult with stakeholders: tham khảo ý kiến các bên liên quan

Question: What kind of decisions do you make in your daily work?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

  • Liệt kê 2-3 loại quyết định cụ thể
  • Giải thích tầm quan trọng của chúng
  • Có thể so sánh mức độ khó khăn

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“In my job, I make many different decisions every day. For example, I decide which tasks to do first, how to solve problems with customers, and when to ask my manager for help. These decisions are important because they affect my work performance.”

Phân tích:

  • Điểm mạnh: Có examples cụ thể (tasks, customers, manager)
  • Hạn chế: Vocabulary repetitive (decide, decisions), thiếu variety trong cấu trúc câu
  • Tại sao Band 6-7: Coherent nhưng language còn basic, chưa có advanced structures

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“My daily work involves a range of decision-making, from tactical choices about task prioritization to more nuanced decisions about resource allocation. For instance, I regularly need to weigh up whether to delegate tasks to team members or handle them personally, which requires assessing both urgency and team capacity. I also make judgment calls about when to escalate issues to senior management versus resolving them independently. These seemingly small decisions actually shape the workflow and impact overall productivity.”

Phân tích:

  • Điểm mạnh: Vocabulary precise và topic-specific (tactical choices, task prioritization, resource allocation, nuanced decisions), grammar complex với gerunds và embedded clauses, critical thinking rõ ràng khi phân tích impact
  • Tại sao Band 8-9: Lexical resource excellent với collocations tự nhiên (weigh up, judgment calls, escalate issues), grammatical range impressive, ideas well-developed với clear examples và analysis

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

  • range of decision-making: nhiều loại quyết định khác nhau
  • tactical choices: lựa chọn mang tính chiến thuật
  • task prioritization: sắp xếp ưu tiên công việc
  • nuanced decisions: quyết định tinh tế, cần cân nhắc nhiều yếu tố
  • weigh up: cân nhắc, đánh giá
  • delegate tasks: phân công công việc
  • judgment calls: quyết định dựa trên đánh giá cá nhân
  • escalate issues: chuyển vấn đề lên cấp cao hơn

Question: Have you ever made a wrong decision at work?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

  • Thành thật thừa nhận (honesty shows maturity)
  • Kể ngắn gọn về quyết định sai
  • Quan trọng: nói về bài học rút ra

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Yes, I have made wrong decisions before. Once, I agreed to do too many projects at the same time and couldn’t finish them well. After that experience, I learned to say no sometimes and manage my time better.”

Phân tích:

  • Điểm mạnh: Honest answer, có example và lesson learned
  • Hạn chế: Language quá simple, thiếu depth trong reflection
  • Tại sao Band 6-7: Clear communication nhưng lacks sophistication

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“Absolutely, and I think everyone who’s worked for a while has experienced this. There was a time when I misjudged the timeline for a project and committed to an unrealistic deadline without thoroughly consulting my team. This backfired when we couldn’t deliver on time, which strained client relationships. However, this turned out to be a valuable learning experience. Since then, I’ve become much more conservative with estimates and always factor in buffer time for unforeseen circumstances. I’ve also learned the importance of collaborative planning rather than making unilateral decisions.”

Phân tích:

  • Điểm mạnh: Mature admission với “Absolutely”, vocabulary sophisticated (misjudged, backfired, strained relationships, buffer time, unforeseen circumstances, unilateral decisions), shows strong self-reflection và growth mindset
  • Tại sao Band 8-9: Excellent lexical resource với phrasal verbs và advanced collocations, complex grammar structures, demonstrates maturity và critical thinking, well-developed answer với clear narrative arc (mistake → consequence → lesson → change)

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

  • misjudge: đánh giá sai
  • commit to an unrealistic deadline: cam kết thời hạn không thực tế
  • backfire: phản tác dụng, có kết quả ngược lại
  • strain relationships: làm căng thẳng mối quan hệ
  • turn out to be: hóa ra là
  • conservative with estimates: thận trọng khi ước lượng
  • factor in buffer time: tính thêm thời gian dự phòng
  • unforeseen circumstances: hoàn cảnh không lường trước
  • unilateral decisions: quyết định đơn phương

Học viên đang luyện tập IELTS Speaking về chủ đề quyết định khó khăn trong công việc với giảng viênHọc viên đang luyện tập IELTS Speaking về chủ đề quyết định khó khăn trong công việc với giảng viên

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)

Tổng Quan Về Part 2

Part 2 là phần độc thoại kéo dài 2-3 phút không bị gián đoạn. Bạn có 1 phút chuẩn bị và được cung cấp giấy ghi chú. Đây là phần quan trọng nhất để thể hiện khả năng nói liên tục và organized thinking.

Chiến lược thành công:

  • Sử dụng hết 1 phút chuẩn bị: Ghi keywords cho mỗi bullet point, không viết câu hoàn chỉnh
  • Nói đủ 2 phút: Practice để có sense of timing, aim for 2-2.5 phút
  • Cover tất cả bullet points: Đừng bỏ sót bất kỳ yêu cầu nào
  • Sử dụng past tense: Đa số câu hỏi về experience yêu cầu kể chuyện quá khứ
  • Structure rõ ràng: Introduction → Main points theo thứ tự bullet → Conclusion/Feeling

Lỗi thường gặp:

  • Lãng phí thời gian chuẩn bị, không note gì cả
  • Nói quá ngắn (dưới 1.5 phút) hoặc quá dài lạc đề
  • Bỏ sót bullet point “explain why/how you felt”
  • Kể chuyện thiếu details, quá general
  • Thiếu linking words để connect ideas

Cue Card

Describe A Time When You Had To Deal With A Difficult Decision At Work

You should say:

  • What the decision was
  • When and where this happened
  • Why it was difficult
  • And explain how you dealt with it and how you felt about it

Phân Tích Đề Bài

Dạng câu hỏi: Describe an experience/event (kể về một trải nghiệm cụ thể)

Thì động từ: Past tenses (simple past, past continuous, past perfect) vì đây là sự việc đã xảy ra

