TABLE OF CONTENTS
FAMILY……………………………………………………………………………………………………………1
Do you have a large or small family?…………………………………………………………..1
How much time do you spend with your family?……………………………………………..2
What do you like to do together as a family?………………………………………………..3
Do you get along well with your family?……………………………………………………….4
Who are you closest to in your family?………………………………………………………….5
Which member of your family are you most similar to?……………………………………6
Were your parents strict when you were a child?……………………………………………8
Describe a person in your family you really admire………………………………………9
MARRIAGE……………………………………………………………………………………………………..12
Are you married, and if so when did you get married?………………………………..13
Do you like to be single or to be married?…………………………………………………..14
What age is good for you to get married?…………………………………………………..16
Do you think Vietnamese weddings waste a lot of money?…………………………..17
Describe a couple you know who have a happy marriage……………………………18
Describe a wedding you attended……………………………………………………………..20
FRIENDS…………………………………………………………………………………………………………23
Do you have many close friends?…………………………………………………………………23
Do you think friendship is important?…………………………………………………………..24
Do you keep in contact with friends from your childhood?………………………………25
What do you look for in a friend?……………………………………………………………….27
How often do you go out with your friends?…………………………………………………28
What do you often do with your friends on weekends?………………………………….30
Do you think you are a good friend to others?………………………………………………31
Describe your best friend…………………………………………………………………………32
STUDY…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..37
Do you work or are you a student?……………………………………………………………..38
What do you like about your major?……………………………………………………………39
What do you dislike about your study?…………………………………………………………40
What do you like most about your school?…………………………………………………..41
What do you dislike about your school?……………………………………………………….43
What is your favorite subject at school?………………………………………………………43
Which subject do you find the most difficult at school?………………………………….46
Would you say that you are a good student?………………………………………………..47
Describe your favourite subject……………………………………………………………………48
Describe your favourite teacher……………………………………………………………….50
JOBS……………………………………………………………………………………………………………53
Do you work or study?……………………………………………………………………………….54
Why did you choose to do that type of work?……………………………………………..56
What do you like about your job?……………………………………………………………….61
What do you dislike about your job?……………………………………………………………63
What are some of the important things a candidate should find out before accepting a job?………………………………………………………………………………………………………..66
Describe a job you would like to do in the future……………………………………………67
Để có thể làm việc hiệu quả và thành công…………………………………………………..71
HOMETOWN………………………………………………………………………………………………..73
Where are you from?………………………………………………………………………………74
What do you like about your hometown?…………………………………………………….75
What is it like where you live?…………………………………………………………………..77
Do you like living in the city?……………………………………………………………………79
Do you like living in the countryside?…………………………………………………………80
Would you prefer to live somewhere else? (Why?)… …………………………………..81
Does your hometown have a lot of tourists?……………………………………………….84
Has your hometown changed much since you were a child?……………………….86
Describe your hometown…………………………………………………………………………..88
Từ vựng và cấu trúc bạn có thể dùng để với topic “Describe a PLACE “……..88
TRAVELLING & HOLIDAYS……………………………………………………………………………91
Do you like travelling?………………………………………………………………………………92
Do you prefer traveling alone or in a group?…………………………………………………93
Where would you recommend a foreigner to visit in your country?…………………96
What do you while you are travelling?…………………………………………………………97
Which do you prefer, a city break or a beach holiday?…………………………………98
Do you like holidays? Why / why not?…………………………………………………………101
What do you usually do on your holiday?…………………………………………………..102
Do you like long or short holidays?……………………………………………………………105
Where did you go for your last holiday?……………………………………………………106
Describe a memorable trip……………………………………………………………………..107
Describe a trip that was not up to your expectations…………………………………..110
Describe an important holiday that is celebrated in your country………………….112
SPORTS & EXERCISES…………………………………………………………………………………115
Do you like playing sports?……………………………………………………………………….116
What sports are popular in Vietnam?…………………………………………………………117
Do you think it is important to play a sport?……………………………………………….118
What sports would you like to try in the future?…………………………………………..119
Do you like watching sports programs on TV?…………………………………………….120
Do you like to watch live sports games?……………………………………………………..121
Who is your favorite sports star?………………………………………………………………..122
Do you prefer individual sports or team sports?…………………………………………123
Do you think children should play sports regularly?…………………………………….125
How often do you exercise?……………………………………………………………………126
What kind of exercises do you do?…………………………………………………………..127
Describe an activity you do for your health or fitness?………………………………..129
Describe a sports game you have watched………………………………………………..131
Dưới đây là một vài từ vựng hay ho các bạn có thể dùng trong topic này nhé………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………134
