Chủ đề về những chuyến đi không như dự định là một trong những đề bài thực tế và thú vị nhất trong IELTS Speaking. Đây không chỉ là cơ hội để bạn kể về trải nghiệm cá nhân mà còn cho phép examiner đánh giá khả năng diễn đạt về tình huống bất ngờ, cảm xúc phức tạp và cách xử lý vấn đề của bạn.
Theo thống kê từ các đề thi thực tế, chủ đề liên quan đến travel experiences xuất hiện với tần suất cao trong IELTS Speaking từ năm 2020 đến nay, đặc biệt là các câu hỏi về unexpected situations hoặc memorable trips. Dự đoán khả năng xuất hiện của chủ đề này trong tương lai vẫn ở mức cao, do tính practical và relatability của nó.
Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ học được:
- Các câu hỏi thường gặp trong cả 3 Part liên quan đến travel và unexpected situations
- Bài mẫu chi tiết theo nhiều band điểm từ 6-7, 7.5-8 đến 8.5-9 với phân tích sâu
- Hơn 50 từ vựng và cụm từ ăn điểm với phiên âm và cách dùng
- Chiến lược trả lời hiệu quả từ góc nhìn của một IELTS Examiner
- Những lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam và cách khắc phục
IELTS Speaking Part 1: Introduction and Interview
Tổng Quan Về Part 1
Part 1 kéo dài 4-5 phút với các câu hỏi ngắn về cuộc sống hàng ngày, sở thích và trải nghiệm cá nhân. Đặc điểm của phần này là examiner muốn tạo không khí thoải mái, đồng thời đánh giá khả năng giao tiếp tự nhiên của bạn.
Chiến lược quan trọng:
- Trả lời trực tiếp câu hỏi trong câu đầu tiên
- Mở rộng với lý do hoặc ví dụ cụ thể (2-3 câu là đủ)
- Sử dụng từ vựng đa dạng nhưng tự nhiên
- Không nói quá dài (mỗi câu trả lời khoảng 15-20 giây)
Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:
- Chỉ trả lời “Yes” hoặc “No” không giải thích thêm
- Dùng từ vựng quá đơn giản như “good”, “bad”, “like”, “don’t like”
- Không đưa ra ví dụ cụ thể từ kinh nghiệm bản thân
- Nói quá ngắn khiến examiner phải hỏi thêm nhiều câu
Các Câu Hỏi Thường Gặp
Question 1: Do you like traveling?
Question 2: What kind of places do you usually visit?
Question 3: Have you ever had a travel plan that changed unexpectedly?
Question 4: How do you usually plan your trips?
Question 5: Do you prefer traveling alone or with others?
Question 6: What do you usually do when things don’t go according to plan?
Question 7: Have you traveled to many different places?
Question 8: What’s your favorite way to travel?
Phân Tích và Gợi Ý Trả Lời Chi Tiết
Question: Do you like traveling?
🎯 Cách tiếp cận:
- Trả lời trực tiếp Yes/No
- Đưa ra lý do chính
- Thêm ví dụ hoặc frequency để cụ thể hóa
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“Yes, I like traveling very much. It helps me relax and see new places. I usually travel about twice a year with my family or friends.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Trả lời rõ ràng, có lý do cơ bản, đề cập frequency
- Hạn chế: Từ vựng đơn giản (like very much, relax, see new places), thiếu chi tiết cụ thể
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Đáp ứng yêu cầu cơ bản nhưng chưa impressive về vocabulary và development
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
“Absolutely! I’m quite passionate about traveling because it allows me to step out of my comfort zone and immerse myself in different cultures. Whenever I get the chance, usually a couple of times a year, I try to explore new destinations, whether it’s off-the-beaten-path villages or bustling cities.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh:
- Vocabulary đa dạng: “passionate about”, “step out of my comfort zone”, “immerse myself in”, “off-the-beaten-path”
- Cấu trúc phức tạp: “whenever I get the chance” (time clause), “whether…or…” (balanced structure)
- Ý tưởng cụ thể: đề cập cả loại địa điểm (villages vs cities)
- Tại sao Band 8-9: Fluent, natural expression với sophisticated vocabulary, varied grammar structures và detailed response
💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:
- passionate about: say mê, đam mê (thay cho “like very much”)
- step out of my comfort zone: bước ra khỏi vùng an toàn
- immerse myself in: đắm chìm, hòa mình vào
- off-the-beaten-path: hẻo lánh, ít người biết đến
Question: Have you ever had a travel plan that changed unexpectedly?
🎯 Cách tiếp cận:
- Trả lời Yes/No
- Đưa ra một ví dụ ngắn gọn (không cần kể chi tiết vì đây là Part 1)
- Nêu kết quả hoặc feeling
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“Yes, I have. Last year, I planned to go to Da Lat but the weather was bad, so we had to change our plan and went to a beach instead. It was still enjoyable though.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Có ví dụ cụ thể, đề cập reason và outcome
- Hạn chế: Vocabulary cơ bản (bad weather, change plan, enjoyable), grammar đơn giản
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate response nhưng chưa có sophistication
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
“Yes, definitely! Just a few months ago, I had booked a trip to Sapa, but due to unforeseen weather conditions – there was actually a landslide that blocked the main road – we had to make last-minute adjustments. We ended up exploring Ha Long Bay instead, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise as we discovered some hidden gems there.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh:
- Specific details: “landslide”, “blocked the main road”
- Advanced vocabulary: “unforeseen”, “make last-minute adjustments”, “blessing in disguise”, “hidden gems”
- Natural flow với connecting phrases
- Positive perspective về unexpected situation
- Tại sao Band 8-9: Demonstrates fluency, precise vocabulary, complex ideas và natural discourse
💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:
- unforeseen conditions: tình huống không lường trước được
- make last-minute adjustments: điều chỉnh vào phút chót
- blessing in disguise: điều may mắn ngụy trang (ban đầu nghĩ xấu nhưng hóa ra tốt)
- hidden gems: những viên ngọc ẩn (địa điểm tuyệt vời ít người biết)
Question: How do you usually plan your trips?
🎯 Cách tiếp cận:
- Mô tả process hoặc approach
- Có thể đề cập tools/resources sử dụng
- Giải thích tại sao plan theo cách đó
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“I usually search information on the Internet first, like reading blogs and reviews. Then I make a list of places I want to visit and book hotels online. I also check the weather forecast before going.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Clear process, mentions specific actions
- Hạn chế: Basic vocabulary (search information, make a list, check weather), thiếu personal touch
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate description nhưng lacks sophistication
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
“I tend to be quite meticulous when it comes to trip planning. I usually start by scouring travel forums and watching travel vlogs to get authentic insights from other travelers. Then I’ll draft a flexible itinerary – I don’t like being too rigid because half the fun is stumbling upon unexpected discoveries. I also make sure to book accommodations in advance while leaving room for spontaneous activities.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh:
- Personality insight: “meticulous”, “don’t like being too rigid”
- Sophisticated expressions: “scouring”, “authentic insights”, “draft a flexible itinerary”
- Balanced approach: planning vs spontaneity
- Complex sentences với multiple clauses
- Tại sao Band 8-9: Natural, personal, sophisticated vocabulary và nuanced ideas
💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:
- meticulous: tỉ mỉ, cẩn thận
- scouring: lục lọi, tìm kiếm kỹ lưỡng
- authentic insights: góc nhìn chân thực
- draft a flexible itinerary: phác thảo lịch trình linh hoạt
- stumbling upon: tình cờ phát hiện ra
- spontaneous activities: hoạt động tự phát
Học viên Việt Nam đang luyện tập trả lời câu hỏi IELTS Speaking Part 1 về chủ đề du lịch với giáo viên
IELTS Speaking Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)
Tổng Quan Về Part 2
Part 2 là phần quan trọng nhất của IELTS Speaking, chiếm thời lượng 3-4 phút (bao gồm 1 phút chuẩn bị và 2-3 phút nói). Đây là lúc bạn phải thể hiện khả năng độc thoại về một chủ đề cụ thể mà không bị ngắt lời.
