IELTS Speaking: Cách Trả Lời Chủ Đề “Describe An Interesting Person” – Bài Mẫu Band 6-9

Chủ đề “Describe An Interesting Person You Have Not Met But Would Like To Know More About” là một trong những đề bài phổ biến nhất trong IELTS Speaking Part 2. Theo thống kê từ các đề thi thực tế, chủ đề về “people” xuất hiện với tần suất cao trong các kỳ thi từ 2020 đến 2024, chiếm khoảng 20-25% tổng số đề thi. Dự đoán khả năng xuất hiện trong tương lai vẫn ở mức cao do tính linh hoạt và khả năng mở rộng ý phong phú.

Điều đặc biệt của đề bài này là yêu cầu nói về người bạn chưa gặp nhưng muốn tìm hiểu thêm – điều này khác với các đề bài về người quen. Nhiều thí sinh Việt Nam thường gặp khó khăn vì không biết chọn nhân vật nào phù hợp hoặc thiếu từ vựng để mô tả tính cách, thành tựu của người nổi tiếng.

Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ học được:

• Câu hỏi thường gặp trong cả 3 Part liên quan đến chủ đề “interesting people”
• Bài mẫu chi tiết theo 3 band điểm (6-7, 7.5-8, 8.5-9) với phân tích chuyên sâu
• Hơn 50 từ vựng và cụm từ ăn điểm với pronunciation guide
• Chiến lược trả lời từ góc nhìn Examiner: cách chọn nhân vật, cách kể chuyện hấp dẫn
• Lời khuyên cụ thể để tránh các lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam

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 và sở thích cá nhân. Examiner không chỉ đánh giá khả năng trả lời mà còn quan sát cách bạn giao tiếp tự nhiên, mức độ tự tin và khả năng mở rộng ý.

Chiến lược hiệu quả: Mỗi câu trả lời nên có 2-3 câu: trả lời trực tiếp → lý do/giải thích → ví dụ cụ thể.

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

• Trả lời quá ngắn gọn chỉ một câu (Yes/No)
• Sử dụng từ vựng đơn giản lặp đi lặp lại (good, nice, interesting)
• Thiếu ví dụ cụ thể từ kinh nghiệm bản thân
• Dùng “I think” quá nhiều, thiếu đa dạng discourse markers

Các Câu Hỏi Thường Gặp

Question 1: Do you like meeting new people?

Question 2: What kind of people do you find interesting?

Question 3: Do you prefer to meet people online or face-to-face?

Question 4: Have you ever met anyone famous?

Question 5: Who is the most interesting person you know?

Question 6: Do you think it’s important to have interesting friends?

Question 7: What makes a person interesting to you?

Question 8: Do you like reading about famous people?

Question 9: Would you like to be famous yourself?

Question 10: How do people become famous nowadays?

Phân Tích và Gợi Ý Trả Lời Chi Tiết

Question: What kind of people do you find interesting?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Nêu rõ loại người bạn thấy thú vị (1 hoặc 2 loại)
• Giải thích tại sao họ thú vị với bạn
• Cho ví dụ cụ thể nếu có thể

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I find creative people very interesting. They have different ways of thinking and can make interesting things. I also like people who travel a lot because they have many stories to tell about different countries and cultures.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Trả lời rõ ràng với 2 loại người, có lý do cơ bản
• Hạn chế: Từ vựng đơn giản (interesting xuất hiện 2 lần), thiếu ví dụ cụ thể, cấu trúc câu đơn giản
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Đủ thông tin nhưng chưa sophisticated, thiếu depth và personal touch

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“I’m particularly drawn to people who have an unconventional approach to life – you know, those who aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo and pursue their passions regardless of societal expectations. I also find individuals with diverse life experiences fascinating, especially those who’ve lived in multiple countries or worked in vastly different fields, as they tend to offer unique perspectives on everyday issues.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Từ vựng tinh vi và chính xác (drawn to, unconventional approach, challenge the status quo), cấu trúc phức tạp với relative clauses, ý tưởng sâu sắc hơn với explanations cụ thể
• Tại sao Band 8-9: Fluency tự nhiên với discourse marker “you know”, vocabulary range rộng với collocations mạnh, grammar đa dạng, và ideas được develop tốt với specific examples

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• be drawn to someone/something: bị thu hút bởi ai/cái gì
• unconventional approach: cách tiếp cận không theo lối mòn
• challenge the status quo: thách thức hiện trạng
• diverse life experiences: những trải nghiệm sống đa dạng
• unique perspectives: góc nhìn độc đáo

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Question: Do you like reading about famous people?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Trả lời Yes/No/It depends
• Giải thích loại người nổi tiếng nào bạn thích đọc về
• Nêu lý do hoặc benefit của việc đọc về họ

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Yes, I sometimes read about famous people, especially successful businesspeople. I like to learn how they became successful and what difficulties they faced. I think it can give me motivation and useful lessons for my life.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Có structure rõ ràng (answer → preference → reason), vocabulary adequate (successful, motivation, useful lessons)
• Hạn chế: Còn general, thiếu specific example, từ vựng chưa sophisticated
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Trả lời đầy đủ nhưng thiếu sophistication về vocabulary và ideas

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“It depends on the person, really. I’m quite selective about whose stories I invest time in. I’m particularly interested in reading biographies of innovators and thought leaders – people like Elon Musk or Malala Yousafzai – because their life trajectories often provide valuable insights into resilience, strategic thinking, and making a meaningful impact. I find their journeys far more instructive than celebrity gossip.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Natural opening với “It depends”, vocabulary sophisticated (selective, biographies, innovators, thought leaders, life trajectories, valuable insights), contrast giữa meaningful content và celebrity gossip shows critical thinking
• Tại sao Band 8-9: Excellent fluency với conversational style “really”, precise vocabulary, complex ideas với specific examples, shows personal criteria for selection

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• be selective about: kỹ tính, có chọn lọc về
• biography: tiểu sử
• thought leader: người dẫn đầu tư tưởng
• life trajectory: quỹ đạo cuộc đời
• valuable insights: những hiểu biết sâu sắc có giá trị
• make a meaningful impact: tạo ra tác động có ý nghĩa

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Question: Would you like to be famous yourself?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Đưa ra quan điểm cá nhân rõ ràng
• Giải thích ưu và nhược điểm của việc nổi tiếng
• Có thể qualify your answer (famous trong một lĩnh vực cụ thể)

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Not really. I think being famous has both advantages and disadvantages. Famous people have money and influence, but they don’t have privacy. Their personal life is always in the news. I prefer a normal life where I can do what I want without people watching me all the time.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Clear position, có cân nhắc hai mặt của vấn đề, có personal preference
• Hạn chế: Vocabulary khá basic (advantages/disadvantages, money, influence), ideas còn surface-level
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Structure tốt nhưng thiếu depth và sophisticated language

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“To be honest, the idea of widespread fame doesn’t appeal to me at all. While I’d love to be recognized for my achievements in my field, the kind of celebrity status that comes with constant media scrutiny and invasion of privacy seems exhausting. I think there’s a sweet spot – being respected among your peers and making a difference in your domain without the paparazzi following your every move. That’s the kind of ‘fame’ I’d aspire to.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Natural opening với “To be honest”, nuanced answer với distinction giữa different types of fame, sophisticated vocabulary (widespread fame, recognized for achievements, media scrutiny, invasion of privacy, sweet spot, respected among peers), shows maturity của thought
• Tại sao Band 8-9: Excellent fluency và coherence, precise vocabulary choices, complex ideas với qualifications, personal reflection với depth

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• widespread fame: sự nổi tiếng rộng rãi
• be recognized for achievements: được công nhận vì thành tựu
• media scrutiny: sự soi xét của truyền thông
• invasion of privacy: sự xâm phạm quyền riêng tư
• sweet spot: điểm cân bằng hoàn hảo
• be respected among peers: được tôn trọng trong giới đồng nghiệp
• aspire to: khao khát, hướng tới

Học viên Việt Nam luyện tập IELTS Speaking Part 1 với giáo viên về chủ đề người thú vị

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)

Tổng Quan Về Part 2

Part 2 là phần độc thoại trong 2-3 phút không bị gián đoạn. Đây là phần thí sinh Việt Nam thường lo lắng nhất vì phải nói liên tục một thời gian dài.