Bullet points phải cover:

  1. What the decision was: Quyết định gì? Về vấn đề gì? (project, team, career, ethical issue…)
  2. When and where: Context – thời điểm, địa điểm, hoàn cảnh cụ thể
  3. Why it was difficult: Đây là phần quan trọng – giải thích các yếu tố làm cho quyết định trở nên khó khăn (conflicting options, pressure, consequences, uncertainty…)
  4. Explain how you dealt with it and how you felt: Quy trình ra quyết định, cảm xúc trước/sau

Câu “explain” quan trọng: Đây là phần ghi điểm cao nhất. Đừng chỉ describe, phải analyze và reflect. Show your thinking process, emotional journey, và lessons learned.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7

Thời lượng: Khoảng 1.5-2 phút

“I’d like to talk about a difficult decision I had to make at my previous job about six months ago. I was working as a team leader in a marketing company in Ho Chi Minh City.

The decision was about choosing between two team members for promotion to senior position. Both of them were good workers and had been with the company for a long time. One was very creative and had many good ideas, but sometimes missed deadlines. The other one was very reliable and always finished work on time, but was less creative.

This was difficult because I knew both of them wanted the promotion very much. They were also good friends, and I was worried that my decision would affect their friendship and the team atmosphere. I also felt pressure from my manager to choose quickly.

To deal with this, I talked to both of them separately to understand their goals. I also looked at their performance reports carefully. I asked my manager and HR for advice. Finally, I decided to promote the reliable person because our team needed someone who could manage deadlines well. The creative person was disappointed, but I explained my reasons clearly and promised to help them improve their time management.

I felt stressed during this time because I wanted to be fair. After making the decision, I felt relieved but also a bit sad because I couldn’t make everyone happy. However, I learned that sometimes you have to make tough choices as a leader.”

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí Band Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence 6-7 Trôi chảy với một số hesitation nhỏ, có logical sequence, dùng basic linking words (but, also, because, however), đủ 2 phút
Lexical Resource 6-7 Vocabulary adequate (team leader, promotion, creative, reliable, deadlines, performance reports), một số collocations tốt (team atmosphere, time management, tough choices) nhưng còn repetitive
Grammatical Range & Accuracy 6-7 Có mix của simple và complex sentences, sử dụng past tenses chính xác, một số subordinate clauses (because, that), nhưng structures không quá đa dạng
Pronunciation 6-7 Rõ ràng và dễ hiểu, có thể có accent nhẹ nhưng không ảnh hưởng communication

Điểm mạnh:

  • ✅ Cover đầy đủ tất cả bullet points
  • ✅ Structure logic: introduction → situation → difficulty → solution → feeling
  • ✅ Có specific details (Ho Chi Minh City, six months ago, two team members)
  • ✅ Thời lượng phù hợp

Hạn chế:

  • ⚠️ Vocabulary còn basic và repetitive (good, very, difficult)
  • ⚠️ Thiếu sophisticated expressions và idioms
  • ⚠️ Grammar structures chưa đa dạng, phụ thuộc vào simple sentences
  • ⚠️ Emotional depth chưa sâu, chưa show critical thinking đủ mạnh

📝 Sample Answer – Band 7.5-8

Thời lượng: Khoảng 2-2.5 phút

“I’d like to share an experience from about eight months ago when I was faced with a really challenging decision at my workplace. At that time, I was working as a project coordinator for a software development company in Hanoi.

The decision centered around whether to push forward with a major project that was falling behind schedule or to request an extension from our client. We’d been working on this custom software solution for nearly six months, and we were about three weeks away from the deadline. However, our testing phase had revealed significant bugs that would take at least another month to fix properly.

What made this decision particularly difficult was the conflicting factors I had to consider. On one hand, delivering substandard work would damage our company’s reputation and potentially lose us a valuable client. On the other hand, asking for an extension might strain the relationship we’d built with the client and could result in financial penalties. I also had to think about my team, who had been working overtime for weeks and were physically and mentally exhausted. Adding to the pressure, this was my first major project as coordinator, so I felt enormous responsibility for the outcome.

To tackle this dilemma, I first gathered all the relevant data about the bugs and the time needed for fixes. I then held a meeting with my development team to get their honest assessment of the situation. Next, I consulted with my supervisor and the sales team who maintained the client relationship. After weighing all the options, I decided to be transparent with the client and request a four-week extension, presenting a detailed plan for how we’d resolve the issues and implement quality assurance measures.

Looking back, I felt incredibly anxious before making that decision because I was worried about how the client would react. The conversation itself was nerve-wracking, but I tried to approach it professionally by focusing on the long-term benefits of delivering quality work. To my relief, the client appreciated our honesty and agreed to the extension. This experience taught me that sometimes the harder choice is the right one, and that transparency often builds trust rather than destroying it.”

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí Band Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence 7.5-8 Trôi chảy tự nhiên với minimal hesitation, cohesive devices đa dạng (on one hand, on the other hand, adding to the pressure, looking back), logical progression rõ ràng
Lexical Resource 7.5-8 Vocabulary less common và precise (faced with, centered around, push forward, substandard work, strain the relationship, tackle this dilemma), good use of collocations (conflicting factors, enormous responsibility, nerve-wracking)
Grammatical Range & Accuracy 7.5-8 Wide range của structures: relative clauses (who had been working), conditional (would take), gerunds (delivering, asking), complex sentences với multiple clauses, past perfect tenses chính xác
Pronunciation 7.5-8 Clear với natural intonation, stress patterns tốt, easy to follow

So Sánh Với Band 6-7

Khía cạnh Band 6-7 Band 7.5-8
Vocabulary “good workers”, “missed deadlines” “substandard work”, “falling behind schedule”, “physically and mentally exhausted”
Grammar “This was difficult because…” “What made this decision particularly difficult was the conflicting factors…” (Cleft sentence)
Ideas Đơn giản: hai người, một creative một reliable Phức tạp hơn: multiple stakeholders, financial implications, team welfare, company reputation
Emotional depth “I felt stressed… relieved… a bit sad” “incredibly anxious”, “nerve-wracking”, “to my relief” với context giải thích tại sao

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9

Thời lượng: 2.5-3 phút đầy đủ

“I’d like to recount a particularly pivotal moment in my career that occurred approximately ten months ago when I was serving as the operations manager for a boutique consulting firm in Ho Chi Minh City.

