THE MEDIA

1. New editors decide what to broadcast on television and what to print in newspapers. What
factors do you think influence these decisions? Do we become used to bad news? Would it be
better if more good news was reported? Discuss. (Cambridge IELTS 1)
2. The mass media, including television, radio and newspapers, have great influence in shaping
people’s ideas. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? (Model tests for the
IELTS)
3. Television is dangerous because it has destroyed the family living and communication. Some
people said that it absorb people’s time too much that they have no time to talk to each other. To
what extent do you agree or disagree? (China writing)
4. Some people said the age of books is past. The information will be presented by video,
computers, televisions, films. Others think the books and the written words will be necessary for
spread information and complete education. Discuss. (China writing)
5. Television has had a significant influence on the culture of many societies. To what extent
would you say that television has positively or negatively affected the culture development of your
society?
6. We can get knowledge from news, but some people think we can’t trust the journalist. Discuss,
what do you think is the important qualities that a journalist should have? (China writing)

EDUCATION

1. In many countries schools have severe problems with student behavior. What do you think are
the causes of this? What solutions can you suggest? (Cambridge IELTS 4)
2. Subjects such as Art, Sport and Music are being dropped from the school curriculum for
subjects such as Information Technology. Many people children suffer as a result of these
changes. To what extent would you support or reject the idea of moving these subjects from
school curriculum? (IELTS Practice tests with answers)
3. Because of the pressure of new subjects such as business studies, many schools have
dropped sport or physical education (PE) from the curriculum. How important is sport or PE in a
young person’s education? (Ielts on Track)
4. Studying the English language in an English-speaking country is the best but not the only way
to learn the language. Do you agree with this statement? (Model tests for the IELTS)
5. The idea of going overseas for university study is an exciting prospect for many people. But
while it may offer some advantages, it is probably better to stay at home because of the
difficulties a student inevitably encounters living and studying in a different culture. To what extent
do you agree or disagree? (IELTS to success)
6. In order to learn a new language well, you should also get to know the culture and the lifestyle.
To what extent do you agree with this idea? (August 22nd, 2006)
7. Only formal examinations, written or practical, can give a clear picture of students’ true
knowledge and ability at university level. Continuous assessment like course word and project are
poor measures of student ability. In what extent do you agree or disagree? (Academic writing
practice)
8. Academic achievement at school or university is the only true measure of a person’s
intelligence. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Ielts Foundation)
9. Some people think that university should not provide theoretical knowledge, but to give
practical training benefit to society. In what extent do you agree or disagree? (China writing)
10. Some people say that universities should be concerned with educating people so that they
will have wide general knowledge and be able to consider important matters from an informed
viewpoint. Other people say that universities should simply train students to do the jobs required
by society and not concern themselves with broader issues. Discuss. (Insearch prepare for Ielts)
11. The wealth of a nation is said to depend on the health of its citizens. Yet, in the modern
knowledge-based economies of the world, education is more and more being seed as the main
force in the development of all countries. In what extent do you agree or disagree? (Academic
writing practice)
12. Education is the single most important factor in the development of a developing country. To
what extent do you agree or disagree? (Passport to Ielts)
13. Too much emphasis is placed on testing these days. The need to prepare for tests and
examinations is a restriction on teachers and also exerts unnecessary pressure on young
learners. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Focus on Ielts)
14. Most education systems rely on examinations to encourage children to study, but as a result,
children suffer from too much stress and they never learn to be creative. Therefore, examinations
should be abolished. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Essay Writing)
15. All educational facilities should be funded by the government. To what extent do you agree or
disagree? (Passport to Ielts)
16. Who should be responsible for children’s education: the school or parents? Give your opinion
and reasons. (Model tests for the IELTS)
17. Firm discipline is a necessary part of teaching children. To what extent do you agree or
disagree? (Passport to Ielts)
18. Many parents use punishment to teach the different between right and wrong to kids. Many
think punishment is necessary to held children learn the distinction between right and wrong. To
what extent do you agree or disagree? (China writing)
19. Too much education is dangerous. If people receive more education than they need to
function in their job, it only breeds dissatisfaction. In what extent do you agree or disagree?
(Reading and Writing module)
20. Parents and family background have more influence than teachers of a young person’s
learning and academic achievement. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Ielts Foundation)
21. To be successful in education, it is more important to be a good student than to have good
teachers. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Essay Writing)
22. Most people think that teachers should teach students how to judge right and wrong and how
to behave well. Some feel that people should just teach students academic subject. Discuss.
(China writing)
23. Some people think that there are benefits in going to private secondary schools. Others feel
that private secondary school can have negative effect on the society as a whole. What is your
opinion? Justify and give examples according to your knowledge or experience. (September 6th,
2006) (China writing)
24. Education is a lifelong task. In what extent do you agree or disagree? (September 12th, 2002)
25. Government should spend more money on education than on recreation and sport. In what
extent do you agree or disagree? (March 7th, 2003)
26. As reading is important for good education, we should encourage children to read whatever
appeals to them. Discuss. (China writing)
27. University graduates receive higher salaries than those who have a lower education.
Therefore, some people say such students should pay for all their tuition fees. To what extent do
you agree or disagree? (China writing)
28. Is education losing its value? (China writing)
29. Some people think educate children of different abilities together will benefit them. Others
think intelligent children should be taught separately and give special courses. Discuss. (China
writing)
30. Some people believe that students who want to go to university after graduation from high
school should have about one year’s time to get a job to obtain work experience or have a travel
to enlarge their vision. In what extent do you agree or disagree? (China writing)
31. People who have original ideas are of much greater value to society than those who are
simply able to copy the ideas of others well. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Insight
into Ielts)
32. Should there be a minimum school leaving age, or should students and their parents be free
to decide when they leave school?
33. Some say that it is good for children to stay away from their families and go to boarding
school. Others say that children had better live with their families and attend a day school.
Discuss.
WORK AND JOBS
1. The idea of having a single career is becoming an old fashioned one. The new fashion will be
to have several careers or ways of learning money and further education will be something that
continues throughout life. In what extent do you agree or disagree? (Cambridge IELTS 1)
2. In many countries, children are engaged in some kind of paid work. Some people regard this
as completely wrong, while others consider it as valuable work experience, important for learning
and taking responsibilities. Discuss. (Cambridge IELTS 3)
3. It has been claimed that workers over 50 are not responsive to rapidly changing ideas in the
modern workplace and that for this reason younger workers are to be preferred. To what extent
do you agree or disagree? (IELTS Practice tests with answers)
4. In some countries the average worker is obliged to retire at the age of 50, while in others
people can work until they are 65 or 70. Meanwhile, we see some politicians enjoying power well
into their eighties. Clearly, there is little agreement on an appropriate retirement age. Until what
age do you think people should be encouraged to remain in paid employment? (Model tests for
the IELTS)
5. People today move to new cities or new countries more than ever before and experience many
challenges. What strategies are there to meet these challenges? (Ielts on Track)
6. Some people argue that the government should give every unemployed person a mobile
phone and should make sure they have access to the Internet. They believe this is the best way
of using public money to reduce the problem of unemployment. To what extent do you agree or
disagree? (Focus on Ielts)
7. As there is increasing unemployment in the world, while at the same time those who have jobs
are working harder and harder, it would be better to have a four-day working week for everyone,
and so to create more jobs. In what extent do you agree or disagree? (Essay Writing)
8. Some people prefer to stay in the same job for the same company, but others prefer to change
jobs frequently. Discuss. (China writing)
9. Some employers reward members of staff for their exceptional contribution to the company by
giving them extra money. This practice can act as an incentive for some but may also have a
negative impact on others. To what extent is this style of management effective? Are there better
ways of encouraging employees to work hard?(Ielts practice plus)

MONEY AND FINANCE

1. Many people judge success solely by money and material possessions. However, success can
be achieved or measured in other ways. Discuss. (Ielts Foundation)
2. “Money can not buy happiness” it is often claimed. But with money you can buy most of the
things that are necessary for happiness: good food, accommodation, entertainment, travel, quality
health care… No wonder most people want to make as much money as possible. To what extent
do you agree or disagree? (Essay Writing)

