IELTS Speaking: Cách Trả Lời “Describe A Time When You Participated In A Debate” – Bài Mẫu Band 6-9

Chủ đề về “debate” (tranh luận, thảo luận) là một trong những đề tài xuất hiện với tần suất trung bình đến cao trong các kỳ thi IELTS Speaking từ năm 2020 đến nay. Theo thống kê từ các diễn đàn IELTS uy tín như IELTS-Blog và báo cáo từ thí sinh thực tế, chủ đề này đã xuất hiện trong khoảng 15-20% các đề thi Part 2 liên quan đến “experiences” và “events”. Dự đoán khả năng xuất hiện trong tương lai vẫn ở mức cao do tính ứng dụng thực tiễn của kỹ năng tranh luận trong môi trường học thuật và công việc.

Chủ đề debate đặc biệt quan trọng vì nó không chỉ kiểm tra khả năng kể chuyện của bạn mà còn đánh giá cách bạn diễn đạt về tư duy phản biện, kỹ năng giao tiếp và khả năng xử lý áp lực. Examiner thường quan sát cách bạn mô tả quá trình chuẩn bị, diễn biến cuộc tranh luận và những cảm xúc, bài học rút ra từ trải nghiệm này.

Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ học được:

• Các câu hỏi Part 1, 2, 3 thường gặp về debate và discussion
• Bài mẫu chi tiết theo 3 mức band điểm 6-7, 7.5-8, và 8.5-9
• Hơn 50 từ vựng và cụm từ ăn điểm liên quan đến tranh luận
• Chiến lược trả lời từ góc nhìn của một Examiner chính thức
• Phân tích sâu về tiêu chí chấm điểm cho từng câu trả lời
• Lời khuyên về những lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam

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IELTS Speaking Part 1: Introduction and Interview

Tổng Quan Về Part 1

Part 1 kéo dài 4-5 phút với các câu hỏi về cuộc sống hàng ngày, sở thích và kinh nghiệm cá nhân. Với chủ đề debate, examiner thường hỏi về thái độ của bạn với việc thảo luận, tranh luận trong cuộc sống và trải nghiệm liên quan.

Chiến lược hiệu quả:

• Trả lời trực tiếp câu hỏi ngay trong câu đầu tiên
• Mở rộng với lý do hoặc ví dụ cụ thể (2-3 câu)
• Sử dụng từ vựng tự nhiên, không cần quá academic

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

• Trả lời quá ngắn chỉ Yes/No
• Dùng từ vựng quá đơn giản như “good”, “interesting”
• Thiếu ví dụ cụ thể từ kinh nghiệm bản thân
• Ngần ngại khi nói về bản thân

Các Câu Hỏi Thường Gặp

Question 1: Do you like to discuss things with your friends?

Question 2: What topics do you usually discuss with your friends?

Question 3: Do you prefer to talk or to listen?

Question 4: Are you good at convincing others?

Question 5: Have you ever changed your opinion during a discussion?

Question 6: Do you think it’s important to have debates at school?

Question 7: What makes a good debater in your opinion?

Question 8: Do you usually prepare before discussing important topics?

Phân Tích và Gợi Ý Trả Lời Chi Tiết

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Question: Do you like to discuss things with your friends?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Trả lời trực tiếp yes/no
• Giải thích lý do (tại sao thích hoặc không thích)
• Đưa ra ví dụ về loại chủ đề thường thảo luận

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Yes, I like discussing things with my friends. It’s interesting to hear different ideas. We usually talk about movies, study topics and sometimes current events. I think it helps me understand things better.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Trả lời rõ ràng, có ví dụ cụ thể về chủ đề, có lý do đơn giản
• Hạn chế: Từ vựng còn basic (interesting, talk about), cấu trúc câu đơn giản, thiếu depth trong explanation
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Fluency đủ tốt, vocabulary adequate nhưng chưa có collocations mạnh, grammar đơn giản nhưng accurate

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

Absolutely! I’m quite fond of engaging in discussions with my friends as it really broadens my perspective on various issues. We tend to delve into topics ranging from social trends to thought-provoking philosophical questions. What I find most valuable is how these conversations challenge my assumptions and help me see things from multiple angles.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh:
  • Vocabulary sophisticated: “fond of engaging”, “broadens my perspective”, “delve into”, “thought-provoking”
  • Grammar đa dạng: relative clauses (how these conversations…), complex noun phrases
  • Ideas có depth: không chỉ nói thích mà còn giải thích value thực sự
  • Natural flow với discourse marker “Absolutely!”
• Tại sao Band 8-9:
  • Fluency: Smooth, no hesitation, natural linking
  • Vocabulary: Precise collocations, idiomatic expressions
  • Grammar: Complex structures used naturally
  • Content: Thoughtful explanation với personal insight

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• be fond of engaging in discussions: thích tham gia thảo luận
• broaden someone’s perspective: mở rộng góc nhìn
• delve into: đào sâu vào (một chủ đề)
• thought-provoking: kích thích tư duy, gợi suy nghĩ
• challenge my assumptions: thách thức các giả định của tôi
• see things from multiple angles: nhìn nhận vấn đề từ nhiều góc độ

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Question: Are you good at convincing others?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Honest assessment về khả năng của bản thân
• Giải thích approach hoặc phương pháp thuyết phục
• Có thể đưa ví dụ hoặc acknowledge limitations

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

I think I’m okay at convincing others. I try to use facts and examples when I want to persuade someone. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. It depends on the situation and the person I’m talking to.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Honest, có mention strategy (facts, examples), acknowledge variables
• Hạn chế: Vocabulary basic (okay, try to use, sometimes), thiếu specific examples, câu trúc đơn giản
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate response nhưng lacks sophistication trong expression và depth trong analysis

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

I’d say I’m reasonably persuasive when I have a strong understanding of the topic. My approach is to present well-reasoned arguments backed by evidence rather than relying on emotion alone. However, I’ve learned that effective persuasion isn’t just about being right – it’s about understanding the other person’s perspective and finding common ground. That said, I’m not always successful, especially when dealing with people who have deep-rooted beliefs.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh:
  • Vocabulary advanced: “reasonably persuasive”, “well-reasoned arguments”, “deep-rooted beliefs”
  • Grammar sophisticated: conditional structures, gerund phrases, parallel structures
  • Ideas nuanced: acknowledges both skills và limitations, shows reflection
  • Natural modesty với “I’d say”, “reasonably”
• Tại sào Band 8-9:
  • Fluency: Extended response với logical flow
  • Vocabulary: Precise word choice, strong collocations
  • Grammar: Mix of complex structures naturally
  • Content: Demonstrates understanding of persuasion as a complex skill

