This is not the list of the
current Part 1 topic and questions, although some of the current topic and
questions are included in this large list of questions.
These pages
called "All Part 1 Questions" show all
the topics and all the questions for those topics that have been used from
January 2006 to
December 2016.
It is a good
idea to prepare for Part 1 by
studying this page because examiners sometimes use sets of questions that are
exactly the same as past sets of questions for a certain topic. Sometimes we
know some of the Part 1 questions in current use but not all of them because
no-one has yet reported them as being used. So you can choose to only prepare
for the questions that are listed at various places on the internet as
current Part 1 questions, but
(if you have time)
it would be safer to also at least look at the past questions for the topics
that you know are now in current use.
If, between now and
your test date, you will pass through either January 1, May 1 or September 1,
there definitely will be some changes to the current Part 1. Looking at the
list of questions under "All Part 1 Questions" is a good way to prepare for the unknown new Part 1 topics
that will be in your test.
Where "your
country" is written, the examiner might say the actual name of the country.
Similarly, where "people in your country" is written, the examiner might use
the name of your country for example, "Chinese people" or "Russian people".
Notes:
For high school students or recent high school graduates who have not yet
started university, the word "school" or "high school" will
be used instead of "university". If you are no longer a student now
and have not yet started to work, the questions will be about the last time you
were a student, either high school or university and asked in the past tense.
Your Subject (= your major)
What subject(s) are you studying?
Why did you choose to study
that/those subjects?
Was that an easy choice to make?
Have you always wanted to study that subject?
Family Support for Your Choice
Did your family help you choose that course?
(Similar to above) Did your family have
any influence on your choice of subject?
(Similar to above) How do your parents feel
about your choice of subject?
(Similar to above) Did your parents agree
with your choice of subject?
(Similar to above) Do your family support
your choice of subject?
(See
Note)
Liking Your Subject(s)
How
do you feel about your studies/your subject/your subjects?
(Similar
to above) How do you like your studies/your subject/your subjects?
Do you
like your subject? (= your major = your subjects if a high school student)
Have you
always wanted to study _____ (your course or major)?
(For
university students) What are your favourite classes/courses/subjects at
university? (Unclear which word is used)
(For high
school students) What's your favourite subject at school? (Don't say P.E. –
that's not really a subject that people study.)
What's the
best part of your studies?
What part
of your course do you like best?
(Similar
to above) What part of your subject do you like the most?
Which
class do (did) you enjoy the most? (Why?)
Is there
anything about your subject you don’t like?
Do you
think it's important to choose a subject you like? (Why?)
The Popularity of Your Subject
Do many people in your country choose to study this subject? (Why?)
Is this a popular subject at your university? (= Do many students study this at your university?)
(Similar to above) Is this a popular subject
in your country?
Do you think it's popular because
people want to gain knowledge or is there some other reason?
What are the most popular subjects (=
university degree courses) in your country?
(Possibly) What are the differences between
liberal arts students and science students?
See Note 32
Interest
Is your subject interesting? (Why?/Why
not?)
(For university students) What's the most interesting thing about your subject? (Why?)
(Similar to above) What's the most
interesting part of your subject?
(Similar to above) What's the most
interesting part of your studies?
(Similar to above)
For
you, what's the most interesting part (or subject or class) of your course?
(For high school students:) Which of your subjects is the most interesting? (Why?)
What part of your subject do you like the
most?
(For high school) What's the most interesting of your subjects at
school?
Do you think it's important to choose
a subject you are interested in? (Why?)
The Importance of Your Subject
For
university students: How do you think your subject is important? (If
these are the words of the question, you can answer how the subject is
important to you, not just important to society. Or, you can mention the
importance to both you and to society.)
For
high school students: How do you think your subjects are important? Or: Which of your
subjects do you think are the most important? (Why?)
Do you think it's important to study
something that you like?
(See Note)
Study Efficiency
Do you prefer to study in the
mornings or in the afternoons?
(Similar to above) Do you study better in the
mornings or in the afternoons?
Specific Course
Content: For University Students
How do students in your
course learn this subject? See
Note
(Similar to above) How do
you learn this subject?
What (specific
things) do you learn in
your course (in your studies)?
(Similar to above)
What do you learn in that course?
(Similar to above) What have you learned in your course?
(Similar to above)
What subjects (classes) do you have in
your course (in your studies)?
How do you study ________ ? (The examiner chooses one of the subjects in
your course)
Do you think (all of)
those subjects are useful to you?
Can you describe your course?
(Not sure if the word here is 'subject', 'studies' or 'course'. The posting
HERE[message # 26] seems to indicate that the word is 'course'. This
is similar in meaning to your 'studies' - it includes all the classes
you study, not just your main
subject. An example of a 'course' is: 'A Bachelor of Civil
Engineering
course.')
(Similar to above) What
(specific things)
do you learn
in your course?
What do you usually do in class?
What's your favourite thing to do in class?
What have you been studying in the past year?
Are
there any particular skills that you learn in your studies?
Specific Course
Content: For High School Students
How do you study
________ ? (The examiner chooses one of your subjects)
Do you think (all of) your subjects
are useful to you?
What do/did you learn in _________ (one of your high school subjects)?
Your
University/School
Where do you study? (What university/school and in what city?)
What
school (or university) do you go to?
See
Note
Why did you choose to attend your
university/school (instead of choosing another one)?
(Similar to
above) Why did you choose this school to study your particular subject?
How long have you been going to that school/university?
Does your university/school
specialize in any particular subject?
Do you like your university/school? (Why?/ Why not?)
(Similar to above)
What
do you think of your school/university?
