Some ways of talking about success

Some phrases help you become "sành điệu" hơn when making use of them. Below are some examples native speakers commonly use when talking about their friends' success.

Listening to https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/success-talks/id1159749342

make it (to the top): to be very successful (rất thành công)

I know my friend is going to make it as an actress.

being going places: to be getting more and more successful in your life or career (ngày càng thành công trong cuộc sống và công việc)

She is a brilliant actress. I think she's going places.

work like a charm: be completely successful or effective (hoàn toàn thành công/hiệu quả)

Our little arrangement worked like a charm.

with flying colours
if you do sth such as pass an exam with flying colours, you do it very successfully (rất thành công)

She got 100% on her exam. She really passed with flying colours.

high-flying: (used as an adjective): very successful (rất thành công)

He has his own company. He is a high-flying businessman.

get off to a flying start: to begin sth very well, quickly make good progress. khởi đầu rất tốt và nhanh chóng phát triển

She's got off to a flying start in her new job.

go from strength to strength: get better and better (ngày càng tốt hơn)

Sally's career went from strength to strength.

make a go of sth: to do sth successfully (làm cái gì rất thành công)

She was determined to make a go of her programming business.

Please do not overuse I think in your communication

Không cần nói nhiều, với những ai học tiếng Anh thì I think blah blah blah không có gì quá xa lạ. Nhưng dùng nhiều I think bạn không gây ấn tượng với người đang giao tiếp. Muốn trở nên natively hơn khi nói tiếng Anh nên học thêm những alternatives of I think as introduced in these videos.

15 other choices of I think...

Nếu bạn thích học tiếng Anh với một bạn nữ xinh đẹp người Anh thì xem video bên dưới.

21 alternative ways of saying I think

Bạn có thể dễ dàng tìm và đọc thêm trên mạng, ví dụ:
1. https://englishstudypage.com/speaking/ways-to-say-i-think/

Holidays

Let's talk about holidays

1. What public holidays do you have in your country?
   We celebrate a lot of public festivals in my country. I am sure you know about the Tet holiday which is the most important one. In addition, we get together with our family for the Mid-Autumn Day and the National Day.
2. Do people in your country celebrate Christmas?
   Yes, though it's really hard to say, probably most people would go shopping with families or friends to take advantage of the sales in the shops, but personally speaking, I am afraid we don't celebrate Christmas like the way people do in Western countries.
3. Do you like public holidays?
   Yes, I am fond of holidays. The key/main thing/point is that on these days, I don't have to work and have plenty of time to relax and also I will have more quality time with my family.
4. Which public holidays do you like the most?
   I believe my favourite public holiday would be Tet festival because I get seven days at the very least to go travelling and also it's the best time to get around, the weather is neither too cold nor too hot, and you can find shades of blossoms all around, which is very pretty.
5. What do people in your country usually do on public holidays?
   It's kind of hard to say but people that I know around me tend to go shopping with their families or friends to take advantage of the sales in the shops, but maybe for others, they probably will stay at home to relax or to take a rest or to sleep much more than usual.
6. Do you think public holidays are important? Do you think there should be more public holidays in your country?
   I believe public holidays are rather important and there should be more of them in my country. The main factor is that people really need to unwind without any distractions after tiring at work and also public holidays can dramatically boost consumption, as goods in the shops will be sold at a discount during these days.

Weather

Below are the commonly asked questions in the IELTS speaking test.

1. What's the weather like today?
   It's really freezing (or sunny, cool, breezy, chilly, warm, humid, hot) today. If I didn't have to take the IELTS exams, I would prefer to stay at home watching my favourite TV series.
2. What kind of weather do you like (best)?
   Actually, I prefer cloudy days, because then it's neither too hot nor too cold. And what's more important to me is that this weather is perfect for photography as the light is so soft. So at this time of day, I like to go out with my camera to take photos.
3. What's the weather (usually) like in your hometown?
   In my hometown, the weather is quite pleasant, neither too hot nor too cold most of the time. Even in winter, the temperature is still quite mild, but the summer is often hot and humid.
4. Do you like that weather (ỏ, that kind of climate)?
   One thing I am not happy about the weather in my hometown is that it doesn't snow at all. There are places with snowfalls in Vietnam, like Sapa, but only just a little bit. Every time I see children having a snowball or making a snowman on TV, I genuinely envy them.  
5. Can you give any examples of unusual weather?
   As for the unusual weather, global warming has really become a trendy topic around the world. It is caused by the greenhouse effect as the sheer volume of carbon dioxide emitted into the air, prevents the atmosphere from cooling off at night.
6. Would you prefer to live in a place that has just one, warm season, that lasts the whole year or a place with different seasons?
   Well, if I had to choose between the two, I'd probably go with the distinct seasons in each year because each season has its own metrics. I think I would get bored if it was warm all year round.
7. Do people in Vietnam play the same sports in a different season of the year?
   No, in spring and autumn, when the temperature is neither too cold nor too hot, people in Vietnam tend to hike in the mountains or go running. When it comes to summer, camping in the forests and playing balls, etc. But in winter, people believe it not suitable for outdoor exercises, so they prefer to either play indoor games like swimming in indoor swimming pools, badminton, volleyball or stay at home to keep warm.

Walking

Today, we are learning how to express your opinion about walking as among the IELTS Speaking topics. Below are some questions which you might be asked in the speaking test.

1. Do you like walking?
   Walking is unavoidable, especially when you live on campus. You go to school on foot, you go shopping on foot, you walk here and there every day. There are days that my legs actually killed me.
2. Do you like to walk on your own or with others?
   Say if I'm in a hurry definitely I just walk or run as fast as I can, no time for chit chat right? But even when there's plenty of time, walking is ideal to calm me down, breath in some fresh air and enjoy the world outside in silence. So I think I'm more into walking on my own.
3. Would you say that your city is a good place for walking?
   Walking is not as popular as it used to be in Ha Noi, as more and more people prefer riding a motorbike or driving. So currently there are fewer parks or walking areas. Moreover, walking under such hot weather with heavily polluted air is definitely not a good idea. Therefore, I would not recommend my city as a good place for walking.

IELTS Vocabulary: Food

On this page, you can find very useful IELTS speaking vocabulary for Food topic. By learning these vocabularies and using it to answer various questions about Food on the Speaking test, you will achieve a high score.

Common vocabularies

1. dine in: dine at home
   We're dining in tonight.
2. dine out: dine at a restaurant
   We're dining out tonight.
3. fussy eater: someone who is very picky about the food and doesn't eat everything.
   My husband is a fussy eater, and he's never pleased with my cooking.
4. home-cooked food: food cooked at home, usually implies that food is healthy.
   Preparing home-cooked food is a good way to make a balanced meal.
5. in a walking distance of: close to
   I usually dine out at a restaurant that's in the walking distance of my house.
6. Italian cuisine: traditional Italian food. You can also say French cuisine, Russian cuisine, Vietnamese cuisine and so on.
   I adore pasta, pizza and Italian cuisine in general.
7. more of a chore than a pleasure: something you do rather unwillingly
   I think that cooking is more of a chore than a pleasure.
8. mouth-watering: delicious, appetising
9. my mouth is watering: that is to say you find something very appetising. People use this expression when they see/smell food that looks very delicious.
   My mouth is watering every time I think about my grandmother's apple pie.
10. nutritious products: products rich in calories
    A nutritious breakfast is a great way to start the day, as it gives your body the nutrients and you get enough energy.
11. processed food: food that has been modified in an undesirable or unhealthy way to achieve its current state.
    Try to avoid processed foods like flavoured nuts and cereal bars. It is much healthier to eat organic food. 
12. 
    

Expressions with food

https://www.facebook.com/bbclearningenglish.multimedia/photos/a.162530030463312/1967200696662894/

References

1. IELTS Food Vocabulary
2. IELTS Speaking vocabulary: Food topic - IELTS-up

Những cách nói khác thay cho Do you understand?

Trong giao tiếp, có lúc, bạn phải ngắt lời người khác hoặc tạm dừng câu chuyện để xác minh xem người đối diện đã hiểu hết nội dung hay chú ý lắng nghe không. Bên cạnh câu "Do you understand", những cách nói dưới đây cũng giúp bạn diễn đạt được nội dung này.