Chiến lược thành công:
- Sử dụng đủ 1 phút chuẩn bị để ghi note (chỉ keywords, không viết câu hoàn chỉnh)
- Nói tối thiểu 1.5 phút, lý tưởng là 2 phút đầy đủ
- Trả lời đầy đủ TẤT CẢ các bullet points theo thứ tự
- Phần “explain” là quan trọng nhất để ghi điểm cao
- Sử dụng thì quá khứ nhất quán khi kể về sự kiện đã xảy ra
Lỗi thường gặp:
- Lãng phí thời gian chuẩn bị, ghi quá nhiều hoặc không ghi gì
- Nói dưới 1.5 phút khiến mất điểm Fluency
- Bỏ qua một hoặc nhiều bullet points
- Lạc đề, nói về chuyến đi khác không liên quan đến “didn’t go as expected”
- Không giải thích cảm xúc và reflection ở phần cuối
Cue Card
Describe A Trip You Planned But Didn’t Go As Expected
You should say:
- Where you planned to go
- What happened that changed your plan
- How you dealt with the situation
- And explain how you felt about this experience
Phân Tích Đề Bài
- Dạng câu hỏi: Describe an experience (kể về trải nghiệm cá nhân)
- Thì động từ: Quá khứ (past simple, past continuous, past perfect)
- Bullet points phải cover:
- Where you planned to go: Địa điểm dự định, có thể thêm when, with whom
- What happened: Sự việc bất ngờ xảy ra – đây là trọng tâm của đề
- How you dealt with it: Cách xử lý, quyết định thay đổi
- Explain how you felt: Cảm xúc ban đầu và sau đó – phần này chiếm 25-30% bài nói
- Câu “explain” quan trọng: Đây là nơi thể hiện critical thinking, emotional intelligence và reflection skills – những yếu tố giúp đạt Band 8+
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7
Thời lượng: Khoảng 1.5-2 phút
“I’d like to talk about a trip to Nha Trang that I planned last summer with my friends. We were so excited because we had been planning this trip for months. We wanted to go there to enjoy the beach and try seafood.
However, when we arrived at the train station, we found out that our train was cancelled because of technical problems. We were very disappointed and didn’t know what to do at first. We had already booked hotels and everything.
After discussing for a while, we decided to take a bus instead, even though it would take longer. The bus journey was quite uncomfortable because it was very hot and crowded. When we finally arrived in Nha Trang, it was already evening, so we missed the whole first day.
During the trip, the weather was also not good. It rained a lot, so we couldn’t go to the beach as much as we wanted. We spent most of our time in the hotel or visiting indoor places like shopping centers.
At first, I felt really frustrated because everything went wrong. But later, I realized that we still had a good time together. We tried different local food and talked a lot. Even though it wasn’t the trip we planned, we made good memories. I learned that sometimes unexpected things happen and we just need to make the best of the situation.”
Phân Tích Band Điểm
| Tiêu chí | Band | Nhận xét |
|---|---|---|
| Fluency & Coherence | 6-7 | Câu chuyện có cấu trúc rõ ràng, theo thứ tự thời gian. Sử dụng basic connectors (however, after, during, at first, but later). Có một số hesitation nhỏ và repetition (trip, planned). |
| Lexical Resource | 6-7 | Vocabulary adequate cho chủ đề (cancelled, disappointed, uncomfortable, frustrated). Có một số collocations (make the best of the situation, good memories) nhưng mostly common words. |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | 6-7 | Mix của simple và complex sentences. Sử dụng past perfect (had been planning, had already booked) đúng. Một số errors nhỏ có thể có nhưng không ảnh hưởng comprehension. |
| Pronunciation | 6-7 | Generally clear, có thể có Vietnamese accent nhưng không gây hiểu lầm. Word stress và sentence stress cơ bản đúng. |
Điểm mạnh:
- ✅ Trả lời đầy đủ tất cả các bullet points
- ✅ Có cấu trúc rõ ràng: intro → problem → solution → feelings
- ✅ Đủ độ dài (khoảng 1.5-2 phút)
- ✅ Có reflection và lesson learned ở cuối
Hạn chế:
- ⚠️ Vocabulary khá đơn giản và repetitive (very disappointed, very hot, good time)
- ⚠️ Thiếu descriptive details khiến câu chuyện chưa vivid
- ⚠️ Grammar structures chưa đa dạng, chủ yếu là simple past
- ⚠️ Emotions chưa được express một cách nuanced
📝 Sample Answer – Band 7.5-8
Thời lượng: Khoảng 2-2.5 phút
“I’d like to share an experience about a trip to Sapa that I had meticulously planned last winter. My friends and I had been looking forward to this adventure for months, as we wanted to trek through the terraced rice fields and immerse ourselves in the local minority culture.
Our original plan was to take an overnight train, which would get us there early in the morning, giving us a full day to explore. However, things started to go wrong right from the beginning. Due to unexpectedly heavy snowfall – which was quite rare for that time of year – our train was delayed by nearly six hours. This threw our entire itinerary off track.
When we finally arrived in Sapa, we were exhausted and had already missed the morning trekking tour we’d booked. The weather conditions were also far from ideal – it was freezing cold with thick fog, making it impossible to see the famous mountain views. Our guide informed us that the trekking routes were too dangerous to attempt because of the ice.
We had to quickly improvise and come up with a plan B. Instead of outdoor activities, we decided to visit local markets, explore the town center, and spend more time in homestays chatting with local families. We also tried traditional dishes like grilled bamboo-stuffed pork and corn wine that we probably wouldn’t have experienced if we’d stuck to our original schedule.
Looking back on this experience, I have mixed feelings. Initially, I was quite frustrated because we’d invested so much time and money into planning this perfect trip. However, as things unfolded, I came to realize that the unexpected detours actually made our trip more memorable and authentic. We had genuine interactions with locals instead of rushing through tourist spots. This experience taught me an important lesson about flexibility and embracing uncertainty – sometimes the best moments come from unplanned situations.”
Phân Tích Band Điểm
| Tiêu chí | Band | Nhận xét |
|---|---|---|
| Fluency & Coherence | 7.5-8 | Smooth delivery với minimal hesitation. Excellent use of discourse markers (However, Looking back, Initially). Story flows naturally với clear progression. |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5-8 | Wide range of vocabulary (meticulously planned, immerse ourselves, threw off track, improvise, detours). Good collocations (heavy snowfall, far from ideal, mixed feelings, genuine interactions). Less common vocabulary used appropriately. |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | 7.5-8 | Variety of complex structures: past perfect continuous (had been looking forward), conditional implications (wouldn’t have experienced if we’d stuck), relative clauses. Mostly error-free. |
| Pronunciation | 7.5-8 | Clear pronunciation với natural intonation patterns. Stress và rhythm gần native-like. |
So Sánh Với Band 6-7
| Khía cạnh | Band 6-7 | Band 7.5-8 |
|---|---|---|
| Vocabulary | “very disappointed”, “not good weather” | “frustrated”, “far from ideal”, “unexpectedly heavy snowfall” |
| Grammar | Mostly simple past: “We decided to take a bus” | Complex structures: “had been looking forward”, “wouldn’t have experienced if we’d stuck” |
| Ideas | Basic: “we still had a good time” | Nuanced: “mixed feelings”, “unexpected detours made trip more memorable and authentic” |
| Details | General: “tried different local food” | Specific: “grilled bamboo-stuffed pork”, “corn wine”, “chatting with local families in homestays” |
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9
Thời lượng: 2.5-3 phút đầy đủ
“I’d like to recount what turned out to be one of the most eye-opening travel experiences I’ve ever had – a trip to Con Dao Islands that went completely awry yet taught me invaluable lessons about adaptability and serendipity.
