IELTS Speaking part 2 - Describe a film

Cue card:
Describe a film that you would like to see in the future.
You should say:
- What the film is called
- What it is about
- How you heard about this film
and why you would like to see it

Answer 

1. What the film is called

I would like to talk about Avatar 2 film, which is a sequel film from Avatar. Avatar 2 is a science fiction film directed by an accomplished director, James Cameron and starring by couple of famous Actors. “Avatar” itself is derived from a genetic engineering creature from other planet inhabitant that can control by human mind.

2. What it is about

I suppose that it will be the same story with previous Avatar film, the Avatar 2 from the news that I’ve ever read will focus on how human colonize a habitable planet named Pandora in order to mine a rare mineral. I guess the story still about how human interact with a local tribe of Pandora named Navi, which sometimes it cause conflict and wars between them.

3. How you heard about this film

I actually big fan of Avatar film, I really want to know how film development especially from internet. I read several website how the director delayed the film production a year ago, I quite feel sad to hear that.

4. Why you would like to see it

This film is interest me because this film will display best special effect and an unimaginable beautiful scene from another planet. And also the story is quite interesting, because I still wonder how human can survive in different planet with full of unexpected animal and humanoid people.

IELTS Writing Task 2 - responsibilities of businesses

As well as making money, businesses also have social responsibilities. Do you agree or disagree?

People have different views about what kinds of obligation a company should have. While I accept that the top priority of companies is to generate profits, I believe they should also have social responsibilities.

On the one hand, I believe businesses already contribute to society by simply focusing on making money. The first reason is that when companies earn much profits, they can expand their businesses, which creates more job opportunities for people. Some big multinational corporations such as Apple or Microsoft can be a great illustration. They have been employing hundreds of thousands of individuals around the world, which helps to reduce unemployment rates in many countries. Additionally, when companies make higher profits, they will pay more taxes for the government. This money can be used to invest in important fields such as education or health care, which will benefit society as a whole.

On the other hand, I would argue that apart from making money, companies also need to have social responsibilities. Firstly, since the rising number of factories these days has led to serious environmental damage, companies need to take immediate actions to help protect the natural environment. For example, they could try new technologies to recycle their wastes instead of disposing of them right away. Secondly, corporations should also consider helping those who are less fortunate such as homeless or disabled citizens. This will contribute to better society and also help to enhance the image of the company or the brand.

In conclusion, although companies should prioritise the need to make profits, I believe they should also have social responsibilities.

(264 words, Written by IELTS Quang Thắng)

IELTS Writing Task 2 - People do not feel safe

People today do not feel safe either at home or when they are out. What are the causes? What are the solutions?

People currently feel unsafe either when they stay at home or go out on the streets. This problem is caused by some factors, and it should be dealt with by some effective solutions.

There are some reasons why people now have to face serious risks no matter where they are. Firstly, due to climate change that is happening all around the world, people might face the danger of natural disasters even when they are at home. For example, in Japan, earthquakes and tsunamis occur every year, and many people have been killed during those events. Secondly, when being out on the streets, individuals are usually exposed to different types of pollution such as noise or air pollution. This might negatively affect people’s health and can even lead to fatal consequences.

Feasible solutions should be produced to tackle these aforementioned problems so that people would feel safer. The first measure would be to develop new technologies that can help minimise or prevent the damages caused by natural disasters. For instance, scientists have come up with machines that can forecast the occurrence of earthquakes. Additionally, it is necessary to reduce noise and air pollution on the streets. This can be done by encouraging citizens to use public transport in order to limit the levels of noise and exhausted fumes caused by private vehicles.

In conclusion, there are some reasons why people today usually do not have the feeling of safety either at home or when they are out, and some measures could be taken to solve this problem.

(256 words, by IELTS Quang Thắng)

IELTS Writing Task 2 - a negative attitude towards studying

Many young people who leave school hold a negative attitude towards learning. Why does this happen? What are the solutions?

An increasing number of school leavers are currently having a negative attitude towards studying. This problem is caused by some factors, and it should be tackled by some effective solutions.

There are some reasons why young people who leave school dislike learning. Firstly, the school curriculum is usually too demanding. Apart from attending lectures, students are also required to complete a large number of assignments and group projects, so they might feel stressed and exhausted after studying intensely. Gradually, they are against learning. Secondly, students often have to learn many unnecessary subjects that do not provide any benefits for their future. For example, when studying History, learners must memorise events in the past although they cannot apply this sort of knowledge into earning money later on. As a result, high school education might be considered a waste of time.

Fortunately, some measures could be taken to prevent this problem. The first solution would be to make lessons more interesting. For instance, visual aids such as video clips should be added in order to attract learners’ attention. Therefore, studying would become a hobby rather than an obligation, and students would have greater motivation to learn. Secondly, lessons that are not necessary should be cut down, and schools should only provide knowledge that students can apply in their future career. When the number of non-essential subjects is reduced and the school syllabus becomes more practical, learners would really see the benefits of education.

In conclusion, school leavers tend to have a negative attitude towards learning because of some reasons, and solutions should be produced soon to tackle this issue.

(267 words, Written by IELTS Quang Thắng)

IELTS Writing Task 2 - weight & health of people

In some countries the average weight of people is increasing and their levels of health and fitness are decreasing.

