IELTS Speaking: Cách Miêu Tả Người Thân Thiện và Dễ Gần – Bài Mẫu Band 6-9

Trong kỳ thi IELTS Speaking, chủ đề “miêu tả một người thân thiện và dễ gần” (describing a friendly and approachable person) là một đề tài xuất hiện với tần suất cao, đặc biệt trong Part 2 và được kéo dài sang Part 3. Theo thống kê từ các đề thi thực tế từ 2020-2024, chủ đề về “people” chiếm khoảng 25-30% tổng số câu hỏi Part 2, trong đó các đề bài liên quan đến tính cách thân thiện, dễ gần xuất hiện đều đặn mỗi quý. Khả năng xuất hiện trong tương lai vẫn ở mức cao do tính phổ biến và khả năng mở rộng đa dạng của chủ đề.

Chủ đề này quan trọng vì nó đánh giá khả năng của bạn trong việc miêu tả con người – một kỹ năng giao tiếp cơ bản trong đời sống. Examiner không chỉ quan tâm đến việc bạn miêu tả ai, mà còn chú ý đến cách bạn sử dụng từ vựng về tính cách, khả năng kể chuyện có cảm xúc, và việc giải thích tại sao người đó lại để lại ấn tượng với bạn.

Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ học được:

• Các câu hỏi thường gặp về chủ đề “friendly and approachable person” trong cả 3 Part
• Bài mẫu chi tiết theo từng band điểm (6-7, 7.5-8, 8.5-9) với phân tích chuyên sâu
• Hơn 50 từ vựng và cụm từ ăn điểm để miêu tả tính cách con người
• Chiến lược trả lời hiệu quả từ góc nhìn Examiner
• Những lỗi phổ biến của học viên Việt Nam và cách khắc phục

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Introduction and Interview

Tổng Quan Về Part 1

Part 1 kéo dài 4-5 phút với các câu hỏi ngắn về đời sống hàng ngày. Đây là phần “warm-up” để bạn làm quen với examiner và không khí phòng thi. Tuy nhiên, điều này không có nghĩa bạn có thể chủ quan.

Chiến lược hiệu quả:

• Trả lời trực tiếp câu hỏi trong 1-2 câu đầu
• Mở rộng bằng cách đưa thêm lý do hoặc ví dụ (tổng cộng 2-3 câu)
• Tránh trả lời quá dài (over 30 giây) hoặc quá ngắn (chỉ Yes/No)

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

• Trả lời một từ: “Yes”, “No”, “Sometimes” mà không giải thích
• Dùng từ vựng quá đơn giản: “good person”, “nice”, “kind”
• Thiếu ví dụ cụ thể từ kinh nghiệm bản thân
• Nói quá nhanh vì lo lắng, dẫn đến pronunciation không rõ ràng

Các Câu Hỏi Thường Gặp

Question 1: Do you think you are a friendly person?

Question 2: What kind of people do you like to spend time with?

Question 3: Is it easy for you to make new friends?

Question 4: Do you prefer spending time with friends or family?

Question 5: How do you usually make friends?

Question 6: Are people in your country generally friendly to strangers?

Question 7: What qualities do you value most in a friend?

Question 8: Have you made any new friends recently?

Phân Tích và Gợi Ý Trả Lời Chi Tiết

Question: Do you think you are a friendly person?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Trả lời Yes/No ngay lập tức (không suy nghĩ quá lâu)
• Đưa ra evidence cụ thể (hành động, tình huống)
• Có thể thêm một chút self-reflection để tăng tính tự nhiên

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Yes, I think I’m quite friendly. I always try to smile and say hello to people I meet. My colleagues at work often come to me when they need help with something.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Trả lời trực tiếp, có ví dụ cụ thể (colleagues come for help)
• Hạn chế: Từ vựng đơn giản (quite friendly, smile, say hello), cấu trúc câu cơ bản, thiếu depth
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Đủ để trả lời câu hỏi và có mở rộng, nhưng chưa thể hiện được vocabulary range hoặc grammatical complexity. Fluency tốt nhưng chưa impressive.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“I’d say I’m generally quite approachable and easy-going. I make a conscious effort to be warm and welcoming when I meet new people, and I think it shows because strangers often strike up conversations with me on public transport. I suppose it’s partly my personality, but also something I’ve cultivated over the years because I genuinely enjoy connecting with people from all walks of life.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh:
  • Vocabulary đa dạng và chính xác: approachable, easy-going, conscious effort, cultivated
  • Cấu trúc phức tạp: “I’d say…”, “I suppose it’s partly…, but also…”
  • Ideas sâu sắc: Phân biệt giữa personality tự nhiên và kỹ năng rèn luyện
  • Natural expressions: “strike up conversations”, “from all walks of life”
• Tại sao Band 8-9:
  • Fluency: Smooth, không hesitation, sử dụng fillers tự nhiên (I’d say, I suppose)
  • Vocabulary: Precise và sophisticated, collocations chuẩn
  • Grammar: Complex sentences với relative clauses
  • Ideas: Thoughtful và nuanced (không chỉ nói Yes mà còn giải thích nguồn gốc)

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• approachable: dễ gần, dễ tiếp cận (về thái độ)
• easy-going: thoải mái, không cầu kỳ (tính cách)
• make a conscious effort: cố gắng một cách có ý thức
• strike up conversations: bắt chuyện, mở đầu cuộc trò chuyện
• cultivate (a quality): trau dồi, rèn luyện (một phẩm chất)
• people from all walks of life: người từ mọi tầng lớp xã hội

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Question: What kind of people do you like to spend time with?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Mô tả 2-3 qualities cụ thể
• Giải thích tại sao bạn thích những qualities đó
• Có thể đưa ví dụ về một người bạn thân để minh họa

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I like spending time with people who are funny and positive. I don’t like negative people because they make me feel tired. I also like people who are honest and can share their real feelings with me.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Trả lời đầy đủ với 2-3 qualities, có giải thích ngắn
• Hạn chế: Từ vựng lặp “people” quá nhiều, dùng “funny”, “positive”, “negative” – những từ quá basic, cấu trúc đơn giản
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Communicative và clear nhưng lacks sophistication. Grammar đúng nhưng simple.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“I’m naturally drawn to people who have a good sense of humor and can find joy in everyday situations. I find that positive energy is contagious, so I tend to gravitate towards those who maintain an optimistic outlook even during challenging times. Another quality I really value is authenticity – I appreciate people who are genuine and sincere rather than putting on a facade. I suppose that’s why my closest friends are all quite down-to-earth and straightforward in their communication.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh:
  • Vocabulary range: drawn to, contagious, gravitate towards, authenticity, facade
  • Collocations chuẩn: good sense of humor, optimistic outlook, down-to-earth
  • Grammar complexity: relative clauses, comparative structures
  • Logical flow: Quality → Explanation → Example/Reflection
• Tại sao Band 8-9:
  • Fluency: Các ý nối tiếp tự nhiên với “I find that…”, “Another quality…”, “I suppose…”
  • Vocabulary: Less common vocabulary được sử dụng chính xác (contagious, facade, gravitate)
  • Grammar: Phức tạp nhưng không có lỗi
  • Coherence: Well-organized với clear signposting

