Chủ đề Talk about your last holiday - IELTS Speaking Part 1, 2, 3

Talk about your last holiday là một trong những chủ đề quen thuộc và thú vị nhất mà bạn có thể gặp trong phần thi IELTS Speaking. Dù là một chuyến đi đáng nhớ, một kỳ nghỉ thư giãn tại nhà, hay một chuyến phiêu lưu bất ngờ, việc có thể kể lại trải nghiệm của mình một cách trôi chảy và hấp dẫn sẽ giúp bạn ghi điểm cao. Bài viết này sẽ gợi ý đến bạn những luận điểm làm bài, từ vựng hữu ích và các câu trả lời mẫu để bạn tự tin hoàn thành mọi câu hỏi liên quan đến chủ đề này trong cả ba phần của bài thi IELTS Speaking.

Trong Part 1, các câu hỏi thường xoay quanh thông tin cơ bản về bạn và những sở thích, trải nghiệm về một kỳ nghỉ. Mục tiêu là để giám khảo làm quen với bạn và đánh giá khả năng giao tiếp cơ bản.

• Do you like holidays? Why?

• Is it important to have holidays? 

• What kind of holiday do you like? 

• Where did you go on your last holiday?

• What do you usually do during holidays?

• Which public holiday do you like the best? 

• What do you like to do when you have a holiday? 

• Do you like to spend your day at home?

• Do you prefer a leisurely or a busy holiday?

• Who do you usually spend the holiday with?

• Do you prefer travelling alone or in a group?

Câu hỏi: Do you like holidays? Why?

Yes, I absolutely love holidays. They offer a much-needed escape from the daily grind and provide an opportunity to unwind and rejuvenate. Holidays also allow me to broaden my horizons by exploring new destinations, sampling diverse cuisines, and spending meaningful time with family and friends.

Vocabulary ghi điểm: 

• much-needed escape (noun phr.): một sự thoát ly rất cần thiết

• daily grind (noun phr.): guồng quay cuộc sống

• unwind and rejuvenate (verb phr.): thư giãn và nạp lại năng lượng

• broaden my horizons (verb phr.): mở mang tầm mắt

• sampling diverse cuisines (verb phr.): nếm thử các món ăn đa dạng

• meanigful time (noun phr.): khoảng thời gian ý nghĩa

Câu hỏi: Who do you usually spend the holiday with?

Generally, I spend my holidays with a close-knit group of friends. We enjoy hanging out and spending quality time together by engaging in activities like embarking on road trips to nearby cities. Sampling international cuisines during food tours is another favorite pastime.

Occasionally, my family members also gather together, provided they’re not away, which makes the festive season all the more special and memorable for me.

Vocabulary ghi điểm: 

• close-knit group of friends (noun phr.): nhóm bạn thân thiết, gắn bó

• quality time (noun phr.): thời gian chất lượng bên nhau

• embarking on road trips (verb phr.): bắt đầu những chuyến đi đường dài

• gather together (verb phr.): tụ họp, quây quần

• all the more special and memorable (adj phr.): càng thêm đặc biệt và đáng nhớ

Câu hỏi: Do you prefer a leisurely or a busy holiday?

I prefer a well-balanced holiday that blends both leisurely moments and energetic adventures. I enjoy spending a few days packed with activities and sightseeing, as it’s invigorating to explore new places and try new experiences. However, I equally value having some downtime to unwind and immerse myself in the atmosphere at a more relaxed pace.

Vocabulary ghi điểm: 

• well-balanced holiday (noun phr.): kỳ nghỉ cân bằng

• leisurely moments (noun phr.): những khoảnh khắc thư giãn

• energetic adventures (noun phr.): các hoạt động sôi nổi, đầy năng lượng

• packed with activities and sightseeing (adj phr.): đầy ắp hoạt động và tham quan

• invigorating (adj): tiếp thêm sinh lực

• downtime to unwind (noun phr.): thời gian rảnh để nghỉ ngơi

• immerse yourself in the atmosphere (verb phr.): đắm mình vào không khí xung quanh

Khi được hỏi về kỳ nghỉ, bạn có thể tập trung triển khai các luận điểm xoay quanh những trải nghiệm cá nhân của bạn. Điều gì làm cho kỳ nghỉ đó đáng nhớ? Bạn đã khám phá được điều gì mới mẻ? Ai là người đã cùng bạn tạo nên những kỷ niệm đẹp?

