IELTS Speaking: Cách Trả Lời “Describe A Time When You Traveled With Friends” – Bài Mẫu Band 6-9

Chủ đề du lịch cùng bạn bè là một trong những đề tài phổ biến và được yêu thích nhất trong IELTS Speaking. Đây không chỉ là trải nghiệm gần gũi với hầu hết các thí sinh mà còn mở ra nhiều góc độ thú vị để bạn thể hiện khả năng ngôn ngữ của mình. Với tư cách là một IELTS Examiner có hơn 20 năm kinh nghiệm, tôi nhận thấy chủ đề này xuất hiện với tần suất cao trong các kỳ thi từ năm 2020 đến nay, đặc biệt là trong Part 2 và Part 3.

Chủ đề “Describe A Time When You Traveled With Friends” có mức độ xuất hiện cao trong các kỳ thi IELTS thực tế. Thống kê cho thấy đề tài này và các biến thể liên quan đến du lịch xuất hiện khoảng 15-20% trong tổng số đề thi Speaking Part 2. Dự đoán khả năng xuất hiện trong tương lai vẫn ở mức cao, đặc biệt khi du lịch đang phục hồi mạnh mẽ sau đại dịch.

Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ học được cách trả lời toàn diện cho chủ đề này qua cả ba phần thi. Tôi sẽ cung cấp câu hỏi thực tế từ các kỳ thi gần đây, bài mẫu chi tiết cho nhiều band điểm khác nhau từ 6-7, 7.5-8 đến 8.5-9, cùng với phân tích sâu sắc về lý do tại sao mỗi bài đạt band điểm đó. Bạn cũng sẽ có được kho từ vựng phong phú, các cụm từ ăn điểm, và chiến lược trả lời hiệu quả từ góc nhìn của một examiner chính thức. Đặc biệt, tôi sẽ chỉ ra những lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam và cách khắc phục để nâng band điểm Speaking của bạn.

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. Đây là phần “làm quen” giữa bạn và examiner, nhưng đừng chủ quan vì điểm số đã bắt đầu được tính từ đây. Chiến lược hiệu quả nhất là trả lời tự nhiên, mở rộng ý trong 2-3 câu, và thể hiện khả năng giao tiếp thoải mái.

Lỗi thường gặp nhất của học viên Việt Nam trong Part 1 là trả lời quá ngắn, chỉ Yes/No hoặc một câu đơn giản. Nhiều bạn cũng có xu hướng dùng từ vựng quá đơn giản như “good”, “nice”, “interesting” mà không paraphrase. Một vấn đề khác là thiếu ví dụ cụ thể để minh họa cho câu trả lời, khiến bài nói trở nên chung chung và không thuyết phục.

Các Câu Hỏi Thường Gặp

Question 1: Do you enjoy traveling?

Question 2: Who do you prefer to travel with – friends or family?

Question 3: Have you traveled with friends recently?

Question 4: What do you usually do when you travel with friends?

Question 5: Do you think traveling with friends is better than traveling alone?

Question 6: Where did you last go with your friends?

Question 7: How often do you travel with your friends?

Question 8: What kind of places do you like to visit with friends?

Phân Tích và Gợi Ý Trả Lời Chi Tiết

Question: Do you enjoy traveling?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Trả lời trực tiếp có hay không
• Đưa ra lý do cụ thể
• Thêm ví dụ về loại hình du lịch bạn thích

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Yes, I enjoy traveling very much. It helps me relax and see new places. I especially like visiting beaches because the weather is nice and I can swim.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Trả lời trực tiếp câu hỏi, có đưa ra lý do và ví dụ cụ thể về loại địa điểm yêu thích.
• Hạn chế: Từ vựng còn đơn giản (nice, very much), cấu trúc câu chưa đa dạng, ý tưởng chưa được phát triển sâu.
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Câu trả lời đáp ứng yêu cầu cơ bản với ideas rõ ràng nhưng vocabulary và grammar chưa sophisticated. Fluency tốt nhưng chưa có những cụm từ ấn tượng.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“Absolutely! I’m quite passionate about traveling because it allows me to broaden my horizons and step out of my comfort zone. What I find most appealing is the opportunity to immerse myself in different cultures and try authentic local cuisine. For instance, last summer I went to Da Lat and was completely captivated by the scenic mountain landscapes.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Sử dụng từ vựng tinh vi (passionate about, broaden my horizons, step out of comfort zone), cấu trúc đa dạng (What I find most appealing is…), ví dụ cụ thể và chi tiết (Da Lat với mô tả cảnh quan). Thể hiện enthusiasm tự nhiên.
• Tại sao Band 8-9: Fluency tuyệt vời với các cụm từ idiomatic tự nhiên. Vocabulary range rộng và precise (immerse, authentic, captivated). Grammar phức tạp với mệnh đề quan hệ và gerunds. Ideas được phát triển logic và engaging.

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• be passionate about: đam mê, nhiệt huyết về điều gì
• broaden one’s horizons: mở rộng tầm nhìn
• step out of one’s comfort zone: thoát khỏi vùng an toàn
• immerse myself in: đắm mình vào, hòa mình vào
• authentic local cuisine: ẩm thực địa phương đích thực
• be captivated by: bị mê hoặc bởi

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Question: Who do you prefer to travel with – friends or family?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Chọn một trong hai hoặc nói cả hai tùy hoàn cảnh
• Giải thích lý do cho sự lựa chọn
• So sánh ưu điểm của mỗi loại nếu có thể

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I prefer traveling with friends. When I travel with friends, we can do many fun activities together like taking photos and trying new food. It’s more exciting than traveling with family because we have the same interests.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Trả lời rõ ràng preference, có lý do và so sánh với traveling với family.
• Hạn chế: Từ vựng basic (fun, exciting, same interests), thiếu depth trong explanation, chưa có ví dụ cụ thể.
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Communicates ý tưởng effectively nhưng language còn simple. Structure cơ bản: preference → reason → comparison.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“Well, it really depends on the purpose of the trip, but if I had to choose, I’d say I lean towards traveling with friends. There’s a certain sense of freedom and spontaneity when you’re with people your own age – we can make last-minute changes to our itinerary without worrying about anyone’s comfort. That said, family trips have their own charm, especially for cultural or heritage tours where I can bond with my parents over shared experiences.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Câu trả lời nuanced (phụ thuộc vào mục đích), vocabulary sophisticated (lean towards, spontaneity, last-minute changes), grammar đa dạng (conditional, relative clauses). Thể hiện balanced view bằng cách nhắc đến cả hai options.
• Tại sao Band 8-9: Demonstrates flexibility trong thinking với “depends on” và “that said”. Lexical resource xuất sắc với collocations tự nhiên (sense of freedom, bond with, shared experiences). Grammar range rộng và accurate.