- Do you know what I mean? (Bạn hiểu ý tôi chứ?)

- Do you know what I’m talking about? (Bạn biết tôi đang nói gì chứ?)

- Does that make any sense? (Điều tôi vừa nói có ý nghĩa gì với bạn không ?)

- Do you see what I mean? (Bạn có hiểu ý tôi không?)

- Am I making any sense ? (Tôi nói bạn có hiểu không?)

- Are you following me? (Bạn vẫn theo kịp ý tôi chứ?)

- Do you get the message? /Do you get the picture? (Bạn có hiểu đại ý không?)

- Do you get it? / Get it ? (Hiểu chứ)

- Dig? (từ lóng) = Understand? (Hiểu chứ - tiếng lóng)

- Do you hear what I’m saying?  (Bạn vẫn đang nghe lời tôi nói chứ?)

Nếu biết thêm những cách nói khác thay cho câu "Do you understand me", bạn có thể bình luận cuối bài để chia sẻ cùng những độc giả khác.
Thích cái comment đầu tiên:
Mình học Communication Studies ở University of Washington. Mình đã làm một nghiên cứu cùng giáo sư, địa điểm nghiên cứu là Tutoring Service (gia sư) trong trường. Mỗi gia sư được yêu cầu sử dụng các cách hỏi để cho câu trả lời là yes/ no như "Do you understand me?", "Got that?", "Do you know what I mean?" ... Cách hỏi thứ hai là hỏi ý kiến, cảm nhận, thay vì yes/no như "How does that sound?", "Does that sound good?", "How do you like that?" .... Kết quả là học sinh cảm thấy thoải mái, hài lòng hơn với những câu hỏi về ý kiến và cảm nhận. Nhiều học sinh cho rằng khi trả lời các câu hỏi như "Do you know what I mean?", họ cảm thấy không thoải mái. Kết luận, theo đánh giá của học sinh, những câu hỏi như "How does that sound?" ... có ý nghĩa và hiệu quả hơn.

Reference:
[1] https://vnexpress.net/tin-tuc/giao-duc/hoc-tieng-anh/10-cach-noi-thay-cho-do-you-understand-3347132.html
[2] https://www.facebook.com/Moingay4tuvungtienganh/posts/1586298898073682?__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARB16MDxFD5kIqDxBgF-a6nFDyZzln3b0sWVKaqrTx5S5jg4VynX0hoLbOACFHE2IoRgeZNU5C5Sn1nLl-jjfnyICGpuiBIKwI4dNZmbVWOrWWu-gaPG-_oVEK-Gszl2CShNA2E-5-tUdtmIrNvMN_--GGSKrC5wV5ebmeAOkzOH4se1OYS15azZ5mhuXf8Ij8TBBVPWUOa32tYVjFT_pGLxMzkcMOOrP8ErkvSvKGBZaVRV4jDL8zuqnQWdx-FQgUBRGm6-3rZDz4J_m6xicw4PZcC3vaXFkhEFe_Yg-CrNIuA1gF-KwLqKAz6M4loUuZ9VoN-h4Kwk4cpwkPZz&__tn__=C-R

How to end the conversation in the most polite way

You are worrying about how to end a conversation, right? Here are tips and tricks shared here for you to do so. Let's work them out immediately.

Một vài mẹo trả lời để kiếm điểm cao bài Speaking Part 1 trong IELTS

Trong giao tiếp, mục tiêu quan trọng nhất là truyền tải thông điệp giữa hai bên. Vì vậy, bạn không cần phải dài dòng mà nên đi thẳng vào vấn đề. Tuy nhiên, cuộc sống không đơn giản như câu hỏi Yes/No, nghĩa là không chỉ cần đáp lại gọn lỏn một từ là có thể êm chuyện. Bạn cần phải diễn đạt một chút để làm cho câu trả lời hay hơn, thuyết phục hơn.
Trong kì thi IELTS, phần Speaking là để giảm khảo kiểm tra khả năng sử dụng ngôn ngữ của thí sinh. Nếu trả lời quá ngắn gọn, bạn không tạo được cơ hội cho giám khảo đánh giá khả năng sử dụng ngôn ngữ của mình. Nếu biết tận dụng những mẹo sắp nói dưới đây, chúng tôi dám chắc bạn sẽ ăn trọn điểm Speaking Part 1.

1. Kết hợp chi tiết

Hỏi: Do you live in a flat or a house?
Thay vì: I live in a house.
Nên trả lời: I live in a house with my husband and our two sons. We have also got a dog and a cat.

Notes: nên dùng AND, WITH, ALSO

2. So sánh với quá khứ

Hỏi: Do you play sport?
Thay vì: Yes, I play football.
Nên trả lời: Yes, I used to love basketball, but now I play football more often because that's what my colleagues love to do every Friday noon.

Notes: nên dùng USED TO, NOW

3. Thêm lí do

Hỏi: What do you do in your free time?
Thay vì: I hang out with my friends.
Nên nói: I hang out with my friends so that I can relax and have a great time after long working hours,
Notes: nên dùng: BECAUSE, SO THAT, SO, IN ORDER TO

4. Nói về tương lai

Hỏi: Do you work or study?
Thay vì: I am at university at the moment.
Nên nói: I am at university at the moment, but I'm graduating next year (or at the end of this year, next autumn) and I will hopefully get a job in advertising immediately.
Notes: nên dùng BE GOING TO, WILL

5. Nêu các ý kiến khác nhau

Hỏi: Is your city a good place to live?
Thay vì: Yes, it is.
Nên nói: If I had to say, it is the best place to live. Although people say that it has got more polluted these days.
Notes: nên dùng: ALTHOUGH, EVEN, THOUGH, EVEN SO, YET, HOWEVER.

6. Nêu ví dụ

Hỏi: Do you get along with your brothers?
Thay vì: No, we're not into the same things.
Nên nói: No, we're not into the same things like when we're both watching TV shows, we always fight about what show to watch.
Notes: nên dùng LIKE, FOR EXAMPLE, SUCH AS.

7. Nói về độ thường xuyên

Hỏi: What do you do at the weekend?
Thay vì: I watch TV and play video games.
Nên nói: I usually watch TV and play video games, but sometimes I go out for a drink with my friends/I wander around the streets by my place with my wife.
Notes: nên dùng USUALLY, OFTEN, ONCE IN BLUE MOON,...

8. Bày tỏ cảm xúc quan điểm

Hỏi: Do you like shopping?
Thay vì: Yes, I do like shopping.
Nên đáp: Yes, I do because I love trying on new clothes, and I always feel more confident when I'm wearing a new outfit (bộ áo quần mới).
Notes: nên dùng LOVE, BE FOND OF, FEEL

9. So sánh chi tiết

Hỏi: How long have you live in HaNoi?
Thay vì: I've lived in HaNoi for three years?
Nên nói: I've lived in HaNoi for three years but I'm going to move to London next year.

Notes: nên dùng BUT, HOWEVER.

Sẽ còn cập nhật những nội dung mới.

Những mẫu câu dễ nhớ dễ ăn điểm trong bài thi nói

Trong khi nói, nếu biết tận dụng những cấu trúc câu để dẫn nhập tình huống, hoặc đưa ra quan điểm của mình, rồi dự đoán những điều mình không chắc, v.v... Những mẫu câu như thế giúp bạn ghi điểm khi mà nó tạo ấn tượng với giám khảo chấm thi bạn là một người biết sử dụng ngôn ngữ uyển chuyển. Sau đây là một số câu dễ nhớ thường gặp.

Giới thiệu chủ đề nói

• OK then, I would like to talk about...
• Right, I am going to tell you about...
• Well, I would like to tell you about...
• Absolutely, I would like to talk about...

Đưa ra quan điểm

• In my mind, In my opinion,... Theo tôi, theo quan điểm của tôi...
• I suppose... Tôi giả sử
• I reckon.... Tôi cho là...
• I guess... Tôi đoán...
• I doubt... Tôi nghi ngờ...
• Personally, I think... Cá nhân tôi nghĩ...
• I feel quite strongly about that... Tôi cảm thấy khá chắc rằng...
• I am really in favour of... Tôi thật sự thích...