POLITICS
1. A country’s first duty to its citizens is to protect them. Therefore, it is logical that defense should
take up a significant proportion of the national budget. In what extent do you agree or disagree?
(Reading and Writing module)
2. Overpopulation of urban areas has led to numerous problems. Identify one or two serious ones
and suggest ways that governments and individuals tackle these problems. (Ielts Foundation)
3. Future plans which is to design prisons for learning and working, with bigger cells containing
computers that will enable study and communication, have been criticized for trying to turn
prisons into “holiday camps” and “wasting taxpayers’ money”. To what extent do you agree or
disagree? (Ielts Foundation)
4. A government’s role is only to provide defense capability and urban infrastructure (road, water
supplies…). All other services (education, health, social security) should be provided by private
groups or individuals in the community. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Insearch
prepare for Ielts)

THE ENVIRONMENT
1. The world is consuming natural resources faster than they can be renewed. Therefore, it is
important that products are made to last. Governments should discourage people from constantly
buying more up to date or fashionable products. To what extent do you agree with this statement?
(Model tests for the IELTS)
2. One day the world’s oil and gas reserves will run out. The search for alternative energy sources
like wind power, solar power, burning waste and water power are causing as much environmental
damage as the oil and nuclear power sources they are intended to replace. In what extent do you
agree or disagree? (Academic writing practice)
3. At present we rely on oil for most our energy needs. However, oil is a fossil fuel and causes air
pollution, and it will eventually run out. Nuclear energy is the only practical and clean source of
energy for the world. In what extent do you agree or disagree? (Essay Writing)
4. Trees are essential for the existence of the human race as they provide the oxygen that we
need to survive. Yet, daily all around the globe, large areas of woodland are being destroyed.
Many people feel that they as individuals can do nothing and that only governments and large
companies can halt the destruction. To what extent do you agree with this? (Academic writing
practice)
5. Climate change is now an accepted threat to our planet, but there is not enough political action
to control excessive consumerism and pollution. In what extent do you agree or disagree? (Ielts
on Track)
6. The environment is one of the most important issues in the world today, but governments are
not doing enough about it. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Essay Writing)
7. Damage to the environment is an inevitable consequence of worldwide improvements in the
standard of living. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Passport to Ielts)
8. Most pollution, especially air and water pollution, is caused by industry. If we want to protect
the environment, we should make factories and other forms of industry pay of all the pollution that
they cause. That is the only way to make sure that the owners will make a serious effort to reduce
the pollution that they cause. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Essay Writing)
9. Nowadays, environmental problems are too big to be managed by individual person or
individual country. In other words, it is an international problem. To what extent do you agree or
disagree? (October 4th, 2003)
10. Waste disposal presents increasing problems, especially in urban areas. Cause, effect,
solution (China writing)
11. The best way to solve the world’s environmental problems is to increase the cost of fuel. To
what extent do you agree or disagree? (China writing)

HEALTH CARE
1. “Prevention is better than cure”. Out of a country’s health budget, a large proportion should be
diverted from treatment to spending on health education and preventative measures. To what
extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? (Cambridge IELTS 2)
2. A number of different medical traditions are now widely known and used: Western medicine
(using drugs and surgery), herbal medicine (using needles at certain points of the body),
homoeopathy (using minute doses of poisons), and so on. How important is the patient’s mental
attitude towards his/her treatment in determining the effectiveness of the treatment? (Model tests
for the IELTS) (China writing)
3. Most developed countries spend a large proportion of their heath budgets on expensive
medical technology and procedures. This money should be spent instead on health education to
keep people well. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Ielts on Track)
4. The quality of health care a person receives should not depend on the size of their bank
balance. The government is responsible for providing a high level of heath care for all its citizens.
To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Reading and Writing module)
5. Some people claim that using tobacco has brought several social problems and smocking
should be banned. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (China writing)
6. Should citizen take out private health insurance?
7. Currently there is a trend towards the use of alternative forms of medicine. However, at best
these methods are ineffective, and at worst they may be dangerous. To what extent do you agree
or disagree? (Ielts Foundation)
8. What are the possible effects of living long on an individual and on the whole society? (July
5th, 2006)

TRAVELLING AND TOURISM

1. Tourism is a modern form of colonialism. It distorts local economies, causes environment
damage and ruins the places it exploits. To what extent do you agree? (IELTS Practice tests with
answers)
2. Most of the world’s poor live in countries where tourism is a growing industry. The issue is that
tourism does not benefit the poorest. How can the income generated by tourism benefit the poor?
And how can we ensure that tourism does not destroy traditional cultures and ways of life?
Discuss. (Focus on Ielts)
3. According to those in the travel business, the nature of the average holiday is changing. Rather
than seeking a relaxing break in a far away place, people now want excitement on their holidays
and are keen to participate in unusual and challenging activities. In what extent do you agree or
disagree? (Insight into Ielts)

LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

1. The increasing role of English in the world today means that the learning of other languages is
being neglected. This will have serious results for the continued use of these languages, and of
their cultures. In what extent do you agree or disagree? (Essay Writing)
2. Young people are said to have lost many of the traditional values of the older generation. This
does not matter, because the old values have no relevance in the modern world. We need to
develop a whole new set of values. In what extent do you agree or disagree? (Essay Writing)
3. Multicultural society brings more benefits to the country than drawbacks. In what extent do you
agree or disagree? (September 3rd, 2006)
4. Over the past fifty years, young people began to gain status and power lost by old people.
What is the cause and is it a good development or bad? (China writing)
5. Some people think visitors to other countries should imitate local custom and behaviors. Others
think the host country should welcome cultural diversity. Discuss. (China writing)
6. The culture of different countries are becoming similar so there is no point for people to go
traveling abroad for they could have same experience at home. To what extent do you agree or
disagree? (China writing)
7. Will the popularity of English and tourism harm the minorities and minor language? Discuss
(China writing)
8. Some people think that it is more important to have one language to be adapted as the official
international language. Others say that this will lead to the loss of culture and identity of their
country. Discuss.

CRIME AND LAWS

1. Without capital punishment (the death penalty) our lives are less secure and crimes of violent
increase. Capital punishment is essential to control violence in society. To what extent do you
agree or disagree? (Cambridge IELTS 2)
2. Tobacco and alcohol are drugs that cause addition and health problems. Should they be made
illegal? Or should all drugs be legalized? (Essay Writing)
3. Should criminals be sent to prison or should they do something else as a punishment? (China
writing)
4. Recent statistics show that the crimes by the young people in the major city of the world are
increasing. Cause, effects, solutions. (China writing)
5. Young women crime has become more and more prevalent in recent years. Causes, effects
and solutions. (China writing)
6. Crime is nearly always related to the environment in which it occurs. For this reason,
international laws and international law courts are unrealistic and will not succeed in reducing
crime levels in different countries. Discuss. (Insight into Ielts)
7. Under British and Australian laws a jury in a criminal case has no access to information about
the defendant’s past criminal record. This protects the person who is being accused of the crime.
Some lawyers have suggested that this practice should be changed and that a jury should be
given all the past facts before they reach their decision about the case. In what extent do you
agree or disagree? (Ielts practice plus)
8. The use of CCTV (close circuit television) cameras in streets, stations, shops and other public
places has increased rapidly in recent years. Although we are told that these cameras help in the
fight against crime, some people are opposed to their use. They believe that everyone has a right
to privacy. (serve more as an invasion of our privacy than as a protection of our safety). To what
extent do you agree or disagree? (Focus on Ielts) (Model tests for the IELTS)