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• reasonably persuasive: khá thuyết phục, có sức thuyết phục
• present well-reasoned arguments: đưa ra lập luận có cơ sở
• backed by evidence: được hỗ trợ bởi bằng chứng
• effective persuasion: sự thuyết phục hiệu quả
• find common ground: tìm điểm chung
• deep-rooted beliefs: niềm tin ăn sâu, bám rễ

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Question: Have you ever changed your opinion during a discussion?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Cho ví dụ cụ thể (nếu có) hoặc nói về willingness to change
• Giải thích tại sao thay đổi ý kiến
• Reflect về importance của open-mindedness

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Yes, I have changed my opinion before. Last month, I discussed environmental issues with my classmate. She gave me new information about recycling that I didn’t know. So I changed my mind about some things. I think it’s good to be open-minded.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Có specific example, time reference, conclusion về open-mindedness
• Hạn chế: Vocabulary repetitive (changed, changed), thiếu detail về what exactly changed, expression đơn giản
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Clear communication nhưng lacks sophistication và depth trong storytelling

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

Absolutely, and I actually think it’s a sign of intellectual maturity to reconsider your position when presented with compelling evidence. Just recently, I had quite an eye-opening discussion with a colleague about renewable energy. Initially, I was somewhat skeptical about the practicality of solar power in Vietnam, but she made some valid points about recent technological advances and backed them up with concrete data. It really shifted my perspective and taught me the value of remaining open to different viewpoints.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh:
  • Vocabulary sophisticated: “intellectual maturity”, “compelling evidence”, “eye-opening discussion”
  • Grammar complex: conditional structures, relative clauses, phrasal verbs
  • Ideas profound: frames changing mind as positive trait, specific example với clear outcome
  • Natural discourse: “Absolutely”, “Just recently”, “Initially”
• Tại sao Band 8-9:
  • Fluency: Smooth narrative với natural connectors
  • Vocabulary: Rich expressions, precise collocations
  • Grammar: Variety of structures used accurately
  • Content: Reflective với personal growth narrative

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• sign of intellectual maturity: dấu hiệu của sự trưởng thành về mặt trí tuệ
• reconsider your position: xem xét lại quan điểm
• compelling evidence: bằng chứng thuyết phục
• eye-opening discussion: cuộc thảo luận mở mang tầm mắt
• somewhat skeptical about: hơi hoài nghi về
• make valid points: đưa ra quan điểm có giá trị
• shift someone’s perspective: thay đổi góc nhìn của ai đó

Học viên IELTS thực hành kỹ năng thảo luận và tranh luận trong lớp Speaking để chuẩn bị cho đề tài describe a time when you participated in a debate

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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 với giấy và bút. Đây là phần quan trọng nhất để thể hiện khả năng nói liên tục và tổ chức ý tưởng logic.

Chiến lược hiệu quả:

• Sử dụng hết 1 phút chuẩn bị để ghi keywords, không viết câu hoàn chỉnh
• Nói tối thiểu 1.5 phút, lý tưởng là 2-2.5 phút
• Trả lời đầy đủ tất cả bullet points trên cue card
• Sử dụng thì quá khứ đơn và quá khứ tiếp diễn khi kể về event
• Kết thúc với bullet point “explain” – đây là phần quan trọng nhất

Lỗi thường gặp:

• Không tận dụng hết 1 phút chuẩn bị
• Nói quá ngắn (dưới 1.5 phút)
• Bỏ sót bullet points, đặc biệt là phần “explain”
• Dùng sai thì động từ khi kể chuyện quá khứ
• Nói quá nhiều chi tiết không liên quan

Cue Card

Describe A Time When You Participated In A Debate

You should say:

• When and where it took place
• What the debate was about
• What your position was
• And explain how you felt about this experience

Phân Tích Đề Bài

• Dạng câu hỏi: Describe an experience/event – kể về một trải nghiệm cụ thể trong quá khứ

• Thì động từ: Quá khứ đơn (main events) và quá khứ tiếp diễn (background, ongoing actions)

• Bullet points phải cover:

  • When and where: Thời gian cụ thể, địa điểm rõ ràng (trường học, công ty, club…)
  • What the debate was about: Chủ đề tranh luận (giáo dục, công nghệ, môi trường…)
  • What your position was: Quan điểm bạn bảo vệ (for/against, your argument)
  • How you felt: Cảm xúc trước, trong và sau debate (nervous, excited, satisfied…)

• Câu “explain” quan trọng: Đây là phần ghi điểm cao nhất – cần show reflection, personal growth, lessons learned. Không chỉ nói cảm xúc mà còn phải explain WHY you felt that way và impact của experience này.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7

Thời lượng: Khoảng 1.5-2 phút

I’d like to talk about a debate I joined last year at my university. It happened in November, in our classroom during an English class.

The debate was about whether students should wear uniforms to university or not. My teacher divided the class into two groups. I was in the group that supported wearing uniforms.

I prepared my arguments before the debate. I said that uniforms help students focus on studying instead of worrying about fashion. They also make everyone equal and save money for students. The other team argued that uniforms limit freedom and self-expression.

During the debate, I felt quite nervous because I had to speak in front of many people. But I also felt excited because I could share my ideas. When I presented my points, some classmates agreed with me, which made me feel good.

After the debate ended, our teacher said both teams did well. Although my team didn’t win, I felt satisfied because I learned a lot. This experience taught me how to organize my thoughts better and speak more confidently. It also showed me that having different opinions is normal and we can learn from listening to others.

Overall, it was a valuable experience that helped me improve my speaking skills and become more confident in expressing my views.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	6-7	Có khả năng nói liên tục, sử dụng basic connectors (but, also, although). Có một số hesitation nhỏ. Ý tưởng được tổ chức theo bullet points nhưng chưa smooth
Lexical Resource	6-7	Vocabulary adequate: “focus on studying”, “self-expression”, “organize my thoughts”. Có một số collocations tốt nhưng còn lặp từ (felt, debate). Thiếu less common vocabulary
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	6-7	Mix của simple và complex sentences. Sử dụng đúng past tenses. Có relative clauses (which made me feel good) nhưng structures chưa đa dạng
Pronunciation	6-7	Clear pronunciation, có thể hiểu được. Word stress và sentence stress cơ bản OK

Điểm mạnh:

• ✅ Trả lời đầy đủ tất cả bullet points
• ✅ Time frame rõ ràng (November, last year)
• ✅ Có structure logic: introduction → topic → position → feelings → reflection
• ✅ Nói đủ thời lượng

Hạn chế:

• ⚠️ Vocabulary còn basic, thiếu sophistication
• ⚠️ Grammar structures chưa đa dạng, mainly simple sentences
• ⚠️ Thiếu vivid details về debate atmosphere
• ⚠️ Phần “explain feelings” chưa đủ depth

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 7.5-8

Thời lượng: Khoảng 2-2.5 phút

I’d like to share an experience from about six months ago when I took part in quite a heated debate at my company’s monthly meeting. It took place in our main conference room in downtown Hanoi.

