IELTS Speaking 2025 Part 2&3: Describe a Rule (in School or Work) That You Don’t Like 🚫📚

Describe a Rule (in School or Work) That You Don’t Like 🚫📚

Suggested Ideas for Each Part

• What it is 🏫

  • A strict dress code (e.g., wearing a uniform every day, no casual clothes)
  • A rule about being silent in the library at all times
  • A rule that students cannot use their phones in school
  • A strict attendance policy (even for minor reasons, you can’t be late)

• Why you don’t like it 🤨

  • It feels unnecessary or too strict
  • It limits personal freedom and creativity
  • Sometimes, the rule is unfair or impractical

• How others feel about the rule 🗣️

  • Some people agree, thinking it’s necessary for discipline
  • Others dislike it but have to follow it anyway

• Whether you’ve followed the rule ✔️❌

  • Sometimes, but I’ve broken it once or twice
  • I always follow it because I don’t want to get in trouble
  • I try to follow it, but I hope they change it in the future

Useful Grammar Structures

1. Past Simple for describing past experiences

   • When I was in high school, we had a strict dress code.

2. Present Perfect for ongoing situations

   • I have followed this rule for years, but I still don’t like it.

3. Second Conditional for hypothetical situations

   • If I could change one rule, it would be the dress code.

Collocations

1. Strict dress code 👔 (quy định trang phục nghiêm ngặt)
2. Personal freedom 🆓 (tự do cá nhân)
3. School regulations 📏 (quy định trường học)
4. Disruptive behavior ❌ (hành vi gây rối)
5. Unfair punishment ⚖️ (hình phạt không công bằng)

Full Sample Answer (2 Minutes) 🎤

One rule that I really don’t like is the strict dress code 👔 at my high school. We were required to wear a uniform every day, and we weren’t allowed to wear casual clothes, even on special occasions. The uniform was uncomfortable, especially during hot weather, and we couldn’t express our personal freedom 🆓 through fashion.

I found this rule frustrating because I think clothes don’t affect a student’s ability to study. In fact, if we were allowed to wear comfortable clothes, we might even perform better in class. Many of my classmates also disliked this rule, but they followed it to avoid getting in trouble. Some students, however, tried to break the rule by wearing different shoes or accessories.

As for me, I followed the rule most of the time, but there were days when I felt rebellious and wore a hoodie over my uniform. Of course, the teachers caught me and asked me to take it off. Looking back, I understand why schools have uniforms—to create equality among students—but I still wish there was more flexibility.

Part 3: Discussion Questions & Sample Answers

1. What are the rules students should follow at school? 🎓

Ideas

• Behavior rules: Be respectful, no bullying
• Academic rules: Complete homework, no cheating
• Safety rules: No running in hallways, no dangerous items

Collocations

1. Respectful learning environment 🤝 (môi trường học tập tôn trọng)
2. Academic integrity 📖 (tính trung thực trong học tập)
3. Safety precautions 🚸 (biện pháp an toàn)

Sample Answer

Students should follow rules that ensure a respectful learning environment 🤝. For example, they should treat teachers and classmates politely and avoid disruptive behavior ❌. Another important rule is academic integrity 📖—students should not cheat on exams or copy homework. Lastly, schools have safety precautions 🚸, such as not running in hallways to prevent accidents.

2. Are the rules at school good or bad? 🤔

Ideas

• Good: Maintain order, teach responsibility
• Bad: Some are too strict, limit creativity

Collocations

1. Enforce discipline 📏 (thực thi kỷ luật)
2. Restrict personal expression 🚫 (hạn chế sự thể hiện cá nhân)
3. Find a balance ⚖️ (tìm sự cân bằng)

Sample Answer

Most school rules are good because they enforce discipline 📏 and help students develop responsibility. However, some rules restrict personal expression 🚫, such as strict dress codes. I think schools should find a balance ⚖️ between discipline and allowing students to be themselves.

3. Do people often violate the rules in Vietnam? 🇻🇳

Ideas

• Common in traffic: Running red lights, not wearing helmets
• Less common in schools/workplaces: Fear of punishment

Collocations

1. Traffic violations 🚦 (vi phạm giao thông)
2. Public order 🚓 (trật tự công cộng)
3. Law enforcement 👮 (cơ quan thực thi pháp luật)

Sample Answer

In Vietnam, rule violations are not quite common, but sometimes in traffic. Some people commit traffic violations 🚦, like running red lights or not wearing helmets. However, in workplaces and schools, people tend to follow rules more strictly because of public order 🚓 and law enforcement 👮.

4. What rules should children follow at home? 🏠

Ideas

• Respect parents: Listen to advice, say “thank you”
• Help with chores: Clean room, wash dishes
• Time management: Limit screen time, complete homework first

Collocations

1. Household responsibilities 🏡 (trách nhiệm trong gia đình)
2. Good manners 🙏 (phép lịch sự tốt)
3. Screen time regulations 📱 (quy định về thời gian dùng điện thoại)

Sample Answer

Children should follow rules that help them develop good habits. For example, they should learn good manners 🙏, like respecting their parents and saying “thank you.” They should also have household responsibilities 🏡, such as cleaning their room or washing dishes. Lastly, parents should set screen time regulations 📱 to prevent kids from using phones too much.