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. When a country develops its technology, the traditional skills and ways of life die out. It is
pointless to try and keep them alive. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Cambridge IELTS
3)
2. Technology can bring many benefits, but it can also cause social and environmental problems.
In relation to new technology, the primary duty of governments should be to focus on potential
problems, rather than benefits. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
(Model tests for the IELTS)
3. “Telecommuting” refers to workers doing their jobs from home for part of each week and
communicating with their office using computer technology. Telecommuting is growing in many
countries and is expected to be common for most office workers in the coming decades. How do
you think society will be affected by the growth of telecommuting? (IELTS to success)
4. In the future, we will have more and more leisure time as machines replace many of the tasks
we do at home and work. Discuss the benefits this will bring and also the problem it will cause.
(Academic writing practice)
5. The Internet is becoming more central to our lives, as it provides more information, acts as
interactive entertainment, and as a means of voting… These functions have obvious benefits, but
there are dangers involved in the control the Internet is exerting over our lives. In what extent do
you agree or disagree? (Academic writing practice)
6. High technology is now being harnessed to help the elderly by providing monitoring, tracking
and, perhaps, one day robots as companions. Whilst there are obvious benefits for the elderly in
these developments, some people are uneasy about the social consequences. In what extent to
you agree or disagree? (Academic writing practice)
7. We live today in an electronic information age. It is easier to be connected by technology yet
many people seem no closer to feeling happy in their lives. In what extent do you agree or
disagree. (Ielts on Track)
8. Advances in science and technology and other areas of society in the last 100 years have
transformed the way we live as well as postponing the day we die. There is no better time to be
alive than now. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion? (Focus on Ielts)
9. According to a recent study, the more time people use the Internet, the less time they spend
with real human beings. Should we worry about the effect this is having on social interaction or
should we see the Internet as a way of opening up new communication possibilities worldwide?
Discuss. (Focus on Ielts)
10. The internet will bring about a new freedom of information and so narrow the technology gap
between developed and developing countries. In what extent do you agree or disagree? (Reading
and Writing module)
11. In the last 20 years there have been significant developments in the field of IT, for example
the www and communication by e-mail. However, future developments in IT are likely to have
more negative effects than positive. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Ielts Foundation)
12. We live in a technological age. However, technology can not solve all the world’s problems.
Therefore some people argue that we need to place less emphasis on technological solutions
and more on other values. In what extent do you agree or disagree? (Essay Writing)
13. The Internet has provided great benefits, but at the same time it has also created new
problems and inequalities. Is it possible to control some of these problems? (Essay Writing)
14. Modern technology has increased our material wealth, but not our happiness. To what extent
do you agree or disagree? (Essay Writing)
15. Soon, people who can not work with computers will be disadvantaged. In what extent do you
agree or disagree? (June 1st,2002)
16. Technology has fascinated our life so much and given us a lot of freedom. Some people
however believe that it has caused more problems for us. To what extent do you agree or
disagree? (March 9th, 2003)
17. Computers do not help children to learn more effectively. On the contrary, their usage has a
negative effect on both the physical and mental development of young people. To what extent do
you agree or disagree? (China writing)
18. The computers are widely used in education, and some people think teacher are not play
important role in the classroom. In what extent do you agree or disagree? (China writing)
19. Are computers an essential feature of modern education? What subjects can be better taught
using computers? Are there aspects of a good education that can not be taught using computers?
(China writing)
20. Modern technology has influenced people’s entertainment and made people less creative. To
what extent do you agree or disagree? (China writing)
21. Some people think scientists contribute the society more. Others believe other subjects
contribute more such as language and business. Discuss. (China writing)
22. Modern technologies such as fertilizers and machinery have feed our world. Some people
claim such technology can provide us cheap food and also have some negative effects. Discuss.
(China writing)
23. Intelligent machines such as robots are widely applied to take the place of human beings.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages. (China writing)
24. The development of science and technology benefit our life. However, scientists can not find
effective solutions to the problems the created. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (China
writing)
25. Earlier technological development brought to more benefits and changed the life of ordinary
people than the recent technological developments ever will. To what extent do you agree or
disagree? (China writing)

FOOD AND DIET

1. A balanced diet or eating balanced meals is the key to a healthy life. In what extent do you
agree or disagree? (China writing)

CHILDREN AND THE FAMILY

1. Should old man live with young people together or should they live in the clubs for the elder?
Discuss. (China writing)
2. Modern lifestyles mean that many parents have little time for their children. Many children do
not get as much attention from their parents as children did in the past. To what extent do you
agree or disagree? (China writing)
3. Many modern children spend a great deal of time sitting in front of a television or computer
screen. This is extremely harmful to their development. Therefore, parents should strictly limit the
time that children spend in this way. In what extent do you agree or disagree? (Essay Writing)
4. It is often argued that children must be protected from unsuitable material on TV and the
Internet by government censorship. Others say that it is the parents’ responsibility to control what
their children do and watch. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Essay Writing)
5. Should a child is brought up in a village or a city?

TRANSPORTATION
1. The burning oil for transport, especially in private cars, is wasteful and environmentally
irresponsible. Taxation on petrol and diesel fuel should be increased to very high levels to
discourage the use of private cars. To what extent would you support or reject this idea? (IELTS
Practice tests with answers)
2. Young drivers are careless and overconfident, and too many are killed in accidents. To
eliminate this problem, we could teach children the skills of safe driving while they are at school.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? (IELTS Practice tests with answers)
3. The rising level of congestion and air pollution found in most of the world’s cities can be
attributed directly to the rapidly increasing number of private cars in use. In order to reverse this
decline in the quality of life in cities, attempts must be made to encourage people to use their cars
less and public transport more. Discuss possible ways to encourage the use of public transport.
(IELTS to success)
4. Governments should not be expected to take sole responsibility for reducing the number of
road accidents, individuals should share this responsibility. To what extent do you agree or
disagree? (Passport to Ielts)
5. If countries are serious about solving traffic problems, they should tax private cars very heavily
and use the money to provide free or very cheap rail travel. In what extent do you agree or
disagree? (Reading and Writing module)
6. There are an excessive number of cars on our roads today and this leads to many problems.
Individuals and governments should ensure that public transport plays a more important role in
modern life in order to tackle these problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Ielts
Foundation)
7. In every city the car is killing the road. Cars cause death and injury and air pollution, and they
make life difficult and dangerous for others. It is time to reduce the number of cars in our cities
and to encourage other means of transport. In what extent do you agree or disagree? (Essay
Writing)
8. The only way to improve the safety on the roads is to give much stricter punishments for
driving offences. In what extent do you agree or disagree? (China writing)
9. The private motor vehicle has greatly improved individual freedom of movement. Moreover, the
automobile has become a status symbol. Yet the use of private motor vehicles has contributed to
some of today’s most serious problems. How can the use of private motor vehicles be reduced?
(China writing)
10. There are more and more vehicles in the city, which is very dangerous for cyclists and
pedestrians. Besides, many gardens have to make way to highways or expressways. How can
we make everyone satisfied? (China writing)
11. The private motor vehicle has greatly improved individuals freedom of movement. Moreover,
the automobile has become a status of symbol. Yet the use of private motor vehicles has
contributed to some of today’s most serious problems. How can the use of private motor vehicles
be reduced? (Insearch prepare for Ielts)

THE ARTS, MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT[/size=5]

1. There are many different types of music in the world today. Why do we need music? Is the
traditional music of a country more important than the international music that is heard
everywhere nowadays? Discuss. (Cambridge IELTS 1)
2. Creative artists should always be given the freedom to express their own ideas (in words,
pictures, music or film) in whichever way they wish. There should be no government restrictions
on what they do. To what extent do you agree or disagree?(Cambridge IELTS 4)
3. The government spends about $220 million a year supporting museums and galleries in the
UK and a similar amount subsidizing the visual and performing arts. This is a huge sum to spend
on minority interests, and the money would be better spent on more important things. It should be
up to the people who enjoy cultural attractions to pay for them. To what extent do you agree or
disagree? (Focus on Ielts)
4. Some people say the government should not put money in the Arts, such as music, opera and
paintings, but instead should spend money on construction of public facilities. In what extent do
you agree or disagree? (China writing)
5. The government should control the amount of violence in films and on television in order to
decrease the violent crimes in society. In what extent do you agree or disagree? (China writing)
6. Some people think that strong tradition can civilize a country and the government should
subsidize musicians, artists, actors and drama companies. In what extent do you agree or
disagree? What should the government do? (China writing)
7. People doing different kinds of work enjoy different amount of holiday time. Should people have
the same amount of leisure time? Discuss. (China writing)
8. To be labeled a “Work of Art”, a painting, sculpture or other art form should display certain
qualities that are unique. However, over the past century there has been a decline in the quality of
prize-winning artwork and it is now possible for quite ordinary pieces of art to be labeled
“masterpieces” whilst true works of art pass unnoticed. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
(Ielts practice plus)
9. Pop music vs classic?
10. Do young people today make good use of their leisure time? Or do they spend too much time
watching television and playing video games, instead of taking part in more productive activities?
Discuss. (Focus on Ielts)

TOWN AND COUNTRY

1. In the course of urban development, we often find ourselves confronted with the old building
problem. Some people think we should pull down the old houses and buildings in the way.
However, others argue that it is a very rash decision to tear them down without full consideration,
and we have to preserve our old, historic buildings. Discuss. (China writing)
2. The gap of living in cities and the country side is larger and larger. Causes, effects and
solutions. (China writing)