Thời gian chuẩn bị: 1 phút – đây là golden minute của bạn!

Chiến lược từ góc nhìn Examiner:

• Sử dụng hết 1 phút chuẩn bị: Ghi chú keywords, không viết câu hoàn chỉnh
• Nói đủ 2 phút: Minimum 1 phút 45 giây. Nếu dưới 1.5 phút, band score sẽ bị ảnh hưởng
• Cover đầy đủ bullet points: Examiner sẽ check xem bạn có trả lời hết các yêu cầu không
• Câu “explain” là quan trọng nhất: Đây là nơi bạn show depth of thinking

Lỗi thường gặp:

• Hoảng loạn trong 1 phút, không biết ghi gì
• Nói quá nhanh và kết thúc sau 1 phút rồi im lặng
• Quên một bullet point
• Dành quá nhiều thời gian cho các bullet đầu, explain vội vàng

Cue Card

Describe an interesting person you have not met but would like to know more about

You should say:

• Who this person is
• How you know about this person
• What makes this person interesting
• And explain why you would like to know more about this person

Phân Tích Đề Bài

• Dạng câu hỏi: Describe a person (nhưng đặc biệt là người chưa gặp)
• Thì động từ: Hiện tại (vì người này vẫn đang sống và bạn vẫn muốn biết về họ)
• Bullet points phải cover:
  • Who: Tên, nghề nghiệp, background cơ bản
  • How you know: Qua media nào? Khi nào biết đến?
  • What makes interesting: Qualities, achievements, characteristics
  • Why would like to know more: Đây là phần scoring highest – cần explain motivations, what you hope to learn
• Câu “explain” quan trọng: Đây là điểm phân biệt Band 6 và Band 8. Bạn cần show được personal reflection, deeper reasons, potential impact

Tips chọn nhân vật:

• Chọn người có stories và achievements bạn thực sự biết rõ
• Nên chọn người trong lĩnh vực bạn quan tâm (dễ nói chân thành hơn)
• Tránh chọn politicians gây tranh cãi
• OK với: entrepreneurs, scientists, authors, activists, artists, athletes, public figures

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7

Thời lượng: Khoảng 1 phút 50 giây

I’d like to talk about Elon Musk, who is a very famous businessman. He is the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, and he’s one of the richest people in the world.

I know about him from the news and social media. I often see articles about his companies and his ideas about the future. He’s very popular on Twitter where he shares his thoughts and plans.

What makes him interesting is that he has many big ideas. He wants to make electric cars popular to help the environment. He also wants to send people to Mars and make humans a multi-planet species. These are very ambitious goals that most people would think are impossible. He works very hard and doesn’t give up even when people criticize him.

I would like to know more about him because I want to understand how he thinks. He seems to solve problems in a different way from other people. I’m also curious about how he manages so many companies at the same time. I think learning about his work style and his way of thinking could help me in my future career. He shows that if you have a big dream and work hard, you can achieve amazing things. Meeting him would be very inspiring and educational.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	6-7	Nói trôi chảy, có sequence rõ ràng nhưng linking words còn basic (also, because, and). Một vài repetition (very, many).
Lexical Resource	6-7	Vocabulary adequate (ambitious, criticize, inspiring) nhưng còn nhiều từ simple (very famous, big ideas, work hard). Thiếu collocations mạnh.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	6-7	Mix simple và complex sentences. Có relative clauses đúng. Thiếu variety về structures (conditional, inversion).
Pronunciation	6-7	Clear và dễ hiểu, appropriate intonation.

Điểm mạnh:

• ✅ Cover đầy đủ 4 bullet points
• ✅ Nói đủ thời lượng yêu cầu
• ✅ Ideas rõ ràng và logical
• ✅ Có personal reflection ở phần explain

Hạn chế:

• ⚠️ Vocabulary còn basic và repetitive
• ⚠️ Thiếu specific examples và details
• ⚠️ Grammar structures chưa đa dạng
• ⚠️ Chưa có emotional depth hay personal connection mạnh

📝 Sample Answer – Band 7.5-8

Thời lượng: Khoảng 2 phút 15 giây

I’d like to talk about Michelle Obama, the former First Lady of the United States. She’s someone I’ve been fascinated by for quite some time now, though I’ve never had the chance to meet her in person.

I first learned about her back in 2008 when her husband Barack Obama was running for president. But I really started paying close attention to her after reading her memoir “Becoming” about two years ago. Since then, I’ve been following her public speeches and advocacy work through various media platforms.

What makes her particularly interesting to me is her remarkable journey from a working-class background in Chicago to becoming one of the most influential women in the world. She’s incredibly articulate and uses her platform to champion causes she believes in, particularly education for girls and healthy living initiatives. What I admire most is how she maintains her authenticity despite being in the public eye. She’s not afraid to discuss challenges she’s faced, including moments of self-doubt, which makes her very relatable. Her intelligence combined with her warmth and sense of humor creates this unique presence that really resonates with people from all walks of life.

I’d love to know more about her because I think there’s so much to learn from someone who’s navigated such complex situations with grace. I’m particularly curious about how she balances her various roles and deals with the intense scrutiny that comes with her position. I’m also interested in her perspectives on leadership and how she empowers young people. I believe that understanding her thought process and the principles that guide her decisions could be incredibly valuable for my own personal development. She represents the kind of leader who doesn’t just talk about change but actually works toward making it happen, and that’s something I deeply respect and aspire to emulate in my own life.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	7.5-8	Speaks fluently với occasional hesitation tự nhiên. Linking devices đa dạng (Since then, What makes her particularly, What I admire most). Sequencing logic và easy to follow.
Lexical Resource	7.5-8	Wide vocabulary với good collocations (fascinated by, paying close attention, champion causes, maintains authenticity, resonates with). Some less common items (articulate, emulate, scrutiny).
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	7.5-8	Good range of complex structures (relative clauses, gerunds, participles). Majority error-free. Mix of tenses appropriate.
Pronunciation	7.5-8	Clear pronunciation với good stress and intonation patterns.