What do you think are the causes of these problems and what measures could be taken to solve them?

People around the world are currently getting more obese, and they also have to face with increasing health problems. There are some factors leading to this, and effective solutions should be produced soon to prevent this issue.

To begin with, there are several elements that cause health deterioration. Firstly, individuals these days tend to eat too much fast food. This kind of food is extremely convenient and time-saving, so people increasingly consume fast food despite knowing its harmful effects. As a result, those diners who eat an excessive amount of fast food are more likely to suffer from obesity or diabetes. Secondly, young people often lack physical activities due to their limited free time. In this modern life, everyone is busy working and therefore does not have enough time for exercises.

However, some feasible measures could be used to tackle this problem. First, the government should limit the amount of fast food consumed. This can be done by increasing tax rates on selling fast food or running advertising campaigns to raise people’s awareness. The quality of fast food restaurants must also be controlled by the authorities. Furthermore, citizens should be encouraged to exercise more. The government needs to invest more money on constructing sports facilities or holding sports competitions for non-professionals. For example, office workers might have more incentive to play sports if they can win money from taking part in competitions.

In conclusion, the health of people is getting worse because of some reasons, and there should be some possible solutions for this serious problem.

(254 words, Written by IELTS Quang Thắng)

IELTS Writing Task 2 - Take care of children

Nowadays, many families have both parents working. Some working parents believe other family members like grandparents can take care of their children, while others think childcare centres provide the best care. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Currently, many parents tend to be busy working, and they need to rely on someone else to take care of their offspring. While some people think childcare organisations can offer the best care, I would argue that it is better for children to be looked after by their grandparents.

On the one hand, it is believed that youngsters should be sent to childcare centres for some reasons. The first one is that since those centres are professional organisations, their staff are often well trained and therefore have good babysitting skills. For example, when a child falls over and gets himself injured, a staff can react quickly and give him first aid. Furthermore, children can have a chance to make friends with their peers when coming there, which might increase their communication and language abilities. If they are looked after by their family at home, they might feel a bit lonely.

On the other hand, I believe it is a better idea for grandparents to take care of their grandchildren. Firstly, as grandparents have lived for many years and have brought up their own offspring, they have much experience in raising children. For instance, they might know how to calm the baby down when he cries. Secondly, grandparents are family members, so they love their grandchildren more than other people do. As a result, they tend to spend much more time and effort caring for their grandchildren compared to a childcare staff. Finally, youngsters looked after by their grandparents are likely to become more family-oriented and appreciate the value of a happy family.

In conclusion, while there are some benefits of children being sent to childcare centres, I believe they should be raised by their own grandparents.

(286 words, written by IELTS Quang Thắng)

IELTS Writing Task 2 - improve industrial skills/ promote education

Some people believe that developing countries should concentrate on improving industrial skills whereas others argue that these countries should promote education first. Discuss the both viewpoints and give your own opinion.

People have different views about whether developing countries should focus on enhancing industrial skills or education. While there are some benefits of improving working skills, I would argue that education should be the top priority of these nations.

There are several reasons why industrial skills should be improved. Firstly, since developing countries often lack workers with specialised ability, the governments of these countries should invest more in training and enhancing working skills to provide sufficient work force. For example, in Vietnam, there are currently very few people who work in the automobile manufacturing industry, so it is necessary to increase the number of workers in this field. Secondly, when workers' practical skills are improved, the productivity of factories would be enhanced. As a result, more goods with higher qualities would be produced, which generates more money for the whole nation.

However, I believe promoting education would lead to a more stable growth for developing countries. The first reason is that since education provides basic knowledge for people, it is likely to assist in the development of other industries. For instance, education can help scientists to come up with new technologies, which allows workers to produce modern devices such as smart phones. The second benefit of improving the education system is that this would produce good citizens. Being well educated, people would be more likely to have good behaviour such as obeying the law, and this contributes to the development of the entire society. If inadequate attention is paid to education, the growth of countries will only be short-term.

In conclusion, I think developing countries should concentrate more on enhancing education because it will bring about stable and long-term developments.

(279 words, Written by IELTS Quang Thắng)

IELTS Writing Task 2 - Increase the minimum legal age for drivers and motorbike users

Some people think that the best way to ensure road safety is to increase the minimum legal age for driving cars or riding motorbikes. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Some individuals argue that raising the minimum legal age for driving cars or riding motorbikes is the most effective method of increasing road safety. While I accept that this policy is good in some ways, I believe there are better measures to reduce traffic accidents.

To begin with, I believe it is a good idea to increase the minimum age required for driving. Firstly, when people are young, they are usually less mature and less responsible with their manners, so they might not be aware of the importance of following the rules. Therefore, it is reasonable to ban them from travelling on the street to prevent them from breaking the law and causing accidents. Secondly, as older people are more experienced, they can know how to react quickly to handle dangerous situations on the road, while younger ones might not be able to. To illustrate, if the brakes of a car suddenly stop working, a young driver might panic, and accidents are more likely to occur.

However, I would argue that there are better methods of ensuring road safety. The first one is to have stricter punishments for driving offenders. For example, people who break traffic rules should be required to pay huge fines or be banned permanently from commuting on the street. This makes commuters more likely to respect the law, and traffic accidents can be reduced. Another solution is to encourage people to use public transport rather than private vehicles. This can be done by reducing the price and increasing the frequency of buses and tubes to make it more convenient for users.

