Cách Sử Dụng In General Và Generally Trong IELTS - Bí Quyết Đạt Band 7+ » IELTS.NET

Giới Thiệu

In general và generally là hai cụm từ phó từ đóng vai trò quan trọng trong việc diễn đạt ý kiến tổng quát và khái quát hóa thông tin – kỹ năng thiết yếu để đạt điểm cao trong IELTS. Hai cụm từ này giúp bạn thể hiện khả năng tổng hợp thông tin và đưa ra nhận định chung, đặc biệt hữu ích trong IELTS Speaking Part 3 và Writing Task 2 khi bạn cần trình bày quan điểm về các vấn đề xã hội rộng lớn.

Mục lục nội dung

Theo phân tích từ các bài thi IELTS thực tế, in general và generally xuất hiện với tần suất cao trong các bài thi đạt Band 7-9, đặc biệt trong:

Speaking: Part 3 (thảo luận về các chủ đề xã hội, xu hướng chung)
Writing Task 2: Introduction và body paragraphs (đưa ra quan điểm tổng quát)
Writing Task 1: Mô tả xu hướng chung của biểu đồ

Ví dụ vận dụng trong IELTS:

Speaking Part 3 (Discussing social trends):
“In general, young people today are more health-conscious than previous generations.”
→ Phân tích: Sử dụng “in general” ở đầu câu để đưa ra nhận định chung về xu hướng xã hội.

Writing Task 2 (Opinion essay – Introduction):
“While individual cases may vary, people generally prefer to live in cities rather than rural areas due to better job opportunities.”
→ Phân tích: “Generally” được đặt giữa chủ ngữ và động từ chính để thể hiện quan điểm phổ biến.

Speaking Part 3 (Giving opinion):
“Generally speaking, technological advances have improved our quality of life significantly.”
→ Phân tích: Cụm “generally speaking” ở đầu câu tạo sự tự nhiên và học thuật.

Writing Task 2 (Discussion essay):
“The younger generation, in general, tends to be more open-minded about cultural differences.”
→ Phân tích: “In general” được chèn giữa chủ ngữ để nhấn mạnh tính tổng quát.

Writing Task 1 (Describing trends):
“In general, the chart shows an upward trend in renewable energy consumption over the past decade.”
→ Phân tích: Sử dụng để tóm tắt xu hướng chính của dữ liệu.

Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ học:
✅ Định nghĩa và sự khác biệt giữa “in general” và “generally”
✅ 5 vị trí đặt trong câu với công thức cụ thể
✅ Cách vận dụng vào 4 kỹ năng IELTS
✅ 25+ câu ví dụ Band 7-9 từ đề thi thực tế
✅ Các cụm từ đồng nghĩa nâng cao cho Band 8+
✅ 7 lỗi phổ biến của học viên Việt Nam
✅ Bài tập thực hành có đáp án chi tiết

In General và Generally Là Gì?

Định Nghĩa

In general và generally là các trạng từ (adverbs) hoặc cụm trạng từ (adverbial phrases) dùng để diễn đạt một tình huống, quan điểm hoặc xu hướng phổ biến, không đề cập đến trường hợp cụ thể hay ngoại lệ. Chúng tương đương với “nói chung”, “nhìn chung”, “thông thường” trong tiếng Việt.

Chức năng chính:

Generalizing (Khái quát hóa): Đưa ra nhận định chung về một nhóm người, sự vật, hiện tượng mà không đi vào chi tiết từng trường hợp cụ thể
Hedging (Làm mềm lập luận): Tránh khẳng định tuyệt đối, thể hiện sự cân nhắc và học thuật trong văn viết
Summarizing (Tóm tắt): Tổng hợp thông tin hoặc xu hướng chính từ nhiều chi tiết riêng lẻ

Khi nào dùng trong IELTS:

Speaking Part 3: Khi examiner hỏi về xu hướng xã hội, thói quen chung của mọi người, hoặc so sánh giữa các nhóm người
Writing Task 2: Trong introduction để giới thiệu vấn đề chung, trong body paragraphs để đưa ra luận điểm tổng quát trước khi đi vào ví dụ cụ thể
Writing Task 1: Để mô tả xu hướng tổng thể của biểu đồ trước khi phân tích chi tiết
Listening/Reading: Cần nhận diện để hiểu rằng thông tin đang được trình bày ở mức độ khái quát, có thể có ngoại lệ

Sự Khác Biệt Giữa In General và Generally

Mặc dù có nghĩa tương tự, hai cụm từ này có một số điểm khác biệt về vị trí và cách sử dụng:

Tiêu chí	In General	Generally
Loại từ	Cụm giới từ (prepositional phrase)	Trạng từ (adverb)
Vị trí phổ biến	Đầu câu hoặc cuối câu	Linh hoạt: đầu câu, giữa câu, cuối câu
Mức độ trang trọng	Trang trọng hơn	Linh hoạt hơn, dùng được trong nhiều ngữ cảnh
Xu hướng sử dụng	Thường đi kèm dấu phẩy	Có thể có hoặc không có dấu phẩy

Ví dụ so sánh:

“In general, students prefer online learning.” (Trang trọng, phù hợp Writing)
“Students generally prefer online learning.” (Tự nhiên, phù hợp Speaking)

Tần Suất Xuất Hiện Trong IELTS

Theo phân tích từ Cambridge IELTS 14-18:

Speaking:

Part 1: Ít sử dụng (5%) – Câu hỏi thường về cá nhân, không cần khái quát
Part 2: Trung bình (15%) – Có thể dùng khi mô tả đặc điểm chung của địa điểm, người
Part 3: Rất cao (60%) – Sử dụng thường xuyên khi thảo luận về xu hướng xã hội, so sánh nhóm người, đưa ra quan điểm về các vấn đề rộng

Ví dụ Part 3:

“Do young people in your country like to travel?” → “Generally, yes. Young Vietnamese are increasingly interested in exploring new places.”

Writing:

Task 1: Trung bình (30%) – Dùng để tóm tắt xu hướng chung trong overview hoặc khi mô tả đặc điểm tổng thể
Task 2: Rất cao (70%) – Xuất hiện trong hầu hết các bài essay Band 7+, đặc biệt trong introduction và topic sentences

Ví dụ Task 2:

Introduction: “In general, technological advancement has been beneficial to society, although some negative impacts cannot be ignored.”

Listening/Reading:

Xuất hiện thường xuyên trong các bài academic texts và lectures
Cần nhận diện để phân biệt thông tin chung và thông tin cụ thể
Thường xuất hiện trước câu topic sentence hoặc trong phần tổng kết

Band Score Impact:

Band 5-6: Không sử dụng hoặc sử dụng sai vị trí, thiếu khả năng khái quát hóa
Band 7: Sử dụng chính xác “in general” hoặc “generally” để đưa ra quan điểm tổng quát, kết hợp với ví dụ cụ thể
Band 8-9: Sử dụng linh hoạt nhiều cụm từ tương đương (broadly speaking, on the whole, for the most part), biết khi nào nên khái quát và khi nào nên cụ thể hóa

Công Thức và Vị Trí Sử Dụng

Vị Trí 1: Đầu Câu (Initial Position)

📌 CÔNG THỨC:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ In general / Generally + , + Main Clause        │
│                                                 │
│ Ví dụ: Generally, people prefer face-to-face   │
│ communication to online interaction.            │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Đặc điểm:

Luôn có dấu phẩy sau “in general” hoặc “generally”
Tạo hiệu ứng nhấn mạnh vào tính tổng quát của thông tin
Rất phổ biến trong Writing Task 2 introduction
Phù hợp để mở đầu một ý kiến hoặc nhận định

Ví dụ phân tích chi tiết:

Câu 1: “In general, developed countries have better healthcare systems than developing nations.”

Phân tích:

Adverbial phrase: In general (cụm trạng từ chỉ tính tổng quát)
Subject: developed countries (chủ ngữ)
Verb: have (động từ chính)
Object: better healthcare systems (tân ngữ)
Comparison: than developing nations (so sánh)

Câu 2: “Generally, younger generations are more adaptable to technological changes.”

Phân tích:

Adverb: Generally (trạng từ)
Subject: younger generations (chủ ngữ)
Verb phrase: are more adaptable (cụm động từ)
Prepositional phrase: to technological changes (bổ ngữ)

Band 7+ Variations:

“Generally speaking, climate change poses a serious threat to biodiversity.”
“In general terms, economic growth correlates with improved living standards.”
“More generally, social media has transformed how we communicate.”

Vị Trí 2: Sau Chủ Ngữ (After Subject)

📌 CÔNG THỨC:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Subject + , in general / generally, + Verb      │
│                                                 │
│ Ví dụ: Students, in general, perform better    │
│ when they have clear learning objectives.      │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Đặc điểm:

Được đặt giữa hai dấu phẩy
Tạo sự ngắt nhịp tự nhiên trong câu
Nhấn mạnh chủ ngữ trước khi đưa ra nhận định chung
Phổ biến trong Speaking Part 3 và Writing Task 2

Ví dụ:

“Young people, generally, tend to be more open to new experiences than older adults.”
→ Nhấn mạnh nhóm “young people” trước khi đưa ra đặc điểm chung của họ.

“Urban residents, in general, have access to better educational facilities.”
→ Tạo sự tập trung vào “urban residents” như đối tượng chính của câu.

“The elderly, generally speaking, require more healthcare support than younger age groups.”
→ Sử dụng “generally speaking” để làm mềm nhận định và thể hiện sự thận trọng.

Khi nào sử dụng vị trí này:

Khi bạn muốn nhấn mạnh nhóm đối tượng trước khi nói về đặc điểm chung
Khi cần tạo sự ngắt nhịp trong câu dài để dễ theo dõi
Trong Writing để thể hiện sự tinh tế trong cách diễn đạt

Vị Trí 3: Trước Động Từ Chính (Before Main Verb)

📌 CÔNG THỨC:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Subject + generally + Main Verb                 │
│                                                 │
│ Ví dụ: People generally prefer quality over    │
│ quantity when making purchasing decisions.     │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Lưu ý quan trọng: Chỉ “generally” (trạng từ) có thể dùng ở vị trí này, không dùng “in general” (cụm giới từ).

Đặc điểm:

Không có dấu phẩy
Là vị trí tự nhiên nhất của trạng từ trong tiếng Anh
Tạo câu văn mượt mà, không gián đoạn
Rất phù hợp cho Speaking vì nghe tự nhiên

Ví dụ:

“Experts generally agree that early education is crucial for child development.”
→ “Generally” đứng giữa chủ ngữ “experts” và động từ “agree”.

“The government generally implements policies gradually to minimize disruption.”
→ Trạng từ “generally” bổ nghĩa cho động từ “implements”.

“Environmental problems generally require long-term solutions rather than quick fixes.”
→ Sử dụng “generally” để thể hiện xu hướng phổ biến của các vấn đề môi trường.