The topic was whether remote working should become permanent after the pandemic. This was a contentious issue because it affected everyone’s work-life balance. I was assigned to argue in favor of maintaining flexible remote work options, while the opposing team advocated for a full return to office.

To prepare, I did extensive research on productivity statistics and employee satisfaction surveys. My main arguments centered on reduced commuting time, improved work-life balance, and access to a wider talent pool for the company. I also highlighted some successful case studies from tech companies. The opposing side raised valid concerns about team cohesion and communication challenges.

When the debate started, I have to admit I felt a mixture of nervousness and excitement. My heart was racing as I delivered my opening statement, but once I got into the flow, I felt more confident. What really boosted my confidence was when I successfully countered one of their arguments with data I’d prepared. The atmosphere was quite intense – you could feel the intellectual energy in the room.

Looking back, this experience was incredibly rewarding for several reasons. Firstly, it pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me develop my public speaking skills. Secondly, I learned that effective debating isn’t about winning at all costs – it’s about presenting well-structured arguments and respecting different viewpoints. Even though the debate ended in a draw, I felt a real sense of accomplishment because I’d held my own against some very experienced colleagues.

This experience also taught me the importance of thorough preparation and thinking on your feet. It’s definitely something I’d be keen to do again.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	7.5-8	Nói trôi chảy với ít hesitation. Sử dụng variety of connectives (Firstly, Secondly, Looking back, Even though). Ý tưởng được develop tốt và linking natural
Lexical Resource	7.5-8	Wide range of vocabulary: “contentious issue”, “advocate for”, “countered”, “intellectual energy”. Good collocations và less common phrases. Paraphrasing tốt
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	7.5-8	Varied structures: passive voice (was assigned), conditionals implied, relative clauses. Mix of tenses appropriate. Mainly error-free
Pronunciation	7.5-8	Clear with good intonation và stress patterns. Natural rhythm

So Sánh Với Band 6-7

Khía cạnh	Band 6-7	Band 7.5-8
Vocabulary	“nervous”, “share my ideas”	“a mixture of nervousness and excitement”, “pushed me out of my comfort zone”
Grammar	“I felt quite nervous because I had to speak”	“My heart was racing as I delivered my opening statement”
Ideas	“I learned a lot”	“I learned that effective debating isn’t about winning at all costs – it’s about presenting well-structured arguments”
Details	Generic description	Specific details: “main conference room in downtown Hanoi”, “tech companies case studies”

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9

Thời lượng: 2.5-3 phút đầy đủ

I’d like to recount a particularly memorable debating experience that took place during my final year at university, specifically in March 2023. It was part of an inter-faculty competition held in the grand auditorium, and I still vividly remember the palpable tension in the air.

Tương tự như describe a competition you want to participate in, cuộc tranh luận này cũng đòi hỏi sự chuẩn bị kỹ lưỡng và chiến thuật rõ ràng. The motion we were debating was “This house believes that artificial intelligence poses more risks than benefits to society” – a highly polarizing topic that sparked intense discussions even during the preparation phase. I was designated as the lead speaker for the opposition, meaning I had to make a compelling case for AI’s positive impact while anticipating and rebutting the concerns about its dangers.

My preparation was nothing short of meticulous. I immersed myself in academic journals, pored over recent developments in AI ethics, and even consulted with a professor specializing in computer science. I crafted my arguments around three key pillars: AI’s transformative potential in healthcare, its role in addressing climate change, and its capacity to augment rather than replace human capabilities. I knew the affirmative team would focus heavily on job displacement and privacy concerns, so I prepared counter-narratives backed by empirical evidence.

The actual debate was an adrenaline-fueled experience. As I took the floor for my opening statement, I could feel every eye in the auditorium fixed on me. Initially, there was that familiar flutter of anxiety, but it quickly gave way to a sense of focused intensity. When the opposition challenged my points, I found myself thinking on my feet, drawing on research I’d done and weaving together spontaneous examples. There was this incredible rush when I successfully dismantled their argument about mass unemployment by presenting data on job creation in AI-related sectors.

What made this experience particularly profound was the post-debate reflection. Although we ultimately secured victory by a narrow margin, what stayed with me wasn’t the win itself but the intellectual rigor the process demanded. It fundamentally shifted how I approach disagreements – I learned that genuine debate is less about overpowering your opponent and more about collaborative truth-seeking. The experience taught me to hold my convictions while remaining intellectually humble, to distinguish between emotional reactions and logical reasoning, and to appreciate the nuance in complex issues.

Moreover, it reinforced something crucial: that effective communication isn’t just about what you say, but how you make others receptive to your ideas. The ability to present complex arguments accessibly while maintaining academic credibility is a skill I’ve carried forward into my professional life. Even now, whenever I face a challenging discussion, I draw upon the lessons from that debate – the importance of preparation, the power of evidence-based reasoning, and the value of intellectual generosity toward opposing viewpoints.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	8.5-9	Totally natural, flowing speech với sophisticated connectives. Develops topic fully với logical progression. No hesitation.
Lexical Resource	8.5-9	Sophisticated vocabulary: “palpable tension”, “meticulous preparation”, “intellectual rigor”. Natural idiomatic language và precise collocations throughout
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	8.5-9	Full range of structures used naturally: complex conditionals, advanced relative clauses, nominalization, inversion. Error-free
Pronunciation	8.5-9	Native-like features with appropriate intonation, stress, and rhythm throughout

Tại Sao Bài Này Xuất Sắc

🎯 Fluency Hoàn Hảo:
Câu chuyện được kể với natural flow, không có awkward pauses. Sử dụng discourse markers sophisticatedly (“Moreover”, “Although”, “What made this particularly profound”). Transitions giữa các phần seamless.