In conclusion, I believe apart from increasing the legal age for driving, there are more effective ways to make sure that travelling on the street is safe for everyone.

(294 words, Written by IELTS Quang Thắng)

IELTS Writing Task 2 - Giving birth later in life

Nowadays, more and more people decide to have children later in their life. What are the reasons? What are the effects on society and family life?

Many people currently decide not to have babies when they are young and wait until they get older instead. There are some reasons for this tendency, and it could have some impacts on family life as well as society.

To begin with, there are several reasons why a number of individuals want to have children later in their life. Firstly, this choice allows them to have more time to enjoy life when they are young. For instance, it is easier for a young couple to travel when they do not have a baby to nurture. Secondly, people who are at the early stage of their career usually have lower income compared to when they are older. Therefore, many people decide to start raising a family after having accumulated enough money to ensure a better life for their children.

However, this tendency might bring about some negative effects on both family life and society. The first impact is that having children later will cause a significant age gap between two generations. This makes it harder for parents to understand and communicate with their offspring. Additionally, if people give birth when they are too old, the babies being born might be less physically healthy. This might adversely affect the quality of the future workforce if too many people decide to follow this trend.

In conclusion, there are some reasons why many people prefer to have children later in their life, and this tendency can result in some negative impacts on both family life and society.

(253 words, Written by IELTS Quang Thắng)

IELTS Writing Task 2 - Access information online/ Libraries

Students today can easily access information online, so libraries are no longer necessary. Do you agree or disagree?

Students are currently able to acquire information on the Internet in a much easier way than in the past. While I accept that online sources of information have advantages over traditional libraries, I would argue that there is still a great need for libraries in today's world.

It is true that accessing information online has several clear benefits. The first one is that online sources can store a huge amount of information that is greater than any physical library. This allows researchers to easily get the information they need without having to travel to a local library. Furthermore, students can look for information on the Internet whenever they want, while most libraries can only be visited during several hours per day. As a result, it might be better for those who are busy to utilise online information sources.

However, I believe that physical libraries still have special features that online sources can never replace. Firstly, libraries usually provide quiet areas, which is a great environment for students to learn and research since they are less likely to be distracted by things around them. For example, some of my university friends claim that they can only concentrate when they are in a quiet study area in my university library. Secondly, since everyone can easily write and post information on the Internet, these online sources are not always reliable for research. Therefore, we need libraries whose staff members have the responsibility to select and provide readers with the most credible materials.

In conclusion, while I agree that there are great benefits of getting information on the Internet, I disagree with the idea that traditional libraries are no longer important.

(277 words, Written by IELTS Quang Thắng)

IELTS Writing Task 2 - Travel to remote natural environment

It is now possible for scientists and tourists to travel to remote natural environment, such as the South Pole. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

As technology has developed, people can now travel to remote natural areas. While there are some advantages of this trend, I would argue that its disadvantages are more significant.

On the one hand, visiting isolated natural places has some benefits. Firstly, this is a newer and more interesting type of travelling. Going to other cities or countries has been too common for most people, so it might be more exciting for them to explore new places such as the South Pole or the Amazon rainforest. This gives them valuable experiences and unforgettable memories. Secondly, when visiting remote areas, people, especially scientists, might acquire more knowledge about the natural habitat. For example, when coming to the North Pole, scientists can learn about the life of polar bears which live far away from humans.

On the other hand, I believe there are great drawbacks of this development. The first one is that travelling to remote natural areas can be risky if the travellers are not sufficiently prepared. For instance, the temperature at the South Pole is usually very low, which adversely affects people's health. Travelling to forests can also be dangerous as people have to face the risk of being attacked by wild animals. Also, since visiting isolated places often requires a large amount of investment in researching and ensuring the safety of travellers, the costs of travelling tend to be high. Therefore, it seems like only scientists and rich people can afford this activity, so this development is likely to benefit only a small group of individuals.

In conclusion, I believe the disadvantages of people being able to travel to remote areas outweigh its advantages, and this is a negative development.

(280 words, Written by IELTS Quang Thắng)

IELTS Writing Task 2 - Controls noise

Some people think that there should be some strict controls about noise. Others think that they could just make as much noise as they want. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Answer

The problem of noise pollution is currently increasing in the modern society. While some individuals believe the levels of noise being created should be strictly controlled, I would argue that people should have the right to produce noise if they want to.

On the one hand, there are several reasons why the government should control the amount of noise produced. The first reason is that too much noise can significantly affect people's health. Living in a place that is too noisy can cause problems such as headaches, which can decrease the health levels of people, especially old ones. Additionally, noise can disturb people's work or study. For example, a university student will not be able to concentrate on his preparation for exams if his neighbours keep singing too loud.

On the other hand, I believe people can make as much noise as they want because of some reasons. Firstly, producing noise is sometimes considered a type of recreational activities. For instance, singing or cheering for a football club can be relaxing, and everyone has the right to do those things. Secondly, as the world is becoming more modern, people have found ways to deal with the problem of noise. Scientists have invented walls and windows that can block out the noise, which allows individuals to focus on their work without being disturbed. Therefore, the problem of noise can be reduced and there is no need for people to keep quiet.