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• be drawn to: bị thu hút bởi
• good sense of humor: khiếu hài hước tốt
• contagious: có tính lây lan (positive/negative energy)
• gravitate towards: có xu hướng hướng tới, bị hút tới
• maintain an optimistic outlook: duy trì quan điểm lạc quan
• authenticity: tính chân thực
• genuine and sincere: chân thành và thật thà
• down-to-earth: thực tế, gần gũi
• straightforward: thẳng thắn, rõ ràng

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Question: Are people in your country generally friendly to strangers?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Đưa ra general observation về văn hóa
• Có thể compare giữa các khu vực khác nhau (city vs countryside)
• Đưa ví dụ cụ thể để support

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Yes, I think Vietnamese people are quite friendly. In my city, people often help tourists when they are lost. In the countryside, people are even more friendly because life is slower there.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Có comparison và specific example về tourists
• Hạn chế: Giải thích về countryside quá đơn giản (“life is slower” không được develop), thiếu depth
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate response nhưng lacks elaboration

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“I’d say it varies depending on where you are. In major cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, people can seem a bit reserved at first, probably because of the fast-paced lifestyle and general wariness in crowded urban environments. However, once you break the ice, you’ll find that most Vietnamese are quite hospitable and helpful. In smaller towns and rural areas, there’s definitely a stronger sense of community, and strangers are often welcomed with open arms. It’s quite common to see locals going out of their way to assist foreign visitors who seem lost or confused.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh:
  • Balanced view: Thừa nhận sự khác biệt thay vì generalize
  • Cultural insight: Giải thích reasons behind behaviors
  • Specific vocabulary: reserved, wariness, hospitable
  • Natural phrases: break the ice, with open arms, go out of their way
• Tại sao Band 8-9:
  • Critical thinking: Shows nuanced understanding
  • Vocabulary: Topic-specific và precise
  • Fluency: Smooth transitions giữa các ideas
  • Grammar: Complex conditionals và relative clauses

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• vary depending on: thay đổi tùy thuộc vào
• reserved: kín đáo, dè dặt
• fast-paced lifestyle: lối sống nhịp độ nhanh
• wariness: sự cảnh giác, thận trọng
• break the ice: phá vỡ rào cản, làm tan băng
• hospitable: hiếu khách
• sense of community: tinh thần cộng đồng
• welcome with open arms: chào đón nồng nhiệt
• go out of one’s way: cố gắng hết sức, không ngại khó khăn

Người Việt Nam thân thiện giúp đỡ khách du lịch nước ngoài tại phố cổ Hà Nội thể hiện văn hóa hiếu khách

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)

Tổng Quan Về Part 2

Part 2 là phần thử thách nhất với nhiều thí sinh vì yêu cầu nói liên tục 2-3 phút mà không bị ngắt. Đây là phần examiner đánh giá khả năng organize ideas và sustain speech của bạn.

Thời gian chuẩn bị: 1 phút

• Sử dụng HẾT 1 phút để ghi chú (đừng bắt đầu nói sớm)
• KHÔNG viết câu hoàn chỉnh – chỉ ghi keywords và ideas
• Structure notes theo bullet points của đề bài
• Ghi thêm 2-3 từ vựng hay bạn muốn sử dụng

Thời gian nói: 2-3 phút

• Target: Nói đủ 2 phút (examiner sẽ dừng bạn lại nếu vượt quá)
• Nếu nói dưới 1.5 phút là chưa đạt yêu cầu
• Dùng thì quá khứ nếu đề yêu cầu “describe a person you met” hoặc “an experience”
• Cover HẾT các bullet points

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

• Viết câu hoàn chỉnh trong note và cố đọc lại (nghe không tự nhiên)
• Chỉ nói 1-1.5 phút rồi dừng
• Quên trả lời bullet point cuối (thường là “explain why/how you feel”)
• Nói lan man không theo structure rõ ràng
• Lặp từ vựng quá nhiều (như “friendly” xuất hiện 10 lần)

Cue Card

Describe a person who is very friendly and approachable

You should say:

• Who this person is
• How you know this person
• What makes them friendly and approachable
• And explain why you think they are friendly and approachable

Phân Tích Đề Bài

Dạng câu hỏi: Describe a person (miêu tả con người)

Thì động từ chính: Hiện tại (vì đây là tính cách thường xuyên của người đó, không phải một sự kiện cụ thể trong quá khứ)

Bullet points phải cover:

1. Who this person is: Identity (không cần full name), relationship với bạn
2. How you know this person: Background story – gặp ở đâu, khi nào, trong hoàn cảnh gì
3. What makes them friendly and approachable: Đây là phần CORE – miêu tả cụ thể behaviors, actions, way of speaking/gestures
4. Explain why you think they are friendly and approachable: Đưa ra analysis sâu hơn – có thể là impact lên người khác, personal qualities, hoặc examples cụ thể

Câu “explain” quan trọng:
Đây là nơi bạn ghi điểm cao nhất. Đừng chỉ repeat lại bullet 3. Thay vào đó:

• Phân tích deeper reasons (Maybe it’s because of their upbringing…)
• Đưa ra examples về impact (People feel comfortable around them…)
• Share personal feelings (I admire this quality because…)

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7

Thời lượng: Khoảng 1.5-2 phút

“I’d like to talk about my neighbor, Mr. Thanh. He is a middle-aged man who lives in the apartment next to mine. I’ve known him for about three years since I moved into this building.

Mr. Thanh is very friendly. Every time I see him, he always smiles and says hello. He often asks me how I’m doing and if I need any help. When I first moved in, he helped me carry my furniture upstairs. He’s also very helpful with other neighbors, especially elderly people.

What makes him friendly is his warm personality. He always has a smile on his face and speaks in a gentle voice. He never looks busy or stressed when people talk to him. He also remembers small details about people, like asking about my job or my family.

I think he is friendly because he genuinely cares about people. He doesn’t just say hello to be polite – he really wants to know how you are. This makes everyone in the building like him. When there are problems in the building, people always ask for his opinion because they trust him. He makes our apartment building feel more like a community, not just a place where strangers live.”

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	6-7	Ideas được present theo logic order (who → how know → what makes → why). Sử dụng basic linking words (also, when, because). Tuy nhiên thiếu sophisticated connectors và có một số lặp từ.
Lexical Resource	6-7	Vocabulary adequate: warm personality, gentle voice, genuinely cares. Tuy nhiên lặp “friendly” nhiều lần, dùng “very” quá thường xuyên, thiếu less common vocabulary và collocations.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	6-7	Sử dụng đúng các thì cơ bản, có một số complex sentences (when, because, like asking). Tuy nhiên chủ yếu là simple và compound sentences, thiếu variety.
Pronunciation	6-7	Giả định pronunciation rõ ràng với word/sentence stress cơ bản, nhưng có thể thiếu intonation patterns đa dạng.