📚 Vocabulary Tinh Vi:

• “palpable tension” thay vì “nervous atmosphere” – cho thấy ability to use sensory language
• “immersed myself in” thay vì “read a lot about” – sophisticated phrasal verb
• “intellectual rigor” – abstract noun showing academic register
• “collaborative truth-seeking” – compound noun phrase demonstrating advanced lexical resource

📝 Grammar Đa Dạng:

• Complex relative clauses: “meaning I had to make a compelling case for AI’s positive impact while anticipating and rebutting…”
• Inversion: “Even now, whenever I face a challenging discussion…”
• Nominalization: “The ability to present complex arguments…”
• Advanced conditionals implied throughout

💡 Ideas Sâu Sắc:
Không chỉ describe event mà còn show deep reflection về meaning và long-term impact. Demonstrates critical thinking: “genuine debate is less about overpowering your opponent and more about collaborative truth-seeking”. This shows maturity và intellectual sophistication.

Vivid Storytelling:
Uses sensory details (“every eye in the auditorium fixed on me”), emotional arc (anxiety → confidence → reflection), và specific examples (AI in healthcare, climate change) making story engaging và memorable.

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Follow-up Questions (Rounding Off Questions)

Sau khi bạn hoàn thành phần độc thoại 2 phút, examiner thường hỏi 1-2 câu ngắn để transition sang Part 3.

Question 1: Did your team win the debate?

Band 6-7 Answer:
Not really. The other team won, but it was close. However, I still learned a lot from the experience.

Band 8-9 Answer:
We actually secured victory by a narrow margin, which was incredibly gratifying. However, what I found most valuable wasn’t the win itself but rather the intellectual journey we went through during preparation and the insights I gained about constructing persuasive arguments.

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Question 2: Would you participate in another debate?

Band 6-7 Answer:
Yes, definitely. I think debating is a good way to improve speaking skills and learn new things. I would like to try it again.

Band 8-9 Answer:
Absolutely, I’d jump at the chance! The experience was so intellectually stimulating that I’ve actually started looking for debate clubs in my area. I believe that regular practice in structured argumentation not only sharpens your critical thinking but also helps you become more articulate in everyday discussions. It’s something I’d strongly encourage anyone to try.

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IELTS Speaking Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Tổng Quan Về Part 3

Part 3 kéo dài 4-5 phút với các câu hỏi abstract và analytical về chủ đề đã thảo luận trong Part 2. Đây là phần khó nhất, yêu cầu bạn demonstrate ability to discuss issues in depth, analyze, compare, và speculate.

Yêu cầu:

• Phân tích vấn đề từ nhiều góc độ
• So sánh các khía cạnh khác nhau
• Đưa ra quan điểm có lý lẽ chặt chẽ
• Xem xét implications và consequences

Chiến lược:

• Mở rộng câu trả lời (3-5 câu minimum)
• Sử dụng discourse markers để structure answer
• Provide examples từ society, không chỉ personal experience
• Acknowledge complexity của issues
• Balance different perspectives

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

• Trả lời quá ngắn, thiếu elaboration
• Không đưa ra reasoning rõ ràng
• Thiếu từ vựng abstract và academic
• Không acknowledge counter-arguments
• Sử dụng quá nhiều personal examples thay vì societal analysis

Các Câu Hỏi Thảo Luận Sâu

Theme 1: Educational Value of Debates

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Question 1: Why do you think debate skills are important for students?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Opinion + Explanation (Why question)
• Key words: “debate skills”, “important”, “students”
• Cách tiếp cận: State opinion → Give multiple reasons với examples → Consider broader implications

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

I think debate skills are very important for students. First, they help students learn how to express their ideas clearly. When you debate, you need to organize your thoughts and speak confidently. Also, debating teaches students to listen to others and respect different opinions. These skills are useful not only in school but also in future jobs. Many jobs require good communication and the ability to persuade others.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear opinion → reasons → practical application
• Vocabulary: Adequate but basic (“express ideas clearly”, “organize thoughts”)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Ideas are relevant nhưng development lacks depth. Vocabulary functional nhưng không sophisticated. Grammar mainly simple.

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

Well, I’d argue that debate skills are absolutely fundamental to a well-rounded education for several compelling reasons. First and foremost, they foster critical thinking – when students engage in debates, they’re compelled to analyze issues from multiple perspectives, evaluate evidence, and construct logical arguments, which are essential cognitive skills that extend far beyond the classroom.

Moreover, debating cultivates intellectual humility. Students quickly learn that their initial positions might not be as ironclad as they thought and that genuine understanding often emerges from engaging with opposing viewpoints. This is particularly crucial in our current era where echo chambers and confirmation bias are so prevalent.

From a practical standpoint, these skills are increasingly valued in the modern workforce. Employers consistently seek candidates who can articulate complex ideas clearly, think on their feet, and engage constructively with colleagues who hold different views. In fact, many leadership positions hinge on the ability to present persuasive arguments and negotiate effectively.

On a broader level, I believe debate skills contribute to a healthier democracy. When citizens can engage in civil discourse, weigh evidence objectively, and change their minds when presented with better arguments, society as a whole benefits. It’s a skill set that helps combat polarization and promotes more nuanced understanding of complex social issues.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Well-organized với clear signposting: First and foremost → Moreover → From a practical standpoint → On a broader level
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated và precise: “foster critical thinking”, “cultivate intellectual humility”, “echo chambers”, “civil discourse”
• Grammar: Complex structures: relative clauses, conditionals, nominalization, passive constructions
• Critical Thinking: Shows multi-dimensional analysis (educational → personal → professional → societal benefits)

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: “Well”, “First and foremost”, “Moreover”, “From a practical standpoint”, “On a broader level”
• Tentative language: “I’d argue that”, “I believe”, “often emerges from”
• Abstract nouns: “intellectual humility”, “confirmation bias”, “polarization”, “civil discourse”
• Academic phrasal verbs: “extend far beyond”, “emerges from”, “hinge on”, “contribute to”

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Question 2: Do you think schools should make debating compulsory?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Opinion + Evaluation (Should question – requires balanced view)
• Key words: “schools”, “compulsory”, “debating”
• Cách tiếp cận: State position → Give advantages → Acknowledge challenges/limitations → Nuanced conclusion

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

I think it could be a good idea to make debating compulsory in schools. It would help all students develop important skills like public speaking and critical thinking. However, some students might feel uncomfortable speaking in front of others. Maybe schools could start with small group discussions and then move to bigger debates. This way, students can build confidence gradually.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Opinion → benefit → concern → suggestion
• Vocabulary: Basic expressions (“good idea”, “feel uncomfortable”)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Shows some balance but lacks depth in analysis. Solutions offered are basic.