In conclusion, while there are reasons why the levels of noise should be limited, I believe people should have the right to make noise.

 (264 words, Written by IELTS Quang Thắng)

IELTS Writing Task 2 - Developments of technology

Developments in technology have brought various environmental problems. Some believe that people need to live simpler lives to solve environmental problems. Others, however, believe technology is the way to solve these problems. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Answer

The improvements in technology currently bring about harmful effects on the environment. While some people believe having simpler lives is the only solution, I would argue that technological advances can help to tackle these environmental problems.

On the one hand, it is believed that individuals need to live simple lives and rely less on technology. The first suggestion is that people should walk or cycle rather than drive cars. This is because the current number of cars being manufactured and used is increasing, which causes high levels of exhausted fumes and makes air pollution become serious. Additionally, people should try to reduce their consumption of electricity so that the exploitation of natural resources such as fossil fuels or nuclear power can be minimised. An example of this idea is the annual event called Earth Hour where everyone is asked to turn their lights off for sixty minutes.

On the other hand, I believe the developments of technology can greatly contribute to environmental protection. Firstly, because of those improvements, people are able to come up with ways to recycle materials such as paper or glass, which reduces the problem of waste disposal. Secondly, technology can also help to create electricity using renewable resources. For example, many countries in the world have built plants that utilise solar energy to generate power. As a result, it is not necessary to rely on non-renewable resources, and people can create electricity without significantly damaging the environment.

In conclusion, while some people think that they should live simpler lives to prevent environmental issues, I would argue that these problems can be dealt with by technological improvements.

(270 words, by IELTS Quang Thắng)

IELTS Writing Task 2 - Online Shopping

In some countries, online shopping is replacing shopping in stores. Do you think it is a positive or negative development?

Answer:

Currently, people are increasingly doing their shopping on the Internet instead of going to stores. I personally believe this tendency has both positive and negative effects, which will be discussed below.

On the one hand, there are some benefits of online shopping. Firstly, it is a quicker and cheaper way to shop since people can buy products at home without having to go to stores or shopping malls. For example, Amazon and eBay are two popular websites that provide a huge number of different products, and customers can visit those sites and make purchases easily, which allows them to save time and the costs of travelling. Secondly, online shopping allows people to have a wider range of choices as they can compare different brands and products. For instance, buyers can easily compare the shoes of Converse and Adidas, while it is difficult to do that at physical stores.

On the other hand, online shopping can be negative in several ways. The first drawback is that customers cannot try products before making a purchase. For example, a girl cannot try wearing a dress to see if it fits her body. Furthermore, products sold online are often less reliable, and the product that people finally get delivered to their house might have a poorer quality than expected. Finally, because online shopping is easier and cheaper, people tend to buy too much, which would lead to a large waste of money. This is less likely to happen if shopping in stores is more popular.

In conclusion, I believe the fact that shopping on the Internet is replacing shopping in physical stores is both positive and negative.

(273 words, Written by Quang Thắng)

( Source: IELTS Quang Thắng )

IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe a plant

Describe a plant grown in your country. You should say:
- what the plant is
- where it is grown
- why you like or dislike it
- and explain why it is important to your country.

Sample Answer:
I would like to talk about a coffee tree which is grown more in Dac Lak and Tay Nguyen provinces in the South of Vietnam.

Generally, its average height is from 8 to 15 meters.A coffee tree has small thick dark green leaves.it also has small oval fruits which are to produce coffee beans preferred by many parts in the World.

I like coffee tree because it has many benefits for human beings.First of all, coffee flour helps people get over tiredness and concentrate on their works.Secondly, by dint of drinking cafe, they also enhance their memories.Although, price of it is quite expensive; however, I think that " best is cheapest".So I often spend my money on buying cafe.I get used to drinking cafe in the early morning.It helps me have an effective day.

Coffee tree is an important tree in my country.My nation is the second coffee exporter in the world, only behind Brazil that helps my country get more benefits to develop our economy. Besides, that also makes more jobs to more than 2 million people to increase standard of living. So, coffee tree plays an necessity part in my country.

IELTS Speaking Part 2 - Describe a mobile phone

• Describe something you bought recently.
• Describe a gift you gave or received.
• Describe something you own which is important to you.

Sample Answer: 

I'm going to describe my mobile phone. I bought it in a mobile shop 3 years ago. It's an iPhone 4S, white color and look thin. 

I use the phone to keep in touch with my friends and family, for communication by voice, text and email. It has various features like video, MP3 player, wireless Internet, digital camera and games.It's easy to share photos and music. I use it for almost everything, it even has a calendar that reminds me about appointments. 

My phone is an essential part of my life. It holds my contacts, my photos, my music collection. I've got instant access to my favourite websites. It's like having my whole life in my pocket. I couldn't live without it.

(Source: IELTS Simon)

IELTS Speaking Test - Part I - Reading

1, Is reading books important being going to sleep?

I guess it depends. Some people find it helpful to read before going to bed because reading makes it easier for them to fall asleep. But to some others, book provoke thoughts which will, as a result, keeping them from sleeping, so they don’t apopt this bed time habit.

2, What is the best time for reading? Why?

I personally think that there is neither good time nor bad time for reading. As long as people have some unoccupied time and are in the mood for reading a book, they should go for it. If someone reads only because that’s how he is supposed to spend time, it’s not as much fun and productive.