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• depend on the purpose: phụ thuộc vào mục đích
• lean towards: thiên về, có khuynh hướng
• sense of freedom and spontaneity: cảm giác tự do và tự phát
• make last-minute changes: thay đổi vào phút chót
• that said: dù vậy, tuy nhiên
• bond with: gắn kết với
• shared experiences: những trải nghiệm chung

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Question: What do you usually do when you travel with friends?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Liệt kê 2-3 hoạt động cụ thể
• Giải thích tại sao những hoạt động này phổ biến
• Có thể thêm một ví dụ gần đây

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“When I travel with friends, we usually visit famous places and take many pictures. We also like to try local food at restaurants. Sometimes we go shopping to buy souvenirs for our families.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Nêu được nhiều activities khác nhau, có structure rõ ràng.
• Hạn chế: Vocabulary predictable (famous places, take pictures, try food), thiếu details và personal touch, chưa có depth.
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate response với basic vocabulary và simple structures. Ideas clear nhưng chưa developed fully.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“Our typical routine involves a mix of sightseeing and off-the-beaten-path adventures. We’re not really into touristy attractions, so we tend to seek out local cafes, hidden gems, and authentic street food stalls. Photography is a big part of our trips too – we’re always on the lookout for Instagram-worthy spots. What makes it special is the spontaneous moments, like when we stumbled upon a local festival during our trip to Hoi An last month.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Vocabulary range impressive (off-the-beaten-path, hidden gems, stumbled upon), natural phrases (tend to seek out, on the lookout for), cụ thể với real example (Hoi An festival). Shows personality và preferences rõ ràng.
• Tại sao Band 8-9: Lexical resource outstanding với topic-specific vocabulary và idiomatic expressions. Grammar varied (present simple for habits, past simple for example). Ideas well-developed với specific details tạo interest.

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• off-the-beaten-path adventures: những trải nghiệm ngoài lối mòn du lịch
• touristy attractions: điểm thu hút khách du lịch (mang nghĩa hơi tiêu cực)
• tend to seek out: có xu hướng tìm kiếm
• hidden gems: những viên ngọc ẩn, địa điểm ít người biết
• on the lookout for: luôn tìm kiếm, để ý
• Instagram-worthy spots: địa điểm đáng chụp hình đăng Instagram
• stumbled upon: tình cờ phát hiện ra

Nhóm bạn trẻ vui vẻ chụp ảnh tại điểm đến du lịch minh họa chủ đề IELTS Speaking về traveling with friends

Tương tự như describe a time when you were caught in bad weather, những trải nghiệm du lịch thường mang đến nhiều tình huống bất ngờ đáng nhớ. Việc biết cách kể về những khoảnh khắc này một cách sinh động sẽ giúp bạn ghi điểm cao trong phần thi Speaking.

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 mà không bị ngắt quãng. Chiến lược hiệu quả là sử dụng đầy đủ 1 phút để ghi chú keywords (không phải câu hoàn chỉnh), đảm bảo nói đủ 2 phút, trả lời đầy đủ tất cả bullet points, và đặc biệt chú ý sử dụng thì quá khứ khi kể về trải nghiệm.

Lỗi thường gặp nhất là không tận dụng hết thời gian chuẩn bị – nhiều thí sinh chỉ ghi vài từ rồi ngồi chờ. Điều này dẫn đến việc nói thiếu tự tin và bị thiếu ý. Lỗi thứ hai là nói dưới 1.5 phút, khiến examiner nghi ngờ khả năng fluency. Lỗi thứ ba là bỏ sót bullet points, đặc biệt là phần “explain” – đây lại chính là phần quan trọng nhất để ghi điểm cao.

Cue Card

Describe a time when you traveled with friends

You should say:

• Where you went
• Who you went with
• What you did there
• And explain how you felt about this trip

Phân Tích Đề Bài

• Dạng câu hỏi: Describe an experience/event – kể về một trải nghiệm cụ thể trong quá khứ
• Thì động từ: Chủ yếu là quá khứ đơn và quá khứ tiếp diễn vì kể về một sự kiện đã xảy ra
• Bullet points phải cover:
  • Where: Địa điểm cụ thể, có thể mô tả ngắn gọn về nơi đó
  • Who: Bạn bè nào đi cùng, mối quan hệ với họ
  • What: Các hoạt động đã làm, chi tiết và sequence
  • Explain: Cảm xúc và suy nghĩ về chuyến đi – đây là phần QUAN TRỌNG nhất
• Câu “explain” quan trọng: Đây là nơi bạn thể hiện depth of thinking và emotional intelligence. Đừng chỉ nói “I felt happy” mà hãy explain WHY và HOW – điều gì làm chuyến đi trở nên đáng nhớ, bạn học được gì, tác động như thế nào đến tình bạn.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7

Thời lượng: Khoảng 1.5-2 phút

I’d like to talk about a trip I took with my friends to Nha Trang last summer. I went there with three of my close friends from university. We had been planning this trip for a long time because we wanted to relax after our final exams.

We traveled by bus, which took about 8 hours from Ho Chi Minh City. When we arrived, we stayed at a small hotel near the beach. The hotel was quite cheap but comfortable enough for us.

During the three days there, we did many activities. We went swimming in the sea every morning. The water was very clean and clear. We also tried some water sports like jet skiing, which was exciting. In the afternoons, we usually walked along the beach and took many photos. We visited some famous places in Nha Trang like Vinpearl Land and the Po Nagar Towers. The food there was delicious, especially the seafood. We tried many local dishes at different restaurants.

I felt very happy about this trip. It was a great time to spend time with my friends and forget about our studies. We had a lot of fun together and made many good memories. The trip helped us become closer friends. I think traveling with friends is better than traveling alone because you can share the experience with people you like. This trip was really memorable for me and I hope we can travel together again in the future.

Phân tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	6-7	Nói liên tục được, có sequencing rõ ràng (when we arrived, during three days, in the afternoons). Sử dụng basic linking words. Hesitation không nhiều nhưng thiếu discourse markers sophisticated.
Lexical Resource	6-7	Vocabulary adequate và appropriate (water sports, jet skiing, memorable). Có một số collocations tốt (spend time with, walked along the beach) nhưng chủ yếu vẫn là common vocabulary. Có paraphrasing nhưng limited.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	6-7	Mix của simple và complex sentences. Sử dụng đúng past tenses. Có một số structures tốt (had been planning, which was exciting) nhưng không nhiều. Một vài lỗi nhỏ có thể có nhưng không ảnh hưởng communication.
Pronunciation	6-7	Clear và có thể hiểu được. Intonation tự nhiên. Có thể có accent Việt Nam nhưng không gây khó khăn cho người nghe.

Điểm mạnh:

• ✅ Trả lời đầy đủ tất cả bullet points trong cue card
• ✅ Có structure rõ ràng: introduction → journey → activities → feelings
• ✅ Sử dụng past tenses correctly và consistently
• ✅ Đủ length (khoảng 1.5 phút) và có examples cụ thể

Hạn chế:

• ⚠️ Vocabulary còn predictable và repetitive (very, many, a lot of)
• ⚠️ Thiếu descriptive language và sensory details
• ⚠️ Phần explain còn superficial – chỉ nói “happy” và “fun” mà chưa dig deeper
• ⚠️ Grammar structures chưa đa dạng, chủ yếu là simple và compound sentences

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 7.5-8

Thời lượng: Khoảng 2-2.5 phút

I’d like to share with you a memorable trip I took to Sapa with my closest friends about six months ago. This was actually a spontaneous decision we made during the Tet holiday when we were all feeling rather cooped up in the city and craving some fresh mountain air.