(Similar to above) Do you like studying there?
What's the best part of
studying there?
Do you have any recreational or entertainment activities at
your school/university?
(Past tense if not at school or university right now)
Would you say your school/university is a good one? (Why?)
What do you most like about your university/school? (Why?)
(Similar to above) What part of your school/university do you like best? (Why?)
(Similar to above)
What's
the best thing about your university/school?
Which is the best university in your
country (or, city)?
Time
Spent as a Student
How long is your course? (How long do you have to spend studying before you graduate?)
How long have you
been a student?
(Similar to
above) How long have you been studying this course?
(Similar to above)
When did you start studying ____ (your subject)?
What
year are you in?
When did you start this course and when will you finish it? (= How long have
you been doing this course?)
(Similar to above,
for high school students) How many years have you spent in school?
(Possible
question) What year are you in at school/university? * See
Note
Do you attend classes every day?
Difficulty
Do
you think that's a difficult subject to study?
(Similar to above) Is your subject very challenging (or
difficult) to study?
(Similar to above) Would you say it's
stressful to study that?
What's the most difficult (or, stressful) part
of it?
(Probable question) Do you think that
you are overloaded with study?
(Similar to above) Do you feel you are studying too much?
(Possibly) Does studying make you feel tired?
What do you do when you have a problem
(or difficulty) with your studies?
Do you think _______ is a difficult subject
to study? (For high school students. Examiner chooses one of your subjects.)
What's the most difficult part of your course?
(Similar to above) What's the most difficult
part of your studies?
(Possible question for high school students or
graduates) Are (or, were) your subjects at school very difficult?
(Possible question for high school students or
graduates) Which subjects at school do you (or, did you) find difficult and
which do you (or, did you) find easy?
Help With Studies
Is there anyone who helps (helped) you (with your studies) at
university/school? (Who? In what way?) (Who gives you the most help?)
Who gives
you more help, your teachers or your classmates?See Note 31
Study
Tools, Equipment, Facilities
What
"study tools" (or equipment) do you use? See
Note
Do
you think these tools are useful?
What
facilities are there at your school/university to help you in your studies?
Do you use computers in your studies?
What
do you use them for?
Studying with Others
Do
you prefer studying independently ( = studying alone) or with others (or, in
a group)? (Why?) See Note
What do you do with your
classmates? (If
answering that you prefer to study with others.)
Friends at University/School
In what ways (or, how) do you associate with
your classmates (or other students doing your subject)?
(Similar to above) What things do you do with
the other students who are also studying your subject?
Are you good friends with your classmates (schoolmates)?
(Similar to above) Do you get along well with your classmates (schoolmates)?
(Similar to above) How do you get along with your classmates (schoolmates)?
(Similar to above) How do you feel
about your classmates?
(Similar to above) Do you like your
schoolmates?
Do you ever talk to students who are studying different subjects to you?
(= students from different courses)
Do you think you will continue to be friends with him/her/them after you graduate?
(Similar to above) In
the future, do you think you and your friends will continue to be together
(or, continue to be friends)?
How do you think you will maintain
your friendship(s) after you graduate?
(Similar to above) How will you keep
in contact if you are not together?
(For graduates) Have you kept up (maintained) your friendships from university (school)?
Are there any classmates/schoolmates who you dislike (disliked)? (Who? Why?)
Do you often get together
with ( = go out with = do things in your free time with ) your
classmates after classes? (What do you do?)
Holidays
What holidays from university/school do you have during the year?
The Syllabus / Extra-Curricular Activities
What do you think of the course contents / the school
curriculum?
Does your school/university have any
extra-curricula activities? (What?) ('Extra-curricular' = 'after school')
What do you like to do after classes?
Student Life
Tell me about your
student life. (= Tell me about your life as a student)
Do you like university
life?
(Similar to above)Do you enjoy being a student? / Do you like university life?
(Similar to above) How
do you like university life? ( = How do you feel about life at university?)
(Similar to above)
What part of university life do you like best? (Why?)
What's the best part of being a
student?
When you start
working, do you think you'll enjoy that more than being a student?
For you, what's
the most enjoyable part of being a student?
Study Place
(eg. your bedroom, the library)
For you, where is the best place to
study? (Why?)
Do you get annoyed when people
disturb your study?
Working Part-Time
Do many students in your country work
part-time?
Do you think it's good for
teenagers to have a part-time job?
Future Work
Do you have any
particular work or study goals? *
What are your future work plans?
(after
you graduate)
(Similar
to above) What do you plan to do after you finish your course?
(Similar
to above) What work would you like to do after you finish your studies?
Why do you want to do that kind of work?
How do you plan to get that job (or, that
kind of work)?
Do you think it will be easy for you to get a job (or, that job) after you graduate?
(Similar to above) How difficult do you
think it will be to achieve your career goal?
Is there much competition to get that kind
of work?
(If finished studies) Have you applied for
a job yet?
After you graduate, what effect do you think you will have on society?
After you start working, do you
think you will prefer that kind of life to being a student?
Do you think the
things you are studying now in school/university will prepare you well for
your future work?
(Similar to above) Do you think what you
are studying now is very useful (or, relevant or, important) for this type
of work?
(Similar to above) Do you think it will be easy
to find work after studying what you are studying now? (= find a job based
on what you are studying now.)
(Similar to above) Is it easy to
find a job with this major?
Do you think it will be easy to find that kind of work
(without help)?
When you start
working, do you think you will prefer that to being a student?
What jobs are most popular (among young people)
in your country?
(Possibly) What
kinds of jobs can people do after studying _______ (your subject)?