3, What do you like to read? Why?

I read a wide range of books because I would like to expand my knowledge in different areas. I normally choose what to read based on how I feel, or, to be precise, how I would like to feel. For example, if I want to feel motivated and energetic, my choice would probably be a self-help book. 

(Source: IELTS Trang Bui)

IELTS Speaking Test - Part 1 - Friendship

- Do you have a close friend?

I do. Her name is Hang. She is my roommate. We have a lot in common and I can relate to her in so many ways. We enjoy each other’s company a lot.

- When did you meet him/her?

It was back in 2012. I was sharing a room with another friend but she moved out with her boyfriend, so I decided to posted an ad on the internet looking for a new roommate. Hang saw the ad and gave me a call. We clicked right away.

- Do you prefer having a few close friends or a lot of just friends?

Although it could be fun to have a large circle of friends, I’d rather have a few close friends because we get to be able to spend more time with each other and develop more meaningful relationships.

(Source: IELTS Trang Bui )

IELTS Speaking Test - Part 1 - Holiday

1, Are there many public holidays in your country?

 As far as I remember, there are at least two long national holidays including Lunar New Year and Reunion Day and May Day combo, each of which lasts for about a week, more or less. Besides, we have several other public holidays when we don't have to go to school or work.

2, Do you think that there should be more holidays in your country?

Interesting. I've been asking myself this question many times but unfortunately haven't been able to come up with an answer. I mean, as a student, of course I would appreciate more holidays so that I could spend time with my family and friends. On the other hand, I'm concerned that longer holidays would interrupt productivity at workplace.

3, Which public holiday do you like the most?

Well, I don't really think I have a favorite holiday. I love all of them the same because they all mean no work and lots of quality time for myself or my family.

4, What do you usually do on a holiday?

If the holiday is long, I usually consider visiting my family because I study away from home and can't see them as often as I'd like to. But if the holiday is short, I will just catch up on my sleep or hang out with friends.

(Source: IELTS Trang Bui)

IELTS Speaking Test - Part 1 - Punctuality

1, Do you keep track of time usually?

I certainly do. I think it’s important for most people nowadays to be able to keep track of time because we are living in a such a fast paced world where, the faster you are at doing things, the more likely you are to be successful.

2, How do you do it?

It’s quite simple. I don’t wear a watch but I can always tell time by looking at my smart phone. I guess a phone is a more popular timepiece today than a watch or a clock.

3, Can you describe yourself as a punctual person?

Well, at least I always try to be on time. But you know, living in a city where traffic jam is an unavoidable part of the daily life makes it difficult to be a punctual person. I wouldn’t want to use it as an excuse so I tend to set out earlier when I go to an appointment just in case.

4, How do you feel when you are late?

I feel guilty, understandably, because I know it annoys people to be kept waiting. So if I turn up late for an appointment, I will apologize and find a way to make it up to the other person.

(Source: IELTS Trang Bui )

IELTS Speaking Test - Part 3: Fame

Do you think there are benefits to being a child of a famous person?

I certainly think having a celebrity parent can be advantageous for a child in a number of ways. First of all, it means the child will enjoy a very comfortable lifestyle, living in a big house with a swimming pool and having people wait on him. Besides that, the child gets to travel to many interesting destinations with the parent and meet other famous people. Also, if you were a child of a well-known person, it’s likely that you would become popular yourself. People would want to take pictures with you, talk about you and be around you.

Nguồn: IELTS Trang Bui

IELTS Speaking Test - Part 1 - Watching sky

1, Do you usually watch the sky?

Well, I guess I do, but it is more like a habit than an intentional action. Of course if there is a beautiful rainbow or anything interesting happening in the sky, I wouldn’t mind spending a few minutes looking up.

2, What do you think about looking at the sky?

Well, to be completely honest, I don’t give much thought to this. I mean, it’s like breathing or blinking, you don’t really think about it but you do it any way.

3, Do you like to look at the sky during the day or the night?

Looking at the sky during the day is definitely more interesting than at night time because, you know, I’m living in a big city with many outdoor lights at night so you don’t really see anything when you look at the sky.

4, What’s the difference?

The difference is, when it is day time, you get to see sunrises, sunsets, clouds and birds,or at least the blue color of the sky, but in the evening, it’s most likely that all you see is darkness.

5, Can you see the sky from your apartment?

Hmm, there are many tall buildings in the area where I live, so I get to see very little of sky. Not that it matters, because I tend to spend most of my time indoor studying or working on my computer anyway.

Nguồn: IELTS Trang Bui

Ielts Speaking test - Part II - Topic: A Day Off Work

Topic: A Day Off Work

Cue card:

Describe how you would spend a day off, if you were given one at college or workplace. Please say
- How would you feel about it?
- What would you do?
- With whom would you do it?

Answer:

Well, If I were given a day off from work, I guess I would do what I normally do at weekend. I mean, if the holiday were longer, I could probably plan something more special like a trip with my friends or family, but for just one day I wouldn't want to tire myself out.

I imagine the first thing I would do would be to turn off the alarm clock because I wouldn't have to go to work, would I? Then I could linger in bed until whatever time I'd like, have a late breakfast while watching my favorite TV shows.

