Trong thời đại công nghệ số bùng nổ, chủ đề về ứng dụng di động đã trở thành một trong những đề tài phổ biến nhất trong kỳ thi IELTS Speaking. Đặc biệt, câu hỏi “Describe An App That You Use Every Day” xuất hiện với tần suất cao trong các kỳ thi từ năm 2020 đến nay, và dự đoán sẽ tiếp tục có mức độ phổ biến cao trong tương lai gần do sự phát triển không ngừng của công nghệ.
Chủ đề này thường được khai thác ở nhiều góc độ khác nhau: công dụng của ứng dụng, tác động đến cuộc sống hàng ngày, sự phụ thuộc vào công nghệ, và xu hướng phát triển của các ứng dụng trong tương lai. Examiner đánh giá cao những thí sinh có khả năng miêu tả chi tiết về một ứng dụng cụ thể, giải thích rõ ràng lý do sử dụng, và phân tích được ảnh hưởng của nó đến bản thân cũng như xã hội.
Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ học được: câu hỏi thực tế xuất hiện trong cả 3 phần thi Speaking, bài mẫu chi tiết theo từng band điểm 6-7, 7.5-8, và 8.5-9, kho từ vựng chuyên ngành về công nghệ và ứng dụng di động, cùng với chiến lược trả lời hiệu quả từ góc nhìn của một IELTS Examiner chính thức. Đây là cơ hội để bạn nắm vững cách xử lý một chủ đề vô cùng thực tế và dễ ghi điểm nếu biết cách khai thác đúng hướng.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: Introduction and Interview
Tổng Quan Về Part 1
Part 1 kéo dài 4-5 phút với những câu hỏi ngắn gọn về cuộc sống hàng ngày và sở thích cá nhân. Đây là phần “khởi động” để giúp bạn thư giãn và quen với giọng nói của examiner. Chiến lược quan trọng nhất là trả lời tự nhiên, mở rộng câu trả lời với 2-3 câu (không chỉ Yes/No), và đưa ra ví dụ cụ thể từ kinh nghiệm bản thân.
Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam trong Part 1:
- Trả lời quá ngắn gọn, chỉ một câu đơn giản
- Sử dụng từ vựng cơ bản, lặp đi lặp lại
- Thiếu ví dụ minh họa thực tế
- Ngập ngừng quá nhiều vì cố gắng dùng từ phức tạp
- Không maintain eye contact với examiner
Các Câu Hỏi Thường Gặp
Question 1: Do you often use apps on your phone?
Question 2: What apps do you use most frequently?
Question 3: What was the first app you downloaded on your phone?
Question 4: Do you prefer free apps or paid apps?
Question 5: Have you ever recommended an app to your friends?
Question 6: Do you think people spend too much time on apps nowadays?
Question 7: What kind of apps are most popular in your country?
Question 8: Would you like to develop your own app in the future?
Phân Tích và Gợi Ý Trả Lời Chi Tiết
Question: Do you often use apps on your phone?
🎯 Cách tiếp cận:
- Trả lời trực tiếp có hay không
- Đưa ra tần suất cụ thể
- Giải thích ngắn gọn lý do
- Có thể kể tên 1-2 ứng dụng cụ thể
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
Yes, I use apps very often. I use them every day for many things like chatting with friends, watching videos, and checking social media. I think apps make my life easier and more convenient.
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Trả lời trực tiếp câu hỏi, có đưa ra ví dụ về mục đích sử dụng
- Hạn chế: Từ vựng khá đơn giản (very often, many things, easier), thiếu chi tiết cụ thể về ứng dụng nào, câu văn còn ngắn
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Đáp ứng được yêu cầu cơ bản, có mở rộng ý nhưng chưa sophisticated, từ vựng adequate nhưng chưa impressive
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
Absolutely! I’m pretty much glued to my phone throughout the day, and I’d say I’m constantly switching between different apps. From the moment I wake up, I check my fitness tracking app to review my sleep quality, then I move on to productivity apps like Notion for work planning, and of course, I’m heavily reliant on messaging apps like Zalo to stay connected with friends and colleagues. I suppose like most people my age, I’ve become quite app-dependent in managing various aspects of my daily routine.
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh:
- Vocabulary phong phú: “glued to”, “switching between”, “heavily reliant on”, “app-dependent”
- Cấu trúc đa dạng: từ phức (From the moment…), mệnh đề quan hệ (apps like Zalo to stay…)
- Ví dụ cụ thể và chi tiết (Notion, fitness tracking, Zalo)
- Có personal reflection (I suppose like most people my age…)
- Tại sao Band 8-9:
- Fluency: Smooth, natural flow với discourse markers (Absolutely, and of course, I suppose)
- Vocabulary: Collocations mạnh (heavily reliant on, app-dependent, fitness tracking app)
- Grammar: Complex sentences, perfect tenses
- Ideas: Thoughtful, relatable, với concrete examples
💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:
- glued to something: dính chặt vào cái gì đó, không rời mắt
- switch between: chuyển đổi qua lại giữa các thứ
- heavily reliant on: phụ thuộc nhiều vào
- app-dependent: phụ thuộc vào ứng dụng
- productivity apps: các ứng dụng năng suất
Question: What was the first app you downloaded on your phone?
🎯 Cách tiếp cận:
- Nhớ lại ứng dụng đầu tiên (hoặc tạo một câu chuyện hợp lý)
- Giải thích tại sao chọn ứng dụng đó
- Mô tả trải nghiệm ban đầu
- Có thể so sánh với hiện tại
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
I think the first app I downloaded was Facebook. I downloaded it when I first got a smartphone because all my friends were using it. At that time, I was very excited to use it and check what my friends were doing.
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Có câu trả lời cụ thể, giải thích được lý do, có yếu tố thời gian
- Hạn chế: Từ vựng basic (very excited, check what my friends were doing), thiếu detail về cảm xúc hoặc impact
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Communicative và clear nhưng lack sophistication trong vocabulary và ideas
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
If memory serves me correctly, the first app I eagerly downloaded was Instagram, and this was probably about seven years ago when I got my hands on my first smartphone. I was instantly hooked because it offered such a visually appealing way to keep up with my friends’ lives through photos rather than just text. What really struck me at the time was how different it felt from traditional social media – it was more about visual storytelling than lengthy status updates. Looking back now, it’s amusing to see how that one simple download sparked my interest in photography and even influenced my content consumption habits over the years.
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh:
- Opening phrase sophisticated: “If memory serves me correctly”
- Collocations xuất sắc: “eagerly downloaded”, “got my hands on”, “instantly hooked”, “visual storytelling”
- Time reference cụ thể: “seven years ago”
- Personal reflection sâu sắc: ảnh hưởng đến sở thích nhiếp ảnh và thói quen tiêu thụ nội dung
- So sánh với traditional social media
- Tại sao Band 8-9:
- Fluency: Perfectly coherent với natural transitions
- Vocabulary: Precise và idiomatic (struck me, sparked, content consumption habits)
- Grammar: Mixed tenses (past simple, present perfect), complex structures
- Pronunciation: Varied sentence stress với linking words
- Ideas: Thoughtful analysis of personal development
💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:
- if memory serves me correctly: nếu tôi nhớ không nhầm
- get one’s hands on: có được, sở hữu
- instantly hooked: bị cuốn hút ngay lập tức
- visually appealing: hấp dẫn về mặt thị giác
- visual storytelling: kể chuyện bằng hình ảnh
- spark interest: khơi dậy sở thích
- content consumption habits: thói quen tiêu thụ nội dung
Question: Do you think people spend too much time on apps nowadays?