What do you
plan to do after you have finished your studies? ["Your studies" probably =
the studies you are doing now but it could mean all of your studies,
including your future studies. = What do you plan to do after you have
graduated?]
Future Plans
What work
are you planning to do (or, hope to do) after you finish your studies?
(Similar to above) Do you have any future plans involving
your subject (= your major)?
(Similar to above)
What work do you plan to (or, want to) do
after you finish your education?
(Similar to above)
What are your future career plans?
(Similar to above)
What kind of work are you planning to do in the future?
Further Studies
If you were to pursue further studies, would you choose to continue studying this subject?
What are your
future study plans?
What country would you like to go to for
further study? (Why?)
Would you like to continue your
studies in the future?
(Similar to above)
Do you plan to continue your studies in the future?
Other
Benefits from Your School/University Life
In addition to gaining knowledge, what other ways have you
benefited from your school/university experience?
Sitting for
the IELTS Test
Why did you decide to sit for the
IELTS test?
Which
country are you preparing to go to?
Why
did you choose that country
Your First Day at
University (or high school)
(The word, "university" is probably replaced by
the words, "high school" or "secondary school" if you have not been to
university yet.)
Did you like your first day at university?
(Similar to above) Did you have a good first
day at university?
(Similar to above) How did you feel on
your first day at university/high school?
Do you think the first day at university is
important?
How important do you think it is for people to
have an enjoyable first day at university (or, school)?
(Similar to above) Do you
think a person's first impressions of a new school or university are
important?
Your Teachers / Lecturers
(In a classroom,) who do you think is
more important, the students or the teacher? (See
Note)
(Similar to above) (In your
class, your course or, your studies) who do you think is more important, the
students or the teacher?
(Similar to above) (In your
class, your course or, your studies) who is more important to you,
the students or the teacher?
Who gives you more help, the teachers
or other students?
What do you get from your teachers?
Previous Expectations
Is your subject the same as what you imagined it would be before
you started studying it?See Note 42
(Similar to above)
Is your subject the same as what you imagined it would be
when you chose it?
Education in General
Which do you think is more important
in the education process (or, in the classroom), the teacher or the students?
(Similar to above) Are you planning
to change your job? See
Note
(Similar to above) Are you planning to change your job in the near future? (Why?/Why not?)
What would influence you to
change your job?
If you had the opportunity to change your job, what would you choose to do?
(Similar to above) Would you like to continue working in this company for a long time?
Do you think you will continue to do this type of work (or,
this job)?
What are your future work plans?
What job (or, work) would you like to do
(in the future)?
(Similar to above) What would be the ideal
job for you?
(Similar to above) What other job do
you think you would enjoy, apart from your present job?
(Similar to above) If you had a choice, what
would
be your ideal job?
(Similar to above) If you had to change your career, what
other job would you chose?
In the future, what changes do
you think will take place in your industry?
(Similar to above) What possible changes in
the future might affect your job (or, your work)?
(Possibly the question above is)
In the future, what changes do you
think will take place in the typical workplace?
(Similar to above)
Do you
intend to (or, want to) continue doing this kind of work (or, this job)?
(See Note)
(Similar to above) If you had the chance, would you (like
to) change your job?
Help With Work
Is there anyone who helps you with your work? (= helps you
do your job)
How do you and your work colleagues help each other at work? (Or: Do
you and your colleagues help each other at work? How?) (Or: Who gives
you the most help at work?)
Working Conditions
Do you think people today have a bigger work load (or, more
work pressure) than people did several decades ago?
Do you think there should be a minimum and a maximum
working age for people? * (See NOTE
Work
Tools/Equipment
Do you use any equipment in your work?
What tools or equipment do you use in your work? (Include information
about how useful it is/they are.)
Is it/are they very helpful to you?
(Similar to above) Would you say it's/they're very useful?
(Similar to above) How useful would you say it is/they are?
Do
you use computers in your work?
What
do you use them for?
Your Work and Your Colleagues
Do you like the people you work with?
Do you often get together with your colleagues (workmates) after work? (What do you do?)
(Similar to above) Do you do
anything with your colleagues after work?
Which is more important to you, the people you work with
or the work itself
Holidays
What holidays from work do you have during the year?
Work Goals
/ The Future
Do you have any particular work goals?
(Similar to above) What are your
work plans for the future?
Do you plan to continue doing that
work in the future? (or, that type of work / or, that job)
(Similar to above) Would you like to
continue doing that work in the future? (or, that type of work / or, that job)
(Possibly the question
above is this) Would you prefer to
continue doing the same job, or would you prefer to change your job? See
Note 16
What job (or, work) would you like to do (in the future)?
The Future of Your Industry
In
the future, what changes do you think will take place in your industry?
Do you see any changes in your job in the future?
(Similar to above)
Do you think there will be future changes in your field of
work?
(Similar to above) Do you think your
way of working or work culture will change in future?
(Similar to above)
Do you think your work pattern will change in the future?
(Why?)
Do you think your job will still be relevant in the future?
Sitting
for the IELTS Test
Why did you decide to sit for the
IELTS test?
(Similar to above)
Why
are you taking the IELTS test?
Which
country are you preparing to go to?
Why
did you choose that country?
Working with Others and Co-operation
Do you have to talk to a lot of people at work?
Do you need to
work with (= co-operate with) other people at work? (teamwork question)
(Similar
to above) Do you prefer working alone or with others (or, in a group)?
(Why?)
What do you do with your
colleagues (workmates)?(If
answering you prefer to work with others.)
Do you like
working with them?
How (well) do you get along with
your colleagues?