So sánh với các trạng từ tần suất khác:

Trạng từ	Vị trí	Ví dụ
generally	Trước động từ chính	People generally support this policy.
usually	Trước động từ chính	I usually wake up at 7 AM.
often	Trước động từ chính	She often visits museums.
sometimes	Trước động từ chính	We sometimes eat out.

Vị Trí 4: Giữa Trợ Động Từ và Động Từ Chính (Between Auxiliary and Main Verb)

📌 CÔNG THỨC:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Subject + Auxiliary + generally + Main Verb     │
│                                                 │
│ Ví dụ: Technology has generally improved our   │
│ standard of living.                            │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Đặc điểm:

Chỉ áp dụng với “generally”, không dùng “in general”
Không có dấu phẩy
Thường xuất hiện với: has/have, will, would, can, should, must
Rất phổ biến trong Writing Task 2 và Speaking Part 3

Ví dụ với các trợ động từ khác nhau:

Với “has/have” (Present Perfect):
“The education system has generally improved over the past decade.”
→ Diễn tả xu hướng cải thiện chung trong quá khứ đến hiện tại.

Với “will” (Future):
“Experts predict that renewable energy will generally become more affordable in the coming years.”
→ Dự đoán xu hướng tương lai.

Với “can” (Modal verb):
“Digital technology can generally help students learn more effectively.”
→ Khả năng chung của công nghệ số.

Với “should” (Modal verb):
“Governments should generally prioritize environmental protection over economic growth.”
→ Đưa ra khuyến nghị mang tính tổng quát.

Với “would” (Conditional):
“Most people would generally agree that education is a fundamental right.”
→ Diễn tả sự đồng tình phổ biến trong giả định.

Với “is/are being” (Present Continuous Passive):
“Environmental issues are generally being addressed more seriously nowadays.”
→ Xu hướng hiện tại trong câu bị động.

Ví dụ Band 8+ kết hợp nhiều yếu tố:
“While individual experiences may vary, urbanization has generally been associated with improved access to healthcare and education, although this trend does not apply uniformly across all developing countries.”
→ Câu phức tạp kết hợp “generally” với concessive clause và qualification.

Vị Trí 5: Cuối Câu (Final Position)

📌 CÔNG THỨC:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Main Clause + in general / generally            │
│                                                 │
│ Ví dụ: People are more environmentally         │
│ conscious now than in the past, generally.     │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Đặc điểm:

Thường có dấu phẩy trước “in general” hoặc “generally”
Ít phổ biến hơn các vị trí khác
Tạo hiệu ứng afterthought (suy nghĩ bổ sung)
Dùng để làm mềm một nhận định đã nói ở phần trước

Khi nào sử dụng:

Khi bạn đưa ra một nhận định cụ thể nhưng muốn thêm tính tổng quát ở cuối
Trong Speaking khi bạn muốn điều chỉnh độ chắc chắn của phát biểu
Ít dùng trong Writing vì không được tự nhiên bằng các vị trí khác

Ví dụ:

“The quality of public transportation has improved significantly, in general.”
→ Nhấn mạnh tính cải thiện nhưng thừa nhận có thể có ngoại lệ.

“Young people are more interested in environmental issues, generally speaking.”
→ Làm mềm nhận định để tránh khái quát hóa quá mức.

So sánh hiệu quả của các vị trí:

“Generally, people prefer working from home.” (Nhấn mạnh mạnh nhất)
“People generally prefer working from home.” (Tự nhiên nhất)
“People prefer working from home, generally.” (Nhấn mạnh yếu nhất, có tính chất bổ sung)

Lưu ý cho học viên Việt Nam:
Học viên Việt Nam thường đặt “in general” ở cuối câu vì ảnh hưởng của cách nói “nói chung” trong tiếng Việt. Tuy nhiên, trong tiếng Anh học thuật, vị trí đầu câu hoặc giữa câu được ưa chuộng hơn vì tạo sự rõ ràng và trang trọng hơn.

Các Cụm Từ Mở Rộng (Extended Phrases)

Generally speaking

Phổ biến nhất trong các cụm mở rộng
Thường đứng đầu câu, có dấu phẩy
Ví dụ: “Generally speaking, the benefits of globalization outweigh the drawbacks.”

In general terms

Trang trọng hơn “in general”
Phù hợp cho Writing Task 2
Ví dụ: “In general terms, economic development leads to better living standards.”

More generally

Dùng để mở rộng phạm vi thảo luận
Thường xuất hiện khi chuyển từ cụ thể sang tổng quát
Ví dụ: “This applies to medicine specifically and, more generally, to all scientific fields.”

As a general rule

Diễn tả nguyên tắc hoặc quy luật chung
Ví dụ: “As a general rule, children learn languages more easily than adults.”

Cách Vận Dụng Vào IELTS

Speaking

Speaking Part 1 – Introduction and Interview

Đặc điểm:
Part 1 thường hỏi về bản thân, thói quen cá nhân, nên ít dùng “in general/generally”. Tuy nhiên, vẫn có thể sử dụng khi so sánh bản thân với xu hướng chung.

Topic thường gặp: Hometown, Work/Study, Hobbies, Daily routine

Ví dụ câu hỏi và trả lời:

Q: “Do you prefer reading books or watching movies?”

A (Band 6): “I prefer watching movies because they are more interesting.”
→ Thiếu depth và tính tổng quát.

A (Band 7+): “Generally, I prefer watching movies because they’re more visually engaging. However, I do enjoy reading books when I want something more thought-provoking.”
→ Sử dụng “generally” để thể hiện preference chung, sau đó nuance với ngoại lệ.

Q: “What do people in your country usually do in their free time?”

A (Band 7+): “In general, people in my country enjoy spending time with family and friends. Young people, particularly, tend to go to cafes or shopping centers, while older generations generally prefer quieter activities like gardening or watching TV at home.”
→ Sử dụng cả “in general” và “generally” để phân loại theo độ tuổi.

Speaking Part 2 – Long Turn

Đặc điểm:
Part 2 yêu cầu mô tả một người, địa điểm, sự kiện cụ thể. Sử dụng “in general/generally” khi nói về đặc điểm chung hoặc xu hướng trước khi đi vào chi tiết.

Cue Card Example:
Describe a place you like to visit

Sample Answer (Band 7-8):
“I’d like to talk about a coffee shop called The Bean in my neighborhood, which I generally visit at least twice a week. In general, coffee shops in my city are quite crowded and noisy, but this one has a more peaceful atmosphere that I really appreciate.

The interior design is generally minimalist, with light wooden furniture and plenty of natural light from the large windows. The staff are generally very friendly and remember regular customers’ names, which creates a welcoming environment.

What I particularly enjoy is that the cafe generally plays soft jazz music in the background, which helps me concentrate when I’m working on my laptop. The drinks are, generally speaking, reasonably priced compared to other cafes in the area, and the quality is consistently good.

In general, I find that this place helps me relax and be productive at the same time, which is why it has become my favorite spot in the city.”

Phân tích:

Sử dụng “generally” để mô tả tần suất (“visit at least twice a week”)
Dùng “in general” để so sánh với các quán khác
Kết hợp nhiều vị trí khác nhau của “generally” trong suốt bài nói
Band điểm cao vì vừa có thông tin cụ thể vừa có khái quát hóa

Speaking Part 3 – Discussion

Đặc điểm:
Part 3 là phần quan trọng nhất để sử dụng “in general/generally” vì examiner hỏi về xu hướng xã hội, so sánh nhóm người, và các vấn đề rộng lớn.

Strategy: Bắt đầu với nhận định tổng quát (using in general/generally) → Giải thích/lý do → Ví dụ cụ thể → Ngoại lệ (nếu có)

Typical Questions và Sample Answers:

Q: “How has technology changed the way people communicate?”

A (Band 8): “In general, technology has revolutionized communication by making it faster and more convenient. People can now connect instantly regardless of distance, which was impossible just a few decades ago.

However, this change has had mixed effects. Generally speaking, younger generations have adapted well to digital communication and prefer texting to phone calls. They generally find it more efficient and less intrusive. On the other hand, older people sometimes struggle with these technologies and generally prefer more traditional face-to-face interactions.

There’s also a downside. While communication has become easier in general, many argue that it has become more superficial. People generally spend less time having deep, meaningful conversations and more time exchanging brief messages.

So generally, I’d say technology has made communication more accessible but perhaps less substantial in terms of emotional connection.”

Phân tích Band 8-9 features:

Mở đầu với “In general” để đưa ra overview
Sử dụng “generally speaking” để chuyển sang phân tích cụ thể hơn
Dùng “generally” nhiều lần ở các vị trí khác nhau mà không lặp lại
Kết hợp concession (However, On the other hand) với generalization
Có depth: đề cập cả mặt tích cực và tiêu cực
Kết luận với “generally” để tổng kết quan điểm

Q: “Do you think children today have an easier life than their parents did?”

A (Band 7-8): “That’s an interesting question. Generally, children today have access to more resources and opportunities than previous generations. They generally benefit from better healthcare, education, and living standards, at least in developed countries.

In general, modern children also have more freedom to pursue their interests. Parents nowadays generally tend to be more supportive of their children’s choices in terms of careers and lifestyles, whereas in the past, children generally had to follow more traditional paths.

However, it’s not all positive. Children today generally face more pressure, especially academically. They’re generally expected to excel in school, master multiple skills, and compete intensely for university places. So while life is easier materially speaking, the psychological pressure has, in general, increased significantly.”

Q: “Is it better to live in a city or in the countryside?”

A (Band 8+): “Well, there’s no definitive answer as it depends on personal preferences, but I can talk about the general advantages of each.

In general, cities offer more opportunities in terms of career, education, and entertainment. People who live in urban areas generally have access to better healthcare facilities and more diverse cultural experiences. The job market is generally more dynamic, which attracts young professionals.

On the flip side, rural areas generally provide a better quality of life in terms of environment and community. People in the countryside generally experience less stress and pollution. They generally have stronger social connections because communities tend to be tighter-knit.

Generally speaking, younger people prefer cities because of career opportunities, while older people, particularly retirees, generally gravitate towards rural areas for peace and a slower pace of life. But these are just generalizations – individual preferences vary considerably.”

Common Part 3 Topics và Cách Dùng:

1. Education:
“Generally, students perform better when class sizes are smaller.”

2. Environment:
“In general, people are becoming more aware of environmental issues.”

3. Technology:
“Older generations generally take longer to adapt to new technologies.”

4. Work:
“Employees generally value work-life balance more than they did in the past.”

5. Family:
“In general, family structures have become more diverse in modern society.”

6. Health:
“People generally live longer now due to advances in medicine.”

Tips for Band 8-9:

Don’t overuse: Dùng 2-3 lần trong một câu trả lời dài là đủ
Vary your vocabulary: Kết hợp với “broadly”, “on the whole”, “for the most part”
Follow with specifics: Sau khi khái quát, đưa ra ví dụ hoặc giải thích cụ thể
Acknowledge exceptions: Thể hiện critical thinking bằng cách đề cập ngoại lệ

Writing Task 1

Khi nào sử dụng trong Task 1:

In general và generally thường xuất hiện trong các phần:

Overview paragraph – Tóm tắt xu hướng chính
Mô tả xu hướng tổng thể trước khi đi vào chi tiết
So sánh chung giữa các nhóm dữ liệu

Lưu ý: Không nên lạm dụng vì Task 1 yêu cầu specific details với số liệu cụ thể.