The decision in question revolved around whether to lay off two junior consultants as part of a cost-cutting initiative mandated by our parent company, or to fight for alternative solutions that would preserve jobs but require significant restructuring. Our firm had been grappling with financial headwinds in the wake of the pandemic, and the directive from headquarters was clear: reduce operational costs by 15% within the quarter or face potential office closure.

What rendered this decision genuinely agonizing was the web of competing considerations I had to navigate. First and foremost, there was the human element – these were real people with families, mortgages, and career aspirations who had placed their trust in our organization. Beyond the obvious ethical dimensions, there were pragmatic concerns as well. Letting these talented individuals go would undermine team morale, stretch our remaining staff thin, and potentially compromise the quality of service we delivered to clients. Conversely, if I pushed back against headquarters and advocated for alternatives that ultimately failed, I risked not only my own position but potentially jeopardizing the entire office and putting even more jobs on the line. The weight of responsibility felt almost crushing – essentially, I was being forced to choose between short-term financial targets and long-term human capital.

My approach to wrestling with this dilemma was methodical yet emotionally exhausting. I spent nearly two weeks burning the midnight oil, crunching numbers to identify creative cost-saving measures that wouldn’t involve redundancies – everything from renegotiating our office lease to implementing a voluntary reduced-hours program. I held one-on-one sessions with each team member to gauge their willingness to make temporary sacrifices. I also marshaled support from our most influential clients, who provided testimonials about our team’s value. Armed with this comprehensive alternative plan, I scheduled a video conference with the regional director and made an impassioned case for why preserving our talent was strategically sound, not just morally preferable.

The emotional rollercoaster during this period was intense. Before the decision, I was plagued by insomnia, constantly second-guessing whether I was taking too big a gamble with people’s livelihoods versus pragmatically accepting difficult business realities. When I finally committed to fighting for the alternative plan, I felt simultaneously empowered and terrified. The meeting with headquarters was nail-bitingly tense, but I channeled all my anxiety into articulating a compelling vision. When they gave us the green light to implement the restructuring plan instead of layoffs, the relief was indescribable – though it came with the sobering realization that we now had to deliver on our promises over the coming months.

Reflecting on this experience with the benefit of hindsight, I recognize it was transformative for my professional development. It taught me that truly difficult decisions aren’t about choosing between right and wrong, but navigating the grey areas where multiple valid values come into conflict. I also learned that leadership sometimes means taking calculated risks when you believe in something deeply, even when the safer path would be simply following orders. Most importantly, I discovered that transparency and collaborative problem-solving can sometimes unlock solutions that initially seemed impossible. While the whole experience was undeniably stressful, it ultimately reinforced my conviction that prioritizing people alongside profits isn’t just ethical – it’s good business sense.”

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí Band Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence 8.5-9 Hoàn toàn fluent và coherent, discourse markers sophisticated (first and foremost, conversely, reflecting on with hindsight), logical flow impeccable với clear paragraphing mentally
Lexical Resource 8.5-9 Idiomatic và precise: grappling with, in the wake of, web of competing considerations, crushing weight, burning the midnight oil, nail-bitingly tense, grey areas, unlock solutions; sophisticated collocations natural; vocabulary range exceptional
Grammatical Range & Accuracy 8.5-9 Full range của structures flawlessly: complex conditionals, inversion (What rendered…), cleft sentences, passive constructions, perfect aspects, gerunds và infinitives naturally mixed, subordination sophisticated
Pronunciation 8.5-9 Fully native-like với excellent prosodic features, stress và intonation support meaning effectively

Tại Sao Bài Này Xuất Sắc

🎯 Fluency Hoàn Hảo:

  • Không có hesitation, natural pausing chỉ for emphasis
  • Self-correction minimal và natural
  • Pace varied appropriately for dramatic effect

📚 Vocabulary Tinh Vi:

  • Ví dụ: “grappling with financial headwinds in the wake of the pandemic” – đây là sophisticated way để nói “dealing with financial problems after the pandemic”, thể hiện command of business English và metaphorical language
  • “web of competing considerations” – metaphor mạnh mẽ hơn là “many factors to consider”
  • “burning the midnight oil” – idiom tự nhiên hơn “working late”
  • “nail-bitingly tense” – adverb + adjective compound showing advanced lexical control

📝 Grammar Đa Dạng:

  • Ví dụ: “What rendered this decision genuinely agonizing was the web of competing considerations I had to navigate” – cleft sentence với relative clause embedded, tạo emphasis
  • “While the whole experience was undeniably stressful, it ultimately reinforced my conviction that prioritizing people alongside profits isn’t just ethical – it’s good business sense” – complex sentence với concessive clause, nominal clause, và parallel structure
  • Perfect aspects: “had been grappling”, “had placed their trust in” – showing timeline sophistication

💡 Ideas Sâu Sắc:

  • Không chỉ describe situation mà analyze ethical dimensions
  • Shows awareness của multiple perspectives: employees, company, clients, personal career
  • Reflection demonstrates maturity: “truly difficult decisions aren’t about choosing between right and wrong”
  • Critical thinking: balance between ethics và pragmatism

Giám khảo IELTS Speaking đang đánh giá và ghi chép khi thí sinh trả lời về quyết định công việc khó khănGiám khảo IELTS Speaking đang đánh giá và ghi chép khi thí sinh trả lời về quyết định công việc khó khăn

Follow-up Questions (Rounding Off Questions)

Sau khi bạn hoàn thành phần độc thoại 2 phút, examiner thường hỏi thêm 1-2 câu ngắn để transition sang Part 3. Đây không phải là Part 3 chính thức, chỉ là “rounding off” questions.