Have you made any friends at work?
Which do you think is more important, the work you are doing or the people you work with?
(Different to above) Which do you enjoy more, the work you are doing or people you work with?
Do you feel your co-workers (or,
colleagues) have confidence in you?
The
Preparation You Had for This Job/ Qualifications Needed
Do you think your
(school or) university education prepared you well for the work you are
doing now
?
What kind of housing/accommodation do you live in?
(Similar to above) What sort of accommodation do you live in at the moment - a house or a flat?
(If you live in a dormitory but the examiner
only gives you the choice of flat or house, you can begin your answer
by saying something such as, "Well, neither, actually. I live in a
dormitory at my university.")
Do
you live in a house or a flat?
Where is it located?
Who do you live with?
How long have you lived there?
(Similar
to above) How long have you been living there?
Do you plan to live there for a long time?
(If you answer you haven't lived there
long) What's the difference between where you are living now and where you
have lived in the past?
Can you describe the place where you live? = Please describe your home a
little. (Talk mostly about the place, not the people you live with.)
Which room does your family spend most of the time in?
What do you usually do in your house/flat/room?
Are the transport facilities to
your home very good?
(Similar to above) Is it easy to
travel to and from your home?
Is the architecture of your home modern, or more traditional?
Do people in your country prefer to live in modern homes, or
more traditional homes?
Preference: Flat or House
Do you prefer living in a house
or a flat?
(If you had the choice)
Would you prefer to
live in a house or a flat? (Why?)
What are the benefits of living
in a flat/house? [Whichever one you said you live in.]
Liking
the Place Where you Live
Do you like it? (Why?)
(Similar to above) How
do you like your flat/house? ( = How do you feel about your house/flat?)
Please
describe the room you live in.
What part of your home do you like the most?
(Similar to above) What's your
favourite room in your home?
What do you do in this room? (= What
is this room used for? = What is the function of this room?)
(Similar to above) What would you say is the best thing about your home?
(Similar to above) What do you like most about your home?
(Similar to above) What's the
best thing (the best part) of your home ( = the place where you live)?
Is there anything you don't like about the place where you live?
What do you least like (= like least) about your home?
Which is your favourite room? (Why?
Decorations
What kind of decorations does it (do the rooms/does your room) have?
(Similar to above) How do you decorate (or, how have you decorated) your home? (or, your bedroom or your part of your dorm room)
How
do you think this room (your favourite room) could be improved?
What furniture is in that room?
(Possible question) Are you willing to bring
other people (i.e., visitors) to your home?
Describing What You Can See
What can you see when you look out the window of your room
(or, the windows of your home)?
Is there anything on the walls of your home (or your
room)? See Note
Childhood House or Room
What kind of place did you live in when you were a kid?
(Similar to above) What was your home (or, house) like when you were a child?
(Similar to above) What sort of house did you live in when
you were a child?
What was your room like?
Improvements
Do you think your home
(or, the place where you live) needs any improvements?
What improvements do you
think your home needs?
How do you think this
room could be improved?
How do you think your
home could be improved?
(Similar to above) Is
there anything about your room (or, your home) you would like to improve?
(Similar to above) How
do you plan to improve your home in the future?
If you could change one
thing in your apartment, what would it be?
(Possibly the question
above is this) If you could change one thing about your apartment, what
would it be?
(Similar
to above) How (well) do you relate to your neighbours?
What kind of people are your
neighbours?
Do you spend much time socializing with your neighbours in your neighbours' homes? ('socializing' = talking to;
跟他们一起玩
)
What
are the surroundings like there? (= What is the neighbourhood like?)
(Similar to above)
What is the environment like around your flat/house?
(Similar to above)
What
is the area around your flat/house like?
Do
you like the environment (around) where you live?
Would you say your home is a comfortable place to live?
Would you say it's a good place to live?
(Similar to above) Would you recommend that
as a good place (a good location) to live?
(Similar to above) Would you say it's a
suitable place to live?
(Similar to above) Would you recommend that
(your neighbourhood) as a good place to
live?
Would you say the place where you live is good for families
with children? (Hint: Children need a place to play outside.)
What (public) facilities are there near your home?
Are the transport facilities to (or near) your
home very good?
(Similar to above) Is it easy to travel to and
from your home?
(Similar to above) Is the public transportation
good in the area where you live?
Are there many shops near your home?
What types of shops are available in your
area?
What other facilities are there in
your neighbourhood (= near your home)?
Moving
One of the following questions might be asked.
Do
you plan to move?
Would you like to move to another place to live? (Why? Where?)
Would you like to move to a different
home?
Are you prepared to move? (This means:
你愿意搬家吗?
Or: "If, in the future, you have to move, are you ready to do that?")
People report on the bulletin boards that the question is:
你准备搬家吗? Most probably this is the question that is used.
Have you (ever) thought of moving to a different place? (Why?/Why not?)
(If the words of the question are these, the meaning is
你(在任何时候)想过搬家吗?)
Are you preparing to move to a different place soon? ( = Are you planning to move soon?) (Why?/Why not?)
Are you planning to (= thinking about) moving to live in a different place? (Why? Where? /Why not?)
(Similar to above) If you had the opportunity, would you move to a different place? (Why? Where? /Why not?)
Do you think you will leave home soon?
In the future, what sort of home (flat, house etc.) would you like to live
in? (See
Notes)
(Possibly) Would you like to live in a bigger house (or flat)?
What
kind of neighbourhood/environment/surroundings would you like to live in?
Types of Housing in Your Country
What kind of housing is most popular in
your country?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3. Your Hometown
Your
'hometown' is the place where you grew up, not necessarily the place where you
were born.