🎯 Cách tiếp cận:
- Đưa ra opinion rõ ràng (Yes/No hoặc It depends)
- Giải thích với examples
- Acknowledge cả positive và negative aspects
- Có thể đưa ra personal experience
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
Yes, I think many people use apps too much today. They spend many hours on their phones checking social media and playing games. This is bad for their health and they waste time. However, some apps are useful for work and study.
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Opinion rõ ràng, có mention cả negative và positive sides
- Hạn chế: Vocabulary repetitive và simple (many, use too much, bad for health), thiếu depth trong analysis
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate communication nhưng lacks sophistication và nuanced thinking
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
Well, I’d say it’s a bit of a double-edged sword, to be honest. On one hand, there’s definitely a concerning trend of excessive screen time, particularly with addictive social media platforms that are deliberately designed to keep users engaged for as long as possible. I’ve noticed many people, myself included sometimes, mindlessly scrolling through apps without any real purpose, which can really eat into valuable time that could be spent on more meaningful activities. On the other hand, we shouldn’t paint all app usage with the same brush – many apps genuinely enhance productivity and facilitate learning. For instance, language learning apps or meditation apps can be incredibly beneficial. So I suppose the issue isn’t the apps themselves, but rather how we manage our digital consumption and maintain a healthy balance.
Tương tự như cách describe a time when you learned something outside of school yêu cầu khả năng phản ánh về trải nghiệm học tập, việc thảo luận về thời gian sử dụng ứng dụng cũng đòi hỏi sự cân nhắc nhiều góc độ.
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh:
- Balanced view với “double-edged sword”
- Discourse markers xuất sắc: “Well, On one hand, On the other hand, So I suppose”
- Collocations mạnh: “excessive screen time”, “mindlessly scrolling”, “eat into”, “meaningful activities”
- Personal admission: “myself included sometimes”
- Critical thinking: phân biệt apps vs. usage behavior
- Concrete examples: language learning, meditation apps
- Tại sao Band 8-9:
- Fluency: Highly fluent với tentative language (I’d say, I suppose)
- Vocabulary: Sophisticated và precise (double-edged sword, facilitate, digital consumption)
- Grammar: Complex sentences với relative clauses và conditionals
- Ideas: Nuanced, balanced perspective showing critical thinking
💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:
- double-edged sword: con dao hai lưỡi (có cả mặt tích cực và tiêu cực)
- excessive screen time: thời gian nhìn màn hình quá mức
- keep users engaged: giữ người dùng tương tác
- mindlessly scrolling: lướt (màn hình) một cách vô thức
- eat into: xâm chiếm, chiếm mất (thời gian)
- paint with the same brush: đánh đồng
- enhance productivity: nâng cao năng suất
- manage digital consumption: quản lý việc tiêu thụ nội dung số
Học viên đang luyện tập IELTS Speaking Part 1 về chủ đề ứng dụng di động
IELTS Speaking Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)
Tổng Quan Về Part 2
Part 2 là phần độc thoại kéo dài 2-3 phút, trong đó bạn có 1 phút chuẩn bị và ghi chú. Đây là phần quan trọng nhất để thể hiện khả năng nói liên tục và có tổ chức. Chiến lược hiệu quả bao gồm:
- Sử dụng đủ 1 phút để ghi chú keywords (không viết câu hoàn chỉnh)
- Nói đủ 2 phút, tối thiểu 1.5 phút
- Trả lời đầy đủ tất cả bullet points trên cue card
- Sử dụng thì hiện tại khi mô tả ứng dụng đang dùng
- Organize ý theo structure: What → How → Why → Feelings/Impact
Lỗi thường gặp:
- Không tận dụng hết thời gian chuẩn bị, vội bắt đầu nói
- Nói quá ngắn (dưới 1.5 phút)
- Bỏ sót bullet point “And explain…”
- Lặp lại từ vựng quá nhiều
- Không có conclusion tự nhiên
Cue Card
Describe an app that you use every day
You should say:
- What the app is
- What functions it has
- How you use it in your daily life
- And explain why this app is important to you
Phân Tích Đề Bài
- Dạng câu hỏi: Describe an object/technology
- Thì động từ: Hiện tại đơn và hiện tại hoàn thành (vì đang sử dụng hàng ngày)
- Bullet points phải cover:
- Tên ứng dụng và loại ứng dụng (productivity/entertainment/social media…)
- Các chức năng chính (features and functions)
- Cách sử dụng trong routine hàng ngày (specific examples)
- Giải thích tầm quan trọng (impact on life/work/relationships)
- Câu “explain” quan trọng: Đây là phần ghi điểm cao nhất, cần thể hiện personal reflection và deeper meaning, không chỉ liệt kê features
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7
Thời lượng: Khoảng 1.5-2 phút
I’d like to talk about Google Maps, which is an app I use almost every day. It’s a navigation app that helps people find directions and locations.
This app has many useful functions. The main function is giving directions when you travel somewhere. It can show you the best route by car, motorbike, or even walking. It also tells you how long the journey will take and if there is any traffic jam. Another function I really like is that it can show restaurants, coffee shops, and other places near you. You can also read reviews from other people about these places.
I use this app in many situations in my daily life. When I need to go somewhere new, I always open Google Maps to find the way. For example, last week I had to go to a new office for a meeting, and I used the app to navigate there. I also use it when I want to find a good restaurant for lunch. Sometimes I use it just to check how long it takes to get somewhere before I leave my house.
This app is very important to me because I have a poor sense of direction. Without it, I would get lost very easily, especially in new areas. It saves me a lot of time because I don’t have to ask people for directions. It also makes me feel more confident when traveling to new places. I think it’s one of the most useful apps on my phone and I can’t imagine my life without it now.
Phân Tích Band Điểm
| Tiêu chí | Band | Nhận xét |
|---|---|---|
| Fluency & Coherence | 6-7 | Có structure rõ ràng theo bullet points, sử dụng linking words cơ bản (Another function, For example, Sometimes). Tuy nhiên thiếu advanced discourse markers và còn pause nhẹ ở một số chỗ |
| Lexical Resource | 6-7 | Vocabulary adequate và relevant (navigation app, traffic jam, reviews, poor sense of direction). Tuy nhiên chưa có collocations mạnh hoặc idiomatic expressions |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | 6-7 | Mix của simple và complex sentences. Có relative clauses (which is an app, when you travel). Tenses chính xác nhưng structures chưa đa dạng |
| Pronunciation | 6-7 | Clear và dễ hiểu, word stress đúng cho most common words |
Điểm mạnh:
- ✅ Cover đầy đủ cả 4 bullet points
- ✅ Có concrete examples (meeting ở office mới, tìm nhà hàng)
- ✅ Structure logic và dễ follow
- ✅ Personal connection ở phần explain
Hạn chế:
- ⚠️ Vocabulary khá repetitive (use, function, place)
- ⚠️ Thiếu sophisticated expressions
- ⚠️ Ideas còn surface-level, chưa deeply personal
- ⚠️ Không có impressive opening hoặc conclusion
📝 Sample Answer – Band 7.5-8
Thời lượng: Khoảng 2-2.5 phút
I’d like to describe Notion, which is a productivity app that has become absolutely indispensable in my daily routine. It’s essentially an all-in-one workspace that combines note-taking, task management, and database functions, and I honestly don’t know how I managed without it before.