Điểm mạnh:

• ✅ Cover đầy đủ cả 4 bullet points
• ✅ Examples cụ thể (helped carry furniture, asks about job/family)
• ✅ Có personal reflection ở phần cuối (makes building feel like community)
• ✅ Length đủ yêu cầu (khoảng 2 phút)

Hạn chế:

• ⚠️ Vocabulary range hạn chế, lặp “friendly” 4 lần
• ⚠️ Grammar structures chưa đa dạng, nhiều câu đơn
• ⚠️ Thiếu idiomatic expressions hoặc less common phrases
• ⚠️ Ideas tốt nhưng chưa được elaborate deeply

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 7.5-8

Thời lượng: Khoảng 2-2.5 phút

“I’d like to describe my colleague, Mai, who works in the marketing department at my company. She’s someone I’ve had the pleasure of knowing for the past two years, and I have to say she’s one of the most approachable people I’ve ever met.

We first crossed paths during a company training workshop, and what immediately struck me about her was how she put everyone at ease. While most of us were feeling a bit awkward and nervous, she broke the ice by introducing herself with genuine warmth and cracking a few lighthearted jokes that got everyone laughing.

What really makes Mai stand out is her open and welcoming demeanor. She has this incredible ability to make you feel like you’re the most important person in the room when she’s talking to you. She maintains eye contact, actively listens without checking her phone, and always responds with thoughtful questions that show she’s genuinely interested. Another thing I’ve noticed is that she never seems dismissive or condescending, even when dealing with junior staff or interns. She treats everyone with equal respect, which is quite rare in corporate environments.

I think what makes her this way is a combination of emotional intelligence and genuine kindness. She seems to have a natural knack for reading people’s emotions and knowing exactly what to say to make them feel comfortable. I remember when I was struggling with a difficult project, she noticed I was stressed even though I hadn’t said anything. She came over, offered to help, and made me feel like my problems mattered.

Her friendly nature has created such a positive ripple effect in our office. People gravitate towards her during lunch breaks, and she’s become this unofficial morale booster for the entire team. I genuinely admire this quality because in today’s fast-paced work environment, where everyone’s so focused on their own targets, she reminds us of the importance of human connection.”

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	7.5-8	Smooth delivery với sophisticated linking (what really makes, another thing, I remember when). Ideas develop naturally và logically. Minimal hesitation. Sử dụng discourse markers hiệu quả.
Lexical Resource	7.5-8	Wide vocabulary range: approachable, struck me, put at ease, demeanor, dismissive, condescending, emotional intelligence. Good collocations: broken the ice, maintains eye contact, ripple effect. Có một vài less common items.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	7.5-8	Variety of complex structures: relative clauses (who works, what makes), time clauses (when I was struggling), participle clauses (without checking). Mostly error-free.
Pronunciation	7.5-8	Giả định clear pronunciation với good use of intonation và stress for emphasis. Natural rhythm.

So Sánh Với Band 6-7

Khía cạnh	Band 6-7	Band 7.5-8
Vocabulary	“very friendly”, “warm personality”	“approachable”, “open and welcoming demeanor”, “emotional intelligence”
Grammar	“He always smiles and says hello” (simple)	“She has this incredible ability to make you feel like you’re the most important person” (complex with relative clause)
Ideas	“He remembers small details” (stated)	“She has a natural knack for reading people’s emotions” (analyzed with evidence)
Coherence	Basic linking (also, because, when)	Sophisticated signposting (What really makes, Another thing, I think what makes)

Tại sao cao hơn Band 6-7:

• Vocabulary precise và less common (demeanor, condescending, ripple effect)
• Grammar structures đa dạng và accurate
• Ideas được develop sâu với specific examples
• Natural flow với sophisticated discourse markers

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9

Thời lượng: 2.5-3 phút đầy đủ

“I’d like to talk about my university professor, Dr. Nguyen, who teaches International Relations. He’s hands down one of the most personable and accessible academics I’ve encountered, and I’ve had the privilege of being his student for nearly three years now.

Our paths first crossed during my freshman year when I somewhat nervously enrolled in his introductory course. I’ll never forget that first lecture – while most professors maintain a certain professional distance, Dr. Nguyen immediately shattered that invisible barrier by sharing a self-deprecating story about his own fumbling attempts at public speaking as a young student. Right off the bat, this candid admission made him seem incredibly relatable and down-to-earth.

What truly sets him apart is his remarkable gift for making every student feel valued and heard. He has this uncanny ability to remember not just your name but also specific details about your academic interests and even your personal concerns. I’ve seen him light up when students approach him with questions, no matter how basic they might be. Unlike some academics who can be rather aloof or unapproachable, he goes out of his way to foster an inclusive atmosphere where even the most introverted students feel emboldened to participate. His office door is perpetually open – both literally and figuratively – and he has this extraordinary patience when explaining complex concepts.

What I find particularly endearing is his genuine enthusiasm for student success. He doesn’t just tick boxes as an educator; he takes a vested interest in each student’s development. I remember when I was grappling with whether to pursue graduate studies abroad, he spent over an hour discussing my options, sharing his own experiences, and connecting me with his professional network – all without any ulterior motive, simply because he wanted to help.

I believe what makes him this way is a deeply ingrained sense of empathy combined with authentic humility. Despite his impressive credentials – he has published numerous papers and holds considerable sway in his field – he never looks down on anyone or makes students feel inadequate. If anything, he seems to thrive on the intellectual curiosity of others and derives genuine joy from watching his students flourish.

His approach has had a profound impact not just on me but on the entire department. He’s inadvertently created this ripple effect where students feel more confident engaging with professors, and it’s raised the bar for what we consider good teaching. I think in an academic world that can sometimes feel hierarchical and intimidating, people like him are absolute gems who remind us that knowledge sharing should be an accessible and humanizing experience. That’s why I hold him in such high regard – he embodies the qualities of both an exceptional educator and a wonderful human being.”

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	8.5-9	Effortlessly smooth với sophisticated discourse markers và signposting. Natural flow của ideas với seamless transitions. Self-correction natural. Coherence devices được sử dụng skillfully không mechanical.
Lexical Resource	8.5-9	Extensive vocabulary với precise usage: personable, shattered barrier, uncanny ability, aloof, emboldened, perpetually open, vested interest, inadvertently. Natural idiomatic language: hands down, right off the bat, tick boxes, absolute gems. Collocations và phrasal verbs sophisticated.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	8.5-9	Full range of structures used naturally: inverted conditionals, participle clauses, relative clauses, complex passives. Consistently accurate với only rare slips. Flexibility trong forming complex sentences.
Pronunciation	8.5-9	Giả định excellent pronunciation với full range of features: effective use of intonation patterns, word/sentence stress, rhythm. Natural và effortless.