Sometimes the topic is, "The Place Where You Are
Living Now", which might not be your hometown.
Current Living Place
Where
do you come from?
(Similar to above) Where is your
hometown?
What part of ____ (your home country) is that in?
Where
do you live at the moment?
How
long have you been living there/here?
Why do you live there/here?
Where are you living now, in your hometown or another
place?
How long have
your been living there/here?
(Similar to above) How long have you lived there/here?
Do you have many
neighbours?
Do you know your
neighbours very well?
Family
Do your parents also live there?
(Similar to above) Does your whole family live
there?
Did your family ever move away from the place you were born? (Why?/Why not?)
Did your
family ever move away from the place you were born? (Why?/Why not?)
If Not Living in Your Hometown Now
Why did
you choose to live here/there? (If not living in your hometown)
How
long have you been living there?
Do you plan to live
there/here for a long time?
Do
you like _____? (The place you are living in now) (Why?/Why not?)
(Similar to above) Do you like the city where you are living now? (Why?/Why
not?)
(Similar
to above) Do you like living here/there?
(Similar to above) Which place do you prefer, your hometown or the city where you are studying or working?
Do you still visit your hometown?
How do you visit your hometown? (=What kind of transport do you use to go there?)
Who do you visit in your hometown?
The Location of Your Hometown
Where
is your hometown? (Or, what part of your country do you come from?)
Whereabouts (=where) did you grow up? (Or, Where were you born?)
(Similar to above) Where are you from?
(Similar to above) Where is your hometown?
Is that a city or is it in the countryside?
(Similar to above) Are you from a city or village (the
countryside)?
Do you prefer to live
in a big city or a small place (or in the countryside?
(Similar to above) Would you prefer to live in a big city or
in the countryside?
Do you still live there?
Does (do) your family still live there?
(Similar to above) Do you still live there now?
(Similar to above) Where do you live at the moment?
Why do you live there/here?
Description of Your Hometown
What kind of place is your hometown? (= Describe your hometown)
(Similar to above) Could you describe your hometown a little?
(Similar to above) Please tell
me something about your hometown.
Does it have good
facilities?
(Similar to
above) Would you say it has good facilities?
What facilities does your
hometown have?
Does it have good educational
facilities?
Is the public transport system in your
hometown convenient to use?
What
sorts of buildings are there in your hometown?
What work do the people in your
hometown do?
Are the people in your hometown very friendly?
(Similar to above) Is your hometown a friendly place?
What place(s) in your hometown do you go
to in your spare time? (Why? Include what you do there.)
Size /
Small Town or City
Is
that a big city or a small town (or, a village in the countryside)?
(Similar
to above) How big is that place?
Do
you prefer to live in a big city or in the countryside?
(Similar
to above) Would
you prefer to live in a big city or in the countryside?
For you,
what
benefits are there to living in a big city? (or small town, whatever your
preference was)
(Similar
to above) In general, what
benefits are there to living in a big city?
(or small town, whatever your
preference was)
Do you think it's good to live in
a big city?
(or small town, whatever your
preference was)
Free-Time Activities in Your Hometown
What do
people in your hometown do in their free time?
(Similar
to above) What do
you do in your hometown in your leisure time?
What
place(s) in your hometown do you go to in your spare time?(Why? Include
what you do there.)
Famous
Is your
hometown famous for anything?
(If you
answer no) How could it become famous?
The
History of Your Hometown
Do you
know much about the history of your hometown?
Did you
learn (or, have you learned) much about the history of your hometown in
school?
The Oldest
What's the oldest part (the oldest area/section) of your hometown?
(Similar to above) What's the oldest part (area/section) of your hometown?
(Similar to above) What's the oldest structure in your
hometown? (= the oldest existing structure)
(Similar to above) What's the
oldest thing in your hometown? (See NOTE)
Are there any old buildings in your
hometown?
The Best
(These questions are also under the topic, 'Your Feelings/Opinions about Your Hometown')
What
would you say is the best part of your hometown?
(Similar
to above) What would you say is the best thing about your hometown?
What do you like best about your hometown?
(See
NOTE)
(Similar to above) What part
of your hometown do you like best? (Why?) (= What's the best thing about
your hometown? = What do you find most attractive about your
hometown?)
(Similar
to above) What would you say is the best thing about your hometown? See Note
The Most Famous
(This question is also
under the topic, 'Visitors to Your Hometown')
What's
the most famous thing about your hometown?
The Most Attractive
What's
the most attractive part of your hometown?
Tourist Attractions
What tourist
attractions are there in your hometown?
Would a foreign
visitor enjoy them?
(Similar to
above) What parts of your hometown would you recommend (or,
suggest) a visitor go and see?
(Similar to
above) What tourist attractions would you recommend to visitors who
come to your hometown?
Changes in the
Past Few Decades (e.g., 20 or 30 Years)
Has
your hometown changed much in the past few years? (e.g. 20 years)
(Similar to above) How has your hometown changed in recent years? (E.g., the past 20
or 50 years or since you were a child)
(Similar to above) In what way has your hometown changed
the most in the past few years?
(Similar to above) What part of your hometown has changed
the most in the past few years?
Compared
to the past, would you say your hometown today is more suitable for living
in, or less suitable?
Your Feelings/Opinions/Judgments about Your Hometown
Do
you like your hometown? (Why?/Why not?)
(Similar to above) Do you like living
here/there?
What do
you like most (or, best) about living in your hometown (or, about living where you are
living now)?
Would you say it's an
interesting place?
