IELTS FIGHTER

A CLASS SPEAKING PART 2 Unit 5: THING

1.Describe a thing that you purchased recently. You should say:

• What it was
• What it looks like
• How you bought it
• And explain how you felt about it.

Sample answer

[1] I'm going to describe my mobile phone which I bought on a special occasion. It is a useful brand-new
black Iphone that is made of metal and tempered glass. (WHAT, describe briefly)

[2-3] Several years ago, when I passed the university entrance exam with flying colors (thi điểm cao),
my parents smiled from ear to ear (vui sướng hạnh phúc) and they decided to reward me with
something. Since I am a big fan of Apple, I asked them whether I could have my own cell phone.
They said yes and took me to a mobile shop on Thai Ha street – a go-to place for tech geeks (người mê
công nghệ) . I was over the moon (vui sướng, hào hứng) because that was a bargain (giá hời) . I mean
you can never buy a new one for just 13 millions at that time. When it comes to other stores, it’s not
the case (compare) You might pay through the nose (trả hố) for low-quality goods if you do not have
the technical know-how (kiến thức kỹ thuật)
(WHERE-WHEN: tell a story (exam/ birthday/busy-unwind...
technique: busy, price, compare…)

[4] I use the phone to keep in touch with friends and family, for communication by voice, text and
email. It has various features (nhiều chức năng) like video, MP3 player, wireless Internet, digital camera
and games. It's easy to share photos and music. Although my phone has the latest state-of-the-art
technology, it is very user-friendly and convenient for daily use. My phone is an essential part of my
life. It holds my contacts, my photos, and my music collection. I've got instant access to my favorite
websites. It's like having my whole life in my pocket. I couldn't live without it. (WHY:functions,
benefits/ evaluation/ feelings)
THING DESCRIPTION OUTLINE
2. Question: Describe a film you watched
 You should say:
• What the film is called
• What it is about
• How you heard about this film
• Why you like/ dislike it

Fill in the blanks with words below

● Box office: phòng vé ● critically acclaimed: nhận được lời
● came across; vô tình thấy khen
● Horror: kinh dị ● play main character: đóng vai
● Sci-fi: khoa học viễn tưởng chính/ supporting roles: vai phụ
● Rom-com: hài tình cảm ● awards
● Superhero movies ● plot line : cốt truyện/ kịch bản
● Comedy: hài ● twists: cao trào
You know, since I’m a big fan of (1) ________ movies, I’m going to tell you about a film called
Insidious which is really a (2) _____________ hit and released this month. (WHAT)
Fortunately, I (3)__________ a teaser with many scary scenes featured on YouTube. Also, there
were various articles in newspapers discussing the actors who were cast to play main character/
supporting roles in the film. Besides, it is a (4)_________________movie and the director has
won many (5) ________. I was so excited to give it a try and decided to go to the cinema to
have real experience. (WHEN - WHERE)
It was similar to most horror movies, with a (6) _________ involving lots of (7) ______based on
a scary story which frightens you to death/ wet your pants. A married couple and their children
have recently moved into a new home. One night, Dalton, their only son, is drawn to the attic
and frightened by something in the shadows. The next day, he falls into an inexplicable coma.
Soon after, paranormal events begin to occur. The mother has to seek help from a   psychic and
paranormal investigators. It’s a twist marking the beginning of the fight against the devil (mô
tả nội dung trong phim, sách => Tense: present) (CONTENT/ key info)
To be honest, I have to say that I really like watching this movie although it’s scary. It creates
the sensation (cảm giác) that you are “in” the movie, which gives the movie-goers an
engrossing experience. (WHY)
 3. Describe something special you brought back home from a holiday. You should say:
● What it was;
● When and where you bought it;
● Why you bought it;
● And explain how you felt about it.

