IELTS Speaking 2025 Part 2&3: Describe a character in a film or TV show.

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Cue Card

Describe a character in a film or TV show.
You should say:

• What character it is

• Who played the character

• When you saw the film or show
  And explain whether you liked this character

1. Speaking Expressions

A. What character it is

• The character that instantly springs to mind is… (Nhân vật xuất hiện ngay trong đầu tôi là…)

• Hands down, my favourite character is… (Chắc chắn nhân vật tôi thích nhất là…)

• I was totally hooked on… (Tôi bị cuốn hút hoàn toàn bởi…)

• He/She is portrayed as… (Anh/Cô ấy được khắc họa như…)

• A really multi-layered character… (Một nhân vật có chiều sâu…)

B. Who played the character

• …was brought to life by… (…được thổi hồn bởi…)

• Played by the talented… (Do … – một diễn viên tài năng – thủ vai)

• He/She absolutely nailed the role. (Anh/Cô ấy nhập vai xuất sắc.)

• His/Her subtle facial expressions were on point. (Biểu cảm tinh tế của anh/cô ấy rất chuẩn.)

• He/She pulled off a phenomenal performance. (Anh/Cô ấy thể hiện tuyệt vời.)

C. When you saw it

• I first caught it back in… (Tôi xem lần đầu vào…)

• I binge-watched it over… (Tôi cày phim suốt…)

• I watched it at CGV/online on Netflix… (Tôi xem ở rạp CGV/trên Netflix…)

• During the lockdown / exam season… (Trong thời gian giãn cách/mùa thi…)

• It was all anyone talked about at the time. (Lúc đó ai cũng nhắc đến nó.)

D. Whether you liked the character

• What really struck me was… (Điều khiến tôi ấn tượng là…)

• I could totally relate to… (Tôi hoàn toàn đồng cảm với…)

• That character arc hit me hard. (Diễn biến nhân vật đó khiến tôi xúc động mạnh.)

• He/She felt so three-dimensional. (Anh/Cô ấy rất chân thực, nhiều chiều.)

• By the end, I was rooting for him/her. (Đến cuối cùng, tôi cổ vũ hết mình cho nhân vật đó.)

2. Ideas & Collocations

• Binge-watch on Netflix (cày phim trên Netflix)

• Book tickets on the CGV app (đặt vé trên ứng dụng CGV)

• Adapted from a best-selling novel (chuyển thể từ tiểu thuyết bán chạy)

• Character arc (diễn biến phát triển của nhân vật)

• Heart-wrenching scene (cảnh đau lòng)

• Relatable struggles (những khó khăn dễ đồng cảm)

• Multi-layered personality (tính cách đa tầng)

• Subtle facial expressions (biểu cảm tinh tế)

• Cinematic soundtrack (nhạc nền điện ảnh)

• Saigon/Ha Noi premiere night (đêm công chiếu ở Sài Gòn/Hà Nội)

3. Sample Answer

The character that instantly springs to mind is Ngạn from the Vietnamese movie Mắt Biếc (Dreamy Eyes). He was brought to life by Trần Nghĩa, who absolutely nailed the role of a quiet, hopelessly romantic boy growing into a conflicted man. I first caught it back in late 2019 when it premiered; my friends and I booked tickets on the CGV app and went to a Friday-night screening. A few months later, I even binge-watched it on Netflix just to relive the emotions.

Ngạn is portrayed as a gentle, loyal soul who falls head over heels for his childhood friend Hà Lan. What hooked me was his multi-layered personality—on the surface he seems passive, but deep down he wrestles with jealousy, pride, and unconditional love. Trần Nghĩa’s subtle facial expressions were on point: a tight jaw here, a watery eye there—tiny details that made Ngạn feel so three-dimensional.

What really struck me was his character arc. He starts as a dreamy schoolboy in a rural village, then moves to the city, yet never quite lets go of that first love. That trajectory hit me hard, maybe because many Vietnamese, myself included, have experienced that “yêu đơn phương” phase—loving someone silently. The film’s heart-wrenching scenes, like when he plays guitar under the tree alone, felt painfully familiar. I could totally relate to his sense of longing and his struggle to move on.

Another reason I loved him was the way the movie used music and visuals to echo his emotions. The cinematic soundtrack swells whenever his feelings peak, amplifying the melancholy. By the end, I was rooting for him, even though I knew he might never get the happy ending he deserved.

Overall, Ngạn isn’t just a character; he’s a mirror for that bittersweet, idealistic side in many of us. Trần Nghĩa pulled off a phenomenal performance, making me believe every awkward smile and every unspoken word. When the credits rolled, I left the cinema with red eyes but a full heart—proof that a well-crafted character can linger long after the lights come on.

IELTS Speaking Part 3

1. Is it interesting to be an actor or actress? Why?

Expressions:

• Without a doubt, it’s fascinating… (Chắc chắn rồi, rất thú vị…)

• But it’s not all glitz and glamour… (Nhưng không phải lúc nào cũng hào nhoáng…)

• You get to step into someone else’s shoes… (Bạn được hóa thân thành người khác…)

• The flip side is the pressure… (Mặt trái là áp lực…)

• It takes thick skin to survive. (Cần “mặt dày” để tồn tại.)