This was about a year ago when my partner and I decided to treat ourselves to a much-needed getaway after months of intense work pressure. Con Dao seemed like the perfect destination – pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and most importantly, away from the tourist hordes. We’d meticulously curated our itinerary, including diving sessions, hiking to historical sites, and unwinding at beachfront bungalows. Everything was booked and confirmed weeks in advance.
However, Murphy’s Law seemed to be in full effect from day one. Our initial flight was cancelled due to severe weather warnings – apparently a tropical storm was heading straight for the archipelago. After some frantic rebooking, we managed to get on a flight two days later, which meant we’d lost nearly half of our week-long vacation. But that was just the beginning. Upon arrival, we discovered that the storm, though not as severe as predicted, had caused significant damage to the coastal infrastructure. Our booked bungalow was temporarily closed for repairs, and most water activities were suspended until further notice.
Faced with this predicament, we had two choices: either sulk about the situation or make lemonade out of lemons. We chose the latter. Since diving was off the table, we decided to explore the island’s darker history – Con Dao was once a notorious prison during colonial times. We spent hours at the museum, spoke with elderly locals who shared their harrowing stories, and even discovered an old cemetery that wasn’t in any guidebook. We also struck up conversations with other stranded travelers at our guesthouse, which led to impromptu gatherings and shared meals. One evening, a local fisherman invited us to join his family for dinner, where we experienced genuine Vietnamese hospitality far removed from the commercial tourist experience.
Reflecting on this roller-coaster of a trip, my feelings have evolved considerably. Initially, I won’t lie, I was quite devastated – there’s something particularly crushing about having high expectations dashed. I’d been romanticizing this perfect beach escape, and reality seemed determined to burst that bubble. However, as we adapted and went with the flow, something remarkable happened. The trip became less about checking off bucket-list items and more about connecting with people and places on a deeper level.
What I took away from this experience is that sometimes the universe has different plans, and those unplanned detours often lead to the most profound discoveries. Had everything gone according to plan, we would have had a pleasant but ultimately forgettable beach vacation. Instead, we came back with stories that we still share, perspectives that challenged our worldview, and a renewed appreciation for embracing uncertainty. This trip fundamentally changed how I approach travel – I now deliberately build flexibility into my plans and try to view disruptions as opportunities rather than disasters. In many ways, the trip that went wrong ended up being exactly what I needed, even if it wasn’t what I wanted.”
Phân Tích Band Điểm
| Tiêu chí | Band | Nhận xét |
|---|---|---|
| Fluency & Coherence | 8.5-9 | Exceptional fluency với sophisticated discourse markers. Story unfolds naturally với logical progression và emotional arc. No noticeable hesitation. Perfect coherence với clear signposting of ideas. |
| Lexical Resource | 8.5-9 | Extensive vocabulary với precise usage: awry, serendipity, curated, archipelago, predicament, harrowing, impromptu, romanticizing. Natural idiomatic expressions (Murphy’s Law, make lemonade out of lemons, burst that bubble). Sophisticated collocations throughout. |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | 8.5-9 | Full range of structures used naturally: past perfect continuous, mixed conditionals, relative clauses, participle clauses. Complex sentences với multiple subordinate clauses. Virtually error-free. |
| Pronunciation | 8.5-9 | Native-like pronunciation với natural stress patterns, intonation và rhythm. Clear articulation of complex vocabulary. |
Tại Sao Bài Này Xuất Sắc
🎯 Fluency Hoàn Hảo:
Bài nói flows naturally như một câu chuyện thực sự, không có dấu hiệu của memorization hay hesitation. Sử dụng discourse markers một cách tinh tế (However, Faced with this predicament, Reflecting on, Initially, What I took away) để guide listener through the narrative arc.
📚 Vocabulary Tinh Vi:
- “awry” – đi trật đường ray (thay vì “went wrong”)
- “serendipity” – sự tình cờ may mắn (showing knowledge of abstract concepts)
- “meticulously curated” – chọn lọc tỉ mỉ (precise collocation)
- “Murphy’s Law” – định luật Murphy (cultural reference showing language depth)
- “harrowing stories” – những câu chuyện đau thương (emotive vocabulary)
- “romanticizing” – lý tưởng hóa (showing self-awareness)
- “burst that bubble” – vỡ mộng (idiomatic expression)
📝 Grammar Đa Dạng:
- Past perfect continuous: “I’d been romanticizing this perfect beach escape” – showing long duration leading to past moment
- Mixed conditional: “Had everything gone according to plan, we would have had…” – sophisticated hypothetical
- Participle clauses: “Faced with this predicament” – reducing wordiness
- Complex nominal groups: “an old cemetery that wasn’t in any guidebook” – multiple levels of modification
💡 Ideas Sâu Sắc:
Thay vì chỉ kể chuyện, candidate demonstrates:
- Self-reflection: thừa nhận initial disappointment trước khi realize valuable lessons
- Evolution of perspective: từ devastated → adapted → grateful
- Universal insights: “sometimes the universe has different plans”
- Practical application: changed approach to future travels
- Philosophical depth: disruptions as opportunities, not disasters
🎨 Storytelling Excellence:
- Clear structure: setup → complications → resolution → reflection
- Emotional journey: high expectations → disappointment → adaptation → gratitude
- Vivid details: specific places (Con Dao prison, cemetery), people (elderly locals, fisherman), food (shared meals)
- Humor và humility: “Murphy’s Law seemed to be in full effect”
- Authentic voice: “I won’t lie, I was quite devastated” – honest and relatable
Thí sinh tự tin trình bày bài nói IELTS Speaking Part 2 về chuyến đi không như dự kiến trước giám khảo
Follow-up Questions (Rounding Off Questions)
Sau khi bạn hoàn thành Part 2, examiner thường hỏi 1-2 câu ngắn để transition sang Part 3:
Question 1: Do you still travel to places you haven’t planned carefully?
Band 6-7 Answer:
“Yes, sometimes I do. I think it can be fun to be more spontaneous, although I still like to do some basic planning.”
Band 8-9 Answer:
“Absolutely! That experience actually opened my eyes to the beauty of spontaneous travel. While I still do preliminary research for practical reasons like accommodation and safety, I now deliberately leave room for improvisation. Some of my most cherished travel memories have come from unplanned detours and chance encounters.”
Question 2: Would you recommend others to visit Con Dao despite your experience?
Band 6-7 Answer:
“Yes, I would recommend it. Even though we had problems, the island is still beautiful and has interesting history.”
Band 8-9 Answer:
“Without hesitation! In fact, I’d recommend it even more so because of what happened. The island offers far more than just scenic beaches – it has profound historical significance and authentic local culture. I’d just advise travelers to keep an open mind and embrace whatever unfolds, rather than fixating on a rigid itinerary.”