What's the most interesting
part of it?
(Similar to above) What's
interesting about it?
Would you say it's a liveable place?
Would you say it's a good place to live/grow
up in?
(Similar to above) Would you recommend that
place to others (as a good place to live)?
Compared
to the past, would you say your hometown today is more suitable for living
in, or less suitable?
What
would you say is the best part of your hometown?
(Similar
to above) What would you say is the best thing about your hometown?
Would you say it's a good place for young people to
live/grow up?
(Similar to above) Would you say it's a good place for children to grow up?
(Similar to above) (Similar to
above) Would you say your hometown is a good place for (families with)
children to live?
(See
NOTE.)
(Similar
to above) Would you say it's a good place to grow up (in)?See
Note
Do
you like your hometown? (Why?/Why not?) (Or: Do you like the place you are
living in now?)
What do you like best about your hometown?
(See
NOTE)
(Similar to above) What part
of your hometown do you like best? (Why?) (= What's the best thing about
your hometown? = What do you find most attractive about your
hometown?)
(Similar
to above) What would you say is the best thing about your hometown? See Note
(Similar
to above)What's your
favourite part of your hometown?
Would you like to retire there when you are old?
Is there anything you don't like about your
hometown?
Would you say it's a good place to live? (Or)
Would you say it's a good place to grow up?
Would you say it's a good place for
young people to
live?
Does your hometown have good entertainment
facilities?
Is it a suitable place for old people to live?
Do you think it's more suitable as a place for young people
to live, or old people?
Improvements
What would you say are the good points and the
bad points of living there / of your hometown?
What do you think
needs to be done to make your hometown a better place to live in?
(Similar to
above) How do you think your hometown could be improved?
(Similar to above) What do
you think needs to change in your hometown?
Visitors to Your Hometown
Would you recommend your city as a travel destination to your friends?
Do many people visit your hometown (as tourists)?
(Similar to above)
Do
people from other places often visit your hometown? (Why?/Why not?)
(Similar
to above) Do people like traveling to (or visiting) your hometown? (Why?/Why
not?)
(Similar to above) Is your hometown a good place for visitors (tourists)?
(Similar to above) Does your
hometown have any tourist attractions?
(Similar to above) Would you say
your hometown is suitable for tourists to visit? (Why?/Why not?) (SeeNOTE)
What would you recommend (or, suggest)
visitors to your city see and do?
What's
the most famous thing about your hometown?
What do visitors see or do when they go to your hometown?
(Similar to above) Does your hometown have any special tourist attractions?
What forms of transport do visitors use to come to your hometown?
How could your hometown (be improved in order to) attract more visitors?
Would you say your hometown is
suitable for development as a tourist spot (or, tourist attraction)?
(Why?/Why not?)
The Weather in Your Hometown
What's
the weather usually like in your hometown?
Has
the weather in your hometown changed much in recent years?
Transportation & Traffic in Your
Hometown
What's the traffic situation
like in your hometown (or, where you are living now)?
How do people in your hometown get to (= go to/travel to) work?
What form
of transport do you prefer to use in your hometown?
Future Living Place
Do you think you'll always live
here/there?
(Similar to above)
Do you
plan to live there/here for a long time?
(Similar to above) Do you plan
to live there in the future?
(Similar to above) Would you
like to live there in the future?
How long do you
intend to continue living there/here?
Have you ever thought about moving to live somewhere else?
(Why?/Why not?)
What
place (city) would you like to live in (in the future)?
If you had a chance to live in a different city, what would it be?
(Why?)
Would you like to return to your
hometown when you retire?
Would you like to live in the
countryside?
(Probably the question above is really
this) Would you like to live in the
countryside when you retire?
(Similar to above)
Would you like to live in the
countryside when you are old?
Make sure you know the differences between "fashion"
and "fashionable".
Don't say, "I like to wear fashion clothes." That should be,
"I like to wear fashionable clothes," or
"I like to wear clothes that are in fashion.
The
Importance of Clothes
Do you think it's important what
clothes a person wears? (Why?/Why not?)
(Similar to above)
Do you think the clothes a person
wears are important?
Is it important what clothes you
wear at your job? (your company)
Do you think the clothes a person
wears leaves an impression on others?
Styles/Types
of Clothes
What kinds/styles of
clothes do you like (or, prefer) to wear? (Why?)
(Similar to above) What
kind of clothes do you like best? (Why?)
(Similar to above) What
kinds of clothes do you usually wear?
(Similar to above) What
kinds of (or, style of) clothes do people in your country like to wear?
Do you wear the same
clothes both at work and after work?
Will you change your
clothes when you go home today?
Do / did you wear the
same clothes at school and at home? (Past tense if you are no longer at
school)
(Similar to above) Are
there any differences between the clothes you wear / wore at school and
those your wear / wore at home? (Past tense if you are no longer at school)
Do you wear the same
kinds of clothes in winter and summer?
Do you ever go shopping
for clothes with a friend?
Have you ever helped
other people choose what clothes to buy?
Do your friends have the
same tastes in clothes as you? (= Do your friends wear the same kinds of
clothes as you? Or: Do the people around you wear the same kinds of clothes
as you?) (See
NOTE)
What kinds of (or, style
of) clothes do people in your country like to wear?
Do you think you will
still be wearing the same kinds of clothes when you are old? (You could
include what you think you will be or won't be wearing when you are old.)
(Similar to above) Do
you think you will change the style of clothes you wear in the future?
Did you have any special
clothes to wear when you were a child?
Did you like them?
Do you prefer informal
(= casual clothes = leisure clothes) or formal clothes? (Why?)
