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IELTS Speaking Practice: Decision-making - Những câu hỏi phổ biến và Sample Answer
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1. Questions

Part 1: Decision-making (10 Questions)

  1. Do you find it easy to make decisions?

  2. What was the last important decision you made?

  3. Do you usually make decisions quickly or slowly?

  4. Do you ask other people for advice before making decisions?

  5. Have you ever regretted a decision?

  6. Are you good at making decisions under pressure?

  7. Do young people make decisions differently from older people?

  8. What kinds of decisions do you make every day?

  9. Do you prefer making decisions alone or with others?

  10. Is decision-making an important skill?

Part 2: Cue Card
Describe an important decision you made.

You should say:

  • what the decision was

  • when you made it

  • why it was important

  • and explain how you felt about it afterwards.

Part 3: Decision-making Discussion (10 Questions)

  1. Why do some people find decision-making difficult?

  2. What factors influence people's decisions?

  3. Do young and older people make decisions differently?

  4. How important is experience in decision-making?

  5. Should important decisions be made individually or collectively?

  6. How does technology affect decision-making?

  7. Can emotions influence decision-making?

  8. Why do some people regret their decisions?

  9. Should schools teach decision-making skills?

  10. How might decision-making change in the future?

 


 

2. Questions & Answers

Question 1: Do you find it easy to make decisions?

It depends on the situation. For everyday matters, I can usually make decisions quite quickly. However, when it comes to important decisions involving education, career choices, or finances, I prefer to take more time to evaluate the available options carefully.

Evaluate options (v.phr): đánh giá các lựa chọn
e.g: Good decision-makers evaluate options carefully.

Career choice (n.phr): lựa chọn nghề nghiệp
e.g: Students face difficult career choices.

Careful consideration (n.phr): cân nhắc cẩn thận
e.g: Important decisions require careful consideration.

Decision-making process (n.phr): quá trình ra quyết định
e.g: Everyone has a different decision-making process.

 

Question 2: What was the last important decision you made?

One of the most recent important decisions I made was choosing my university major. Since this decision could influence my future career path, I spent considerable time researching different programs, consulting family members, and reflecting on my personal interests and strengths.

University major (n.phr): ngành đại học
e.g: Choosing a university major is important.

Career path (n.phr): con đường sự nghiệp
e.g: Education influences career paths.

Personal strength (n.phr): thế mạnh cá nhân
e.g: Students should identify their personal strengths.

Long-term impact (n.phr): ảnh hưởng lâu dài
e.g: Some decisions have a long-term impact.

 

Question 3: Do you usually make decisions quickly or slowly?

Generally, I prefer making decisions after gathering enough information. While I can act quickly when necessary, I usually take time to weigh the advantages and disadvantages before reaching a conclusion, especially for important matters.

Gather information (v.phr): thu thập thông tin
e.g: Consumers gather information before buying products.

Weigh pros and cons (v.phr): cân nhắc ưu và nhược điểm
e.g: Decision-makers weigh pros and cons.

Reach a conclusion (v.phr): đi đến kết luận
e.g: Researchers reach conclusions based on evidence.

Informed decision (n.phr): quyết định có cơ sở thông tin
e.g: Citizens should make informed decisions.

 

Question 4: Do you ask other people for advice before making decisions?

Yes, especially when the decision involves areas where I have limited experience. Advice from family members, teachers, or friends can provide valuable perspectives. However, I believe the final decision should ultimately be my own responsibility.

Seek advice (v.phr): tìm lời khuyên
e.g: Students seek advice from teachers.

Different perspective (n.phr): góc nhìn khác nhau
e.g: Others provide different perspectives.

Personal responsibility (n.phr): trách nhiệm cá nhân
e.g: Decisions involve personal responsibility.

Valuable insight (n.phr): góc nhìn hữu ích
e.g: Experts provide valuable insights.

 

Question 5: Have you ever regretted a decision?

Yes, like most people, I have made decisions that I later regretted. However, I try to view mistakes as learning opportunities rather than failures. Reflecting on past decisions helps me make better choices in the future.

Learning opportunity (n.phr): cơ hội học hỏi
e.g: Mistakes create learning opportunities.