I traveled with three of my longtime friends from high school – we’ve known each other for over ten years now. What made this trip special was that it was the first time we’d all been able to coordinate our schedules since starting our careers, so there was a real sense of excitement about reconnecting.

The journey itself was quite an adventure. We took an overnight train from Hanoi, which was an experience in itself. Upon arrival, we were immediately struck by the breathtaking scenery – the terraced rice fields cascading down the mountainsides were absolutely stunning. We spent our days trekking through local villages, immersing ourselves in the ethnic minority culture, and trying authentic local cuisine like thang co and grilled stream fish.

What I found most rewarding was the genuine interaction we had with local families. We stayed at a homestay run by a H’mong family, and they were incredibly hospitable. We learned about their traditional weaving techniques and even tried our hand at making some handicrafts. The evenings were particularly magical – we’d sit around a fire, sharing stories and watching the mist roll over the valleys.

Looking back, what made this trip so special wasn’t just the picturesque landscapes but the quality time we spent together. In our busy lives, we rarely have the chance to just disconnect from technology and be present with each other. The trip strengthened our bond and gave us countless memories to cherish. It reminded me that sometimes the best experiences come from simple pleasures like good company, stunning natural beauty, and stepping away from our daily routines. I felt truly refreshed and grateful to have such wonderful friends to share these experiences with.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	7.5-8	Nói trôi chảy với minimal hesitation. Sử dụng effective discourse markers (Actually, Upon arrival, Looking back). Ideas được develop logically với clear progression.
Lexical Resource	7.5-8	Wide range of vocabulary với nhiều collocations tự nhiên (coordinate schedules, terraced rice fields, immersing ourselves). Paraphrasing effective. Một số less common expressions (cooped up, mist roll over).
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	7.5-8	Consistent use of complex structures (relative clauses, participle phrases, conditional). Tenses varied và accurate. Mix tốt giữa active và passive voice.
Pronunciation	7.5-8	Clear với natural intonation patterns. Stress và rhythm tốt. Features của pronunciation không gây khó khăn cho listener.

So Sánh Với Band 6-7

Khía cạnh	Band 6-7	Band 7.5-8
Vocabulary	“very clean and clear”, “exciting”, “delicious”	“breathtaking scenery”, “cascading down”, “picturesque landscapes”, “magical”
Grammar	“We went swimming”, “The water was very clean”	“Upon arrival, we were immediately struck by”, “What I found most rewarding was…”
Ideas	Activities listed simply: swimming, jet skiing, visiting places	Deeper reflection: cultural immersion, genuine interaction, strengthening bonds, disconnecting from technology

Khi nói về những trải nghiệm đáng nhớ với bạn bè, bạn cũng có thể tham khảo How to talk about a time you were proud of a family member in IELTS Speaking để học thêm cách diễn đạt cảm xúc và mối quan hệ một cách sâu sắc.

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9

Thời lượng: 2.5-3 phút đầy đủ

I’d like to recount what I consider to be one of the most enriching travel experiences of my life – a backpacking adventure through northern Vietnam that I embarked on with two of my closest companions roughly eight months ago. This trip was particularly significant as it represented a long-overdue reunion; we’d all been caught up in the hustle and bustle of our respective careers and hadn’t had the opportunity to truly reconnect for nearly two years.

My travel companions were two friends I’d bonded with during university – we’d always shared a passion for off-the-beaten-path destinations and cultural immersion, so this trip was essentially the culmination of years of planning and dreaming. We meticulously mapped out an itinerary that would take us through several remote ethnic minority villages in Ha Giang province, an area that’s only recently opened up to tourism.

The journey itself was nothing short of transformative. We navigated winding mountain roads on motorbikes, which, while nerve-wracking at times, offered unparalleled views of the dramatic karst landscapes that Ha Giang is renowned for. What truly set this trip apart, however, was our deliberate decision to stay exclusively in homestays rather than hotels. This allowed us to forge genuine connections with local families and gain insights into their centuries-old traditions and ways of life that no guidebook could provide.

One particularly poignant moment that stands out in my memory occurred when we stayed with a Dao family in a village so remote it wasn’t even marked on our GPS. The family, despite their modest means, showed us extraordinary hospitality. We spent an evening learning about their intricate embroidery techniques – each pattern apparently carrying symbolic meaning passed down through generations. The grandmother, through our guide’s translation, shared stories of how tourism had brought both opportunities and challenges to their community. It was eye-opening to see development through their lens, rather than simply as observers.

Beyond the cultural richness, what made this trip truly exceptional was the profound effect it had on our friendship. There’s something about navigating challenges together – whether it’s getting thoroughly lost in mountain villages or braving torrential downpours without proper rain gear – that really cements bonds. We had countless heart-to-heart conversations while watching sunsets over the rice terraces, discussions about life direction and personal growth that our usual fast-paced urban existence rarely permits.

In retrospect, I realize this trip offered far more than just stunning Instagram photos or bragging rights. It was a humbling reminder of life’s simple pleasures and the richness of human connection across cultural boundaries. The experience has fundamentally shifted how I approach both travel and friendship – I now prioritize quality over quantity, seeking meaningful interactions rather than ticking off tourist attractions. Most importantly, it reinforced my belief that the best journeys aren’t just about the destinations you reach but the people you share them with and the person you become through the experience.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	8.5-9	Effortlessly fluent với sophisticated discourse markers. Ideas flow naturally với clear development. Coherence devices used skillfully (However, Beyond, In retrospect). Virtually no hesitation.
Lexical Resource	8.5-9	Exceptional range với precise word choice (enriching, transformative, poignant, intricate). Natural idiomatic language (caught up in, stands out, eye-opening). Collocations sophisticated và natural (navigate challenges, forge connections, cement bonds). Paraphrasing skillful.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	8.5-9	Full range of structures used naturally và flexibly (cleft sentences, inversion, participles, conditionals). Complex sentences maintained with accuracy. Error-free or errors so rare they’re barely noticeable.
Pronunciation	8.5-9	Clear với full range of pronunciation features used appropriately. Natural rhythm, stress, và intonation. Accent không impede understanding whatsoever.

Tại Sao Bài Này Xuất Sắc

🎯 Fluency Hoàn Hảo:
Bài nói demonstrates complete fluency với virtually no self-correction hay hesitation. Speaker uses sophisticated discourse markers một cách tự nhiên để structure ideas (I’d like to recount, What truly set this apart, Beyond the cultural richness, In retrospect). Transitions giữa các ideas smooth và logical, creating một narrative engaging và coherent.