Nói chung chung

• As a rule... Theo quy luật thì...
• Overall,... Nhìn chung,...
• Generally,... Nhìn chung thì,...
• In general... Nhìn chung,...
• On the whole...

Suy đoán

• It's (very/highly) likely/unlikely that... will...
  Rất có khả năng/không có khả năng...
• It probably/definetely won't....
  Có khả năng không...
• It's difficult to say, but maybe...
  Thật khó để nói nhưng có thể là...
• I'm not (quite/entirely/a hundred percent) sure, perhaps...
  Tôi không hoàn toàn/100% chắc, có lẽ...
• I'm pretty certain/sure that...
  Tôi khá chắc là...
• I predict/expect that...
  Tôi đoán/mong đợi rằng...

Câu giờ (Buying time)

• Well, let's see...
  À ừ, để xem nào...
• Let me think about that for a moment...
  Để tôi nghĩ/xem về cái đó chút nào
• That's a good question...
  Câu hỏi hay đấy.
• Uhm, I am wondering about this problem.
  Uhm, tôi đang tự vấn về điều đó đây.

25 topics for IELTS speaking - Part 1

To keep track the speaking topics, I collect them and leave here for easing study. These answers were estimated band 7.

Here are the list of topics.

Accommodation

Clothes

Accommodation

1. Tell me about the kind of accommodation you live in
   I live in a house that has a living room, two bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen and a small garden. It's not a very big house, but it's just right for me.
2. How long have you lived there?
   I have lived there for about five years. It's the first house that I've owned; before that, I was renting an apartment.
3. What do you like about living there?
   I like living there because I think the house reflects my personality. I decorated it myself, I chose all the furniture and everything is where I want it to be.
4. What sort of accommodation would you most like to live in?
   If I could, I would buy a bigger near a beach or in the mountains, preferably somewhere with a warm climate.

Clothes

1. Are clothes and clothing fashions important to you? (Why/Why not?)
   No, clothes and fashions are not really important to me. I tend to wear clothes that are comfortable and practical rather than fashionable.
2. What different clothes do you wear in different situations?
   Well, I have to dress quite formally for work, so I wear a shirt and trousers. At home, I prefer to wear jeans and a T-shirt, and on special occasions, I might wear a suit.
3. Do you wear different styles of clothes now compared to 10 years ago?
   No, not really, because I don't follow fashion much. I think I have dressed in a similar way for the last 10 years.
4. Do you think the clothes we wear say something about who we are?
   Yes, they probably do. Some people are really careful about what they wear because they want to be seen as stylish. Other people wear clothes that show wealth or status, such as clothes by famous designers.

Collecting

1. Have you ever collected anything as a hobby? (What?)
   Yes. When I was younger, I used to collect key rings. I remember that my favourite was a Lego man keying that someone bought me as a present.
2. What kinds of thing do people often like collecting?
   Some people collect cheap items like stamps, keyrings or toys. Others collect expensive antiques, watches, jewellery or even cars.
3. Why do you think people collect certain objects?
   Maybe they like the constant search for a new item, or they want to remember past experiences. Others might like the feeling of organising and presenting what they own.
4. Is there anything that you would like to collect in the future?
   Yes. If I could afford it, I'd love to have a collection of guitars in different colours, shapes and sizes.

Communication

1. How do you usually keep in touch with members of your family?
   I mostly keep in touch with my family by phone, and I've started using the Internet to make video calls. I also try to visit members of my family in person as often as I can.
2. Do you prefer to speak to people by phone or by writing emails?
   It depends on the situation. I use email and text messages to communicate with friends, but my parents prefer it if I phone them.
3. Do you ever write letters by hand? (Why/Why not?)
   No, I don't write letters by hand because it's so much easier to send an email that will arrive immediately.
4. Is there anything you dislike about mobile phones?
   Well, I don't like listening to other people's conversations in public areas, and I don't like it when someone's phone rings in the cinema or during a lesson.

Cooking

1. Do you like cooking? Why/why not?
   Sometimes, I like preparing a special meal for family or friends who visit, but everyday cooking is a bit boring; it's something that has to be done, but it's not really fun.
2. Who did the cooking in your family when you were a child?
   My mother almost always did the cooking when I was young. I don't think she trusted my father to make a nice meal.
3. Do you think that it's important to know how to cook well?
   I'm not sure whether it's important to cook well, but I do think that everyone should know the basics. It definitely isn't healthy to rely on pre-prepared meals or fast food.
4. Do you think that children should be taught cookery at school?
   Yes, that's probably a good idea. If all children knew how to cook a few basic, healthy meals, that would surely be a good thing.

Friends

1. Are your friends mostly your age or different ages?
   Most of my friends are about the same age as me because we met at school or university. I've got one or two friends who are older or younger that I met through work.
2. Do you usually see your friends during the week or at weekends?
   I tend to meet up with my friends at weekends because everyone's too busy during the week.
3. The last time you saw your friends, what did you do together?
   It was one of my friends' birthday last weekend. Six of us went out for a meal to celebrate.
4. In what ways are your friends important to you?
   I think it's important to have friends that you can talk to and share an experience with. My friends make me laugh but I know I can also rely on them whether I need help or support.

Games

1. What games are popular in your country?
   Well, if we can consider sports as games, then football is definitely the most popular game in my country, but we also love board games like chess.
2. Do you play any games?
   Not regularly these days. I play the occasional game of tennis with my brother-in-law and I recently played a bowling game on the Nintendo Wii with my nephew. I wasn't very good at it.
3. How do people learn to play games in your country?
   I think children teach each other to play games. I remember a friend at primary school teaching me to play chess, for example.
4. Do you think it's important for people to play games?
   Yes, it's really important, especially for children. I think research has shown that play can improve brain development, intelligence, creativity, and the ability of cooperating with others.

Colours

1. What colours do you like?
   Since my taste always changes, my favourite colour at the moment is black. Although I just bought some black items recently, black surprisingly suit me. I become more mature and more mysterious wearing little black addresses. And because it’s one of the basic colours, it’s easy to be mixed and matched with other items of different colours and styles. 
2. What’s the most popular colour in Vietnam?
   To be honest, it’s hard to tell, as it totally depends on people’s taste. But I guess it’s my favourite colour - black. Black fashion items can be found at clothing shops since it’s said to be simple yet classy. And electronic devices and household supplies are mostly black-coloured, probably because it doesn’t show dirt and dust.
3. Do you like to wear dark or bright colours?
   I’m actually flexible between dark and bright colours. But colours somehow do reflect my mood. Wearing bright colours gives me a younger, positive and cheerful look. They also match my skin tone better than dark ones. So I guess I prefer wearing bright colours. 
4. What’s the difference between men and women’s preference for colours?
   The difference in colours taste is obvious. As you can see most men swears are more basic-coloured while women clothes are varied vastly from monotone to colour-mixed. This applies to other items and equipment also.
5. Do colours affect your mood?
   Actually, the conversed effect is more suitable for me, especially when it comes to shopping. I’m actually not happier when I look at a pink-coloured shirt or feel pulled-down when I wear a grey cardigan. So no, I don’t think the colour is not related.

Books

1. How often do you read?
   As a final year student, I spend most of my time on reading especially textbooks and other reference books that my lecturers recommend in the reading list. I’m also a fan of novels or fictions, but only during summer break that I have time to read them.
2. Do you have many books at home?
   Totally. I’m a bookaholic, to be honest. I enjoy going to annual book fairs where they usually run big sales to get a lot of books without much worries about the price. Since my parents are also book-nerds, I think the number of books we have is large enough to open a bookstore.
3. Do Vietnamese people do enough reading?
   If you mean reading something meaningful and realistic, I must say it’s enough. The young generations are too into technology that I don’t think they have time for reading. Plus, publishing nowadays is not as strictly selective as it used to be, thus the young mostly read a number of books which indeed have no value at all, compared to the classics.
4. What kind of people like reading and what kind of people don’t like reading very much?
   From my point of view, I think book-nerds are those who prefer putting themselves into the character’s shoe, you know, they wanna interact with the story, the characters on their own way. Some of them love to imagine how the story is supposed to continue while some keep wondering what they would do if the drama suddenly happened in their real life. Those who do not like to read are either too busy with their life that they even can’t remember the characters’ names or they prefer listening, I mean, they have someone read the story and tell them the ending only. 