And because I live on my own, I wouldn't make myself go to all the trouble of cooking, especially when I'm on holiday. Instead, I would just go to my regular cafe near the lake, order a decent lunch, put on some music and drown myself in one of those books that I've always wanted to read but haven't found time to.

In the evening, I could either hang out with some friends or go to the cinema. Actually, there are many possibilities of the things I could do if I had a day off. But most possibly, I would just spend the day catching up on sleep and working on something I haven't finished from the office.

Nguồn: IELTS Trang Bui

IELTS Speaking Test - Part 1 - Topic: Swimming

1, Do you like swimming? Why?
Swimming is definitely my favorite sport. It brings me such a great sense of freedom that no other activity can allow me. I’ve found that swimming is the most effective way to take my mind off things that are troubling me.

2, How often do you swim?
Well, it really depends on a lot of different things, for example, weather. You know there are four distinct seasons in the northern area of Vietnam where I live and I only feel comfortable to set foot in the water when it’s warm enough. So, I tend to go swimming more often at certain times of the year than the others.

3, Is swimming good for children, in your opinion?
I certainly think children can benefit greatly from this activity. For the first thing, swimming is one of the best ways for them to stay healthy and keep fit. Besides, children’s being able to swim from early ages can help save many lives every year from drowning accidents, which happen more frequently among children than adults.

4, Should it be a compulsory activity for children at school? Why?
Let me think for a moment. I do think it’s extremely useful for schools to include swimming in their curriculum so that drowning risks can be reduced, like I mentioned earlier. But whether or not it should be made mandatory is a different story. Some schools simply can’t afford to provide proper swimming lessons for their students.

Nguồn: IELTS Trang Bui

IELTS Writing Task 2 - Benefits and drawbacks of Technology

ANSWER:

I agree that the innovation in technology has generated great benefits for human beings. However, this does not mean that our life is not adversely affected, as will now be explained.

Firstly, people are suffering greater consequences of environmental pollution than in the past. The growth of industrial activities in many parts of the world is associated with a greater level of exhaust emissions released into the environment, threatening the health of people. Also, traffic problems are becoming more severe in many big cities due to the convenience of private vehicles. Therefore, it is not surprising why the rate of people who have respiratory problems keeps increasing in many countries such as Vietnam and China.
Secondly, people now have less social interaction than before due to the advance in information technology. For example, young people today tend to prefer sitting in front of the computer screen rather than participating in outdoor activities. This will lead to not only a reduction in the level of social skills but also an increase in the number of health problems like obesity caused by sedentary lifestyles.
Finally, technology makes people dependent on it. Machines are involved in almost all daily activities in life no matter how much we love them or hate them. Many people hesitate to walk a few kilometres without a car. A number of students do not know how to seek information without ‘Googling’. It is not hard to imagine how the world would be if one day technology suddenly disappeared.

In conclusion, although the advantages of technology are undeniable, I believe that we should not overlook its negative impacts on our life.

(272 words – written by ielts.vinh@gmail.com)

Nguồn: IELTS Thầy Vinh

Phát âm tiếng Anh - Nguyên âm ngắn - Âm u ngắn – /ʊ/

Hôm nay chúng ta sẽ dành thời gian học cách phát âm âm u ngắn, 1 trong những âm khó trong tiếng Anh.
Phiên âm Tiếng Anh: /ʊ/

Các từ liên quan : good, hood, should, wood,…
Cách đọc âm này:
Lưu ý cần nhớ nhất chính là không được đọc thành ư hay ơ chỉ khẩu hình hơi giống cách đọc của 2 âm này thôi.

Các bước phát âm:
+ Đọc âm u rồi dần dần kéo ngắn thời gian đọc u lại
+ Cong môi chỉ sử dụng cơ môi hơi giống cách đọc âm ư
+ Phát âm sử dụng đồng thời đọc âm u trong khi mồm hơi ư.

cook

book

neighborhood

boulevard

look

foot

good

pull

put

should


So sánh u dài và u ngắn.



Bạn hãy lấy một chiếc gương để nhìn thấy khẩu hình miệng và lưỡi đặt đúng chưa rồi luyện tập theo nhé!

(Nguồn: sưu tầm)

Phát âm tiếng Anh - Nguyên âm ngắn - Âm a ngắn – /ʌ/

Phiên âm Tiếng Anh: /ʌ/ – âm a ngắn
Những từ có chứa âm: come, welcome, bus, just,…

Để nói được âm này, lưỡi của bạn phải thả lỏng, hạ thấp xuống hàm dưới. Hai bên lưỡi chạm nhẹ vào chân răng hàm dưới trong quá trình tạo ra âm. Quai hàm và lưỡi thả lỏng.

Một cách khác, là bạn cố gắng nói âm a sử dụng khẩu hình của âm /ə/.

Để hình dung dễ hơn, bạn xem video ở dưới nhé.

what

country

apartment

rug

oven

public

bus

from

second

gun

Bạn hãy lấy một chiếc gương để nhìn thấy khẩu hình miệng và lưỡi đặt đúng chưa rồi luyện tập theo nhé.

(Nguồn: sưu tầm)

Phát âm tiếng Anh - Nguyên âm ngắn - Âm i ngắn – /i/

Phiên âm Tiếng Anh: /ɪ/

Các từ liên quan: is, it, city, building ...