📚 Vocabulary Tinh Vi:

• Ví dụ: “long-overdue reunion” thay vì “we haven’t met for a long time” – precise và idiomatic hơn
• Ví dụ: “meticulously mapped out an itinerary” thay vì “carefully planned” – showing sophistication
• Ví dụ: “forge genuine connections” thay vì “make friends” – more sophisticated expression
• Ví dụ: “poignant moment” cho emotional significance – vocabulary cho feelings nuanced hơn “memorable”
• Collocations natural: “dramatic karst landscapes”, “centuries-old traditions”, “torrential downpours”, “heart-to-heart conversations”

📝 Grammar Đa Dạng:

• Ví dụ: “What truly set this trip apart, however, was…” – cleft sentence để emphasize
• Ví dụ: “The family, despite their modest means, showed us…” – participle phrase với parenthetical information
• Ví dụ: “…each pattern apparently carrying symbolic meaning passed down through generations” – participle clause với embedded past participle
• Ví dụ: “There’s something about navigating challenges together… that really cements bonds” – complex structure với gerund và relative clause
• Mix tenses appropriately: past simple for narrative, past perfect cho earlier events, present perfect cho reflection

💡 Ideas Sâu Sắc:
Bài nói goes beyond surface description để explore deeper meaning. Speaker không chỉ describe what happened mà còn reflect on significance: “humbling reminder”, “fundamentally shifted how I approach”, “prioritize quality over quantity”. The conclusion ties everything together với philosophical reflection về the nature of travel và friendship, showing maturity of thought.

Nhóm bạn trẻ trekking qua ruộng bậc thang Sapa minh họa trải nghiệm du lịch đáng nhớ cho IELTS Speaking

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Follow-up Questions (Rounding Off Questions)

Examiner có thể hỏi thêm 1-2 câu ngắn sau Part 2 để transition sang Part 3:

Question 1: Would you like to go back to that place again?

Band 6-7 Answer:
Yes, definitely. I really enjoyed the trip and I think there are still many places we didn’t visit. I would like to go back with the same friends.

Band 8-9 Answer:
Absolutely, I’d jump at the chance to return. There’s so much more to explore, and honestly, now that we’ve established connections with the local families, it would be wonderful to revisit them and see how their lives have evolved. Plus, I think the experience would be even richer the second time around with our deeper understanding of the culture.

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Question 2: Do you think you’ll travel with these friends again?

Band 6-7 Answer:
Yes, I hope so. We’re already talking about our next trip. We want to visit Da Lat next time because we heard it’s very beautiful.

Band 8-9 Answer:
Without a doubt. In fact, this trip has become somewhat of a catalyst for us – we’ve now made it an annual tradition to carve out time for a journey together, regardless of how hectic our schedules become. We’re currently tossing around ideas for exploring lesser-known destinations in Southeast Asia, perhaps Laos or the rural highlands of Thailand.

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Tổng Quan Về Part 3

Part 3 kéo dài 4-5 phút và là phần thảo luận trừu tượng, sâu sắc hơn về chủ đề đã đề cập trong Part 2. Đây là nơi examiner đánh giá khả năng phân tích, so sánh, đánh giá và đưa ra quan điểm có lý lẽ của bạn. Yêu cầu cao nhất là bạn phải xem xét nhiều góc độ của vấn đề, thừa nhận complexity, và demonstrate critical thinking.

Chiến lược hiệu quả là mở rộng câu trả lời thành 3-5 câu với structure: Direct answer → Reason 1 + example → Reason 2 + example → Nuance/Conclusion. Sử dụng discourse markers tự nhiên như “Well”, “Actually”, “I think” để bắt đầu. Đưa ra examples từ xã hội, xu hướng chung, không chỉ kinh nghiệm cá nhân.

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam là trả lời quá ngắn (1-2 câu), thiếu phân tích sâu. Nhiều bạn không đưa ra lý lẽ rõ ràng hay examples convincing. Một vấn đề khác là thiếu từ vựng trừu tượng để discuss concepts như “social trends”, “economic impact”, “cultural values”. Cuối cùng, nhiều thí sinh có xu hướng chỉ nhìn một góc độ mà không acknowledge counterarguments hay complexity của issue.

Các Câu Hỏi Thảo Luận Sâu

Theme 1: Social and Cultural Impact

Question 1: How has tourism affected friendships in modern society?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Cause-Effect analysis – yêu cầu phân tích impact/effects
• Key words: “tourism”, “affected”, “friendships”, “modern society”
• Cách tiếp cận: Nêu overall view → positive effects + examples → potential negative effects → balanced conclusion

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

I think tourism has made friendships stronger in some ways. When people travel together, they spend a lot of time with each other and share experiences. This helps them understand each other better. For example, my friends and I became closer after our trip. However, sometimes tourism can be expensive, so not all friends can afford to travel together. This might create some problems in friendships.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Có basic organization: positive effect → example → negative effect
• Vocabulary: Adequate nhưng common (stronger, spend time, understand, expensive)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Ideas clear và relevant nhưng development limited. Vocabulary functional nhưng không sophisticated. Grammar mostly simple structures.

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

Well, I’d say tourism has had quite a profound impact on friendships in contemporary society, though the effects are rather multifaceted. On the positive side, shared travel experiences have become a powerful bonding mechanism – when friends navigate unfamiliar territories together, they’re essentially forging memories that strengthen their emotional connections. There’s also the aspect of mutual understanding that develops; traveling together often reveals different facets of people’s personalities that you might not see in daily interactions.

That being said, tourism has also introduced some interesting dynamics into friendships. The rise of social media has, to some extent, transformed travel from a genuine shared experience into a competitive display of experiences. Some people are more focused on curating the perfect Instagram post than actually being present with their friends. Additionally, economic disparities can create tension – not everyone can afford the same level of travel experiences, which might lead to feelings of exclusion or social pressure to participate in trips beyond one’s means.

On balance, though, I believe the net effect has been positive, as long as people approach it with the right mindset.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Well-organized: Direct answer → Reason 1 (bonding) + detailed explanation → Reason 2 (understanding) → Counterargument (negative aspects: social media, economics) với examples → Balanced conclusion
• Vocabulary: Precise và sophisticated (multifaceted, bonding mechanism, navigate unfamiliar territories, curating, economic disparities, feelings of exclusion)
• Grammar: Complex structures naturally used: relative clauses (that you might not see), conditionals (as long as people approach), participle phrases (traveling together)
• Critical Thinking: Shows balanced view bằng cách acknowledge both positive và negative aspects. Uses nuanced language (to some extent, on balance) để show sophistication.

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: Well, On the positive side, That being said, Additionally, On balance
• Tentative language: I’d say, quite, rather, to some extent – showing không absolute trong judgments
• Abstract nouns: bonding mechanism, mutual understanding, economic disparities, social pressure, net effect
• Collocations: profound impact, powerful bonding mechanism, forge memories, curating posts, feelings of exclusion

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Question 2: Why do you think group travel has become so popular among young people?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Cause/Reason analysis – giải thích tại sao một phenomenon xảy ra
• Key words: “group travel”, “popular”, “young people”
• Cách tiếp cận: Multiple reasons với examples và explanation cho mỗi reason

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

I think there are several reasons why young people like to travel in groups. First, it’s cheaper when you travel with friends because you can share costs like accommodation and transportation. Second, it’s more fun and safer than traveling alone. Young people can take care of each other. Also, social media makes people want to travel more because they see their friends posting nice photos from trips. This makes them want to have similar experiences.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear listing of reasons (First, Second, Also)
• Vocabulary: Basic và predictable (cheaper, fun, safer, nice photos)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Reasons are valid và clear nhưng lacking depth. Examples generic chứ không specific hay insightful.