Tại Sao Bài Này Xuất Sắc

🎯 Fluency Hoàn Hảo:

• Không có hesitation hay self-correction unnatural
• Discourse markers được sử dụng effortlessly: “Right off the bat”, “What truly sets him apart”, “I’ll never forget”, “If anything”
• Transitions giữa ideas seamless với variety of techniques

📚 Vocabulary Tinh Vi:

• Idiomatic expressions: “hands down” (chắc chắn, không thể bàn cãi), “right off the bat” (ngay lập tức), “tick boxes” (làm cho có hình thức, không tâm huyết), “absolute gems” (những viên ngọc quý hiếm)
• Collocations sophisticated: “maintain professional distance”, “foster inclusive atmosphere”, “hold considerable sway”, “derive genuine joy”
• Phrasal verbs natural: “set apart”, “go out of one’s way”, “look down on”, “thrive on”
• Precise vocabulary choices: “personable” thay vì “friendly”, “aloof” thay vì “unfriendly”, “emboldened” thay vì “encouraged”

📝 Grammar Đa Dạng:

• Inversion: “Unlike some academics who can be rather aloof”
• Participle clauses: “sharing his own experiences”, “connecting me with his network”
• Complex relatives: “an academic world that can sometimes feel hierarchical”
• Cleft sentences: “What truly sets him apart is…”
• Conditionals embedded naturally: “even if the questions are basic”

💡 Ideas Sâu Sắc:

• Không chỉ describe behaviors mà analyze underlying reasons: “deeply ingrained sense of empathy combined with authentic humility”
• Discuss broader impact: “inadvertently created this ripple effect”, “raised the bar for good teaching”
• Personal reflection thoughtful: “in an academic world that can sometimes feel hierarchical”
• Contrast sophisticated: So sánh với other academics who are “aloof” để highlight Dr. Nguyen’s qualities

🎯 Structure Hoàn Hảo:

• Introduction engaging với strong hook: “hands down one of the most personable”
• Each bullet point được develop với specific examples
• Conclusion powerful với personal philosophy và broader meaning

Giáo sư thân thiện đang tư vấn và động viên sinh viên trong văn phòng làm việc với không khí cởi mở

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Follow-up Questions (Rounding Off Questions)

Sau khi bạn nói xong Part 2, examiner thường hỏi 1-2 câu ngắn để chuyển sang Part 3. Đây không phải Part 3 chính thức mà chỉ là “bridging questions”.

Question 1: Do you often see this person?

Band 6-7 Answer:
“Yes, quite often. I see my colleague Mai almost every day at work. We sometimes have lunch together in the office canteen.”

Band 8-9 Answer:
“Yes, fairly regularly actually. Since we work in the same building, our paths cross almost daily, whether it’s in the corridor or during team meetings. We’ve also developed a bit of a routine where we grab coffee together a couple of times a week to catch up on both work matters and personal news.”

Phân tích: Band 8-9 answer sử dụng natural expressions (paths cross, grab coffee, catch up on), colloquial language phù hợp với speaking, và provide more context without being overly wordy.

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Question 2: Would you like to be more like this person?

Band 6-7 Answer:
“Yes, definitely. I think being friendly like him would help me make more friends and have better relationships with people. I’m trying to smile more and be more helpful.”

Band 8-9 Answer:
“Absolutely. I genuinely aspire to develop that level of emotional intelligence and interpersonal warmth. I think what’s particularly admirable is not just being friendly, but being consistently approachable regardless of how busy or stressed you are. It’s something I’m actively working on – being more present when people talk to me rather than mentally juggling other tasks. Though I have to say, it seems to come so naturally to her that I wonder if some of it is just innate personality rather than something that can be fully learned.”

Phân tích: Band 8-9 answer shows reflection và self-awareness, sử dụng sophisticated vocabulary (aspire to, emotional intelligence, innate), và demonstrates critical thinking bằng cách acknowledge rằng some qualities có thể là natural talent.

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Tổng Quan Về Part 3

Part 3 là phần most challenging và critical để đạt band cao. Đây không phải là personal questions nữa mà là abstract discussions về society, trends, values.

Thời gian: 4-5 phút

Đặc điểm:

• Câu hỏi abstract, theoretical hơn Part 1 và 2
• Yêu cầu analyze, evaluate, speculate
• Test critical thinking và ability to discuss complex issues

Yêu cầu:

• Develop answers fully (4-6 câu, khoảng 30-60 giây mỗi câu trả lời)
• Provide reasons, examples, alternatives
• Show ability to see different perspectives
• Use advanced vocabulary và complex grammar naturally

Chiến lược hiệu quả:

• Bắt đầu với discourse markers: “Well”, “That’s an interesting question”, “I think”
• Structure: Direct answer → Reason 1 + example → Reason 2 + example → Conclusion/Nuance
• Acknowledge complexity: “It depends”, “There are several factors”, “On the one hand… on the other hand”
• Use speculative language: “might”, “could”, “would probably”, “it’s likely that”
• Draw from broader knowledge, không chỉ personal experience

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

• Trả lời quá ngắn (1-2 câu) như Part 1
• Chỉ nói về personal experience, không discuss social implications
• Thiếu examples cụ thể để support ideas
• Không sử dụng tentative language (nói quá absolute)
• Panic khi không hiểu câu hỏi thay vì ask for clarification
• Thiếu từ vựng abstract và academic

Các Câu Hỏi Thảo Luận Sâu

Theme 1: Personality and Social Relationships

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Question 1: Why do you think some people are naturally more friendly than others?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Cause analysis (Why)
• Key words: “naturally”, “some people”, “more friendly”
• Cách tiếp cận: Discuss multiple factors – nature (personality, genetics) vs nurture (upbringing, culture, experiences). Avoid oversimplification.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I think there are different reasons. Some people are born with friendly personalities – they like talking to others from when they are children. Other people become friendly because of their family environment. If parents teach children to be kind and polite, they will grow up to be friendly adults. Also, people who work in service jobs like waiters or teachers need to be friendly, so they practice being friendly every day.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Has basic organization với multiple reasons (born with, family, job)
• Vocabulary: Basic (friendly, kind, polite, practice) – lacks sophistication
• Ideas: Adequate nhưng surface-level, không deeply analyzed
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Answers the question với relevant points nhưng lacks depth, sophisticated vocabulary, và complex grammar. Development đơn giản.

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“Well, that’s quite a multifaceted question actually. I’d say there are several contributing factors at play. First and foremost, there’s definitely a temperamental component – some research suggests that certain personality traits, like extroversion and high emotional intelligence, have a genetic basis. So some individuals are simply predisposed to being more outgoing and sociable from an early age.

However, I think environmental factors are equally, if not more, significant. Children who grow up in nurturing households where warmth and positive social interaction are modeled consistently tend to internalize these behaviors. There’s also a cultural dimension to consider – in some societies, being openly friendly and gregarious is highly valued and encouraged, while in others, reserved behavior is seen as more appropriate.

Another aspect worth mentioning is social conditioning through experiences. People who’ve had predominantly positive social interactions tend to be more confident and forthcoming, whereas those who’ve faced rejection or social anxiety might become more guarded and withdrawn. So it’s really a complex interplay of innate disposition, upbringing, and lived experiences rather than any single factor.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Sophisticated và well-organized

  • Opening với discourse marker natural
  • Point 1: Nature (genetics, temperament) với supporting details
  • Point 2: Nurture (family, culture) với contrast
  • Point 3: Experience-based với examples
  • Conclusion: Synthesize các factors

• Vocabulary:

  • Abstract nouns: multifaceted question, contributing factors, temperamental component, emotional intelligence, environmental factors, social conditioning
  • Precise verbs: predisposed, internalize, modeled
  • Collocations: genetic basis, nurturing households, complex interplay

• Grammar:

  • Complex sentences với multiple clauses
  • Relative clauses: “Children who grow up…”, “People who’ve had…”
  • Passive voice: “are modeled”, “is seen as”
  • Comparative structures: “equally, if not more, significant”

• Critical Thinking:

  • Acknowledges complexity: “multifaceted”, “complex interplay”
  • Balanced view: Nature AND nurture, không chỉ một factor
  • Cultural awareness: Mentions societal differences
  • Nuanced conclusion: “rather than any single factor”

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: “Well”, “First and foremost”, “However”, “Another aspect worth mentioning”
• Tentative language: “I’d say”, “I think”, “tends to”, “might become”
• Academic vocabulary: multifaceted, predisposed, predominantly, disposition

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Question 2: How important is it for people to be friendly in the workplace?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Evaluation (How important)
• Key words: “workplace”, context-specific
• Cách tiếp cận: Discuss benefits, potential drawbacks if balance isn’t right, acknowledge that importance might vary by job type

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I think being friendly at work is very important. When colleagues are friendly with each other, they can work better together as a team. Friendly people also create a good atmosphere in the office, which makes everyone feel happier at work. However, sometimes people need to focus on their work and can’t always chat with colleagues. So it’s important to be friendly but also professional.”