Example 1 – Line Graph (Describing overall trends):

Task: The graph shows the percentage of households with internet access in three countries from 2000 to 2020.

Sample Overview:
“In general, all three countries experienced a significant increase in internet access over the 20-year period. Generally, developed nations showed higher initial rates and maintained their lead throughout, while developing countries demonstrated faster growth rates, particularly after 2010.”

Detailed Paragraph:
“Looking more specifically at the data, Country A started at 60% in 2000 and rose steadily to reach 95% by 2020. Country B followed a similar pattern, generally maintaining a position approximately 10-15 percentage points below Country A throughout the period. Country C, while starting at just 15%, generally showed the steepest growth curve, especially between 2010 and 2020.”

Analysis:

“In general” mở đầu overview để giới thiệu xu hướng chính
“Generally” mô tả pattern chung trước khi đưa số liệu cụ thể
Không lạm dụng – chỉ dùng khi cần khái quát

Example 2 – Bar Chart (Comparing categories):

Task: The chart shows the amount of money spent on different types of entertainment by age group.

Sample Paragraph:
“In general, spending patterns varied considerably across age groups. Generally, younger adults (18-30) allocated the largest proportion of their entertainment budget to concerts and nightlife, spending approximately $200 per month. In contrast, those aged 50 and above generally preferred spending on cultural activities such as museums and theaters, with monthly expenditure averaging $150. Middle-aged groups, generally speaking, distributed their spending more evenly across all categories.”

Example 3 – Pie Chart (Describing proportions):

Task: The pie charts show the energy consumption by sector in two different years.

Sample Overview:
“Generally, the industrial sector accounted for the largest share of energy consumption in both years, although its proportion decreased over time. In general, residential and commercial sectors saw an increase in their share of total energy use.”

Common Phrases for Task 1:

Context	Phrase	Example
Overview	In general	In general, the data shows an upward trend.
Comparing	Generally	Country A generally outperformed Country B.
Trends	Generally speaking	Generally speaking, consumption increased steadily.
Patterns	In general terms	In general terms, the pattern was similar across regions.

Mistakes to Avoid:
❌ “In generally” (không có cụm này)
❌ Overusing: Không dùng quá 2 lần trong cả bài Task 1
❌ Using without data: Phải đi kèm với thông tin cụ thể ngay sau đó

Writing Task 2

Tầm quan trọng:
“In general” và “generally” là những công cụ thiết yếu trong Task 2 để thể hiện:

Khả năng tổng hợp ý tưởng
Tư duy logic và có tổ chức
Tính học thuật trong văn viết
Band 7+ requirement: “presents a clear position throughout”

Introduction Paragraph

Function: Paraphrase đề bài và nêu thesis statement với tính tổng quát

Structure:

Background statement (có thể dùng “In general” hoặc “Generally”)
Thesis statement (specific position)

Example 1 – Opinion Essay:

Topic: Some people think that the best way to reduce crime is to give longer prison sentences. Others believe that there are better alternative ways. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Sample Introduction (Band 8):
“In general, there is ongoing debate about the most effective approach to reducing crime rates. While some argue that extended prison sentences serve as a strong deterrent, others contend that rehabilitation and social programs are more beneficial in the long term. Generally speaking, I believe that a combination of both approaches would be most effective, as punitive measures alone fail to address the root causes of criminal behavior.”

Analysis:

“In general” giới thiệu topic một cách rộng
“Generally speaking” lead vào thesis statement
Tạo sự academic và thoughtful

Example 2 – Advantage/Disadvantage Essay:

Topic: Many people now work from home instead of going to an office. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

Sample Introduction (Band 7-8):
“Generally, the modern workplace has undergone significant transformation, with remote work becoming increasingly prevalent. While this shift offers considerable flexibility and cost savings, it also presents challenges related to productivity and social interaction. In general, I believe that the advantages of working from home outweigh the disadvantages, particularly when appropriate support systems are in place.”

Body Paragraphs

Function: Topic sentence thường sử dụng “in general/generally” để đưa ra main idea

Structure:

Topic sentence (with generalization)
Explanation
Example
Link back to main idea

Example 1 – Opinion Essay Body Paragraph:

Topic: Environmental protection should be the responsibility of politicians, not individuals.

Body Paragraph 1 (Band 8+):
“Generally speaking, individuals have a crucial role to play in environmental protection, despite the common perception that this is solely a governmental responsibility. While politicians can enact legislation and implement large-scale initiatives, ordinary citizens generally make countless daily decisions that collectively have enormous environmental impact. For instance, a person’s choice to use public transportation instead of driving, to reduce plastic consumption, or to recycle household waste can, when adopted by millions, lead to significant positive change. Moreover, individuals generally have the power to influence policy through democratic processes, such as voting for environmentally conscious politicians or participating in advocacy campaigns. Therefore, it is generally more accurate to view environmental protection as a shared responsibility, where individual actions complement and reinforce governmental policies.”

Analysis of Band 8-9 Features:

Opening with “Generally speaking” establishes topic sentence
“Generally” appears multiple times in different contexts without repetition
Combines generalization with specific examples
Sophisticated vocabulary and complex sentences
Clear progression of ideas

Example 2 – Discussion Essay Body Paragraph:

Topic: Some people prefer to spend their lives doing the same things. Others think that change is always good.

Body Paragraph 2 (Band 7-8):
“On the other hand, change generally brings numerous benefits that can enhance both personal and professional development. In general, people who embrace change tend to be more adaptable and resilient when facing unexpected challenges. The modern workplace, for example, generally requires employees to continuously update their skills and knowledge to remain competitive. Those who generally resist change often find themselves at a disadvantage as industries evolve and new technologies emerge. Furthermore, change generally promotes personal growth by pushing individuals out of their comfort zones. Many successful entrepreneurs, for instance, generally attribute their achievements to taking calculated risks and embracing new opportunities rather than maintaining the status quo.”

Common Patterns in Body Paragraphs:

Pattern 1: Topic Sentence + Explanation
“Generally, higher education leads to better career prospects. This is primarily because…”

Pattern 2: Contrast
“While some industries generally benefit from globalization, others typically face challenges…”

Pattern 3: Supporting Point
“Additionally, children generally learn languages more effectively at a young age because…”

Pattern 4: Concluding Sentence
“Therefore, it is generally accepted that early intervention produces better outcomes.”

Conclusion Paragraph

Function: Restate thesis và summarize main points với tính tổng quát

Example 1 – Opinion Essay Conclusion:

Topic: The best way to solve traffic problems is to provide free public transportation.

Sample Conclusion (Band 8):
“In conclusion, while free public transportation would generally encourage more people to leave their cars at home, this solution alone is insufficient to solve traffic congestion. As discussed, cities generally require a multi-faceted approach that combines improved public transit with other measures such as congestion pricing and infrastructure development. Generally speaking, the most effective strategy involves balancing various solutions to address the complex nature of urban traffic problems.”

Example 2 – Discussion Essay Conclusion:

Sample Conclusion (Band 7-8):
“To summarize, both traditional and modern education methods have their merits. Generally, the most effective approach combines the structure and discipline of conventional teaching with the engagement and flexibility of contemporary techniques. In general, educators should remain open to innovation while preserving the proven principles that have worked for generations.”

Complete Essay Example (Band 8)

Topic: Some people believe that unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school programs. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Full Essay:

“Generally, there is considerable debate about whether high school students should be required to participate in unpaid community service. While some argue that compulsory volunteer work infringes on students’ freedom, I strongly believe that mandatory community service programs offer significant benefits that justify their implementation.

Generally speaking, community service helps develop essential character traits and social awareness in young people. When students engage in volunteer activities, they generally gain firsthand exposure to social issues and learn to appreciate their privileged position in society. For example, working at a homeless shelter or visiting elderly care facilities can profoundly impact teenagers’ worldviews, making them generally more empathetic and socially conscious adults. Furthermore, these experiences generally teach valuable life skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving that cannot be adequately learned in a traditional classroom setting.

In addition to personal development, compulsory community service generally benefits society as a whole. Non-profit organizations and community groups generally struggle with limited resources and manpower, and student volunteers can provide crucial support. In Singapore, for instance, high schools generally require students to complete 40 hours of community service, and this program has generally been credited with strengthening community bonds and increasing civic engagement among young people. The cumulative effect of thousands of students contributing their time can, in general, lead to substantial positive social impact.

Some critics argue that forced volunteerism contradicts the spirit of genuine charity and may generally create resentment among students. However, research generally shows that initial reluctance often transforms into genuine commitment once students experience the rewards of helping others. Moreover, requiring community service is generally no different from mandating other aspects of education that students might not initially choose but ultimately benefit from.

In conclusion, mandatory community service should generally be embraced as a valuable component of high school education. While individual preferences vary, students generally gain important life lessons and develop civic responsibility through these programs, and society generally benefits from their contributions. Therefore, the advantages of compulsory community service generally far outweigh any potential drawbacks.”

Analysis:

Natural integration of “generally/in general” throughout (11 times)
Varied positions: beginning, middle, and between auxiliary verbs
Combined with other Band 8+ features: complex sentences, cohesive devices, specific examples
Not overused – appears strategically to support generalizations
Maintains academic tone throughout

Essay Types và Usage Patterns:

Essay Type	Where to Use	Example
Opinion	Introduction, Topic sentences	Generally speaking, I believe…
Discussion	Both viewpoints	Generally, proponents argue…
Advantage/Disadvantage	Balancing pros/cons	In general, the benefits include…
Problem/Solution	Identifying issues	Generally, the main problems are…
Two-part Question	Answering both parts	Generally, this occurs because…

Frequency Guidelines:

Introduction: 1-2 times
Each body paragraph: 2-3 times
Conclusion: 1-2 times
Total essay: 8-12 times (in a 280-300 word essay)

Advanced Variations for Band 8-9:
Instead of always using “in general/generally”, vary with:

Broadly speaking
On the whole
For the most part
By and large
As a general rule
In most cases

Nâng Cao – Cách Dùng Để Đạt Band 8+

Kết Hợp Với Các Cấu Trúc Khác

In General/Generally + Relative Clause

Công thức:

Subject + , which/who + generally + verb + , + main clause

Example 1:
“Modern technology, which has generally made life more convenient, has also created new challenges.”
→ Band 8+ feature: Sử dụng non-defining relative clause với “generally” để thêm thông tin bổ sung.

