LỜI NÓI ĐẦU

Xin chào!

Chúng ta đều có xuất phát điểm như nhau, thậm chí có khi xuất phát điểm của mình còn
tệ hơn của các bạn. Mình nhớ rất rõ thời phổ thông, mình thậm chí còn không được nổi
5,0 môn Anh Văn. Tới mức cô giáo chủ nhiệm còn phải đi “xin” giáo viên tiếng Anh
để mình đạt học sinh tiên tiến. Vào đại học, mình học kỹ thuật nên cũng có phần lơ là
môn học này. Dù tham gia đến 4 - 5 khóa giao tiếp tại các trung tâm tiếng Anh nhưng
kết quả đều không đến đâu, hoàn toàn dậm chân tại chỗ. Quanh đi quẩn lại vẫn chỉ nhớ
những câu giao tiếp cơ bản “Hello. How are you?” “I am fine. Thank you. And you?”.

May mắn thay, mình đã được động viên, khích lệ bởi một người thầy tâm huyết với
nghề. Thầy đã hướng mình đến một mục tiêu rõ ràng là phải có tiếng Anh giỏi, phải có
điểm IELTS để mở mang đầu óc, để có thể du học. Mọi thứ thay đổi nhanh chóng. Chỉ
sau hơn một năm, từ một học sinh mất gốc tiếng Anh, mình thi IELTS được 7.0 và tự
tin “chém gió” với Tây không phải “xoắn” điều gì.

Trong quá trình học, mình cũng gặp rất nhiều khó khăn như các bạn, đặc biệt là ở kỹ
năng Writing. Có rất nhiều lúc đọc những đề bài Task 2 mà mình thực sự chịu chết,
không có ý tưởng, không có từ vựng, thậm chí có lúc còn không hiểu đề bài nói cái gì.
Bởi vậy, mình cũng rất lo khi học sinh của mình đi thi run rủi gặp phải những đề khó
như thế, và điều đó đã thúc đẩy mình soạn các tài liệu hỗ trợ cho các bạn như “Kho Ý
Tưởng Writing Task 2”, hay “Kho Từ Vựng Nâng Cao Task 2”. Chưa dừng lại ở đó,
mình cũng muốn gửi gắm thêm cho các bạn một tài liệu nữa: “IELTS Writing –
Challenging Tasks” – tài liệu bao gồm 16 đề và bài mẫu IELTS Writing Task 1+2 siêu
khó đã lấy đi rất nhiều tiền và nước mắt của thí sinh. Trong tài liệu này sẽ đi kèm với
bài viết mẫu tương ứng với từng câu hỏi, đã được viết bởi phòng Học Thuật của IELTS
Xuân Phi và chấm, chữa bởi các cựu Examiner.

Mình hy vọng tài liệu này sẽ giúp các bạn giảm bớt nỗi lo đề khó khi đi thi, và có thể tự
tin chinh phục điểm IELTS mà các bạn mong muốn.

Chúc các bạn thành công!

~ IELTS XUÂN PHI ~

TASK 1
1) The mechanic of a hot balloon.
The picture below shows how a hot balloon works. Summarize the information by
selecting and reporting the main features. Write at least 150 words.

The diagram illustrates the working mechanism and the structure of a hot balloon.
Overall, a hot balloon comprises four main components, namely an envelope, a skirt, a
burner and a basket. In addition, the operation of the hot balloon is based on the thermal
circulation of air.

Regarding the balloon construction, the largest part is the envelope, which consists of
several gores of fabric. These gores are made from multiple smaller panels. On the top
of the envelope, there is a parachute valve functioning as a self-sealing flap to regulate
hot air to escape at a controlled pace. At the bottom of the envelope, the skirt is attached
to ropes which are used to hold a basket hanging below it. Above the basket, a burner
including propane cylinders is fixed with a metal frame.

In terms of the working mechanism, propane is mixed with air in the cylinder to produce
hot air. The heated air inside the envelope is lighter than the cool air outside, which
makes the balloon buoyant and lifts the basket. (174 words)
2) The development of horse through time.
The diagrams below show the development of the horse over a period of 40 million
years. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and
make comparisons where relevant.