Singing

1. Do you like singing?
   I absolutely love singing. Although I just figured out my singing ability like three or four years ago and off course it’s not perfect, singing to me is just to enjoy music, you know, often when I’m into a song, I can’t help myself singing it day and night.
2. When do you like to sing?
   I sing whenever I feel like to, you know, when I’m bored or when I’m happy. And since I’m not that type of a so-called performer, most of the time I sing to myself.
3. How much time do you spend in singing everyday?
   Well as I already mentioned singing to me is all about enjoying myself, so unless that song is so amazing, or my voice is so surprisingly incredible on that day that I can keep singing for hours, otherwise I definitely can go a day without any singing.
4. What kinds of music do you like to sing?
   I must say it depends on my mood. If I’m so down, singing some songs which bring back some past memories could make me feel somehow released, and on the days when I’m so motivated, so energetic, I would sing the songs that are full-of-hope and sunshine and dreams. Yeah, so you can tell that I don’t stick with a certain kind of music.
5. Is it difficult to sing well?
   Indeed. Unless you have a beautiful voice as a gift from God, or you at least have gained yourself some basic knowledge about notes, vocal ranges and beat, etc. that it’s easier for you to go further in your singing career, otherwise yes, singing well would be a huge challenge. 
6. Do you want to be a singer?
   Well, from what I’ve known, being a singer is not easy at all. It’s not just about performing, but it’s also involved interaction with fans and other colleagues. Based on what I’ve known about showbiz, and even the music industry in general, I think that is not a place for me. 

Source: https://www.facebook.com/luyenthiielts.moingay/posts/1493667917382875

IELTS Vocabulary: Technology

Chủ đề về "Technology" là chủ đề mà thường xuất hiện nhất trọng bài thi IELTS Speaking. Đây là một sample về bài thi nói trong chủ đề Công nghệ, tham khảo từ một số nguồn khác nhau.

Sample 1: http://ielts-up.com/speaking/ielts-speaking-sample-3.html

Sample 2: https://thetesttaker.com/portfolio/technology-sample-answers-and-topic-vocabulary-for-ielts-speaking-exam/#answers

Part 1: Style questions
ex: Do you enjoy using technology?
ans: Well, I wouldn't call myself a techie or computer buff but I enjoy using computers... I'd like to find out more about how they work ...when my computer crashes  I have to know what to do.
Ex:
Part 2: Task
Part 3: Style questions
Definition:
a techie:  somebody who has an interest in technology, chuyên viên
computer buff: an expert computer user, chuyên gia sử dụng máy tính

IELTS Vocabulary: Education

Part 1: Style questions

1. Are you studying English at a school?
Answer: Yes … I’m taking an intensive course at a local private language school … I attend classes three times a week …

2. Would you say you are a good student?
Answer: I’m OK I think … I’m pretty good at meeting deadlines and I’m keeping up with my studies … plus I find it quite easy to learn things by heart which is useful when learning a language …

3. When you were younger did you enjoy your time at school?
Answer: Yes … I liked school … it was an ordinary state school … nothing special … a single-sex school … which I’m not sure I liked … but the teachers were great … I had lots of friends and I never played truant like some pupils there …

Part 2: Style tasks

Describe a time during your education that you really enjoyed. You should say:

- when this period was
- where you were
- what you were studying at the time
and say why you were so happy.

Answer: I’d like to tell you about my time at university … I was a mature student … I didn’t go to university until I was 25 … and it was my first time away from my parents so it was very exciting … I was doing a Bachelors Degree and it was a bit of a challenge … some people take a year out but I’d been away from education for 8 years … plus I had to work my way through uni so I was very busy … and sitting exams at the end of each year was a new experience for me as well but I really enjoyed higher education learning about a subject I loved … history … and the social life was great as well … I don’t think I’ve ever had so many friends … I had my graduation ceremony last year in the local cathedral and I know my parents were really proud … so yes … that was a really happy time … I’m thinking of doing a Masters Degree soon … though that might be through distance learning as I have a full-time job now …

Part 3: Style questions

1. What qualities do you think a good teacher has?
Answer: They should be patient … they should be subject specialists and be able to explain the subject clearly … they should give feedback quickly … for example not hang on to essay for ages like some of my teachers …

2. What are the advantages of studying in a distance learning course?
Answer: It’s a more flexible way of studying especially if you have a job … tuition fees are usually cheaper … but you have to be very motivated … and I would imagine more people fall behind with their studies compared to face-to-face classes …

3. Do all children get equal opportunities in education?
Answer: In my country, I think it is quite equal but in the UK I’ve heard that most people who go to the top universities have studied at public schools … you have to be very rich to study in a school like that … they’re usually boarding schools as well so the fees are enormous …

Definitions

- to attend classes: to go to classes
- bachelors degree: an undergraduate course which usually lasts 3-4 years
- boarding school: a school where pupils live during term time
- distance learning: a way of studying where tuition is carried out over the Internet or by post
- face-to-face classes: as opposed to distance learning the traditional way of studying in a classroom with colleagues and a teacher
- to fall behind with your studies: to progress less quickly than others
- to give feedback: to offer guidance on a student’s work
- a graduation ceremony: an event where a successful student receives his or her academic degree
- higher education: education, usually in a college or university, that is followed after high school or secondary school
- an intensive course: a course that offers lots of training in order to reach a goal in as short a time as possible
- to keep up with your studies: to not fall behind
- to learn something by heart: to memorize it
- a mature student: a student who is older than average and who has usually returned to education after a period at work
- masters degree: a period of study which often follows the completion of a bachelors degree or is undertaken by someone regarded as capable of a higher-level academic course
- to meet a deadline: to finish a job or task in the time allowed or agreed
- to play truant: to stay away from classes without permission
- private language school: an independent school run as a business concern
- public schools: exclusive independent schools in the UK
- a single-sex school: a school where only boys or girls attend (as opposed to a mixed-sex school)
- to sit an exam: to take an exam
- state school: a school paid for by public funds and available to the general public
- subject specialist: a teacher who has a great deal of knowledge about the subject they teach.
- to take a year out: to spend a year working or travelling before starting university
- tuition fees: the money paid for a course of study
- to work your way through university: to have a paid job whilst studying to support yourself financially.

IELTS Speaking Tips

Qua nhiều nguồn tài liệu khác nhau, chúng tôi muốn gom lại đây những mẹo dành riêng cho bài thi nói IELTS.

Keep talking

Speaks at length without noticeable effort or loss of coherence.

In IELTS Speaking, your score goes up when you say more, even if that results in more errors. That’s because IELTS is a test of what you CAN do, not what you can’t. So say as much as you can in response to the question until you run out of ideas or start repeating yourself. It’s not a bad thing if the examiner has to interrupt you.
Example: You know, I wouldn't usually reveal so much to a stranger I've only just met, but, well, you are such a good listener and I feel like I could go on for hours, or at least another fifteen minutes...

Use an idiom or two

Uses some less common and idiomatic vocabulary and shows some awareness of style and collocation

The IELTS examiner is listening for evidence that you can go beyond ‘textbook English’ and start using real, idiomatic English. So impress the examiner by including a few idiomatic phrases like “I’m a bundle of nerves” to mean “I’m nervous”.Example:
I am a bundle of nerves = I am very nervous

I'm cool as a cucumber = I'm not at all nervous.

I'm a bundle of cucumbers = No meaning. Epic fail.

Paraphrase the question

Uses paraphrase effectively

If the examiner asks you a question and you can immediately think of a way to paraphrase it—i.e. express the same meaning in other words—go ahead and say something like “Oh, you mean (paraphrase question)?” This is a very effective strategy to demonstrate one of the core skills that the examiner is listening for. Try to do this two or three times during the test.

Example:
Q: Do you like cucumbers?
A: Do you mean those long, green, oddly-shaped vegetables? To be honest, I've never really liked them.

Courtesy of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yvazv2nUpw

Use linking words to connect your ideas

Uses a range of connectives and discourse markers with some flexibility.