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

This is quite a nuanced question that requires weighing competing priorities. While I’m strongly in favor of expanding debate programs in schools, I’d stop short of making them strictly compulsory, and here’s why.

On one hand, there’s a compelling case for mandatory debate education. Universal participation would ensure that all students, regardless of their background or natural inclination, develop these crucial skills. It would level the playing field by giving everyone exposure to structured argumentation and public speaking, rather than just those who self-select into debate clubs.

That being said, a strictly compulsory approach could backfire in several ways. For students with severe social anxiety or certain learning differences, forced participation in high-pressure debate situations could be counterproductive and even detrimental to their wellbeing. We need to be mindful that one-size-fits-all policies rarely work in education.

A more nuanced approach might involve making debate education compulsory but offering multiple pathways for engagement. For instance, students could choose between formal debates, collaborative group discussions, written position papers, or even digital formats like recorded video arguments. This way, we’d preserve the benefits of universal debate education while accommodating different learning styles and comfort levels.

Additionally, for this to work effectively, schools would need adequate resources – trained teachers, appropriate class sizes, and supportive environments. Rolling out a compulsory program without these foundational elements would likely do more harm than good.

Ultimately, I believe the goal should be universal exposure to debate concepts rather than rigid enforcement. When students see the value in these skills through well-designed programs, many will engage enthusiastically without the need for compulsion.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Sophisticated với balanced argument: clear position → advantages → limitations → alternative solution → practical considerations → nuanced conclusion
• Vocabulary: Advanced và precise: “nuanced question”, “self-select into”, “counterproductive”, “one-size-fits-all”
• Grammar: Complex structures throughout with varied sentence patterns
• Critical Thinking: Demonstrates sophisticated understanding: acknowledges benefits while recognizing limitations, proposes practical alternatives, considers implementation challenges

💡 Key Language Features:

• Hedging language: “quite a nuanced question”, “I’d stop short of”, “could backfire”
• Contrasting discourse markers: “On one hand”, “That being said”, “Additionally”, “Ultimately”
• Academic expressions: “weighing competing priorities”, “compelling case”, “level the playing field”
• Conditional thinking: “could be counterproductive”, “would need adequate resources”, “would likely do more harm”

Giáo viên hướng dẫn học sinh phát triển kỹ năng tranh luận và tư duy phản biện trong môi trường giáo dục hiện đại

Điều này có điểm tương đồng với describe a time when you took part in a charity event khi cả hai đều đòi hỏi học sinh phát triển kỹ năng làm việc nhóm và giao tiếp hiệu quả trong môi trường cộng đồng.

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Theme 2: Impact on Society and Communication

Question 3: How has social media changed the way people debate?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Compare/Contrast (How has X changed Y)
• Key words: “social media”, “changed”, “debate”
• Cách tiếp cận: Acknowledge changes → Positive impacts → Negative impacts → Overall evaluation

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Social media has changed debates a lot. Now people can discuss things online with people from all over the world. This is good because we can hear many different opinions. However, sometimes people are rude online because they don’t meet face-to-face. Also, fake news spreads quickly on social media, which makes debates harder. I think social media has both good and bad effects on how we debate.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Statement of change → positive → negative → conclusion
• Vocabulary: Basic (“changed a lot”, “good”, “bad effects”)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Covers main points nhưng lacks sophisticated analysis và specific examples

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

Social media has fundamentally transformed the landscape of public debate in ways that are both profoundly democratizing and deeply concerning. Let me break this down.

On the positive side, social media has dramatically lowered the barriers to participation in public discourse. Previously, meaningful debates were largely confined to academic institutions, formal settings, or media platforms controlled by gatekeepers. Now, anyone with an internet connection can engage in discussions on virtually any topic and potentially reach vast audiences. This democratization has amplified marginalized voices and enabled grassroots movements to gain traction in ways that would have been impossible a generation ago.

However, this accessibility comes with significant drawbacks. The format of social media platforms – with their character limits, algorithm-driven echo chambers, and reward systems that favor engagement over accuracy – often undermines the quality of debate. Complex issues get reduced to soundbites, nuanced arguments give way to polarizing rhetoric, and emotional reactions often drown out reasoned discussion.

Moreover, the anonymity and distance that social media provides can erode the civility that’s essential for productive debate. People often express views online that they’d never articulate in face-to-face encounters, leading to toxic discourse and ad hominem attacks rather than substantive engagement with ideas.

Perhaps most troubling is how social media algorithms create filter bubbles where people are primarily exposed to views that reinforce their existing beliefs. This exacerbates polarization and makes genuine debate – where participants are open to changing their minds – increasingly rare.

That said, I don’t think social media is inherently detrimental to debate. Platforms like certain subreddits or moderated forums demonstrate that constructive online debate is possible when there are clear norms, effective moderation, and community cultures that value substantive discussion. The challenge is scaling these positive models more broadly.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Introduction with thesis → positive transformation → multiple drawbacks → most concerning issue → balanced conclusion with potential
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated và field-specific: “democratizing”, “gatekeepers”, “grassroots movements”, “algorithm-driven echo chambers”, “filter bubbles”
• Grammar: Advanced structures: passive constructions, relative clauses, nominalization, conditional implications
• Critical Thinking: Multi-dimensional analysis considering access, quality, civility, polarization, và potential solutions

💡 Key Language Features:

• Emphatic adverbs: “fundamentally transformed”, “dramatically lowered”, “profoundly democratizing”
• Academic collocations: “confined to”, “gain traction”, “erode the civility”, “exacerbates polarization”
• Contrasting structures: “On the positive side… However”, “That said”
• Cause-effect language: “comes with”, “leading to”, “creates”

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Theme 3: Future Trends and Skills Development

Question 4: What skills will be most important for future generations in terms of debate and discussion?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Prediction + Analysis (Future question)
• Key words: “future generations”, “most important skills”, “debate and discussion”
• Cách tiếp cận: Identify key skills → Explain why each is important → Connect to future trends → Consider challenges

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

I think future generations will need several important skills. First, they need to check if information is true because there’s a lot of fake news. Second, digital communication skills are important because more discussions happen online. Also, people should learn to respect different cultures because the world is more connected now. Finally, critical thinking is necessary to analyze information properly. These skills will help people have better discussions in the future.

Phân tích:

• Structure: List of skills với basic explanation
• Vocabulary: Functional but basic (“important”, “necessary”, “better discussions”)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Identifies relevant skills nhưng lacks depth về why và how. Limited future-oriented thinking.

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8.5-9:

Looking ahead, I believe future generations will need to develop a sophisticated blend of traditional debate skills and emerging competencies that address the unique challenges of our rapidly evolving information landscape.