BOOKS/ READING………………………………………………………………………………………..137
Do you like reading?……………………………………………………………………………….137
Are your reading habits now different than before?……………………………………138
Have you ever read a novel that has been adapted into a film?……………………139
Which do you prefer, reading books or watching movies?…………………………140
Do you read e-books?……………………………………………………………………………..141
What was your favorite book or story when you were a child?………………………142
Do you think it’s important that children read regularly?………………………………143
Describe your favorite book/ Describe a book you find useful…………………….143
FASHION/SHOPPING………………………………………………………………………………….147
What kind of clothes do you like wearing?………………………………………………..148
Where do you buy your clothes?………………………………………………………………149
Has your style of clothing changed compared to 10 years ago?………………….150
What’s your favorite color for clothes?……………………………………………………..151
What kind of clothes do people in your country usually wear?……………………..152
Do you enjoy buying clothes?…………………………………………………………………..154
How often do you go shopping?………………………………………………………………154
What is the most expensive item that you have purchased?……………………….155
Do you compare prices when you shop?…………………………………………………..155
Do you like online shopping?…………………………………………………………………156
Do you think expensive products are always better than cheaper ones?……157
Describe a piece of clothing you enjoy wearing………………………………………..158
2. How much time do you spend with your family?
Nowadays, I’ve got a lot on my plate. Having said that, on weekends, I still try to carve out time to spend with my family.
As I get older, I just miss being around my parents because I know that they’re not gonna be with me for the rest of my life. I don’t know why mortality is always looming over my head, but while they’re relatively young and still healthy, I just want to appreciate every moment with my parents.
Although my patience is constantly tested especially when my parents are nagging or they’re getting on my nerves, spending time with them is so rewarding. (^ ^)
VOCABULARY
- have something on my plate (idiom) to have something, usually a large amount of important work, to deal with, có rất nhiều việc quan trọng phải làm
Ex. I’ve got a lot on my plate at the moment.
Ex. I can’t take on more work – I have enough on my plate as it is!
NOTE: Nếu bạn rất bận, bận ngập đầu ngập cổ luôn thì có các idioms sau, bạn có thể tham khảo rồi lựa cái mình thích nhé:
I’m up to my ears in chores!
Don’t bother her – she’s up to her eyeballs in paperwork.
I’m up to my eyes in work at the moment.
I can’t help, I’m up to my neck in schoolwork.
Nếu bạn muốn xem nhiều cụm về “BẬN” hơn thì tham khảo link này nhé:
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/thesaurus/articles/having-a-lot-to-do
- Having said that (idiom): despite what has just been said, tuy nhiên, nói thì nói vậy nhưng mà
- carve out time: make free time for important activities; set aside time to do something, cố gắng dành thời gian cho những điều mình thấy là thực sự quan trọng
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Tê Nguyễn – Unlock IELTS Speaking
- mortality /mɔːrˈtæləti/ (n) the state of being human and not living forever, cái chết
- loom over my head /luːm/: It means something bad (disaster, accident, unemployment, illness, divorce, bankruptcy etc.) is about to happen to you, điều gì xấu sắp xảy ra với bạn
- Đối với câu trên: “mortality is always looming over my head”, ý mình là “việc bố mẹ mình không còn sẽ xảy ra sớm thôi”
- Một ví dụ khác để bạn hiểu hơn về cụm này: Ví dụ, tuần sau bạn có một bài kiểm tra, và bạn chẳng ôn gì, giờ nhìn vào lịch thi thấy sợ sợ à nha, bạn nói vời bạn mình: “My completion test is next week, it’s looming over my head”
Bạn có thể xem thêm link này để hiểu hơn về cụm này nhé:
https://www.quora.com/What-does-looming-over-my-head-mean
- nag /næɡ/(v) to keep complaining to somebody about their behavior or keep asking them to do something, rầy la ai hoài
+ nag at somebody
+ nag somebody (to do something)
- get on someone’s nerves: to annoy someone a lot, làm ai thấy phiền toái, khó chịu, bực mình
- rewarding /rɪˈwɔːrdɪŋ/(a) (of an activity, etc.) worth doing; that makes you happy because you think it is useful or important, rất đáng làm, khiến bạn hạnh phúc vì bạn nghĩ nó có ích và quan trọng.
3. What do you like to do together as a family?
As a family, we love to have our meals together and discuss what’s happening in our lives.
These days, I find it easier for me to open up to my parents. I can share with them a lot of things like my hardships, my successes, and even the goals that I want to hit in the future.
Actually, I feel so connected and rejuvenated after spending time with my loved ones.
VOCABULARY
3
Tê Nguyễn – Unlock IELTS Speaking
- open up ( to somebody ) (phr v): to talk about what you feel and think; to become less shy and more willing to communicate, sẵn sàng cởi mở để nói ra những gì bạn nghĩ, cảm nhận của bạn mà e dè
- hit the goals: đạt được các mục tiêu (bạn cũng có thể dùng từ “achieve” thay thế cho từ “hit”, nhưng từ “hit” sẽ casual hơn)
- rejuvenate /rɪˈdʒuːvəneɪt/ (v) to make someone look or feel young and energetic again, làm ai trông trẻ lại và cảm thấy tràn đầy năng lượng trở lại
Ex. She felt rejuvenated by her fortnight in the Bahamas.