Reflect on (v.phr): suy ngẫm về
e.g: People should reflect on experiences.

Past experience (n.phr): kinh nghiệm quá khứ
e.g: Past experiences influence decisions.

Better judgment (n.phr): khả năng phán đoán tốt hơn
e.g: Experience improves judgment.

 

Question 6: Are you good at making decisions under pressure?

I think I perform reasonably well under pressure, although I naturally prefer having enough time to think. In urgent situations, I try to remain calm, focus on the available information, and avoid making purely emotional decisions.

Remain calm (v.phr): giữ bình tĩnh
e.g: Leaders remain calm during crises.

Urgent situation (n.phr): tình huống khẩn cấp
e.g: Emergency services handle urgent situations.

Available information (n.phr): thông tin sẵn có
e.g: Decisions depend on available information.

Emotional reaction (n.phr): phản ứng cảm xúc
e.g: Emotional reactions affect judgment.

 

Question 7: Do young people make decisions differently from older people?

Yes, I think they often do. Young people may be more willing to take risks and explore new opportunities, whereas older individuals tend to rely more on experience and long-term considerations. However, this varies significantly depending on personality and circumstances.

Risk-taking (n.phr): chấp nhận rủi ro
e.g: Young adults are often associated with risk-taking.

Long-term consideration (n.phr): cân nhắc dài hạn
e.g: Adults make long-term considerations.

Life experience (n.phr): kinh nghiệm sống
e.g: Life experience influences decisions.

Personal circumstance (n.phr): hoàn cảnh cá nhân
e.g: Decisions depend on personal circumstances.

 

Question 8: What kinds of decisions do you make every day?

Every day, I make decisions related to studying, time management, spending money, and social activities. Although these decisions may seem minor individually, they can have a significant cumulative effect on productivity and well-being over time.

Time management (n.phr): quản lý thời gian
e.g: Students need time management skills.

Daily choice (n.phr): lựa chọn hằng ngày
e.g: Daily choices affect health.

Financial decision (n.phr): quyết định tài chính
e.g: People make financial decisions regularly.

Cumulative effect (n.phr): tác động tích lũy
e.g: Habits have cumulative effects.

 

Question 9: Do you prefer making decisions alone or with others?

It depends on the type of decision. Personal decisions are usually best made independently, while complex decisions can benefit from collaboration and discussion. Consulting others often helps identify risks and opportunities that I may have overlooked.

Collaboration (n): sự hợp tác
e.g: Collaboration improves outcomes.

Independent decision (n.phr): quyết định độc lập
e.g: Adults make independent decisions.

Identify risk (v.phr): nhận diện rủi ro
e.g: Managers identify risks early.

Constructive discussion (n.phr): thảo luận mang tính xây dựng
e.g: Teams benefit from constructive discussions.

 

Question 10: Is decision-making an important skill?

Absolutely. Decision-making affects nearly every aspect of life, including education, careers, finances, relationships, and health. The ability to analyze information, evaluate options, and make sound judgments is essential for personal and professional success.

Analyze information (v.phr): phân tích thông tin
e.g: Managers analyze information before acting.

Sound judgment (n.phr): phán đoán hợp lý
e.g: Leaders need sound judgment.

Professional success (n.phr): thành công nghề nghiệp
e.g: Skills contribute to professional success.

Critical thinking (n.phr): tư duy phản biện
e.g: Decision-making requires critical thinking.

 


 

Part 2: Describe an important decision you made.

  • what the decision was

  • when you made it

  • why it was important

  • and explain how you felt about it afterwards.

Sample Answer

I'd like to talk about one of the most important decisions I have ever made, which was choosing to study law at university.

I made this decision during my final year of high school when I was preparing for university applications. At that time, I was considering several different fields, including business, international relations, and law. Since the choice would have a major influence on my future career and personal development, I spent a great deal of time researching different programs and reflecting on my interests and strengths.

The reason this decision was so important is that a university major can shape a person's professional opportunities and long-term goals. I have always been interested in social issues, justice, public policy, and the legal system. I enjoy analyzing arguments, solving problems, and discussing complex topics. After carefully evaluating my options, I realized that law was the field that aligned most closely with my skills and ambitions.