In terms of functionality, Notion is incredibly versatile. At its core, it allows you to create different types of content pages – from simple to-do lists to complex project databases. What makes it stand out is its customizable interface, where you can design your own templates for various purposes. For instance, I’ve set up a content calendar for my work, a personal journal section, and even a reading list with my book reviews. The app also enables seamless collaboration with team members, which is particularly useful for group projects.
As for how I integrate it into my daily life, I’d say Notion has become my digital brain. Every morning, I start by checking my daily dashboard, which displays my top priorities and upcoming deadlines. Throughout the day, I jot down ideas, meeting notes, and random thoughts that pop into my head. I’ve also created a comprehensive knowledge base where I archive useful articles and resources I come across online. Before bed, I typically spend a few minutes reviewing what I’ve accomplished and planning ahead for the next day.
The reason this app is so crucial to me goes beyond just its practical features. It’s genuinely transformed the way I organize my life. Before discovering Notion, I used to feel quite overwhelmed juggling multiple apps for different purposes – one for notes, another for tasks, yet another for project management. Now everything is consolidated in one place, which has significantly reduced my mental clutter. More importantly, the process of organizing my thoughts and goals in Notion has helped me become more self-aware and intentional about how I spend my time. It’s not just a tool anymore; it’s become an extension of my thinking process.
Phân Tích Band Điểm
| Tiêu chí | Band | Nhận xét |
|---|---|---|
| Fluency & Coherence | 7.5-8 | Smooth delivery với natural pauses. Sử dụng advanced connectives (In terms of, As for, More importantly). Logic progression từ description → usage → significance |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5-8 | Wide range of vocabulary với collocations (absolutely indispensable, all-in-one workspace, seamless collaboration, digital brain, mental clutter, extension of thinking). Có less common words sử dụng chính xác |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | 7.5-8 | Variety of complex structures: relative clauses, participle clauses (Before discovering…), conditionals implied. Consistent control of tenses |
| Pronunciation | 7.5-8 | Clear articulation với good stress patterns và intonation variation |
So Sánh Với Band 6-7
| Khía cạnh | Band 6-7 | Band 7.5-8 |
|---|---|---|
| Vocabulary | navigation app, traffic jam, poor sense of direction | all-in-one workspace, indispensable, seamless collaboration, digital brain, mental clutter |
| Grammar | “It can show you…” “When I need to go…” | “Before discovering Notion, I used to feel…” “It’s not just a tool anymore; it’s become…” |
| Ideas | Practical usage (finding directions, restaurants) | Deeper reflection (transformed organization, reduced mental clutter, self-awareness) |
Màn hình điện thoại hiển thị giao diện ứng dụng Notion với các tính năng quản lý công việc
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9
Thời lượng: 2.5-3 phút đầy đủ
I’d like to talk about Spotify, a music streaming platform that has genuinely become woven into the fabric of my daily existence. It’s far more than just an app to me – it’s essentially my personal soundtrack curator and, in many ways, my emotional companion throughout the day.
In terms of its capabilities, Spotify is remarkably sophisticated. Obviously, its primary function is providing access to an extensive library of millions of songs across virtually every genre imaginable. But what truly sets it apart is its algorithm-driven recommendation system. The app learns your preferences over time and curates personalized playlists based on your listening history and mood. There’s this feature called “Discover Weekly” that consistently introduces me to hidden gems I would never have found otherwise. Additionally, it offers podcast integration, collaborative playlists where friends can contribute songs, and even a lyrics display function that comes in handy when you want to sing along or understand the meaning behind the words.
As for my daily interaction with it, I’d say Spotify accompanies me through virtually every activity. My routine typically starts with their “Daily Mix” playing while I’m getting ready in the morning – usually something upbeat to help me shake off the grogginess. During my commute, I immerse myself in podcasts about psychology and personal development, which transforms otherwise mundane travel time into something genuinely enriching. At work, I have carefully curated playlists for different tasks – ambient instrumental music when I need deep concentration, or something more energetic when I’m doing routine tasks. Even my evening wind-down involves Spotify, with their specially designed sleep playlists that help me transition into a more relaxed state.
Now, explaining why this app holds such significance for me requires delving a bit deeper. On a practical level, it’s incredibly cost-effective – for the price of one album, I get unlimited access to essentially the entire world of music. But the real value goes far beyond economics. Music has this profound ability to influence our emotional state, and Spotify has become my go-to tool for emotional regulation. Feeling stressed? There’s a playlist for that. Need motivation? Sorted. Want to reminisce? My “nostalgic hits” playlist is right there.
What’s more, I’ve found that the app has actually expanded my cultural horizons. Through its recommendations, I’ve discovered artists from countries I’d never heard of, genres I didn’t know existed, and musical traditions that have given me glimpses into different cultures. This kind of serendipitous discovery simply wasn’t possible before the streaming era.
Perhaps most significantly, Spotify has become a medium for connection in my relationships. My friends and I exchange playlists like we used to trade mix tapes back in the day, and there’s something quite intimate about sharing the songs that resonate with you at a particular moment in your life. It’s become our shared language, in a way.
So, to wrap up, while it might seem trivial to wax lyrical about a music app, for me, Spotify represents how technology, when done right, can genuinely enrich the human experience rather than detract from it.
Phân Tích Band Điểm
| Tiêu chí | Band | Nhận xét |
|---|---|---|
| Fluency & Coherence | 8.5-9 | Effortlessly fluent với sophisticated linking. Natural speech patterns với appropriate hesitation devices (I’d say, in a way). Perfectly coherent với clear topic development và recap |
| Lexical Resource | 8.5-9 | Wide và sophisticated vocabulary với natural collocations (woven into the fabric, emotional companion, sets it apart, shake off grogginess, delving deeper, wax lyrical). Idiomatic language (comes in handy, trade mix tapes). Precise và nuanced word choice |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | 8.5-9 | Full range of structures với complete accuracy. Complex sentences flow naturally: conditionals, relative clauses, participle phrases, inversion (Perhaps most significantly…). Variety of tenses integrated seamlessly |
| Pronunciation | 8.5-9 | Features consistent with native-like pronunciation: connected speech, appropriate sentence stress, varied intonation for emphasis |
Tại Sao Bài Này Xuất Sắc
🎯 Fluency Hoàn Hảo:
- Speech flows completely naturally như native speaker
- Sử dụng discourse markers tinh tế: “Now, explaining why…”, “What’s more…”, “Perhaps most significantly…”
- Không có unnatural pauses, chỉ có strategic pauses for emphasis
📚 Vocabulary Tinh Vi:
- Ví dụ: “woven into the fabric of my daily existence” – metaphor mạnh thay vì simply “important to my life”
- “emotional companion”, “soundtrack curator” – creative expressions
- “serendipitous discovery”, “wax lyrical” – sophisticated, less common phrases
- Natural collocations: “shake off grogginess”, “delving deeper”, “trade mix tapes”
📝 Grammar Đa Dạng:
- Ví dụ: “Music has this profound ability to influence our emotional state” – demonstrative + noun phrase
- “Through its recommendations, I’ve discovered artists from countries I’d never heard of” – relative clause với past perfect
- “It’s become our shared language, in a way” – present perfect với tentative ending
- Mixed conditionals và hypothetical language naturally integrated
💡 Ideas Sâu Sắc:
- Không chỉ describe features mà explore emotional và psychological impact
- Connection to broader themes: cultural exploration, emotional regulation, human relationships
- Personal reflection genuine và thoughtful
- Balanced perspective: practical benefits + deeper significance
- Philosophical ending về technology enriching human experience
Follow-up Questions (Rounding Off Questions)
Examiner có thể hỏi thêm 1-2 câu ngắn sau Part 2 để chuyển sang Part 3:
Question 1: Do you think you spend too much time on this app?
