Giải đề"Describe a time when you changed your opinion about a controversial issue " IELTS SPEAKING

Bên cạnh Hướng dẫn đề thi IELTS 21/11/2020 bài WRITING TASK 1 (map) về school library (kèm bài sửa cho HS đi thi), IELTS TUTOR Phân tích đề Describe a time when you changed your opinion about a controversial issue

• Describe a time when you changed your opinion about a controversial issue

• You should say:

• What the issue was

• What your initial opinion was

• What made you change your mind

• And explain how you felt after changing your opinion

Today, I would like to tell you about a time when I changed my opinion on a particularly contentious issue (tranh cãi, gây tranh cãi – a topic that causes intense debate or disagreement)—whether it is better to live in a detached house (nhà riêng biệt – a single-family home that is not connected to any other building) or an apartment complex (khu chung cư – a building containing multiple residential units). Initially, I was quite convinced that living in an apartment was far more practical (thiết thực – suitable or sensible for everyday use) and cost-effective (hiệu quả về chi phí – providing good value for the money spent), given the convenience of modern facilities and urban proximity (gần trung tâm thành phố – being close to city centers). However, a series of tragic events deeply shook my perspective.

Over the past few months, a string of catastrophic incidents (sự cố thảm khốc – events causing great damage or suffering), including devastating fires in mini-apartments (căn hộ mini – small-scale apartment units) in Hanoi and powerful earthquakes in Myanmar and Turkey, made me seriously rethink my stance. I remember watching the news reports showing the rubble-strewn streets (đường phố ngổn ngang đổ nát – streets filled with debris after destruction) and hearing heart-wrenching stories of families trapped with limited chances of escape. The structural vulnerabilities (sự yếu kém về cấu trúc – weaknesses in building design and safety measures) of high-rise apartments became glaringly obvious to me. This marked a significant turning point where I began to see the value of low-density housing (nhà ở mật độ thấp – residential areas with fewer buildings and people per space), where the risk of mass casualties is considerably minimized.>> Form đăng kí giải đề thi thật IELTS 4 kĩ năng kèm bài giải bộ đề 100 đề PART 2 IELTS SPEAKING quý đang thi (update hàng tuần) từ IELTS TUTOR

This shift in perspective was not immediate; it was a gradual realization (nhận thức dần dần – a slow and progressive understanding) fueled by continuous reports and personal reflections. I came to appreciate the spatial freedom (sự thoải mái về không gian – having more personal space and less crowding) and safety assurances (đảm bảo an toàn – guarantees for personal and family security) that a standalone house can provide. The ability to have multiple escape routes, proper ventilation, and a dedicated yard added a sense of reassurance (sự yên tâm – the feeling of being protected or safe) that I had previously overlooked.

After changing my opinion, I felt a profound sense of clarity (sự rõ ràng – the state of being clear and certain about something). I realized that I had been too focused on convenience and affordability without fully considering the life-threatening risks (rủi ro đe dọa tính mạng – dangers that could result in loss of life) tied to apartment living. Now, I strongly advocate for well-structured housing developments (phát triển nhà ở có cấu trúc tốt – residential projects designed with safety and sustainability in mind) that prioritize both resilience (khả năng chịu đựng – the ability to withstand difficult conditions) and safety.

📌 Vocabulary List:

1. Contentious issue – Tranh cãi, gây tranh cãi (controversial topic causing intense debate).

   • Synonyms: controversial matter, disputed topic, hot-button issue

   • Antonyms: uncontroversial topic, settled issue, agreeable matter

2. Detached house – Nhà riêng biệt (a single-family home not connected to other buildings).

   • Synonyms: single-family house, standalone home, private residence

   • Antonyms: apartment, condominium, shared housing

3. Apartment complex – Khu chung cư (a building with multiple residential units).

   • Synonyms: housing block, condominium, flat building

   • Antonyms: single-family house, detached home, private residence

4. Practical – Thiết thực (suitable for everyday use).

   • Synonyms: functional, sensible, realistic

   • Antonyms: impractical, unrealistic, theoretical

5. Cost-effective – Hiệu quả về chi phí (providing good value for the money spent).

   • Synonyms: economical, budget-friendly, affordable

   • Antonyms: expensive, wasteful, costly

6. Urban proximity – Gần trung tâm thành phố (being close to city centers).

   • Synonyms: central location, urban accessibility, metropolitan closeness

   • Antonyms: rural distance, remote location, countryside isolation

7. Catastrophic incidents – Sự cố thảm khốc (events causing great damage or suffering).

   • Synonyms: disasters, calamities, tragedies

   • Antonyms: minor issues, trivial problems, small mishaps>> tham khảo CẦN VIẾT & THU ÂM BAO NHIÊU BÀI ĐỂ ĐẠT 8.0 SPEAKING & 7.0 WRITING?

8. Rubble-strewn streets – Đường phố ngổn ngang đổ nát (streets filled with debris after destruction).

   • Synonyms: debris-covered roads, shattered pathways, broken streets

   • Antonyms: clean roads, well-maintained streets, tidy pathways

9. Structural vulnerabilities – Sự yếu kém về cấu trúc (weaknesses in building design and safety measures).

   • Synonyms: design flaws, architectural weaknesses, safety gaps

   • Antonyms: structural strength, building integrity, architectural resilience

📌 Difficult Grammar Structures:

1. Conditional sentence (If...then...):

   • IELTS TUTOR xét ví dụ: If I had not witnessed those incidents, I might have continued believing that apartments were the safest option.
     (Nếu tôi không chứng kiến những sự cố đó, tôi có thể vẫn tin rằng căn hộ là lựa chọn an toàn nhất.)

2. Inversion for emphasis:

   • IELTS TUTOR xét ví dụ: Not only did the incidents change my opinion, but they also reshaped my understanding of urban living.
     (Không chỉ những sự cố đó thay đổi quan điểm của tôi mà còn định hình lại sự hiểu biết của tôi về cuộc sống đô thị.)

3. Relative clauses for clarity:

   • IELTS TUTOR xét ví dụ: The houses that are well-constructed tend to withstand natural disasters better.
     (Những ngôi nhà được xây dựng kiên cố có xu hướng chịu đựng tốt hơn trong thảm họa thiên nhiên.)

1. When do children begin to have their own ideas and opinions?

Children usually begin to form their own ideas and opinions when they enter primary school and start interacting with people beyond their immediate family. At this stage, they become more independent-minded (able to form opinions independently – có tư duy độc lập) because they encounter different viewpoints from classmates and teachers. Their expanding vocabulary and growing ability to reason also allow them to express what they like, dislike, or believe in. For example, a six-year-old may insist on choosing their own clothes because they have already developed clear personal preferences. Another important stage is adolescence, when children become increasingly self-aware (conscious of their own thoughts, feelings and identity – nhận thức rõ về bản thân). Teenagers tend to question assumptions they previously accepted without much thought and become more willing to challenge parental expectations. For instance, a teenager might reject their parents' preferred career path after discovering a different profession that better matches their interests. Therefore, children's opinions generally emerge gradually, but they become considerably more sophisticated as their cognitive and social horizons expand.>> 🔥 Nhắn zalo 0905834420 join group zalo Hóng đề thi máy 4 skills để cập nhật đề thi thật 4 kĩ năng hằng ngày [Kèm giải & đề làm online]

New vocabulary

• independent-minded — able to form opinions independently — có tư duy độc lập
  IELTS TUTOR xét ví dụ: “They become more independent-minded because they encounter different viewpoints...”
• self-aware — conscious of one's own thoughts, feelings and identity — nhận thức rõ về bản thân
  IELTS TUTOR xét ví dụ: “Teenagers become increasingly self-aware.”
• cognitive horizons — the range of someone's intellectual understanding — phạm vi nhận thức/tư duy
• personal preferences — individual likes and dislikes — sở thích cá nhân
• challenge parental expectations — question or resist what parents expect — thách thức những kỳ vọng của cha mẹ