Useful language:
• Souvenirs: pictures, jewelries, clothes, food …/Depicts a beautiful natural scenery
 • Reflect local traditions/Remind me of …

4. Describe a product or application which is based on artificial intelligence. You should say:
• What it is
• What it is used for
• How it is used
• And what do you think of it

Useful language:
• Google Assistant, Siri // Functions: Recognize your voice and tailor your responses
accordingly such as find information online, schedule events and alarms, make
appointments, real-time spoken translation …

5. Describe a good law in your country.

You should say:
• What is the law
• How you came to know about this law
• Whom does it affect
• Why is it good

Useful language
• Set of laws and orders / Public safety
• Legalize/Law-abiding
• Commit a crime/ Custodial sentence/Imprisonment
Sample answer
● Smoking is undoubtedly a bad habit with numerous detrimental impacts on smokers
and on society as a whole. Not a single benefit of smoking could be found until today
and so the government of Australia has become rigid on the issue of smoking here and
there. I welcome a law that bans smoking in public places and which ensures that
cigarettes are sold in plain packets.
● Besides, the government has also initiated plain packaging for tobacco products. It
points out that all the tobacco products should be sold in a generic packet. There should
be no advertisements for tobacco products on the packets. And all the brands will have
the same colour in their pack. Any sort of imagery or branding is banned after the recent
law that came into force in 2012. However, the brand name of the cigarette brand
 should be placed in a preset font and on a specific part of the packet. The health
warning should be mentioned clearly. The plain packaging system is also introduced in
some other states but Australia is the leading one in the case.
● When the stringent anti-smoking law came into force, it was publicised on mainstream
media. I came to know about the issue from the mass media reports and other
publications. Moreover, there were some silent moves by the tobacco companies and
they tried to stop the process of plain packaging. But they were a failure. Despite the
barriers from the tobacco companies, the government implemented the law and made
it a must for them to sell cigarettes in plain packets. Disobeying the law is subject to
severe punishment in terms of monetary fine and sentence for imprisonment.
● People across the country and islands are highly satisfied with the anti-smoking law
provisions. In fact, it was troublesome to tolerate cigarette smoke in public transports
and places like bus stoppages, medical centres, theatres, schools, colleges, shopping
malls and other public places. This was a big problem for the non-smokers to comply
with the cigarette smoke. As a result, the number of health disorders was on the rise.
But with the initiation of the new anti-tobacco law, non-smokers are relieved to a great
extent. The rate of smoking in public places has reduced to a great extent. Besides,
there is a decline in cigarette sales as well. So, it appears that people have accepted the
law gladly and abided by it as much as they can.
● This is really a good law for the state. Smoking is detrimental both for the smokers and
the non-smokers. Besides, smoking cigarettes is also harmful to the environment. The
attempt from the government to stop the use of tobacco is really appreciated. It is
anticipated that someday the use of tobacco will come down to a great extent and that
is the expectation from everyone.

TỪ VỰNG CHO CHỦ ĐỀ LAW

Set of laws and orders: Bộ luật;
Public safety: An toàn công cộng;
Sport betting: Cá cược thể thao;
Oversight, supervision: Sự quản lý;
A bill: điều/bộ luật dự thảo
Betterment: Sự cải thiện.
Public safety and a wealthy society: sự an
toàn của cộng đồng và 1 xã hội thịnh vượng
Civilian (n) /sɪˈvɪl.jən/ – a person who is not
a member of the police or the armed forces
(người dân)

Legalize (v): Hợp pháp hóa Discourage (v) /dɪˈskʌr.ɪdʒ/ = prevent: ngăn
chặn
Illegal (a): bất hợp pháp;
An avid news reader: 1 người mê đọc tin
Enact (v): Ban hành;
tức
Licensed: Có giấy phép;
Police force – lực lượng cảnh sát
Regulations: Điều lệ;
A chaotic society – 1 xã hội hỗn loạn
Gamblers: Con bạc;
Law-abiding: someone who obeys the law:
Bookmakers: Nhà cái; người tuân thủ luật pháp

Transparency: Sự rõ ràng; Abide by = obey = follow = comply with =

oblige to: tuân thủ
Revenue: Doanh thu;
Break the rule = breach (v) (a contract): phá
luật/hợp đồng
Victim: nạn nhân
Defendant: người bị kiện
Offender: người vi phạm pháp luật
Witness: nhân chứng
Commit a crime (v): phạm tội
Criminal (n): tội phạm
Be charged with = be accused of: bị buộc tội
gì đó
Arrest (v): bắt giữ
Rehabilitate (v): cải tạo
Release (v): thả, không giam giữ
Fine (v,n): hình phạt tiền
Custodial sentence: hình phạt giam giữ
Imprisonment: sự bỏ tù
Capital punishment: hình phạt tử hình
Lenient on (a): nương tay
Enforce (v): thực thi
Implement (v): ban hành (luật)
Impose (v): áp đặt (luật pháp lên…)