Do you feel comfortable
when wearing formal clothes? (Why?/Why not?)
Do you think formal
clothes are important?
When do people wear
formal clothes?
Do you think clothing
today is very different to clothing in the past? (e.g., 10-30 yrs. ago)
(Possibly) Is the
clothing that people wear in your country today very different to the
traditional clothing of your country? ("Traditional" refers to something
that is usually hundreds of years old.)
What (type of) clothes
do you prefer, Western (or, foreign) clothes or clothes from your own
country?
Fashion
Are you very interested
in fashion (or, clothes fashions)?
(Similar to above) What
do you think of (or, about) fashion?
(Similar to above) What
do you think about fashion nowadays in your country?
Do you have a lot of
nice clothes?
Do you think clothes are
important to people? (Why?/Why not?)
(Similar to above) Are
clothes very important to you?
Where do you think you
can buy the most fashionable clothes?
What kinds of clothes
are popular in your country?
What do you think of
modern fashions?
(Similar to above) Do
you like the latest fashions? (Why?/Why not?)
Do you like to wear
fashionable clothes?
(Similar to above) Do
you usually wear clothes that are in fashion?
(Similar to above) Do
you ever wear designer (or, name brand) clothes?
(Similar to above) Do
you ever buy designer (or, name brand) clothes?
Is the brand of clothes
important to you? (Why?/Why not?)
What clothes materials
do you like best? (Why?)
Are people's ideas about
fashion (or, ideas about what is 'fashionable', or, fashion tastes) today
the same as people's ideas in previous years?
(Similar to above) Are
the clothes that people in your country wear today the same as people's
clothes in previous years?
What types of clothes
are in fashion now?
Do many people (in your
country) follow fashion?
What are the benefits of
following fashion?
Do you think people pay
too much attention to fashion?
Do you think your tastes
in fashion will be the same when you are old?
(Similar to above) Do
you think fashion trends will be the same when you are old(er)?
Is there anything that
you used to wear in the past that you don't wear now?
Different
People Wearing Different Clothes
Do you think the clothes a person
wears leaves an impression on others?
Do students and working people
wear the same kinds of clothes?
What can you learn about a person
from the clothes they wear?
(Similar to above)
What can we tell about a person from
the clothes they wear?
(Similar to above)
How does the clothes a person wears
represent that person?
Shopping for Clothes
How often do you go shopping for clothes?
Do you like shopping (for clothes)? (Why?/Why not?)
(Similar to above) Is shopping for clothes
important to you?
Do you spend a lot of money on clothes?
Would you say people spend too much (money)
on clothes nowadays?
Where do you buy your clothes?
Where
do you think you can buy the most fashionable clothes?
Have you ever bought clothes that you
(now) don't like?
When was the last time you went shopping for
clothes?
Do you like window-shopping for clothes? (Why?/Why not?)
Why do some people frequently go shopping
(for clothes)?
Do you think some people pay too much attention to clothes?
Do you think some people spend too much
time/money on shopping (for clothes)?
Do you think people spend too much
time choosing their clothes?
(See
NOTE)
Do men and women have the same ideas
(feelings) about shopping for clothes?
Do you like buying clothes on the internet?
Do you like to try on clothes before you
buy them? (Why?/Why not?)
Do you plan to buy any
designer
(or, name brand) clothes?
Uniforms
Do you think employees in a company should wear a uniform?
Are you (would you be) willing to wear a uniform at work?
(Similar to above)
Would
you like to wear (or, do you like wearing) a uniform?
(Similar to above) How do you feel about wearing a uniform?
What
kinds of people wear a uniform? (Hint: soldiers, policemen, most school
students, etc.)
In your country, are students allowed to
wear different clothes to other students?
(See
NOTE)
The Colour of Clothes
Do people care about the colour of
their clothes? (Why?/Why not?)
How about you - do you care about
the colour of your clothes? (Why?/Why not?)
(Similar to above) For
you, is the colour of the clothes very important when you are shopping for
clothes?
(Similar to above) Do you think the
colour of one's clothes is important? (Why?/Why not?)
What's your favourite clothes colour? (Why?)
When you buy clothes, how do you
choose the colour?
Do any colours have special meaning
in your culture?
Do you think colour(s) is (are)
important in daily life?
Traditional
Clothes
Do any people in your country still wear
the traditional clothing of your country?
Do
you ever wear traditional Chinese clothes? (When?)
Why
do you think traditional clothes are popular (with some kinds of people)?
How (much) is traditional Chinese culture being affected by foreign clothes styles?
Men and Women
Do you think men and women think (or, feel)
the same about clothes?
Note: 'Computers' and 'the internet'
are not exactly the same thing. But it is possible that questions about both
"computers" and the internet are asked under the same topic.
Your
Computer-Using Habits
Do you use computers very much?
(Similar to above)
Do you often
use computers?
How often do you use
a computer?
When do you use a computer?
What do you use computers for?
Which websites do you
often visit?
(Similar to above) What part do
computers play in your life?
What are the benefits (for you) of using a
computer?
How much have
computers changed your life?
(Possibly) How often do
you use a computer for work / study?
What computer
skill(s) would you like to learn? (See
note)
Do you like using computers?
Your First
Computer Usage
When did you start using computers?
(Similar to above) When was the first time you used a computer?
(Similar to above) When did you
learn how to use a computer?
What was your impression (or feeling)
when you used a computer the first time?
How did you learn to use a computer?
The Value of
Computers
Would you say computers
are important?
(Similar to above) Would
you say computers are important in your life?
(Similar to above) How
important are computers to you?
Do computers have much
impact on your life?