Synonyms:

• independent-minded: autonomous, self-reliant, free-thinking
  Antonyms: dependent, submissive, conformist
• self-aware: self-conscious, introspective, reflective
  Antonyms: unaware, thoughtless, oblivious

2. Who do children listen to more, their parents or their teachers?

I would say young children generally listen to their parents more because parents are their primary caregivers and authority figures. Parents tend to have a stronger emotional bond (a close relationship based on affection and trust – mối liên kết tình cảm) with their children, so their advice often carries considerable weight. Moreover, children usually depend on their parents for guidance on everyday matters such as behaviour, safety, and personal responsibility. For example, a child is more likely to obey their parents when they are told not to play near a busy road. However, teachers can become equally influential when the issue concerns academic performance or specialised knowledge. Teachers possess professional authority (expertise and credibility resulting from professional knowledge – uy tín/chuyên môn nghề nghiệp), which can make their recommendations particularly persuasive in an educational setting. For instance, a student struggling with mathematics may follow a teacher's study strategy more readily than a parent's advice. Overall, children tend to listen to parents on personal matters but may give teachers greater weight when it comes to education and intellectual development.

New vocabulary

• emotional bond — a close relationship based on affection and trust — mối liên kết tình cảm
• professional authority — expertise and credibility based on professional knowledge — uy tín/chuyên môn nghề nghiệp
• carry considerable weight — have significant influence — có ảnh hưởng đáng kể
• primary caregiver — the person mainly responsible for caring for a child — người chăm sóc chính
• specialised knowledge — knowledge relating to a particular subject or field — kiến thức chuyên môn

Synonyms:

• emotional bond: affection, attachment, connection
  Antonyms: detachment, alienation, estrangement
• professional authority: expertise, credibility, competence
  Antonyms: inexperience, incompetence, ignorance

3. Who are smart children likely to be influenced by?

Intelligent children are often influenced by people whom they perceive as knowledgeable, competent, or intellectually stimulating. Rather than blindly following authority, they tend to gravitate towards individuals who can stimulate intellectual curiosity (encourage a desire to learn and discover – kích thích sự tò mò trí tuệ). This could include teachers, researchers, older students, or even public figures who demonstrate exceptional expertise in a particular field. For example, a gifted child who loves science might become fascinated by a renowned physicist and begin reading about their discoveries. At the same time, smart children can be strongly influenced by their peers, especially those who share similar ambitions and interests. Being surrounded by a high-achieving peer group (a group of people who consistently perform at a high level – nhóm bạn đồng trang lứa có thành tích cao) can encourage children to set more ambitious goals. For instance, a student may work harder after seeing classmates preparing enthusiastically for academic competitions. In my view, intelligent children are particularly receptive to people who broaden their horizons rather than simply telling them what to think.

New vocabulary

• stimulate intellectual curiosity — encourage a desire to learn and discover — kích thích sự tò mò trí tuệ
• high-achieving peer group — peers who consistently perform at a high level — nhóm bạn đồng trang lứa có thành tích cao
• broaden one's horizons — expand one's knowledge or perspective — mở rộng hiểu biết/tầm nhìn
• receptive to — willing and able to accept new ideas — cởi mở/tiếp thu
• set ambitious goals — establish challenging objectives — đặt mục tiêu đầy tham vọng

Synonyms:

• stimulate intellectual curiosity: inspire inquiry, encourage exploration, spark interest
  Antonyms: discourage curiosity, suppress inquiry, stifle interest
• high-achieving: successful, accomplished, outstanding
  Antonyms: underperforming, unsuccessful, mediocre