So Sánh Với Band 6-7

Khía cạnh	Band 6-7	Band 7.5-8
Vocabulary	“very famous businessman”, “big ideas”, “work hard”	“fascinated by”, “remarkable journey”, “champion causes”, “maintains authenticity”, “resonates with”
Grammar	Simple + some complex: “He wants to make electric cars popular”	More sophisticated: “I’m curious about how she balances her various roles and deals with the intense scrutiny”
Ideas	General: “He has many big ideas”, “He works very hard”	Specific & personal: “Her intelligence combined with her warmth and sense of humor”, “understanding her thought process and the principles that guide her decisions”
Development	Surface-level explanation	Deeper analysis with personal reflection

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9

Thời lượng: 2 phút 40 giây

I’d like to talk about Yuval Noah Harari, the Israeli historian and philosopher who’s perhaps best known for his groundbreaking book “Sapiens.” He’s someone who’s been on my radar for the past few years, and I find myself increasingly intrigued by his work and worldview.

I first came across his ideas when a colleague recommended his book during a discussion about artificial intelligence and the future of humanity. What started as casual reading quickly turned into genuine intellectual curiosity. I’ve since watched numerous interviews with him, listened to his podcast appearances, and followed his thought-provoking articles on everything from technology to meditation. Despite consuming so much of his content, I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface of his thinking.

What makes him absolutely fascinating is his rare combination of rigorous academic scholarship and the ability to make complex ideas accessible to a general audience. He has this extraordinary talent for connecting disparate concepts – weaving together history, biology, philosophy, and technology into coherent narratives that challenge our fundamental assumptions about being human. What particularly strikes me is his intellectual honesty. He’s not afraid to say “I don’t know” or to acknowledge the limitations of his own expertise, which is refreshingly humble for someone of his stature. Moreover, his personal practice of meditation for two hours daily and his openness about being part of the LGBTQ+ community add layers of authenticity and self-awareness to his public persona.

The reason I’m so eager to know more about him goes beyond mere intellectual admiration. I’m genuinely curious about the cognitive processes behind his ability to synthesize vast amounts of information and extract meaningful patterns. How does he decide which historical parallels are relevant to our current challenges? What criteria does he use to distinguish between significant trends and temporary noise? I’d love to understand his reading habits, his note-taking systems, and how he structures his thinking. On a more personal level, I’m interested in how he reconciles his rather somber predictions about humanity’s future with his daily life and sense of purpose. Does understanding the macro-historical forces at play make one more fatalistic or more empowered to enact change?

I believe that engaging with someone of his caliber would fundamentally reshape how I approach complex problems in my own field. His interdisciplinary perspective is exactly what I think we need more of in today’s increasingly specialized world. Having a conversation with him would be less about getting answers and more about learning to ask better questions – which, ultimately, is the hallmark of wisdom.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	8.5-9	Speaks fluently với natural hesitations chỉ để organize thoughts. Sophisticated cohesive devices (Despite consuming, Moreover, which ultimately). Perfect sequencing và development of ideas.
Lexical Resource	8.5-9	Wide và precise vocabulary với sophisticated collocations (groundbreaking book, scratched the surface, rigorous academic scholarship, coherent narratives, fundamental assumptions, intellectual admiration, macro-historical forces). Natural idiomatic language.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	8.5-9	Full range of structures với accuracy và flexibility. Complex sentences seamlessly integrated (What started as… quickly turned into…, How does he decide which…). Perfect use of modal verbs, conditionals, questions embedded.
Pronunciation	8.5-9	Fully operational pronunciation với subtle features of native-like delivery.

Tại Sao Bài Này Xuất Sắc

🎯 Fluency Hoàn Hảo:

• Natural flow với sophisticated discourse markers không forced
• Self-correction tự nhiên (“which is refreshingly humble” – adds nuance)
• Varied pace – slow down for emphasis, speed up for examples

📚 Vocabulary Tinh Vi:

• Ví dụ: “scratched the surface” – idiom tự nhiên thay vì “learned a little bit”
• “weaving together… into coherent narratives” – metaphor sophisticated
• “somber predictions” – precise adjective choice
• “hallmark of wisdom” – academic yet natural ending

📝 Grammar Đa Dạng:

• Ví dụ: “What started as casual reading quickly turned into genuine intellectual curiosity” – inversion for emphasis
• “Does understanding… make one more fatalistic or more empowered to enact change?” – embedded question với parallel structure
• Gerunds, infinitives, participles used naturally throughout

💡 Ideas Sâu Sắc:

• Không chỉ describe mà còn analyze why the person is interesting
• Personal reflection about what speaker wants to learn (cognitive processes, reconciliation of knowledge with life)
• Meta-level thinking: “learning to ask better questions” shows intellectual maturity
• Connection giữa personal development và broader themes

🎭 Authenticity:

• Genuine enthusiasm shines through
• Specific details không generic (meditation 2 hours daily, LGBTQ+ community)
• Personal journey of discovery described (colleague’s recommendation → deep dive)

Thí sinh tự tin trình bày IELTS Speaking Part 2 về người thú vị chưa gặp với giám khảo

Follow-up Questions (Rounding Off Questions)

Sau khi bạn kết thúc Part 2, examiner thường hỏi 1-2 câu ngắn để transition sang Part 3. Đây không phải scoring questions chính nhưng vẫn cần trả lời tự nhiên.

Question 1: Do you think you will actually meet this person one day?

Band 6-7 Answer:
“Maybe, but I think it’s quite difficult. He’s very busy and famous, so it would need special opportunity like attending his conference or event.”

Band 8-9 Answer:
“Realistically speaking, the chances are pretty slim, though not impossible. I suppose if I were to attend one of his lectures or book signings, there might be a brief opportunity. But honestly, even reading his work and engaging with his ideas feels like a form of connection that’s quite meaningful to me.”

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Question 2: Would you be nervous if you met them?

Band 6-7 Answer:
“Yes, definitely I would be very nervous. Meeting someone you admire is always stressful because you want to make good impression and say smart things.”

Band 8-9 Answer:
“Without a doubt, I’d be somewhat anxious, though I’d like to think it would be more excited nervousness than paralyzed fear. I think the key would be preparing some thoughtful questions beforehand rather than trying to impress them – genuine curiosity tends to make for better conversations than trying to appear clever.”

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Tổng Quan Về Part 3

Part 3 kéo dài 4-5 phút và là phần challenging nhất. Đây không còn là câu hỏi về personal experiences mà về abstract topics, social issues, trends, và comparisons. Examiner muốn thấy analytical thinking, ability to discuss complex ideas, và sophisticated language.

Yêu cầu:

• Phân tích nhiều góc độ của vấn đề
• So sánh (past vs present, different groups, advantages vs disadvantages)
• Đưa ra predictions về future
• Support opinions với reasons và examples từ society, không chỉ cá nhân

Chiến lược:

• Mở rộng câu trả lời: Minimum 3-4 câu, ideally 5-7 câu
• Structure rõ ràng: Direct answer → Reason 1 + example → Reason 2 + example → Conclusion/qualification
• Sử dụng discourse markers: Well, Actually, I’d say, On the one hand, To be honest
• Acknowledge complexity: “It’s a complex issue”, “It depends on various factors”
• Examples từ society: Not just “In my experience” but “In many countries”, “Research shows”, “We can see this in…”

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

• Trả lời quá ngắn (1-2 câu) rồi im lặng
• Không có clear opinion hoặc sit on the fence quá mức
• Thiếu examples cụ thể để support points
• Vocabulary còn basic, không có abstract nouns
• Chỉ nói về personal experience thay vì social perspective

Các Câu Hỏi Thảo Luận Sâu

Theme 1: Fame and Celebrity Culture

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Question 1: Why do you think people are so fascinated by famous people?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Explain reasons/causes (Why question)
• Key words: fascinated, famous people
• Cách tiếp cận: Đưa ra 2-3 reasons với explanations, có thể mention psychological factors và social factors

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I think people are interested in famous people for several reasons. First, famous people usually have interesting lives that are different from normal people. They have luxury lifestyles and go to exciting places. Also, people want to learn from successful people and get inspiration. Following celebrities on social media makes people feel connected to their lives.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Has clear reasons nhưng development chưa sâu
• Vocabulary: Basic (interesting lives, luxury lifestyles, successful people)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate answer nhưng thiếu depth, analysis, và sophisticated language

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“Well, I think our fascination with famous people stems from several deep-rooted psychological needs. First and foremost, celebrities often represent a kind of aspirational lifestyle – they’ve achieved what many people dream of, whether that’s wealth, recognition, or creative success. On a more psychological level, following famous people gives us a sense of vicarious living – we can experience excitement and glamour through their lives without the actual risks or responsibilities.