Phân tích:

• Points covered: Benefits (teamwork, atmosphere) và brief balance note
• Limitation: Lacks specific examples, shallow analysis, repetitive use of “friendly”
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Relevant ideas nhưng không được fully developed

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“I’d argue it’s tremendously important, though perhaps in ways that aren’t immediately obvious. On a practical level, a friendly workplace fosters collaboration and knowledge-sharing. When people feel comfortable approaching colleagues, they’re more likely to seek help when needed, share innovative ideas, and work cohesively towards common goals. This is particularly crucial in today’s project-based work environments where cross-functional teamwork is the norm.

Beyond productivity, there’s also a significant wellbeing dimension. Considering that many of us spend a substantial portion of our waking hours at work, having positive social connections can dramatically impact our mental health and overall job satisfaction. Research has shown that workplace friendships can buffer against stress and even reduce burnout rates.

That said, I think there’s a delicate balance to strike. Being friendly shouldn’t mean being overly familiar or allowing personal relationships to compromise professionalism. The ideal is probably what’s called professional friendliness – being approachable, respectful, and supportive without necessarily becoming best friends with everyone. Different industries might also warrant different approaches – a creative agency might thrive on close-knit relationships, whereas a more formal corporate environment might require more professional boundaries.”

Phân tích:

• Structure:

  • Opening: Strong statement với qualifier
  • Para 1: Practical benefits với workplace-specific examples
  • Para 2: Wellbeing aspect với research reference
  • Para 3: Nuanced view về balance và context-dependency

• Vocabulary:

  • Workplace-specific: cross-functional teamwork, project-based environments, professional boundaries
  • Impact verbs: fosters, buffer against, compromise
  • Advanced phrases: tremendously important, delicate balance, overly familiar

• Critical thinking:

  • Multiple perspectives: Productivity AND wellbeing
  • Acknowledges limitations: “That said”
  • Context-awareness: Different industries require different approaches
  • Sophisticated concept: “professional friendliness”

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Theme 2: Social Changes and Technology

Question 3: Do you think modern technology has made people more or less friendly?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Opinion with comparison (more or less)
• Key words: “modern technology”, “more or less” (requires balanced view)
• Cách tiếp cận: Best approach là balanced – acknowledge both positive và negative impacts, avoid extreme viewpoint

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I think technology has both good and bad effects. On one hand, social media helps people stay in touch with friends who live far away. They can message each other and see photos easily. On the other hand, many people spend too much time on their phones and don’t talk to people face-to-face. I often see people sitting together but everyone is looking at their phone instead of talking. So I think technology makes people less friendly in person but more connected online.”

Phân tích:

• Good aspects: Presents both sides, có specific example (people on phones)
• Limitations: “Good and bad effects” quá generic, analysis shallow, vocabulary basic
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Balanced view nhưng lacks sophistication và depth

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9:

“That’s quite a contentious issue, and I think the answer is far more nuanced than a simple ‘more’ or ‘less’. Technology has fundamentally transformed the nature of social interaction, but whether that transformation has made us friendlier is open to interpretation.

On one hand, digital platforms have undeniably expanded our capacity to maintain connections. We can now stay in touch with a far wider circle of people across different time zones and geographies. Social media allows us to celebrate friends’ achievements, offer support during difficult times, and maintain relationships that might have otherwise faded due to distance. In this sense, technology has made friendliness more accessible and sustainable over long distances.

However, there’s a compelling argument that our constant digital connectivity has actually eroded the quality of our face-to-face interactions. There’s something paradoxical about being physically present but mentally absent because we’re glued to screens. The art of spontaneous conversation, reading subtle social cues, and engaging in deep, uninterrupted dialogue seems to be gradually diminishing, especially among younger generations who’ve grown up perpetually connected yet often emotionally disconnected.

What concerns me most is the performative nature of online friendliness – people curating perfect images and offering superficial engagement through likes and brief comments, rather than genuine, meaningful interaction. That being said, I don’t think technology itself is the culprit; rather, it’s how we choose to use it. When used mindfully, technology can enhance friendliness, but when it becomes a substitute for rather than a supplement to real-world connection, it can be detrimental.”

Phân tích:

• Structure xuất sắc:

  • Opening: Acknowledges complexity
  • Para 1: Positive impacts với specific examples
  • Para 2: Negative impacts với thoughtful analysis
  • Para 3: Deeper concern về quality vs quantity
  • Conclusion: Balanced final view về responsible use

• Vocabulary tinh vi:

  • Abstract nouns: contentious issue, capacity, paradox, performative nature
  • Phrasal verbs: stay in touch with, faded due to, glued to
  • Collocations: fundamentally transformed, compelling argument, subtle social cues, mindfully use
  • Contrasts: accessible vs quality, connected vs disconnected, substitute for vs supplement to

• Grammar phức tạp:

  • Conditional mood: “that might have otherwise faded”
  • Present perfect continuous: “who’ve grown up”
  • Passive constructions: “is open to interpretation”
  • Complex relative clauses throughout

• Critical thinking ấn tượng:

  • Reframes the question: Not simply more/less but transformed
  • Paradox identified: “physically present but mentally absent”
  • Distinction between technology itself vs how we use it
  • Cultural/generational awareness: “especially among younger generations”
  • Philosophical depth: performative vs genuine interaction

💡 Key Language Features:

• Sophisticated discourse markers: “On one hand”, “However”, “That being said”, “What concerns me most”
• Hedging language: “I think”, “seems to be”, “might have”
• Academic expressions: “open to interpretation”, “compelling argument”, “That being said”

Nhóm bạn trẻ ngồi quán cafe nhưng ai cũng mải mê với điện thoại di động thay vì trò chuyện thể hiện tác động công nghệ

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Theme 3: Cultural Differences

Question 4: Are there differences in how people from different cultures express friendliness?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Yes/No với elaboration expected về cultural variations
• Key words: “different cultures”, “express”
• Cách tiếp cận: Discuss specific cultural examples, explain reasons for differences, avoid stereotyping

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Yes, definitely. In Western countries like America, people are usually very direct and friendly. They smile at strangers and talk to people they don’t know easily. But in Asian countries, people are more quiet and careful with strangers. For example, in Vietnam, we don’t usually smile at strangers on the street because it might seem strange. In Western culture, people also hug friends when they meet, but in Vietnam we usually just say hello or shake hands.”