Đề bài: Talk about your school life

You should say:

• Where you go for the holidays

• How long they last

• Who you go with

• Talk about anything interesting that happens during your holidays.

Đề bài: Describe your last vacation.

Bài làm mẫu: 

I'd like to talk about my last holiday, which was a fantastic getaway to Phu Quoc Island last summer. It was a much-needed escape to unwind and recharge after a particularly stressful academic period.

Phu Quoc is a stunning island located in southern Vietnam, renowned for its pristine beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters. I spent five days there in July, which falls during the dry season, so the weather was ideal for outdoor adventures. The island had a very laid-back and tranquil vibe, which was exactly what I was craving.

I traveled with my best friend, Sarah. We took a flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc, which lasted just about an hour. The journey was smooth, and we were treated to breathtaking aerial views of the coastline as we approached the island. Upon arrival, we took a taxi to our beachfront resort.

During our stay, we indulged in a variety of memorable experiences. We spent most of our time lounging on Long Beach, swimming in the crystal-clear sea, and soaking up the sun. One of the highlights was a snorkeling excursion to the southern islets, where I was mesmerized by the vibrant coral reefs and the diverse marine ecosystem—it genuinely felt like swimming in a massive aquarium.

We also visited the bustling night market, sampling all sorts of mouthwatering local seafood and street food. The fresh catch of the day was definitely a culinary highlight. Another fun activity was renting a scooter and cruising around the island, where we stumbled upon hidden waterfalls and pepper farms.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed my holiday in Phu Quoc. It was an incredibly rejuvenating experience and a perfect escape from the hectic pace of city life. I returned feeling completely re-energized and ready to tackle my studies with renewed focus. It was truly a memorable trip, and I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone in need of a peaceful beach retreat.

Vocabulary ghi điểm: 

• fantastic getaway (noun phr.): kỳ nghỉ tuyệt vời

• much-needed escape (noun phr.): sự thoát ly rất cần thiết

• stressful academic period (noun phr.): giai đoạn học tập căng thẳng

• pristine beaches (noun phr.): bãi biển hoang sơ

• crystal-clear turquoise waters (noun phr.): làn nước trong xanh như ngọc

• ideal for outdoor adventures: lý tưởng cho các hoạt động ngoài trời

• laid-back and tranquil vibe: không khí thư giãn, yên bình

• breathtaking aerial views (noun phr.): khung cảnh từ trên không ngoạn mục

• memorable experiences: trải nghiệm đáng nhớ

• mesmerized (v): bị cuốn hút, mê mẩn

• diverse marine ecosystem (noun phr.): hệ sinh thái biển đa dạng

• mouthwatering (adj): hấp dẫn, khiến chảy nước miếng

• fresh catch of the day (noun phr.): hải sản tươi trong ngày

• hidden waterfalls (noun phr.): thác nước ẩn mình

• rejuvenating experience (noun phr.): trải nghiệm giúp hồi phục năng lượng

• hectic pace: nhịp sống hối hả

• completely re-energized: hoàn toàn hồi phục năng lượng

• memorable trip (noun phr.): chuyến đi đáng nhớ

• peaceful beach retreat (noun phr.): kỳ nghỉ yên bình bên bờ biển

Câu hỏi: Do you think that it's important for people to go on holiday?

Absolutely, I believe going on holiday is immensely important for several reasons. Firstly, it provides a much-needed escape from the monotony and pressures of daily life, allowing people to decompress and recharge their energy levels. In today’s fast-paced society, burnout has become increasingly common, and a holiday offers a valuable opportunity to unplug and unwind.

Secondly, holidays serve as a platform for personal enrichment and growth. Traveling to unfamiliar destinations exposes individuals to new cultures, customs, and ways of life, which broadens their horizons and cultivates a deeper appreciation for global diversity.

Lastly, holidays—especially those spent with loved ones—create cherished memories and help reinforce emotional bonds, both of which are essential for mental well-being.