Beyond that, I think there’s also a social currency aspect to it. Being knowledgeable about celebrities and their lives serves as common ground for conversations and social bonding. In our increasingly fragmented society, celebrity culture provides shared reference points that people from different backgrounds can discuss.

That said, I think the intensity of this fascination has been amplified by social media, which creates an illusion of intimacy with famous people. We see their daily lives, their thoughts, and this constant access feeds into a parasocial relationship where fans feel personally connected to people they’ve never actually met.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Excellent organization: Psychological reasons → Social reasons → Modern media impact → Nuanced conclusion
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated (deep-rooted psychological needs, aspirational lifestyle, vicarious living, social currency, fragmented society, shared reference points, parasocial relationship, illusion of intimacy)
• Grammar: Complex structures (whether that’s…, what many people dream of, the intensity has been amplified by)
• Critical Thinking: Multiple perspectives, từ psychological đến sociological, acknowledge modern context

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: Well, First and foremost, Beyond that, On a more psychological level, That said
• Tentative language: I think, often, kind of, seems to
• Abstract nouns: fascination, aspirations, intimacy, fragmentation, intensity
• Academic phrases: stems from, serves as, feeds into

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Question 2: Do you think famous people have a responsibility to be good role models?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Opinion question (Do you think)
• Key words: responsibility, role models
• Cách tiếp cận: State opinion clearly → Give reasons → Acknowledge other viewpoint → Conclusion

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Yes, I think famous people should be good role models because many young people look up to them and copy their behavior. If celebrities do bad things, it can have negative influence on their fans, especially children. However, some people say that celebrities are just normal people and shouldn’t be responsible for others’ actions. But I still think when you are famous, you have more influence, so you should be careful about what you do.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Has opinion → reason → counter-argument → restate opinion
• Vocabulary: Basic (look up to, bad things, negative influence)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Structure decent nhưng ideas chưa developed fully, vocabulary simple

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“This is quite a contentious issue, but I’d argue that yes, celebrities do bear some responsibility for being positive role models, though perhaps not to the extent that many people expect.

The reality is that famous people, whether they like it or not, wield considerable influence, particularly over young and impressionable audiences. Their behavior, values, and choices are magnified and scrutinized in ways that ordinary people’s aren’t. Given this platform, I believe there’s an ethical obligation to consider the potential ramifications of their actions. For instance, when high-profile athletes promote healthy lifestyles or education, it can have measurably positive impacts on public health and literacy rates.

That being said, I think we need to be careful not to place unrealistic expectations on celebrities. They’re human beings who are entitled to make mistakes and live their lives without constant moral judgment. The real issue, in my view, is that we as a society have elevated these individuals to almost mythical status, when in reality they’re just people who happen to be good at acting, sports, or music.

Perhaps a more balanced approach would be to expect basic ethical standards – not promoting harmful behaviors like substance abuse or violence – while recognizing that they’re not obligated to be paragons of virtue in every aspect of their lives. Ultimately, the responsibility for instilling values in young people should lie primarily with parents and educators, not entertainers.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Sophisticated: Introduce complexity → Main argument with evidence → Counter-argument → Balanced conclusion
• Vocabulary: Advanced (contentious issue, bear responsibility, wield influence, impressionable audiences, ethical obligation, potential ramifications, elevated to mythical status, paragons of virtue, instilling values)
• Grammar: Full range (whether they like it or not, Given this platform, while recognizing that, who happen to be)
• Critical Thinking: Nuanced view acknowledging multiple perspectives, real-world examples, societal critique

💡 Key Language Features:

• Hedging: quite, some, perhaps, I’d argue
• Emphasis: The reality is, The real issue, Ultimately
• Contrasting: That being said, while, though
• Conditionals & Qualifications: whether they like it or not, not to the extent that

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Theme 2: Social Media and Modern Fame

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

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Compare past and present (How has… changed)
• Key words: social media, become famous, changed
• Cách tiếp cận: Describe past → Describe present → Analyze the transformation → Impact/implications

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Social media has changed fame a lot. In the past, people became famous through traditional media like TV, movies, or music. It took a long time and you needed help from big companies. Now, anyone can become famous on social media like YouTube or TikTok. You just need to make interesting content and get followers. Some people become famous very quickly, even overnight. This is more democratic because you don’t need connections or money to start.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear comparison past vs present
• Vocabulary: Adequate but simple (a lot, big companies, interesting content)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Answers the question nhưng lacks sophistication và depth of analysis

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9:

“Social media has absolutely revolutionized the pathway to fame, fundamentally democratizing what was once a very gatekept industry.

Traditionally, becoming famous required going through established gatekeepers – talent agents, record labels, film studios, publishers – who decided who got access to mass audiences. This created a fairly narrow funnel where conventional attractiveness, connections, and often considerable financial resources were prerequisites for fame. The process was lengthy, often taking years of rejection and persistence.

In contrast, social media has created what I’d call a ‘direct-to-audience model.’ Individuals can now build substantial followings without any institutional backing whatsoever. We’ve seen everyone from beauty influencers to comedians to educators amass millions of followers by creating content from their bedrooms. What’s particularly striking is how rapidly this can happen – viral moments can catapult completely unknown people into global recognition within days.

However, I think this apparent democratization comes with some significant caveats. While the barriers to entry are lower, the competition is exponentially fiercer. There are millions of people vying for attention, and the algorithms that determine visibility have become the new gatekeepers, just less transparent ones. Moreover, this new form of fame is often more fragile and fleeting – someone can be trending one day and forgotten the next.