GLOBALIZATION
1. Should wealthy nations be required to share their wealth among poorer nations by providing
such things as food and education? Or is it the responsibilities of the governments of poorer
nations to look after their citizens themselves? (Cambridge IELTS 1)
2. Improvement in health, education and trade are essential for the development of poorer
nations. However, the government of richer nations should take more responsibility for helping the
poorer nations in such areas. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Cambridge IELTS 3)
3. The international community should reduce or eliminate the debts of the world’s poorest
countries. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (IELTS Practice tests with answers)
4. Every country needs to remember its past. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this
statement? (IELTS Practice tests with answers)
5. More and more qualified people are moving from poor to rich countries to fill vacancies in
specialist areas like engineering, computing and medicine. Some people believe that by
encouraging the movement of such people, rich countries are stealing from poor countries.
Others feel that this is only part of the natural movement of workers around the world. Give your
opinion. (Academic writing practice)
6. As most foreign aid often benefits the donor more than the receiver, developing countries
should refuse to repay their debts. In what extent do you agree or disagree? (Reading and
Writing module)
7. Many people think that countries should have a moral obligation to help each other, while other
argue that the aid money is misspend by the government that receive it, so the international aid
should not give to the poor countries in the world. Discuss. (China writing)
8. Most countries spend a large amount of money in weapons to defend themselves though they
are not at war. They should spend money to help the citizens in poor and disadvantaged
countries. Discuss. (China writing)

MEN AND WOMEN

1. Fatherhood ought to be emphasized as much as motherhood. The idea that women are solely
responsible for deciding whether or not to have babies leads on to the idea that they are also
responsible for bringing the children up. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Cambridge
IELTS 2)
2. The position of women in society has changed markedly in the last twenty years. Many of the
problems young people now experience, such as juvenile delinquency, arise from the fact that
many married women now work and not at home to care for their children. To what extent do you
agree or disagree? (Cambridge IELTS 2)
3. Many people believe that women make better parents than men and this is why they have the
greater role in raising children in most societies. Others claim that men are just as good as
women at parenting. Write an essay expressing your point of view. (IELTS to success)
4. Woman should give up their jobs and go back to their traditional role of home-maker in order to
reduce world unemployment. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Reading and Writing
module)
5. One solution to decline in moral values in today’s world would be for men and women to return
to their traditional roles. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Reading and Writing module)
6. Women will pay an increasingly important role in the workplace of the future. In what extent do
you agree or disagree? (Reading and Writing module)
7. Most high level jobs are done by men. Should the government encourage a certain % of these
jobs to be reserved for women? (China writing) (also in equal % in universities’ major)
8. More and more women go out to work. The government should subsidize them and provide
free staff and facilities to care for their children. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (China
writing)
9. Some people argue that there are no fundamental differences between the way men and
women approach academic study. Others insist that there are big differences such as
organization, attitude and ambition, and that these differences inevitably have an impact on
student life. Discuss. (Insight into Ielts)
SPORTS
1. Popular events like the football World Cup and other international sporting occasions are
essential in easing international tensions and releasing patriotic emotion in a safe way. To what
extent do you agree or disagree? (Cambridge IELTS 3)
2. Sports which depend on violence for their entertainment, such as boxing and wrestling, have
no place in a civilized society and should be banned. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
(IELTS Practice tests with answers)
3. Professional sports involve large sums of money and receives enormous media coverage.
Meanwhile serious culture, including music, art and theatre, is badly neglected. This is making
our society shallower. In what extent do you agree or disagree? (Essay Writing)
4. International sports competitions are the best way to prevent conflict. National feelings can be
expressed in friendly competition, rather than fighting and sports heroes are better role models
than fighters. The large sums of money spent on international sports competition such as the
Olympic Games are therefore justified. In what extent do you agree or disagree? (Essay Writing)
5. In some countries, sports and entertainment people earn higher salaries than professionals like
doctors, nurses and teachers. Why do you think this happens in some societies and do you
consider it is good or bad? (China writing)
6. Some people think that the Olympic Games will not play a role in 21st century. To what extent
do you agree or disagree? (China writing)
7. Sports encourage competition rather than cooperation. Therefore, sports should not be
encouraged at school. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (China writing)
8. Is it fair that sports professionals earn a great deal more money than people in other important
profession? Discuss. (China writing)
9. In the past, sporting champions used to be motivated primarily by the desire to win a match or
to break world records. These days, they are more likely to be motivated by prize money and the
opportunity to be famous. What message does this send to young people and how does this
attitude to sport affect the sports themselves?(Ielts practice plus)

ANIMALS
1. Many people keep dogs and cats as companions. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages
of pet ownership for the animals involved and for the community as a whole. (Ielts on Track)
2. Animals should not be used for the benefit of human beings, unless there is evidence that the
animals do not suffer in any way. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Passport to Ielts)
3. As public safety is one of the highest importances, it is often necessary to test new products on
animals. It is better for a few animals to suffer than for human life to be placed at risk by untested
products. In what extent do you agree or disagree? (Reading and Writing module)
4. Zoos are sometimes sees as necessary but poor alternative to a natural environment. It is
necessary to keep animals in zoos. In what extent do you agree or disagree? (China writing)
5. Wild animals have no place in the 21st century. Some people think that preventing these wild
animals from dying out is a waste of resource. In what extent do you agree or disagree? (China
writing)
6. Some people think killing animals for food is cruel and unnecessary. Others think that it is
essential for daily diet. In what extent do you agree or disagree? (China writing)
7. Some people regard animals as the source of food or clothes. Other thinks that they should be
treated like pets. Discuss. (China writing)

NATURAL DISASTER AND HUMANITARIAN

ORGANIZATION
1. Too much attention is given to headline-grabbing disasters like earthquakes and floods.
Government should concentrate their resources on educating people about the risk they face
nearer to home, which can cost far more lives. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this
opinion. (Focus on Ielts)

ADVERTISING
1. Some of the methods used in advertising are unethical and unacceptable in today’s society. To
what extent do you agree or disagree? (Ielts Foundation)
2. We are surrounding by advertising. Some people think that this is good, because it gives us a
choice as consumers. But others argue that it makes people selfish and greedy for more and
more goods. Do you think that there should be less advertising? (Essay Writing)
3. Advertisements are getting their way into people’s lives. Discuss the effects of advertisements
of people. Should all ads be banned? (China writing)

UN-CATALOGED
1. Some people say that tell the truth is not always essential. It’s necessary to tell lies sometimes.
To what extent do you agree or disagree? (China writing)
2. Happiness is considered important to people. Why are the definitions of happiness different?
What are the factors in achieving happiness? (China writing)
3. It is said that people’s life now is becoming more and more stressful. Causes, effects and
solutions. (China writing)
4. In achieving personal happiness, our relationships with other people (family, friends, and
colleagues) are more important than anything else. Issues such as work and wealth take second
place. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Insight into Ielts)
5. In some countries, marriages are arranged by the parents but in other cases. Discuss. (Insight
into Ielts)
6. “Failure is proof that the desire wasn’t strong enough.” To what extent do you agree or
disagree?(Ielts practice plus)
7. Research indicates that the characteristics we were born with have much more influence on
our personality and development than experiences we had in our life. In what extent do you agree
or disagree? (China writing)

CHỦ ĐỀ ESSAY

EDUCATION- co-education vs single sex school.

- technology in education
- book vs technology in classroom
- benefìts of studying a foreign language
- role of teachẻr
- school unifỏrrm
- study aboard
- disciplining school students
FAMILY AND PARENTING- Gender roles/ equality in the home
- aranged marriage
- parents as teacher
- working mothers
- traditional vs modern family

ENTERTAINMENT/ THE ART/ THE MEDIA

- roles of museums, historical places
- modern forms of entertainment
- censorship/ media influence
- internet vs old forms of media
- role of newspaper, journalist
- important of art
- architecture
- cultural activities

LANGUAGE/ CULTURE/ TRAVEL

- eco-tourism
- tourism''s impact on the environment
- loss of traditional culture
- globalisation and culture
- lessons to be learnt from travel
- english as the international languge
- cultural differences
- presevation of old building

CRIME/ SOCIAL PROBLEMS/ ETHICAL ISSUES

- capital punishment
- corruption, bribery
- drug abuse, addiction
- violence in society
- poverty, unemployment
- animal rights
- disadvantaged group : the disable, the elderly
- youth problems
- juvenile delinquence

HEALTH
- traditional vs modern medicine
- HIV/AIDS
- diet and nutrition
- exercise/ healthy lifestyle
- metal health/ happiness
- smocking, passive smoking
- hygiene and sanitation
- road safety and driver education
- pollution of environment
- health awareness education