4. Do you think children will always have ideas and opinions similar to those of their parents?

No, I do not think children will necessarily share the same opinions as their parents throughout their lives. Although parental influence (the effect parents have on their children's attitudes and behaviour – ảnh hưởng của cha mẹ) is particularly powerful during childhood, its impact can gradually diminish as children gain independence. Exposure to different cultures, social groups, educational environments, and online communities can introduce them to perspectives that conflict with those of their parents. For example, a teenager may develop different views about career choices after meeting people from completely different professional backgrounds. Another factor is that young people naturally go through a process of identity formation (the development of a clear sense of who one is – quá trình hình thành bản sắc cá nhân) during adolescence. As they mature, they often question inherited beliefs and decide which values genuinely reflect their own experiences. For instance, someone raised in a family that values traditional careers may eventually pursue an unconventional profession such as content creation or entrepreneurship. Therefore, while children often inherit their parents' core values, their individual opinions can diverge considerably over time.

New vocabulary

• parental influence — the effect parents have on children's attitudes and behaviour — ảnh hưởng của cha mẹ
• identity formation — development of a clear sense of one's identity — quá trình hình thành bản sắc cá nhân
• diverge considerably — become significantly different — khác biệt đáng kể
• inherited beliefs — beliefs passed down from one's family — niềm tin được truyền lại từ gia đình
• unconventional profession — a career outside traditional choices — nghề nghiệp không theo lối truyền thống

Synonyms:

• parental influence: parental impact, parental guidance, family influence
  Antonyms: parental detachment, independence, self-determination
• diverge: differ, depart, deviate
  Antonyms: converge, coincide, agree

5. Are children's opinions influenced by their parents?

Yes, parents have a profound influence on the opinions children develop, particularly during their formative years. Since children spend so much time with their families, they naturally absorb their parents' value system (a set of principles that determines what someone considers important or right – hệ thống giá trị). Parents can shape children's attitudes towards education, money, relationships, work, and even social responsibility through everyday conversations and behaviour. For example, children whose parents regularly discuss environmental issues may become more environmentally conscious themselves. However, parental influence is not the only factor determining children's opinions as they grow older. Peer pressure (the influence exerted by people of a similar age – áp lực/ảnh hưởng từ bạn bè đồng trang lứa), education, social media, and personal experiences can all reshape their perspectives. For instance, a teenager may reconsider an opinion after discussing the issue with classmates who have completely different backgrounds. Thus, parents lay the foundation for children's worldview, but that foundation can be modified substantially by subsequent experiences.

New vocabulary

• value system — a set of principles about what is important or right — hệ thống giá trị
• formative years — the early period when a person's character develops — những năm tháng hình thành nhân cách
• peer pressure — influence from people of a similar age — áp lực/ảnh hưởng từ bạn bè đồng trang lứa
• environmentally conscious — aware of environmental impacts — có ý thức về môi trường
• lay the foundation for — establish the basic conditions for something — đặt nền móng cho

Synonyms:

• value system: belief system, principles, moral framework
  Antonyms: moral confusion, lack of principles, value-free outlook
• peer pressure: social influence, peer influence, group pressure
  Antonyms: independence, autonomy, self-determination

6. What do young people have strong opinions about?

Young people tend to have particularly strong opinions about issues that directly affect their identity, freedom, and future prospects. One major area is social justice (fair treatment and equal opportunities for different groups – công bằng xã hội), including issues such as gender equality, discrimination, and environmental protection. Because they are constantly exposed to information online, many young people are highly aware of social problems occurring both locally and globally. For example, university students may actively express their views on climate change or inequality through social media campaigns. Another area where they often have strong opinions is lifestyle and personal freedom. Young people generally value individual autonomy (the ability to make one's own choices independently – quyền tự chủ cá nhân) and may resist traditional expectations concerning careers, relationships, or appearance. For instance, a young adult may strongly disagree with their parents' belief that everyone should follow a conventional career path. Overall, young people's opinions are often strongest when an issue is closely connected to their personal identity or their vision of the future.>> 🔥 IELTS TUTOR gợi ý tham khảo CẦN VIẾT & THU ÂM BAO NHIÊU BÀI ĐỂ ĐẠT 8.0 SPEAKING & 7.0 WRITING?