Band 6-7 Answer:
Maybe sometimes I use it too much, especially when I’m free. But I think it’s okay because it helps me relax and I enjoy listening to music.
Band 8-9 Answer:
That’s a fair question, and honestly, I do occasionally catch myself spending more time than intended browsing playlists rather than actually listening to them. However, I wouldn’t say it’s excessive to the point of being problematic because, unlike social media apps, it actually serves a functional purpose in my daily routine rather than just being a time sink. I’ve actually set up some self-imposed boundaries, like not using it during family meals, which helps me maintain a healthy relationship with the app.
Question 2: Would you recommend this app to others?
Band 6-7 Answer:
Yes, definitely. I think everyone who likes music should try it. It has many songs and it’s easy to use.
Band 8-9 Answer:
Without hesitation, yes. I’ve already converted quite a few friends to Spotify, actually. What I usually tell people is that while the free version is decent, the premium subscription is absolutely worth the investment if you’re someone who consumes a lot of audio content. The ad-free experience and offline download capability alone make it worthwhile. That said, I’d acknowledge it’s not for everyone – if someone primarily listens to very niche or local music, they might find other platforms more suitable.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: Two-way Discussion
Tổng Quan Về Part 3
Part 3 là phần thảo luận sâu kéo dài 4-5 phút, trong đó examiner sẽ đặt những câu hỏi trừu tượng và phức tạp hơn liên quan đến chủ đề Part 2. Đây là phần khó nhất và quan trọng nhất để phân biệt band điểm cao.
Yêu cầu:
- Phân tích, so sánh, đánh giá các vấn đề xã hội
- Đưa ra quan điểm cá nhân có lý lẽ rõ ràng
- Xem xét nhiều góc độ của vấn đề (not one-sided)
- Sử dụng examples từ social context, không chỉ personal experience
Chiến lược:
- Mở rộng câu trả lời đến 4-6 câu
- Sử dụng discourse markers (Well, Actually, From my perspective…)
- Structure: Direct answer → Reason 1 + example → Reason 2 + example → Conclusion/Nuance
- Thừa nhận complexity: “It depends”, “There are both advantages and disadvantages”
- Generalize từ kinh nghiệm: “In my country/society…”, “Many people…”
Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:
- Trả lời quá ngắn, 1-2 câu rồi dừng
- Không có clear position hoặc lý lẽ mơ hồ
- Chỉ nói personal opinion mà không generalize
- Thiếu từ vựng abstract và academic
- Không acknowledge counter-arguments
Các Câu Hỏi Thảo Luận Sâu
Theme 1: Impact of Apps on Society
Question 1: How have mobile apps changed the way people communicate with each other?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Change/Development question (so sánh past vs present)
- Key words: mobile apps, changed, communicate
- Cách tiếp cận:
- Identify main changes (instant communication, visual elements, group chats…)
- Discuss both positive impacts (convenience, staying connected) và potential negatives (less face-to-face, superficial)
- Use past vs present comparison
- Provide concrete examples
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
Mobile apps have changed communication a lot. In the past, people had to call or send text messages, but now we have many apps like Zalo, Messenger, or WhatsApp. These apps make communication faster and easier. We can send photos, videos, and voice messages, not just text. Also, we can make video calls to see people far away. However, I think sometimes people spend too much time on their phones and don’t talk face-to-face anymore. So it has both good and bad sides.
Phân tích:
- Structure: Có comparison (past vs present), có examples (Zalo, Messenger), acknowledge cả pros và cons
- Vocabulary: Adequate nhưng basic (a lot, faster, easier, good and bad sides)
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Clear communication và có structure, nhưng lacks sophistication trong vocabulary và depth of analysis
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8.5-9:
Well, I’d say mobile apps have fundamentally transformed the landscape of human communication in several profound ways. Most obviously, they’ve made communication instantaneous and borderless – whereas a generation ago, staying in touch with someone abroad meant expensive phone calls or delayed letters, now we can effortlessly exchange messages in real-time regardless of geographical distance. Apps like WhatsApp or Telegram have essentially abolished the concept of long-distance relationships in terms of communication barriers.
Beyond just speed and convenience, though, what’s particularly interesting is how apps have diversified the modes of expression available to us. We’re no longer limited to pure text – we can convey emotions through emojis, GIFs, voice notes, or even short video clips, which arguably makes digital communication richer and more nuanced than traditional text messages. The rise of apps like describe a person who made you laugh reminds us that humor and personality can transcend digital formats when we use these tools creatively.
However, I think we need to acknowledge the double-edged nature of this transformation. While apps have certainly enhanced our ability to maintain weak ties – staying loosely connected with acquaintances and distant friends – there’s a growing concern that they might be eroding the quality of our close relationships. Many people now default to messaging rather than meeting in person, which can lead to more superficial interactions lacking the emotional depth that face-to-face communication provides. There’s also this phenomenon of being physically present but mentally absent, where people are in the same room but glued to their screens.
Phân tích:
- Structure: Well-organized với clear progression: immediate changes → deeper impact → critical perspective → balanced conclusion
- Vocabulary: Sophisticated với precise expressions (fundamentally transformed, instantaneous and borderless, abolished the concept, diversified the modes, eroding the quality, default to)
- Grammar: Complex structures với perfect tenses, relative clauses, participle phrases. Mixed conditionals implied naturally
- Critical Thinking: Shows nuanced understanding – acknowledges benefits while recognizing drawbacks. Uses academic language (weak ties, superficial interactions)
💡 Key Language Features:
- Discourse markers: Well, Beyond just…, However, though
- Tentative language: I’d say, arguably, might be
- Abstract nouns: transformation, barriers, nuanced expression, emotional depth
- Academic phrases: fundamentally transformed, the double-edged nature
Question 2: Do you think apps have made people’s lives more convenient or more complicated?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Opinion with contrast (convenient vs complicated)
- Key words: apps, convenient, complicated
- Cách tiếp cận:
- Take a balanced stance (“Both, depending on…”)
- Explain convenience aspects với examples
- Explain complication aspects với examples
- Conclude với personal position
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
I think apps make life more convenient in many ways. For example, we can order food, book taxis, or pay bills on our phones without going out. This saves time. But apps also make life complicated because there are too many of them and sometimes they have technical problems. Also, we need to remember many passwords. So I think it depends on how we use them.