First and foremost, digital literacy will be paramount – but I’m not just talking about technical proficiency. Future debaters will need to be adept at navigating the intersection of human and AI-generated content. As describe a place where you go to be creative thể hiện, việc phát triển tư duy sáng tạo và độc lập càng trở nên quan trọng trong thời đại AI, they’ll need to critically evaluate sources, detect subtle misinformation, and understand how algorithms shape the information they encounter. This goes beyond simple fact-checking to understanding the broader ecosystem of information manipulation.

Equally crucial is what I’d call “cognitive flexibility” – the ability to hold multiple, sometimes contradictory, perspectives simultaneously without feeling cognitively threatened. In an increasingly complex world where simple binaries rarely apply, being able to engage with ambiguity and resist the urge to oversimplify nuanced issues will be invaluable. This ties into emotional intelligence – recognizing when emotions are clouding judgment and being able to separate personal feelings from logical analysis.

Another vital skill is cross-cultural competence. As debates become more global, understanding different rhetorical traditions, communication styles, and cultural frameworks for argumentation will be essential. What counts as a persuasive argument in one culture might fall flat in another, and future debaters need to be culturally agile enough to adapt their approach.

I’d also emphasize what might be called “epistemic humility” – understanding the limits of one’s own knowledge and being comfortable saying “I don’t know” or “I need to research that further.” In an age where information is overwhelming, recognizing what you don’t know is just as important as articulating what you do know.

Finally, and perhaps most challenging, is developing resilience against polarization. Future generations will need strategies to engage meaningfully with those who hold fundamentally different worldviews without either capitulating or becoming hostile. This means mastering the art of finding common ground while maintaining intellectual integrity.

The challenge, of course, is that our current educational systems aren’t adequately preparing students for these demands. We’re still largely teaching debate skills designed for a pre-digital era. Bridging this gap will require innovative pedagogical approaches that integrate technology, psychology, and traditional rhetoric in new ways.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Future-focused introduction → 5 distinct skill categories với deep explanation each → challenges in implementation → forward-looking conclusion
• Vocabulary: Highly sophisticated và precise: “sophisticated blend”, “epistemic humility”, “cognitive flexibility”, “rhetorical traditions”, “pedagogical approaches”
• Grammar: Full range of complex structures used naturally and accurately
• Critical Thinking: Demonstrates forward-thinking analysis, connects to broader societal trends, acknowledges implementation challenges, shows understanding of complexity

💡 Key Language Features:

• Future-oriented language: “Looking ahead”, “will be paramount”, “will need to develop”
• Academic nominalization: “digital literacy”, “cognitive flexibility”, “cross-cultural competence”, “epistemic humility”
• Sophisticated hedging: “I’d call”, “might fall flat”, “perhaps most challenging”
• Meta-cognitive language: “what I’d call”, “what might be called”, “The challenge is”

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Question 5: Do you think artificial intelligence will change how people debate in the future?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Opinion + Speculation (Future + Technology)
• Key words: “artificial intelligence”, “change”, “debate”, “future”
• Cách tiếp cận: Acknowledge likelihood → Explain potential changes → Consider positive/negative implications → Nuanced conclusion

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Yes, I think AI will definitely change debates. AI can help people find information quickly, which is useful for preparing arguments. Maybe in the future, AI can also help check if facts are correct during debates. However, if people rely too much on AI, they might not develop their own thinking skills. So AI can be helpful but we need to use it carefully and not depend on it too much.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Direct answer → benefits → concerns → cautionary note
• Vocabulary: Basic technology language (“help people”, “find information”, “check facts”)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Addresses question adequately nhưng lacks specific examples và depth về implications

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8.5-9:

Without a doubt, AI is poised to revolutionize debating in ways we’re only beginning to grasp, and the implications are both exhilarating and unsettling.

On a practical level, AI is already transforming the preparation process. Debaters can now use AI tools to rapidly synthesize vast amounts of information, identify logical fallacies in arguments, and even generate counter-arguments they might not have considered. Some universities are experimenting with AI debate partners that can simulate opposing positions with remarkable sophistication, allowing students to practice in low-stakes environments. This democratizes access to high-quality debate training that previously required expensive coaching or elite institutions.

However, this raises profound questions about the nature of debate itself. If AI can instantly fact-check claims, identify rhetorical strategies, and even suggest optimal arguments in real-time, does this enhance human capability or undermine the very skills debate is meant to develop? There’s a risk of what I’d call “intellectual offloading” – where people become so reliant on AI assistance that they atrophy their own critical thinking muscles.

More concerning is the potential for AI to exacerbate existing problems. We’re already seeing increasingly sophisticated deepfakes and AI-generated misinformation. Imagine a future debate where participants can’t be certain whether their opponent’s evidence is genuine or AI-fabricated. This could erode the entire foundation of evidence-based argumentation and force us to rethink what constitutes credible support for claims.

There’s also an intriguing possibility that AI might actually elevate the importance of uniquely human elements in debate. As AI becomes better at logical argumentation, the differentiating factor might become emotional intelligence, ethical reasoning, and the ability to connect with audiences on a human level – things AI still struggles with. We might see a shift away from purely logical point-scoring toward more holistic persuasion that integrates facts, values, and shared human experience.

Looking further ahead, I can envision scenarios where AI judges evaluate debates more objectively than human judges, potentially reducing bias. But this comes with its own ethical quandaries – who programs these AI judges, and whose values do they encode?

Ultimately, I believe the key will be developing what we might call “AI-augmented debate literacy” – teaching people not just how to debate, but how to debate in an AI-pervasive environment. This means understanding AI’s capabilities and limitations, knowing when to leverage AI assistance and when to rely on human judgment, and maintaining intellectual sovereignty even as we benefit from technological tools.

Một ví dụ chi tiết về describe a time when you experienced something new trong bối cảnh công nghệ AI có thể giúp chúng ta hiểu rõ hơn về cách thích ứng với những thay đổi này. The transformation is inevitable, but how we navigate it will determine whether AI becomes a tool for intellectual empowerment or a crutch that weakens our argumentative abilities.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Strong thesis → practical applications → philosophical concerns → potential problems → counter-perspective (silver lining) → future scenarios → nuanced conclusion với actionable insight
• Vocabulary: Cutting-edge và precise: “poised to revolutionize”, “intellectual offloading”, “atrophy critical thinking muscles”, “intellectual sovereignty”, “AI-augmented debate literacy”
• Grammar: Full mastery của complex structures: conditionals, relative clauses, nominalization, parallel structures
• Critical Thinking: Exceptional depth considering múltiple dimensions: practical, philosophical, ethical, pedagogical. Shows ability to speculate thoughtfully về future while grounding in current trends.