Question 1: Do you think you made the right decision?

Band 6-7 Answer:
“Yes, I think so. The result was good and everyone was happy with it in the end.”

Band 8-9 Answer:
“With the benefit of hindsight, yes, I believe it was the right call. The team rallied together and we met our commitments, which validated the approach. However, I also recognize that ‘right’ is somewhat subjective – it worked in our context, but different circumstances might warrant different choices.”


Question 2: Would you make the same decision if faced with a similar situation?

Band 6-7 Answer:
“Yes, probably. I learned a lot from that experience so I would do it again.”

Band 8-9 Answer:
“I’d likely take a similar approach in terms of prioritizing people and transparency, but I’d probably be more proactive in identifying warning signs earlier. The experience taught me that prevention is better than cure, so I’d now focus on building contingency plans before crises emerge rather than just reacting effectively when they do.”


IELTS Speaking Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Tổng Quan Về Part 3

Part 3 kéo dài 4-5 phút với câu hỏi trừu tượng và analytical về chủ đề rộng hơn liên quan đến Part 2. Đây là phần khó nhất, yêu cầu critical thinking và ability to discuss abstract concepts.

Yêu cầu:

  • Analyze, compare, evaluate các vấn đề xã hội/trends
  • Đưa ra opinions có supporting arguments
  • Xem xét multiple perspectives
  • Discuss causes, effects, solutions

Chiến lược:

  • Mở rộng câu trả lời (3-5 câu minimum)
  • Structure: Direct answer → Main point 1 + example → Main point 2 + example → Conclusion/Nuance
  • Sử dụng discourse markers tự nhiên
  • Show balanced thinking với phrases như “On the one hand…”, “However, we also need to consider…”
  • Đưa examples từ society, not just personal

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

  • Trả lời như Part 1 (too short, too personal)
  • Thiếu abstract vocabulary
  • Không đưa ra arguments, chỉ state opinions
  • Nói về Việt Nam quá cụ thể thay vì discuss general trends
  • Thiếu critical analysis

Các Câu Hỏi Thảo Luận Sâu

Theme 1: Decision-Making in Modern Workplaces


Question 1: Why do you think decision-making has become more complex in modern workplaces compared to the past?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

  • Dạng: Compare past vs present + Explain causes
  • Key words: more complex, modern workplaces, compared to the past
  • Cách tiếp cận: Acknowledge change → Identify 2-3 factors causing complexity → Examples → Brief conclusion

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I think decisions are more difficult now because there are more options available. In the past, companies had simpler structures and fewer choices. Now, with technology and globalization, managers need to consider many factors like international markets, online communication, and changing customer demands. Also, there is more competition, so decisions can have bigger consequences if they go wrong.”

Phân tích:

  • Structure: Clear comparison với reasons
  • Vocabulary: Adequate (options, structures, globalization, consequences) nhưng chưa sophisticated
  • Tại sao Band 6-7: Communicates main ideas clearly nhưng lacks depth, vocabulary common, limited use of complex grammar

📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

“Well, I’d argue that the exponential increase in complexity stems from several interconnected factors. First and foremost, the sheer volume of available data has paradoxically made decision-making harder rather than easier – what we might call ‘analysis paralysis’. Leaders today have access to vast amounts of information from multiple sources, but synthesizing this data into actionable insights requires sophisticated analytical skills that weren’t necessary in the past.

Beyond that, modern businesses operate in increasingly interconnected ecosystems. A decision made in one department ripples through the entire organization and potentially affects stakeholders across the globe. For instance, a supply chain decision might have implications for environmental sustainability, labor practices in different countries, and brand reputation on social media – layers of complexity that simply didn’t exist when business was more locally focused and information traveled slowly.

Moreover, there’s the accelerated pace of change itself. Technological disruption means that what’s true today might be obsolete tomorrow, so leaders are essentially making decisions with incomplete information about rapidly evolving landscapes. This uncertainty factor adds a whole new dimension to workplace decision-making that previous generations didn’t have to contend with.”

Phân tích:

  • Structure: Well-organized với clear signposting (First and foremost, Beyond that, Moreover), each paragraph develops one factor fully
  • Vocabulary: Sophisticated và precise: exponential increase, interconnected factors, analysis paralysis, synthesizing, actionable insights, ripples through, have implications for, obsolete, contend with
  • Grammar: Complex structures: relative clauses, passive voice, gerunds, abstract noun phrases
  • Critical Thinking: Shows deep understanding với nuanced analysis, acknowledges paradox (“paradoxically made harder”), uses specific example (supply chain), considers multiple dimensions

💡 Key Language Features:

  • Discourse markers: Well, I’d argue that…, First and foremost, Beyond that, Moreover
  • Tentative language: might call, might have implications, I’d argue
  • Abstract nouns: complexity, ecosystems, implications, sustainability, disruption, uncertainty
  • Collocations: exponential increase, interconnected factors, sophisticated analytical skills, ripples through, accelerated pace

Question 2: Do you think companies should involve employees more in decision-making processes?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

  • Dạng: Opinion với should → need to present argument
  • Key words: involve employees, decision-making processes
  • Cách tiếp cận: State position → Advantages → Potential limitations → Balanced conclusion

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Yes, I think it’s a good idea to include employees in decisions. When employees participate, they feel more valued and motivated. They also have practical knowledge because they do the actual work. However, not all decisions can involve everyone because it would take too much time and some information must be confidential.”

Phân tích:

  • Structure: Has opinion, reasons, và limitation
  • Vocabulary: Basic (good idea, participate, valued, motivated, practical knowledge)
  • Tại sao Band 6-7: Clear position nhưng lacks elaboration và sophisticated argumentation

📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

“Well, this is quite a nuanced question because I think the answer depends on the nature of the decision at hand. On the whole, I’m strongly in favor of participatory decision-making, but with some important caveats.