Before making the final decision, I sought advice from my family, teachers, and university students who were already studying law. Their perspectives helped me gain a more realistic understanding of both the opportunities and challenges associated with the profession. Nevertheless, I knew that the final responsibility rested with me.

After making the decision, I felt both excited and nervous. On the one hand, I was enthusiastic about pursuing a subject that genuinely interested me. On the other hand, I was aware that legal education can be demanding and competitive. However, as time passed, I became increasingly confident that I had made the right choice.

Looking back, I am very satisfied with my decision. Although there have been challenges along the way, studying law has allowed me to develop critical thinking, analytical skills, and a deeper understanding of society. It has also helped me clarify my long-term career goals.

Overall, this decision taught me the importance of careful planning, self-reflection, and taking responsibility for my future. It remains one of the most significant decisions I have made so far.

University application (n.phr): hồ sơ xét tuyển đại học
e.g: Students prepare university applications.

Career aspiration (n.phr): khát vọng nghề nghiệp
e.g: Education supports career aspirations.

Critical thinking (n.phr): tư duy phản biện
e.g: Law develops critical thinking.

Long-term goal (n.phr): mục tiêu dài hạn
e.g: Decisions should support long-term goals.

Self-reflection (n): sự tự nhìn nhận bản thân
e.g: Self-reflection improves decision-making.

Professional opportunity (n.phr): cơ hội nghề nghiệp
e.g: Degrees create professional opportunities.

Analytical skill (n.phr): kỹ năng phân tích
e.g: Lawyers need analytical skills.

Informed choice (n.phr): lựa chọn có cơ sở thông tin
e.g: Research leads to informed choices.

 


 

Part 3: Discussion

Question: Why do some people find decision-making difficult?

Many people find decision-making difficult because they fear making mistakes or facing negative consequences. Important decisions often involve uncertainty, which can create anxiety and hesitation. In addition, having too many options can sometimes make the decision-making process even more challenging.

Fear of failure (n.phr): nỗi sợ thất bại
e.g: Fear of failure affects decisions.

Negative consequence (n.phr): hậu quả tiêu cực
e.g: People worry about negative consequences.

Decision paralysis (n.phr): tê liệt vì quá nhiều lựa chọn
e.g: Too many choices can cause decision paralysis.

Uncertainty (n): sự không chắc chắn
e.g: Uncertainty makes decisions difficult.

 

Question: What factors influence people's decisions?

People's decisions are influenced by many factors, including personal values, emotions, financial circumstances, family expectations, cultural norms, and available information. The importance of each factor varies depending on the situation and the individual involved.

Personal value (n.phr): giá trị cá nhân
e.g: Decisions reflect personal values.

Financial circumstance (n.phr): hoàn cảnh tài chính
e.g: Financial circumstances affect choices.

Cultural norm (n.phr): chuẩn mực văn hóa
e.g: Cultural norms influence behavior.

Available information (n.phr): thông tin sẵn có
e.g: Better information improves decisions.

 

Question: Do young and older people make decisions differently?

Yes, generally speaking, younger people tend to be more open to risk and innovation, while older people often rely more on experience and caution. Younger individuals may focus on opportunities, whereas older adults may pay greater attention to potential risks and long-term consequences.

Risk tolerance (n.phr): mức chấp nhận rủi ro
e.g: Young people often have higher risk tolerance.

Life experience (n.phr): kinh nghiệm sống
e.g: Life experience shapes decisions.

Long-term consequence (n.phr): hệ quả dài hạn
e.g: Adults consider long-term consequences.

Calculated risk (n.phr): rủi ro đã được tính toán
e.g: Entrepreneurs take calculated risks.

 

Question: How important is experience in decision-making?

Experience is extremely important because it helps people recognize patterns, anticipate problems, and evaluate options more effectively. Individuals who have faced similar situations before can often make faster and more informed decisions.

Recognize pattern (v.phr): nhận diện quy luật
e.g: Experience helps recognize patterns.