What does this mean in normal English? It means that you use a range of expressions like ‘in other words’, ‘also’, ‘however’ and ‘on the other hand’ to connect your ideas. The key word is a range. The examiner doesn’t want to hear you say ‘on the other hand’ a hundred times! So record yourself speaking and notice if you use a phrase like ‘on the other hand’ too much. If so, use a different phrase instead. Now you can start demonstrating a good range of linking words.

Example:

On the one hand I'd like a job that pays more, but on the other hand, I enjoy the work I'm doing at the moment. In fact, the more you are passionate about your job the more you are paid.

Don't be afraid of mistakes

Frequently produces error-free sentences, though some grammatical mistakes persist

That means it’s possible to make some mistakes and still get IELTS 7.0 or 7.5. However, some candidates score poorly because they worry too much about mistakes. As a result, they speak too slowly and their mistakes become MORE obvious! It’s more important to demonstrate fluency (See Tip #1) than it is to produce error-free speech. Of course, it’s also good to correct yourself if you do notice a mistake.

You can get IELTS 6 with frequent mistakes.

You can get IELTS 7 with some mistakes.

You can get IELTS 8 with very few mistakes.

IELTS Vocabulary: Business

Part 1 - Style questions
Examiner: Do you work or are you student?
Student: I run my own business actually... I have an online business selling cosmetics... I set up the business 5 years ago and I'm into working for myself.

• to run your own business: tự kinh doanh
• to set up a business: bắt đầu kinh doanh
• to work for yourself: làm tư, làm riêng

Examiner: What is your ideal job?
Student: I don't think I would enjoy working for a big company... I think/believe I would like to go it alone and be self-employed... I'm not quite sure what area of business it would be but I think I'd enjoy the process of drawing up a business plan and seeing if I could be successful...

• to draw up a business plan: lên kế hoạch kinh doanh
• to be self-employed: tự làm chủ, tự kinh doanh
• to go it alone: tự kinh doanh

Examiner: Is your town a nice place to live?

Student: It's okay... the main problem we have is our local high street... it used to be a busy centre but lots of shops have gone bust... it must be very difficult to make a profit when you have huge supermarkets in the area and a lot haven't been able to survive with such cut throat competition...

• to go bust: buộc phải đóng cửa (đi bụi)
• to make a profit: có lợi nhuận, làm lợi
• to cut throat competition: cạnh tranh bằng cách giảm giá xuống mức thấp khiến đối thủ cũng phải giảm, đôi khi ở mức không còn lãi.

Part 2 - Style tasks

Describe a business you know that you admire. You should say

what this business is

what the business sells

how long you have known about the business

and say why you like it so much.

Student: Actually I discovered a business very recently that I like so much I'd like to do something similar in the future... it's a small niche business that runs courses in how to cook... especially bread... the owner uses his kitchen for the courses and went into business with a local community shop and sells a lot of the bread and cakes they make in the shop... I first go to hear about the business last year... my wife paid for me to do one of the baking courses and I got to know the owner during the training... it's a lifestyle business really... he doesn't have plans to take on employees or expand into new areas... he's happy earning a living doing the thing he loves... I really admire what he does and I'm sure a lot of people would to do something similar... he has a web presence... in fact that's how we got to find out about his company... and he uses social media to raise the company profile... but he's the only person involved in running the business so he's in complete control of where the business goes... that's something that must make it really satisfying... as long as he's managing to balance the books and the cash flow is healthy I'm sure he must be very pleased with what he has achieved.

• to go into business with: tham gia kinh doanh cùng
• niche business: kinh doanh những mặt hàng nhỏ, độc, chỉ có ở một thị trường nhất định
• lifestyle business: kinh doanh cá thể
• to take on employees: thuê nhân viên
• to earn a living: kiếm tiền
• to have a web presence: có website để giới thiệu sản phẩm
• cash flow: dòng tiền
• to raise a company profile: tạo thương hiệu công ty
• to balance the books: không dùng nhiều tiền hơn số tiền kiếm được

Part 3 - Style questions

Examiner: Why do some people decide to set up their own business?

Student: I suppose it's the idea of being in control of your own destiny... or of believing in a product or service idea you may have... plus it must be very exciting... launching products... winning contracts... and seeing your sales figures improving must be wonderful.

• to win a contract: giành được hợp đồng
• to launch a product: giới thiệu sản phẩm mới
• sales figures: báo cáo doanh số

Examiner: What are some of the dangers involved in starting a business?

Student: Well... obviously you need to have a good idea... some people say you need to do market research beforehand so you know what the market wants... if you don't do this you could go under... and if it is a good idea the chances are someone else is doing the same thing so you could end up facing stiff competition...

• to go under: buộc phải đóng cửa
• to do market research: làm nghiên cứu thị trường
• stiff competition: đối thủ mạnh

Examiner: What are some of things you have to do when running your own business that might not appeal to everyone?

Student: Personally I don't like being in debt so taking out a business loan wouldn't suit me at all... and I know a lot of companies do cold calling to try and drum up business... that's something I would hate to do... and laying people off if the business gets in trouble... that would be horrible.

• to take out a loan: vay tiền
• to lay someone off: cho thôi việc
• to cold call: cuộc gọi bán hàng không được báo trước
• to drum up business: câu khách

IELTS Vocabulary: Relationship

Part 1: style questions
Examiner: Do you see your friends very often?
Answer: Yes, we meet up most weekends...we all get on really well and have  a lot in common so we're always happy doing the same thing and going to the same places.

Examiner: What do you like about your close friend?
Answer: I think we enjoy each other's company...we see eye -to -eye on most things so we rarely fall out with each other.

Examiner: Have you known each other long?
Answer: most of them..yes...although my closet friend May ...we struck of a relationship at college and got on like a house on fire.. but yes...my other relationships go back years to when we were at school.
Part 2: Task
describe a person you are very close to. you should say:

• who this person is
• when you meet them
• where you meet them

and say what it is about them you like so much
answer:
i'd like to talk about my boyfriends... Joe, we got to know each other at university almost 4 years ago...we were in the same department...initially we were just good friends and used to go out in a groups with our other friends...when Jose went back to Spain for the holidays, we would keep in touch each other... then one year Joe invited me to come to Spain with him...that's when we fell for each other I think... so you couldn't really say it was love at first sight as it had been over one year since we'd met...but we really hit it off and by the time we got back to university in September we were able to tell all our friends that we were in a relationship... what I like Joe...he's very kind...very funny ..and very supportive... and we've really well matched in our interests ...  he hasn't popped the question yet though...but we've talked about getting married and I think we've both ready to settle down and have children...we'll just have to wait and see...
Part 3: Style questions
examiner: do you think marriage still as important as ever?
answer: yes..it certainly is in my country... I think the problem for some people is a lack of commitment ..all relationships have their ups and downs but some people prefer to break up rather than working at the relationship.

examiner: what do you think  is the ideal time to get married?
answer:  Personally... I think you should wait until you've found yourself first...decided if you want a career... perhaps do some travelling ...you should do this before...you tying the knot...although if you fall head over heels in love plans like these can easily be forgotten.

examiner: is it important to keep in contact with our friends when we're in a relationship?
answer: absolutely ...it's so easy to drift apart from your friends when you fall in love..but I think both partners should try not lose touch with their friends..that's the best way to have to a healthy relationship with your partner.