IELTS Speaking Part 3: Two-way Discussion
Tổng Quan Về Part 3
Part 3 là phần thách thức nhất, kéo dài 4-5 phút với các câu hỏi trừu tượng và sâu sắc hơn. Examiner muốn đánh giá khả năng analysis, critical thinking và discussion skills của bạn. Đây là nơi phân biệt Band 6-7 và Band 8-9.
Yêu cầu quan trọng:
- Phân tích vấn đề từ nhiều góc độ (not just personal opinion)
- So sánh và đối chiếu (compare/contrast)
- Đưa ra reasons có logic và examples từ society (không chỉ cá nhân)
- Thừa nhận complexity của issues (show nuanced thinking)
Chiến lược hiệu quả:
- Mở rộng mỗi câu trả lời đến 3-5 câu (30-45 giây)
- Structure: Direct answer → Reason 1 + example → Reason 2 + example → Conclusion/Qualification
- Sử dụng discourse markers để organize ideas
- Show balanced views: “On one hand… On the other hand…”
- Không sợ say “It depends…” và explain different scenarios
Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:
- Trả lời quá ngắn (1-2 câu) như Part 1
- Chỉ nói về personal experience thay vì societal perspective
- Không có clear reasoning và examples
- Thiếu từ vựng abstract và academic
- Không show critical thinking
Các Câu Hỏi Thảo Luận Sâu
Theme 1: Planning and Flexibility
Question 1: Why do you think some people prefer to plan their trips carefully while others prefer spontaneous travel?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Compare and contrast different preferences (Reason question)
- Key words: “some people…while others” – cần compare hai groups
- Cách tiếp cận: Explain motivations của cả hai groups, có thể mention personality types hoặc life circumstances
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“I think it depends on people’s personality. Some people like to plan because they feel more comfortable when they know what will happen. They don’t like surprises. Other people prefer to be spontaneous because they think it’s more exciting and they can be more flexible. Also, younger people might be more spontaneous than older people.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Có compare hai groups nhưng còn basic
- Vocabulary: Common words (comfortable, surprises, exciting, flexible)
- Ideas: Mentions personality và age nhưng chưa develop deeply
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate response nhưng lacks sophistication và depth
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:
“Well, I think this really boils down to fundamental differences in personality types and life circumstances. On one hand, meticulous planners tend to be people who derive comfort from certainty – they might have demanding careers where every minute counts, so they want to maximize the value of their limited vacation time. These individuals often view travel as an investment that requires strategic planning to ensure they hit all the highlights and avoid potential pitfalls.
On the other hand, spontaneous travelers are often those who crave novelty and thrive on unpredictability. They might be in life stages with more flexible schedules – perhaps freelancers, students, or people on sabbaticals – which allows them to embrace serendipity. There’s also a psychological aspect: some research suggests that spontaneous experiences often create more lasting memories because they engage our emotions more intensely than predictable ones.
That said, it’s rarely black and white – most people fall somewhere on a spectrum, and their approach might vary depending on the destination or who they’re traveling with. For instance, someone might meticulously plan a family trip with children but be more spontaneous when traveling solo.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Perfect organization: Introduces main idea → Group 1 với reasons → Group 2 với reasons → Nuanced conclusion với spectrum thinking
- Vocabulary: Sophisticated expressions: “boils down to”, “derive comfort from”, “maximize value”, “crave novelty”, “thrive on unpredictability”, “embrace serendipity”
- Grammar: Complex structures: relative clauses (who crave novelty), conditional implications (might be more spontaneous when), noun clauses (some research suggests that…)
- Critical Thinking:
- Considers personality AND life circumstances
- Mentions psychological research
- Shows nuanced thinking: “rarely black and white”, “spectrum”
- Provides context-dependent variations
💡 Key Language Features:
- Discourse markers: “Well”, “On one hand”, “On the other hand”, “That said”
- Tentative language: “tend to be”, “might be”, “often”, “suggests”
- Abstract nouns: “certainty”, “unpredictability”, “serendipity”, “sabbaticals”, “spectrum”
- Academic tone: “fundamental differences”, “psychological aspect”, “engage our emotions more intensely”
Question 2: Do you think careful planning always leads to better travel experiences?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Opinion với “always” – cần qualify và show exceptions
- Key words: “always” (absolute term), “better experiences” (subjective)
- Cách tiếp cận: Disagree với absolute statement, explain pros and cons of planning, give balanced view
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“I don’t think careful planning always leads to better experiences. Sometimes planning too much can make the trip stressful because you have to follow the schedule strictly. Also, if something unexpected happens, you might be disappointed. But planning is still important for booking hotels and transportation. So I think we need balance between planning and being flexible.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Has opinion và some reasons
- Vocabulary: Basic (stressful, follow schedule, unexpected, disappointed)
- Ideas: Mentions stress và disappointment, suggests balance
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate points nhưng not fully developed
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:
“Not necessarily – I’d actually argue that excessive planning can be counterproductive. While having a basic framework is certainly valuable, particularly for logistical necessities like accommodation and transportation, over-planning can paradoxically diminish the travel experience in several ways.
First, there’s what psychologists call the ‘expectation-reality gap’. When we plan meticulously, we often build up idealized mental images of how things should unfold. This can set us up for disappointment when reality inevitably differs. I’ve seen travelers who were so fixated on their Pinterest-perfect itinerary that they couldn’t appreciate the actual moment because it didn’t match their expectations.
Moreover, rigid planning can blind us to serendipitous opportunities. Some of the most transformative travel experiences happen when you stumble upon a local festival, get invited to someone’s home, or discover a hidden gem that’s not in any guidebook. If you’re constantly rushing to tick off checklist items, you’ll likely miss these organic encounters that often define a trip.
However, I’m not advocating for complete spontaneity either – that can lead to logistical nightmares and unnecessary stress. The sweet spot seems to be what I’d call ‘intentional flexibility’ – having a loose structure with plenty of breathing room for the unexpected. This approach allows you to capitalize on opportunities without the anxiety of having no plan at all.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Sophisticated: States qualified opinion → Explains psychological concept với example → Adds second dimension → Balances với counterpoint → Proposes nuanced solution
- Vocabulary: Advanced: “counterproductive”, “logistical necessities”, “paradoxically diminish”, “fixated on”, “serendipitous”, “transformative”, “organic encounters”, “capitalize on opportunities”
- Grammar: Variety: cleft sentence (what psychologists call), conditional (If you’re constantly rushing…), present participle (having a loose structure)
- Critical Thinking:
- References psychological concept (expectation-reality gap)
- Uses metaphor (Pinterest-perfect)
- Acknowledges multiple perspectives
- Proposes balanced solution (intentional flexibility)
- Shows depth of analysis
Theme 2: Dealing with Unexpected Situations
Question 3: What skills do people need when dealing with unexpected situations during travel?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Identify and explain skills
- Key words: “skills” (plural), “unexpected situations”
- Cách tiếp cận: List 2-3 main skills, explain why each is important with examples
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“I think people need several skills. First, they need to be calm and not panic when problems happen. Second, they should be able to communicate well, especially if they’re in a foreign country. Third, problem-solving skills are important so they can think of solutions quickly. These skills help travelers handle difficult situations better.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Clear listing of skills
- Vocabulary: Basic skill descriptions
- Development: Minimal explanation of why these skills matter
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Addresses question but lacks depth
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:
“I think navigating unexpected travel situations requires a multifaceted skill set, but I’d highlight three critical competencies.