New vocabulary

• social justice — fair treatment and equal opportunities — công bằng xã hội
• individual autonomy — ability to make independent choices — quyền tự chủ cá nhân
• future prospects — possibilities and opportunities for the future — triển vọng tương lai
• traditional expectations — conventional beliefs about how people should behave — kỳ vọng truyền thống
• social problems — issues affecting society as a whole — các vấn đề xã hội

Synonyms:

• social justice: equality, fairness, equity
  Antonyms: injustice, inequality, discrimination
• individual autonomy: independence, self-determination, freedom
  Antonyms: dependence, submission, constraint

7. How can teachers help children develop their ideas and opinions?

Teachers can help children develop independent opinions by creating an environment where students feel comfortable expressing different viewpoints. One effective approach is to use open-ended questioning (questions that allow several possible answers rather than one fixed answer – câu hỏi mở), which encourages students to explain and justify their reasoning. Instead of simply memorising facts, children can be asked to debate controversial issues or analyse hypothetical situations. For example, a teacher might ask students whether schools should ban smartphones and require them to defend their positions with evidence. Teachers should also expose students to diverse perspectives (different ways of understanding or interpreting an issue – những góc nhìn đa dạng) so that they do not become trapped in a single way of thinking. Reading contrasting articles or discussing opposing viewpoints can teach children to evaluate evidence before reaching a conclusion. For instance, students could compare two articles presenting completely different arguments about climate change. In this way, teachers can cultivate critical thinking while helping children become articulate, open-minded, and intellectually independent.

New vocabulary

• open-ended questioning — questioning with multiple possible answers — câu hỏi mở
• diverse perspectives — different viewpoints or interpretations — những góc nhìn đa dạng
• critical thinking — the ability to evaluate information logically — tư duy phản biện
• defend one's position — give reasons supporting one's opinion — bảo vệ quan điểm
• reach a conclusion — arrive at a final judgement — đi đến kết luận
• cultivate — deliberately develop a quality or ability — vun đắp/phát triển

Synonyms:

• critical thinking: analytical thinking, logical reasoning, rational judgement
  Antonyms: blind acceptance, irrational thinking, credulity
• diverse: varied, wide-ranging, multifaceted
  Antonyms: uniform, homogeneous, limited

8. When do people change opinions?

People tend to change their opinions when they encounter convincing evidence or have experiences that challenge their existing beliefs. One common trigger is being presented with compelling evidence (information that is highly convincing and difficult to reject – bằng chứng có sức thuyết phục mạnh). Even someone who is strongly attached to a particular viewpoint may reconsider it if credible research contradicts what they previously believed. For example, a person who thinks that online education is ineffective might change their mind after seeing clear evidence of its benefits. Personal experiences can also be a powerful catalyst for change (an event or experience that causes a significant change – chất xúc tác cho sự thay đổi). Directly experiencing a situation can make an abstract issue feel much more relevant and convincing. For instance, someone who once dismissed environmental problems may become environmentally conscious after experiencing severe flooding in their own community. Ultimately, people are most likely to revise their opinions when evidence and lived experience give them a compelling reason to reconsider their assumptions.

New vocabulary

• compelling evidence — evidence that is extremely convincing — bằng chứng có sức thuyết phục mạnh
• catalyst for change — something that causes or accelerates change — chất xúc tác cho sự thay đổi
• challenge existing beliefs — make someone question what they already believe — thách thức niềm tin hiện có
• revise one's opinion — change one's view after reconsideration — điều chỉnh/thay đổi quan điểm
• lived experience — knowledge gained through personal experience — trải nghiệm thực tế cá nhân
• dismiss — treat something as unimportant or unworthy of consideration — bác bỏ/coi nhẹ

Synonyms:

• compelling: convincing, persuasive, powerful
  Antonyms: unconvincing, weak, questionable
• catalyst: trigger, stimulus, driving force
  Antonyms: obstacle, deterrent, hindrance

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