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

There are several interconnected factors driving this trend, I believe. For one thing, group travel offers significant economic advantages – by pooling resources, young people can access experiences that might otherwise be financially out of reach. We’re talking about splitting accommodation costs, sharing transportation, and benefiting from group discounts at various attractions. This is particularly relevant for millennials and Gen Z, who are often dealing with student debt and entry-level salaries.

Beyond the financial aspect, I think there’s also a strong psychological component. Traveling in groups provides a sense of security and comfort, especially for those who might be venturing abroad for the first time. There’s safety in numbers, as the saying goes, and having friends around can alleviate anxiety about navigating foreign environments.

What’s more, we can’t ignore the influence of social media on this phenomenon. Travel has become increasingly performative – young people aren’t just seeking experiences; they’re seeking shareable moments. Group travel inherently provides more photo opportunities and dynamic content for platforms like Instagram and TikTok. The whole concept of FOMO – fear of missing out – really drives this behavior; people see their peers embarking on adventures and feel compelled to participate.

Lastly, I’d argue there’s a generational shift in values. Young people today prioritize experiences over possessions and view travel as a form of personal development and cultural education. Doing this with friends adds a social dimension that makes the experience richer and more meaningful.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Sophisticated organization: Economic reasons → Psychological reasons → Social media influence → Generational values. Each point thoroughly developed.
• Vocabulary: Wide range và precise (interconnected factors, pooling resources, financially out of reach, performative, shareable moments, compelled to participate)
• Grammar: Complex structures: participle phrases (dealing with student debt), relative clauses (who might be venturing abroad), cleft sentences (What’s more)
• Critical Thinking: Multi-dimensional analysis covering economic, psychological, social, và cultural factors. Shows depth of understanding về societal trends.

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: For one thing, Beyond, What’s more, Lastly
• Tentative language: I believe, I think, I’d argue – appropriate hedging
• Abstract nouns: interconnected factors, psychological component, influence, phenomenon, generational shift
• Topic-specific vocabulary: millennials, Gen Z, FOMO, performative, shareable moments

Để hiểu thêm về cách mô tả các địa điểm đặc biệt trong chuyến đi, bạn có thể tham khảo Describe a place that you visited that was unlike any other để học cách diễn đạt chi tiết và ấn tượng hơn.

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Theme 2: Economic and Practical Considerations

Question 1: Do you think traveling with friends is more economical than traveling alone?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Opinion + Comparison
• Key words: “economical”, “friends vs alone”
• Cách tiếp cận: State position → Compare aspects (accommodation, transport, food) → Acknowledge exceptions → Conclusion

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Yes, I think traveling with friends is usually cheaper. When you travel with friends, you can share the cost of hotels and taxis. For example, if four people share a hotel room, each person pays less. You can also cook together instead of eating at restaurants all the time. However, sometimes traveling alone can be cheaper if you stay in hostels or use budget airlines. It depends on your travel style.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear position → reasons with example → counterpoint
• Vocabulary: Basic financial vocabulary (cheaper, share cost, budget)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Logical comparison nhưng analysis không deep. Examples practical nhưng không sophisticated.

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

It’s a bit of a mixed bag, actually. On the surface, group travel certainly appears more cost-effective – you’re dividing expenses like accommodation and transportation, which can significantly reduce the per-person cost. For instance, renting an entire apartment through Airbnb and splitting it four ways is often considerably cheaper than booking separate hotel rooms. Similarly, chartering a private vehicle for a group can work out more economically than individual taxi fares.

However, the reality is more nuanced. Solo travelers often have access to accommodation options that groups don’t – like hostels or budget guesthouses with single occupancy discounts. They also have more flexibility to capitalize on last-minute deals or adjust their plans based on budget constraints without needing group consensus. There’s also the factor of spending dynamics – when you’re traveling with friends, there’s often implicit pressure to participate in activities or dining experiences that you might otherwise forgo if traveling alone.

From an economic standpoint, I’d say it ultimately depends on the destination, the type of accommodation you prefer, and your spending habits. If you’re disciplined about budgeting and choose destinations where shared resources make sense, group travel is definitely more economical. But if you’re someone who’s happy with bare-bones accommodations and doesn’t mind sacrificing comfort for cost savings, solo travel might actually be the more frugal option.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Nuanced response: Surface level analysis → Deeper reality → Multiple factors → Conditional conclusion
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated financial terms (cost-effective, per-person cost, economically, capitalize on, frugal option) và economic concepts
• Grammar: Complex conditionals, comparative structures, relative clauses used naturally
• Critical Thinking: Acknowledges complexity với “nuanced”, considers multiple scenarios, shows analytical thinking với conditional conclusion

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: Actually, On the surface, However, From an economic standpoint, Ultimately
• Hedging/Tentative language: It’s a bit of, often, I’d say, might
• Comparative structures: more cost-effective than, considerably cheaper, more economically
• Economic vocabulary: dividing expenses, per-person cost, budget constraints, spending dynamics, frugal option

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Question 2: What challenges might people face when traveling in a group?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Problem identification and explanation
• Key words: “challenges”, “traveling in a group”
• Cách tiếp cận: Identify multiple challenges → Explain each với examples/scenarios → Potential solutions nếu có thể

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

There are some problems when traveling in a group. First, people have different interests. Some people might want to visit museums while others want to go shopping. This can cause arguments. Second, it’s difficult to make decisions because everyone has different opinions. For example, choosing where to eat can take a long time. Also, some people might be late or slow, which can be annoying for others. These problems can make the trip less enjoyable.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear listing of problems với examples
• Vocabulary: Basic vocabulary (problems, difficult, annoying, less enjoyable)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Problems identified correctly và examples relevant, nhưng explanation lacks depth và vocabulary không sophisticated.

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

Group travel, while rewarding, certainly comes with its fair share of challenges. Perhaps the most prevalent issue is conflicting interests and preferences. When you have multiple people with distinct personalities and varying expectations, finding activities that appeal to everyone becomes quite logistically complex. You might have early risers who want to maximize daylight hours alongside night owls who prefer a more leisurely pace. These fundamental differences in travel styles can create tension if not addressed diplomatically.

Another significant challenge is decision-making paralysis. The more people involved, the more complicated even simple choices become. What should be a straightforward decision about where to have lunch can devolve into an exhausting negotiation where everyone’s trying to accommodate everyone else’s preferences. This decision fatigue can actually detract from the enjoyment of the trip.

Financial dynamics also pose challenges. Even among close friends, there can be unspoken discomfort around money. Some members of the group might have more disposable income and prefer upscale experiences, while others are budget-conscious and feel pressure to overspend to keep up. This economic disparity can create underlying tension that people are often reluctant to address openly.