First and foremost is emotional regulation – the ability to keep your cool under pressure. When flights get cancelled or accommodations fall through, panic is your worst enemy. People who can maintain composure are far more likely to think clearly and identify viable solutions rather than getting paralyzed by anxiety. This is essentially emotional intelligence in action.
Secondly, adaptability and creative problem-solving are crucial. This means thinking outside the box when Plan A fails – maybe taking a bus instead of a train, improvising accommodation with locals, or completely overhauling your itinerary. The most successful travelers I’ve observed are those who view obstacles as puzzles to solve rather than insurmountable barriers.
Finally, cross-cultural communication skills become absolutely vital, particularly when traveling internationally. This isn’t just about language proficiency – though that certainly helps – but also about reading social cues, understanding cultural norms around asking for help, and having the humility to accept assistance from strangers. I’ve noticed that travelers who approach locals with genuine respect and curiosity typically receive far more support than those who become demanding or culturally insensitive when stressed.
Underlying all of these is what I’d call resilience or mental flexibility – fundamentally, it’s about reframing setbacks as part of the adventure rather than catastrophes that ruin everything.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Exemplary: Introduction với overview → Skill 1 với detailed explanation → Skill 2 với rationale → Skill 3 với nuance → Overarching principle
- Vocabulary: Sophisticated: “multifaceted skill set”, “emotional regulation”, “keep your cool”, “paralyzed by anxiety”, “overhauling”, “insurmountable barriers”, “cultural norms”, “reframing setbacks”
- Grammar: Complex: relative clauses (who view obstacles as), comparative (more likely to…rather than), gerunds as subjects (understanding cultural norms)
- Critical Thinking:
- Categorizes skills clearly
- Explains psychological mechanisms (emotional intelligence, reframing)
- Distinguishes between surface skills và deeper competencies
- Uses observational evidence (travelers I’ve observed)
- Synthesizes with overarching concept (resilience)
Question 4: How has technology changed the way people deal with travel problems?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Change over time, cause-effect
- Key words: “technology”, “changed”, “deal with problems”
- Cách tiếp cận: Compare past vs present, explain specific technologies và impacts, có thể mention both benefits và drawbacks
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“Technology has made traveling much easier now. In the past, people had to go to travel agencies or ask locals for help, but now we can use smartphones to find information instantly. We can use apps to book hotels, translate languages, and find directions. Also, we can contact people easily through social media or messaging apps if we have problems. So technology gives us more solutions when unexpected things happen.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Past vs present comparison
- Vocabulary: Common tech terms (smartphones, apps, social media)
- Ideas: Lists benefits but doesn’t analyze deeply
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Clear but lacks sophistication
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:
“Technology has fundamentally revolutionized travel problem-solving in ways that would have seemed unimaginable just a generation ago. The transformation has been profound on multiple levels.
Most obviously, instant access to information has become a game-changer. When I think about travelers even 20 years ago, if their hotel fell through, they’d be literally wandering streets looking for ‘vacancy’ signs or relying on the goodwill of strangers for recommendations. Now, with real-time booking platforms like Booking.com or Airbnb, you can secure alternative accommodation within minutes, complete with reviews, photos, and instant confirmation. This has essentially eliminated much of the anxiety around accommodation emergencies.
Communication barriers have also been dramatically reduced. Translation apps like Google Translate, while not perfect, have empowered travelers to navigate situations in languages they don’t speak. I’ve witnessed travelers in remote Vietnamese villages using voice-to-text translation to explain medical issues to doctors – something that would have been impossibly daunting in the pre-smartphone era.
However, I think there’s a double-edged sword here. While technology provides safety nets and solutions, it may also be eroding certain travel skills and authentic problem-solving experiences. When you can instantly Google your way out of any situation, you might miss out on the character-building aspects of figuring things out yourself or connecting with locals for assistance. There’s something valuable in that friction that I worry we’re losing.
Additionally, over-reliance on technology creates new vulnerabilities. What happens when your phone dies, you lose internet connection in a remote area, or digital payment systems fail? Travelers who’ve become overly dependent on tech might find themselves more helpless than their predecessors who had to develop offline resourcefulness.
So while technology has undeniably expanded our problem-solving toolkit, I think the most effective modern travelers are those who balance tech-savvy approaches with traditional skills like reading maps, learning basic phrases, and cultivating interpersonal connections.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Masterful: Sets up transformation → Major benefit 1 with before/after → Major benefit 2 with example → Critical evaluation (double-edged sword) → Negative consequences → Balanced conclusion
- Vocabulary: Excellent range: “revolutionized”, “unimaginable”, “game-changer”, “empowered”, “daunting”, “double-edged sword”, “eroding”, “friction”, “resourcefulness”, “tech-savvy”
- Grammar: Full range: conditional (would have seemed), perfect infinitive (to have developed), present participle (using voice-to-text), rhetorical questions
- Critical Thinking:
- Historical perspective (20 years ago)
- Specific examples (Booking.com, Google Translate, remote Vietnamese villages)
- Acknowledges complexity: not just positive but also drawbacks
- Philosophical dimension: character-building, authentic experiences
- Balanced conclusion: integration rather than extreme position
- Shows awareness of unintended consequences
Giám khảo IELTS đang lắng nghe và đánh giá thí sinh trả lời câu hỏi thảo luận sâu trong Speaking Part 3
Theme 3: Tourism and Travel Trends
Question 5: Why do you think travel has become so popular in recent years?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Causes/reasons question
- Key words: “become popular”, “recent years” (implies trend analysis)
- Cách tiếp cận: Identify multiple factors (economic, social, technological), explain each with examples
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“Travel has become popular for several reasons. First, airplanes are now cheaper than before, so more people can afford to fly. Second, people have more money now, especially in developing countries. Third, social media makes people want to travel because they see beautiful photos from their friends. Also, young people today value experiences more than buying things, so they prefer to spend money on travel.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Lists reasons clearly
- Vocabulary: Adequate but simple (cheaper, afford, social media, value experiences)
- Ideas: Valid points but not deeply analyzed
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Addresses question with relevant ideas but lacks sophistication
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:
“The explosive growth in travel over the past few decades can be attributed to a perfect storm of economic, technological, and cultural factors that have converged to make travel more accessible and desirable than ever before.
Economically, the democratization of air travel through budget airlines has been transformative. What was once a luxury reserved for the affluent has become accessible to the middle class and even budget-conscious travelers. In Vietnam, for instance, the proliferation of carriers like VietJet and Bamboo Airways has slashed domestic flight costs, making weekend getaways feasible for ordinary families. Simultaneously, rising disposable incomes in emerging economies have created an unprecedented travel boom, particularly in Asia.
Technologically, the digital revolution has removed numerous friction points in travel planning. The process that once required travel agents, phone calls, and physical tickets can now be completed on your phone in minutes. This reduction in transactional complexity has lowered the psychological barriers to travel – it’s simply easier to be spontaneous now.
However, I think the most profound shift has been cultural and generational. There’s been a fundamental reorientation in value systems, particularly among millennials and Gen Z, who increasingly prioritize experiential consumption over material possessions. This is partly driven by social media’s amplification of travel experiences – seeing peers’ adventures creates both FOMO (fear of missing out) and social capital incentives to travel. Travel has become a form of self-expression and identity construction.
Additionally, globalization has fostered curiosity about other cultures. As the world becomes more interconnected through business, education, and media, people naturally want to experience firsthand what they’ve encountered virtually. There’s also been a wellness movement that frames travel as essential for mental health – a form of self-care and personal development rather than mere indulgence.