The compelling argument for employee involvement is that those closest to the work often possess invaluable insights that senior management might miss. Frontline employees witness pain points and identify inefficiencies that aren’t visible from the executive level. Tapping into this collective intelligence can lead to more informed and practical solutions. What’s more, when people have a stake in decisions, they’re far more invested in making them work – it creates a sense of ownership and accountability that you simply can’t achieve through top-down mandates.

That said, I don’t think universal participation is feasible or even desirable in all contexts. Strategic decisions involving sensitive financial information, merger negotiations, or competitive positioning often require confidentiality that precludes widespread involvement. There’s also the practical consideration that inclusive processes can be time-consuming, which might not be viable when rapid decision-making is critical.

The sweet spot, in my view, is structured participation where input is actively solicited on operational decisions that directly impact employees’ work, while strategic oversight remains with leadership who have the broader contextual understanding. It’s about striking the right balance between leveraging collective wisdom and maintaining decisional efficiency.”

Phân tích:

  • Structure: Sophisticated organization – acknowledge complexity → main argument → counter-argument → nuanced conclusion
  • Vocabulary: Advanced: nuanced question, caveats, compelling argument, frontline employees, pain points, tapping into, collective intelligence, have a stake in, top-down mandates, precludes, structured participation, leveraging collective wisdom
  • Grammar: Full range: conditional structures (when people have…, they’re…), relative clauses, gerunds, abstract noun phrases, passive constructions
  • Critical Thinking: Shows maturity by acknowledging both sides, provides specific examples, offers a sophisticated “middle way” solution

💡 Key Language Features:

  • Tentative language: I think, in my view, might not be viable
  • Discourse markers: On the whole, What’s more, That said, in my view
  • Contrasting: on the whole vs. with caveats, advantages vs. practical considerations
  • Abstract concepts: participatory decision-making, collective intelligence, universal participation, strategic oversight

Theme 2: Pressure and Stress in Professional Decisions

Question 1: How can organizations help employees cope with the stress of making important decisions?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

  • Dạng: Solutions/Suggestions
  • Key words: organizations help, cope with stress, important decisions
  • Cách tiếp cận: Identify problem → Suggest 2-3 concrete solutions với examples → Conclude

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Organizations can help by providing training on decision-making. They should also create a supportive environment where employees don’t feel afraid of making mistakes. Having clear guidelines and mentors can help too. Some companies offer stress management programs which are useful.”

Phân tích:

  • Structure: Lists solutions clearly
  • Vocabulary: Adequate nhưng general (training, supportive, afraid, guidelines)
  • Tại sao Band 6-7: Communicates ideas nhưng lacks depth và specific examples

📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

“There are several multi-faceted approaches that organizations can adopt to alleviate decision-making stress. Firstly, establishing a psychologically safe environment is paramount. This means cultivating a culture where taking calculated risks is encouraged rather than penalized, and where learning from failures is valued as much as celebrating successes. When employees know that honest mistakes won’t result in punitive consequences, they’re less paralyzed by the fear of getting it wrong.

Secondly, providing robust support systems makes an enormous difference. This could take the form of mentorship programs pairing less experienced staff with seasoned decision-makers who can provide guidance, or establishing clear escalation pathways so employees know when and how to seek input on particularly weighty decisions. Some progressive organizations have even implemented ‘decision journals’ where employees document their reasoning process, which serves both as a reflective tool and removes the burden of having to justify decisions entirely from memory if questions arise later.

Additionally, practical training in decision-making frameworks can demystify the process. Many people feel stressed because they lack systematic approaches to breaking down complex problems. Equipping employees with tools like risk-benefit analysis matrices or scenario planning techniques gives them concrete methodologies rather than leaving them to rely solely on intuition.

Lastly, and perhaps most pragmatically, ensuring reasonable workloads and realistic timelines is crucial. Much of the stress around decisions stems from having to choose quickly without adequate time for consideration – so addressing the root cause of time pressure is as important as teaching coping mechanisms.”

Phân tích:

  • Structure: Excellent organization với clear enumeration (Firstly, Secondly, Additionally, Lastly), each solution fully developed với explanation và examples
  • Vocabulary: Sophisticated: multi-faceted approaches, alleviate, psychologically safe environment, cultivating culture, penalized, paralyzed by, robust support systems, escalation pathways, weighty decisions, decision journals, demystify, scenario planning
  • Grammar: Complex: passive voice (is encouraged, is valued), conditionals, relative clauses, gerunds as subjects/objects
  • Critical Thinking: Shows depth by addressing different levels of solution (cultural, structural, technical, practical), specific innovative practices (decision journals)

Theme 3: Ethical Dimensions of Workplace Decisions

Question: Do you think profit should always be the main consideration in business decisions?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

  • Dạng: Opinion + Discuss values/priorities
  • Key words: profit, always, main consideration
  • Cách tiếp cận: State nuanced position → Argue why not “always” → Acknowledge business reality → Balanced conclusion

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“No, I don’t think profit should always be the most important thing. Companies also need to think about their employees, customers, and the environment. If a company only focuses on money, it might do things that are harmful or unethical. However, profit is necessary because businesses need money to survive and grow.”

Phân tích:

  • Structure: Clear position với basic reasoning
  • Vocabulary: Simple (most important thing, focuses on money, harmful, survive)
  • Tại sao Band 6-7: Gets point across nhưng lacks sophistication và depth

📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

“This touches on a fundamental tension in modern capitalism, and I’d argue that while profit is undeniably important, making it the sole criterion is both ethically problematic and ultimately counterproductive from a business perspective.

The ethical dimension is perhaps most obvious. When organizations prioritize short-term financial gains at the expense of stakeholder welfare, we see disastrous consequences – from environmental degradation to exploitative labor practices to products that compromise consumer safety. These aren’t just moral failures; they represent a narrow conception of corporate responsibility that’s increasingly untenable in an era of heightened public scrutiny and social media accountability.