Example 2:
“Students who generally perform well in standardized tests tend to have strong time-management skills.”
→ Defining relative clause kết hợp “generally” để mô tả đặc điểm chung của một nhóm cụ thể.

Example 3:
“The policy, which generally targets low-income families, has been criticized for being too narrow in scope.”
→ Tạo câu phức tạp với thông tin background sử dụng relative clause.

Speaking Application:
“People who generally travel frequently for work, which is increasingly common nowadays, often struggle to maintain work-life balance.”

In General/Generally + Modal Verbs

Công thức:

Subject + modal verb + generally + base verb
Subject + generally + modal verb + base verb

Example 1 – Can:
“Young people can generally adapt to new technologies more quickly than older generations.”
→ Diễn tả khả năng chung của một nhóm.

Example 2 – Should:
“Governments should generally prioritize education and healthcare over military spending.”
→ Đưa ra khuyến nghị mang tính tổng quát.

Example 3 – Must:
“Businesses must generally comply with environmental regulations to operate legally.”
→ Thể hiện sự bắt buộc trong hầu hết trường hợp.

Example 4 – Would:
“Most experts would generally agree that climate change poses an existential threat.”
→ Diễn tả sự đồng thuận phổ biến trong cộng đồng chuyên gia.

Example 5 – Could:
“This approach could generally lead to better outcomes if implemented correctly.”
→ Khả năng xảy ra trong điều kiện chung.

Example 6 – May/Might:
“Traditional teaching methods may generally be less engaging for digital-native students.”
→ Khả năng với mức độ không chắc chắn cao.

Band 8-9 Complex Combination:
“While individual cases vary, employees who work remotely should generally be given the same opportunities for promotion as those who work in traditional office settings, as discrimination based on work location can generally undermine organizational fairness and employee morale.”

In General/Generally + Passive Voice

Công thức:

Subject + is/are generally + past participle
Subject + has/have generally been + past participle

Example 1 – Present Simple Passive:
“Renewable energy is generally considered more environmentally friendly than fossil fuels.”
→ Diễn tả quan điểm chung được chấp nhận rộng rãi.

Example 2 – Present Perfect Passive:
“This approach has generally been accepted by the scientific community.”
→ Xu hướng chấp nhận trong quá khứ đến hiện tại.

Example 3 – Modal Passive:
“Such behavior should generally be discouraged in educational settings.”
→ Khuyến nghị với passive voice tạo tính khách quan.

Example 4 – Complex Passive:
“The policy, which was generally regarded as progressive at the time of its introduction, has since been criticized for failing to address underlying systemic issues.”
→ Band 9 feature: Kết hợp passive với relative clause và time reference.

Example 5 – Present Continuous Passive:
“Environmental issues are generally being addressed more seriously by governments worldwide.”
→ Xu hướng đang diễn ra trong hiện tại.

Writing Task 2 Application:
“While individual experiences differ, it is generally accepted that early childhood education plays a crucial role in cognitive development. This view has generally been supported by numerous longitudinal studies conducted over the past few decades. Furthermore, quality preschool programs are generally associated with better academic outcomes in later years, suggesting that investments in early education can generally be justified from both social and economic perspectives.”

Analysis:

Sử dụng 4 lần “generally” với passive voice
Tạo tính khách quan và học thuật
Varied structures: is accepted, has been supported, are associated, can be justified

In General/Generally + Conditional Sentences

Type 1 Conditional (Real Future):
“If governments generally invest more in renewable energy, carbon emissions will decrease significantly.”
→ Điều kiện có thể xảy ra với kết quả có khả năng.

Type 2 Conditional (Unreal Present):
“If people generally paid more attention to their health, healthcare systems would face less strain.”
→ Giả định trái với hiện tại.

Type 3 Conditional (Unreal Past):
“If societies had generally prioritized environmental protection earlier, many current problems could have been avoided.”
→ Giả định về quá khứ với kết quả có thể khác.

Mixed Conditional:
“If education systems had generally embraced technology sooner, students today would generally be better prepared for the digital workplace.”
→ Band 8-9: Kết hợp past condition với present result.

Complex Example (Band 9):
“While there are exceptions, it is generally true that if children are exposed to multiple languages from an early age, they will generally develop stronger cognitive flexibility, which can generally benefit them throughout their lives, provided that the learning environment is generally supportive and enriching.”

Cụm Từ Nâng Cao Thay Thế

Để đạt Band 8-9, bạn cần thay đổi từ vựng thay vì lặp lại “in general/generally” quá nhiều lần.

Cụm từ thay thế	Mức độ trang trọng	Ví dụ	Band Level
Broadly speaking	Trang trọng	Broadly speaking, economic growth correlates with improved living standards.	8+
On the whole	Trung bình	On the whole, the policy has been successful.	7+
For the most part	Trung bình	Students, for the most part, responded positively to the changes.	7+
By and large	Hơi informal	By and large, people support the initiative.	7
As a general rule	Rất trang trọng	As a general rule, prevention is better than cure.	8+
In most cases	Cụ thể hơn	In most cases, early intervention produces better outcomes.	7+
Typically	Phổ biến	Such problems typically arise from poor planning.	7
Ordinarily	Trang trọng	Ordinarily, such measures would be considered excessive.	8
Largely	Academic	This is largely due to technological advancement.	8+
Predominantly	Rất academic	The population is predominantly young.	8+
As a rule	Trang trọng	As a rule, consistency yields better results.	7+
More often than not	Conversational	More often than not, students prefer practical learning.	6-7

Cách Sử Dụng Các Từ Thay Thế

Broadly speaking:
“Broadly speaking, globalization has had a net positive effect on developing economies, although the distribution of benefits has been uneven.”
→ Dùng khi muốn nói về big picture trước khi đi vào nuances.

On the whole:
“The education reform has faced some challenges; however, on the whole, it has achieved its primary objectives.”
→ Dùng khi tổng kết sau khi đã nêu cả positive và negative aspects.

For the most part:
“The findings are, for the most part, consistent with previous research in this field.”
→ Thừa nhận có exceptions nhưng trend chung vẫn đúng.

By and large:
“By and large, consumers prefer products that offer good value for money.”
→ Slightly informal, phù hợp cho Speaking hơn Writing.

As a general rule:
“As a general rule, children require more sleep than adults to support their physical and cognitive development.”
→ Diễn tả principle hoặc guideline được công nhận rộng rãi.

In most cases:
“In most cases, diplomatic negotiation proves more effective than military intervention.”
→ Nhấn mạnh frequency cao nhưng không phải 100%.

Typically:
“High-performing organizations typically invest heavily in employee training and development.”
→ Mô tả pattern thường thấy.

Band 9 Paragraph với Varied Synonyms

Topic: The role of governments in addressing social inequality

Sample Paragraph:
“Generally speaking, government intervention is essential in reducing social inequality. Broadly speaking, societies with strong welfare systems and progressive taxation tend to exhibit lower levels of income disparity. For the most part, Scandinavian countries exemplify this approach, consistently ranking high in both equality and quality of life indices. Typically, such nations invest heavily in public education and healthcare, ensuring that opportunities are, by and large, accessible to all citizens regardless of their socioeconomic background. As a general rule, countries that prioritize redistributive policies experience less social unrest and higher levels of social mobility. However, in most cases, the effectiveness of these interventions depends largely on proper implementation and public support. Therefore, while government action is ordinarily necessary to address inequality, it must, on the whole, be complemented by broader societal changes in attitudes and values.”

Analysis:

10 different ways to express generalization
No repetition of “generally” or “in general”
Natural flow despite variety
Demonstrates sophisticated vocabulary range (Band 9 criterion)

Câu Phức và Ghép

Complex Sentences với Multiple Clauses

Pattern 1: Concession + Generalization + Reason

“Although individual circumstances vary considerably, people generally prefer jobs that offer meaningful work over those that simply provide high salaries, primarily because personal fulfillment tends to have a more lasting impact on overall life satisfaction.”

Breakdown:

Concession clause: Although individual circumstances vary considerably
Main clause with generalization: people generally prefer jobs that offer meaningful work
Comparison: over those that simply provide high salaries
Reason clause: primarily because personal fulfillment tends to have a more lasting impact

Band 8-9 Features:

Acknowledging exceptions (although…)
Making generalization (generally prefer…)
Providing reasoning (because…)
Complex noun phrases (jobs that offer meaningful work)

Pattern 2: Generalization + Relative Clause + Result

“Modern consumers, who generally have access to vast amounts of product information online, tend to make more informed purchasing decisions than previous generations, which ultimately benefits both buyers and reputable sellers.”

Breakdown:

Subject: Modern consumers
Non-defining relative clause with generalization: who generally have access to vast amounts of product information online
Main clause: tend to make more informed purchasing decisions
Comparison: than previous generations
Result clause: which ultimately benefits both buyers and reputable sellers

Pattern 3: Generalization + Condition + Result + Qualification

“Generally, when governments invest significantly in public infrastructure, economic growth accelerates in the medium to long term, although the specific outcomes depend largely on the efficiency of implementation and the existing economic context.”

Breakdown:

Initial generalization: Generally
Conditional clause: when governments invest significantly in public infrastructure
Result: economic growth accelerates
Time frame: in the medium to long term
Qualification: although the specific outcomes depend largely on…

Compound-Complex Sentences

Example 1:
“In general, urban areas offer more career opportunities and cultural amenities, but they also present challenges such as higher living costs and pollution; consequently, the decision of where to live generally depends on individual priorities and life stage.”

Structure:

Compound: Two independent clauses connected by “but”
Complex: Each clause contains multiple elements
Result clause: Starting with “consequently”

Example 2:
“While technology has generally improved workplace efficiency, and most employees appreciate the flexibility it provides, there are concerns that excessive reliance on digital tools may generally reduce face-to-face interaction, which some argue is essential for building strong team relationships.”

Structure:

Concessive clause: While technology has generally improved…
Coordinating conjunction: and
Second main clause: most employees appreciate…
Contrasting clause: there are concerns that…
Embedded relative clause: which some argue…

Advanced Integration Patterns

Pattern for Writing Task 2 Body Paragraph:

“Generally speaking, [topic sentence with generalization]. This is primarily because [reason 1], and [reason 2]. For instance, [specific example]. Moreover, [additional point], which generally [consequence]. However, it should be noted that [exception or limitation], suggesting that [refined conclusion].”

Applied Example:

“Generally speaking, bilingual education offers significant cognitive advantages to children. This is primarily because learning multiple languages enhances mental flexibility, and it develops stronger problem-solving skills. For instance, research from Cambridge University shows that bilingual children generally outperform monolingual peers in tasks requiring attention control and working memory. Moreover, early language acquisition creates neural pathways that generally facilitate learning additional languages later in life, which generally expands career opportunities in an increasingly globalized world. However, it should be noted that these benefits typically depend on quality instruction and adequate exposure to both languages, suggesting that poorly implemented bilingual programs may generally fail to deliver the expected advantages.”