Then there’s the issue of personal space and alone time. Constantly being around people, even close friends, can be draining for more introverted individuals. There’s a fine line between enjoying companionship and feeling suffocated by constant group activities. Without intentional breaks, people can become irritable and less patient with each other.

That said, I think most of these challenges are manageable with open communication and mutual respect. Setting clear expectations from the outset and being flexible can go a long way in mitigating these potential issues.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Highly organized: Challenge 1 (interests) with detailed explanation → Challenge 2 (decision-making) → Challenge 3 (financial) → Challenge 4 (personal space) → Solution-oriented conclusion
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated và precise (prevalent issue, conflicting interests, logistically complex, decision fatigue, economic disparity, underlying tension, suffocated)
• Grammar: Full range of complex structures: relative clauses, participle phrases, conditionals, passive voice used naturally
• Critical Thinking: Deep analysis of psychological, social, và practical challenges. Shows understanding of human dynamics. Offers balanced perspective với solution-focused ending.

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: Perhaps, Another, Then there’s, That said
• Abstract nouns: decision-making paralysis, decision fatigue, financial dynamics, economic disparity, underlying tension
• Idiomatic expressions: fair share of challenges, night owls, fine line, go a long way
• Tentative language: can be, might have, I think – showing appropriate hedging

Nhóm bạn trẻ đang ngồi thảo luận kế hoạch du lịch với bản đồ và điện thoại minh họa planning process

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Theme 3: Future Trends and Cultural Aspects

Question 1: How do you think social media has changed the way people travel with friends?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Change/Impact analysis
• Key words: “social media”, “changed”, “travel with friends”
• Cách tiếp cận: Identify key changes → Both positive và negative impacts → Examples từ real-world observations

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Social media has changed travel a lot. Now people take many photos during trips to post on Facebook and Instagram. They want to show their friends where they went and what they did. This makes people choose beautiful places that look good in photos. Sometimes people spend more time taking photos than enjoying the moment. But social media also helps people find new places to visit because they can see recommendations from friends.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear progression: change identified → behavior described → impact → positive aspect
• Vocabulary: Basic (changed a lot, beautiful places, look good)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Ideas relevant và logical nhưng analysis surface-level. Vocabulary functional nhưng không sophisticated.

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

Social media has fundamentally transformed the entire landscape of group travel in both beneficial and problematic ways. On one hand, it’s democratized travel planning – friends can now collaboratively curate itineraries through shared Pinterest boards or Google Maps, crowdsource recommendations from their social networks, and stay connected with other travelers in real-time. This collective intelligence has made travel more accessible and better informed.

However, there’s a more troubling dimension to this phenomenon. Social media has inadvertently turned travel into a performative activity. The focus has shifted from authentic experiences to Instagram-worthy moments. You see groups of friends visiting the same overexposed locations – what I call “Instagram landmarks” – not because they’re genuinely interested, but because they feel compelled to recreate photos they’ve seen online. This herd mentality has led to over-tourism in certain destinations while genuinely interesting but less photogenic places remain overlooked.

There’s also the phenomenon of digital distraction. Rather than being fully present with their friends, people are preoccupied with capturing content, editing photos, and monitoring engagement on their posts. I’ve observed groups where everyone’s glued to their phones, essentially experiencing the trip through a screen rather than through genuine interaction. The irony is that in trying to preserve memories, they’re actually missing out on creating meaningful ones.

What’s more, social media has created unrealistic expectations and comparison culture. Friends feel pressure to have trips that measure up to the carefully curated content they see online, which is often highly filtered and doesn’t reflect reality. This can lead to disappointment when actual experiences don’t match the idealized versions portrayed on social media.

That being said, I don’t think social media is entirely detrimental. When used mindfully, it can enhance rather than detract from the travel experience. The key is striking a balance between documenting and living the moment.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Sophisticated: Positive impacts first → Transition to problematic aspects → Specific phenomenon (performative travel) → Another issue (digital distraction) → Comparison culture → Balanced conclusion
• Vocabulary: Exceptional range (transformed landscape, democratized, crowdsource, performative, herd mentality, over-tourism, preoccupied with, curated content)
• Grammar: Full range naturally used: passive voice (has been transformed), conditionals (when used mindfully), relative clauses, participle phrases, cleft sentences
• Critical Thinking: Nuanced analysis showing deep understanding của societal impact. Acknowledges complexity với both positive và negative aspects. Uses specific terminology (Instagram landmarks, comparison culture) showing current awareness.

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: On one hand, However, What’s more, That being said
• Tentative language: I don’t think, can, often
• Abstract nouns: landscape, collective intelligence, performative activity, digital distraction, comparison culture, unrealistic expectations
• Advanced vocabulary: democratized, crowdsource, inadvertently, herd mentality, over-tourism, detrimental, striking a balance

Nếu bạn muốn tìm hiểu thêm về cách miêu tả những địa điểm thư giãn và giảm stress trong các chuyến đi, hãy đọc Describe a place where you go to de-stress để có thêm ý tưởng và từ vựng hữu ích.

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Question 2: In what ways might group travel be different in the future?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Future prediction and speculation
• Key words: “different”, “future”, “group travel”
• Cách tiếp cận: Identify current trends → Project future developments → Consider technology, society, environment factors

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

I think group travel will change in the future because of technology. People will probably use more apps to plan trips together and book things online. Virtual reality might let people see places before they visit. Also, I think people will care more about the environment, so they might choose eco-friendly options like trains instead of planes. Group travel will become easier and more convenient with better technology.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Future predictions với some supporting details
• Vocabulary: Basic future-related vocabulary (will change, might, probably)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Predictions reasonable nhưng lacking depth và specific examples. Grammar adequate với future forms nhưng không varied.

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

I believe we’re on the cusp of some quite radical changes in how groups approach travel. For starters, technology is likely to revolutionize the planning process. We’re already seeing the emergence of AI-powered travel assistants that can take into account multiple people’s preferences simultaneously and generate personalized itineraries. In the future, I imagine these systems will become even more sophisticated, perhaps using machine learning to predict group dynamics and suggest activities that minimize potential conflicts.

From an environmental perspective, I think we’ll see a significant shift towards more sustainable group travel. The growing awareness of climate change is already influencing how people think about travel, particularly long-haul flights. I anticipate more groups opting for slow travel – perhaps taking trains across countries or engaging in carbon-neutral experiences. There might also be a rise in local tourism or what’s called “staycations,” where groups explore their own regions more deeply rather than venturing abroad.

Virtual and augmented reality could also play a fascinating role. While nothing can truly replicate the experience of physical travel, these technologies might enable groups to virtually explore destinations together before committing, or even to share experiences remotely when physical travel isn’t feasible. Imagine a group of friends in different countries using VR to virtually tour a museum together in real-time.

Another trend I foresee is the diversification of group travel configurations. The pandemic has already shown us that remote work is viable, and I think we’ll see more digital nomad groups – people who work remotely while traveling together for extended periods. This blurs the lines between work and leisure in interesting ways.