Phân tích:
- Structure: Có present both sides, có examples cụ thể
- Vocabulary: Simple và straightforward (saves time, technical problems, too many)
- Ideas: Basic observations, chưa go deeper into implications
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Communicates main ideas clearly nhưng lacks sophistication
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8.5-9:
That’s quite a thought-provoking question, and I’d argue it’s a bit of both, depending largely on one’s digital literacy and self-management skills.
On the convenience front, the impact has been nothing short of revolutionary. Apps have essentially streamlined countless everyday tasks that used to require significant time and effort. Take mobile banking, for instance – what once necessitated a trip to the bank and waiting in queues can now be accomplished in seconds from your sofa. Similarly, apps like Grab or food delivery platforms have optimized our daily logistics to an unprecedented degree. This efficiency gain has genuinely freed up cognitive resources and time for more meaningful pursuits.
That said, there’s definitely an argument to be made about the paradox of choice and digital overwhelm that apps have introduced. We now face the burden of navigating an overwhelming ecosystem of applications, each requiring registration, managing privacy settings, staying updated, and dealing with notifications that constantly vie for our attention. There’s also what I’d call the “app dependency trap” – we’ve become so reliant on these tools that when they malfunction or when we’re in areas with poor connectivity, we feel surprisingly helpless dealing with basic tasks.
Moreover, the always-on culture that apps have enabled has blurred the boundaries between work and personal life. Work-related apps like email or Slack mean we’re theoretically accessible 24/7, which has complicated the notion of genuine downtime. The convenience of instant connectivity has inadvertently created an expectation of constant availability.
So, to directly address the question, I’d say apps have certainly made the mechanics of life more convenient, but they’ve simultaneously introduced new forms of complexity related to digital wellbeing, information overload, and maintaining work-life balance. The key, I believe, lies in conscious consumption and setting healthy boundaries with technology.
Phân tích:
- Structure: Sophisticated structure: Acknowledgment of complexity → Convenience arguments with examples → Complication arguments with examples → Balanced conclusion with solution
- Vocabulary: High-level expressions (thought-provoking, digital literacy, streamlined, paradox of choice, digital overwhelm, vie for attention, app dependency trap, blurred boundaries, conscious consumption)
- Grammar: Full range: relative clauses, participle phrases, conditional structures, nominalization (the burden of navigating…)
- Critical Thinking: Examines multiple dimensions: practical efficiency, psychological impact, social implications. Shows awareness of paradoxes and trade-offs
💡 Key Language Features:
- Opening phrases: That’s quite a thought-provoking question, I’d argue
- Contrast markers: On the convenience front, That said, Moreover
- Academic expressions: paradox of choice, unprecedented degree, inadvertently created
- Metaphorical language: freed up cognitive resources, navigating an ecosystem, always-on culture
Giao diện điện thoại thông minh với nhiều ứng dụng đa dạng về công việc giải trí và cuộc sống
Theme 2: App Development and Future Trends
Question 3: What kinds of apps do you think will be popular in the future?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Prediction/Future trends question
- Key words: will be popular, future
- Cách tiếp cận:
- Identify current trends that will continue (AI, personalization)
- Predict new types of apps (AR/VR, health tech, sustainability)
- Support với logical reasoning về why these will be popular
- Consider societal needs and technological development
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
I think health apps will be very popular in the future because people care more about their health now. Also, I think AI apps will become common because technology is developing fast. Apps for learning online will also grow because many people want to study new skills. Maybe apps using virtual reality will become popular too for entertainment and education.
Phân tích:
- Structure: Lists several predictions với basic reasons
- Vocabulary: Simple future tenses, basic reasoning (because people care, technology is developing)
- Ideas: Sensible predictions nhưng lack depth và specific examples
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Clear predictions nhưng analysis lacks sophistication
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8.5-9:
Looking ahead, I anticipate several emerging categories of apps that will likely gain significant traction in the coming years, driven by both technological advancement and evolving societal needs.
First and foremost, I expect AI-powered personal assistant apps to become far more sophisticated and ubiquitous. We’re already seeing the early iterations with things like ChatGPT, but I believe we’ll see apps that can anticipate our needs, manage our schedules proactively, and even make decisions on our behalf in certain contexts. These will go beyond simple task management to become genuine digital companions that learn and adapt to our preferences and routines over time.
Secondly, given the growing awareness around mental health, I foresee a surge in apps focused on psychological wellbeing and emotional regulation. We’re talking about apps that use biometric data and AI to detect stress levels, provide real-time interventions, and offer personalized therapy techniques. The destigmatization of mental health issues, particularly among younger generations, will likely fuel demand for such tools.
Another area ripe for growth is immersive technology – specifically AR and VR applications. As the hardware becomes more accessible and affordable, we’ll probably see apps that blur the lines between physical and digital reality. Imagine educational apps where you can virtually explore historical sites, or social apps where you can hang out with friends in virtual spaces that feel genuinely present, despite being physically distant. The question is it easier to become famous now ielts touches on how technology has democratized visibility, and immersive apps will further transform how we present ourselves.
Lastly, I think we’ll see significant growth in sustainability-focused apps – tools that help people track their carbon footprint, make more environmentally conscious purchasing decisions, or participate in the circular economy through sharing and recycling platforms. As climate anxiety grows, especially among younger demographics, there’ll be increasing demand for technology that empowers individuals to make a positive environmental impact.
What ties all these together is the trend toward hyper-personalization – apps that don’t just serve general functions but tailor experiences to individual users’ specific needs, preferences, and contexts. The future, I’d say, is less about one-size-fits-all solutions and more about adaptive technology that evolves with us.
Phân tích:
- Structure: Highly organized với clear categorization (Firstly, Secondly, Another area, Lastly) và coherent conclusion that unifies themes
- Vocabulary: Sophisticated topic-specific vocabulary (emerging categories, gain traction, early iterations, destigmatization, ripe for growth, hyper-personalization, circular economy)
- Grammar: Complex structures with conditionals (As the hardware becomes…), relative clauses, future forms (will likely fuel, we’ll probably see)
- Critical Thinking: Makes logical predictions based on current trends, considers multiple factors (technology + society), shows awareness of implications
💡 Key Language Features:
- Prediction language: I anticipate, I foresee, I expect, we’ll probably see
- Trend vocabulary: emerging, gaining traction, surge in, ripe for growth, fuel demand
- Linking ideas: First and foremost, Secondly, Another area, Lastly, What ties all these together
- Precise expressions: early iterations, destigmatization, blur the lines, empowers individuals
Theme 3: Apps and Privacy Concerns
Question 4: Are people concerned enough about their privacy when using apps?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Opinion about people’s awareness/behavior
- Key words: concerned enough, privacy, using apps
- Cách tiếp cận:
- Address current level of awareness
- Explain why people may not be concerned enough (convenience vs privacy trade-off)
- Discuss consequences of this lack of concern
- Suggest what should change
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
I don’t think most people are worried enough about privacy. Many people just click “accept” on apps without reading what information the app will collect. They want to use the app quickly so they don’t think about privacy. This is dangerous because companies can collect our personal data and sell it. I think people should be more careful and read the privacy policy before using apps.
Phân tích:
- Structure: Clear opinion → reason → consequence → recommendation
- Vocabulary: Basic expressions (worried about, click accept, be more careful)
- Ideas: Sensible points nhưng lack depth và nuance
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Gets the message across nhưng simplistic analysis
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8.5-9:
Frankly, I’d say most people are woefully underconcerned about privacy when it comes to app usage, and there’s a fascinating disconnect between people’s stated concerns about privacy and their actual behavior.