There’s also been a shift in what constitutes fame. It’s less about exceptional talent or achievement and more about engagement, relatability, and consistent content production. This has created a new type of celebrity – the influencer – whose fame is predicated on maintaining constant connection with their audience rather than any particular artistic or athletic achievement.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Masterful organization: Past system → Present system → Rapid change analysis → Critical evaluation → Broader implications
• Vocabulary: Exceptional (revolutionized, gatekept industry, narrow funnel, prerequisites, direct-to-audience model, institutional backing, catapult, exponentially fiercer, vying for, algorithms, fragile and fleeting, predicated on)
• Grammar: Full range (what was once, what I’d call, while the barriers…, what constitutes)
• Critical Thinking: Deep analysis không chỉ describe changes mà còn evaluate implications, acknowledge complexity (democratization có caveats)

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• revolutionize: cách mạng hóa
• gatekept industry: ngành công nghiệp được kiểm soát bởi những “người gác cổng”
• narrow funnel: phễu hẹp (ví dụ về limited access)
• direct-to-audience model: mô hình tiếp cận trực tiếp khán giả
• catapult someone into: đẩy ai đó lên (vị trí nào đó) nhanh chóng
• vying for attention: cạnh tranh để giành sự chú ý
• exponentially fiercer: khốc liệt theo cấp số nhân
• predicated on: dựa trên, lấy làm tiền đề

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Theme 3: Personal Qualities and Success

Question 4: What personal qualities do you think help people become successful?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Identify and explain qualities
• Key words: personal qualities, successful
• Cách tiếp cận: List 2-3 qualities → Explain why each is important → Give examples → Acknowledge context matters

📝 Sample Answer – Band 7-8:

“I’d say there are several key qualities that contribute to success. Firstly, resilience is crucial – the ability to bounce back from failures and keep going despite setbacks. Many successful people have faced numerous rejections before achieving their goals.

Secondly, I think adaptability is increasingly important in today’s fast-changing world. People who can adjust their strategies and learn new skills tend to stay relevant and find opportunities even when circumstances change.

Another important quality is self-discipline – the capacity to stay focused on long-term goals rather than getting distracted by short-term pleasures. This is what enables people to put in the consistent effort required for mastery in any field.

That said, I think we should recognize that success isn’t purely about individual qualities. External factors like opportunities, support systems, and sometimes just luck play significant roles too.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear listing với explanation cho mỗi quality
• Vocabulary: Good range (resilience, bounce back, adaptability, self-discipline, stay relevant)
• Tại sao Band 7-8: Well-developed answer với examples và qualification ở cuối, nhưng có thể sâu hơn về analysis

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9:

“Well, this is a multifaceted question because success can be defined in various ways, but I’ll focus on qualities that seem to transcend different domains.

I’d argue that perhaps the most critical quality is what psychologists call ‘grit‘ – a combination of passion and perseverance toward long-term goals. What distinguishes truly successful individuals from those who achieve fleeting success is their ability to sustain effort and interest over years, even in the absence of immediate rewards. We see this in everyone from Olympic athletes to Nobel Prize winners – they’re united by this relentless pursuit of their objectives despite inevitable obstacles.

Closely related to this is intellectual humility – the recognition that no matter how much you know, there’s always more to learn. People who reach the pinnacle of their fields are often voracious learners who actively seek out feedback and new perspectives. This contrasts sharply with the Dunning-Kruger effect where less competent individuals overestimate their abilities. True experts tend to be acutely aware of the vastness of what they don’t know.

I’d also highlight emotional intelligence as increasingly crucial in our interconnected world. Success rarely happens in isolation – it requires collaborating with others, navigating complex social dynamics, and often inspiring teams. The ability to understand and manage both your own emotions and those of others has become a differentiating factor in leadership success.

However, I think it’s important to caveat all of this by saying that these qualities, while valuable, don’t operate in a vacuum. Structural factors like socioeconomic background, access to education, and systemic inequalities profoundly shape whose talents get recognized and nurtured. The myth of the self-made person often obscures the role of privilege and opportunity in success stories.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Sophisticated: Acknowledge complexity → Quality 1 with deep analysis → Quality 2 with contrast → Quality 3 with contemporary relevance → Critical caveat about systemic factors
• Vocabulary: Exceptional (multifaceted, transcend, grit, fleeting success, sustain effort, inevitable obstacles, intellectual humility, reach the pinnacle, voracious learners, Dunning-Kruger effect, acutely aware, emotional intelligence, interconnected world, differentiating factor, operate in a vacuum, structural factors, profoundly shape, myth of the self-made person)
• Grammar: Full range (what psychologists call, what distinguishes, the recognition that, whose talents get)
• Critical Thinking: Extremely sophisticated – cites psychological concepts, acknowledges counterexamples, contextualizes within broader social structures

Giáo viên IELTS và học viên thảo luận sâu Part 3 về chủ đề người nổi tiếng và thành công

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Question 5: Do you think it’s easier or harder to become successful nowadays compared to the past?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Compare and evaluate (easier or harder)
• Key words: nowadays, compared to the past, successful
• Cách tiếp cận: Take a stance (or say “it depends”) → Explain easier aspects → Explain harder aspects → Nuanced conclusion

📝 Sample Answer – Band 7-8:

“I’d say it’s a mixed bag, actually. In some ways, it’s easier now because technology has opened up so many opportunities. You can start a business online with minimal capital, reach global audiences through social media, and learn almost anything for free through online courses. The barriers to entry in many fields have significantly lowered.

On the flip side, I think it’s harder in other respects. The competition is far more intense because you’re now competing globally, not just locally. Moreover, the pace of change means that skills become obsolete more quickly, requiring constant adaptation. There’s also this pressure of constant visibility and comparison through social media, which can be mentally taxing.

Overall, I think it’s easier to get started but harder to truly stand out and achieve lasting success in today’s saturated markets.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Balanced view – easier aspects → harder aspects → conclusion
• Vocabulary: Good (mixed bag, barriers to entry, obsolete, mentally taxing, saturated markets)
• Tại sao Band 7-8: Well-balanced argument với examples, nhưng có thể develop deeper với specific examples hoặc data

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9:

“This is really thought-provoking because the answer varies dramatically depending on how we define success and what domain we’re talking about. Let me unpack this a bit.

On one hand, we’re living in unprecedented times in terms of accessibility. The digital revolution has dismantled many traditional barriers. A talented coder in a rural village can now learn programming online, contribute to open-source projects, and potentially land a job at a tech giant without ever setting foot in a university. This would have been inconceivable a generation ago. Similarly, artists can bypass traditional galleries and sell directly to collectors worldwide. In this sense, meritocracy has, to some extent, become more attainable.

However, I’d argue that in many ways, success has become exponentially more challenging. Firstly, the playing field has expanded from local to global, meaning you’re no longer competing with hundreds but with millions. The signal-to-noise ratio has become terrible – standing out requires not just talent but also savvy marketing, personal branding, and often considerable luck in terms of algorithmic favor.

Secondly, what I find particularly challenging about modern success is its ephemeral nature. Whereas in the past, establishing yourself in a field could provide relatively stable recognition for decades, today’s success often requires constant reinvention. You can’t rest on your laurels – you need to be perpetually visible, perpetually productive, and perpetually adaptable to shifting trends. This relentlessness can be psychologically exhausting.

Furthermore, I think we’ve lost sight of what success actually means. We’re bombarded with images of overnight successes and hustle culture, creating unrealistic benchmarks. The paradox of choice means people often struggle with decision paralysis, constantly wondering if they’re on the ‘right’ path.