Analysis:

Clear structure with multiple generalizations
Evidence-based (research reference)
Acknowledges limitations
Uses “generally” in various positions naturally
Demonstrates sophisticated thinking (Band 8-9)

So Sánh Với Các Cấu Trúc Tương Tự

In General vs In Particular

Đây là cặp đối lập quan trọng mà học viên cần phân biệt rõ ràng.

Tiêu chí	In General	In Particular
Nghĩa	Nói chung, nhìn chung	Đặc biệt, cụ thể là
Chức năng	Khái quát hóa	Cụ thể hóa
Phạm vi	Rộng → hẹp	Hẹp, chọn lọc
Vị trí trong bài	Mở đầu topic/paragraph	Sau generalization, để cho ví dụ
IELTS usage	Overview, topic sentences	Examples, specific details

Ví dụ kết hợp cả hai:

“In general, people are becoming more health-conscious. Young adults, in particular, are increasingly interested in fitness and nutrition.”
→ Bắt đầu với general statement, sau đó zoom in vào một nhóm cụ thể.

Writing Task 2 Application:

“Generally, technology has transformed education in numerous ways. In particular, online learning platforms have made education accessible to students in remote areas who previously had limited opportunities.”
→ Cấu trúc: General statement → Specific example

Speaking Part 3 Strategy:

Q: “What kind of sports are popular in your country?”

A: “In general, Vietnamese people enjoy both individual and team sports. Football, in particular, has a huge following, especially after our national team’s recent successes in regional tournaments.”
→ Bắt đầu general, sau đó focus vào specific example để elaborate.

Common Pattern:

In general, [broad statement]
↓
In particular, [specific example/case]
↓
This is because [explanation]

Generally vs Usually

Hai từ này thường bị nhầm lẫn vì đều liên quan đến frequency và habit.

Tiêu chí	Generally	Usually
Nghĩa chính	Nói chung (generalizing)	Thường xuyên (frequency)
Focus	Khái quát về nhóm/tình huống	Thói quen cá nhân/tần suất
Phạm vi	Rộng, mang tính tổng quát	Hẹp, mang tính cá nhân
IELTS Speaking	Part 3 (social trends)	Part 1 & 2 (personal habits)
Frequency	Không nhấn mạnh tần suất	Khoảng 80-90% thời gian

So sánh trực tiếp:

“I usually wake up at 7 AM.” (Personal habit – tôi thường dậy lúc 7 giờ)
“People generally need 7-8 hours of sleep.” (General fact – con người nói chung cần 7-8 tiếng ngủ)

“Students usually study harder before exams.” (Typical behavior – behavior pattern)
“Students generally perform better in subjects they enjoy.” (General principle – broader truth)

IELTS Speaking Application:

Part 1 (Personal):
“I usually drink coffee in the morning.” ✓
“I generally drink coffee in the morning.” ✗ (Sounds unnatural for personal habits)

Part 3 (Social trends):
“Young people generally prefer digital communication.” ✓
“Young people usually prefer digital communication.” ✓ (Also acceptable but slightly different focus)

Writing Task 2:
“Governments generally face challenges when implementing tax reforms.” ✓ (Generalizing about governments)
“The government usually consults experts before policy changes.” ✓ (Typical procedure)

Generally vs Typically

Hai từ này rất gần nghĩa và thường interchangeable, nhưng có subtle differences.

Tiêu chí	Generally	Typically
Nghĩa	Nói chung	Điển hình, thông thường
Connotation	Neutral	Emphasizes “normal” or “expected”
Formality	More formal	Slightly less formal
Usage	Broader generalizations	Describing characteristic patterns
IELTS preference	Writing Task 2	Both Writing & Speaking

Ví dụ so sánh:

“People generally prefer convenience over quality.” (Broad generalization about human nature)
“People typically choose the most convenient option when shopping.” (Describing characteristic behavior)

“Generally, cities with good public transport have less traffic congestion.” (General principle)
“Cities with good public transport typically experience less traffic congestion.” (Expected pattern)

Khi nào nên chọn từ nào:

Chọn “generally” khi:

Đưa ra nhận định mang tính nguyên lý chung
Muốn tạo tone trang trọng hơn
Writing Task 2 academic essays

Chọn “typically” khi:

Mô tả pattern hoặc characteristic behavior
Nói về what is normal or expected
Muốn nghe tự nhiên hơn trong Speaking

Example showing both:
“Generally, small businesses face greater challenges than large corporations. They typically struggle with limited access to capital and resources, which generally puts them at a competitive disadvantage.”
→ Sử dụng cả hai để tránh repetition và add variety.

On the Whole vs In General

Tiêu chí	In General	On the Whole
Vị trí thường gặp	Đầu câu, giữa câu	Đầu câu, cuối câu (sau dấu phẩy)
Function	Khái quát từ đầu	Tổng kết sau khi đã consider nhiều aspects
Connotation	Neutral	Slightly positive (overall assessment)
Usage pattern	Opening statement	Conclusion or summary

Ví dụ so sánh:

“In general, the policy has been successful.” (Opening with generalization)
“The policy has faced some challenges; however, on the whole, it has been successful.” (Overall assessment after considering both sides)

Writing Application:

In General – Mở đầu:
“In general, urban sprawl creates numerous environmental problems.”

On the Whole – Tổng kết:
“While there are some benefits to urban expansion, on the whole, the environmental costs outweigh the advantages.”

Combined in Paragraph:
“In general, technology has transformed modern education. Online learning offers flexibility, digital resources enhance engagement, and automation reduces administrative burdens. However, issues such as digital divide and reduced social interaction remain concerns. On the whole, though, the benefits of educational technology outweigh its drawbacks when implemented thoughtfully.”

Generally Speaking vs Generally

Tiêu chí	Generally Speaking	Generally
Cấu trúc	Fixed phrase	Single adverb
Vị trí	Đầu câu (với dấu phẩy)	Flexible (nhiều vị trí)
Emphasis	Stronger, more deliberate	More neutral
Formality	More conversational	More flexible
IELTS preference	Speaking Part 3	Both Speaking & Writing

Ví dụ:

“Generally speaking, people learn better through practice than theory.”
→ Sounds more conversational, như đang elaborate an opinion

“People generally learn better through practice.”
→ More direct, factual statement

Speaking Part 3 Strategy:

“Generally speaking” is excellent for Part 3 answers vì:

Cho bạn thinking time
Sounds natural và confident
Shows you’re about to give a considered opinion

Example:
Q: “Is it important for children to learn about history?”
A: “Generally speaking, yes, I think history education is quite valuable. It generally helps young people understand…”

Lỗi Thường Gặp và Cách Sửa

Lỗi 1: Sử dụng “In Generally” (Sai Ngữ Pháp)

❌ SAI:
“In generally, people prefer living in cities.”

✅ ĐÚNG:
“In general, people prefer living in cities.”
HOẶC
“Generally, people prefer living in cities.”

Giải thích:
Không tồn tại cụm “in generally” trong tiếng Anh. Đây là lỗi phổ biến nhất của học viên Việt Nam do nhầm lẫn giữa hai dạng riêng biệt:

“In general” – cụm giới từ (prepositional phrase)
“Generally” – trạng từ (adverb)

Không được kết hợp giới từ “in” với trạng từ “generally”.

Lưu ý:
Lỗi này xuất hiện rất nhiều trong cả Writing và Speaking, và sẽ bị trừ điểm ở tiêu chí Grammatical Range and Accuracy.

Cách tránh:

Học thuộc: Chỉ có “in general” HOẶC “generally”, không có “in generally”
Practice: Viết câu nhiều lần cho đến khi thành thói quen
Proofread: Kiểm tra lại bài viết trước khi nộp

Các cụm đúng khác:
✓ In general
✓ Generally
✓ Generally speaking
✓ In general terms
✓ More generally

Lỗi 2: Đặt Sai Vị Trí “In General”

❌ SAI:
“People prefer in general convenience over quality.”

✅ ĐÚNG:
“In general, people prefer convenience over quality.”
HOẶC
“People, in general, prefer convenience over quality.”
HOẶC
“People prefer convenience over quality, in general.”

Giải thích:
“In general” là cụm giới từ (prepositional phrase), không phải trạng từ (adverb), nên không thể đặt ở giữa động từ và tân ngữ như trạng từ thông thường.

Vị trí đúng cho “in general”:

Đầu câu (phổ biến nhất): In general, + main clause
Sau chủ ngữ (giữa hai dấu phẩy): Subject, in general, + verb
Cuối câu (ít phổ biến): Main clause, in general.

So sánh với “generally” (linh hoạt hơn):
✓ “People generally prefer convenience.” (Trước động từ – OK)
✗ “People in general prefer convenience.” (Không có dấu phẩy – SAI)

Các ví dụ sai và đúng:

❌ “Students perform in general better with clear instructions.”
✅ “In general, students perform better with clear instructions.”
✅ “Students generally perform better with clear instructions.”

❌ “This approach works in general well in most cases.”
✅ “In general, this approach works well in most cases.”
✅ “This approach generally works well in most cases.”

Lỗi 3: Dùng “Generally” Cho Thói Quen Cá Nhân

❌ SAI:
“I generally wake up at 7 AM every day.”

✅ ĐÚNG:
“I usually wake up at 7 AM every day.”

Giải thích:
“Generally” dùng để khái quát về nhóm người, xu hướng chung, hoặc tình huống rộng – KHÔNG dùng cho thói quen cá nhân cụ thể. Khi nói về bản thân, sử dụng:

Usually – thường xuyên
Normally – bình thường
Typically – điển hình
Often – thường (nhưng không phải luôn luôn)

Ví dụ sai và đúng trong IELTS Speaking:

Part 1 – Personal questions:

❌ “I generally go to the gym three times a week.”
✅ “I usually go to the gym three times a week.”

❌ “I generally eat breakfast at home.”
✅ “I normally eat breakfast at home.”

❌ “I generally prefer reading in the evening.”
✅ “I typically prefer reading in the evening.”

Khi nào CÓ THỂ dùng “generally” trong Speaking Part 1:
Khi bạn khái quát về nhóm mà bạn là một phần:

✓ “People in my age group generally prefer online shopping.”
(Nói về xu hướng của nhóm, không phải chỉ riêng bạn)

✓ “Students in my country generally study English from primary school.”
(Generalizing about a group)

Writing Task 2 – Tránh over-personalize:

❌ “When I face problems, I generally try to solve them independently.”
✅ “When people face problems, they generally try to solve them independently.”
(Chuyển từ cá nhân sang tổng quát)

Lỗi 4: Lạm Dụng “Generally” Trong Một Đoạn

❌ SAI:
“Generally, technology has changed education. Generally, students can access information easily. Generally, this improves learning outcomes. Generally, teachers also benefit from digital tools.”