Có hai cách để phát âm âm này :

Cách 1: Vì là các nguyên âm ngắn nên khi nói sẽ ngắn hơn các nguyên âm dài. Vậy mẹo ở đây là tập nói ngắn lại nguyên âm /i:/

Cách 2: Phát âm ư và i trong tiếng Việt, âm /i/ trong tiếng Anh nằm ở giữa 2 âm này.
Các từ để tập luyện ở đây nhé.

is
it
in
city
building
big
window
milk
refrigerator
finished

So sánh i dài và i ngắn để biết hiểu rõ hơn về hai âm này nhé.



Bạn hãy lấy một chiếc gương để nhìn thấy khẩu hình miệng và lưỡi đặt đúng chưa rồi luyện tập theo nhé.

(Nguồn: sưu tầm)

Phát âm tiếng Anh - Nguyên âm ngắn - Âm e – /e/

Phiên âm Tiếng Anh : /e/

Các từ liên quan: tent, bed, heavy, west …

Phát âm âm này trong Tiếng Anh rất giống trong Tiếng Việt, bạn có thể bắt chước theo dễ dàng .

Một số từ để tập luyện, nhớ xem video để rõ hơn nhé .

tent
bed
heavy
west
second
seventh
tenth
rest
bread
red

IELTS writing task 2 - Reducing crime (agree/ disagree)

TOPIC: Studies show that criminals get low level of education. Some people believe that the best way to reduce the crime is educating people in prison so they can get a job after leaving prison. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

ANSWER (band 9):

Education for offenders during imprisonment as a method to reduce the rate of crime has evolved as major topic of concern in today’s society. While I agree that such a solution is effective to reduce crime, I am convinced that it is far from being the best method and there are many better ways of reducing crime.

I accept that education for prisoners may contribute to the reduction of the crime rate. The primary reason is that such a form of education could provide offenders with the working skills that are essential when they return to the community. With fortified job prospects, prisoners may therefore earn a living after leaving the prison and are less likely to commit a crime again. Another significant reason is that education could show the offenders that they are still appreciated by society. By this way, they may feel an enhanced sense of humanity and community, and become better citizens after their prison years. These people may then inspire many others in the public to live without crime.

However, I am firmly of the opinion that education for offenders is not the best solution to reduce crime. This form of education is offered only to those who have committed a crime, and therefore has far less preventive value, compared to other stronger solutions. For example, severe punishments such as longer imprisonment for criminals could deter criminal acts by many people in the public who have the intention to carry out a crime. There are also other educational methods that may have a stronger and more long-lasting impact on the reduction of crime. An excellent example of this is crime education at school, which helps equip students with the necessary knowledge about crime and crime prevention. This measure is undeniably a more sustainable crime-fighting solution than education for criminals.

To conclude, I firmly believe that although educating prisoners is an effective way to reduce crime, it is not the best solution, as there are more preventive and sustainable measures such as crime education at school and stricter punishments for criminals.

(344 words, written by Tu Pham - head teacher at IPP IELTS)

Phát âm tiếng Anh - Nguyên âm dài - Âm u dài – /u:/

Phiên âm Oxford : /u:/
Các từ liên quan : too, noon, blue, you …
Dưới đây là cách phát âm âm /u:/ dành cho những bạn chưa chắc chắn về âm này khi đọc:
Đầu tiên phát âm âm u của Việt Nam rồi kéo dài hơn tiếng Việt một chút.
Khi nói âm này, 2 má hơi hóp.

Các bạn xem thêm ở clip dưới đây để học theo cho đúng

(Nguồn: sưu tầm)

Phát âm tiếng Anh - Nguyên âm dài - Âm AH – /a:/

Bài này chúng ta sẽ đến với âm AH – a dài
Phiên âm trong Oxford: /a:/
Các từ liên quan : father ,far, bar ,calm …
Một âm rất rất khó để phát âm cho đúng :)

Để dễ dàng hơn trong việc đọc âm này các bạn có thể luyện tập theo các phương pháp như sau:

Cách 1: Đưa lưỡi xuống thấp và về phía sau, miệng mở không rộng cũng không hẹp quá rồi ngân âm ra

Cách 2: Mở rộng miệng theo chiều từ trên xuống, để lưỡi ở dưới cùng của miệng, mở miệng hết cỡ theo chiều từ trên xuống, 2 bên hơi hẹp vào nhau.

Phát âm tiếng Anh - Nguyên âm dài - Âm i dài /i:/

Cùng trở lại với Mr. Gene Zerna nhé. Lần này sẽ là âm i dài

Ký hiệu trong Oxford : /i:/

Các từ liên quan : sweetheart , she ,he , sleep …
Âm này khá dễ, bạn có thể xem video và làm theo ngay lập tức. Nhớ ko để nhầm lẫn với âm Y- buzz /j/ nha


Một số câu ví dụ chứa âm này nhé .



(Nguồn: sưu tầm)

Phát âm tiếng Anh - Nguyên âm dài - Âm ơ dài /ɜː/

Ký hiệu trong Oxford : /ɜ:r/

Các từ liên quan : her, shirt, girl,..

Cùng đến với Gene Zerna để xem cách phát âm chính xác của âm này.