So to synthesize, I’d say the barriers to attempting success are lower, but the barriers to achieving and sustaining it are arguably higher. It’s easier to start a business, but harder to make it succeed. It’s easier to create content, but harder to build a sustainable audience. The democratization of opportunity has inadvertently created a more competitive and demanding landscape.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Outstanding: Acknowledge complexity → Easier aspects with examples → Harder aspects (multiple dimensions) → Modern challenges → Psychological dimension → Synthesis
• Vocabulary: Exceptional (thought-provoking, unprecedented times, dismantled barriers, would have been inconceivable, bypass, meritocracy, exponentially more challenging, signal-to-noise ratio, ephemeral nature, rest on your laurels, shifting trends, relentlessness, bombarded with, hustle culture, paradox of choice, decision paralysis, to synthesize, inadvertently created)
• Grammar: Full range và sophisticated (how we define, depending on, whereas in the past, you can’t, means people struggle)
• Critical Thinking: Exceptionally sophisticated – multiple dimensions analyzed, psychological insights, paradoxes identified, synthesized conclusion

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: On one hand, However, Firstly, Secondly, Furthermore, So to synthesize
• Hedging & Qualifying: to some extent, arguably, often, I’d argue
• Abstract concepts: meritocracy, democratization, ephemeral nature, paradox of choice
• Sophisticated phrases: Let me unpack this, would have been inconceivable, exponentially more challenging, inadvertently created

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Theme 4: Role Models and Influence

Question 6: Who do you think makes better role models: celebrities or ordinary people who have achieved something in their communities?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Compare and evaluate two options
• Key words: better role models, celebrities vs ordinary people
• Cách tiếp cận: Discuss merits of both → State preference (or nuanced view) → Explain why → Implications

📝 Sample Answer – Band 7-8:

“That’s an interesting question. I think both have their merits as role models, but in different ways.

Celebrities have wider reach and can inspire millions of people simultaneously. When a famous athlete overcomes adversity or a celebrity champions a social cause, it can raise awareness on a massive scale. Their stories are also well-documented and easily accessible.

However, I’d argue that ordinary people who’ve achieved things in their communities can be more relatable and therefore potentially more influential on a personal level. Their achievements seem more attainable because they’re working with similar constraints to most people. A local teacher who’s transformed struggling students’ lives or a community organizer who’s improved their neighborhood demonstrates that you don’t need fame or fortune to make a difference.

Ideally, I think we need both types of role models – celebrities to inspire big dreams and ordinary people to show that everyday heroism is possible and valuable.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear comparison với balanced view
• Vocabulary: Good range (wider reach, overcomes adversity, champions, relatable, attainable, constraints, transformed)
• Tại sao Band 7-8: Well-reasoned argument với examples, acknowledges both sides effectively

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9:

“I’d have to say this is really a question of impact versus relatability, and I think the answer depends on what we’re trying to achieve with role models in the first place.

Celebrities undeniably possess tremendous reach. When someone like Malala Yousafzai advocates for girls’ education or when a prominent athlete speaks out about mental health, they can shift public discourse and destigmatize issues on a scale that ordinary individuals simply cannot match. Their visibility amplifies messages to global audiences, and their success stories, while sometimes seemingly unattainable, can spark ambition and broaden people’s sense of what’s possible. There’s also something to be said for the aspirational quality of celebrity role models – they represent extraordinary achievement that can be genuinely motivating.

That said, I think we severely underestimate the power of proximate role models – the people in our immediate environments who’ve achieved meaningful things. Research in social psychology actually suggests that role models who are perceived as similar to us are often more effective at driving behavior change. When you see your neighbor starting a successful business or a colleague balancing career and family effectively, it bypasses that mental barrier of ‘well, that’s different because they’re special.’ The proximity makes the achievement seem replicable.

Moreover, community role models often demonstrate a different kind of success – one that’s rooted in sustained effort, genuine relationships, and tangible local impact rather than fame or wealth. They show that you can lead a meaningful life and contribute significantly to society without ever appearing on television. In an era where we’re increasingly disconnected from our communities and overly focused on external validation through likes and followers, this alternative definition of success is perhaps what we need most.

I’d also argue that the nature of role modeling has become more complex in the digital age. Celebrities are now hyper-visible, and this constant scrutiny often reveals their flaws and mistakes in ways that can be disillusioning. Meanwhile, ordinary people are increasingly able to share their stories and expertise through platforms like YouTube or blogs, blurring the line between celebrity and community figure.

So ultimately, rather than seeing this as an either-or proposition, I think we need a diverse ecosystem of role models. Celebrity role models can inspire us to think big and highlight important issues, while community role models can guide us in practical ways and demonstrate that impact doesn’t require a platform of millions.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Exceptional: Define the dilemma → Celebrity advantages → Community figure advantages with research backing → Contemporary relevance → Complexity in digital age → Nuanced synthesis
• Vocabulary: Outstanding (impact vs relatability, undeniably possess, shift public discourse, destigmatize, seemingly unattainable, severely underestimate, proximate role models, perceived as similar, bypasses mental barrier, replicable, rooted in, tangible local impact, hyper-visible, constant scrutiny, disillusioning, diverse ecosystem)
• Grammar: Full sophisticated range (what we’re trying to achieve, while sometimes seemingly unattainable, when you see your neighbor, without ever appearing)
• Critical Thinking: Exceptional – cites research, analyzes psychological mechanisms, contemporary analysis of digital era, creates synthesis rather than simple answer

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• tremendous reach: tầm với/ảnh hưởng to lớn
• shift public discourse: thay đổi diễn ngôn công chúng
• destigmatize: xóa bỏ sự kỳ thị
• proximate role models: những tấm gương gần gũi
• bypasses mental barrier: vượt qua rào cản tâm lý
• rooted in: bắt nguồn từ, dựa trên nền tảng
• tangible local impact: tác động cụ thể tại địa phương
• hyper-visible: cực kỳ dễ nhìn thấy, lộ rõ
• diverse ecosystem: hệ sinh thái đa dạng

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Từ Vựng và Cụm Từ Quan Trọng

Topic-Specific Vocabulary

Từ vựng/Cụm từ	Loại từ	Phiên âm	Nghĩa tiếng Việt	Ví dụ	Collocation
fascinating	adj	/ˈfæsɪneɪtɪŋ/	hấp dẫn, lôi cuốn	She’s a fascinating person with diverse interests.	fascinating character, fascinating story, absolutely fascinating
accomplished	adj	/əˈkʌmplɪʃt/	tài năng, có thành tựu	He’s an accomplished musician and composer.	highly accomplished, accomplished artist/athlete, accomplished in many fields
visionary	noun/adj	/ˈvɪʒəneri/	người có tầm nhìn xa	Steve Jobs was a visionary who changed technology.	visionary leader, true visionary, visionary thinking
groundbreaking	adj	/ˈɡraʊndbreɪkɪŋ/	mang tính đột phá	Her groundbreaking research won her a Nobel Prize.	groundbreaking work/research, groundbreaking discovery
influential	adj	/ˌɪnfluˈenʃl/	có ảnh hưởng lớn	She’s one of the most influential people in tech.	highly influential, influential figure, influential in shaping
trailblazer	noun	/ˈtreɪlbleɪzər/	người tiên phong	She was a trailblazer for women in science.	trailblazer in/for, true trailblazer
charismatic	adj	/ˌkærɪzˈmætɪk/	có sức lôi cuốn, quyến rũ	He’s a charismatic speaker who captivates audiences.	charismatic leader, charismatic personality
pioneer	noun/verb	/ˌpaɪəˈnɪr/	người tiên phong, đi đầu	Marie Curie was a pioneer in radioactivity research.	pioneer in/of, pioneer new methods, pioneering work
remarkable	adj	/rɪˈmɑːrkəbl/	đáng chú ý, phi thường	Her remarkable achievements inspired millions.	remarkable person, remarkable achievement, truly remarkable
aspire to	verb phrase	/əˈspaɪr tuː/	khao khát, mong muốn đạt được	I aspire to be as dedicated as she is.	aspire to greatness, aspire to be
resonate with	verb phrase	/ˈrezəneɪt wɪð/	gây được tiếng vang, tạo sự đồng cảm	His message resonates with young people.	strongly resonate, resonate deeply
articulate	adj	/ɑːrˈtɪkjələt/	diễn đạt rõ ràng, lưu loát	She’s very articulate about complex issues.	highly articulate, articulate speaker
embody	verb	/ɪmˈbɑːdi/	thể hiện, hiện thân	He embodies the values of perseverance and integrity.	embody values/principles, perfectly embody
profound impact	noun phrase	/prəˈfaʊnd ˈɪmpækt/	tác động sâu sắc	Her work has had a profound impact on society.	have a profound impact, make a profound impact
exemplify	verb	/ɪɡˈzemplɪfaɪ/	minh họa, làm gương	She exemplifies dedication and professionalism.	perfectly exemplify, exemplify qualities
legacy	noun	/ˈleɡəsi/	di sản, những gì để lại	His legacy continues to inspire new generations.	lasting legacy, leave a legacy, cultural legacy
perseverance	noun	/ˌpɜːrsəˈvɪrəns/	sự kiên trì, bền bỉ	Her perseverance through difficulties is admirable.	show perseverance, remarkable perseverance
relentless	adj	/rɪˈlentləs/	không ngừng nghỉ, kiên trì	His relentless pursuit of excellence is inspiring.	relentless pursuit, relentless effort
unconventional	adj	/ˌʌnkənˈvenʃənl/	không theo lối mòn, độc đáo	Her unconventional approach yielded amazing results.	unconventional methods, unconventional thinking
authentic	adj	/ɔːˈθentɪk/	chân thực, đích thực	I admire her authentic and genuine personality.	authentic self, remain authentic