✅ ĐÚNG:
“Generally, technology has transformed education. Students can now access information easily, which typically improves learning outcomes. Teachers also benefit from digital tools, and on the whole, these changes have enhanced the educational experience.”

Giải thích:
Repetition làm giảm band score ở tiêu chí Lexical Resource. Sử dụng quá nhiều lần “generally/in general” trong một đoạn văn (hoặc câu trả lời Speaking) cho thấy:

Limited vocabulary range
Lack of sophistication
Poor cohesion

Quy tắc thumb:

Writing: Không nên dùng “generally/in general” quá 2-3 lần trong một body paragraph (100-120 words)
Speaking Part 3: Không nên dùng quá 2 lần trong một câu trả lời dài (1-2 minutes)

Các từ đồng nghĩa để thay thế:

Thay thế cho “Generally”	Ví dụ
Typically	Students typically respond well to interactive lessons.
Usually	Such programs usually yield positive results.
On the whole	On the whole, the policy has been effective.
For the most part	For the most part, citizens support the initiative.
Broadly speaking	Broadly speaking, economic growth has been steady.
By and large	By and large, people prefer convenience.
In most cases	In most cases, early intervention is beneficial.
More often than not	More often than not, practice leads to improvement.

Band 8+ Paragraph với Variety:

“Generally speaking, urbanization brings both opportunities and challenges. Typically, cities offer better employment prospects and access to services. However, this often comes at the cost of higher living expenses and environmental degradation. On the whole, while urban areas provide economic advantages, they also present quality-of-life concerns that require careful urban planning. For the most part, successful cities are those that balance growth with sustainability.”

Analysis:

5 different expressions for generalization
No repetition
Natural flow
Demonstrates lexical range (Band 8-9 criterion)

Lỗi 5: Không Có Dấu Phẩy Sau “In General/Generally” Ở Đầu Câu

❌ SAI:
“Generally people prefer face-to-face communication.”
“In general students perform better with clear instructions.”

✅ ĐÚNG:
“Generally, people prefer face-to-face communication.”
“In general, students perform better with clear instructions.”

Giải thích:
Khi “generally” hoặc “in general” đứng ở đầu câu để giới thiệu main clause, PHẢI có dấu phẩy ngăn cách. Đây là quy tắc punctuation cơ bản trong tiếng Anh học thuật.

Quy tắc cụ thể:

1. Đầu câu – CẦN dấu phẩy:
✓ Generally, [main clause]
✓ In general, [main clause]
✓ Generally speaking, [main clause]

2. Giữa câu (sau subject) – CẦN hai dấu phẩy:
✓ Subject, generally, + verb
✓ Subject, in general, + verb

3. Trước động từ chính – KHÔNG CẦN dấu phẩy:
✓ Subject + generally + verb
(Lưu ý: CHỈ “generally”, không dùng “in general” ở vị trí này)

4. Cuối câu – CẦN dấu phẩy trước:
✓ Main clause, generally.
✓ Main clause, in general.

Impact lên IELTS Score:

Writing: Lỗi punctuation ảnh hưởng đến điểm Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Lỗi nhỏ lẻ không ảnh hưởng nhiều, nhưng lỗi consistently sẽ kéo band score xuống
Band 7+ yêu cầu “frequent error-free sentences” – bao gồm punctuation đúng

Lưu ý đặc biệt:

Với “generally” trước động từ – KHÔNG CẦN dấu phẩy:
✓ People generally prefer…
✗ People, generally prefer… (SAI)
✗ People generally, prefer… (SAI)

Với “in general” – KHÔNG THỂ đặt trực tiếp trước động từ:
✗ People in general prefer… (SAI – thiếu dấu phẩy)
✓ People, in general, prefer… (ĐÚNG)

Lỗi 6: Dùng “Generally” Với Số Liệu Cụ Thể

❌ SAI:
“Generally, 87.5% of respondents agreed with the statement.”
“In general, the graph shows an increase of exactly 25% between 2010 and 2020.”

✅ ĐÚNG:
“The majority of respondents (87.5%) agreed with the statement.”
“The graph shows a significant increase of 25% between 2010 and 2020.”

Giải thích:
“Generally/in general” diễn tả tính tổng quát, không cụ thể – do đó không nên kết hợp với số liệu chính xác. Khi bạn có exact figures, điều đó đã KHÔNG CÒN là generalization nữa.

Nguyên tắc:

Generalization = Vague, broad statements (không có số cụ thể)
Specific data = Exact numbers, percentages, figures

Sai và đúng trong IELTS Writing Task 1:

Line Graph:
❌ “Generally, the figure increased by 15.7%.”
✅ “The figure increased by approximately 15.7%.” (Dùng “approximately” với số gần đúng)
✅ “The figure increased by exactly 15.7%.” (Dùng “exactly” với số chính xác)

Bar Chart:
❌ “In general, the consumption reached 450 units.”
✅ “Overall, consumption increased significantly, reaching 450 units.”
(Dùng “overall” để tổng kết trend, sau đó đưa specific figure)

Pie Chart:
❌ “Generally, the largest segment accounts for 43%.”
✅ “The largest segment accounts for 43%, representing nearly half of the total.”

Khi nào CÓ THỂ dùng “generally” trong Task 1:

✓ “Generally, the trend was upward.” (Không có số cụ thể)
✓ “In general, consumption increased across all categories.” (Mô tả overall pattern)
✓ “The data generally shows a positive correlation.” (Describing overall relationship)

Writing Task 2 – Tránh kết hợp với statistics cụ thể:

❌ “Generally, 78.3% of students prefer online learning.”
✅ “The majority of students (approximately 78%) prefer online learning.”
✅ “A significant proportion of students prefer online learning.”

Các cụm thay thế phù hợp với số liệu:

Với số liệu không tròn	Với trend chung
Approximately	Overall
Around	On the whole
Nearly	In total
Roughly	Altogether
Just over/under	Generally (nhưng không kèm số cụ thể)

Lỗi 7: Dùng “Generally” Cho Absolute Statements

❌ SAI:
“Generally, all students must attend the orientation.”
“In general, every employee is required to submit a report.”

✅ ĐÚNG:
“All students must attend the orientation.” (Không cần “generally” vì đây là requirement tuyệt đối)
“Every employee is required to submit a report.”

HOẶC nếu muốn giữ “generally”:
✅ “Generally, students are expected to attend the orientation.” (Làm mềm requirement)
✅ “In general, employees are required to submit regular reports.” (Không dùng “every” hoặc “all”)

Giải thích:
“Generally/in general” diễn tả điều gì đó đúng trong MOST cases nhưng CÓ NGOẠI LỆ. Khi bạn sử dụng absolute words như “all,” “every,” “always,” “never,” “must,” bạn đang nói về 100% cases – điều này mâu thuẫn với ý nghĩa của “generally” (which implies exceptions exist).

Absolute words không nên kết hợp với “generally”:

All / Every / Each
Always / Never
Must / Have to (trong nghĩa bắt buộc tuyệt đối)
Completely / Totally / Entirely
No / None

Ví dụ sai và cách sửa:

❌ SAI:
“Generally, everyone agrees that education is important.”

✅ ĐÚNG:
“Generally, people agree that education is important.” (Bỏ “everyone”)
HOẶC
“Most people agree that education is important.” (Thay bằng “most”)

❌ SAI:
“In general, this rule always applies.”

✅ ĐÚNG:
“This rule generally applies.” (Bỏ “always”)
HOẶC
“In most cases, this rule applies.”

❌ SAI:
“Generally, all countries must comply with international law.”

✅ ĐÚNG:
“All countries must comply with international law.” (Bỏ “generally” – đây là legal obligation)
HOẶC
“Generally, countries are expected to comply with international law.” (Thay “must” bằng “expected to”)

IELTS Writing Task 2 Application:

❌ WEAK:
“Generally, every individual has a responsibility to protect the environment.”

✅ STRONG:
“Generally, individuals have a responsibility to protect the environment.”
(Bỏ “every” để statement linh hoạt hơn và academic hơn)

Các quantifier phù hợp với “generally”:

Phù hợp	Không phù hợp
Most people	All people / Everyone
Many countries	Every country
Often	Always
Tend to	Must (absolute)
Usually	Never
Typically	Completely
The majority	Without exception
A large proportion	All without fail

Band 7+ Strategy:
Thay vì dùng absolute statements, demonstrate nuanced thinking:

❌ Band 5-6: “Generally, all young people like technology.”
✓ Band 7+: “Generally, young people tend to be more receptive to new technologies, although individual preferences vary.”

Bài Tập Thực Hành

Bài Tập 1: Điền Từ Đúng

Hoàn thành câu với “in general,” “generally,” hoặc “generally speaking”:

__, people prefer jobs that offer work-life balance.
Students __ perform better when they receive constructive feedback.
__, technological advances have improved healthcare outcomes.
The policy has, __, been well-received by the public.
Urban residents __ have better access to educational facilities.
__, children learn languages more easily than adults.
This approach __ works well in most educational contexts.
Small businesses, __, face more financial challenges than large corporations.
__, the benefits of exercise outweigh any potential risks.
Environmental problems __ require long-term solutions.

Bài Tập 2: Tìm và Sửa Lỗi

Mỗi câu sau có một lỗi. Tìm và sửa lỗi đó:

In generally, people prefer convenience over quality. [❌]
I generally wake up at 6 AM every morning. [❌]
People prefer in general saving money to spending it. [❌]
Generally all students must complete the assignment. [❌]
In general students today are more tech-savvy than previous generations. [❌]
The data shows generally that 87.5% of respondents agreed. [❌]
Generally, students perform generally better with smaller class sizes. [❌]
Employees should generally always follow company policies. [❌]
In general every country faces economic challenges. [❌]
People generally prefer generally face-to-face meetings to online ones. [❌]

Bài Tập 3: Chọn Từ Phù Hợp

Chọn từ/cụm từ phù hợp nhất cho mỗi câu:

(Generally / Usually) I have breakfast at 7 AM.
(In general / In particular), people are becoming more environmentally conscious.
Students (generally / every time) perform better with clear instructions.
(Generally speaking / Always), technology has improved our quality of life.
(In general / Specifically), urban areas offer more career opportunities.
I (generally / normally) go to the gym three times a week.
(Generally / Definitely), younger generations adapt faster to new technologies.
This method (generally / absolutely) produces good results.
(In general / Usually), governments face challenges when implementing reforms.
People (generally / routinely) prefer products that offer good value.