What’s more, I believe there’ll be greater emphasis on experiential and meaningful travel rather than just ticking off tourist attractions. Groups might increasingly seek transformative experiences like volunteering trips, cultural immersion programs, or wellness retreats that offer personal growth alongside entertainment.

Of course, these are just informed speculations based on current trends, but I think the underlying theme is that group travel will become more personalized, more sustainable, and more technology-enabled while hopefully retaining the essential human connection that makes it meaningful.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Highly sophisticated: Technology changes → Environmental considerations → VR/AR impact → New configurations (digital nomads) → Experiential shift → Qualified conclusion
• Vocabulary: Exceptional với future-oriented vocabulary (on the cusp of, revolutionize, emergence, anticipate, foresee, informed speculations) và domain-specific terms (AI-powered, machine learning, carbon-neutral, digital nomads)
• Grammar: Full range: future forms varied (will become, might enable, could play, I imagine), conditionals, relative clauses, participle phrases used naturally
• Critical Thinking: Multi-dimensional future analysis covering technology, environment, society. Shows current awareness với trends like remote work và climate change. Qualified predictions với appropriate hedging.

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: For starters, From an environmental perspective, What’s more, Of course
• Future speculation language: I believe, likely to, I imagine, I anticipate, I foresee, might, could
• Abstract nouns: emergence, shift, awareness, diversification, underlying theme
• Topic-specific vocabulary: AI-powered, machine learning, carbon-neutral, slow travel, digital nomads, transformative experiences, wellness retreats

Từ vựng và cụm từ quan trọng

Topic-Specific Vocabulary

Từ vựng/Cụm từ	Loại từ	Phiên âm	Nghĩa tiếng Việt	Ví dụ	Collocation
backpacking adventure	n	/ˈbækˌpækɪŋ ədˈventʃə/	chuyến du lịch bụi, phiêu lưu ba lô	We embarked on a backpacking adventure through Southeast Asia.	go backpacking, backpacking trip, backpacking route, solo backpacking
off-the-beaten-path	adj	/ɒf ðə ˈbiːtən pɑːθ/	ngoài lối mòn, ít người biết đến	We prefer off-the-beaten-path destinations to crowded tourist spots.	off-the-beaten-path destination/location/place, venture off-the-beaten-path
immerse oneself in	v	/ɪˈmɜːs wʌnˈself ɪn/	đắm mình vào, hòa mình vào	We immersed ourselves in the local culture during our homestay.	immerse in culture, immerse in experience, deeply immersed, fully immerse
forge connections	v	/fɔːdʒ kəˈnekʃənz/	tạo dựng mối quan hệ	Traveling together helped us forge deeper connections with each other.	forge relationships, forge bonds, forge friendships, forge links
breathtaking scenery	n	/ˈbreθˌteɪkɪŋ ˈsiːnəri/	phong cảnh ngoạn mục	The mountain region offered breathtaking scenery at every turn.	breathtaking views, breathtaking landscape, absolutely breathtaking, truly breathtaking
spontaneous decision	n	/spɒnˈteɪniəs dɪˈsɪʒən/	quyết định tự phát, bất chợt	The trip was a spontaneous decision we made over coffee.	make a spontaneous decision, spontaneous trip, spontaneous moment, act spontaneously
coordinate schedules	v	/kəʊˈɔːdɪneɪt ˈʃedjuːlz/	điều phối lịch trình	It was difficult to coordinate everyone’s schedules for the trip.	coordinate plans, coordinate activities, coordinate efforts, successfully coordinate
homestay experience	n	/ˈhəʊmsteɪ ɪkˈspɪəriəns/	trải nghiệm ở nhà dân	The homestay experience gave us authentic insights into local life.	stay at a homestay, book a homestay, homestay accommodation, family homestay
cultural immersion	n	/ˈkʌltʃərəl ɪˈmɜːʃən/	sự đắm chìm văn hóa	The program focuses on cultural immersion rather than sightseeing.	cultural immersion program, deep cultural immersion, cultural immersion experience, total immersion
transformative experience	n	/trænsˈfɔːmətɪv ɪkˈspɪəriəns/	trải nghiệm chuyển đổi, thay đổi bản thân	The journey was a transformative experience that changed my perspective.	truly transformative, transformative journey, transformative power, deeply transformative
strengthen bonds	v	/ˈstreŋθən bɒndz/	củng cố mối quan hệ	Overcoming challenges together strengthened our bonds.	strengthen relationships, strengthen ties, strengthen friendship, bonds strengthen
navigate challenges	v	/ˈnævɪɡeɪt ˈtʃælɪndʒɪz/	vượt qua thử thách	We learned to navigate challenges together during the trip.	navigate difficulties, navigate obstacles, successfully navigate, navigate through
last-minute changes	n	/lɑːst ˈmɪnɪt ˈtʃeɪndʒɪz/	thay đổi vào phút chót	We had to make several last-minute changes to our itinerary.	make last-minute changes, last-minute booking, last-minute decision, last-minute plan
hidden gems	n	/ˈhɪdən dʒemz/	những địa điểm ẩn, viên ngọc ẩn	Local guides helped us discover hidden gems in the city.	discover hidden gems, uncover hidden gems, true hidden gem, hidden gem of a place
authentic local cuisine	n	/ɔːˈθentɪk ˈləʊkəl kwɪˈziːn/	ẩm thực địa phương đích thực	We sought out authentic local cuisine instead of tourist restaurants.	authentic experience, authentic food, try authentic cuisine, authentic local dishes
over-tourism	n	/ˈəʊvə ˈtʊərɪzəm/	hiện tượng du lịch quá tải	Many popular destinations are suffering from over-tourism.	combat over-tourism, effects of over-tourism, over-tourism problem, tackle over-tourism
digital nomad	n	/ˈdɪdʒɪtəl ˈnəʊmæd/	người làm việc từ xa và du lịch	Digital nomads can work from anywhere with internet connection.	digital nomad lifestyle, digital nomad community, become a digital nomad, digital nomad destination
carbon-neutral	adj	/ˈkɑːbən ˈnjuːtrəl/	trung hòa carbon	We tried to make our trip carbon-neutral by offsetting emissions.	carbon-neutral travel, carbon-neutral tourism, become carbon-neutral, carbon-neutral destination
economic disparity	n	/ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk dɪˈspærəti/	chênh lệch kinh tế	Economic disparities can create tension in group travel situations.	economic disparity between, growing economic disparity, economic disparity leads to, address economic disparity
decision fatigue	n	/dɪˈsɪʒən fəˈtiːɡ/	mệt mỏi vì quyết định quá nhiều	After days of planning, we experienced severe decision fatigue.	suffer from decision fatigue, avoid decision fatigue, decision fatigue sets in, combat decision fatigue