But beyond the ethical imperative, there’s a pragmatic business case for stakeholder-oriented decision-making. Companies that neglect employee wellbeing suffer from high turnover and diminished productivity. Those that disregard environmental impacts face regulatory penalties and reputational damage that erode market value. Research consistently shows that organizations embracing ESG principles – environmental, social, and governance factors – often outperform purely profit-focused competitors over the long term because they’re building sustainable business models rather than extracting value unsustainably.

That’s not to say profit isn’t crucial – businesses do need to remain financially viable to achieve any goals whatsoever. The question is really about optimal balance and time horizon. Enlightened self-interest suggests that factoring in broader stakeholder concerns isn’t antithetical to profitability; rather, it’s a pathway to more resilient and sustainable profitability. It’s about redefining success to include multiple bottom lines – financial, social, and environmental – recognizing that these are interdependent rather than mutually exclusive.”

Phân tích:

  • Structure: Sophisticated: acknowledge complexity → ethical argument → pragmatic business argument → acknowledge profit importance → nuanced conclusion
  • Vocabulary: Advanced: fundamental tension, sole criterion, ethically problematic, counterproductive, at the expense of, stakeholder welfare, untenable, heightened scrutiny, pragmatic business case, ESG principles, extracting value unsustainably, enlightened self-interest, antithetical to, interdependent
  • Grammar: Full range: complex conditionals, relative clauses, gerunds, abstract noun phrases, parallel structures
  • Critical Thinking: Exceptional depth – addresses ethical AND pragmatic dimensions, uses evidence (research), offers sophisticated synthesis (interdependence), shows awareness of current business trends (ESG)

💡 Key Language Features:

  • Academic style: This touches on…, I’d argue that…, Research consistently shows…
  • Discourse markers: But beyond…, That’s not to say…, Rather…
  • Contrasting ideas: While…is important, making it the sole…; not antithetical to but a pathway to
  • Nuanced expressions: ultimately counterproductive, enlightened self-interest, optimal balance, multiple bottom lines

Sơ đồ chiến lược trả lời câu hỏi IELTS Speaking về quyết định công việc với các bước cụ thểSơ đồ chiến lược trả lời câu hỏi IELTS Speaking về quyết định công việc với các bước cụ thể

Từ vựng và cụm từ quan trọng

Topic-Specific Vocabulary

Từ vựng/Cụm từ Loại từ Phiên âm Nghĩa tiếng Việt Ví dụ Collocation
dilemma n /dɪˈlemə/ tình thế tiến thoái lưỡng nan I faced a real dilemma when choosing between the two options. moral dilemma, ethical dilemma, face a dilemma, resolve a dilemma
weigh up phrasal v /weɪ ʌp/ cân nhắc kỹ lưỡng I had to weigh up the pros and cons carefully. weigh up options, weigh up consequences, weigh up risks
stakeholders n /ˈsteɪkhəʊldəz/ các bên liên quan We consulted all stakeholders before deciding. key stakeholders, consult stakeholders, stakeholder interests, engage stakeholders
ramifications n /ˌræmɪfɪˈkeɪʃənz/ hệ quả, ảnh hưởng The decision had serious ramifications. serious ramifications, long-term ramifications, consider the ramifications, unforeseen ramifications
deliberate v/adj /dɪˈlɪbəreɪt/ suy xét kỹ lưỡng / có chủ ý We deliberated for hours before reaching a consensus. deliberate carefully, deliberate decision, deliberate approach
implications n /ˌɪmplɪˈkeɪʃənz/ tác động, ý nghĩa This has significant implications for our team. significant implications, financial implications, long-term implications, have implications for
trade-off n /ˈtreɪd ɒf/ sự đánh đổi Every decision involves trade-offs. make trade-offs, involve trade-offs, trade-off between quality and speed
backfire v /ˌbækˈfaɪə/ phản tác dụng My decision backfired when the client complained. backfire badly, backfire on someone, plan backfired
gut feeling n phrase /ɡʌt ˈfiːlɪŋ/ cảm giác trực giác I went with my gut feeling on this one. trust your gut feeling, follow gut feeling, rely on gut feeling
calculated risk n phrase /ˈkælkjuleɪtɪd rɪsk/ rủi ro được tính toán It was a calculated risk that paid off. take a calculated risk, calculated risk-taking
pivot v /ˈpɪvət/ thay đổi hướng đi We had to pivot our strategy quickly. pivot strategy, pivot approach, business pivot
scrutinize v /ˈskruːtənaɪz/ xem xét kỹ lưỡng I scrutinized all the data before deciding. scrutinize carefully, scrutinize closely, scrutinize options
consensus n /kənˈsensəs/ sự đồng thuận We reached a consensus after discussion. reach consensus, build consensus, consensus decision, consensus-building
repercussions n /ˌriːpəˈkʌʃənz/ hậu quả I worried about the repercussions of my choice. serious repercussions, face repercussions, negative repercussions
expedient adj/n /ɪkˈspiːdiənt/ tiện lợi, hợp lý / biện pháp The expedient solution wasn’t always the best one. politically expedient, expedient approach
cornerstone n /ˈkɔːnəstəʊn/ nền tảng, yếu tố then chốt Trust is the cornerstone of good decision-making. cornerstone of, cornerstone principle
juggle v /ˈdʒʌɡl/ xoay xở với nhiều việc I had to juggle multiple priorities. juggle priorities, juggle responsibilities, juggle demands
escalate v /ˈeskəleɪt/ leo thang, chuyển lên cấp cao I decided to escalate the issue to management. escalate issue, escalate quickly, escalate concerns
mitigate v /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/ giảm thiểu We took steps to mitigate the risks. mitigate risks, mitigate impact, mitigate consequences
impasse n /ˈɪmpɑːs/ bế tắc We reached an impasse in negotiations. reach an impasse, break the impasse, political impasse