The core issue is what I’d call the “privacy paradox” – surveys consistently show that people claim to value their privacy highly, yet in practice, they readily trade personal information for convenience or access to free services. When faced with those lengthy terms and conditions, the vast majority simply scroll to the bottom and click “accept” without a second thought. This blasé attitude stems partly from convenience prioritization – people want immediate access to an app’s features and view the privacy policy as an inconvenient hurdle – but also from a sense of learned helplessness. The terms are so convoluted and opaque that even if people wanted to read them, they’d struggle to understand the full implications of what they’re agreeing to.
What’s particularly troubling is that many people labor under the misconception that they “have nothing to hide,” therefore privacy doesn’t matter. They fail to grasp how data aggregation works – how seemingly innocuous pieces of information, when combined, can create incredibly detailed profiles that can be used for manipulation, discrimination, or surveillance. We’ve seen concerning examples with the Cambridge Analytica scandal, yet it barely registered with most users, who continued using the same platforms.
Moreover, there’s a generational dimension to this. Younger users who’ve grown up in the digital age often have a more permissive attitude toward sharing personal information, viewing it as simply the cost of entry to digital life. They might be more concerned with social privacy – who can see their posts – than corporate data collection.
That said, I do think awareness is gradually increasing, partly due to describe a time when you improved your digital skills experiences that make people more conscious of digital risks. High-profile data breaches and the introduction of regulations like GDPR have brought privacy issues to the fore. More people are now using privacy-focused alternatives, employing VPNs, or at least being more selective about what permissions they grant.
However, I’d argue we need systemic changes rather than just relying on individual vigilance. The onus shouldn’t be entirely on users to protect themselves – we need stricter regulations, mandatory transparency about data usage, and perhaps default privacy-preserving settings rather than requiring users to opt out of data collection.
Phân tích:
- Structure: Exceptionally well-organized: Direct answer → Explain the paradox → Deeper analysis of the problem → Generational perspective → Positive developments → Systemic solution
- Vocabulary: Highly sophisticated (woefully underconcerned, privacy paradox, blasé attitude, learned helplessness, convoluted and opaque, labor under the misconception, data aggregation, brought to the fore, systemic changes)
- Grammar: Full range of complex structures: relative clauses, participle phrases, conditionals, noun phrases, cleft sentences
- Critical Thinking: Multi-layered analysis considering psychological factors (privacy paradox), social factors (generational differences), and proposing systemic solutions. Shows awareness of real-world events (Cambridge Analytica, GDPR)
💡 Key Language Features:
- Strong opening: Frankly, I’d say
- Sophisticated expressions: woefully underconcerned, privacy paradox, labor under the misconception, brought to the fore
- Analytical language: stems partly from, What’s particularly troubling, the onus shouldn’t be
- Nuanced discussion: That said, However, rather than just
Question 5: Should governments regulate how apps collect and use personal data?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Opinion about policy/regulation (Should…?)
- Key words: governments, regulate, apps, personal data
- Cách tiếp cận:
- Take clear position (Yes with some caveats hoặc balanced view)
- Provide reasons supporting regulation
- Acknowledge potential challenges or limitations
- Consider different perspectives
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
Yes, I think governments should make rules about how apps use our data. Many companies collect too much information and people don’t know about it. Government regulation can protect people’s privacy. However, the government should not control too much because it might limit technology development. So there should be a balance between protection and freedom.
Phân tích:
- Structure: Clear position → reason → counterargument → balanced conclusion
- Vocabulary: Basic language (make rules, too much, protect, control too much)
- Ideas: Reasonable points nhưng surface-level analysis
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Communicates opinion clearly nhưng lacks depth và sophisticated argumentation
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8.5-9:
I’m strongly in favor of government regulation in this domain, though I’d emphasize that such regulation needs to be carefully calibrated to balance privacy protection with innovation incentives.
The case for regulation is, to my mind, overwhelmingly compelling. We’re currently in a situation where tech companies essentially operate in a Wild West environment, collecting vast amounts of personal data with minimal oversight and often exploiting information asymmetries – they know exactly what data they’re collecting and how they’re using it, while users remain largely in the dark. This power imbalance necessitates regulatory intervention to level the playing field. History has shown that self-regulation in industries driven by profit motives rarely works effectively – companies will naturally prioritize monetization over privacy protection unless compelled otherwise.
Moreover, data privacy isn’t just an individual concern but a collective social good. When individuals’ data is compromised or misused, it can have cascading effects on society – from election interference to discriminatory algorithmic decisions affecting hiring, lending, or policing. These are fundamentally issues of democratic governance and social justice that require government intervention.
That said, the devil is in the details of how such regulation is implemented. Heavy-handed or technologically naive regulations could stifle innovation, create prohibitive compliance costs for startups, or inadvertently entrench the dominance of tech giants who can afford compliance teams. What’s needed is smart regulation – rules that are principles-based rather than overly prescriptive, that can adapt to technological change, and that include input from diverse stakeholders including technologists, civil society, and yes, the tech industry itself.
The European Union’s GDPR offers an interesting case study – while it’s been criticized for its complexity, it has fundamentally shifted the conversation around data rights and inspired similar legislation globally. Interestingly, what what is stress most people would say ielts reveals about information overwhelm applies here too – clear, enforceable regulations actually reduce stress by creating predictable rules.
Another crucial aspect is international coordination. Data flows transcend national borders, and apps operate globally, so fragmented regulation across jurisdictions creates compliance challenges and loopholes for exploitation. Ideally, we’d see harmonized standards internationally, though I recognize the political challenges there.
Ultimately, I’d argue that well-designed regulation isn’t antithetical to innovation – in fact, it can foster trust that enables the digital economy to flourish more sustainably. When users feel confident their data is protected, they’re more likely to engage with digital services, creating a healthier ecosystem overall.
Phân tích:
- Structure: Masterfully organized: Strong position → Compelling arguments → Acknowledgment of implementation challenges → Real-world example → International dimension → Philosophical conclusion
- Vocabulary: Exceptional range (carefully calibrated, overwhelmingly compelling, information asymmetries, power imbalance, cascading effects, heavy-handed, technologically naive, stifle innovation, entrench dominance, principles-based, antithetical to)
- Grammar: Sophisticated structures throughout: conditionals, relative clauses with non-defining information, passive constructions, nominalization
- Critical Thinking: Multi-dimensional analysis considering individual rights, collective good, innovation, implementation challenges, international aspects. Shows awareness of trade-offs and real-world examples (GDPR)
💡 Key Language Features:
- Strong stance markers: I’m strongly in favor of, to my mind, I’d argue that
- Nuanced expressions: carefully calibrated, That said, the devil is in the details
- Academic vocabulary: information asymmetries, cascading effects, case study, harmonized standards
- Contrasting ideas: while, rather than, though, in fact
Theme 4: Educational and Professional Apps
Question 6: How are apps changing the way people learn new skills?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Change/Impact question về education
- Key words: apps, changing, learn new skills
- Cách tiếp cận:
- Identify main ways apps have changed learning (accessibility, personalization, gamification)
- Compare with traditional learning methods
- Discuss benefits and potential drawbacks
- Provide concrete examples
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
Apps have changed learning a lot. Now people can learn anywhere and anytime using their phones. There are many apps for learning languages, coding, or other skills. These apps are often free or cheap, so more people can access education. They also make learning fun with games and rewards. However, some people say learning from apps is not as good as learning in a classroom with a real teacher.