Phân tích:

• Strengths: Has comparison, specific examples (hugging vs greeting)
• Weaknesses: Somewhat stereotypical generalization, lacks nuance về within-culture variation
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Relevant points nhưng lacks sophistication và could be seen as oversimplifying

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9:

“Absolutely, and these differences are quite fascinating when you delve into them. Friendliness manifests differently across cultures, largely shaped by deeply rooted social norms and communication styles.

Take, for instance, the contrast between what cross-cultural researchers call ‘high-context’ and ‘low-context’ cultures. In low-context societies like the United States or Australia, friendliness tends to be quite explicit and verbalized – people readily strike up conversations with strangers, offer direct compliments, and use lots of verbal affirmations like ‘Great job!’ or ‘Nice to meet you!’ This overt friendliness can sometimes feel superficial to outsiders, but it’s actually a culturally appropriate way of creating rapport and putting others at ease.

In contrast, high-context cultures like Japan or Korea express friendliness more subtly and indirectly. Rather than effusive verbal expressions, friendliness might be conveyed through attentive listening, thoughtful gestures, or the careful observation of social hierarchies and etiquette. What might appear reserved or even cold to someone from a low-context culture is actually a form of respect and consideration.

Even concepts like personal space and physical contact vary enormously. In many Mediterranean and Latin American cultures, friendly greetings involve kisses on the cheek or warm embraces, whereas in many East Asian contexts, maintaining appropriate physical distance is a sign of respect. The Vietnamese practice of placing your hand over your heart when greeting elders is a beautiful example of culturally specific friendly behavior that might not be recognized as such by outsiders.

I think it’s crucial not to judge friendliness by our own cultural yardstick. What’s considered warm and welcoming in one culture might be seen as intrusive or inappropriate in another. The key is cultural sensitivity – recognizing that friendliness is universal in intent but diverse in expression.”

Phân tích:

• Structure:

  • Opening: Enthusiastic agreement với preview
  • Para 1: Framework theory (high/low context) với examples
  • Para 2: Contrast approach với Japanese/Korean example
  • Para 3: Specific cultural practices với concrete examples
  • Conclusion: Important takeaway về cultural sensitivity

• Vocabulary xuất sắc:

  • Academic terms: high-context/low-context cultures, cross-cultural researchers, cultural yardstick
  • Descriptive language: overt, effusive, attentive, intrusive
  • Cultural terms: rapport, etiquette, social hierarchies
  • Collocations: deeply rooted norms, verbalized friendliness, thoughtful gestures

• Examples cụ thể và đa dạng:

  • US/Australia (low-context)
  • Japan/Korea (high-context)
  • Mediterranean/Latin American (physical contact)
  • Vietnamese (specific gesture)

• Critical thinking:

  • Uses academic framework (high/low context) không just personal opinion
  • Explains WHY differences exist (social norms, communication styles)
  • Warns against judgment và stereotyping
  • Philosophical conclusion: universal intent, diverse expression

• Cultural sensitivity:

  • Avoids negative stereotyping
  • Presents each culture’s practices as valid
  • Uses tentative language: “might appear”, “can sometimes feel”
  • Respectful tone throughout

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Question 5: How can people learn to be more friendly if it doesn’t come naturally to them?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: How (process/solution-focused)
• Key words: “learn”, “doesn’t come naturally” (implies it’s acquirable)
• Cách tiếp cận: Practical strategies, acknowledge challenges, maybe mention it’s a gradual process

📝 Sample Answer – Band 7-8:

“I think there are several practical steps people can take. First, they can start with small actions like smiling more often or making eye contact when talking to people. These simple gestures can make a big difference. Second, they could practice active listening – showing genuine interest in what others are saying by asking follow-up questions and remembering details about people.

Another useful approach is observing people who are naturally friendly and learning from them. Notice how they greet people, how they start conversations, and how they make others feel comfortable. It’s also important to step out of your comfort zone gradually – maybe start by being friendlier with colleagues before trying to socialize with strangers.

Finally, I think self-confidence plays a role. People who feel more secure about themselves tend to be more open and friendly. So working on self-improvement, whether through hobbies or personal development, can indirectly help people become more approachable.”

Phân tích:

• Strong structure với multiple practical strategies
• Good use of sequencing (First, Second, Another, Finally)
• Relevant advice nhưng có thể develop deeper về why these work

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9:

“That’s a great question because it challenges the assumption that friendliness is purely innate. While some people are naturally more gregarious, I firmly believe that friendliness is very much a learnable skill, much like any other social competency.

I think the starting point is reframing one’s mindset. Many people who perceive themselves as unfriendly are often just introverted or socially anxious rather than inherently unfriendly. Understanding this distinction is crucial because it means the capacity for warmth is there – it just needs to be cultivated and practiced. Cognitive behavioral techniques can be helpful here, particularly in challenging negative self-talk like ‘I’m not good with people’ and replacing it with more constructive thoughts.

On a practical level, I’d suggest starting with low-stakes interactions – perhaps practicing small talk with cashiers or service staff where the social pressure is minimal. As confidence builds, one can gradually expand to more complex social situations. It’s also valuable to develop what I call ‘social scripts’ – having a few prepared conversation starters or questions can alleviate the anxiety of not knowing what to say.

Another underrated strategy is active observation and modeling. Pay attention to people who seem naturally warm and approachable – notice their body language, their tone of voice, how they show interest through questions, and how they make others feel valued. Social skills, like any skills, improve through conscious practice and feedback.

I’d also emphasize the importance of self-compassion in this journey. Becoming more friendly isn’t about completely transforming your personality; it’s about finding authentic ways to connect with others that feel genuine to who you are. An introverted person doesn’t need to become the life of the party – they just need to find their own comfortable way of expressing warmth and openness.

Finally, I think emotional intelligence development is key. This includes cultivating empathy, learning to read social cues, and developing genuine curiosity about other people’s experiences. When friendliness comes from a place of authentic interest rather than forced behavior, it becomes sustainable and feels more natural over time.”

Phân tích:

• Structure xuất sắc:

  • Reframes question premise
  • Para 1: Mindset shift (cognitive aspect)
  • Para 2: Practical gradual approach
  • Para 3: Modeling strategy
  • Para 4: Self-compassion và authenticity
  • Para 5: Deeper skill development (EQ)

• Vocabulary tinh vi:

  • Psychology-related: cognitive behavioral techniques, social anxiety, self-talk
  • Process language: cultivated, alleviate, sustainable
  • Nuanced distinctions: introverted vs unfriendly, authentic vs forced
  • Collocations: low-stakes interactions, social scripts, underrated strategy

• Ideas sâu sắc:

  • Distinguished introversion from unfriendliness
  • Concept of “social scripts” – creative và practical
  • Emphasis on authenticity over personality transformation
  • Connection to emotional intelligence
  • Process-oriented: gradual, conscious practice

• Discourse sophistication:

  • Transitional phrases: “On a practical level”, “Another underrated strategy”, “I’d also emphasize”
  • Balanced tone: Encouraging nhưng realistic
  • Uses metaphor: “life of the party”
  • Self-coined term: “social scripts” (shows independent thinking)

💡 Key Language Features:

• Advanced expressions: “challenges the assumption”, “reframing one’s mindset”, “underrated strategy”, “conscious practice”
• Academic vocabulary: cognitive behavioral techniques, emotional intelligence, cultivate, alleviate
• Natural fillers: “I think”, “I’d suggest”, “I’d also emphasize”

Người trưởng thành đang luyện tập kỹ năng giao tiếp và thân thiện qua workshop phát triển cá nhân

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Theme 4: Workplace and Professional Relationships

Question 6: Should employers consider friendliness when hiring new employees?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Should (opinion with justification)
• Key words: “employers”, “hiring”, “friendliness” as criterion
• Cách tiếp cận: Balanced view – depends on role, acknowledge importance but also other factors

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9:

“I think it depends largely on the nature of the role, though I’d argue that friendliness should be at least a consideration in most hiring decisions, even if not always the primary criterion.