Idiomatic Expressions & Advanced Phrases

Cụm từ Nghĩa Ví dụ sử dụng Band điểm
at a crossroads ở ngã rẽ quan trọng I was at a crossroads in my career when I had to make that decision. 7.5-9
the ball is in someone’s court trách nhiệm thuộc về ai đó After presenting my proposal, the ball was in my manager’s court. 7.5-9
burn bridges phá hỏng mối quan hệ I didn’t want to burn bridges with my former colleagues. 7.5-8
sit on the fence không quyết định, lưỡng lự I couldn’t sit on the fence any longer – I had to choose. 7-8
bite the bullet chấp nhận làm điều khó khăn I had to bite the bullet and deliver the bad news. 7.5-8
between a rock and a hard place tiến thoái lưỡng nan I was caught between a rock and a hard place with no good options. 7.5-8
go out on a limb mạo hiểm, đưa ra quan điểm táo bạo I went out on a limb by proposing an unconventional solution. 7.5-9
the lesser of two evils điều xấu ít hơn trong hai lựa chọn xấu I chose what seemed like the lesser of two evils. 7.5-8
have second thoughts băn khoăn, có ý định thay đổi I began to have second thoughts about my initial decision. 7-8
in hindsight / with the benefit of hindsight nhìn lại, xét về sau In hindsight, I should have consulted more people. 7.5-9
jump the gun vội vàng hành động I jumped the gun and made a hasty decision. 7-8
take something with a pinch of salt không hoàn toàn tin tưởng I took his advice with a pinch of salt before deciding. 7.5-8
nip something in the bud giải quyết vấn đề ngay từ đầu I decided to nip the problem in the bud before it escalated. 7.5-8
call the shots đưa ra quyết định, chịu trách nhiệm As team leader, I had to call the shots on difficult issues. 7-8
sleep on it suy nghĩ thêm trước khi quyết định I decided to sleep on it before giving my final answer. 7-7.5

Discourse Markers (Từ Nối Ý Trong Speaking)

Để bắt đầu câu trả lời:

  • 📝 Well,… – Khi cần thời gian suy nghĩ ngắn, very natural
  • 📝 Actually,… – Khi đưa ra góc nhìn hoặc thông tin khác với expected
  • 📝 To be honest,… – Khi nói thật lòng, add sincerity
  • 📝 I’d say that… – Khi đưa ra quan điểm có suy nghĩ
  • 📝 From my perspective,… – Góc nhìn cá nhân
  • 📝 The way I see it,… – Cách nhìn nhận của bản thân

Để bổ sung ý:

  • 📝 On top of that,… – Thêm vào đó, more advanced than “also”
  • 📝 What’s more,… – Hơn nữa, emphasizes additional point
  • 📝 Not to mention… – Chưa kể đến, slightly informal
  • 📝 Furthermore,… – Hơn nữa, more formal
  • 📝 Additionally,… – Thêm vào đó, formal
  • 📝 Beyond that,… – Ngoài ra còn

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 xét đến
  • 📝 That said,… – Tuy nhiên, sophisticated way to introduce contrast
  • 📝 Having said that,… – Dù vậy thì, shows nuanced thinking

Để kết luận:

  • 📝 All in all,… – Tóm lại, nhìn chung
  • 📝 At the end of the day,… – Cuối cùng thì, what really matters
  • 📝 Ultimately,… – Sau cùng, chốt lại
  • 📝 Looking back,… – Nhìn lại, for reflection
  • 📝 In retrospect,… – Xét lại, more formal than “looking back”

Để thể hiện uncertainty hoặc tentative opinion:

  • 📝 I would say… – Tôi muốn nói rằng
  • 📝 It seems to me that… – Đối với tôi có vẻ như
  • 📝 To some extent,… – Ở một mức độ nào đó
  • 📝 I tend to think that… – Tôi có xu hướng nghĩ rằng

Grammatical Structures Ấn Tượng

1. Conditional Sentences (Câu điều kiện):

Mixed conditional:

  • Formula: If + past perfect, would + base verb (mixing Type 3 và Type 2)
  • Ví dụ: “If I had consulted my team earlier, the decision would be easier to implement now.”

Inversion (Đảo ngữ):

  • Formula: Had + subject + past participle…
  • Ví dụ: “Had I known the consequences, I would have chosen differently.”

2. Relative Clauses (Mệnh đề quan hệ):

Non-defining:

  • Formula: …, which/who + clause,…
  • Ví dụ: “My manager, who had 20 years of experience, advised me to be cautious.”

Reduced relative clause:

  • Ví dụ: “The decision facing me was extremely difficult.” (= which was facing me)

3. Passive Voice (Câu bị động):

Impersonal passive với It:

  • Formula: It is thought/believed/said/expected that…
  • Ví dụ: “It was expected that the decision would boost morale.”
  • Ví dụ: “It is widely believed that inclusive decision-making leads to better outcomes.”

4. Cleft Sentences (Câu chẻ):

What-cleft:

  • Formula: What + subject + verb + is/was…
  • Ví dụ: “What I found most challenging was the time pressure.”
  • Ví dụ: “What really made the difference was consulting with my team.”

The thing that-cleft:

  • Ví dụ: “The thing that worried me most was the potential impact on team morale.”

5. Inversion for Emphasis:

Not only… but also:

  • Ví dụ: “Not only did the decision affect our team, but it also impacted client relationships.”

Seldom/Rarely:

  • Ví dụ: “Seldom have I faced such a difficult choice in my career.”

6. Nominal Clauses:

The fact that:

  • Ví dụ: “The fact that I had limited information made the decision harder.”

Whether or not:

  • Ví dụ: “I had to consider whether or not the short-term benefits outweighed the long-term risks.”