So it’s really a multifaceted phenomenon – economic accessibility meeting technological enablement, amplified by cultural shifts that have elevated travel from luxury to lifestyle essential.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Exceptional: Thesis statement với preview → Economic factors với specific examples → Technological factors → Cultural factors (most profound) → Additional dimension (globalization và wellness) → Synthesis
- Vocabulary: Sophisticated: “explosive growth”, “perfect storm”, “converged”, “democratization”, “affluent”, “proliferation”, “slashed”, “friction points”, “transactional complexity”, “reorientation”, “FOMO”, “amplification”, “multifaceted phenomenon”
- Grammar: Advanced structures: passive constructions, relative clauses, nominalization (the reduction in complexity), participle phrases (seeing peers’ adventures)
- Critical Thinking:
- Categorizes causes systematically (economic, technological, cultural)
- Provides specific examples (VietJet, millennials, FOMO)
- Shows hierarchy of importance (“most profound shift”)
- Connects macro trends (globalization) to individual motivation
- Analyzes underlying psychology (social capital, identity construction)
- Synthesizes into cohesive explanation
Question 6: What are the disadvantages of more people traveling?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Problems/negative effects
- Key words: “disadvantages” (plural – expect multiple issues)
- Cách tiếp cận: Identify different categories of problems (environmental, cultural, economic), provide examples
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“There are some disadvantages when too many people travel. First, it’s bad for the environment because airplanes produce pollution and tourist areas become dirty. Second, popular places become too crowded, which makes the experience less enjoyable. Third, tourism can damage local culture because places become too commercial and lose their authenticity. Also, tourism can make prices higher for local people.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Clear listing of disadvantages
- Vocabulary: Basic descriptions (bad for environment, pollution, crowded, damage culture)
- Ideas: Valid concerns but not elaborated
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Covers main points but lacks depth and sophistication
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:
“While the travel boom has brought numerous benefits, it’s also creating significant challenges that we can no longer ignore – these range from environmental to sociocultural issues.
Most pressingly, there’s the environmental toll. Air travel is one of the most carbon-intensive activities an individual can undertake, and the exponential growth in passenger numbers is exacerbating climate change at an alarming rate. Beyond carbon emissions, we’re seeing ecosystems buckling under tourist pressure – coral reefs damaged by divers, hiking trails eroded, wildlife disturbed. The paradox is that people often travel to experience natural beauty, yet their collective presence threatens to destroy what they came to see.
Culturally, mass tourism often leads to what anthropologists call ‘staged authenticity’ – where local cultures become commodified and performed for tourist consumption rather than lived genuinely. I’ve witnessed this in places like Sapa, where traditional minority cultures are increasingly packaged as tourist spectacles. While tourism can provide economic opportunities, it can also erode cultural practices as communities adapt to tourist expectations rather than maintaining authentic traditions. There’s a real risk of cultural homogenization where distinctive local characteristics are smoothed away to appeal to international visitors.
Economically, overtourism creates a phenomenon called the ‘tourist trap effect’. Destinations become so popular that prices inflate dramatically, pricing out local residents from their own neighborhoods. We’ve seen this in cities like Venice or Barcelona, where locals can barely afford housing due to the proliferation of short-term rentals catering to tourists. This can create resentment and social tension between residents and visitors.
There’s also the issue of tourism dependency, which makes economies vulnerable to shocks – as we saw dramatically during COVID-19 when destinations reliant on tourism faced economic devastation overnight. This lack of economic diversification can be problematic.
I think addressing these challenges requires thoughtful regulation – things like visitor caps, environmental protection measures, sustainable tourism certifications, and ensuring that tourism revenue genuinely benefits local communities rather than leaking to international corporations. The goal should be regenerative tourism that leaves places better than it found them, rather than extractive tourism that depletes resources and commodifies culture.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Masterful: Preview → Environmental impacts with examples → Cultural impacts with specific location and anthropological concept → Economic impacts with multiple dimensions → Concluding solution-oriented paragraph
- Vocabulary: Excellent range: “carbon-intensive”, “exacerbating”, “buckling under pressure”, “staged authenticity”, “commodified”, “erode”, “homogenization”, “proliferation”, “devastation”, “regenerative vs extractive”
- Grammar: Full sophistication: relative clauses, participle phrases, passive voice, noun clauses, comparative structures
- Critical Thinking:
- Uses academic concepts (staged authenticity, overtourism, tourist trap effect)
- Identifies paradox (travel to see beauty but destroy it)
- Provides specific examples (Sapa, Venice, Barcelona, COVID-19)
- Shows systemic thinking (dependency, vulnerability)
- Differentiates between types of tourism (regenerative vs extractive)
- Proposes solutions (not just problems)
- Shows awareness of complexity (economic benefits vs cultural erosion)
Từ vựng và cụm từ quan trọng
Topic-Specific Vocabulary
| Từ vựng/Cụm từ | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| go awry | phrasal verb | /əˈraɪ/ | đi trật đường ray, không như mong muốn | Our carefully planned trip went completely awry when the flight was cancelled. | plans go awry, things go awry |
| unforeseen circumstances | noun phrase | /ˌʌnfɔːˈsiːn ˈsɜːkəmstænsɪz/ | hoàn cảnh không lường trước | We had to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances. | due to unforeseen circumstances, face unforeseen circumstances |
| throw off track | idiom | /θrəʊ ɒf træk/ | làm trật đường ray, phá vỡ kế hoạch | The delayed train completely threw our itinerary off track. | throw plans off track, throw schedule off track |
| last-minute adjustments | noun phrase | /lɑːst ˈmɪnɪt əˈdʒʌstmənts/ | điều chỉnh vào phút chót | We had to make several last-minute adjustments to our trip. | make last-minute adjustments, require last-minute adjustments |
| blessing in disguise | idiom | /ˈblesɪŋ ɪn dɪsˈɡaɪz/ | điều may mắn ngụy trang, hóa ra lại tốt | Missing that flight was a blessing in disguise – we discovered a wonderful town. | turn out to be a blessing in disguise, prove to be a blessing in disguise |
| hidden gem | idiom | /ˈhɪdn dʒem/ | viên ngọc ẩn, địa điểm tuyệt vời ít người biết | We stumbled upon a hidden gem – a small café with amazing views. | discover a hidden gem, uncover hidden gems |
| meticulous planning | noun phrase | /məˈtɪkjələs ˈplænɪŋ/ | lập kế hoạch tỉ mỉ | Despite meticulous planning, things still went wrong. | require meticulous planning, involve meticulous planning |