4. Do you get along well with your family?
I feel like my relationship with my parents is getting deeper and deeper.
To be honest, when I was younger, I had a lot of resentment towards them because I didn’t feel emotionally supported. My parents were literally always working, and I was home alone the majority of the time. …Also, growing up in an Asian household, there was just a lot of criticism and comparison.
However, these days I’ve been feeling a lot more reflective/ introspective, I have come to realize that my parents really didn’t have time for me because they were literally spending all their time trying to figure out how they were gonna put food on the table.
Now, I feel much more grateful for the struggles that my parents have been through in order to raise me and give me a better life.
VOCABULARY
- resentment (towards/against somebody) /rɪˈzentmənt/ (uncountable noun): a feeling of anger or unhappiness about something that you think is unfair, sự tức tối, bực bội
+ to feel/harbour/bear resentment towards/against somebody: cảm thấy/ chứa đựng/ mang trong mình sự oán hận với ai - reflective /rɪˈflektɪv/ (a) thinking back on things, nghĩ lại về nhiều thứ
4
Tê Nguyễn – Unlock IELTS Speaking
- introspective /ˌɪntrəˈspektɪv/(a) tending to think a lot about your own thoughts, feelings, etc., hay tự xem xét nội tâm
- figure out how/ what… (phr v) to think about somebody/something until you understand them/it, nghĩ về ai/điều gì cho đến khi bạn hiểu về họ/nó
- put food on the table (idiom) to provide enough money to cover basic necessities, kiếm đủ tiền để trang trải những thứ cần thiết cơ bản
+ bring home the bacon (idiom) to earn money for a family to live on, kiếm được tiền để nuôi gia đình - grateful /ˈɡreɪtfl/ (a) feeling or showing thanks because somebody has done something kind for you or has done as you asked, biết ơn
+ grateful to somebody We are very grateful to all those who contributed.
+ grateful for something She said she was grateful for the support shown by the community.
5. Who are you closest to in your family?
Among all the people in my family, I would say I’m closest to my younger sister.
She is my confidant. I share with her lots of things on my mind, like my feelings, my vulnerability, my hardships, my shortcomings, just everything spilled out and examined together.
This is because she’s a really good listener. She makes me feel heard. Whenever I’m opening up about something, she always tries her best to give me her full undivided attention and allow me to talk through my problems.
VOCABULARY
- confidant /ˈkɑːnfɪdænt/ (n): a person that you trust and who you talk to about private or secret things, người mà bạn tin tưởng và là người bạn có thể kể những điều riêng tư, bí mật của mình
- on somebody’s mind: if somebody/something is on your mind, you are thinking and worrying about them/it a lot, (ai/ cái j) cứ làm cho mình bận tâm, lo nghĩ
- spill (something) out (phr v): to talk about or express an emotion freely, thể hiện/ bộc lộ cảm xúc công khai
5
Tê Nguyễn – Unlock IELTS Speaking
- give sb your undivided attention: If you give someone, or if someone has, your undivided attention, you stop whatever else you are doing and listen to that person, dừng mọi điều bạn đang làm để lắng nghe người khác
- talk through (phr v): discuss something thoroughly, nói chuyện, bàn bạc về cái gì một cách kỹ lưỡng
Ex. He needed to spend time talking through his feelings
6. Which member of your family are you most similar to?
I see bits and pieces of myself in both my parents. However, I would say I take after my dad more. And actually, I’m also the spitting image of him.
When it comes to negative traits, I definitely got his temper. Growing up, my dad and I were never super close from primary school all the way through high school. We were always butting heads, fighting, and even screaming at the top of our lungs. I think it’s because we’re both very fiery.
In terms of some positive traits, I definitely got his boldness and his extroversion My dad is a go-getter who is never afraid of taking risks, so it’s obviously in my blood. Besides, he’s the life and soul of the party. There are so many parties at our house where people are singing karaoke and drinking. And I feel like I also learned my love of socializing from him.
So, yeah, these are some characteristics that I picked up from my dad.
VOCABULARY
- bits and pieces (US) (idiom) (C2) small things or jobs of different types, những thứ nhỏ nhỏ
= bits and bobs (UK)
+ Ex. I just need to get a few bits and pieces at the supermarket. - take after someone (phr v) to be similar to an older member of your family in appearance or character, giống một thành viên trong gia đình (người lớn tuổi, ví dụ như ba mẹ) về ngoại hình và tính cách
+ Ex. She takes after me with her love of horses. - be the spitting image of someone /ˌspɪtɪŋ ˈɪmɪdʒ/(idiom) to look extremely similar to someone, cực kỳ giống ai (về ngoại hình)