💡 Key Language Features:

• Speculative language: “poised to”, “we’re only beginning to grasp”, “might become”, “I can envision”
• Academic hedging: “Without a doubt”, “raises profound questions”, “There’s also an intriguing possibility”
• Cause-effect complexity: “If AI can… does this enhance or undermine”, “As AI becomes better… the differentiating factor might become”
• Forward-thinking expressions: “Looking further ahead”, “The transformation is inevitable”, “how we navigate it will determine”

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Từ vựng và cụm từ quan trọng

Topic-Specific Vocabulary

Từ vựng/Cụm từ	Loại từ	Phiên âm	Nghĩa tiếng Việt	Ví dụ	Collocation
participate in a debate	verb phrase	/pɑːˈtɪsɪpeɪt ɪn ə dɪˈbeɪt/	tham gia tranh luận	I participated in a debate about climate change.	actively participate, eagerly participate, reluctantly participate
compelling argument	adj + noun	/kəmˈpelɪŋ ˈɑːɡjumənt/	lập luận thuyết phục	She presented a compelling argument for renewable energy.	make a compelling argument, build a compelling argument, deliver a compelling argument
rebuttal	noun	/rɪˈbʌtl/	lời bác bỏ, phản biện	His rebuttal was well-researched and effective.	strong rebuttal, effective rebuttal, prepare a rebuttal, deliver a rebuttal
contentious issue	adj + noun	/kənˈtenʃəs ˈɪʃuː/	vấn đề gây tranh cãi	Immigration is a contentious issue in many countries.	highly contentious, politically contentious, remain a contentious issue
advocate for/against	verb	/ˈædvəkeɪt fɔː/əˈɡenst/	ủng hộ/phản đối	I advocated for stricter environmental regulations.	strongly advocate, actively advocate, passionately advocate
counter-argument	noun	/ˈkaʊntər ˈɑːɡjumənt/	lập luận phản đối	We need to prepare counter-arguments for their main points.	present a counter-argument, develop counter-arguments, anticipate counter-arguments
intellectual rigor	noun phrase	/ˌɪntəˈlektʃuəl ˈrɪɡə(r)/	sự chặt chẽ về mặt trí tuệ	The debate required intellectual rigor and careful analysis.	demonstrate intellectual rigor, lack intellectual rigor, apply intellectual rigor
polarizing topic	adj + noun	/ˈpəʊləraɪzɪŋ ˈtɒpɪk/	chủ đề gây chia rẽ	Gun control is a polarizing topic in the United States.	highly polarizing, increasingly polarizing, remain a polarizing topic
hold one’s ground	idiom	/həʊld wʌnz ɡraʊnd/	giữ vững lập trường	Despite strong opposition, she held her ground in the debate.	firmly hold one’s ground, manage to hold one’s ground
evidence-based reasoning	adj + noun	/ˈevɪdəns beɪst ˈriːzənɪŋ/	lý luận dựa trên bằng chứng	The debate required evidence-based reasoning, not just opinions.	use evidence-based reasoning, rely on evidence-based reasoning
articulate a position	verb phrase	/ɑːˈtɪkjuleɪt ə pəˈzɪʃn/	diễn đạt quan điểm	He articulated his position clearly and convincingly.	clearly articulate, effectively articulate, struggle to articulate
intellectual humility	noun phrase	/ˌɪntəˈlektʃuəl hjuːˈmɪləti/	sự khiêm tốn về mặt trí tuệ	Good debaters show intellectual humility by acknowledging uncertainty.	demonstrate intellectual humility, cultivate intellectual humility, lack intellectual humility
heated debate	adj + noun	/ˈhiːtɪd dɪˈbeɪt/	cuộc tranh luận gay gắt	The discussion turned into a heated debate about politics.	spark a heated debate, engage in a heated debate, witness a heated debate
think on one’s feet	idiom	/θɪŋk ɒn wʌnz fiːt/	suy nghĩ nhanh, ứng biến	Good debaters can think on their feet when challenged.	ability to think on one’s feet, learn to think on one’s feet
persuasive rhetoric	adj + noun	/pəˈsweɪsɪv ˈretərɪk/	hùng biện thuyết phục	She used persuasive rhetoric to win over the audience.	employ persuasive rhetoric, master persuasive rhetoric, powerful persuasive rhetoric
logical fallacy	adj + noun	/ˈlɒdʒɪkl ˈfæləsi/	ngụy biện logic	He pointed out the logical fallacy in their argument.	identify a logical fallacy, commit a logical fallacy, avoid logical fallacies
civil discourse	adj + noun	/ˈsɪvl ˈdɪskɔːs/	thảo luận văn minh	We need to promote civil discourse in public debates.	engage in civil discourse, maintain civil discourse, encourage civil discourse
take the floor	idiom	/teɪk ðə flɔː(r)/	phát biểu, lên tiếng	When I took the floor, I felt all eyes on me.	confidently take the floor, nervously take the floor
weigh evidence	verb phrase	/weɪ ˈevɪdəns/	cân nhắc bằng chứng	Good debaters carefully weigh evidence before forming opinions.	carefully weigh, objectively weigh, fairly weigh
constructive criticism	adj + noun	/kənˈstrʌktɪv ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəm/	phê bình mang tính xây dựng	The judge offered constructive criticism after the debate.	provide constructive criticism, accept constructive criticism, welcome constructive criticism

Idiomatic Expressions & Advanced Phrases

Cụm từ	Nghĩa	Ví dụ sử dụng	Band điểm
play devil’s advocate	đóng vai người phản biện để kiểm tra lập luận	Sometimes I play devil’s advocate to test the strength of an argument.	7.5-9
food for thought	điều đáng suy nghĩ	The debate provided plenty of food for thought about privacy issues.	7-8
hit the nail on the head	nói trúng vấn đề	Her analysis really hit the nail on the head regarding the core issue.	7-8
open a can of worms	mở ra vấn đề phức tạp	Discussing politics at work can open a can of worms.	7-8
two sides of the same coin	hai mặt của cùng một vấn đề	Freedom and responsibility are two sides of the same coin.	7.5-8.5
the elephant in the room	vấn đề rõ ràng nhưng không ai muốn đề cập	Climate change is the elephant in the room in many business discussions.	7.5-8.5
shift the goalposts	thay đổi tiêu chí/luật chơi giữa chừng	You can’t shift the goalposts in the middle of a debate.	7.5-8.5
cut through the noise	vượt qua sự lộn xộn để đến điểm chính	Good debaters can cut through the noise and focus on key issues.	8-9
leave no stone unturned	không bỏ sót điều gì, chuẩn bị kỹ lưỡng	We left no stone unturned in preparing for the debate.	7-8
blow something out of proportion	thổi phồng vấn đề	Some debaters blow minor points out of proportion to distract from weaknesses.	7.5-8.5
miss the forest for the trees	chỉ thấy chi tiết mà bỏ qua bức tranh lớn	He missed the forest for the trees by focusing only on statistics.	8-9
on the fence	chưa quyết định, trung lập	Many audience members were on the fence until the final arguments.	7-7.5

