🔥"Describe a time when you bought something and returned it"IELTS SPEAKING PART 2,3: Bài mẫu kèm từ vựng

March 10, 2025

Bên cạnh hướng dẫn Phân tích đề thi IELTS 21/11/2020 WRITING TASK 1 (map)"The plans show a school library 5 years ago and the same library now"(kèm bài sửa cho HS đi thi), IELTS TUTOR Phân tích đề 🔥"Describe a time when you bought something and returned it"IELTS SPEAKING PART 2,3: Bài mẫu kèm từ vựng

I. Đề bài

Describe a time when you bought something and returned it

You should say:

What it is

When you bought it

Why you returned it

And explain how you returned it.

II. Kiến thức liên quan

IELTS TUTOR hướng dẫn

TỪ VỰNG TOPIC"CITY, COUNTRYSIDE & URBANIZATION ...

III. Phân tích

IELTS TUTOR lưu ý bám sát vào các câu hỏi cue card của IELTS TUTOR để bố cục bài nói nhé:

Today, I would like to tell you about a time when I bought a limited-edition (bản giới hạn – produced in small quantities, often rare and collectible) Bearbrick figurine (tượng Bearbrick – a type of collectible toy designed in the shape of a bear), but unfortunately, I had to return it.

A few months ago, I came across an online listing on Shopee for a highly sought-after (rất được săn đón – in great demand, desired by many people) Bearbrick. As a big fan of pop art, I was thrilled to find one that seemed like a perfect addition to my aesthetically pleasing (có tính thẩm mỹ – visually attractive and harmonious) living space. Without hesitation, I placed an order and eagerly awaited its arrival.

However, when the package arrived, I was sorely disappointed (cực kỳ thất vọng – deeply unhappy or dissatisfied) because the actual item looked nothing like the promotional images (hình ảnh quảng cáo – pictures used to advertise a product). Instead of a sleek and sophisticated (bóng bẩy và tinh tế – smooth, stylish, and elegant) design that I had expected, it had a cheap-looking (trông rẻ tiền – appearing to be of low quality) finish, and the colors were completely off. It clashed terribly with my interior, making my room look visually cluttered (rối mắt – full of unorganized, distracting elements).

I decided to return it immediately. Luckily, Shopee has a customer-friendly (thân thiện với khách hàng – easy and convenient for customers to use) return policy, so the process was relatively smooth. I had to initiate a return request (gửi yêu cầu trả hàng – formally request to return an item) on the app, provide evidence of the misrepresentation (sự miêu tả sai lệch – false or misleading description of a product), and wait for approval. Once my request was accepted, I repackaged the item securely (đóng gói lại một cách an toàn – put an item back into a box carefully to avoid damage) and dropped it off at the designated courier service.>> 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

Overall, it was a hassle, but I was relieved to get a refund. Since then, I have been more cautious about online purchases (cẩn trọng khi mua hàng trực tuyến – careful when shopping online), making sure to read reviews thoroughly before making a decision.

New Vocabulary List

limited-edition (bản giới hạn) – produced in small quantities, often rare and collectible.
Bearbrick figurine (tượng Bearbrick) – a type of collectible toy designed in the shape of a bear.
highly sought-after (rất được săn đón) – in great demand, desired by many people.
aesthetically pleasing (có tính thẩm mỹ) – visually attractive and harmonious.
sorely disappointed (cực kỳ thất vọng) – deeply unhappy or dissatisfied.
promotional images (hình ảnh quảng cáo) – pictures used to advertise a product.
sleek and sophisticated (bóng bẩy và tinh tế) – smooth, stylish, and elegant.
cheap-looking (trông rẻ tiền) – appearing to be of low quality.
visually cluttered (rối mắt) – full of unorganized, distracting elements.
customer-friendly (thân thiện với khách hàng) – easy and convenient for customers to use.
initiate a return request (gửi yêu cầu trả hàng) – formally request to return an item.
misrepresentation (sự miêu tả sai lệch) – false or misleading description of a product.
repackaged the item securely (đóng gói lại một cách an toàn) – put an item back into a box carefully to avoid damage.
cautious about online purchases (cẩn trọng khi mua hàng trực tuyến) – careful when shopping online.

Synonyms & Antonyms

1. limited-edition

Synonyms: exclusive, special-release, rare-find
Antonyms: mass-produced, widely available, common

IELTS TUTOR xét ví dụ: "Today, I would like to tell you about a time when I bought a limited-edition Bearbrick figurine, but unfortunately, I had to return it."