The diagram illustrates the evolution of horses after 40 million years, focusing on the
changes in foot structure.
Overall, as the animal grew more prominent in size, their feet elongated and broadened
and their paws were eventually replaced by sole hoofs.
Eohippus, which existed around 40 million years ago, is distinguishable by a much
smaller body compared to the modern horse. Its tail and legs were relatively shorter,
and there were 4 thin phalanges on each paw. 10 million years later, the evolution
resulted in the appearance of Mesohippus, which had a slightly larger body and a longer
tail. Moreover, the foot had by then lost 1 toe and the middle one became larger.
Notably, the Mesohippus had an additional tuft of hare on the neck which would later
turn into the horse’s mane.
15 million years ago, the Merychippus appeared. This prehistoric horse more resembled
the modern horse however was marginally smaller in size and still possessed 3-toed
paws. It had considerably heftier digits compared to its predecessor, a larger tail and a
thicker mane on the neck. Finally, the horse today emerged with a bulkier body, a full
mane, a thicker tail and all 3 phalanges fused into a single hoof. (203 words)
3) The development of cutting tools made of stones.
The diagram below shows the development of cutting tools in the Stone Age.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make
comparisons where relevant.

The given diagram compares stone age cutting tools at 1.4 million and 0.8 million years
ago. Overall, the later one appears to be bigger in size and its shape was also better
refined with sharper, more uniform edges and a pointed end.
To begin with, tool A, dated 1.4 million years ago, has a height and width of about 7.5
and 3 centimeters respectively, and is around 1-2cm thick. From the front view, there
were large random cuts which created rough edges and a tapered end. From the other
sides, similar cuts can be seen, and a sharp end was formed at the top of the tool.
Turning to Tool B, we can see that after 0.6 million years, the cutting tool had doubled
in size, with a height of about 10 centimeters and a width of slightly over 6 centimeters,
whereas it retained a similar thickness. A look from the front and the back of tool B
reveals that its outer shape became significantly finer with a sharp pointy top and a
smooth curved bottom. Its side view also witnessed a remarkable transformation which
made the tool take the shape of a leaf with a sharp edge running across the tool. (202
words)
4) The structure of bridges.
The three pictures below show three different kinds of bridges. Summarise the
information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons
where relevant.

The pictures illustrate the structural designs of three different types of bridges. Overall,
concrete girder bridges are potentially the longest, whereas suspension bridges are the
highest. Additionally, each bridge is constructed depending on different topographical
backgrounds and are suitable for different sizes of water vehicles.
Arch bridges, often built over a lake, are the smallest type of bridge. This can only serve
the smallest boats. The maximum length of this type of bridge is 200 metres, which is
the shortest and the maximum height is 100 metres, which is the lowest. Moreover,
these bridges have no piers but only an arch in the middle.
Concrete girder bridges, connecting two river banks, can be extended unlimitedly based
on the number of piers. The distance between each pier is up to 200 metres and the
allowed height is under 300 metres. Regarding the vehicle passibility, only medium-
sized ships can sail underneath these bridges.
Finally, suspension bridges can be constructed on the deep seabed. Two piers are
located on each side of the bridges, with the distance ranging from 400 to 2000 metres.
They are constructed on two areas of land and anchored to the bridge by a series of
suspender cables. The largest boats can have a journey through this type due to their
architectural design. (214 words)
5) The building process of an igloo.
The diagrams illustrate the process of building an igloo
The diagram illustrates the process of building an igloo from snow. Overall, there are
thirteen steps, beginning with locating a suitable area and finishing with covering the
entrance hole with snow blocks.
The process commences with a search for a hard-packed snow place. After that, ice
blocks are cut using a snow saw to form rectangular ones with appropriate sizes from
which large blocks are used for the foundation. Upon completing the building of the
base, the edges of the blocks are flattened and they are used to create the shape of the
shelter. In the next step, an entrance is made by digging a hole under the wall and an
oversized ice block is fitted to cover the dome.
Regarding the remaining steps, a shovel is used to shield the house with loose snow
which is packed into crevices. Afterwards, the interior surface is smoothed by hand and
any excess snow is removed from the igloo. Following this, another hole is dug to
construct an entrance with the appearance according to the owner’ preference. Finally,
the whole will be covered with extra snow blocks. (185 words)
6) The development of a city.
The map below shows the changes of a city between 1950 and present. Summarize
the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons
where relevant.

The map illustrates the development of a city since 1950. Overall, the city has become
larger and more accessible with the addition of more housing areas, business district
and transport infrastructure.
In the northern half of the city, the main residential area has now expanded significantly
to the south and more main roads have been extended on this side of the city. In addition,
the population of the city increased ten times from 20,000 to 200,000
In the south-east of the city, the river has been dammed to form a lake. This lake
stretches from the western to eastern edge of the residential area, which replaced that
part of the river. A bridge, which used to connect two sides of the river, is presently
spanned over the lake. Near the dam, another bridge has been constructed, which is in
conjunction with a new main road. More business areas have been built on the south
bank of the lake, in which the first small government building has remained the same.
Further to the south, there is a second government house, which is two times bigger than
the first one. Finally, the airport located to the east has tripled in size. (199 words)