Phân tích:
- Structure: Main change → examples → benefits → limitation
- Vocabulary: Simple expressions (changed a lot, anywhere and anytime, make learning fun)
- Ideas: Covers basic points nhưng lacks depth
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Clear communication of main ideas nhưng analysis is superficial
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8.5-9:
Apps have absolutely revolutionized skill acquisition in ways that would have seemed unimaginable just a decade or two ago, democratizing access to knowledge and fundamentally altering the pedagogical landscape.
Perhaps the most transformative aspect is the dismantling of traditional barriers to education. Previously, learning a new skill often required significant investment – enrolling in courses, adhering to fixed schedules, accessing physical resources like books or equipment, and often paying substantial fees. Apps have essentially collapsed these barriers, making education accessible to anyone with a smartphone and internet connection, on-demand and often at minimal or no cost. Someone in a remote village can now access the same quality coding tutorials or language lessons as someone in a metropolitan area, which represents a genuine democratization of knowledge.
Beyond accessibility, apps have introduced unprecedented personalization in learning. Traditional classroom education necessarily follows a one-size-fits-all approach, moving at a pace that may be too slow for some students and too fast for others. Adaptive learning algorithms in apps can tailor content to individual learning speeds, styles, and needs. If you’re struggling with a concept, the app can provide additional practice; if you’re progressing rapidly, it can accelerate accordingly. This kind of individualized instruction was previously only available through expensive private tutoring.
The gamification of learning is another significant shift. Apps have tapped into principles of game design – progress tracking, reward systems, achievement badges, streaks – to make learning more engaging and maintain motivation. Apps like Duolingo have essentially transformed language learning into an addictive game, which addresses one of the perennial challenges of education: sustaining learner engagement over time.
However, I think we need to maintain a critical perspective here. While apps excel at certain types of learning – particularly skill-based, procedural knowledge like languages, coding, or musical instruments – they may be less effective for deep conceptual understanding or skills requiring hands-on practice and immediate feedback from expert instructors. The social dimension of learning – collaborative problem-solving, debate, mentorship – is also difficult to replicate digitally. Moreover, there’s concern about the superficiality of app-based learning, where people collect digital badges without truly internalizing the knowledge.
My view is that apps work best as complementary tools rather than complete replacements for traditional education. They’re brilliant for self-directed learners, for supplementing formal education, or for continuous professional development where professionals need to stay current with evolving fields. The future of education is likely hybrid – leveraging the accessibility and personalization of apps while maintaining the irreplaceable elements of human instruction and social learning.
Phân tích:
- Structure: Exceptionally well-organized với clear progression through different aspects: accessibility → personalization → gamification → critical analysis → balanced conclusion
- Vocabulary: Extensive sophisticated vocabulary (revolutionized, democratizing access, pedagogical landscape, dismantling barriers, unprecedented personalization, adaptive learning algorithms, gamification, perennial challenges, hands-on practice, self-directed learners)
- Grammar: Full range of complex structures: relative clauses, conditionals, participle phrases, comparative structures, noun phrases
- Critical Thinking: Multi-faceted analysis examining benefits, limitations, and proposing integrated solution. Shows awareness of educational theory (pedagogical approaches, types of knowledge)
💡 Key Language Features:
- Impact language: absolutely revolutionized, fundamentally altering, transformative aspect
- Academic expressions: democratization of knowledge, pedagogical landscape, perennial challenges, superficiality
- Balanced discourse: However, I think we need to, while apps excel at, My view is that
- Precise vocabulary: adaptive learning algorithms, gamification, self-directed learners, hybrid approach
Sinh viên trẻ đang sử dụng ứng dụng học ngoại ngữ trên smartphone trong thư viện
Từ Vựng và Cụm Từ Quan Trọng
Topic-Specific Vocabulary
| Từ vựng/Cụm từ | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| productivity app | n | /ˌprɒdʌkˈtɪvəti æp/ | ứng dụng năng suất | Notion is a productivity app that helps me organize my work efficiently. | download/use/recommend a productivity app |
| user-friendly interface | n | /ˈjuːzə ˈfrendli ˈɪntəfeɪs/ | giao diện thân thiện với người dùng | The app’s user-friendly interface makes it easy for beginners to navigate. | intuitive/clean/simple user-friendly interface |
| seamless integration | n | /ˈsiːmləs ˌɪntɪˈɡreɪʃn/ | tích hợp liền mạch | The app offers seamless integration with other platforms. | provide/enable/achieve seamless integration |
| algorithm-driven | adj | /ˈælɡərɪðəm ˈdrɪvn/ | được điều khiển bởi thuật toán | Spotify uses algorithm-driven recommendations to suggest new music. | algorithm-driven recommendations/content/personalization |
| data privacy | n | /ˈdeɪtə ˈpraɪvəsi/ | quyền riêng tư dữ liệu | Many users are concerned about data privacy when using social media apps. | protect/compromise/violate data privacy |
| subscription model | n | /səbˈskrɪpʃn ˈmɒdl/ | mô hình đăng ký | The app operates on a subscription model with monthly or yearly plans. | adopt/offer/switch to a subscription model |
| push notification | n | /pʊʃ ˌnəʊtɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/ | thông báo đẩy | I’ve disabled push notifications to avoid constant distractions. | receive/send/disable push notifications |
| in-app purchase | n | /ɪn æp ˈpɜːtʃəs/ | mua hàng trong ứng dụng | The game is free but includes in-app purchases for extra features. | make/offer/avoid in-app purchases |
| cloud-based storage | n | /klaʊd beɪst ˈstɔːrɪdʒ/ | lưu trữ đám mây | The app provides cloud-based storage so you can access files from any device. | use/rely on/upgrade cloud-based storage |
| streamline | v | /ˈstriːmlaɪn/ | hợp lý hóa, đơn giản hóa | This app streamlines the process of managing daily tasks. | streamline processes/operations/workflow |
| addictive | adj | /əˈdɪktɪv/ | gây nghiện | Social media apps are deliberately designed to be addictive. | highly/extremely/potentially addictive |
| glitch | n | /ɡlɪtʃ/ | lỗi kỹ thuật | The app had a glitch that prevented users from logging in. | experience/fix/report a glitch |