Biểu đồ minh họa các kỹ năng cần thiết để thành công trong tranh luận bao gồm tư duy phản biện lập luận logic và giao tiếp hiệu quả

Để hiểu rõ hơn về how can sports bring people together ielts, chúng ta có thể thấy sự tương đồng trong cách các hoạt động tập thể như tranh luận và thể thao đều phát triển kỹ năng làm việc nhóm và tinh thần cộng đồng.

Discourse Markers (Từ Nối Ý Trong Speaking)

Để bắt đầu câu trả lời:

• 📝 Well,… – Sử dụng khi cần thời gian suy nghĩ ngắn hoặc chuẩn bị cho câu trả lời phức tạp
• 📝 Actually,… – Khi muốn đưa ra góc nhìn khác hoặc thông tin surprising
• 📝 To be honest,… – Khi muốn thể hiện sự thẳng thắn, chân thành
• 📝 I’d say that… – Formal way để đưa ra quan điểm cá nhân
• 📝 From my perspective,… – Nhấn mạnh đây là góc nhìn riêng

Để bổ sung ý:

• 📝 On top of that,… – Thêm vào đó, hơn nữa
• 📝 What’s more,… – Ngoài ra còn
• 📝 Not to mention… – Chưa kể đến
• 📝 Additionally,… – Thêm vào đó (formal)
• 📝 Furthermore,… – Hơn nữa (academic)
• 📝 Beyond that,… – Xa hơn điểm đó

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… – Dù đúng là… nhưng cũng cần xem xét
• 📝 That being said,… – Dù vậy, tuy nhiên
• 📝 Having said that,… – Sau khi nói điều đó
• 📝 Conversely,… – Ngược lại

Để đưa ra ví dụ:

• 📝 For instance,… – Ví dụ như
• 📝 Take X for example,… – Lấy X làm ví dụ
• 📝 A case in point is… – Một ví dụ điển hình là
• 📝 To illustrate this point,… – Để minh họa điểm này

Để kết luận:

• 📝 All in all,… – Tóm lại
• 📝 At the end of the day,… – Cuối cùng thì
• 📝 Ultimately,… – Cuối cùng, rốt cuộc
• 📝 In the final analysis,… – Xét cho cùng
• 📝 When all is said and done,… – Sau tất cả mọi chuyện

Để thể hiện uncertainty hoặc hedge:

• 📝 I would say/argue that… – Tôi có thể nói/lập luận rằng
• 📝 It seems to me that… – Có vẻ như với tôi
• 📝 To some extent,… – Ở một mức độ nào đó
• 📝 In a way,… – Theo một cách nào đó
• 📝 Generally speaking,… – Nói chung

Grammatical Structures Ấn Tượng

1. Conditional Sentences (Câu điều kiện):

• Mixed conditional: “If I hadn’t prepared thoroughly, I wouldn’t be confident in debates now.”

  • Công thức: If + past perfect, would + base verb (hiện tại)
  • Sử dụng: Khi past condition có present result

• Inversion for emphasis: “Had I known how challenging it would be, I would have prepared more extensively.”

  • Công thức: Had + subject + past participle, would have + past participle
  • Sử dụng: Thay vì “If I had known” để academic hơn

• Third conditional với wish: “I wish I had participated in more debates during university.”

  • Công thức: Wish + past perfect
  • Sử dụng: Regret về quá khứ

2. Relative Clauses (Mệnh đề quan hệ):

• Non-defining relative clauses: “The debate, which took place in March, was incredibly intense.”

  • Sử dụng: Thêm thông tin không thiết yếu, có dấu phẩy

• Reduced relative clauses: “The arguments presented by the opposition were well-researched.”

  • Thay vì: “The arguments that were presented…”
  • Sử dụng: Làm câu concise hơn

3. Passive Voice (Câu bị động):

• It is thought/believed/said that…: “It is widely believed that debate skills enhance critical thinking.”

  • Sử dụng: Để impersonal, academic tone

• Advanced passive structures: “The winner was announced after much deliberation.”

  • Sử dụng: Focus on action rather than doer

4. Cleft Sentences (Câu chẻ):

• What I find most… is…: “What I find most challenging about debating is thinking on my feet.”

  • Sử dụng: Nhấn mạnh điểm cụ thể

• The thing that… is…: “The thing that impressed me most was their logical reasoning.”

  • Sử dụng: Highlight specific aspect

• It was… that…: “It was the preparation phase that taught me the most.”

  • Sử dụng: Emphasis trên specific element

5. Inversion for Emphasis:

• Not only… but also: “Not only did the debate improve my speaking skills, but it also boosted my confidence.”

  • Công thức: Not only + auxiliary + subject + verb, but also…

• Never have I…: “Never have I felt so intellectually challenged.”

  • Sử dụng: Strong emphasis on unique experience

6. Nominalization (Danh từ hóa):

• Verb → Noun: “The preparation of arguments” (instead of “preparing arguments”)
• Examples:
  • “The development of critical thinking”
  • “The acquisition of debate skills”
  • “The improvement of communication abilities”
• Sử dụng: Makes language more formal và academic

7. Participle Clauses:

• Present participle: “Having prepared extensively, I felt confident entering the debate.”
• Past participle: “Convinced by the evidence, the judges ruled in our favor.”
• Sử dụng: Create sophisticated sentence structures

Với việc nắm vững các từ vựng, cấu trúc ngữ pháp và chiến lược trả lời chi tiết trong bài viết này, bạn đã có đầy đủ công cụ để tự tin xử lý chủ đề “describe a time when you participated in a debate” trong kỳ thi IELTS Speaking. Hãy nhớ rằng, thực hành đều đặn với các sample answers, ghi âm và tự đánh giá là chìa khóa để đạt band điểm mục tiêu. Chúc bạn thành công!