Chủ đề Lời động viên, khích lệ thường được hỏi trong cả 3 Part. Bạn có thể tham khảo công thức trả lời với bài mẫu, từ vựng theo từng part dưới đây để thêm ý tưởng cho mình nhé. Cụ thể thì các câu trả lời đi theo chiến lược ý tưởng như sau.

Part 1 – E.P.A.C.T:

Các câu trả lời khai thác theo những yếu tố này để có ý tưởng mở rộng hơn:

Example

(Ví dụ)

Popularity

(Độ phổ biến)

Advantage

(Lợi ích)

Cost

(Chi phí)

Time

(Thời gian)

Part 2 – I.S.O:

Một bài Part 2 theo từng mục như này sẽ phân chia rõ ràng, mạch lạc hơn:

Introduction (Giới thiệu)

Story (Câu chuyện)

Opinion (Quan điểm riêng)

Part 3 – A.R.E.C:

AREC giúp bạn triển khai theo hướng khai thác chủ đề, thảo luận chuyên sâu và mạch lạc:

Answer

(Trả lời trực tiếp)

Reason

(Lý do)

Example

(Ví dụ)

Consequence

(Kết quả)

Nhưng hãy nhớ tìm ý tưởng cho mình, đừng học thuộc câu trả lời! Bạn hãy tập ứng biến, kết hợp linh hoạt các từ vựng theo ngữ cảnh để nâng điểm Lexical Resource và Grammatical Range & Accuracy.

Tham khảo thêm: Bài mẫu IELTS Speaking Part 1 theo chủ đề

Speaking Part 1 Praise/encouragement 

1. Have you had any achievements recently?

Sample answer 1: Well, yes. I’ve just completed a professional training course at work, and I was really proud of myself for passing the final assessment. It might not sound huge, but it was quite a personal milestone for me. You know, it feels great when your hard work finally pays off.

Sample answer 2: Not really, to be honest. I’ve been busy keeping up with my usual work, but nothing that I’d call a major achievement. I think sometimes staying consistent and showing up every day is an achievement in itself, especially when life gets hectic.

a personal milestone /ə ˈpɜːsənl ˈmaɪlstəʊn/ n phr cột mốc cá nhân
pay off /peɪ ɒf/ v mang lại kết quả, đền đáp xứng đáng
consistent /kənˈsɪstənt/ adj ổn định
show up every day /ʃəʊ ʌp ˈevri deɪ/ phr kiên trì nỗ lực mỗi ngày
life gets hectic /laɪf ɡets ˈhektɪk/ phr cuộc sống trở nên bận rộn, hỗn loạn

2. How do you feel when you are praised?

Sample answer: Honestly, I feel motivated and appreciated. When someone recognizes my effort, it gives me a strong sense of self-worth and encourages me to keep pushing forward. I’m not someone who needs constant praise, but hearing a few kind words really lifts my spirits.

self-worth /self wɜːθ/ n giá trị bản thân
keep pushing forward /kiːp ˈpʊʃɪŋ ˈfɔːwəd/ v tiếp tục cố gắng
lift one’s spirits /lɪft wʌnz ˈspɪrɪts/ v phr làm phấn chấn, nâng cao tinh thần

3. Do you think parents should often praise and encourage their children?

Sample answer: Absolutely, yes. I believe praise, when used correctly, can boost a child’s confidence and foster a growth mindset. But it’s also important for parents to be sincere and specific — not just say “good job” all the time. Meaningful encouragement helps children understand what they’ve done well and builds their self-esteem in the long run.

boost someone’s confidence /buːst ˈsʌmwʌnz ˈkɒnfɪdəns/ v phr tăng sự tự tin
foster a growth mindset /ˈfɒstər ə ɡrəʊθ ˈmaɪndset/ v phr nuôi dưỡng tư duy cầu tiến
build self-esteem /bɪld self ɪˈstiːm/ v phr xây dựng lòng tự trọng

4. When was the last time you praised someone?

Sample answer 1: I think it was just last week. One of my colleagues delivered a really engaging presentation, so I told her how impressed I was. You know, sometimes even a simple compliment can make someone’s day. I always try to acknowledge people’s effort whenever I can.