Bảng từ vựng quan trọng về quyết định công việc trong IELTS Speaking với phiên âm và ví dụBảng từ vựng quan trọng về quyết định công việc trong IELTS Speaking với phiên âm và ví dụ

Chiến Lược Nâng Band Điểm

Từ Band 6 Lên Band 7

Cần cải thiện:

  1. Vocabulary:

    • Thay thế từ basic: good → beneficial/advantageous; bad → detrimental/adverse; very → extremely/considerably
    • Học collocations: make a decision → reach a decision, come to a decision
    • Sử dụng topic-specific words: thay vì “choice” luôn → vary với “option”, “alternative”, “course of action”
  2. Fluency:

    • Giảm hesitation bằng cách dùng discourse markers để “buy time”: “Well, that’s an interesting question…”, “Let me think about that…”
    • Practice nói liên tục 2 phút không ngắt với recording
  3. Grammar:

    • Thêm relative clauses: “The manager, who had extensive experience, guided my decision.”
    • Dùng perfect tenses: “I had been working on the project for months when the issue arose.”
    • Mix sentence types: không chỉ simple sentences
  4. Ideas:

    • Develop ideas với WHY và examples
    • Thêm personal reflection: “This taught me that…”

Từ Band 7 Lên Band 8+

Cần đạt được:

  1. Idiomatic Language:

    • Incorporate natural idioms: “I was between a rock and a hard place”
    • Use phrasal verbs confidently: weigh up, think through, talk over
  2. Sophisticated Vocabulary:

    • Abstract nouns: implications, ramifications, nuances
    • Academic style: Moreover, Furthermore, Notwithstanding
    • Precise verbs: scrutinize thay vì examine; deliberate thay vì think
  3. Complex Grammar Naturally:

    • Cleft sentences: “What made it difficult was…”
    • Inversion: “Had I known…”, “Never have I faced…”
    • Conditionals: Mixed conditionals cho hypothetical past with present result
  4. Critical Thinking:

    • Show balanced view: “While X has merits, we must also consider Y”
    • Acknowledge complexity: “This is a nuanced issue because…”
    • Use evidence: “Research suggests that…”, “Studies show…”
  5. Natural Delivery:

    • Vary pace and intonation
    • Self-correct naturally: “I mean to say…” (not too much)
    • Use stress for emphasis

Lỗi Cần Tránh Tuyệt Đối

Học thuộc template: Examiners nhận ra ngay, sẽ bị trừ điểm

Dùng từ quá fancy không đúng context: Impressive vocabulary chỉ có giá trị khi dùng chính xác

Nói quá ngắn ở Part 3: Aim for 4-5 câu minimum mỗi câu trả lời

Lặp lại cùng một structures: “I think… I think… I think…” → Vary với “I believe”, “In my view”, “From my perspective”

Thiếu examples: Abstract ideas cần concrete examples để minh họa

Nói quá nhanh: Native speakers không nói quá nhanh; clarity > speed

Im lặng lâu: Nếu không hiểu, hỏi lại: “Could you rephrase that?” hoặc “Do you mean…?”

Lộ Trình Học Tập Hiệu Quả

Tuần 1-2: Foundation Building

Mục tiêu: Nắm vững structure và basic vocabulary

  • Ngày 1-3: Học vocabulary table (20 từ/ngày), tạo flashcards
  • Ngày 4-7: Practice Part 1 questions, record và self-evaluate
  • Ngày 8-10: Viết outline cho Part 2 cue card (không cần nói đầy đủ)
  • Ngày 11-14: Practice nói Part 2 với timing (aim for 2 phút)

Tài nguyên:

  • Apps: Quizlet cho vocabulary, Voice Recorder
  • Practice với bạn học hoặc mirror practice

Tuần 3-4: Skill Development

Mục tiêu: Nâng cao fluency và grammar range

  • Mỗi ngày:

    • Học 2 idioms/collocations mới, tạo 3 câu examples
    • Record một câu trả lời Part 3 (aim for 4-5 câu)
    • Transcribe và analyze: identify grammar structures used
  • Cuối tuần:

    • Full mock test cả 3 Parts (15 phút)
    • Self-assessment với band descriptors

Focus areas:

  • Tăng answer length tự nhiên
  • Incorporate discourse markers
  • Practice thinking in English (no translation)

Tuần 5-6: Fine-tuning & Mock Tests

Mục tiêu: Đạt consistency và target band

  • 3 lần/tuần: Full mock test với recording

  • Mỗi ngày:

    • Học một grammatical structure mới, tạo 5 câu
    • Practice một theme Part 3 questions (6-8 câu)
  • Feedback:

    • Tự chấm với checklist
    • Nếu có thể, nhờ giáo viên/native speaker feedback
    • Identify recurring mistakes

Final week strategies:

  • Review các topics đã học
  • Practice với actual test questions từ recent exams
  • Focus vào pronunciation và intonation
  • Mental preparation: confidence building, stress management

Tips Từ Examiner

💡 Be authentic: Examiners đánh giá communication skills, không phải acting. Nói về real experiences của bạn (hoặc slightly adapted versions)

💡 Engage with the examiner: Eye contact, natural body language, smile khi appropriate. This is a conversation, not an interrogation.

💡 Don’t panic if you make mistakes: Self-correct naturally và move on. Perfect accuracy không required cho Band 9.

💡 Elaborate naturally: Không cần follow rigid formulas. Nếu một idea leads to another naturally, theo đó.

💡 Use the preparation time wisely: Trong Part 2, jot down 3-4 keywords per bullet point, không viết sentences.

💡 Signal when you’re concluding: Phrases như “So, to sum up…” hoặc “Looking back…” help examiner know you’re wrapping up thoughtfully.

💡 If you don’t understand: Absolutely OK để hỏi “Could you repeat that?” hoặc “Do you mean…?” – shows communication skills.


Kết luận

Chủ đề “Describe a time when you had to deal with a difficult decision at work” là một cơ hội tuyệt vời để thể hiện maturity, professional experience, và critical thinking – những phẩm chất mà examiners đánh giá cao. Remember, IELTS Speaking không chỉ test English skills mà còn test ability to communicate complex ideas effectively.

Thành công không đến từ việc học thuộc câu trả lời “hoàn hảo”, mà từ việc develop genuine speaking abilities thông qua practice có structure và focused improvement. Sử dụng các sample answers trong bài này như inspiration và reference points, không phải như scripts để memorize.

Chúc bạn tự tin và thành công trong kỳ thi IELTS Speaking!

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