2. sorely disappointed

Synonyms: deeply disheartened, extremely let down, bitterly frustrated
Antonyms: pleasantly surprised, highly satisfied, overjoyed

IELTS TUTOR xét ví dụ: "However, when the package arrived, I was sorely disappointed because the actual item looked nothing like the promotional images."

3. initiate a return request

Synonyms: file a return, request a refund, lodge a complaint
Antonyms: accept the item, keep the purchase, finalize the transaction

IELTS TUTOR xét ví dụ: "I had to initiate a return request on the app, provide evidence of the misrepresentation, and wait for approval."

Difficult Grammar Structures & Examples

Relative Clause for Additional Information
- IELTS TUTOR xét ví dụ: "A few months ago, I came across an online listing on Shopee for a highly sought-after Bearbrick, which I thought would perfectly complement my living space."
- Translation: "Vài tháng trước, tôi thấy một danh sách bán hàng trên Shopee cho một chiếc Bearbrick rất được săn đón, mà tôi nghĩ sẽ hoàn hảo với không gian sống của mình."
Inversion for Emphasis
- IELTS TUTOR xét ví dụ: "Not only did the product look different from the pictures, but it also felt poorly made."
- Translation: "Không những sản phẩm trông khác với hình ảnh, mà nó còn có cảm giác chất lượng kém."
Cleft Sentence for Emphasis
- IELTS TUTOR xét ví dụ: "It was the poor craftsmanship that made me return the item."
- Translation: "Chính chất lượng kém đã khiến tôi phải trả lại món hàng."
Complex Conditional Sentence
- IELTS TUTOR xét ví dụ: "Had I read the reviews more carefully, I would have avoided this disappointment."
- Translation: "Nếu tôi đọc đánh giá kỹ hơn, tôi đã có thể tránh được sự thất vọng này."

IV. Part 3

1. Consumerism on a national/global scale: good or bad?

Consumerism has both far-reaching (có ảnh hưởng sâu rộng – extending widely, affecting many aspects) benefits and drawbacks. On the positive side, it fuels economic expansion (thúc đẩy tăng trưởng kinh tế – stimulates business growth and financial progress), as higher consumer spending encourages businesses to scale up production (mở rộng sản xuất – increase manufacturing output). For instance, in rapidly developing nations like China, a rising consumer culture (văn hóa tiêu dùng – habits and attitudes related to buying goods and services) has contributed significantly to GDP growth. However, excessive consumerism can lead to environmental degradation (suy thoái môi trường – damage to natural ecosystems due to human activities), as increased demand results in higher levels of waste and pollution. A striking example is the fast fashion industry (ngành thời trang nhanh – a sector that produces inexpensive, trendy clothing rapidly), which generates enormous textile waste and carbon emissions. Furthermore, consumerism fosters materialistic values (giá trị vật chất – prioritization of possessions over experiences), making people equate happiness with ownership. This trend is evident in Western societies, where people often purchase non-essential goods (hàng hóa không thiết yếu – items not necessary for daily life) out of impulse rather than need.

2. Does advertising influence what people buy?

Advertising exerts a profound impact (tác động sâu sắc – having a strong and lasting effect) on consumer choices, mainly by manipulating purchasing behavior (thao túng hành vi mua sắm – influencing how people buy through strategic techniques). Through persuasive messaging (thông điệp mang tính thuyết phục – content designed to convince consumers), companies create a sense of urgency or exclusivity, leading people to buy products impulsively. For example, limited-time offers on online platforms like Shopee or Amazon encourage shoppers to make snap decisions (quyết định vội vàng – choices made quickly without much thought). Moreover, advertising builds brand loyalty (lòng trung thành với thương hiệu – preference for a specific brand over others), as repeated exposure to a brand increases familiarity and trust. This is particularly evident in luxury markets, where high-end brands use celebrity endorsements to reinforce their prestigious image (hình ảnh danh giá – perception of high social status and exclusivity). Ultimately, people often purchase items not out of necessity but because they have been subtly conditioned (được tác động một cách tinh vi – influenced in an indirect, unnoticed manner) to believe they need them.

