Trong bài giải mẫu lần này, cô Hồng Linh của The IELTS Workshop sẽ hướng dẫn bạn trả lời topic Describe a time when you changed an important opinion of yours. Cùng tham khảo sample, từ vựng và một vài cách diễn đạt ghi điểm trong phần thi IELTS Speaking nhé.
Part 2: Describe a time when you changed an important opinion of yours
Đề bài: Describe a time when you changed an important opinion of yours
You should say:
- When you changed your opinion
- What the original opinion was
- Why you changed it
- And explain how you felt about the experience
1. Bài mẫu (Sample)
One of the biggest opinions I’ve ever changed was my belief in marriage.
Growing up, I always imagined that one day I’d meet the right person, walk down the aisle, and live happily ever after. I was a hopeless romantic, so getting married wasn’t just a goal, indeed it was almost part of my life plan. Everything changed about two years ago.
I had been dating my boyfriend for quite a long time, and I genuinely thought our relationship was rock solid. In fact, we had even talked about getting married someday. I trusted him completely, and I also trusted my best friend, so the last thing I expected was for the two of them to betray me.
At first, I didn’t believe the rumours. I thought people were just trying to stir up drama. But one evening, I accidentally overheard a conversation, and later I confronted both of them. The shocking part was that I heard the truth straight from the horse’s mouth. My boyfriend admitted that he had been seeing my best friend behind my back for months.
That moment completely shattered my trust. It didn’t just end the relationship. It jeopardised my belief that love naturally leads to marriage. Overnight, my dream of walking down the aisle turned into… well… walking straight out the door. I suppose you could say that instead of looking for wedding venues, I was suddenly looking for the nearest exit.
For quite a while, I honestly thought marriage simply wasn’t worth the risk. If two people I trusted the most could deceive me, I wondered how anyone could promise forever. Looking back, though, I’ve realised that one person’s betrayal doesn’t represent everyone. I haven’t completely given up on marriage, but I’m much more careful about choosing a partner. Now I believe trust has to be earned over time rather than assumed.
Although it was one of the most painful experiences I’ve ever had, it made me emotionally stronger and much more realistic about relationships.
Sample by Hong Linh– IELTS Teacher at The IELTS Workshop
2. Từ vựng (Vocabulary)
- walk down the aisle: bước vào lễ đường cưới
- genuinely: thật sự
- betray: phản bội
- stir up drama: gây chuyện, tạo thị phi
- overhear: tình cờ nghe
- straight from the horse’s mouth: nghe được từ chính chủ câu chuyện
- behind my back: sau lưng, lén lút
- jeopardise: hủy hoại
- walking down the aisle turned into… well… walking straight out the door: đây là kiểu chơi chữ, thay vì vào lễ đường cưới thì tôi xách dép chạy khỏi cửa luôn.
Part 3:
1. When do most children begin to have their own opinions?
I’d say it depends on what kind of opinions we’re talking about. If we’re referring to simple preferences, such as favourite foods, cartoons or clothes, children start developing their own opinions at a very young age, probably around three or four. At that age, they’re already expressing what they like and dislike. However, if we’re talking about more independent opinions on social issues or moral values, I think that usually happens much later, around the age of ten or during their teenage years. That’s because they begin spending more time with classmates, using social media and being exposed to different viewpoints instead of simply accepting everything their parents tell them.
2. Whose opinions are more important to children, their parents’ or teachers’?
I don’t think there’s a straightforward answer because it depends on the child’s age. When children are very young, their parents may have the greatest influence. Parents are usually the first role models in a child’s life, so children naturally imitate their behaviour and adopt similar values. In other words, parents lay the foundation for a child’s personality and beliefs. As children grow older, however, teachers become increasingly influential. Teachers not only teach academic subjects but also encourage students to question ideas, solve problems and think independently. Since students spend many hours at school every day, teachers can have a significant impact on the way they see the world, and teachers’ opinions may even change children’s passions or career paths.
- role model: hình mẫu lý tưởng
- imitate: bắt chước
- In other words: nói cách khác
3. Do children communicate more with teachers or with parents?
I’m not sure about that, but maybe in Vietnam, as we students all respect teachers and, to a certain extent, are literally scared of them, maybe I would say that children talk to parents more, but the nature of those conversations is quite different. Parents are involved in children’s everyday lives, so they naturally discuss a wide range of topics, from homework and friendships to family issues and future plans. Since they spend more time together outside school, parents are usually the people children turn to for emotional support. Teachers, on the other hand, tend to have more structured conversations that revolve around academic performance, classroom behaviour or career guidance.
- turn to sb: tìm đến ai để xin lời khuyên
- revolve around : xoay quanh
I think it depends on the topic they’re discussing. If it’s something casual, like music, fashion or relationships, most young people probably prefer talking to their friends. Since they’re around the same age, they often have similar experiences and feel less afraid of being criticised. As a result, they can express themselves more freely. However, when it comes to important life decisions, such as choosing a university, changing careers or dealing with financial problems, many young people still seek advice from their parents or other experienced adults. That’s because those people have gone through similar situations before and can offer practical guidance instead of emotional reactions.
Tạm kết
Hy vọng bài mẫu trên đã giúp bạn hình dung rõ cách triển khai ý tưởng và sử dụng ngôn ngữ phù hợp khi gặp chủ đề Describe a time when you changed an important opinion of yours trong IELTS Speaking Part 2 & 3. Tham khảo các nguồn tài liệu hữu ích như KHO BÀI MẪU IELTS SPEAKING và Bộ đề dự đoán IELTS Speaking cập nhật mới nhất.
HỌC IELTS MIỄN PHÍ – lớp học độc quyền chỉ có trên website của The IELTS Workshop. Đăng ký để bắt đầu lộ trình học bài bản cùng thầy cô tại TIW ngay nhé!