BUSINESS/ DEVELOPMENT
- globalisation
- urban planning
- environment impact
- multi-nationals
- over population
ENVIRONMENT
- global warming, climate change
- deforestation, land clearing, logging
- agricuture, erossion,
- recyling, consumerism
- depletion of fossil fuels
- exploitation of natural resources
- alternative energy
- private vehicles vs public transport
- urban planning
- role of government/ individuals

TECHNOLOGY
- computers/ the internet
- communication
- privacy
- medical research
- GM food
- human gene technology
- mobile phone communication
- space research
- e-crime

Argument Essay Topics

1. We are becoming increasingly dependent on computers. They are used in
businesses, hospitals, crime detection and even to fly planes. What things will
they be used for in future? Is this dependence on computers a good thing or
should we be more suspicious of their benefits?
2. In what ways has information technology changed work and working practices in
the past 10 years?
3. 'Telecommuting' refers to workers doing their jobs from home for part of each
week and communicating with their office using computer technology.
Telecommuting is growing in many countries and is expected to be common for
most office workers in the coming decades. How do you think society will be
affected by the growth of telecommuting?
4. Technology is making communication easier in today's world, but at the expense
of personal contact as many people choose to work at home in front of a computer
screen. What dangers are there for a society which depends on computer screens
rather than face-to-face contact for its main means of communication?
5. Some businesses now say that no one can smoke cigarettes in any of their offices.
Some governments have banned smoking in all public places. Do you agree or
disagree? Give reasons.
6. Should the same laws which prohibit the sale and consumption of heroin be
applied to tobacco?
7. To what extent is the use of animals in scientific research acceptable?
8. Human beings do not need to eat meat in order to maintain good health because
they can get all their food needs from meatless products and meatless substances.
A vegetarian diet is as healthy as a diet containing meat. Argue for or against the
opinion above.
9. Forests are the lungs of the earth. Destruction of the world's forests amounts to
death of the world we currently know. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
10. Are our zoos cruel to wild animals? Discuss.
11. Zoos are sometimes seen as necessary but not poor alternatives to a natural
environment. Discuss some of the arguments for and/or against keeping animals
in zoos.
12. To what extent should economic planning be influenced by the need of
environmental conservation?
13. Damage of the environment is an inevitable consequence of worldwide
improvements in the standard of living. Discuss.
14. The rising levels of congestion and air pollution found in most of the world cities
can be attributed directly to the rapidly increasing number of private cars in use.
In order to reverse this decline in the quality of life in cities, attempts must be
made to encourage people to use their cars less and public transport more. Discuss
possible ways to encourage the use of public transport.
15. Education is the single most important factor in the development of a country. Do
you agree?
16. What are factors which are related to academic success in high-school students?
17. Do the benefits of study abroad justify the difficulties? What advice would you
offer to a prospective student?
18. The idea of going overseas for university study is an exciting prospect for many
people. But while it may offer some advantages, it is probably better to stay home
because of the difficulties a student inevitably encounters living and studying in a
different culture. To what extent do you agree or disagree this statement? Give
reasons for your answer.
19. Write a report to your sponsoring agency describing the English-language skills
overseas students require. Make any recommendations you feel are necessary.
20. What kind of listening challenges do overseas students face in tertiary education?
What recommendations would you offer?
21. Write a report to your sponsoring agency describing the accommodation problems
faced by foreign students in Britain/US/Australia, etc. Make any necessary
recommendations.
22. Education is recognized as vital to the future of any society in today's world.
Governments throughout the world should make education compulsory for all
children between the ages of 5 and 15. To what extent do you agree or disagree
with this statement?
23. Foreign language instruction should begin in kindergarten. Discuss.
24. Children should never be educated at home by their parents. Do you agree or
disagree?
25. Children learn best by observing behavior of adults and copying it. To what extent
do you agree or disagree with this statement?
26. To what extent should universities function as training grounds for employment?
27. To what extent should university courses be geared to the economic needs of
society?
28. Should wealthy nations be required to share their wealth among poorer nations by
providing such things as food and education? Or is it a responsibility of the
governments of poorer nations to look after their citizens themselves?
29. To what extent will migration from the developing world to the developed world
become a social and political issue in the 21st century?
30. The dominance of black people in US sport is due to sociological rather than
physiological factors. Discuss.
31. In Britain, when someone gets old, they often go to live in a home with other old
people where there are nurses to look after them. Sometimes the government has
to pay for this care. Who should be responsible for our old people? Give reasons.
32. In some countries the average worker is obliged to retire at the age of 50, while in
others people can work until they are 65 or 70. Until what age do you think
people should be encouraged to remain in paid employment? Give reasons for
your answer.
33. In your opinion should government intervene in the rights of the individual with
regard to family planning?
34. To what extent has the traditional male role changed in the last 20 years?
35. Many people believe that women make better parents than men and that this is
why they have the greater role in raising children in most societies. Others claim
that men are just as good as women at parenting Write an essay expressing your
point of view. Give reasons for your answer.
36. The first car appeared on British roads in 1888. By the year 2000 there may be as
many as 29 million vehicles on British roads. Alternative forms of transport
should be encouraged and international laws introduced to control car ownership
and use. What do you think?
37. The best way to reduce the number of traffic accidents is to make all young
drivers complete a safe driving education course before being licensed to drive.
38. The rising levels of congestion and air pollution found in most of the world cities
can be attributed directly to the rapidly increasing number of private cars in use..
Discuss possible ways to encourage the use of public transport.
39. The threat of nuclear weapons maintains world peace. Nuclear power provides
cheap and clean energy. The benefits of nuclear technology far overweigh the
disadvantages. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer.
40. News editors decide what to broadcast on TV and what to print in newspapers.
What factors do you think influence their decisions?
41. Do we become used to bad news? Would it be better if more good news was
reported?
42. TV: could you be without it? Discuss.
43. The mass media, including TV, radio and newspapers, have great influence in
shaping people's ideas. To what extent do you agree or disagree this statement?
Give reasons for your answer.
44. Tourism is becoming increasingly important as a source of revenue to many
countries but its disadvantages should not be overlooked. What are some of the
problems of tourism?
45. Are women are better parents than men?
46. Should children should be taught sex education in schools?
47. Should money be spent on space exploration?
48. Should rich countries should forgive all debts for poor countries?
49. Will the Internet will bring people of the world closer together?
50. Does foreign aid helps donor countries more than the recipients?
51. Are zoos are necessary for education?
52. Is animal testing necessary?
53. Should rich countries should pay more for environmental damage?
54. Should retirement be compulsory at 65 years of age?
55. Most high level jobs are done by men. Should the government encourage a certain
percentage of these jobs to be reserved for women?
56. Are famous people treated unfairly by the media ? Should they be given more
privacy, or is the price of their fame an invasion into their private lives?
57. Should developing countries concentrate on Improving industrial skills or should
they promote education first?
58. Safety standards are important when building people's homes. Who should be
responsible for enforcing strict building codes - the government or the people who
build the homes?
 59. Does modern technology make life more convenient, or was life better when
technology was simpler?
60. In your opinion what factors contribute to a good movie?
61. Does modern technology make life more convenient, or was life better when
technology was simpler?
62. Does travel help to promote understanding and communication between
countries?
63. If children behave badly ,should their parents accept responsibility and also be
punished?
64. What should a government do for a country to become successful?
65. Should sports classes be sacrificed in High School so students can concentrate on
Academic subjects?
66. Nowadays doctors can become very rich. Maybe they should not focus on
profitable activities such as plastic surgery or looking after rich patients and
concentrate more on patients health, no matter how rich they are?
67. Will modern technology, such as the internet ever replace the book or the written
word as the main source of information?
68. Discuss the advantage and disadvantage of giving international Aid to poor
countries.
69. Should criminals be punished with lengthy jail terms or re-educated and
rehabituated, using community service programs for instance, before being
reintroduced to society?
70. Computers can translate all kinds of languages well. Do our children need to learn
more languages in the future?

