Cùng tham khảo sample, từ vựng và một vài cách diễn đạt ghi điểm trong phần thi IELTS Speaking với chủ đề: “Describe a time you were surprised to meet a friend” qua bài mẫu của cô Hương Giang từ The IELTS Workshop nhé.
Part 2: Describe a time you were surprised to meet a friend
Describe a time you were surprised to meet a friend
You should say:
When this happened
Who this person was
What you did together on that day
And explain why you thought it was a surprise to meet this person.
Dưới đây là bài mẫu cho topic “Describe a time you were surprised to meet a friend“.
1. Bài mẫu (Sample)

2. Từ vựng (Vocabulary)
- gives me goosebumps: làm mình nổi da gà
- Coincidence: sự tình cờ
- absorbed in: tập trung
- Her voice and silhouette: giọng nói và dáng vẻ
- it suddenly clicked: bỗng nhận ra
- a secluded spot: 1 chỗ vắng
- caught up: nói chuyện
- withstand the test of time: vượt thời gian
Part 3:
Bên cạnh Part 2, bạn hãy tham khảo thêm Part 3 cho chủ đề này nhé
What situations can you meet friends unexpectedly?
In what situations should you make an appointment before meeting each other
How to schedule a meeting with friends
What are reasonable reasons for being late
Should you visit someone’s house unexpectedly or make an appointment in advance
What do Vietnamese people usually bring when visiting a friend’s house?
1. What situations can you meet friends unexpectedly?
Personally, I believe in fate, so I genuinely think it plays a hand in bringing long-lost friends back into people’s lives. These reunions often happen out of the blue and in the most unexpected places. One of the most common scenarios, if you ask me, is in a business setting. The reason I say that is because I’ve seen tons of short films where old friends cross paths again in the workplace, usually when they least expect it. For instance, someone might show up for a job interview, only to realise the person sitting across the table is an old classmate. In some cases, the encounter doesn’t start off on the right foot, like when two people bump into each other on the street, have a bit of a clash, and then it dawns on them that they used to be close back in the day. So yeah, I guess life has a funny way of bringing people full circle. It’s moments like these that make me believe everything happens for a reason.
- play a hand in: có ảnh hưởng đến
- out of the blue: khá bất ngờ
- cross paths: tình cờ gặp
- doesn’t start off on the right foot: bắt đầu có vẻ không đúng lắm
- it dawns on them that: họ nhận ra là
2. In what situations should you make an appointment before meeting each other?
I believe that, in most situations, it’s essential to inform someone in advance if you intend to meet them. This is especially true in professional settings, where maintaining a certain level of professionalism and organization is crucial. People are expected to respect each other’s time, so scheduling a meeting beforehand is typically the norm. From a personal perspective, I also think that arranging a meeting in advance is important in everyday contexts. Personally, I need to be mentally and physically prepared before meeting someone. This preparation helps me feel more comfortable and confident. At the very least, I want to look presentable and have some idea of the purpose of the meeting. If I’m caught off guard or expected to meet someone without prior notice, it can feel quite stressful and unsettling.
- Professionalism: sự chuyên nghiệp
- Mentally and physically prepared: sẵn sàng
- Presentable: trông (ăn mặc) chỉn chu
- Caught off guard: bị bất ngờ
- Unsettling: không thoải mái
3. How to schedule a meeting with friends?
There are quite a few ways to arrange a meeting, but the most commonly used method is sending messages. For friends, especially close ones, we often chat nearly every day, so texting the time and location is usually a breeze. For example, my friends and I all have packed schedules, but whenever we want to have a chinwag, just one short message to arrange a coffee date can reconnect us instantly. Some people may find phone calls quicker and more straightforward, but I think phone calls are more suited for adults or older generations. For younger people, texting is just the perfect fit
- A breeze: dễ dàng
- Have a chinwag: chit-chat
- Straightforward: trực tiếp, nhanh gọn
4. What are reasonable reasons for being late?
This is an intriguing question, and it actually reminds me of something my university lecturer used to say: being late is unacceptable. That said, I believe there are situations where people should be more tolerant toward those who arrive late. Unforeseen circumstances like heavy traffic or a sudden vehicle breakdown can happen to anyone, no matter how well they prepare. Some might argue that people should anticipate such issues and plan accordingly, but in reality, things don’t always go as planned. A bit of empathy can go a long way in these situations.
- Intriguing: thú vị
- Tolerant: khoan dung/ thông cảm
- Unforeseen circumstances: tình huống không lường được
- Vehicle breakdown: xe hỏng
- Anticipate: đoán trước
- Things don’t always go as planned: không phải lúc nào mọi thứ cũng theo kế hoạch được
5. Should you visit someone’s house unexpectedly or make an appointment in advance?
Like I mentioned earlier, most unexpected visits aren’t exactly welcomed, so I definitely believe it’s important to inform the host before dropping by. It allows them to prepare, not just to show friendliness or hospitality, but also to ensure their home is presentable. In many families, maintaining a tidy house reflects their politeness and overall lifestyle. Of course, guests may not always care about these things, but for the host, having details in advance, like the time, number of visitors and who they are, makes it much easier to feel comfortable and ready.
- Inform the host: cho chủ nhà biết
- Drop by: ghé thăm
- Hospitality: hiếu khách
6. What do Vietnamese people usually bring when visiting a friend’s house?
It largely depends on the purpose of the visit. For instance, when visiting someone’s new home, people often bring kitchenware or small appliances as a way of wishing the house remains warm and welcoming. On the other hand, when visiting a new friend’s place, it’s common to bring fresh fruit, something they can enjoy together to create a more relaxed atmosphere and strengthen their bond.
- Kitchenware: đồ nhà bếp
- Welcoming: thân thiện
- Strengthen the bond: gắn bó hơn
Bài mẫu bởi cô Hương Giang – Giáo viên The IELTS Workshop
Xem thêm: Describe a person you met at a party | Bài mẫu IELTS Speaking Part 2
Trên đây là bài mẫu topic: Describe a time you were surprised to meet a friend. Các bạn có thể tham khảo Bộ đề dự đoán IELTS Speaking của The IELTS Workshop để ôn tập những chủ đề mới cho kỳ thi IELTS sắp tới của mình nhé!
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