Bài Tập 4: Viết Lại Câu

Viết lại câu sử dụng “in general” hoặc “generally” mà không thay đổi nghĩa:

Most people prefer living in cities rather than rural areas.
→ Your answer: ___
Students typically learn better through practical experience.
→ Your answer: ___
On the whole, the policy has been successful.
→ Your answer: ___
For the most part, employees value flexible working hours.
→ Your answer: ___
Broadly speaking, economic growth leads to improved living standards.
→ Your answer: ___

Bài Tập 5: Viết Câu Hoàn Chỉnh Cho IELTS

Viết câu hoàn chỉnh sử dụng “generally” hoặc “in general” cho các tình huống sau:

Speaking Part 3:

(young people / prefer / online shopping)
→ Your answer: ___
(technology / improve / education)
→ Your answer: ___
(people / healthier / than previous generations)
→ Your answer: ___

Writing Task 2:

(governments / prioritize / economic growth)
→ Your answer: ___
(students / benefit / smaller class sizes)
→ Your answer: ___

Writing Task 1:

(the graph / show / upward trend)
→ Your answer: ___
(consumption / increase / all age groups)
→ Your answer: ___

Bài Tập 6: Paragraph Writing

Viết một đoạn văn (70-100 từ) cho IELTS Writing Task 2 về chủ đề sau, sử dụng “generally” hoặc “in general” ít nhất 2 lần một cách tự nhiên:

Topic: Do you agree that technology has made people’s lives more stressful?

Your paragraph:

Bài Tập 7: Speaking Response

Viết câu trả lời (40-60 từ) cho câu hỏi Speaking Part 3 sau, sử dụng “generally” hoặc “in general” ít nhất một lần:

Q: “How have shopping habits changed in your country over the past few decades?”

Your answer:

Đáp Án Chi Tiết

Đáp Án Bài Tập 1: Điền Từ Đúng

In general / Generally (Cả hai đều đúng – đầu câu)
- “In general, people prefer jobs that offer work-life balance.”
generally (Trước động từ “perform”)
- “Students generally perform better when they receive constructive feedback.”
Generally / In general (Đầu câu, cả hai đều đúng)
- “Generally, technological advances have improved healthcare outcomes.”
in general (Sau “has,” giữa hai dấu phẩy – chỉ dùng “in general” ở vị trí này)
- “The policy has, in general, been well-received by the public.”
generally (Trước động từ “have”)
- “Urban residents generally have better access to educational facilities.”
Generally / In general / Generally speaking (Đầu câu)
- “Generally, children learn languages more easily than adults.”
generally (Trước động từ “works”)
- “This approach generally works well in most educational contexts.”
in general (Sau subject, giữa hai dấu phẩy)
- “Small businesses, in general, face more financial challenges than large corporations.”
In general / Generally / Generally speaking (Đầu câu)
- “In general, the benefits of exercise outweigh any potential risks.”
generally (Trước động từ “require”)
- “Environmental problems generally require long-term solutions.”

Key Learning Points:

“Generally” linh hoạt hơn, có thể đứng nhiều vị trí
“In general” thường ở đầu câu hoặc sau subject (giữa hai dấu phẩy)
Cả hai đều cần dấu phẩy khi ở đầu câu

Đáp Án Bài Tập 2: Tìm và Sửa Lỗi

❌ “In generally” → ✅ “In general”
- Lỗi: Không tồn tại cụm “in generally”
- Đúng: “In general, people prefer convenience over quality.”
❌ “generally” → ✅ “usually”
- Lỗi: Dùng “generally” cho thói quen cá nhân
- Đúng: “I usually wake up at 6 AM every morning.”
- Giải thích: Personal habits dùng “usually,” không dùng “generally”
❌ “prefer in general” → ✅ “generally prefer” HOẶC “, in general, prefer”
- Lỗi: Đặt sai vị trí “in general”
- Đúng: “People generally prefer saving money to spending it.”
- HOẶC: “People, in general, prefer saving money to spending it.”
❌ “Generally all students” → ✅ “Generally, students” (bỏ “all”)
- Lỗi: Kết hợp “generally” với absolute word “all”
- Đúng: “Generally, students must complete the assignment.”
- HOẶC: “All students must complete the assignment.” (bỏ “generally”)
❌ Thiếu dấu phẩy sau “In general”
- Đúng: “In general, students today are more tech-savvy than previous generations.”
❌ “shows generally that 87.5%” → ✅ “shows that approximately 87.5%”
- Lỗi: Dùng “generally” với số liệu cụ thể
- Đúng: “The data shows that approximately 87.5% of respondents agreed.”
- HOẶC: “The data generally shows positive responses, with 87.5% agreeing.”
❌ Lặp “generally” hai lần
- Đúng: “Generally, students perform better with smaller class sizes.”
- HOẶC: “Students generally perform better with smaller class sizes.”
- Giải thích: Không lặp lại từ trong cùng một câu
❌ “generally always” → ✅ “generally” (bỏ “always”)
- Lỗi: Kết hợp “generally” với “always”
- Đúng: “Employees should generally follow company policies.”
- HOẶC: “Employees should always follow company policies.” (nếu muốn absolute)
❌ “In general every country” → ✅ “In general, countries” (bỏ “every”)
- Lỗi: Thiếu dấu phẩy và kết hợp với “every”
- Đúng: “In general, countries face economic challenges.”
❌ Lặp “generally” hai lần
- Đúng: “People generally prefer face-to-face meetings to online ones.”
- Giải thích: Chỉ cần dùng một lần

Đáp Án Bài Tập 3: Chọn Từ Phù Hợp

Usually (Personal habit)
- “Usually I have breakfast at 7 AM.”
In general (Generalizing about trends)
- “In general, people are becoming more environmentally conscious.”
generally (Adverb before main verb)
- “Students generally perform better with clear instructions.”
Generally speaking (Opening with broad statement)
- “Generally speaking, technology has improved our quality of life.”
In general (Broader generalization)
- “In general, urban areas offer more career opportunities.”
normally (Personal routine)
- “I normally go to the gym three times a week.”
Generally (Generalizing about age groups)
- “Generally, younger generations adapt faster to new technologies.”
generally (Describing typical outcomes)
- “This method generally produces good results.”
In general (Generalizing about governments)
- “In general, governments face challenges when implementing reforms.”
generally (Adverb describing typical preference)
- “People generally prefer products that offer good value.”

Key Decision Factors:

Personal habits → usually, normally
Group generalizations → generally, in general
Broader social trends → in general, generally speaking

Đáp Án Bài Tập 4: Viết Lại Câu

Original: Most people prefer living in cities rather than rural areas.
Rewritten:
- “In general, people prefer living in cities rather than rural areas.”
- “People generally prefer living in cities rather than rural areas.”
Original: Students typically learn better through practical experience.
Rewritten:
- “Generally, students learn better through practical experience.”
- “Students generally learn better through practical experience.”
Original: On the whole, the policy has been successful.
Rewritten:
- “In general, the policy has been successful.”
- “The policy has generally been successful.”
Original: For the most part, employees value flexible working hours.
Rewritten:
- “Generally, employees value flexible working hours.”
- “Employees generally value flexible working hours.”
Original: Broadly speaking, economic growth leads to improved living standards.
Rewritten:
- “Generally speaking, economic growth leads to improved living standards.”
- “In general, economic growth leads to improved living standards.”

Đáp Án Bài Tập 5: Viết Câu Hoàn Chỉnh

Speaking Part 3:

Topic: young people / prefer / online shopping
Sample answers:
- “Generally, young people prefer online shopping because it’s more convenient.”
- “Young people generally prefer online shopping to traditional retail.”
- “In general, younger generations favor online shopping over visiting physical stores.”
Topic: technology / improve / education
Sample answers:
- “Generally speaking, technology has significantly improved education by making resources more accessible.”
- “Technology has generally improved education, particularly through online learning platforms.”
- “In general, technological advances have enhanced the quality of education.”
Topic: people / healthier / than previous generations
Sample answers:
- “Generally, people today are healthier than previous generations due to better healthcare.”
- “In general, modern populations are healthier, although lifestyle diseases have increased.”
- “People are generally living longer and healthier lives compared to past generations.”

Writing Task 2:

Topic: governments / prioritize / economic growth
Sample answers:
- “Generally, governments prioritize economic growth over environmental protection.”
- “In general, most governments tend to prioritize economic development as a key policy objective.”
- “Governments generally place economic growth at the center of their policy agendas.”
Topic: students / benefit / smaller class sizes
Sample answers:
- “Generally, students benefit from smaller class sizes as teachers can provide more individual attention.”
- “In general, smaller class sizes lead to better learning outcomes for students.”
- “Students generally perform better academically when class sizes are reduced.”

Writing Task 1:

Topic: the graph / show / upward trend
Sample answers:
- “In general, the graph shows an upward trend across all categories.”
- “The graph generally indicates a positive correlation between the variables.”
- “Generally, the data demonstrates consistent growth over the period shown.”
Topic: consumption / increase / all age groups
Sample answers:
- “In general, consumption increased across all age groups during the period.”
- “Generally, all demographic segments showed higher consumption levels.”
- “Consumption levels generally rose among all age categories shown in the chart.”

Đáp Án Bài Tập 6: Paragraph Writing

Topic: Do you agree that technology has made people’s lives more stressful?

Sample Paragraph (Band 8):

“While technology offers numerous conveniences, I generally agree that it has increased stress levels in modern life. In general, people today feel pressured to be constantly connected and responsive to emails, messages, and social media notifications, which can be overwhelming. For example, many employees find it difficult to disconnect from work because smartphones make them accessible 24/7. Moreover, the constant comparison with others on social media generally leads to anxiety and reduced self-esteem, particularly among younger users. However, it should be noted that technology itself is not inherently stressful; rather, it is how people manage their digital habits that determines the impact on their well-being.”

Analysis:

Uses “generally” và “in general” hai lần một cách tự nhiên
Demonstrates clear position (agree with qualification)
Provides specific examples
Shows critical thinking (acknowledges nuance at the end)
Good cohesion and coherence
Band 8 features: complex sentences, sophisticated vocabulary, balanced argument

Alternative Sample (Band 7):

“I generally agree that technology has made life more stressful, although there are some benefits. In general, people are expected to respond to messages immediately, which creates constant pressure. Additionally, social media often causes stress because people compare themselves to others. However, technology also helps reduce stress in some ways, such as making shopping and banking easier. Overall, while technology has advantages, it generally increases stress more than it reduces it.”

Analysis:

Clear use of “generally” and “in general”
Addresses the question directly
Provides examples and reasoning
Some nuance (acknowledges benefits)
Band 7 features: clear position, adequate support, good organization

Đáp Án Bài Tập 7: Speaking Response

Q: “How have shopping habits changed in your country over the past few decades?”

Sample Answer 1 (Band 8):

“Well, generally speaking, shopping habits in Vietnam have transformed dramatically. In general, people now prefer the convenience of online shopping, especially younger consumers who are comfortable with e-commerce platforms like Shopee and Lazada. The older generation, however, generally still prefers visiting physical stores where they can see and touch products before buying. I think this shift has been largely driven by improved internet infrastructure and changing lifestyles.”