Sample answer 2: That must’ve been last week. My classmate did a really good job during her English presentation, so I told her she spoke clearly and confidently. I think it’s important to acknowledge people’s effort, especially when they work hard. It also creates a positive atmosphere in class.

make someone’s day /meɪk ˈsʌmwʌnz deɪ/ phr khiến ai đó vui cả ngày
acknowledge someone’s effort /əkˈnɒlɪdʒ ˈsʌmwʌnz ˈefət/ phr ghi nhận nỗ lực của ai
create a positive atmosphere /kriˈeɪt ə ˈpɒzətɪv ˈætməsfɪər/ phr tạo bầu không khí tích cực

5. Have you ever been praised or encouraged by your teacher?

Sample answer: Yes, definitely. Back in high school, my English teacher once praised me for my writing skills, and that really stuck with me. Her encouragement sparked my interest in English and motivated me to pursue it further. I guess that small moment had a lasting impact on my career path.

spark one’s interest /spɑːk wʌnz ˈɪntrəst/ v phr khơi dậy hứng thú của ai đó
lasting impact /ˈlɑːstɪŋ ˈɪmpækt/ n phr ảnh hưởng lâu dài

Speaking Part 2 Encouraging

Describe a time when you encouraged someone to do something that he/she didn't want to do

  • Who he or she is
  • What you encouraged him/her to do
  • How he/she reacted
  • And explain why you encouraged him/her to do it

* Outline

Introduction
  • Person: A former colleague of mine.
  • The event: Encouraging her to deliver a presentation during a high-stakes meeting with partners.
  • Significance: It was a turning point that helped her overcome a deep-seated fear of public speaking.
Story
  • When it happened: A few months ago, while we were collaborating on a digital content development project.
  • The situation: Although she was highly skilled in her field, she was incredibly reluctant to share her ideas in front of a large audience.
  • What I did: I spent time helping her fine-tune her slides and promised to be her "safety net" during the actual session.
Opinion
  • How she reacted: At first, she was visibly apprehensive and resistant, but she eventually delivered the presentation with remarkable composure.
  • Why I encouraged her: I recognized her immense talent and knew that stepping out of her comfort zone was the only way for her to achieve professional growth.

* Sample Answer

To be honest, I’m generally not the type of person who forces others into things, but there was one particular time when I had to give a former colleague a heavy nudge to do something she was terrified of.

It happened a few months ago during a crucial project meeting. My colleague, who is an exceptionally talented content developer, was tasked with presenting our new curriculum to a group of stakeholders. Despite her expertise, she was incredibly apprehensive about public speaking and tried to back out at the last minute.
Seeing her hesitation, I decided to step in. I didn't just tell her "you can do it"; instead, I sat down with her to fine-tune her presentation and shared some of my own techniques for managing stage fright. I insisted that this was a golden opportunity for her to showcase her hard work to the management.

Initially, she was quite resistant and even a bit frustrated with my persistence. However, as we practiced together, her confidence began to build. On the day of the meeting, she delivered the presentation with such clout and clarity that the partners were thoroughly impressed.

I encouraged her because I firmly believed that her fear was the only thing standing between her and a promotion. Witnessing her transform from being paralyzed by fear to owning the room was incredibly rewarding. It reminded me that sometimes, a little external pressure is necessary to help someone realize their full potential.

apprehensive /ˌæprɪˈhensɪv/ adj lo lắng, sợ hãi (về điều xấu có thể xảy ra)
reluctant /rɪˈlʌktənt/ adj miễn cưỡng, do dự
fine-tune /ˌfaɪn ˈtjuːn/ v điều chỉnh nhỏ để tối ưu hóa hiệu suất
golden opportunity /ˈɡəʊldən ˌɒpəˈtʃuːnəti/ collocation cơ hội tuyệt vời dẫn đến thành công
resistant /rɪˈzɪstənt/ adj phản đối, kháng cự lại điều gì
clout /klaʊt/ n sức ảnh hưởng, quyền lực hoặc sự hiện diện tự tin mạnh mẽ
rewarding /rɪˈwɔːrdɪŋ/ adj mang lại sự thỏa mãn, xứng đáng với công sức
realize one's full potential /ˈrɪəlaɪz wʌnz fʊl pəˈtenʃl/ idiom trở thành phiên bản tốt nhất, phát huy hết tiềm năng khả năng của mình

Speaking Part 3 Encourage

1. How can employers encourage their staff?

Answer Mix of financial incentives and emotional recognition.
Reason Salaries pay bills, but recognition fuels long-term motivation.
Example Publicly praising an employee’s creativity in a meeting or offering extra time off.
Consequence Creates a positive culture and increases employee retention.