Idiomatic Expressions & Advanced Phrases

Cụm từ	Nghĩa	Ví dụ sử dụng	Band điểm
push the boundaries	phá vỡ ranh giới, thách thức giới hạn	She constantly pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in her field.	7.5-9
ahead of their time	đi trước thời đại	Many of his ideas were ahead of their time and weren’t appreciated until later.	7.5-8
make waves	tạo ra làn sóng, gây chú ý	She’s making waves in the tech industry with her innovative startup.	7-8
stand out from the crowd	nổi bật giữa đám đông	His unique perspective helps him stand out from the crowd.	7-8
a force to be reckoned with	một sức mạnh đáng gờm	She’s become a force to be reckoned with in environmental activism.	8-9
break new ground	khai phá lĩnh vực mới	Their research is breaking new ground in renewable energy.	7.5-8.5
make their mark	để dấu ấn, tạo được tên tuổi	He’s determined to make his mark in the field of education.	7-8
rise to prominence	nổi lên, trở nên nổi tiếng	She rose to prominence after her TEDx talk went viral.	7.5-8.5
go against the grain	đi ngược với đám đông, làm trái với thói quen	He’s not afraid to go against the grain and challenge conventional wisdom.	8-8.5
set the bar high	đặt ra tiêu chuẩn cao	Her achievements have set the bar high for future generations.	7-8
pave the way for	mở đường cho	Her pioneering work paved the way for other women in STEM fields.	7.5-8.5
leave a lasting impression	để lại ấn tượng sâu sắc	His humanitarian work has left a lasting impression on communities worldwide.	7-8

Discourse Markers (Từ Nối Ý Trong Speaking)

Để bắt đầu câu trả lời:

• 📝 Well,… – Khi cần một moment để suy nghĩ
• 📝 Actually,… – Khi muốn correct hoặc add nuance
• 📝 To be honest,… – Khi muốn nói thật/trung thực
• 📝 I’d say that… – Khi đưa ra quan điểm cá nhân
• 📝 That’s an interesting question,… – Khi acknowledge câu hỏi hay
• 📝 You know,… – Để tạo conversational tone (không lạm dụng)

Để bổ sung ý:

• 📝 On top of that,… – Thêm vào đó, ngoài ra
• 📝 What’s more,… – Hơn nữa
• 📝 Not to mention… – Chưa kể đến
• 📝 Beyond that,… – Ngoài điều đó ra
• 📝 Moreover,… / Furthermore,… – Hơn nữa (formal hơn)
• 📝 In addition to that,… – Thêm vào điều đó

Để đưa ra quan điểm cân bằng:

• 📝 On the one hand,… On the other hand,… – Một mặt… mặt khác
• 📝 While it’s true that…, we also need to consider… – Mặc dù đúng là… nhưng cũng cần xem xét
• 📝 That being said,… – Điều đó đã nói, tuy nhiên
• 📝 Having said that,… – Sau khi nói điều đó, tuy nhiên

Để đưa ra ví dụ:

• 📝 For instance,… / For example,… – Ví dụ
• 📝 Take… for example – Lấy… làm ví dụ
• 📝 A case in point is… – Một trường hợp điển hình là
• 📝 We can see this in… – Chúng ta có thể thấy điều này trong

Để kết luận:

• 📝 All in all,… – Tóm lại
• 📝 At the end of the day,… – Cuối cùng thì
• 📝 Ultimately,… – Cuối cùng, xét cho cùng
• 📝 So to sum up,… – Để tóm tắt lại
• 📝 In a nutshell,… – Tóm gọn lại

Để qualify statements (hedging):

• 📝 I think… / I’d say… – Tôi nghĩ (không quá chắc chắn)
• 📝 It seems to me that… – Có vẻ như với tôi
• 📝 To some extent,… – Ở một mức độ nào đó
• 📝 In some ways,… – Theo một số cách
• 📝 Generally speaking,… – Nói chung thì

Grammatical Structures Ấn Tượng

1. Conditional Sentences (Câu điều kiện):

Mixed conditional:

• Formula: If + past perfect, would + base verb
• Ví dụ: “If I had met her earlier in my career, I would be in a completely different position now.”

Inversion (đảo ngữ):

• Formula: Had + subject + past participle, would have…
• Ví dụ: “Had I known about his work sooner, I would have pursued a similar path.”

2. Relative Clauses (Mệnh đề quan hệ):

Non-defining (thêm thông tin):

• Formula: , who/which + verb,
• Ví dụ: “Marie Curie, who was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, faced enormous challenges in her career.”

3. Passive Voice (Câu bị động):

Impersonal passive:

• Formula: It is thought/believed/said that…
• Ví dụ: “It is widely believed that she revolutionized the industry through her innovative approach.”

4. Cleft Sentences (Câu chẻ):

What-clefts:

• Formula: What + subject + verb + is…
• Ví dụ: “What I find most inspiring about her is her unwavering commitment to her principles.”

It-clefts:

• Formula: It is/was… that/who…
• Ví dụ: “It was her perseverance through adversity that truly sets her apart from others.”

5. Participle Clauses:

Present participle:

• Ví dụ: “Having faced numerous setbacks, she emerged stronger and more determined.”

Past participle:

• Ví dụ: “Inspired by her story, many young people have pursued careers in science.”

6. Emphatic Structures:

Do/Does/Did for emphasis:

• Ví dụ: “She does exemplify everything I admire in a leader.”

Inversion for emphasis:

• Ví dụ: “Not only did she achieve success, but she also helped others along the way.”