Ideas & Collocations:

• Red-carpet events / media spotlight (thảm đỏ / ánh đèn truyền thông)

• Grueling shooting schedules (lịch quay kiệt sức)

• Creative fulfillment (sự thỏa mãn sáng tạo)

• Public scrutiny & privacy invasion (soi mói công chúng & xâm phạm riêng tư)

Sample Answer:
Without a doubt, it’s fascinating because you get to step into someone else’s shoes and experience different lives. That said, it’s not all glitz and glamour—there are grueling shooting schedules and constant public scrutiny. The flip side is the pressure to look perfect and stay relevant. So yes, it’s exciting, but it takes thick skin to survive in that industry.

2. What can children learn from acting?

Expressions:

• Acting is a great springboard for… (Diễn xuất là bàn đạp tuyệt vời cho…)

• They pick up soft skills like… (Các em học được kỹ năng mềm như…)

• It encourages them to step out of their shell… (Giúp các em bước ra khỏi vỏ bọc…)

• They learn to read emotions… (Các em học cách hiểu cảm xúc…)

• Teamwork is baked into every performance. (Làm việc nhóm là điều hiển nhiên trong mỗi buổi diễn.)

Ideas & Collocations:

• Confidence building / public speaking (xây dựng tự tin / nói trước đám đông)

• Empathy through role-play (thấu cảm qua nhập vai)

• Discipline and memorisation (kỷ luật và ghi nhớ lời thoại)

• Collaboration with cast and crew (hợp tác với bạn diễn và ê-kíp)

Sample Answer:
Acting is a great springboard for kids to develop confidence. They pick up soft skills like public speaking, teamwork is baked into every performance, and they must be disciplined to memorise lines. Plus, they learn to read emotions and empathise with others through role-play, which is invaluable.

3. Why do children like wearing special costumes?

Expressions:

• Costumes fire up their imagination… (Trang phục kích thích trí tưởng tượng của trẻ…)

• They love the chance to be someone else… (Các em thích được làm người khác…)

• It’s pure make-believe and fun… (Đơn giản là tưởng tượng và vui thôi…)

• They get instant attention and praise… (Các em nhận được sự chú ý và khen ngợi ngay lập tức…)

Ideas & Collocations:

• Superhero outfits / princess dresses (đồ siêu anh hùng / váy công chúa)

• School drama day / Halloween events (ngày diễn kịch ở trường / Halloween)

• Photo sessions for social media (chụp ảnh đăng mạng xã hội)

Sample Answer:
Costumes fire up their imagination—kids adore the chance to be someone else, whether it’s a superhero or a princess. It’s pure make-believe and fun, and let’s be honest, they get instant attention and praise from adults. Festivals like Halloween or school drama days make it even more exciting.

4. What are the differences between well-paid and low-paid actors?

Expressions:

• At the top end of the spectrum… (Ở đầu “đỉnh” của phổ…)

• They command huge paychecks… (Họ nhận cát-xê khổng lồ…)

• On the other hand, struggling actors… (Ngược lại, diễn viên “chật vật”…)

• They hustle from gig to gig… (Họ chạy show từng việc nhỏ…)

• Resources and exposure make a world of difference. (Nguồn lực và độ phủ tạo nên khác biệt lớn.)

Ideas & Collocations:

• A-list stars vs. supporting extras (sao hạng A so với diễn viên quần chúng)

• Better scripts, stylists, marketing (kịch bản tốt hơn, stylist, quảng bá)

• Job insecurity / side jobs (công việc bấp bênh / nghề tay trái)

• Festival awards vs. small local theatres (giải thưởng lớn so với sân khấu địa phương nhỏ)

Sample Answer:
At the top end of the spectrum, A-list stars command huge paychecks and get access to top scripts, stylists, and marketing. On the other hand, struggling actors often hustle from gig to gig, take side jobs, and face job insecurity. Resources and exposure make a world of difference in career growth and pay.

5. What are the differences between acting in a theatre and in a film?

Expressions:

• Theatre is live—there’s no safety net. (Sân khấu là trực tiếp—không có lưới an toàn.)

• You feed off the audience’s energy… (Bạn nhận năng lượng từ khán giả…)

• Film acting is more intimate, more subtle… (Diễn xuất điện ảnh thân mật, tinh tế hơn…)

• Multiple takes vs. one shot to get it right… (Có thể quay nhiều lần so với chỉ một lần diễn chuẩn.)

• Blocking and projection matter more on stage. (Di chuyển sân khấu và giọng vang quan trọng hơn trên sân khấu.)

Ideas & Collocations:

• Projecting your voice / exaggerated gestures (phát âm to, cử chỉ phóng đại)

• Camera angles / close-ups / editing (góc máy, cận cảnh, dựng phim)

• Immediate applause vs. delayed feedback (vỗ tay ngay lập tức vs. phản hồi chậm)

• Long rehearsals vs. fragmented shooting schedules (tập luyện dài ngày vs. lịch quay rời rạc)

Sample Answer:
Theatre is live—there’s no safety net, so actors must project their voice and use bigger gestures. They feed off the audience’s energy and get immediate feedback. Film acting is more intimate and subtle, with close-ups and multiple takes. Editing and camera work can shape a performance, whereas on stage, blocking and projection matter more.