I believe the most effective way for employers to motivate their team is through a strategic mix of financial incentives and emotional recognition. While a competitive salary is essential, employees often feel more driven when their individual contributions are genuinely acknowledged by the leadership. For instance, instead of just a standard year-end bonus, a manager could publicly praise an employee’s creative problem-solving during a team meeting. By doing so, they foster a positive corporate culture where staff feel truly valued, which significantly improves retention rates.

financial incentives /faɪˈnænʃəl ɪnˈsentɪvz/ n phr khích lệ bằng tài chính.
emotional recognition /ɪˈmoʊʃənl ˌrekəɡˈnɪʃn/ n phr sự công nhận về mặt tinh thần.
retention rates /rɪˈtenʃn reɪts/ n phr tỷ lệ giữ chân nhân viên.

2. Should children do everything their parents ask them to do?

Answer Not necessarily; they should develop critical thinking.
Reason Blind obedience hinders independent decision-making.
Example Negotiating a hobby instead of being forced into one they dislike.
Consequence Fosters autonomy and confidence in adulthood.

In my opinion, children should not necessarily follow every single command without question because they need to develop critical thinking. If a child is raised to practice blind obedience, they may struggle to make independent choices or stand up for themselves later in life. For example, if a parent forces a child into a hobby they have no interest in, the child should be allowed to voice their opinion and negotiate. This approach fosters a sense of autonomy, helping them become more confident and self-reliant individuals.

critical thinking /ˈkrɪtɪkl ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/ n phr tư duy phản biện.
blind obedience /blaɪnd əˈbiːdiəns/ n phr sự vâng lời mù quáng.
autonomy /ɔːˈtɒnəmi/ n sự tự chủ.

3. Do you think some people are better than others at persuading?

Answer Yes, it’s a skill tied to high emotional intelligence (EQ).
Reason Skilled persuaders can "read the room" and tailor their message.
Example A salesperson showing how a product solves a specific life problem.
Consequence Leads to greater success in leadership and negotiations.

Absolutely, I think some individuals are naturally more gifted at persuasion due to their high emotional intelligence. These people have an innate ability to 'read the room' and tailor their language to appeal to the specific needs of their audience. Consider a top-tier salesperson; they don't just list product features, they illustrate how that product solves a specific pain point for the customer. Consequently, these individuals tend to be much more successful in high-stakes negotiations and leadership roles.

emotional intelligence /ɪˈmoʊʃənl ɪnˈtelɪdʒəns/ n phr trí tuệ cảm xúc.
tailor their language /ˈteɪlər ðeər ˈlæŋɡwɪdʒ/ v phr điều chỉnh ngôn ngữ cho phù hợp.
high-stakes negotiations /haɪ steɪks nɪˌɡəʊʃiˈeɪʃnz/ n phr các cuộc đàm phán quan trọng/rủi ro cao

4. What kind of encouragement should parents give?

Answer Constructive feedback and emotional support over material gifts.
Reason Verbal praise for effort builds deeper self-esteem than toys or money.
Example Praising the specific colors and detail in a child’s drawing.
Consequence Develops intrinsic motivation and genuine pride in their work.

I would argue that parents should prioritize constructive feedback and emotional support over material rewards. Verbal praise that highlights a child's specific efforts helps build their self-esteem much more effectively than a physical gift. For instance, instead of buying a new toy for a good grade, a parent could say, 'I’m so proud of how much time you spent practicing those math problems.' This teaches the child to value the process, eventually leading to a strong sense of intrinsic motivation.

constructive feedback /kənˈstrʌktɪv ˈfiːdbæk/ n phr phản hồi mang tính xây dựng.
self-esteem /self ɪˈstiːm/ n lòng tự trọng/sự tự tin vào bản thân.
intrinsic motivation /ɪnˈtrɪnzɪk ˌməʊtɪˈveɪʃn/ n phr động lực nội tại (tự thân).

5. When should parents encourage their children?

Answer Especially during setbacks or when stepping out of their comfort zone.
Reason Failure is when confidence is most fragile and needs a "safety net."
Example Encouraging sportsmanship after a child loses a game.
Consequence Builds resilience and a growth mindset.

Encouragement is most vital when a child faces a setback or is attempting something outside their comfort zone. It is during moments of failure that a child's confidence is most fragile, and they need a 'safety net' of support to keep trying. For example, if a child loses a sports match, parents should encourage their sportsmanship and effort rather than focusing on the score. By doing so, they help the child build resilience, viewing challenges as lessons rather than reasons to quit.

comfort zone /ˈkʌmfət zəʊn/ n phr vùng an toàn.
sportsmanship /ˈspɔːtsmənʃɪp/ n tinh thần thể thao.
resilience /rɪˈzɪliəns/ n sự kiên cường, khả năng vực dậy.