Definitions

1. to get on really well with: to understand someone and enjoy similar interests hòa thuận, hiểu nhau, có mối quan hệ tốt với ai đó.
2. to have a lot in common: to share similar interests có nhiều điểm chung
3. to enjoy someone's company: to like spending time with someone: thật sự vui khi ở bên nhau, sung sướng, rất thích ở cùng nhau.
4. to see eye-to-eye: to agree on a subject: đồng ý với nhau, có cùng quan điểm.
5. to fall out with: to have a disagreement and stop being friends. bất đồng ý kiến, có mối quan hệ xấu
6. to strike up relationship: to begin a friendship, bắt đầu một mối quan hệ
7. to get on like a house on fire: to like someone's company very much indeed, có mối quan hệ tốt với ai đó.
8. go back years: to have known someone for a long time., biết một người nào đó trong một thời gian dài
9. to get to know: to begin to know someone, bắt đầu quen biết ai đó
10. to be just good friend: to be not romantically involved, chỉ là những người bạn tốt
11. to fall for: fall in love, có cảm tình với ai đó
12. to hit it off: quickly become good friends with, nhanh chóng trở thành bạn tốt
13. to be in a relationship: to be romantically involved with someone, trong mối quan hệ yêu đương với ai đó
14. to be well matched: to be similar to hợp nhau
15. to be pop the question: to ask someone to marry you cầu hôn
16. to be settle down: to give up the single life and start a family, lập gia đình
17. to have ups and downs: to have good and bad times: những khoảng thời gian tốt, xấu, thăng trầm
18. to break up: to end romantic relationship, ly dị
19. to working at the relationship: to try a maintain a positive relationship with someone, cố gắng duy trì mối quan hệ với ai đó
20. to tie the knot: to get married, kết hôn
21. to fall head over heels in love: to start to love someone a lot, say như điếu đổ, yêu say đắm
22. to drift apart: to become less close to someone mất dần tình bạn với ai đó, không còn liên lạc
23. to lose touch with: to not see or hear from someone any longer, mất liên lạc
24. a healthy relationship: a good, positive relationship, một mối quan hệ tốt

Images courtesy of https://www.facebook.com/Ieltsbooks8.0/posts/766518886876301

IELTS Vocabulary: Holiday

Chắc hẳn các bạn cũng biết các từ "flight", "tour", "view"...tuy nhiên, để diễn đạt khả năng sử dụng tiếng Anh trong việc kết hợp với các từ khác để tạo những cụm từ mang nghĩa nhấn mạnh và biểu thị cảm xúc như thế nào?
Những cụm từ dưới đây giúp bạn ăn điểm trong phần speaking cũng như writing.

Part 1: Style questions
Examiner: What kind of holiday do you like?
Answer: I try to avoid tourist trap...I like to get away from it all and I prefer going somewhere off the beaten track. Last year I had the holiday of a lifetime around a two week wildlife safari in Kenya.

Examiner: What do you like to do when you're on holiday?
Answer: I enjoy visiting the local places of interest, I like to go sightseeing and always sign up a guided tours as it's a chance to be shown around and take photos...one of my hobbies.

Examiner: Do you have many tourists in your country?
Answer: Yes, we have lots of holiday resorts along the coast that are popular with tourists. Most people come on package holidays and stay in one of the many hotels and self- catering.

Part 2: style task
Describe a beautiful place you one visited. You should say: 
- when you  went to this place
- where it was
- who you went with
and say why you liked it so much

A few years ago I went on a long weekend to Lake District in the UK, it's a very popular  holiday destination in the north of England. I went on my own and had a wonderful time, I stayed in a youth hostel and make some really nice people. But the most memorable thing about the holiday were the breathtaking views and lovely picturesque village, it can get very busy of hordes of tourists so I decided to go out of season in the fall. The weather was fantastic and the shops were full of local crafts, a really great holiday. It's certainly not a kind of the short break for someone looking for a busy nightlife but if you want to relax in the middle of a stunning landscape, I would certainly recommend a  holiday to Lake District.

Part 3: Style questions
Examiner: What do you think has led to the growth in the tourism industry?
Answer: It's much easier and affordable to travel now, nowadays you can get cheap chart - flights or all- in packages to somewhere near or to a far - off destination.

Examiner: How do people tend to choose the destination?
Answer: The Internet was a great source of information and high street travel agents are very popular...that where I like to go to get a holiday brochures for the places i'm interested in.

Examiner: People sometime say flying is the most glamorous form of travel. Do you agree?
Answer: I'm not so sure really... flying can be quite boring ...queuing up at the check in desk ...going through passport control...sitting for ages in the departure lounges ...then the flight itself can be quite uncomfortable ...no... i'm not sure agree.

Definitions

1. tourist trap: a place that attracts lots of tourists and where food, drink, entertainment  is more expensive than normal, nơi bóc lột khách du lịch.
2. to get away from it all: to take a holiday to escape a busy or stressful lifestyle: cách xa, trốn đi đâu đó để thoát khỏi cuộc sống bận rộn hay mệt mỏi, xả trét
3. off the beaten track: not well known: nơi hẻo lánh, không nổi tiếng lắm
4. holiday of the lifetime: a special holiday that you are unlikely to repeat: kỳ nghỉ đặc biệt trong đời
5. wildlife safari: a holiday, often in Africa, to observe wild animals: thiên nhiên hoang dã
6. places of interest: sites of interest to tourists: những điểm tham quan
7. to go sightseeing: to look around tourist sites: tham quan, ngắm cảnh
8. guided tours: an organised groups shown around a place of interest by an expert, chuyến du dịch có hướng dẫn viên
9. holiday resort: a place where lots of people go for holiday. nơi mà nhiều khách đến đỏ để nghỉ dưỡng, hay còn gọi là khu nghỉ dưỡng
10. all - in package / package holiday: a holiday where you purchase the travel and accommodation together: gói kỳ nghỉ du lịch ( giá cả cố định, bao gồm cả ăn ở, vận chuyển...)
11. self- catering: a holiday where you supply your own food, ăn uống tự do
12. holiday destination: where you go for holiday, điểm đến du lịch
13. youth hostel: a cheap form of accommodation: nhà trọ dành cho du khách trẻ, thanh niên
14. breathtaking views: an extremely beautiful view: cảnh đẹp ngoạn mục
15. picturesque villages: a very pretty village: ngôi làng đẹp như tranh
16. hordes of tourist: crowded of tourist: đông khách du lịch
17. to go out of season: outside of the main holiday period, trái mùa
18. local craft: objects produced locally, sản phẩm thủ công do dân địa phương làm
19. short break: a short holiday, kỳ nghỉ ngắn
20. stunning landscape: extremely beautiful countryside, phong cảnh miền quê tuyệt vời
21. charter - flights: a cheaper form of flying than a scheduled flight, chuyến bay dành riêng cho du khách
22. far- off destination: somewhere a long way away điểm đến xa xôi
23. travel agent: a shop that specialises in booking holiday.
24. holiday brochure: a glossy publication with details of holiday packages cuốn sách nhỏ về những kỳ nghỉ
25. check- in desk:  the place at the airport where you register your flight and deposit your luggage quầy làm thủ tục
26. departure lounge: where you wait for your flight to be called,  phòng chờ lên máy bay  