| intuitive | adj | /ɪnˈtjuːɪtɪv/ | trực quan, dễ hiểu | The app’s design is highly intuitive, requiring no tutorial. | highly/very/surprisingly intuitive |
| crash | v | /kræʃ/ | bị treo, ngừng hoạt động đột ngột | The app keeps crashing whenever I try to upload photos. | app crashes/keeps crashing/frequently crashes |
| optimize | v | /ˈɒptɪmaɪz/ | tối ưu hóa | The latest update optimizes battery consumption. | optimize performance/efficiency/battery life |
| gamification | n | /ˌɡeɪmɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/ | trò chơi hóa (áp dụng yếu tố game vào app) | Duolingo uses gamification to make language learning more engaging. | incorporate/use/apply gamification |
| synchronize | v | /ˈsɪŋkrənaɪz/ | đồng bộ hóa | The app synchronizes data across all your devices automatically. | synchronize data/files/settings |
| bandwidth | n | /ˈbændwɪdθ/ | băng thông | The app requires high bandwidth to stream HD videos. | require/consume/use bandwidth |
| customizable | adj | /ˈkʌstəmaɪzəbl/ | có thể tùy chỉnh | The app features a highly customizable interface. | fully/highly/easily customizable |
| functionality | n | /ˌfʌŋkʃəˈnæləti/ | chức năng, tính năng | The new version offers enhanced functionality. | add/improve/expand functionality |
Idiomatic Expressions & Advanced Phrases
| Cụm từ | Nghĩa | Ví dụ sử dụng | Band điểm |
|---|---|---|---|
| at your fingertips | dễ dàng tiếp cận, ngay trong tầm tay | With this app, you have all the information you need at your fingertips. | 7.5-8 |
| game-changer | yếu tố thay đổi cuộc chơi, tạo bước ngoặt | This translation app was a real game-changer for my travels abroad. | 7.5-8 |
| on the go | khi đang di chuyển, không ngồi yên một chỗ | The app allows me to manage my finances on the go. | 7-8 |
| bells and whistles | các tính năng phụ không thiết yếu | The app has lots of bells and whistles, but I mainly use its core features. | 8-9 |
| double-edged sword | con dao hai lưỡi | Social media apps are a double-edged sword – they connect us but can also be distracting. | 8-9 |
| tech-savvy | am hiểu công nghệ | You don’t need to be particularly tech-savvy to use this app. | 7-8 |
| steep learning curve | khó học, mất nhiều thời gian để thành thạo | The app has a steep learning curve initially, but it’s worth the effort. | 7.5-8 |
| cut corners | làm đại khái, không cẩn thận | Some free apps cut corners on security features. | 7.5-8 |
| eating into (time/resources) | chiếm mất, xâm chiếm | Constantly checking apps is eating into my productive time. | 7.5-8 |
| heavy reliance on | phụ thuộc nhiều vào | My heavy reliance on navigation apps means I rarely memorize routes anymore. | 7.5-8 |
| level the playing field | tạo sân chơi bình đẳng | Educational apps level the playing field by providing equal access to knowledge. | 8-9 |
| paint with the same brush | đánh đồng | We shouldn’t paint all social media apps with the same brush – some are more problematic than others. | 8-9 |
Discourse Markers (Từ Nối Ý Trong Speaking)
Để bắt đầu câu trả lời:
- 📝 Well,… – Dùng khi cần thời gian suy nghĩ ngắn hoặc bắt đầu một ý phức tạp
- 📝 Actually,… – Khi đưa ra góc nhìn khác hoặc thông tin bất ngờ
- 📝 To be honest,… – Khi muốn nói thẳng thắn, chân thành
- 📝 From my perspective,… – Khi đưa ra quan điểm cá nhân
- 📝 I’d say that… – Cách mềm mại để đưa ra ý kiến
Để bổ sung ý:
- 📝 On top of that,… – Thêm vào đó, hơn nữa
- 📝 What’s more,… – Hơn nữa (formal hơn “also”)
- 📝 Not to mention… – Chưa kể đến
- 📝 Beyond that,… – Ngoài ra, xa hơn nữa
- 📝 Moreover,… – Ngoài ra (academic)
Để đưa ra quan điểm cân bằng:
- 📝 On the one hand,… On the other hand,… – Một mặt… mặt khác…
- 📝 While it’s true that…, we also need to consider… – Dù đúng là… nhưng cũng cần xem xét…
- 📝 That said,… – Dù vậy, tuy nhiên (để contrast nhẹ nhàng)
- 📝 Having said that,… – Nói như vậy thì… (để introduce counterpoint)
Để kết luận:
- 📝 All in all,… – Tóm lại, xét cho cùng
- 📝 At the end of the day,… – Cuối cùng thì, điều quan trọng là
- 📝 To sum up,… – Tóm lại (formal)
- 📝 Ultimately,… – Cuối cùng, về căn bản
Để clarify hoặc elaborate:
- 📝 What I mean is… – Ý tôi là…
- 📝 To put it another way,… – Nói cách khác
- 📝 In other words,… – Nói cách khác (formal hơn)
- 📝 More specifically,… – Cụ thể hơn
Grammatical Structures Ấn Tượng
1. Conditional Sentences (Câu điều kiện):
-
Mixed conditional: “If I hadn’t discovered this app, I would still be struggling with time management today.”
- Công thức: If + past perfect, would + base verb
- Dùng khi: condition trong quá khứ, result trong hiện tại
-
Inversion for emphasis: “Had I known about this app earlier, I would have saved countless hours.”
- Công thức: Had + subject + past participle
- Effect: Formal và impressive hơn standard conditional
2. Relative Clauses (Mệnh đề quan hệ):
-
Non-defining: “This app, which was recommended by a colleague, has completely transformed my workflow.”
- Dùng comma để separate
- Cung cấp extra information, không essential
-
Reduced relative clause: “The app recommended by experts offers the best security features.”
- Bỏ relative pronoun và to be
- Ngắn gọn và sophisticated hơn
3. Passive Voice (Câu bị động):
-
It is thought/believed/said that…
- “It is widely believed that apps will continue to dominate how we access information.”
- Impersonal structure, academic style
-
To be designed to do something:
- “The app is deliberately designed to keep users engaged for longer periods.”
- Emphasizes intentionality
4. Cleft Sentences (Câu chẻ):
-
What I find most…, is…
- “What I find most impressive about this app is its intuitive interface.”
- Emphasizes specific aspect
-
The thing that…, is…
- “The thing that really sets this app apart is its customer support.”
- Natural emphasis structure
5. Participle Phrases:
- Present participle: “Being a productivity app, Notion requires some initial setup time.”
- Past participle: “Launched in 2016, the app has gained millions of users worldwide.”
- Effect: Concise, sophisticated, avoids repetitive sentence structures
6. Inversion After Negative Adverbials:
- “Rarely have I encountered an app so intuitive.”
- “Never before has technology made learning so accessible.”
- Effect: Emphatic, formal, impressive
7. Subjunctive Mood:
- “I would suggest that users be cautious about privacy settings.”
- “It’s essential that the app remain free to ensure accessibility.”
- Effect: Formal recommendations
8. Nominalization (Danh từ hóa):
- Instead of: “The app helps people communicate better.”
- Use: “The app facilitates communication improvement.”
- Effect: More academic, concise
Với kho từ vựng phong phú và cấu trúc ngữ pháp đa dạng này, bạn đã có đầy đủ công cụ để xử lý chủ đề “describe an app that you use every day” một cách tự tin và ấn tượng. Hãy nhớ rằng việc sử dụng từ vựng cao cấp phải tự nhiên và phù hợp với ngữ cảnh – examiner có thể phát hiện khi bạn cố gắng nhồi nhét từ mà không hiểu rõ nghĩa. Thực hành thường xuyên với những câu hỏi mẫu ở trên, ghi âm lại để tự đánh giá, và dần dần bạn sẽ thấy khả năng Speaking của mình tiến bộ rõ rệt. Chúc bạn luyện tập hiệu quả và đạt được band điểm mong muốn!