Idiomatic Expressions & Advanced Phrases

Cụm từ	Nghĩa	Ví dụ sử dụng	Band điểm
be on the cusp of	đang ở ngưỡng cửa của, sắp sửa có	We’re on the cusp of a revolution in how people approach group travel.	8-9
a blessing in disguise	một điều may mắn được ngụy trang	Getting lost turned out to be a blessing in disguise as we found amazing local spots.	7.5-8.5
get/be caught up in	bị cuốn vào, mải mê với	We’d been caught up in our busy work lives and needed a break.	7.5-8.5
step out of one’s comfort zone	bước ra khỏi vùng an toàn	Traveling with friends encourages you to step out of your comfort zone.	7-8
it’s a mixed bag	có cả tốt và xấu, không hoàn toàn tích cực hay tiêu cực	The experience was a mixed bag – wonderful moments alongside some challenges.	8-9
jump at the chance	nắm bắt cơ hội ngay lập tức	I’d jump at the chance to travel with them again.	7.5-8.5
make the most of	tận dụng tối đa	We wanted to make the most of our limited time together.	7-8
at the end of the day	xét cho cùng, cuối cùng thì	At the end of the day, what matters most is the time spent with friends.	7-8
toss around ideas	bàn bạc, thảo luận ý tưởng	We’re currently tossing around ideas for our next destination.	7.5-8.5
strike a balance	tìm sự cân bằng	It’s important to strike a balance between planning and spontaneity.	7.5-8.5
the hustle and bustle	sự hối hả nhộn nhịp	We wanted to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.	7-8
by word of mouth	truyền miệng	We found the best restaurants by word of mouth from locals.	7-8
carve out time	dành ra thời gian (từ lịch bận rộn)	We made it a priority to carve out time for annual trips together.	8-9
stumble upon	tình cờ phát hiện	We stumbled upon a hidden waterfall that wasn’t in any guidebook.	7.5-8.5

Discourse Markers (Từ Nối Ý Trong Speaking)

Để bắt đầu câu trả lời:

• 📝 Well,… – Dùng khi cần vài giây suy nghĩ hoặc khi câu trả lời không hoàn toàn straightforward: “Well, I’d say it depends on the situation…”
• 📝 Actually,… – Khi đưa ra góc nhìn khác hoặc correct một assumption: “Actually, I found traveling with friends more challenging than expected…”
• 📝 To be honest,… – Khi bạn muốn nói thật lòng, có thể là unpopular opinion: “To be honest, I sometimes prefer traveling alone…”
• 📝 I’d say that… – Soft way để đưa ra quan điểm: “I’d say that group travel requires more compromise…”

Để bổ sung ý:

• 📝 On top of that,… – Thêm vào đó: “On top of that, we also had to deal with weather issues…”
• 📝 What’s more,… – Hơn nữa, còn nữa: “What’s more, traveling in a group can be more economical…”
• 📝 Not to mention… – Chưa kể đến: “The scenery was breathtaking, not to mention the incredible food…”
• 📝 Beyond that,… – Ngoài ra: “Beyond that, there’s also the psychological benefit of shared experiences…”

Để đưa ra quan điểm cân bằng:

• 📝 On the one hand,… On the other hand,… – Một mặt… mặt khác: “On the one hand, group travel is fun, but on the other hand, it requires compromise…”
• 📝 While it’s true that…, we also need to consider… – Trong khi đúng là… thì ta cũng cần xem xét: “While it’s true that solo travel offers freedom, we also need to consider the benefits of companionship…”
• 📝 That being said,… / That said,… – Dù vậy, tuy nhiên: “I love traveling with friends. That said, everyone needs some alone time…”
• 📝 However,… / Nevertheless,… – Tuy nhiên: “Group travel is economical. However, it requires careful planning…”

Để kết luận:

• 📝 All in all,… – Tóm lại, nhìn chung: “All in all, I think the benefits outweigh the challenges…”
• 📝 At the end of the day,… – Cuối cùng thì, xét cho cùng: “At the end of the day, what matters most is the company…”
• 📝 On balance,… – Cân nhắc tất cả: “On balance, I believe group travel is more rewarding…”
• 📝 In retrospect,… – Nhìn lại: “In retrospect, that trip was one of the best decisions we made…”

Grammatical Structures Ấn Tượng

1. Conditional Sentences (Câu điều kiện):

Mixed conditional:

• Formula: If + past perfect, would + base verb (mixing time frames)
• Ví dụ: “If we hadn’t taken that spontaneous trip, we wouldn’t have the memories we cherish today.”
• Giải thích: Diễn tả giả định về quá khứ và kết quả ở hiện tại

Inversion for emphasis:

• Formula: Had + subject + past participle, subject + would have…
• Ví dụ: “Had we known about the weather, we would have packed differently.”
• Giải thích: Formal hơn và emphasize hơn standard conditional

2. Relative Clauses (Mệnh đề quan hệ):

Non-defining relative clauses:

• Formula: Noun, which/who + clause, verb…
• Ví dụ: “Sapa, which is known for its terraced rice fields, was our top destination.”
• Giải thích: Thêm thông tin không essential, tạo câu sophisticated

Reduced relative clauses:

• Formula: Noun + participle phrase
• Ví dụ: “The challenges faced during the trip actually strengthened our friendship.”
• Giải thích: Concise hơn, formal hơn

3. Passive Voice (Câu bị động):

Impersonal passive for opinions:

• Formula: It is thought/believed/said/considered that…
• Ví dụ: “It is widely believed that traveling with friends creates lasting bonds.”
• Giải thích: Formal way để present opinions như facts

Passive with reporting verbs:

• Formula: Subject + is said/thought/believed to + infinitive
• Ví dụ: “Group travel is said to be more economical than solo travel.”

4. Cleft Sentences (Câu chẻ):

What-cleft for emphasis:

• Formula: What + subject + verb + is/was…
• Ví dụ: “What I find most appealing about group travel is the shared experiences.”
• Giải thích: Emphasize một aspect cụ thể

It-cleft:

• Formula: It + be + emphasized element + that/who…
• Ví dụ: “It was the spontaneous moments that made the trip truly memorable.”

5. Inversion for emphasis:

• Formula: Not only + auxiliary + subject + verb, but also…
• Ví dụ: “Not only did the trip strengthen our bonds, but it also broadened our perspectives.”

6. Participle Clauses:

• Formula: Present/Past participle + clause, main clause
• Ví dụ: “Having traveled extensively, I can say that group trips offer unique benefits.”
• Ví dụ: “Exhausted from the journey, we decided to rest before exploring.”

Những chuyến đi cùng bạn bè thường mang lại nhiều kỷ niệm đặc biệt. Nếu bạn quan tâm đến việc mô tả các hoạt động từ thiện trong chuyến đi, hãy tham khảo Describe a time when you took part in a charity event để có thêm góc nhìn về những trải nghiệm có ý nghĩa.

Hy vọng bài viết này đã cung cấp cho bạn những insights và tools cần thiết để tự tin trả lời chủ đề “describe a time when you traveled with friends” trong IELTS Speaking. Hãy nhớ rằng, điều quan trọng nhất không phải là học thuộc câu trả lời mẫu, mà là hiểu được principles đằng sau những bài mẫu band cao để bạn có thể adapt và create câu trả lời authentic của riêng mình. Chúc bạn đạt band điểm như mong muốn!