25 useful idioms to help you score Band 7.0+ for the IELTS Speaking Test

1. up-market – Relatively expensive and designed to appeal to wealthy consumers: khá đắt và được thiết kế để hấp dẫn khách hàng sang trọng.
   an up-market restaurant that is quite pricey but also quite good.
   một nhà hàng khá đắt đỏ hấp dẫn khách hạng sang thì khá đắt tiền nhưng mà cũng khá ngon.
2. cram – to try to accomplish a lot quickly, also can mean to try to put a lot of items in a tight fit, which is probably not idiomatic with that meaning: cố gắng để đạt được nhiều và nhanh, cũng có thể hiểu là cố gắng đặt/nhét nhiều thứ vào một  cái gì đã chật.
   The students are all cramming to get ready for the exams.
   Những sinh viên đang cố gắng nhồi nhét tất cả để sẵn sàng cho kì thi.
3. in high spirits – extremely happy: cực kì vui, hạnh phúc
   They’d had a couple of drinks and were in high spirits.
4. keep one’s chin up – remain brave and keep on trying; remain cheerful in difficult circumstances.
   Keep your chin up. Don’t take your troubles to bed with you.
   Keep your chin up. Things will get better sooner or later.
5. read my/your/his mind – guess what somebody is thinking.
   I was surprised he knew what I was planning, like he could read my mind.
6. get the ball rolling – start doing something, especially something big.
   I decided to set the ball rolling and got up to dance.
   You should get the ball rolling as soon as possible to be well-prepared for the IELTS test.
7. for ages – for a very long time.
   I waited for ages but he never showed up.
8. fill in for someone – do someone’s work while he is away; substitute for
   Bill is going to be filling in for me while I’m out on maternity leave.
9. antsy – getting restless.
   The guys are getting antsy, we need to go somewhere else before they get too noisy. 
10. (as) easy as pie – very easy.
    For Tom, getting a graphic design certificate was easy as pie –he seemed to have a natural talent for it.
11. under the weather – sick; not completely well.
    I noticed that the cat was looking a little under the weather.
12. fingers-crossed = keep one’s fingers crossed (for someone or something) – to wish for luck for someone or something.fingers crossed for your driving test.
    We’re keeping our fingers crossed that he’ll be healthy again very soon.
13. have a chin-wag – have a long conversation between friends; have a chat.
    We had a good chin-wag over a bottle of wine.
14. chicken scratch – the handwriting that is crammed or illegible.
    His signature – an unforgettably idiosyncratic chicken scratch.
15. the wee hours – after midnight.
    He was up until the wee hours trying to finish his work.
16. a blessing in a disguise – something that seems bad or unlucky at first, but results in something good happening later.
    Losing that job was a blessing in disguise really.
17. all in the same boat – in the same difficult situation as someone else.
    None of us has any money, so we’re all in the same boat.
18. beating around the bush – avoid the main topic and not speaking directly about it.
    Let’s stop beating about the bush and discuss this matter.
19. early bird – someone who gets up early.
    I never miss sunrise. I’m an early bird.
20. a breath of fresh air – something that is new & refreshing.
    Selena was a talented and beautiful entertainer, a breath of fresh air in an industry full of people all trying to copy each other.
21. keep an eye on – to monitor a situation, not forget about it.
    Keep an eye on the noodles, there almost done.
22. keep your nose to the grindstone – continue to put forward a good effort.
    If you keep your nose to the grindstone, you will finish this job tonight.
23. know something [it, this] inside out – to be totally familiar with.
    He knows that subject backwards and forwards.
24. leave well enough alone – to not try to change something that is good enough.
    This repair is not perfect, but let’s leave well enough alone.
25. now and then – on an occasional basis, often every is used as the first word of this idiomatic phrase.
    Every now and then I have a good idea.

Source: 25 Common Idioms In IELTS Speaking (Part 3/5)

Conversation Fillers

In conversation, we need to think of what we are speaking. Actually it commonly exists situations that we cannot have any idea in time. How to remain our conversation without any interruption? Fortunate, there are phrases, called conversation fillers or gap fillers, could help you having more time to think and overcome such situations. They make you sound much more fluent.

What is filler?

According to wikipedia, 

Filler (linguistics) In linguistics, a filler is a sound or word that is spoken in conversation by one participant to signal to others a pause to think without giving the impression of having finished speaking.

Image courtesy of http://www.abcschool.co.uk/blog/filling-the-gaps/

Er… let me think…

• What do you think are the most common causes of road accidents?
• Er… let me think… I would say there are two main causes…

Hmm… that’s a good question…

• Is listening to the radio more beneficial for children than watching TV?
• Hmm… that’s a good question. I guess it is, because…

Actually… I’ve never really thought about it…

• Why do teenagers love texting their friends?
• Actually… I’ve never really thought about it… It might be, because they…

Umm… (repeat the question)

• Where do you see yourself in ten years’ time?
• Umm… Where do I see myself in ten years’ time?… Maybe, I will…

Well, you know…

• Would you give up your car and cycle to work?
• Well, you know… I work quite far from home…

It’s also important to ask for CLARIFICATION when you don’t understand what the examiner has said.

Excuse me, can you repeat the question, please? / I beg your pardon?
Sorry, what do you mean by…?
Could you say that again, please?
I’m afraid I don’t understand what you mean by….
I’m not sure I can follow you. Could you be more specific, please?
Sorry, I didn’t get your point. Could you put it differently, please?

And to GIVE CLARIFICATION when asked.

What I mean is… (paraphrase what you’ve said)
I just want to say that… (paraphrase what you’ve said)
Sorry, let me explain.
Sorry, let me put it differently.

Sources:

1. http://www.myenglishteacher.eu/blog/english-vocabulary-for-ielts-speaking-test/
2. http://www.abcschool.co.uk/blog/filling-the-gaps/
3. https://www.facebook.com/hocIelts9.0/posts/1867176110185671

IELTS Speaking

Phần này liên quan đến những nội dung cần luyện kĩ năng nói cho kì thi IELTS.

Format of IELTS Speaking Test

11–14 minutes

The speaking component assesses your use of spoken English. Every test is recorded.
https://www.ielts.org/about-the-test/test-format

• Part 1 - the examiner will ask you general questions about yourself and a range of familiar topics, such as home, family, work, studies and interests. This part lasts between four and five minutes.
• Part 2 - you will be given a card which asks you to talk about a particular topic. You will have one minute to prepare before speaking for up to two minutes. The examiner will then ask one or two questions on the same topic.
• Part 3 - you will be asked further questions about the topic in Part 2. These will give you the opportunity to discuss more abstract ideas and issues. This part of the test lasts between four and five minutes.

Tips/Tricks

Một mẹo hay trong bài nói là bạn nên vận dụng thuần thục những Conversation Fillers, được sử dụng phổ biến ở các những người nói tiếng Anh bản xứ.

Có nhiều kinh nghiệm để nâng cao kĩ năng nói trong kì thi IELTS. Mình không muốn gom nhiều ở đây vì như thế sẽ làm chúng ta không tập trung thực hành thống nhất một phương pháp nào đó. Bên dưới là danh sách một số kinh nghiệm chia sẻ của những bạn đã thi IELTS và đang làm người dạy lại.

1. Một số kinh nghiệm học ideas cho Speaking và Writing trong IELTS.
2. Những collocations sử dụng phổ biến trong khi nói tiếng Anh
3. 25 useful idioms to help you score Band 7.0+ for the IELTS Speaking Test

Speaking Part 1

Ví dụ 1: lấy từ trang facebook của IELTS Tố Linh
Topic 1: Profession
Examiner: What are you doing, working or studying?
Candidate: I currently work for a non-profit organisation. This is a great job, in my opinion, as I learn a lot from my colleages and tasks I do every single day.
Examiner: Do you enjoy your work/profession?
Candidate: I really like my job as I said I learn a lot from it. I also have wonderful colleagues. I learn a little bit from every one. I learn how to be excellent in make-up skills or how to get on well with people around.
Examiner: What do you consider/think about your profession in the future?
Candidate: Hmm... such a touch question. To be honest, I have thought about giving up what I am doing right now to pursue my passions. I think to be successful job in any job, I'll have to do what I love. Though there will be many bumps along the way, I believe that I can overcome all obstacles in life.

Cụm từ have a lot in common và get on really well

Topic 2: Technology
Examiner: Have you often used social network and media?
Candidate: Yeah... I think I'm highly engaged with some social networks because I use Facebook on a daily basis.
Examiner: Do you think technology changes our life?
Candidate: Definitely yes. I think one of the best things is that the internet has put all the information that we need right at our fingertips. For example, I am an IELTS learner, I can just Google to find all self-study materials, so I can still improve without going to classes.

Bạn gặp lại những từ gọi là conversation fillers (như so), một số idioms như to be honest, as a result và một vài từ vựng academic ghi điểm trong speaking (màu xanh và vàng).

Speaking Part 2

Ví dụ 2: lấy từ trang facebook Học IELTS cùng Robert

Ví dụ 3: lấy từ một bài giải mẫu trên trang Tự học IELTS 8.0, đây là link bài viết.

Describe a garden you visited and like.
You should say:
Where the garden is.
How you felt about it.
Explain why you like it

ANSWER

I would like to share with you my impressions of a garden that I visited last summer, which was full of colour and interest: Claude Monet’s house and garden in Giverny, France.

As a big fan of Monet’s paintings, especially the famous "Water Lilies", I had always dreamed of seeing the scene in real life. So, when some friends suggested a visit last year, I jumped at the chance. After a journey of about an hour by train from our hotel, we arrived at Giverny. The garden was exactly as he had painted it – it was a riot of colour, from the peaceful white of the water lilies to the striking reds and oranges which filled some of the flowerbeds.