“How to write Essay

1. Select the topic of your essay.

2. Choose the central idea, or thesis, of your essay. For example: Information technology has
revolutionized the way we work.
3. Outline your essay into introductory, body and summary paragraphs.
4. The introductory paragraph begins with an interesting sentence. For example: Home workers
have grown from 150,000 to over 12 million in the past 5 years thanks to the wonders of the
computer.
5. After this first sentence, add your thesis statement from above.
6. Use one sentence to introduce every body paragraph to follow. For example: The Internet has
made this possible by extending the office into the home.
7. Finish the introductory paragraph with a short summary or goal statement. For example:
Technological innovation has thus made the traditional workplace obsolete.
8. In each of the body paragraphs (usually two or three) the ideas first presented in the
introductory paragraph are developed.
9. Develop your body paragraphs by giving detailed information and examples. For example:
When the Internet was first introduced it was used primarily by scientists, now it is common in
every classroom.
10. Body paragraphs should develop the central idea and finish with a summary of that idea.
There should be at least two examples or facts in each body paragraph to support the central
idea.
11. The summary paragraph summarizes your essay and is often a reverse of the introductory
paragrah.
12. Begin the summary paragrah by quickly restating the principal ideas of your body paragraphs.
For example: The Internet in the home, benefits and ease of use of modern computer systems...
13. The penultimate sentence should restate your basic thesis of the essay. For example: We
have now passed from the industrial revolution to the information revolution.
14. Your final statement can be a future prediction based on what you have shown in the essay.
For example: The next step: The complete disappearance of the workplace. “

“dạng cause-effect-solution thì cứ chia 3 đoạn mà viết (dạng này cũgn ko

nhiều lắm). dạng có nhiều câu hỏi nhỏ thì đa số vẫn structure như thế này
được, sau đó lồng câu trả lời vào trong mỗi đoạn thôi.”

“VIÊT CONCLUSION

Viết conclusion tớ được dạy ở acet dựa theo quyển essay writing
của tác giả gabi duigu, giá bìa 18k, bán rộng rãi phổ biến , bìa nó
như sau ạ

hơi khác với những cách viết conclusion đã được dạy hồi trước.
để nêu ra luôn nhé,
- chỉ cần 2 câu kết luận thôi, ko cần phải re-thesís như hồi trước
được học
- bắt đầu bằng in conclusion, finally, therefore, consequently,
clearly, it is clear, on the whole...
- mốt mới là dùng mệnh đề if hoặc cái j đấy gần nghĩa với mệnh đề
if để đưa ra recommendation của mình về vấn đề được hỏi trogn
bài.
vd : Therefore, it is clear that if children'' television viewing is
sensibly supervised, it will allow them to enjoy certain programs
as well as to develop the skills that they need.
- ngoài đưa ra lời khuyên, có thể đưa ra một cái prediction cho vấn
đề được hỏi (cái này theo kinh nghiệm bản thân tớ là khó hơn
nhiều so với khuyên đại một cai j đấy )
vd: The Internet has already become widespread and almost
indispensable, and it can be expected that in the future access will
become cheaper and easier for everyone in the world.

Kinh nghiệm bản thân tớ là , tớ kết luận bằng recommendation, but

tớ ko dùng mệnh đề if, mà tách đôi câu đấy ra, thay if bằng
otherwíse , thế là được 2 câu ngon lành.
vd: therefòre, it is clear that some laws... should be applied in ....
Otherwise, children may surely be harm by unsuitable materials
widely available in the Internet.

nếu muốn cao cấp hơn, có thể dùng mệnh đề if kiểu cao cấp , ví
dụ như providing that... hoặc only when... rồi đảo ngữ về sau (tớ
dùng được kiểu này trong bài thi vừa rồi, sung suớng quá,hehe)

ok, hết ý kiến rồi, mọi người cần j thì cứ hỏi nhé”

“kinh nghiệm sure nhất mà tớ có thể khuyên mọi người là, khi đọc
hoặc scanning bài text, xong đoạn nào, mọi người nghĩ xem theo ý
của mình đoạn đấy có nội dung j, rồi viết sang ngay ngoài lề cái
đoạn đấy ý chính của nó (viết bằng tiếng anh cũng được, sai ngữ
pháp cũng đuợc, bằng tiếng việt cũng đuowc), để mình ko bị lạc
trong cái bài đọc đấy (bình thường reading texts của ielts có rất
nhiều đoạn nhỏ), nắm chắc được phân bố ý của bài đọc, rồi từ đó
câu hỏi hỏi ở phần nào, thì dò lại phần đó mà trả lời.”

“à, còn nữa, tớ thấy rất có ích:

- đọc câu hỏi trước khi nhào vào đọc bài đọc vì rõ ràng là mình
phải biết là mình đang cần thông tin j.
- but tớ ko thể nhớ nổi tất cả các thông tin cần tìm trong khoảng 15
câu hỏi cho một bài đọc, vì thế phải chia nhỏ thông tin ra
thế này nhé, mỗi reading text có khoảng 3 dạng câu hỏi đúgn ko
(nếu cần trick cụ thể cho từng loại câu hỏi thì bảo tớ nhé, tớ được
dạy mà, dù cảm thấy là bản thân ko áp dụng được lắm). phải nhớ
này : CÂU HỎI SẼ ĐI THEO DÀN BÀI CỦA BÀI ĐỌC, tức là câu trả
lời của câu 1 tìm được ở đoạn 2 thì câu trả lời của câu 2 sẽ ko ở
đoạn 1 (à, trừ 5% một số dạng đặc biệt ra nhé).
=> thế cho nên: đọc 2 câu hỏi đầu tiên của mỗi dạng câu hỏi, cố
nhớ xem mình phải tìm loại thông tin j, đọc và tìm, trả lời hết mấy
câu hỏi đó, rồi lại tiếp tục xử lý những câu sau.
nếu ko làm như trên, thì rất dễ xảy ra tình trạng như thế này : làm
từ câu 1-5 T/F/NG phải đọc cả bài để tìm ra, 6-10 là gap filling, lại
phải đọc cả bài để tìm ra (hoặc hớt ha hớt hải scaning, scaning để
tìm ra thông tin) câu 11-13 là trả lời no more than 3 wỏrrds chẳng
hạn, lại phải đọc lại lần nữa
nên quan trọng là nắm được mình đang ở đâu trong bài đọc, cứ
thử làm theo cách trên mà xem”

“LISTENING
listening cũng là phần tớ kém nhất, nên cũng ko rõ lắm là phải như thế nào, tạm kể ra vậy
- phải nắm rõ trình tự của bài nói bằng cách đọc kỹ câu hỏi, gạch chân key wỏrd, bằng mọi cách,
phải nắm được trong băng người ta đang nói đến đâu, lost là thôi xong.
- chú ý từ để liệt kê : first, another... ở part 3,4 và chú ý khi đổi người nói ở part 1,2 _ cái này
nghe có vẻ ngu ngốc, ai cũng phải làm được, but thật sự chú ý vào.
- chú ý ngữ điệu của giọng để đoán judgêment của người nói.
- nên tập : đọc thật nhanh và nhiều lần thì càng tốt câu hỏi để nhớ được nội dung câu hỏi, từ đó
cố gắng đoán câu trả lời.

cuối cùng là đến khi còn 10p transfẻr vào answẻrr sheet, đây là công đoạn quan trọng, cần rất
chú ý kiểm tra những gạch đầu dòng sau:
- có "s" hay ko có "s" : singular/ plural verb form
- có "ed" hay ko
- Câu hỏi lựa chọn, nhiều khi người ta bắt chọn 2 trong số 5 đáp án từ A-E chẳng hạn, chứ ko chỉ
là một
- Đơn vị đo lường có cần hay không, đơn vị tiền tệ phải để trước số.
- Wỏrd form : người ta có thể nói một động từ, but trong câu hỏi mà yêu cầu trả lời bằng danh từ
thì mình phải đổi theo câu hỏi.
- wỏrd count: thường là "no more than 3 wỏrds", but cũng có nhiều trường hợp chỉ là "no more
than 2 wỏrds" hoặc thậm chí 1 từ thôi.
- spelling : đuơng nhiên rồi
- punctuation: chỗ nào tên riêng là phải viết hoa, sở hữu cách phải có dấu phẩy trên...

nếu có câu nào không trả lời được thì cứ đoán đại - dạng câu hỏi multi choice ý, đừng có để
trống nhé.”

“READING: TYPE YES/NO/NOT GIVEN ỎR TRUE/FALSE/ NOT

GIVEN
Đầu tiên là phải chú ý đề nó ra là Y/N/NG hay là T/F/NG nhé, vì ghi
sai loại là toi luôn cả mấy câu ngay, nguy hiểm lắm, nhất là với ai
luyện đề nhiều rồi thì lại càng nguy hiểm, vì nhiều khi cứ vô thức
quen tay ghi xuống T/F/NG chẳng hạn, trong khi đề nó bắt điền
Y/N/NG, hic
Rồi, với mỗi câu statement của dạng câu hỏi này, mọi người chia
nhỏ ra thành nhiều phần, theo gợi ý của các gạch đầu dòng dưới
đây, sau đó xét với câu trong text, theo đúng nguyên tắc toán học:
sai một bộ phận là sai luôn, ko có cãi j nữa
Key wỏrds: location, name, date
- negativity: none, not, no
negative pref: un, in, im
- Expression of proportion: some, most, the majority, few/a few;
little/ a little
- Tense/ time refrences: already/ yet
- numbers
- Modal verbs : might khac voi will
- Adverbs of frequency : always, hardly
- Comperative language: trò phổ biến nhất là trong bài text thì là A
is bigger than B, còn trong câu hỏi có thể đảo là B is smaller than
A, đọc kỹ nhé.”