| improvise | verb | /ˈɪmprəvaɪz/ | ứng biến, làm ngay lập tức | When the hotel was overbooked, we had to improvise accommodation. | improvise solutions, improvise plans, learn to improvise |
| resilient | adjective | /rɪˈzɪliənt/ | kiên cường, có khả năng phục hồi | Travelers need to be resilient when facing setbacks. | resilient traveler, remain resilient, become more resilient |
| adaptability | noun | /əˌdæptəˈbɪləti/ | khả năng thích nghi | Travel requires a high degree of adaptability. | demonstrate adaptability, show adaptability, test one’s adaptability |
| serendipity | noun | /ˌserənˈdɪpəti/ | sự tình cờ may mắn | The best discoveries often happen through serendipity. | experience serendipity, embrace serendipity, moment of serendipity |
| bucket-list destination | noun phrase | /ˈbʌkɪt lɪst ˌdestɪˈneɪʃn/ | điểm đến trong danh sách mơ ước | Visiting Ha Long Bay has been my bucket-list destination. | bucket-list destination, add to bucket list, cross off bucket list |
| off the beaten path | idiom | /ɒf ðə ˈbiːtn pɑːθ/ | hẻo lánh, không phổ biến với du khách | We prefer exploring places off the beaten path. | travel off the beaten path, venture off the beaten path |
| tourist trap | noun | /ˈtʊərɪst træp/ | bẫy du khách (nơi đắt đỏ, chất lượng kém) | That restaurant is just a tourist trap with overpriced food. | avoid tourist traps, fall into tourist traps, classic tourist trap |
| pristine beaches | noun phrase | /ˈprɪstiːn ˈbiːtʃɪz/ | bãi biển nguyên sơ | The island is famous for its pristine beaches. | pristine beaches, pristine nature, pristine environment |
| immerse oneself in | phrasal verb | /ɪˈmɜːs wʌnˈself ɪn/ | đắm chìm, hòa mình vào | We wanted to immerse ourselves in the local culture. | immerse yourself in culture, immerse in experience |
| curate an itinerary | verb phrase | /kjuˈreɪt ən aɪˈtɪnərəri/ | chọn lọc, sắp xếp lịch trình | I carefully curated an itinerary covering all highlights. | curate itinerary, curate experience, carefully curated |
| venture out | phrasal verb | /ˈventʃər aʊt/ | mạo hiểm đi ra, khám phá | We decided to venture out into unexplored areas. | venture out alone, venture out early, venture into unknown |
| culture shock | noun | /ˈkʌltʃər ʃɒk/ | sốc văn hóa | Many travelers experience culture shock initially. | experience culture shock, suffer from culture shock, overcome culture shock |
| wanderlust | noun | /ˈwɒndəlʌst/ | thèm khát du lịch, khao khát khám phá | I’ve always had a strong sense of wanderlust. | satisfy wanderlust, fuel wanderlust, overcome with wanderlust |
Idiomatic Expressions & Advanced Phrases
| Cụm từ | Nghĩa | Ví dụ sử dụng | Band điểm |
|---|---|---|---|
| make lemonade out of lemons | biến điều xấu thành tốt | When our hotel closed, we made lemonade out of lemons by staying with locals. | 8-9 |
| roll with the punches | chấp nhận và thích nghi với khó khăn | Good travelers know how to roll with the punches. | 7.5-8 |
| silver lining | mặt tích cực của tình huống xấu | The silver lining was we discovered better restaurants. | 7-8 |
| at the drop of a hat | ngay lập tức, không cần chuẩn bị | She can pack and travel at the drop of a hat. | 7.5-8 |
| step out of one’s comfort zone | rời khỏi vùng an toàn | Traveling alone forces you to step out of your comfort zone. | 7-8 |
| hit the ground running | bắt đầu năng động ngay lập tức | We arrived and hit the ground running with our sightseeing. | 7.5-8 |
| go with the flow | thuận theo tình hình | Sometimes you just have to go with the flow when traveling. | 6-7 |
| think on your feet | xử lý tình huống nhanh | Travel teaches you to think on your feet. | 7-8 |
| make the most of something | tận dụng tối đa | We made the most of the situation despite the rain. | 6-7 |
| on the spur of the moment | tự phát, không kế hoạch | We booked tickets on the spur of the moment. | 7.5-8 |
| a stone’s throw away | rất gần | The beach was just a stone’s throw away from our hotel. | 7-8 |
| get off the beaten track | đi đến nơi ít người biết | We love getting off the beaten track to find authentic experiences. | 7.5-8 |
Discourse Markers (Từ Nối Ý Trong Speaking)
Để bắt đầu câu trả lời:
- 📝 Well,… – Dùng khi cần thời gian suy nghĩ ngắn: “Well, I think it really depends…”
- 📝 Actually,… – Khi đưa ra góc nhìn có thể surprising: “Actually, I found it quite liberating”
- 📝 To be honest,… – Khi nói thật lòng: “To be honest, I was devastated at first”
- 📝 I’d say that… – Khi đưa ra opinion: “I’d say that flexibility is more important than planning”
- 📝 From my perspective,… – Góc nhìn cá nhân: “From my perspective, these setbacks made the trip memorable”
Để bổ sung ý:
- 📝 On top of that,… – Thêm ý quan trọng: “On top of that, we also missed our connecting flight”
- 📝 What’s more,… – Thêm thông tin: “What’s more, the hotel had no available rooms”
- 📝 Not to mention… – Chưa kể: “Not to mention the language barrier we faced”
- 📝 Beyond that,… – Xa hơn nữa: “Beyond that, there’s the environmental impact”
- 📝 Moreover,… – Hơn nữa (formal): “Moreover, technology has removed many barriers”
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… – Tuy đúng là… nhưng cũng cần xem xét
- 📝 That said,… – Dù vậy thì: “That said, planning still has its place”
- 📝 Having said that,… – Nói như vậy nhưng: “Having said that, some structure is necessary”
- 📝 Then again,… – Nhưng mặt khác: “Then again, too much spontaneity can be stressful”
Để kết luận:
- 📝 All in all,… – Tóm lại: “All in all, it was a valuable learning experience”
- 📝 At the end of the day,… – Cuối cùng thì: “At the end of the day, memories matter most”
- 📝 In the grand scheme of things,… – Nhìn tổng thể: “In the grand scheme of things, these problems were minor”
- 📝 Looking back,… – Nhìn lại: “Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing”
- 📝 In retrospect,… – Khi xem lại: “In retrospect, the mishaps made the trip more interesting”
Để show uncertainty/qualification:
- 📝 To some extent,… – Ở một mức độ nào đó
- 📝 It depends on… – Tùy thuộc vào
- 📝 I would argue that… – Tôi cho rằng (khi present opinion as argument)
- 📝 It seems to me that… – Dường như với tôi
- 📝 One could argue that… – Có thể lập luận rằng
Grammatical Structures Ấn Tượng
1. Conditional Sentences (Câu điều kiện):
Mixed conditional (Past situation → Present result):
- Formula: If + past perfect, would/could/might + base verb
- Ví dụ: “If we had stuck to our original plan, we wouldn’t have those amazing memories now.”
Inversion in conditionals:
- Formula: Had + subject + past participle…
- Ví dụ: “Had we known about the storm, we would have postponed the trip.”
2. Relative Clauses (Mệnh đề quan hệ):
Non-defining relative clauses:
- Formula: …, which/who/where + verb,…
- Ví dụ: “We stayed in a homestay, which turned out to be the highlight of our trip.”
Reduced relative clauses:
- Ví dụ: “Travelers facing unexpected situations often develop resilience.” (who face → facing)
3. Passive Voice (Câu bị động):
Impersonal passive:
- Formula: It is thought/believed/said/considered that…
- Ví dụ: “It is widely believed that spontaneous travel leads to more authentic experiences.”
Advanced passive with modals:
- Ví dụ: “The trip could have been ruined by the weather, but we adapted.”
4. Cleft Sentences (Câu chẻ):
What-cleft (emphasize action/object):
- Formula: What + subject + verb + is/was…
- Ví dụ: “What I found most valuable was learning to adapt to unexpected situations.”
It-cleft (emphasize specific information):
- Formula: It + be + focus + that/who…
- Ví dụ: “It was the unplanned detours that made our trip truly memorable.”
5. Participle Clauses:
Present participle:
- Ví dụ: “Having experienced several travel mishaps, I’ve learned to stay calm.”
Past participle:
- Ví dụ: “Faced with this dilemma, we had to make a quick decision.”