The two parts of the garden complemented each other perfectly. We first admired the array of bright flowers and fruit trees in the Clos Normand, but my favourite part was the water garden, and we enjoyed a leisurely stroll, taking in all the colours, perfumes and bird songs. Monet avidly collected prints of Japanese gardens, and these inspired the Japanese bridges covered with wisterias, the water lilies in the pond, and the bamboo and weeping willows which he planted.

For me, it was like a wonderland of colours and a dream come true after so many years.

VOCABULARY

• impression: feeling or feelings (in the plural) about the garden (impressions)
  His impression of the meeting was that it didn't go very well.
• fan: although the word is often used in the context of football nowadays, here it means a person who admires [Monet's paintings].
  "She is a huge fan of Maroon 5."
• jumped at the chance: I enthusiastically accepted the opportunity to visit the garden.
  He jumped at the chance to go to Las Vegas with his boss.
• a riot of colour: a collection of many different colours.
  Sandra's rose garden is a riot of colour.
• striking: very attractive and unusual.
  The woman he was with was wearing a striking outfit last night.
• flowerbeds: a piece of a garden or park in which flowers are grown.
  He loves digging in his flowerbeds.
• complemented each other: each part of the garden added something different to the other part, so that the garden as a whole became more attractive.
  The wine and the fish complemented each other to form a perfect meal.
• the array of bright flowers: the large and impressive collection of flowers.
  The array of bright flowers in her garden surprised everybody. They didn't realize she had planted so many varieties.
• a leisurely stroll: a slow, relaxing walk.
  We went for a leisurely stroll along the beach this morning.
• taking in all the colours: our eyes noticed all the colours and features of the garden.
  We were taking in all the colours of his garden, when all of a sudden we heard a large crash outside the garden gate. Two cars had just bumped into each other.
• avidly: Monet collected prints of Japanese gardens enthusiastically.
  He studied English avidly, from morning until late in the evening.
• prints: copies of original drawings or paintings.
  The artist offered her prints for $100 each.
• wisterias: white or purple flowers which cover walls, bridges or trees.
  The wisterias in the garden were in full bloom.
• pond: a small area of still water, usually in a garden.
  There are many beautiful fish in the pond.
• bamboo: tall tropical plants which have hollow stems [the long, thin part of the plant] used for building or furniture.
  Pandas love to eat bamboo.
• weeping willows: trees which grow near water and have "branches" which hang downwards.
  There are two weeping willows on the property, but we should cut one down.
• wonderland: an imaginary place in children’s stories.
  The amusement park was a wonderland for both children and adults.

Audio bên dưới là một ví dụ minh họa cách trả lời câu hỏi phần 2 này với giọng đọc/trả lời của người bản xứ.

Speaking Part 3

Ví dụ 4: lấy từ một bài giải mẫu trên trang Tự học IELTS 8.0, đây là link bài viết.

1.1. Are there many public gardens in Vietnam?
To be honest, there are a few public gardens in Vietnam due to the shortage of residential areas especially in urban areas. Vietnamese authorities seem to pay excessive attention to economic growth and ignore providing green spaces for citizens’ enjoyment and relaxation. For example, Ho Chi Minh City has small quantity of public gardens but a lot of high-rise buildings.

1.2. Do you think there are enough public gardens in your hometown?
Personally, I think the number of public gardens in my hometown is insufficient. Due to the shortage of residential areas and the increasing number of citizens, people tend to make use of land for living and cultivation rather than providing public areas such gardens or parks.

1.3. What do you think are the benefits of having gardens in the city?
Having sufficient urban green spaces will bring many ecological and health benefits for the city and its residents. Regarding environmental benefit, public gardens help to preserve various species of wild plants, beautiful flowers and keep the ecological balance of the area. City gardens also provide positive impact on the health standard of city dwellers and factory workers.

1.4. Very often, public gardens are not designed in a simple way but, instead, are laid out in a rather complex way. Why do you think this is the case?
In my opinion, a public garden built in complex design pattern is very eye – catching and attracted to people to visit. A garden consisting of sculptures, various rare species of plants and special scenery designed in a special layout will be more appealing to curious people to explore it. Consequently, visitors are able to not only relax them

1.5. Do you think governments should provide more public gardens for people to visit?
Of course, I definitely agree with the idea that governments and authorities ought to provide more public gardens for their citizens because of the following reasons.
Firstly, public gardens are the collection of plants and flowers; they are used for not only enjoyment but also education so people especially children can have practical chances to understand and close to the nature. Consequently, they will raise an awareness of environmental issues as well as the conservation of special species.
Also, urban green spaces play an important role in protecting the environment and improve city as well as local dwellers’ health.

1.6. What do people do when they go to a public garden?
There are various reasons why citizens go to a public garden such as for enjoyment or educational purposes. A public garden consists of many species of wild plants and bright colored flowers and is accessible to everyone; therefore residents in general can go there to enjoy the fresh, tranquil atmosphere and relax themselves freely.
Moreover, it is very practical for children and students to visit public gardens in order to close to the nature and acquire knowledge about it. Students can also do many outdoor activities there such as camping, playing with their peers to promote friendship.

1.7. How do people of different age groups use public gardens?

Different age groups will have dissimilar preference in using public gardens. For example, elderly people tend to go there to relax, go jogging or doing exercises namely tai chi. Children, on the other hand, come there to play with their parents or friends as well as have chances to close to the nature and admire wild plants and beautiful flowers.

VOCABULARY

• Excessive (adjective): (quá mức) greater than what seems reasonable or appropriate
  Ex: They complained about the excessive noise coming from the upstairs flat.
• Ignore (verb): (lờ đi, không để ý đến) to pay no attention to something.
  He ignored all the ‘No Smoking’ signs and lit up a cigarette.
• High – rise building(s): (nhà cao tầng) a building that is very tall and has a lot of floors.
  Ex: It is easy to see high-rise buildings in urban areas.
• Insufficient (adjective): (không đủ, thiếu) not large, strong or important enough for a particular purpose.
  Ex: His salary is insufficient to meet his needs.
• Preserve (verb): (bảo tồn, bảo vệ) to keep a particular quality, feature, etc.; to make sure that something is kept.
  Ex: He was anxious to preserve his reputation.
• Dweller(s) (noun): (người, vật sống ở vùng được nói tới) a person or an animal that lives in the particular place that is mentioned.
  Ex: City gardens also provide positive impact on the health standard of city dwellers and factory workers.
• Eye – catching (adjective): (bắt mắt) immediately noticeable because it is particularly interesting, bright or attractive.
  Ex: a public garden built in complex design pattern is very eye – catching and attracted to people to visit.
• Appealing (adjective): (hấp dẫn) attractive or interesting
  Ex: Spending the holidays in Britain wasn't a prospect that I found particularly appealing.
• Extraordinary (adjective): (lạ thường) unexpected, surprising or strange
  Ex: It's extraordinary that he managed to sleep through the party.
• Raise an awareness of (quan tâm vấn đề gì đó): knowing something; knowing that something exists and is important; being interested in something
  Ex: It is important that students raise an awareness of how the Internet can be used.
• Conservation (noun): (sự bảo tồn) the protection of the natural environment
  Ex: Road development in the area has been severely affected by the conservation programs of the council.
• Tranquil (adjective): (yên tĩnh, thanh bình) quiet and peaceful
  Ex: She led a tranquil life in the country.
• Acquire (verb): (giành được, thu được) to gain something by your own efforts, ability or behavior.
  Ex: She has acquired a good knowledge of English.
• Peer(s) (noun): (bạn cùng trang lứa) a person who is the same age or who has the same social status as you.
  Ex: She enjoys the respect of her peers.
• Tai chi (noun): (thái cực quyền) a form of exercise involving slow movements of body, originally done in China
  Ex: Elderly people tend to go there to relax, go jogging or doing exercises namely tai chi

Samples

Resources

Có đầy tài liệu hỗ trợ luyện nói trên phổ biến trên mạng. Bên dưới là những tài liệu mình thấy được.

1. Sách thì nên học theo cuốn: Entire IELTS Speaking được soạn bởi một cựu giám khảo chấm thi IELTS ở China. Tải Entire IELTS Speaking.
2. Mình đánh giá cao trang chia sẻ này.