For client-facing positions like customer service, sales, or hospitality, friendliness is absolutely a critical competency, perhaps even on par with technical skills. An employee who can build rapport, put clients at ease, and handle complaints with grace can be tremendously valuable to a company’s reputation and bottom line. In these contexts, I’d say employers would be remiss not to assess friendliness during the hiring process, perhaps through behavioral interviews or situational judgment tests.

However, for more technical or independent roles – say, a software developer working primarily on backend systems or a research scientist – friendliness might be less mission-critical. That said, even in these positions, basic interpersonal skills matter because most work today involves some degree of collaboration. An exceptionally talented programmer who’s abrasive and unapproachable can actually hamper team productivity despite their technical prowess.

What concerns me is when ‘culture fit’ becomes a euphemism for hiring people who are alike rather than complementary. Friendliness shouldn’t mean hiring only extroverts or people who mirror the existing team dynamic. Diverse teams – including different personality types – often outperform homogeneous ones. So I think employers should look for professional courtesy and respect rather than expecting everyone to be the stereotypical ‘people person’.

Ultimately, I believe friendliness – or more accurately, the ability to interact constructively with colleagues – should be part of a holistic assessment alongside technical competence, problem-solving ability, and cultural values alignment. No single factor should be overweighted, but in today’s collaborative work environments, interpersonal skills can’t be overlooked entirely.”

Phân tích:

• Structure:

  • Opening: Qualified position (depends on role)
  • Para 1: Strong case for client-facing roles
  • Para 2: Nuanced view cho technical roles
  • Para 3: Warning về culture fit misuse
  • Conclusion: Holistic approach

• Critical thinking:

  • Context-dependent answer (not one-size-fits-all)
  • Distinguishes between different role types
  • Identifies potential pitfall (culture fit as exclusion)
  • Balances multiple factors in hiring

• Vocabulary:

  • Business terminology: client-facing, bottom line, behavioral interviews, culture fit
  • Precise qualifiers: at least a consideration, on par with, less mission-critical
  • Sophisticated expressions: remiss not to, hamper productivity, euphemism for

• Examples:

  • Specific role types mentioned (customer service vs software developer)
  • Concrete assessment methods (behavioral interviews, situational judgment)

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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
approachable	adj	/əˈprəʊtʃəbl/	dễ gần, dễ tiếp cận	She has an approachable manner that makes students comfortable asking questions.	approachable demeanor, seem approachable, highly approachable person
warm personality	noun phrase	/wɔːm ˌpɜːsəˈnæləti/	tính cách ấm áp, thân thiện	His warm personality makes everyone feel welcome at the office.	have a warm personality, radiate warmth, naturally warm
gregarious	adj	/ɡrɪˈɡeəriəs/	hòa đồng, thích giao lưu	He’s quite gregarious and enjoys being surrounded by people.	gregarious nature, naturally gregarious, gregarious personality
personable	adj	/ˈpɜːsənəbl/	dễ mến, duyên dáng (trong giao tiếp)	The company looks for personable candidates for customer-facing roles.	personable manner, personable and professional, highly personable
affable	adj	/ˈæfəbl/	dễ gần, niềm nở	Despite his senior position, he remains affable and easy to talk to.	affable manner, affable personality, affable disposition
easy-going	adj	/ˌiːzi ˈɡəʊɪŋ/	thoải mái, dễ tính	She’s very easy-going and doesn’t get stressed about small problems.	easy-going nature, easy-going attitude, laid-back and easy-going
down-to-earth	adj	/ˌdaʊn tə ˈɜːθ/	thực tế, gần gũi, giản dị	He’s surprisingly down-to-earth for someone so successful.	down-to-earth person, down-to-earth approach, remain down-to-earth
put someone at ease	verb phrase	/pʊt ˈsʌmwʌn ət iːz/	làm ai đó thoải mái	Her friendly smile immediately put me at ease.	quickly put at ease, ability to put at ease, help put at ease
strike up a conversation	verb phrase	/straɪk ʌp ə ˌkɒnvəˈseɪʃn/	bắt chuyện, mở đầu cuộc trò chuyện	He’s the type of person who can strike up a conversation with anyone.	easily strike up, strike up conversations with strangers
break the ice	idiom	/breɪk ðə aɪs/	phá vỡ sự ngượng ngùng, làm tan băng	She told a funny story to break the ice at the meeting.	help break the ice, break the ice with humor
emotional intelligence	noun phrase	/ɪˌməʊʃənl ɪnˈtelɪdʒəns/	trí tuệ cảm xúc	Leaders with high emotional intelligence can better connect with their teams.	high emotional intelligence, develop emotional intelligence, demonstrate EQ
hospitable	adj	/hɒˈspɪtəbl/	hiếu khách, mến khách	Vietnamese people are known for being hospitable to visitors.	hospitable culture, hospitable nature, warm and hospitable
outgoing	adj	/ˈaʊtɡəʊɪŋ/	hướng ngoại, cởi mở	She’s very outgoing and makes friends easily.	outgoing personality, naturally outgoing, outgoing and confident
reserved	adj	/rɪˈzɜːvd/	kín đáo, dè dặt	He can seem reserved at first, but he’s actually quite friendly.	reserved manner, initially reserved, somewhat reserved
aloof	adj	/əˈluːf/	xa cách, lạnh lùng	Some people mistake her shyness for being aloof.	seem aloof, distant and aloof, aloof manner
cultivate relationships	verb phrase	/ˈkʌltɪveɪt rɪˈleɪʃnʃɪps/	vun đắp mối quan hệ	Successful networking requires actively cultivating relationships.	carefully cultivate, cultivate professional relationships
gravitate towards	verb phrase	/ˈɡrævɪteɪt təˈwɔːdz/	bị thu hút tới, có xu hướng hướng tới	People naturally gravitate towards those who are friendly and positive.	tend to gravitate, naturally gravitate, gravitate towards similar people
contagious energy	noun phrase	/kənˈteɪdʒəs ˈenədʒi/	năng lượng lan tỏa	Her positive, contagious energy brightens up the entire office.	positive contagious energy, infectious enthusiasm
authentic	adj	/ɔːˈθentɪk/	chân thực, thật thà	People can tell when friendliness is authentic rather than forced.	authentic connection, genuinely authentic, authentic personality
welcoming demeanor	noun phrase	/ˈwelkəmɪŋ dɪˈmiːnə/	thái độ chào đón, niềm nở	His welcoming demeanor makes new employees feel comfortable.	warm welcoming demeanor, naturally welcoming