3. Has shopping become more popular as a leisure activity?

Shopping has undoubtedly evolved into a widely embraced pastime (thú tiêu khiển được nhiều người yêu thích – a recreational activity enjoyed by many), particularly due to the rise of experiential retail (bán lẻ trải nghiệm – a shopping approach focusing on entertainment and engagement). Many shopping malls are now designed as entertainment hubs (trung tâm giải trí – places that offer leisure activities beyond shopping), incorporating cinemas, food courts, and interactive installations to make shopping an engaging social experience. For instance, major malls in Dubai attract tourists not only with luxury stores but also with indoor amusement parks (công viên giải trí trong nhà – entertainment centers located inside a mall). Additionally, retail therapy (liệu pháp mua sắm – shopping to relieve stress or improve mood) has become a common way for people to de-stress and seek instant gratification. Psychological studies suggest that purchasing new items triggers the release of dopamine surges (sự tăng dopamine – spikes in a brain chemical associated with pleasure), making people feel temporarily happier. Consequently, shopping has shifted from a purely transactional activity to a socially driven habit (thói quen có tính xã hội – behavior influenced by social interactions and trends).

4. Is online shopping beneficial?

Online shopping offers undeniable advantages (lợi ích không thể phủ nhận – benefits that are clear and unquestionable), particularly in terms of convenience and accessibility (sự tiện lợi và khả năng tiếp cận – ease of use and ability to reach various markets). Consumers can browse thousands of products from the comfort of their homes and receive doorstep delivery, which is especially beneficial for those with hectic schedules (lịch trình bận rộn – extremely busy timetables). For example, working professionals can order groceries online, eliminating the need for time-consuming trips to supermarkets. However, online shopping also carries certain risks, particularly regarding product misrepresentation (mô tả sai sản phẩm – inaccurate depiction of items sold online). Many buyers have experienced cases where the actual product differs significantly from what was advertised, leading to dissatisfaction. Additionally, impulse buying tendencies (xu hướng mua sắm bốc đồng – habits of purchasing items without prior planning) are exacerbated by online discounts and flash sales. In many cases, people end up buying non-essential items (đồ không cần thiết – goods that are not crucial for daily life), simply because of aggressive advertising.

New Vocabulary List

far-reaching (có ảnh hưởng sâu rộng) – extending widely, affecting many aspects.
fuels economic expansion (thúc đẩy tăng trưởng kinh tế) – stimulates business growth and financial progress.
consumer culture (văn hóa tiêu dùng) – habits and attitudes related to buying goods and services.
environmental degradation (suy thoái môi trường) – damage to natural ecosystems due to human activities.
fast fashion industry (ngành thời trang nhanh) – a sector that produces inexpensive, trendy clothing rapidly.
non-essential goods (hàng hóa không thiết yếu) – items not necessary for daily life.
profound impact (tác động sâu sắc) – having a strong and lasting effect.
manipulating purchasing behavior (thao túng hành vi mua sắm) – influencing how people buy through strategic techniques.
brand loyalty (lòng trung thành với thương hiệu) – preference for a specific brand over others.
prestigious image (hình ảnh danh giá) – perception of high social status and exclusivity.
widely embraced pastime (thú tiêu khiển được nhiều người yêu thích) – a recreational activity enjoyed by many.
experiential retail (bán lẻ trải nghiệm) – a shopping approach focusing on entertainment and engagement.
retail therapy (liệu pháp mua sắm) – shopping to relieve stress or improve mood.
dopamine surges (sự tăng dopamine) – spikes in a brain chemical associated with pleasure.
undeniable advantages (lợi ích không thể phủ nhận) – benefits that are clear and unquestionable.
hectic schedules (lịch trình bận rộn) – extremely busy timetables.
product misrepresentation (mô tả sai sản phẩm) – inaccurate depiction of items sold online.
impulse buying tendencies (xu hướng mua sắm bốc đồng) – habits of purchasing items without prior planning.

Difficult Grammar Structures & Examples

Inversion for Emphasis
- IELTS TUTOR xét ví dụ: "Not only does advertising shape consumer preferences, but it also influences purchasing behavior on a subconscious level."
- Translation: "Không chỉ quảng cáo định hình sở thích của người tiêu dùng, mà nó còn ảnh hưởng đến hành vi mua sắm ở mức độ tiềm thức."
Cleft Sentence for Emphasis
- IELTS TUTOR xét ví dụ: "It is online shopping’s convenience that makes it so popular among consumers."
- Translation: "Chính sự tiện lợi của mua sắm trực tuyến đã khiến nó trở nên phổ biến với người tiêu dùng."
Complex Conditional Sentence
- IELTS TUTOR xét ví dụ: "Had consumers been more aware of product misrepresentation, they would have avoided many disappointing purchases."
- Translation: "Nếu người tiêu dùng nhận thức rõ hơn về mô tả sai sản phẩm, họ đã có thể tránh được nhiều lần mua hàng thất vọng."