PROCESS

Básic: - chủ yếu viết ở thời bị động hiện tại

- mục tiêu là cần làm nổi bật quy trình và report một cách hợp lý tất
cả những thông tin có trong hình
- ko panic khi nhìn thấy những hình vẽ quái gở, ko ai hiểu là cái j
cả
- phải thể hiện sự phong phú của 2 language chính sau đây: (dùng
linh hoạt, thay đổi kiểu, show off trình độ )

SEQUENCING LANGUAGE
1. Style 1:
- Firstly, To begin with
- Secondly, Next, Then, Subsequently, After this
- In the next stage/ step, In the following stage, In the subsequent
step
- In the final stage, To conclude
Công thức : Style 1, water is boiled...

2. Style 2:
- The first step/stage is
- The next/ following/ subsequent step is
- The last step is
Công thức: Style 2 + to boil watẻr/ boiling watẻr

3. Style 3:
- Before/ After being boiled,....
- Before/ After it is boiled,...
- Before/ After that, water is boiled...

4. Style 4:
The water is firstly/then/ lastly/ subsequently/ boiled.

LANGUAGE OF LINKING WORDS OF PURPOSE

1. Style 1:
The leaves are fed into a rolling machine to/ so as to/ in order to
realease the juices.

2. Style 2:
The leaves are fed into a rolling machine so that the juices are
released.

3. Style 3:
The leaves are fed into a rolling machine with the purpose of/ for
the purpose of realeasing the juices.

PROCESS - structure and tricks

1. Structure
Para 1: the diagrams/ flow chart/ process shows the process of.../
how to make.../ how sthg is made or produced...
- Chia đoạn tiếp theo thì tuỳ vào đề, nếu lap đơn giản, chỉ có một
vòng như produce của mưa chẳng hạn, thì chỉ cần 1 para của đoạn
thân này thôi.
- Nếu lap có rẽ nhánh, thành 1.5-2 quy trình khác nhau , thì rõ
ràng là phải chia ra làm 2,3 para rồi.

2. Tricks
- Nếu đề ra một process khá phức tạp, có nêu tên sẵn gần như tất
cả các thành phần máy móc cấu tạo nên cái process đấy, thì dành
ra 1 para để tả cái máy đấy trước, rồi các đoạn sau mới bắt đầu
process (có nghĩa là mình có thể viết ít hơn khi bắt tay vào cái
process thật sự)
- Nếu lap có rẽ nhánh dù thành quy trình mới hay không, thì phải
nói nhánh ít thông tin hơn, kết thúc trước trước (kiểu như get it
out of ur way to focus on the main process ý)
- Fải chú ý về thứ tự sản phẩm làm ra.
vd như lap rẽ nhánh để tạo ra 2 sản phẩm, but một trong 2 nhánh
rẽ đấy là để tạo ra ingredient của sản phẩm kia chẳng hạn.
- ăn điểm, nâng cao điểm bằng sự phong phú của động từ (đương
nhiên là cùng với 2 loại language cơ bản kể trên nữa). Động từ gần
đúng cũng được, ko cần phải chính xác 100%, vì nhiều khi cũng ko
ai hiểu rõ về quy trình công nhiệp nào đấy. but rõ ràng là watẻr
chẳng hạn, đi ngược lên trên ống thì nó phải được pump/ push/
force chứ ko chỉ run, come go through/ flow như bình thường
Hello chào các bạn tớ xin đóng góp 1 số kinh nghiệm thi IELTS đơn giản hiệu quả. Tớ thấy mọi
người học vất vả và có những công thức, list từ, chủ đề viết, mẹo làm bài rất công phu. Nhưng tớ
có cảm giác, thời gian nhớ công thức và mẹo đó để dành practice có khi còn hiệu quả hơn. Cũng
ko cần thiết phải đi học thêm vì cuối cùng cũng là mình tự học thì mình mới nhớ được lâu. Tớ
cũng vừa có điểm ielts, overall 7.5, listening 7.5 reading 9 speaking 6 writing 7, thời gian học 1
tuần mỗi ngày khoảng 3 tiếng.

- Đầu tiên phải làm việc với tinh thần của mình, IELTS chỉ là 1 bài thi dài 3 tiếng, và mình đã
chuẩn bị cho nó, ko phải cái gì khủng khiếp, mình sẽ làm ngon lành. Khi bạn tự tin và làm chủ
tình huống, bạn sẽ biết phải viết gì, phải nói gì hay cả khi gặp 1 topic lạ hoắc.
- Giáo trình: 5 quyển cambridge (tớ chỉ học quyển 1 và 3)
- Mỗi ngày làm 1 test, làm vào đúng giờ mà bạn định thi và under test conditions như là thi xịn, ví
dụ đăng ký thi là 2h chiều thì hàng ngày practice test cũng vào đúng 2h chiều khoảng 1 tuần
trước ngày thi để your body physically adapts to the timeframe.

- Listening: no choice ngoài practice, tốt nhất là ko nên nghe thời sự, phim ảnh, tin tức lung tung
ở ngoài mà kiếm luôn những bài test ielts mẫu hoặc năm trước để học luôn kĩ năng trả lời trong
khi đang nghe. Mỗi ngày 1 đề, nếu ko chán thì 2 3 đề cũng được. Chú ý các lỗi nhỏ như số nhiều
hay số ít, chính tả, viết hoa ...

- Reading: cách thủ công của tớ là ko bao giờ làm kiểu scanning skimming. Cứ chân chất đọc
câu hỏi trước 1 lượt, rồi đọc và hiểu bài từ đầu đến cuối, rồi trả lời theo những gì mình đã hiểu
qua bài đó. Có thể với nhiều người scanning và skimming tiết kiệm thời gian nhưng khi đó mình
sẽ ko hiểu kĩ bài đọc và trả lời ko dám chắc là đúng. Thời gian chuẩn là dành 1 phút đọc nhanh
câu hỏi, 8 đến 9 phút đọc nhanh bài đọc (đọc hiểu chứ ko phải scan), rồi dành 10 phút để trả lời
câu hỏi. Theo cách này, tớ đã làm ielts được điểm tối đa và toelf thì chỉ sai 1 câu. Tớ nghĩ là như
vậy sẽ tốt hơn thủ thuật scanning và skimming.

- Writing: mình cứ logic mà táng thôi. Đọc khoảng 1 chục bài mẫu cho task 1, và 1 chục bài mẫu
cho task 2 rồi rút ra kinh nghiệm cho riêng mình. Cái tớ rút ra là:
Task 1, có bao nhiêu đồ thị thì có bấy nhiêu đoạn (cộng thêm mở bài kết luận nữa). Dành khoảng
1 phút để hiểu thật kĩ hình vẽ nói gì đặc biệt phải nhìn ra TREND của nó, dành nửa phút để sắp
xếp những gì bạn hiểu từ đồ thị/hình vẽ sau đó đặt bút viết. Nội dung viết là thấy cái trend gì thì
trút hết vào bài viết, thỉnh thoảng nhét điểm đáy, điểm đỉnh và điểm ở giữa của cái trend đó cho
nó thuyết phục.
Task 2, như viết văn việt nam, và như đời sống. Chỉ cần nắm 1 quy tắc là nói cái gì cũng phải 1 là
nói nó ra một cách rõ ràng, 2 là kiếm nhiều hơn 1 cái ví dụ (bịa cũng được) để minh hoạ cho nó,
3 là kết luận khép góc phải tóm tắt và nâng cái chuyện "nói" lên 1 tầm cao mới thành "khẳng
định". Các liên từ giữa các đoạn văn phải rõ ràng ý 1 là, ý 2 là, kết thúc là .... để bài văn mạch
lạc.
Làm chủ thời gian, ví dụ bài văn có 3 đoạn thì hợp lý là: 2 phút mở bài, 2 phút kết luận, 3 đoạn
mỗi đoạn 5 phút, vừa viết vừa sửa lỗi chính tả/ngữ pháp ngay tại chỗ.
Sau khi tớ rút ra xong kinh nghiệm thì cũng lười, ko viết thử bài nào trước khi đi thi, nhưng lúc
viết bài thì mình đã biết cách rồi nên ko lạ lẫm gì.