Idiomatic Expressions & Advanced Phrases

Cụm từ	Nghĩa	Ví dụ sử dụng	Band điểm
hands down	chắc chắn, không thể bàn cãi	She’s hands down the friendliest person in our department.	8-9
right off the bat	ngay lập tức, từ đầu	Right off the bat, I could tell he was going to be easy to work with.	7.5-9
people person	người hướng ngoại, giỏi giao tiếp	She’s a real people person who thrives in social situations.	7-8
warm up to someone	dần thân thiện với ai đó	It took me a while to warm up to him, but now we’re good friends.	7-8
go out of one’s way	cố gắng hết sức, không ngại khó khăn	He always goes out of his way to help colleagues, even when he’s busy.	7.5-8.5
wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve	bộc lộ cảm xúc ra ngoài	She wears her heart on her sleeve, so you always know how she’s feeling.	8-9
strike the right balance	tìm được sự cân bằng phù hợp	It’s important to strike the right balance between being friendly and professional.	7.5-8.5
with open arms	nồng nhiệt chào đón	The team welcomed the new member with open arms.	7-8
walk on eggshells	phải thận trọng, e dè	Unlike some bosses, you don’t have to walk on eggshells around her.	8-9
hit it off	hợp nhau ngay từ đầu	We hit it off immediately at the conference and became fast friends.	7-8
the life of the party	người tạo không khí vui vẻ	He’s always the life of the party with his jokes and stories.	7.5-8.5
keep someone at arm’s length	giữ khoảng cách với ai đó	He tends to keep people at arm’s length until he knows them better.	8-9
bring out the best in people	làm người khác phát huy tốt nhất	Great leaders have a way of bringing out the best in their team members.	8-9
people from all walks of life	người từ mọi tầng lớp xã hội	She can connect with people from all walks of life.	7.5-8.5
rub someone the wrong way	làm ai đó khó chịu	His blunt manner sometimes rubs people the wrong way.	8-9

Discourse Markers (Từ Nối Ý Trong Speaking)

Để bắt đầu câu trả lời:

• 📝 Well,… – Khi cần suy nghĩ ngắn hoặc bắt đầu một câu trả lời thoughtful
• 📝 Actually,… – Khi đưa ra góc nhìn có thể khác với expected answer
• 📝 To be honest,… – Khi nói thật lòng, đưa ra opinion chân thành
• 📝 I’d say that… – Cách lịch sự để đưa ra quan điểm
• 📝 That’s an interesting question… – Mua thời gian suy nghĩ và thể hiện engagement

Để bổ sung ý:

• 📝 On top of that,… – Thêm vào đó
• 📝 What’s more,… – Hơn nữa, còn nữa
• 📝 Not to mention… – Chưa kể đến
• 📝 Another thing worth mentioning is… – Một điều khác đáng nói là
• 📝 Beyond that,… – Ngoài ra

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 said,… – Tuy nhiên, điều đó nói rằng
• 📝 Having said that,… – Dù đã nói vậy
• 📝 At the same time,… – Đồng thời

Để đưa ra ví dụ:

• 📝 For instance,… – Ví dụ
• 📝 Take… for example,… – Lấy… làm ví dụ
• 📝 A case in point is… – Một ví dụ điển hình là
• 📝 I remember when… – Tôi nhớ khi mà

Để kết luận:

• 📝 All in all,… – Tóm lại
• 📝 At the end of the day,… – Cuối cùng thì
• 📝 Ultimately,… – Rốt cuộc, sau cùng
• 📝 So basically,… – Vậy về cơ bản là

Để thể hiện uncertainty hoặc tentative view:

• 📝 I think… / I’d say… – Tôi nghĩ / Tôi cho rằng
• 📝 It seems to me that… – Với tôi có vẻ như
• 📝 To some extent,… – Ở một mức độ nào đó
• 📝 It depends on… – Tùy thuộc vào
• 📝 It’s hard to say, but… – Khó nói, nhưng

Grammatical Structures Ấn Tượng

1. Conditional Sentences (Câu điều kiện):

Mixed conditional:

• Formula: If + past perfect, would + bare infinitive
• Ví dụ: “If I hadn’t met such a friendly mentor early in my career, I probably wouldn’t be as confident in social situations today.”

Inversion for emphasis:

• Formula: Had/Were/Should + subject + verb
• Ví dụ: “Were people more naturally friendly, workplace conflicts would be far less common.”

2. Relative Clauses (Mệnh đề quan hệ):

Non-defining relative clauses:

• Ví dụ: “My colleague Mai, who joined the company two years ago, has this remarkable ability to remember everyone’s names.”

Reduced relative clauses:

• Ví dụ: “People working in customer service need to develop strong interpersonal skills.”

3. Passive Voice (Câu bị động):

Impersonal passive:

• It is thought/believed/said that…
• Ví dụ: “It’s widely believed that friendliness can be cultivated through conscious effort and practice.”

Advanced passive structures:

• Ví dụ: “Emotional intelligence is increasingly being recognized as a critical competency in professional settings.”

4. Cleft Sentences (Câu chẻ):

What-clefts:

• What I find most…, is…
• Ví dụ: “What I find most impressive about her is not just that she’s friendly, but that she makes everyone feel genuinely valued.”

It-clefts:

• It’s… that…
• Ví dụ: “It’s her authentic warmth rather than superficial politeness that makes her so approachable.”

5. Participle Clauses:

• Ví dụ: “Having grown up in a large family, she’s naturally comfortable in social situations.”
• Ví dụ: “Being naturally introverted, I’ve had to consciously work on my social skills.”

6. Inversion for Emphasis:

• Not only… but also…

• Ví dụ: “Not only does she remember your name, but she also recalls details about your interests and family.”

• Rarely/Seldom + auxiliary + subject + verb

• Ví dụ: “Rarely have I met someone so genuinely interested in others’ wellbeing.”

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Tôi hy vọng bài viết này đã cung cấp cho bạn cái nhìn toàn diện về cách trả lời chủ đề “describing a friendly and approachable person” trong IELTS Speaking. Điều quan trọng nhất không phải là học thuộc các câu trả lời mẫu, mà là hiểu rõ:

✅ Cách structure câu trả lời theo từng Part
✅ Những yếu tố tạo nên band điểm cao – vocabulary range, grammatical complexity, idea development
✅ Cách sử dụng từ vựng và cụm từ tự nhiên thay vì nghe như đang đọc từ điển
✅ Tầm quan trọng của critical thinking – không trả lời đơn giản Yes/No mà show multiple perspectives

Hãy nhớ rằng, examiner đánh giá khả năng giao tiếp thực tế của bạn, không phải khả năng recite prepared answers. Sự tự nhiên, tự tin và khả năng express ideas clearly sẽ luôn được đánh giá cao hơn việc sử dụng vocabulary phức tạp một cách cứng nhắc.

Practice regularly với authentic questions, record yourself, và listen back để identify areas for improvement. Chúc bạn đạt band điểm mong muốn trong kỳ thi IELTS Speaking!