Analysis:

Uses “generally speaking” and “in general” naturally
Provides specific examples (platforms)
Contrasts different demographic groups
Shows cause-effect thinking
Natural conversational flow
Band 8 features: detailed, well-developed, sophisticated vocabulary

Sample Answer 2 (Band 7):

“Shopping habits have changed a lot in my country. Generally, people now do much more online shopping than before. In the past, everyone went to markets or shopping centers, but now many people, especially young people, prefer buying things on their phones or computers. This is generally more convenient and often cheaper too.”

Analysis:

Clear use of “generally”
Addresses the question with comparison (past vs present)
Mentions specific groups and reasons
Good coherence
Band 7 features: clear, relevant, adequately developed

Sample Answer 3 (Band 6):

“In general, shopping is very different now. People use internet more for shopping. It is generally easier and faster. Many people like online shopping now.”

Analysis:

Uses “in general” and “generally” but less naturally
Limited development
Basic vocabulary and structures
Answers the question but lacks depth
Band 6 features: communicates ideas but limited range

Tổng Kết và Lời Khuyên

Checklist Để Sử Dụng Đúng

Trước khi sử dụng “in general” hoặc “generally”, tự hỏi:

✅ Câu hỏi kiểm tra:

Tôi đang nói về xu hướng chung hay thói quen cá nhân?
- Xu hướng chung → Generally ✓
- Thói quen cá nhân → Usually ✓
Tôi có đang dùng absolute words (all, every, always, never)?
- Có → Không dùng “generally” ✗
- Không → Có thể dùng ✓
Tôi có số liệu cụ thể trong câu không?
- Có số chính xác → Không dùng “generally” ✗
- Mô tả xu hướng chung → Dùng được ✓
Tôi đã dùng “generally/in general” bao nhiêu lần trong đoạn này?
- Quá 2-3 lần → Thay bằng từ đồng nghĩa
- 1-2 lần → OK ✓
Vị trí đặt có đúng không?
- Đầu câu → Cần dấu phẩy ✓
- Trước động từ chính → “Generally” (không phải “in general”) ✓
- Sau chủ ngữ → Cần hai dấu phẩy ✓

Lộ Trình Luyện Tập

Tuần 1-2: Foundation (Nền tảng)

Học thuộc 5 vị trí chính của “generally” và “in general”
Làm 20-30 câu fill-in-the-blank exercises mỗi ngày
Đọc các bài mẫu Band 7-9 và highlight cách sử dụng

Tuần 3-4: Application (Ứng dụng)

Viết 5-7 câu mỗi ngày sử dụng cấu trúc này
Practice Speaking Part 3 responses (3-5 responses/day)
Viết 2-3 body paragraphs cho Writing Task 2

Tuần 5-6: Integration (Tích hợp)

Viết complete essays sử dụng “generally” một cách tự nhiên
Record và transcribe Speaking responses
Peer review hoặc teacher feedback

Tuần 7-8: Refinement (Tinh chỉnh)

Học các cụm từ thay thế (broadly speaking, on the whole, etc.)
Focus on variety và tránh repetition
Làm full mock tests

Đề Luyện Tập

Speaking Topics (Sử dụng “generally” ít nhất 2 lần mỗi topic)

Part 3 Questions:

Technology:
- How has technology changed the way people work?
- Do you think people rely too much on technology nowadays?
Education:
- How has education changed in your country?
- Should schools focus more on practical skills or academic knowledge?
Environment:
- Are people more concerned about environmental issues now than in the past?
- Who should be responsible for protecting the environment – individuals or governments?
Social Change:
- How have family structures changed in recent decades?
- Do young people have better opportunities than their parents’ generation?
Health:
- Are people healthier now than they were in the past?
- What can governments do to encourage people to live more healthily?

Yêu cầu:

Trả lời mỗi câu hỏi trong 1-2 phút
Sử dụng “generally/in general” ít nhất 1-2 lần một cách tự nhiên
Kết hợp với examples và explanations
Record và tự đánh giá

Writing Topics Task 2

Opinion Essays:

Some people think that the best way to increase road safety is to increase the minimum legal age for driving cars or motorbikes. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Many people believe that social networking sites have had a huge negative impact on both individuals and society. To what extent do you agree?
Some people think that parents should teach children how to be good members of society. Others believe that school is the place to learn this. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Discussion Essays:

Some people prefer to spend their lives doing the same things and avoiding change. Others think that change is always a good thing. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
In some countries, young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between finishing high school and starting university. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.

Problem-Solution Essays:

Traffic congestion is becoming a huge problem for many major cities. Suggest some measures that could be taken to reduce traffic in big cities.
Many people are now spending more and more time traveling to work or school. This is having a negative effect on both individuals and society. What are the causes? What solutions can you suggest?

Yêu cầu:

280-300 words
Sử dụng “generally/in general” 3-5 lần trong cả bài
Vary với các từ đồng nghĩa (on the whole, broadly speaking, etc.)
Đảm bảo mỗi body paragraph có ít nhất một generalization
Structure rõ ràng: Introduction, 2 body paragraphs, conclusion

Key Takeaways

5 điểm quan trọng nhất:

“In generally” KHÔNG TỒN TẠI – Đây là lỗi phổ biến nhất của học viên Việt Nam. Chỉ có “in general” HOẶC “generally”.
Vị trí linh hoạt nhưng có quy tắc:
- “Generally” có thể đứng nhiều vị trí
- “In general” chủ yếu ở đầu câu hoặc sau subject (với dấu phẩy)
Không dùng cho personal habits:
- Personal: “I usually…” (không dùng “generally”)
- Social trends: “People generally…” ✓
Tránh overuse:
- Không quá 2-3 lần trong một đoạn
- Vary với synonyms: on the whole, broadly speaking, typically
Context matters:
- Writing Task 1: Chỉ dùng cho overall trends, không với số liệu cụ thể
- Speaking Part 3: Rất hữu ích để generalize
- Writing Task 2: Essential cho topic sentences và generalizations

Final Tips:

Practice naturally: Đừng cố ép “generally” vào mọi câu. Sử dụng khi thực sự cần generalize.
Read extensively: Đọc các bài mẫu Band 8-9 để thấy cách native speakers và high-level writers sử dụng.
Get feedback: Nhờ giáo viên hoặc bạn bè check bài viết và speaking của bạn.
Record yourself: Ghi âm Speaking practice và nghe lại để tự correct.
Be patient: Việc sử dụng tự nhiên cần thời gian. Đừng nản lòng nếu ban đầu còn vụng về.

Remember: “Generally” và “in general” là công cụ quan trọng để demonstrate sophisticated thinking và academic writing style – hai yếu tố then chốt để đạt Band 7+. Tuy nhiên, chúng chỉ là một phần nhỏ trong overall performance. Focus on developing all aspects của IELTS skills: vocabulary range, grammatical accuracy, coherence, và task achievement.

Cách Sử Dụng In General và Generally Trong IELTS – Bí Quyết Đạt Band 7+

Giới Thiệu

In General và Generally Là Gì?

Định Nghĩa

Sự Khác Biệt Giữa In General và Generally

Tần Suất Xuất Hiện Trong IELTS

Công Thức và Vị Trí Sử Dụng

Vị Trí 1: Đầu Câu (Initial Position)

Vị Trí 2: Sau Chủ Ngữ (After Subject)

Vị Trí 3: Trước Động Từ Chính (Before Main Verb)

Vị Trí 4: Giữa Trợ Động Từ và Động Từ Chính (Between Auxiliary and Main Verb)

Vị Trí 5: Cuối Câu (Final Position)

Các Cụm Từ Mở Rộng (Extended Phrases)

Cách Vận Dụng Vào IELTS

Speaking

Speaking Part 1 – Introduction and Interview

Speaking Part 2 – Long Turn

Speaking Part 3 – Discussion

Writing Task 1

Writing Task 2

Introduction Paragraph

Body Paragraphs

Conclusion Paragraph

Complete Essay Example (Band 8)

Nâng Cao – Cách Dùng Để Đạt Band 8+

Kết Hợp Với Các Cấu Trúc Khác

In General/Generally + Relative Clause

In General/Generally + Modal Verbs

In General/Generally + Passive Voice

In General/Generally + Conditional Sentences

Cụm Từ Nâng Cao Thay Thế

Cách Sử Dụng Các Từ Thay Thế

Band 9 Paragraph với Varied Synonyms

Câu Phức và Ghép

Complex Sentences với Multiple Clauses

Compound-Complex Sentences

Advanced Integration Patterns

So Sánh Với Các Cấu Trúc Tương Tự

In General vs In Particular

Generally vs Usually

Generally vs Typically

On the Whole vs In General

Generally Speaking vs Generally

Lỗi Thường Gặp và Cách Sửa

Lỗi 1: Sử dụng “In Generally” (Sai Ngữ Pháp)

Lỗi 2: Đặt Sai Vị Trí “In General”

Lỗi 3: Dùng “Generally” Cho Thói Quen Cá Nhân

Lỗi 4: Lạm Dụng “Generally” Trong Một Đoạn

Lỗi 5: Không Có Dấu Phẩy Sau “In General/Generally” Ở Đầu Câu

Lỗi 6: Dùng “Generally” Với Số Liệu Cụ Thể

Lỗi 7: Dùng “Generally” Cho Absolute Statements

Bài Tập Thực Hành

Bài Tập 1: Điền Từ Đúng

Bài Tập 2: Tìm và Sửa Lỗi

Bài Tập 3: Chọn Từ Phù Hợp

Bài Tập 4: Viết Lại Câu

Bài Tập 5: Viết Câu Hoàn Chỉnh Cho IELTS

Bài Tập 6: Paragraph Writing

Bài Tập 7: Speaking Response

Đáp Án Chi Tiết

Đáp Án Bài Tập 1: Điền Từ Đúng

Đáp Án Bài Tập 2: Tìm và Sửa Lỗi

Đáp Án Bài Tập 3: Chọn Từ Phù Hợp

Đáp Án Bài Tập 4: Viết Lại Câu

Đáp Án Bài Tập 5: Viết Câu Hoàn Chỉnh

Đáp Án Bài Tập 6: Paragraph Writing

Đáp Án Bài Tập 7: Speaking Response

Tổng Kết và Lời Khuyên

Checklist Để Sử Dụng Đúng

Lộ Trình Luyện Tập

Đề Luyện Tập

Speaking Topics (Sử dụng “generally” ít nhất 2 lần mỗi topic)

Writing Topics Task 2

Key Takeaways

IELTS Reading: Ảnh Hưởng Của Mạng Xã Hội Đến Dư Luận - Đề Thi Mẫu Có Đáp Án Chi Tiết

IELTS Reading: Cultural Adaptation in International Education Systems - Đề thi mẫu có đáp án chi tiết

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