6. Inversion for emphasis:
Negative inversion:
- Ví dụ: “Never have I experienced such a challenging yet rewarding trip.”
- Ví dụ: “Not only did we miss our flight, but we also lost our luggage.”
7. Wish/If only structures:
Về quá khứ:
- Formula: I wish/If only + past perfect
- Ví dụ: “I wish we had checked the weather forecast more carefully.”
8. Would rather/prefer constructions:
Complex preferences:
- Ví dụ: “I’d rather have an unpredictable adventure than a perfectly planned but boring trip.”
9. Nominalisation (Danh từ hóa):
Thay vì dùng verb/adjective, dùng noun form để sound more formal:
- Verb → Noun: “When we adapted…” → “Our adaptation to the situation…”
- Adjective → Noun: “Travelers are flexible…” → “Flexibility is essential for travelers…”
10. Hypothetical past:
- Ví dụ: “The trip could have been a disaster, but turned out to be the best experience.”
- Ví dụ: “We might have given up, but instead we chose to persevere.”
Bảng tổng hợp từ vựng IELTS Speaking chủ đề du lịch và xử lý tình huống bất ngờ với phiên âm
Chiến Lược Chuẩn Bị Hiệu Quả
Lời Khuyên Từ Examiner
Với hơn 20 năm kinh nghiệm chấm thi IELTS Speaking, tôi nhận thấy những thí sinh đạt điểm cao nhất không phải là người học thuộc lòng mẫu câu, mà là người có những đặc điểm sau:
1. Natural Communication:
- Nói như đang conversation thật, không như đang đọc essay
- Có self-correction tự nhiên: “I mean…”, “What I’m trying to say is…”
- Sử dụng fillers một cách hợp lý: “Well”, “You know”, “I mean”
- Có facial expressions và body language phù hợp
2. Personal Stories với Specific Details:
Thay vì nói chung chung: “The trip was good”
→ Nói cụ thể: “I still remember the elderly fisherman who invited us for pho at 6 AM”
3. Vocabulary in Context:
Đừng cố nhồi nhét từ khó không phù hợp. Better to use common words correctly than sophisticated words incorrectly.
4. Show Thinking Process:
Examiners đánh giá cao khi bạn show how you think:
- “That’s an interesting question…”
- “Let me think about that…”
- “There are several aspects to consider…”
5. Acknowledge Complexity:
Thay vì đưa ra absolute statements, show nuanced thinking:
- “It’s not black and white…”
- “It depends on the context…”
- “There are both advantages and disadvantages…”
Lỗi Thường Gặp Của Học Viên Việt Nam
1. Over-preparing và memorization:
- Problem: Nghe như robot, không natural
- Solution: Prepare ideas và vocabulary, KHÔNG học thuộc câu hoàn chỉnh
2. Speaking quá nhanh:
- Problem: Nhiều errors, khó hiểu, mất điểm pronunciation
- Solution: Slow down, focus on clarity over speed
3. Vietnamese sentence structure:
- Problem: “I very like traveling” (áp dụng cấu trúc tiếng Việt)
- Solution: Practice thinking in English, không dịch từ tiếng Việt
4. Overuse của “very”, “very much”, “a lot”:
- Problem: Repetitive, không sophisticated
- Solution: Học synonyms và intensifiers: extremely, particularly, remarkably, incredibly
5. Không trả lời đúng câu hỏi:
- Problem: Nói về topic liên quan nhưng không address câu hỏi cụ thể
- Solution: Listen carefully, paraphrase câu hỏi trong câu đầu tiên của answer
6. Silent pauses quá lâu:
- Problem: Mất điểm Fluency
- Solution: Dùng fillers: “Well…”, “Let me see…”, “That’s a good question…”
7. Lack of examples:
- Problem: Nói abstract mà không có specific examples
- Solution: Always follow general statements với personal/societal examples
8. Negative body language:
- Problem: Không eye contact, looking down, anxious body language
- Solution: Maintain friendly eye contact, sit comfortably, treat như conversation
Lộ Trình Học Tập 4 Tuần
Tuần 1: Foundation
- Học 10 từ vựng/ngày related to travel topic
- Practice Part 1 questions (5 questions/day)
- Record yourself và listen back
- Focus: Fluency và basic vocabulary
Tuần 2: Development
- Practice Part 2 (1 cue card/day)
- Expand answers với specific details
- Learn discourse markers
- Focus: Structure và coherence
Tuần 3: Sophistication
- Practice Part 3 (4-5 questions/day)
- Incorporate advanced vocabulary và grammar
- Develop critical thinking
- Focus: Lexical resource và grammatical range
Tuần 4: Integration
- Full mock tests (cả 3 Parts)
- Get feedback từ teachers hoặc partners
- Work on pronunciation và intonation
- Focus: Polish delivery và confidence
Practice Activities
1. Voice Recording:
Record yourself answering questions, wait 1 day, listen lại và identify:
- Hesitations và errors
- Overused words
- Areas needing improvement
2. Shadowing:
Listen to native speakers discussing travel (podcasts, videos), repeat exactly their:
- Pronunciation
- Intonation patterns
- Natural expressions
3. Topic Journaling:
Viết về travel experiences bằng tiếng Anh, sau đó nói về chúng như đang answer IELTS questions.
4. Partner Practice:
Find study partner để practice mock interviews. Take turns being examiner và candidate.
5. Vocabulary Contextualization:
Với mỗi từ mới, create 3 different sentences trong contexts khác nhau, không chỉ học definition.
6. Question Prediction:
Với mỗi topic, brainstorm possible questions cho cả 3 Parts trước khi xem actual questions.
Tổng Kết
Chủ đề “describe a trip you planned but didn’t go as expected” là một trong những đề tài thực tế và có giá trị nhất trong IELTS Speaking. Nó không chỉ test khả năng ngôn ngữ mà còn assess emotional intelligence, problem-solving skills và perspective về cuộc sống.
Những điểm cốt lõi cần nhớ:
✅ Authenticity quan trọng hơn perfection: Examiners muốn hear real stories với genuine emotions, không phải perfect answers
✅ Vocabulary phải natural: Better to use common words correctly than sophisticated words awkwardly
✅ Structure là foundation: Clear organization với proper discourse markers makes understanding easier
✅ Examples make the difference: Specific, personal examples transform good answers into excellent ones
✅ Show your thinking: Acknowledge complexity, consider multiple perspectives, demonstrate critical thinking
✅ Practice deliberately: Focus on specific areas needing improvement, not just repeat what you’re already good at
✅ Relaxation enables performance: The more comfortable you are, the better you’ll communicate
Hãy nhớ rằng IELTS Speaking đánh giá khả năng giao tiếp thực tế của bạn, không phải khả năng thuộc mẫu câu. Những thí sinh thành công nhất là những người treat exam như một cuộc trò chuyện thú vị với examiner về experiences và ideas của mình.
Chủ đề về unexpected travel situations đặc biệt valuable vì nó reflects real-life skills mà bất kỳ ai cũng cần: adaptability, resilience, và ability to find positives trong challenging circumstances. Những qualities này shine through khi bạn nói một cách chân thành về trải nghiệm của mình.
Cuối cùng, đừng quá stress về việc đạt band điểm hoàn hảo. Focus vào continuous improvement, enjoy the learning process, và remember that language proficiency develops over time với consistent practice. Mỗi lần practice là một bước tiến gần hơn đến mục tiêu của bạn.
Chúc bạn thành công trong kỳ thi IELTS Speaking và may mắn trong tất cả các chuyến đi – dù có planned hay unplanned!