Bảng từ vựng và cụm từ quan trọng IELTS Speaking về chủ đề người thú vị với pronunciation

Chiến Lược Làm Bài Từ Examiner

Strategies Tổng Thể

1. Chọn Nhân Vật Phù Hợp (Crucial cho Part 2)

Tiêu chí chọn người:

• Người mà bạn thực sự biết đủ thông tin (đừng chọn người chỉ biết tên)
• Người có stories interesting và achievements rõ ràng
• Người trong lĩnh vực bạn quan tâm (sẽ nói chân thành hơn)
• Người không gây tranh cãi về chính trị

Gợi ý nhân vật an toàn và có nhiều góc kể:

• Scientists/Inventors: Marie Curie, Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking, Jane Goodall
• Entrepreneurs/Business leaders: Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey
• Authors/Thinkers: Maya Angelou, Yuval Noah Harari, Malcolm Gladwell
• Activists/Humanitarians: Malala Yousafzai, Greta Thunberg, Mother Teresa
• Artists/Musicians: Leonardo da Vinci, Frida Kahlo, contemporary artists
• Athletes: Muhammad Ali, Serena Williams, Simone Biles

2. Sử dụng Thời Gian Chuẩn Bị (1 phút của Part 2)

Đừng viết câu – chỉ ghi keywords:

Name: Michelle Obama
How know: Book "Becoming" 2 yrs ago
- Working-class → First Lady
- Smart, authentic
- Education, health campaigns
Why want know:
- Balance roles?
- Deal with pressure?
- Leadership style

3. Cấu Trúc Câu Trả Lời Part 3

Formula hiệu quả:

1. Direct answer (1 câu ngắn stating position)
2. Reason 1 + explanation + example (2-3 câu)
3. Reason 2 + explanation + example (2-3 câu)
4. Qualification/Nuance (1-2 câu showing complexity)

Ví dụ template:

Question: Why do people admire celebrities?

“[Direct] I think people admire celebrities for several interconnected reasons. [Reason 1] Firstly, celebrities often represent aspirational lifestyles… [explain] For instance… [example]. [Reason 2] Beyond that, there’s a psychological element… [explain] We can see this in… [example]. [Qualification] That said, I think the nature of this admiration has changed significantly with social media…”

Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

Lỗi 1: Trả lời quá ngắn

• ❌ Sai: “Yes, I like meeting new people.” (Stop)
• ✅ Đúng: “Yes, I do enjoy meeting new people because I find it fascinating to learn about different perspectives and life experiences. Just last month, I met someone at a conference who completely changed my view on sustainable living.”

Lỗi 2: Lạm dụng “I think”

• ❌ Sai: “I think he’s interesting. I think his ideas are good. I think people should listen to him.”
• ✅ Đúng: “I find him fascinating. His ideas seem revolutionary. People would benefit from paying attention to his work.”

Lỗi 3: Vocabulary quá basic và lặp lại

• ❌ Sai: “She’s very interesting. She has interesting ideas. Her work is very interesting.”
• ✅ Đúng: “She’s absolutely fascinating. Her innovative approach has revolutionized the field. What I find most compelling is her unique perspective on…”

Lỗi 4: Thiếu examples cụ thể

• ❌ Sai: “He’s successful because he works hard and has good ideas.”
• ✅ Đúng: “He’s achieved remarkable success through his relentless work ethic. For instance, he’s known to work 80-hour weeks and has launched three groundbreaking products in the past five years.”

Lỗi 5: Part 2 quá ngắn

• ❌ Sai: Nói 1 phút rồi dừng, ngồi nhìn examiner
• ✅ Đúng: Prepare đủ content cho 2-2.5 phút. Nếu hết ý, elaborate thêm về “explain why” part

Lỗi 6: Quá cứng nhắc như đọc template

• ❌ Sai: “There are three reasons why… Firstly… Secondly… Thirdly…” (sounds memorized)
• ✅ Đúng: “Well, I’d say there are several factors at play here. For one thing… Beyond that… What also strikes me is…”

Tips From An Examiner’s Perspective

1. Natural > Perfect

• Examiner đánh giá communicative ability, không phải perfection
• Một vài hesitations tự nhiên (um, well) là OK – shows you’re thinking
• Tự sửa lỗi nhẹ nhàng là dấu hiệu của proficiency: “She was… she’s been working…”

2. Show Your Personality

• Đừng sợ show enthusiasm về topic
• Genuine interest in người bạn chọn sẽ làm bài nói tự nhiên hơn
• Thêm personal touches: “What I personally find most inspiring is…”

3. Buy Time Naturally

• Khi cần suy nghĩ: “That’s an interesting question…”, “Let me think about that…”, “Well…”
• Đừng có những pauses dài im lặng – vẫn cần maintain fluency

4. Part 3 Is Where You Shine

• Đây là nơi demonstrate critical thinking và sophisticated language
• Đừng ngại nói “It depends…” hoặc “I think it’s more nuanced than that…”
• Show you understand complexity: “While X is true, we also need to consider Y”

5. Pronunciation Matters

• Không cần accent Anh/Mỹ hoàn hảo
• Cần: clear enunciation, appropriate word stress, natural intonation
• Practice những từ khó: entrepreneur /ˌɑːntrəprəˈnɜːr/, perseverance /ˌpɜːrsəˈvɪrəns/

6. Timing Strategy

• Part 1: 2-3 câu per question (20-30 seconds)
• Part 2: Aim for 2-2.5 phút, minimum 1:45
• Part 3: 3-5 câu per question (30-60 seconds)

Final Preparation Checklist

1 tuần trước thi:

• ✅ Practice với 10-15 topics khác nhau, bao gồm chủ đề “interesting person”
• ✅ Record và listen lại để identify issues (hesitations, vocabulary repetition)
• ✅ Học 20 collocations mới mỗi ngày và dùng trong context
• ✅ Practice Part 3 questions – train critical thinking

1 ngày trước thi:

• ✅ Review key vocabulary và expressions
• ✅ Practice 2-3 complete mock tests
• ✅ Relax – đừng cram quá nhiều

Trong phòng thi:

• ✅ Smile và eye contact với examiner (shows confidence)
• ✅ Speak at moderate pace – không quá nhanh
• ✅ If you don’t understand question, ask politely: “Could you repeat that, please?”
• ✅ Nếu blank out, recover gracefully: “Let me rephrase that…” hoặc “What I mean to say is…”

Đánh Giá Thực Tế Band Scores

Band 6-7 Profile:

• Fluency: Speaks with some hesitation, có thể repetition
• Vocabulary: Adequate cho topic, một số less common words
• Grammar: Mix simple và complex, có một số errors không ảnh hưởng hiểu
• Pronunciation: Generally clear

Band 7.5-8 Profile:

• Fluency: Speaks fluently với occasional hesitation
• Vocabulary: Good range với collocations, some sophisticated items
• Grammar: Good range of complex structures, majority error-free
• Pronunciation: Clear với good features (stress, intonation)

Band 8.5-9 Profile:

• Fluency: Speaks fluently với natural hesitations chỉ để organize
• Vocabulary: Wide, precise, idiomatic, sophisticated
• Grammar: Full range used naturally và accurately
• Pronunciation: Sustained features của skilled speaker

Chúc các bạn học viên đạt được band điểm mong muốn trong IELTS Speaking. Hãy nhớ rằng confidence và authenticity cũng quan trọng như linguistic ability. Practice regularly, embrace mistakes as learning opportunities, và đừng quên enjoy the process of improving your English.