6. How can leaders encourage their employees?

Answer By delegating authority and showing trust.
Reason Empowerment creates a sense of ownership and responsibility.
Example Giving a junior staff member a high-profile project with mentorship.
Consequence Boosts morale and aids in succession planning.

Leaders can effectively encourage their staff by delegating authority and demonstrating genuine trust in their capabilities. When employees are given the freedom to manage their own tasks, it creates a powerful sense of ownership. A good leader might assign a high-profile project to a junior employee while providing guidance behind the scenes. This not only boosts workplace morale but also serves as a form of succession planning, preparing the next generation to take on more responsibility.

delegating authority /ˈdelɪɡeɪtɪŋ ɔːˈθɒrəti/ v/n phr ủy quyền/giao quyền hạn.
workplace morale /ˈwɜːkpleɪs məˈrɑːl/ n phr tinh thần làm việc trong tập thể.
succession planning /səkˈseʃn ˈplænɪŋ/ n phr kế hoạch đào tạo đội ngũ kế cận.

7. When should parents encourage their children?

I think parents should encourage their children when they’re having a hard time. If their children are having difficulty in school, for example, parents should let them know that they have support and they can get through it. Children should also be encouraged when they’re on the light track. If they’ve been doing really well at something, parents should let them know that their hard work has been paying off.

difficulty /ˈdɪfɪkəlti/ n sự khó khăn, điều gay go
support /səˈpɔːt/ n/v sự ủng hộ, hỗ trợ
get through /ɡet θruː/ v vượt qua (giai đoạn khó khăn)
on the right track /ɒn ðə raɪt træk/ idiom đi đúng hướng, làm đúng cách
pay off /peɪ ɒf/ v mang lại kết quả tốt, đền đáp xứng đáng

8. Should parents always encourage their children?

Yes, I suppose that parents should always encourage their children. Of course, they have to be careful not to overdo it. Otherwise, their children might get too cocky from always having positive remarks. But I don’t really see what the problem with constant encouragement is. It helps children develop confidence in themselves. It makes them feel loved and acknowledged by then parents. Life can be tough, and encouragement from loved ones can help them get through challenges.

overdo /ˌəʊvəˈduː/ v làm quá, hành động quá trớn
cocky /ˈɒki/ adj tự phụ, vênh váo
positive remark /ˈpɒzətɪv rɪˈmɑːk/ n phr lời nhận xét tích cực
constant /ˈkɑːnstənt/ adj liên tục, không ngừng nghỉ
acknowledged /əkˈnɒlɪdʒd/ adj được công nhận, được thừa nhận

9. Do you think negative feedback is more important than positive feedback? Why?

No, I don’t think negative feedback is more important than positive feedback. In a sense, I think that people put more emphasis on negative feedback because criticism sticks out more to people than praise does. I suppose that both types of feedback are valuable. But focusing too much on negative feedback can be very discouraging. It might make you want to give up. So it’s better to have a balance. Positive feedback is just as important.

feedback /ˈfiːdbæk/ n thông tin phản hồi, nhận xét
put emphasis on /pʊt ˈemfəsɪs ɒn/ phrase nhấn mạnh vào, chú trọng vào
criticism /ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəm/ n sự chỉ trích, phê bình
stick out /stɪk aʊt/ v nổi bật lên, dễ nhận thấy
discouraging /dɪsˈkʌrɪdʒɪŋ/ adj làm nản lòng, dễ gây bỏ cuộc

10. Why is negative feedback as important as positive feedback at work?

Well, people need to know how they can improve. If you only ever got positive feedback, you wouldn’t be able to make progress on the things you need to work on. So people need to be receptive to negative feedback as well. Although it might make them feel embarrassed or upset, they need to look at it as a chance to do better. That being said, it’s important to present negative feedback in a constructive way. It shouldn’t be about shaming people into improving.

make progress /meɪk ˈprəʊɡres/ v tiến bộ, có tiến triển tốt
receptive /rɪˈseptɪv/ adj dễ tiếp thu, sẵn sàng lắng nghe ý kiến
embarrassed /ɪmˈbærəst/ adj xấu hổ, ngượng ngùng
constructive way /kənˈstrʌktɪv weɪ/ n phr cách thức mang tính xây dựng
shame /ʃeɪm/ v làm cho hổ thẹn, sỉ nhục ai

Trên đây là một số câu hỏi, câu trả lời IELTS Speaking chủ đề Encouragement (sự động viên, khích lệ), các bạn tham khảo ý tưởng, từ vựng và thử tập trả lời nhé.

Xem thêm: 

IELTS Speaking chủ đề Culture - Văn Hóa với từ vựng hay

Khóa học IELTS Speaking online cho người mới bắt đầu