Vocabulary ghi điểm: 

• immensely important (adj phr.): vô cùng quan trọng

• much-needed escape (noun phr.): sự thoát ly rất cần thiết

• monotony (n): sự đơn điệu, nhàm chán trong cuộc sống hằng ngày

• decompress (v): giải tỏa căng thẳng, thư giãn

• recharge their energy levels (verb phr.): nạp lại năng lượng

• fast-paced society (noun phr.): xã hội có nhịp sống nhanh, hối hả

• unplug and unwind (verb phr.): ngắt kết nối và thư giãn

• personal enrichment and growth (noun phr.): sự phát triển và làm giàu bản thân

• broaden their horizons (verb phr.): mở rộng tầm nhìn, hiểu biết

• cultivates a deeper appreciation (verb phr.): nuôi dưỡng sự trân trọng sâu sắc hơn

• cherished memories (noun phr.): những kỷ niệm được trân trọng

• reinforce emotional bonds (verb phr.): củng cố mối quan hệ cảm xúc

• essential for mental well-being (adj phr.): thiết yếu cho sức khỏe tinh thần

Câu hỏi: What are the differences between travelling alone and travelling with friends/family?

There are distinct contrasts between traveling solo and traveling with others. When you travel alone, you enjoy complete autonomy and the flexibility to tailor your itinerary to your own interests and pace. It’s a valuable opportunity for self-exploration and fostering a strong sense of independence, as you're solely responsible for making decisions and navigating unexpected challenges. However, solo travel can at times feel isolating, and you might miss the joy of shared experiences.

Conversely, traveling with friends or family offers companionship, collective memories, and often a heightened sense of security. It can also be more cost-efficient, as expenses are shared, and you benefit from built-in emotional support. That said, the primary drawback lies in the need to compromise on plans and preferences, as group members may have differing expectations or interests.

Vocabulary ghi điểm: 

• distinct contrasts (noun phr.): sự khác biệt rõ rệt

• complete autonomy (noun phr.): sự tự chủ hoàn toàn

• flexibility to tailor your itinerary (noun phr.): sự linh hoạt để tự điều chỉnh lịch trình

• self-exploration (n): sự khám phá bản thân

• a strong sense of independence (noun phr.): cảm giác độc lập mạnh mẽ

• isolating (adj): cô lập, tạo cảm giác cô đơn

• shared experiences (noun phr.): trải nghiệm chung, cùng nhau

• companionship (n): tình bạn đồng hành

• collective memories (noun phr.): ký ức được tạo dựng cùng nhau

• heightened sense of security (noun phr.): cảm giác an toàn được tăng cường

• cost-efficient (adj): tiết kiệm chi phí

• built-in emotional support (noun phr.): sự hỗ trợ tinh thần có sẵn (từ người đi cùng)

• compromise on plans and preferences (verb phr.): thỏa hiệp về kế hoạch và sở thích

Câu hỏi: What are the benefits of going on holiday?

The advantages of taking a holiday are truly extensive. As I mentioned, mental well-being is a major one—it helps alleviate stress and prevents emotional burnout. On a physical level, holidays can promote an active lifestyle, whether through hiking, swimming, or simply exploring a new city on foot.

From an educational perspective, travel is an exceptional learning experience; it offers firsthand insights into history, geography, and diverse cultures. It also stimulates creativity and enhances problem-solving abilities, especially as you navigate unfamiliar settings and adapt to unexpected situations.

Vocabulary ghi điểm: 

• advantages of taking a holiday (noun phrase): lợi ích của việc đi nghỉ

• mental well-being (noun phrase): sức khỏe tinh thần

• alleviate stress (verb phrase): giảm bớt căng thẳng

• prevents emotional burnout (verb phrase): ngăn ngừa sự kiệt sức tinh thần

• an active lifestyle (noun phrase): lối sống năng động

• exceptional learning experience (noun phrase): trải nghiệm học tập xuất sắc/khác biệt

• stimulates creativity (verb phrase): kích thích sự sáng tạo

• problem-solving abilities (noun phrase): khả năng giải quyết vấn đề

• unfamiliar settings (noun phrase): môi trường xa lạ, chưa quen thuộc

Common Travel Vocabulary

Useful Idioms and Collocations

Holiday-Themed Idioms

Conquer the Topic Talk About Your Last Holiday with IDP

The topic Talk about your last holiday is a great chance to share personal experiences while demonstrating your storytelling skills, descriptive ability, and emotional expression. To score high in IELTS Speaking, practice speaking fluently, use a wide range of vocabulary—especially idioms and travel-related collocations—and be honest and expressive in your answers.

IDP offers both IELTS General Speaking and IELTS Academic Speaking formats. You can choose the one that matches your goals. If you need to retake only one skill, consider IELTS One Skill Retake, which allows you to improve one module without redoing the entire test.

When you're ready, register for your IELTS test with IDP today.