- Speaking: Điều đầu tiên là bình tĩnh. Điều thứ 2 là "answer the question", sau đó thêm 1 2 câu
chế tác gọi là "phát biểu cảm nghĩ" để thể hiện là mình có khả năng diễn đạt nhận định của mình
cho vấn đề người ta hỏi chứ ko chỉ máy móc trả lời, ko nói lung tung ra ngoài. Điều 3 là nên nói
chậm ngay từ đầu, để bạn có thời gian sắp xếp ngữ pháp và expression cho hoàn chỉnh chứ
đừng nói nhanh dù bạn có khả năng nói nhanh. Speaking này tớ cũng đọc format bài thi rồi
chẳng có ai practice cùng chỉ lỗi sai cho nên bỏ đó, nên khi thi sai lầm của tớ là tớ nói nhanh và
nói bằng tiếng anh đời sống nên ngữ pháp sai be bét và mất điểm. Hi vọng đừng ai dẫm vào con
đường lầm lỗi này

Có vài điều đơn giản muốn chia sẽ với các bạn vậy thôi, mong mọi người bớt vất vả khi phải học
những cái "word lists" dài dằng dặc hay học chiến thuật viết bài 2+3+5+2 hay luyện viết đến 100
cái topic chỉ cho part 2 thì tội nghiệp quá. Quan trọng chỉ là tự tin, bình tĩnh và logic, cười vào mặt
cái bài thi IELTS mình "làm" bài thi chứ không phải để nó "hành hạ" mình. Cách của tớ thích hợp
để đạt 6 đến 7 điểm một cách ko khó khăn, nếu bạn muốn điểm cao hơn thì mới nên "chiến
thuật" và đi học các lớp luyện thi vì nó bài bản hơn. Chúc mọi người may mắn và đạt đủ số điểm
mình cần nhé. Bạn có thể làm được bằng chính sự cố gắng tự học của mình.

“4. Speaking: xác định rõ là mỗi câu hỏi của người ta anh phải trả lời
bằng 3 câu chẳng hạn. câu đầu tiên trả lời thẳng vào câu hỏi, 2 câu sau
là giải thích tại sao anh lại đưa ra câu trả lời như thế. , hihi, em cũng
chả biết nói thế nào, but tốt nhất là cách đấy. giải thích tại sao lại có câu
trả lời là mình thích hay ko thích cái j....
Speaking để được 6 thì cần phải có độ lưu loát: nói tốc độ vừa phải,
phát âm rõ ràng đủ để người ta hiểu từ đấy là từ j, ko bị ngắt quãng,
ah,uh quá nhiều, thái độ tự tin”

“Đợt trước tớ thi, mọi thứ đều ổn chỉ có cái khoản speaking thì đúng là đau lòng !!! Mặc dù
speaking là kĩ năng tốt nhất của tớ, nhưng kết quả là đc thấp nhất (6điểm), và nguyên nhân tớ có
thể rút ra như sau:

- Nói liến thoắng, chả biết ngừng nghỉ để (tỏ vẻ) suy nghĩ j cả
- Bị hỏi về cuộc sống gia đình ---> thiếu kinh nghiệm nên trả lời nhiều câu hơi ngu ngu <---cái này
khách quan, chịu k sửa đc.
- Rất quan trọng này: rõ ràng có nhiều câu ng ta hỏi bẫy mình, nhưng thay vì việc phải phân tích /
hỏi rõ / hỏi lại câu hỏi của người ta, tớ lại trả lời thẳng tưng vào câu đó và sau đó nghĩ lại thấy

mình ngu quá đi mất . Trong trường hợp này, bạn cần vận dụng mấy kĩ năng như: phân
tích câu hỏi (do you mean that .......), câu h (such a difficult question! How say!......blah blah.....).
Như vậy chắc sẽ k bị trừ điểm đâu!!!”
“Fần reading trước khi thi mình cũng được nhiều người khuyên là nên đọc theo keyword nhưng
theo mình thì ietls khó xài cách này lắm. TOEFL thì ok, nhưng ielts thì full of big traps... Nhất là
fần true false not given. Nhiều khi keywords xuất hiện ở 2, 3 chỗ mỗi chỗ 1 ý khác nhau làm mình
rất dễ lẫn. Hoặc đôi khi họ hỏi kiểu này:
According to Dr. Morgan, the therapy should be carefully tested before used.
Nếu đọc theo keyword nhiều khi mình k nghĩ 1 câu fải có nhiều keyword chứ k chỉ 1 nên rất dễ
chọn (VD) true trong khi câu này fần sau thì đúng nhưng fần người nói lại k chuẩn.
Hoặc fần đọc kiểu matching headings với paragraph nhiều khi keyword xuất hiện khắp nơi và
headings thì khá tương tự nhau dẫn đến nếu k hiểu cả đoạn sẽ match nhầm.
Cho nên mình đọc theo nhiều bạn trong này, ngó qua câu hỏi trước, đọc toàn bài và trả lời dần
dần. Khi đọc vẫn khoanh những keyword quan trọng nhưng k quá fụ thuộc vào nó, chỉ là để dễ
tìm lại thôi (VD tên những nhà khoa học hay những người đưa ra fát biểu trong bài, thời gian...).
Làm đến đâu chắc đến đấy, k để cái gì cũng mang máng qua qua.
Fần nghe thì mình k chia sẻ đc gì vì mình nghe theo bản năng... hix hix... Fần này bao h cũng là
fần mình score khá nhất. Nhưng 9.0 thì lúc nhận điểm mình vẫn bất ngờ.
Vậy nhé. Cám ơn các bạn đã chia vui với mình. Mình sẽ rất vui đc chia sẻ tài liệu (thực ra cũng
toàn sách ngoài thị trường ) và tips cho các bạn.”

Overall Band Score

Candidates receive a Test Report Form setting out their Overall Band Score and their
scores on each of the four sub-tests: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Each of
the sub-test scores is equally weighted. The Overall Band Score is calculated by taking
the mean of the total of the four individual sub-test scores.

Overall Band Scores are reported to the nearest whole or half band. For the avoidance of
doubt, the following rounding convention applies; if the average across the four skills
ends in .25, it is rounded up to the next half band, and if it ends in .75, it is rounded up to
the next whole band.

Thus, a candidate achieving 6.5 for Listening, 6.5 for Reading, 5.0 for Writing and 7.0 for
Speaking would be awarded an Overall Band Score of 6.5 (25 ÷ 4 = 6.25 = Band 6.5).

Likewise, a candidate achieving 4.0 for Listening, 3.5 for Reading, 4.0 for Writing and
4.0 for Speaking would be awarded an Overall Band Score of 4.0 (15.5 ÷ 4 = 3.875 =
Band 4.0).

On the other hand, a candidate achieving 6.5 for Listening, 6.5 for Reading, 5.5 for
Writing and 6.0 for Speaking would be awarded band 6 (24.5 ÷ 4 = 6.125 = Band 6).

For more information on how IELTS test material is produced, click here .

Listening and reading

IELTS Listening and Reading papers contain 40 items and each correct item is awarded
one mark; the maximum raw score a candidate can achieve on a paper is 40. Band scores
ranging from Band 1 to Band 9 are awarded to candidates on the basis of their raw scores.

Although all IELTS test materials are pretested and trialled before being released as live
tests, there are inevitably minor differences in the difficulty level across tests. In order to
equate different test versions, the band score boundaries are set so that all candidates’
results relate to the same scale of achievement. This means, for example, that the Band 6
boundary may be set at a slightly different raw score across versions.

The tables below indicate the mean raw scores achieved by candidates at various levels in
each of the Listening, Academic Reading and General Training Reading tests during 2006
and they provide an indication of the number of marks required to achieve a particular
band score.

Listening
Band Score Raw score out of 40
5 16
6 23
7 30
8 35

Academic Reading
Band Score Raw score out of 40
5 15
6 23
7 30
8 35

“3. Bài này bạn chưa trả lời hết câu hỏi. Trong topic, người ta yêu cầu bạn phải nêu 2 vấn
đề: 1 là pros and cons và 2 là What things will they be used for in future? Bạn mới nói
được 1 ý. Nên nhớ, muốn đạt điểm cao thì quan trọng nhất là phải bao quát được topic và
trả lời hết câu hỏi trong đề bài.”