Để phát âm nguyên âm này, hãy mở miệng như khi phát âm nguyên âm /ɔː/ nhưng không phát âm ra, tạo độ rung trong họng rồi mới ngân âm ra.

Điều cần lưu tâm ở đây nhất chính là làm RUNG họng của mình rồi mới tạo âm.

Phát âm tiếng Anh - Nguyên âm dài - Âm O dài /ɔː/

Âm O dài, ký hiệu trong Oxford: /ɔː/
Các từ dính líu: short, ball, tall, saw, wash, ..

Có 2 cách để đọc âm O này như sau:

Cách 1: Khẩu hình miệng hình elip đứng, phát ra âm O 

Cách 2:

Xuất phát từ khẩu hình miệng âm /a:/ à kéo 2 mép vào rồi phát âm âm O (ko cần quan tâm đến 2 âm này nó giống nhau thế nào, trong đầu chỉ cần nghĩ là phát âm âm o khi kết hợp với khẩu hình miệng thì sẽ ra âm gần giống âm a dài)

Cùng luyện tập theo clip dưới đây:


(Nguồn: sưu tầm)

IELTS Speaking Part 2 - Describe a restaurant/ cafe/ meals

I have been to many restaurants here in Hanoi, but I am going to talk about Lotteria, a fast food restaurant near my house. The restaurant is surrounded by trees, and it has a large parking area, so it is convenient for us to get there by motorbike.

Inside the restaurant, there is a reception desk on the first floor where guests can make an order.
As soon as we enter the restaurant, the strong and addictive smell really makes us crave for fast food meals/a cup of coffee. The restaurant is a quiet place with a classical style of decoration with wooden tables and chairs. It also has a good air-conditioning system, which is very comfortable for fast food lovers to visit.

The restaurant offers a wide range of choices, from hamburgers to pizzas to chips and cokes. Last week, we went there and ordered a small course of beef and fried chicken. Then we brought it to the second floor where we chose a place to sit having a good view of streets. So, we could eat the meal and watch people commuting on the road.

(I really like spicy food, so I often put some pepper and chilly source on the pizzas, which makes them really hot to eat). 

I usually go to this place every weekend to eat out with my family. There are many reasons why I like this restaurant. Firstly, it has free wifi, so I can surf the internet while enjoy the meals/coffee. Secondly, all the staff members are really friendly, always welcoming guest with a smile on their faces.

IELTS Writing Task 2 - Both views + views - Animals

Topic:

A growing number of people feel that animals should not be exploited by people and that they should have the same rights as humans, while others argue that humans must employ animals to satisfy their various needs, including uses for food and research.
Discuss both views and give your opinion

Answer

Nowadays, animals experiments are widely used to develop new medicines and to test the safety of other products or uses for food. The viewpoint of these experiments should be banned because it is morally wrong to cause animals to suffer, I would have to support that in favour of them because of their benefits to humanity.

On the one hand, animals are used in important scientific research. For instance, it is necessary to do medical tests using new drugs. Animal testing help to advance medical and scientific knowledge and many important medical discoveries involved experimentation on animals so researchers aim to minimize the suffering that animals experience. However, testing on animals for the cosmetics industry is now banned by many countries.

Furthermore, in many places, meat is the main ingredient in traditional meals. Meat-eaters argue that animals are below humans in the food chain. It is completely natural for us to kill them for food. Our aim should be improved about farming methods. For example, farms should produce organic food such as chicken, duck, pig, beef.

On the other hand, The benefits of research using animals do not justify the suffering caused, because there are alternative methods of research. In addition, the lives of animals should be respects. Humans have no moral right to experiments on animals. Many people choose a vegetarian diet for moral or health reasons. It is unnecessary to kill animals for food.

In conclusion, it seems to me that it would be wrong to ban eating wild animals and testing on animals for vital medical research until equally effect alternatives have been developed.


(Written by Jessica, 272 words)

IELTS Writing Task 2 - Solution problem essay - Global warming

Topic:

Global warming is one of the most serious issues that the world is facing today.
What are the causes of global warming and what measures can governments and individuals take to tackle the issue?

Answer:

Nowadays, the environmental pollution, specially global warming has become so threats to many countries that are trying to solve these problem. This essay will discuss and suggest some possible solutions.

There are a variety of causes of global warming. Firstly, gases such as carbon dioxide trap heat from the sun. This cause global temperature to rise. This process is known as the greenhouse effect. Human activity is a major factor in the rise of the greenhouse gases. Secondly, many developing countries are becoming industrialized. The number of cars on our street is increasing. Gas emissions from factories and exhaust fumes from vehicles lead to global warming which may have a devastating effect on the planet in the future. Additional, cheap air travel is allowing more people to fly.

Global warming will have a vast impact on our planet. For instance, rising temperature can cause melting of the polar ice caps. Additional, sea water level will rise. People can face to extreme weather conditions like flooding and drought may become more common.

In term of solutions, I believe that the government should be done to fix the problem. One solution, the governments could introduce laws to limit emissions from factories. They should invest in renewable energy from solar, wind or water power. Another possibility, the government could impose “green taxes” on driver and airlines companies. Naturally, individuals should also try to be greener. They should take public transport rather than driving.

In conclusion, it is clear that the problems cause by global warming are getting worst. If government and individuals share a collective responsibilities than it may well become possible to offer some solution.

(Written by Jessica, 272 words)