Practical knowledge (n.phr): kiến thức thực tiễn
e.g: Practical knowledge supports decision-making.

Informed judgment (n.phr): phán đoán có cơ sở
e.g: Experience improves informed judgment.

Past lesson (n.phr): bài học trong quá khứ
e.g: Past lessons influence future choices.

 

Question: Should important decisions be made individually or collectively?

I think it depends on the context. Personal decisions should usually be made individually because the consequences mainly affect the individual. However, decisions that impact groups, organizations, or communities often benefit from collective discussion and consultation.

Collective decision (n.phr): quyết định tập thể
e.g: Teams make collective decisions.

Shared responsibility (n.phr): trách nhiệm chung
e.g: Collective decisions involve shared responsibility.

Consultation (n): sự tham vấn
e.g: Governments conduct public consultations.

Stakeholder (n): bên liên quan
e.g: Stakeholders should be consulted.

 

Question: How does technology affect decision-making?

Technology has significantly improved access to information, making it easier for people to compare options and make informed choices. However, the abundance of information can sometimes lead to confusion or information overload. Technology can support decision-making, but critical thinking remains essential.

Information overload (n.phr): quá tải thông tin
e.g: The internet causes information overload.

Data analysis (n.phr): phân tích dữ liệu
e.g: Businesses rely on data analysis.

Digital tool (n.phr): công cụ số
e.g: Digital tools improve efficiency.

Evidence-based decision (n.phr): quyết định dựa trên bằng chứng
e.g: Organizations make evidence-based decisions.

 

Question: Can emotions influence decision-making?

Absolutely. Emotions play a significant role in decision-making because they affect how people perceive risks and opportunities. While emotions can sometimes provide valuable intuition, excessive emotional influence may lead to impulsive or irrational decisions.

Emotional influence (n.phr): ảnh hưởng cảm xúc
e.g: Emotional influence affects judgment.

Impulsive decision (n.phr): quyết định bốc đồng
e.g: Stress can cause impulsive decisions.

Rational thinking (n.phr): tư duy lý trí
e.g: Rational thinking improves outcomes.

Intuition (n): trực giác
e.g: Experience strengthens intuition.

 

Question: Why do some people regret their decisions?

People often regret decisions when the outcome is worse than expected or when they discover better alternatives later. In some cases, regret comes from unrealistic expectations or insufficient information at the time the decision was made.

Alternative option (n.phr): lựa chọn thay thế
e.g: People compare alternative options.

Unexpected outcome (n.phr): kết quả ngoài dự đoán
e.g: Decisions may produce unexpected outcomes.

Hindsight (n): nhận thức sau khi sự việc đã xảy ra
e.g: Hindsight makes mistakes seem obvious.

Missed opportunity (n.phr): cơ hội bị bỏ lỡ
e.g: Regret often involves missed opportunities.

 

Question: Should schools teach decision-making skills?

Yes, definitely. Decision-making is a life skill that affects education, careers, finances, relationships, and health. Schools can teach students how to analyze information, evaluate risks, solve problems, and think critically before making important choices.

Life skill (n.phr): kỹ năng sống
e.g: Decision-making is a life skill.

Problem-solving (n): giải quyết vấn đề
e.g: Schools teach problem-solving.

Risk assessment (n.phr): đánh giá rủi ro
e.g: Students learn risk assessment.

Critical evaluation (n.phr): đánh giá phản biện
e.g: Critical evaluation improves judgment.

 

Question: How might decision-making change in the future?

In the future, decision-making will likely become increasingly data-driven due to advances in artificial intelligence and big data. People may have access to more information and predictive tools than ever before. However, human judgment, ethics, and emotional intelligence will remain essential because not every decision can be reduced to data alone.

Data-driven approach (n.phr): cách tiếp cận dựa trên dữ liệu
e.g: Businesses use data-driven approaches.

Artificial intelligence (n.phr): trí tuệ nhân tạo
e.g: Artificial intelligence supports decision-making.

Predictive tool (n.phr): công cụ dự đoán
e.g: Predictive tools improve planning.

Human judgment (n.phr): phán đoán của con người
e.g: Human judgment remains important.

 


 

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