Have computers changed
(= influenced) your life in any way? (If yes, how?)
Are computers used much
in your country?
Do you think computers
are useful (or important) in everyday life? (How?)
(Similar to above) Do
you find computers very useful in your everyday life?
(Similar to above) What
role do computers play in modern life?
(Similar to above) Do
you think computers are important in everyday life?
(Similar to above) How
are computers useful to people?
(Similar to above) What
do you think are the benefits of (using) a computer?
Do you think computers
have changed our lives for the better? (How? Compare today & our lives in
pre-computer times.)
Do you think computers
have helped improve people's lives?
(Similar to above) Do
you think the invention of computers has helped improve people's lives?
Do you think a computer
can give you (or, one) better access to knowledge?
Do you think there there
are any disadvantages (or, drawbacks) to using computers?
(Possible) What can you
learn from computers?
How 'computer
literate' are you?
What computer skill(s)
would you like to learn?
(See
note)
Children and Computers/Computers in Education
Do you think computers are useful for the
education of children?
(Similar to above)
Computers are now used a lot in education. What do you think of this?
(Similar to above) In your
country, when do children at school use a computer?
(Similar to above) Computers
are now used a lot in the education of children. What do you think
are the advantages of this?
(Similar to above) Do you think computers are good or bad for children?
(Similar to above)
What effect do
computers have on children?
(Similar to above)
Do
you think it's a good or a bad thing to teach children how to use a
computer?
Do you think there should be restrictions
on (or, controls on) the use of computers/the internet by children?
How do you
think parents could minimize (or avoid) the negative effects of computers on
their children?
Computer Games
Do you play
computer games?
How often do
you play computer games?
Problems
What do you do when your computer has
problems?
Do you think there are any disadvantages
(or, downsides)
from using (or, working on) computers?
The Future of Computers
Do you think computers are perfect now or do
they still need to be improved
Learning
about Computers
(Unconfirmed question) How 'computer
literate' are you?
Do you think it's important to learn to
use a computer?
Would you like to learn more computer
skills?
(Similar to above) Is there any
particular computer skill that you would like to learn? (Why?)
Computers in Society
In what ways do
people use computers in your country?
How much have
computers changed people's lives in the past few decades?
What are you usually
doing at this time? (See
NOTE)
What's your daily
routine nowadays?
Do you do the same
thing(s) every day?
Tell me something about
your daily routine.
(Similar to above)
Please describe your typical daily routine. (Summarize your typical day -
morning, afternoon & evening. Avoid using 'will' - use the present tense. Of
course, the question refers to your typical Monday to Friday day.)
(Similar to above) What
do you do in a typical day (at work or at school/university)?
(Similar to above) What
do you do mainly do with your time?
(Similar to above) What
do you do in your daily life?
Would you say you are
busy?
In a typical day, what
do you do in the classroom?
(If you do not work) For
you, what's the best time of day for studying?
When do you do most of
your study?
(If you work) For you,
what's the best time of day (or, day of the week) for working?
What time do you usually
get up?
What do you usually do
after you get up (or, in the morning)?
What part of the (=
your) day do you like best? (Why?) (= What part of your daily routine makes
you the happiest? Or = What part of the day are you most efficient?)
(Similar to above)
What's your favourite time of the day? (Why? What do you do at that time?)
(Similar to above) What
part (or time) of the day do you feel most active (or, feel your best)?
(Why?)
(Similar to above) What
part of the day do you like best?
What's usually your
busiest time of the day; the morning, noon, or evenings? (Why?)
(Similar to above) Do
you prefer to do things in the mornings or the evenings? (Why?)
What do you usually do
at that time? (Or: What are you usually doing at that time?)
What time of the day are
you the most efficient?
Is you life now the same
as it was before?
(Similar to above) Have
there been any recent changes to your daily routine?
(Similar to above) Has
your life recently changed in any way?
(Similar to above) How
is your life (or, your daily routine) today different to what it was when
you were a child?
Do you think there will
be any changes to your routine in the near future?
If you could make one
change to your daily routine, what would it be?
(Similar to above) Would
you like to change anything about your daily routine right now (or, about
your life)? (If yes, what?/Why?)
(Similar to above) What
changes would you like to make to your daily routine (or, to your life) in
the future?
(Similar to above) How
do you think your daily routine could be improved?
If you had more free
time, what would you do?
Do you get together with
your fellow students/work colleagues (=classmates/workmates) after
classes/work? (What do you do?)
[This question is
possibly in the Work/Studies topic.]
Do you like to plan what
you will do each day? (Why?/Why not?)
Do you (usually) plan
your week?
How do you plan your day
(or, your week)?
What do you usually do
at this time of day? (= What are you usually doing at this time of day?)
Do you usually do the
same things at the same time each day?
How do you plan
(organize) your study time?
Do you ever (or, do you
often) change these plans?
Can you think of any
improvements to your daily routine?
(Similar to above) What
do you usually do for leisure or entertainment in your free time?
What kind(s) of food do you particularly like? (Why?)
See Note
(Similar to above)
What's your favourite food?
How
often do you eat that?
When
was the last time you ate that?
Have
you always liked that food?
(Similar
to above) Did you like to eat that when you were a child?
(Similar to
above) What food did you like to eat when you were a child?
When
did you start to like that food?
Would you want your children to eat the same food now?
(Similar to above)
If your children
asked for that food now,
would you make it for them?
If you
had
children, what foods would
you recommend they eat?
(Similar to above) In
the future, if you have
children, what food will you
recommend they eat?
Do you usually make that yourself or do you
usually buy it?
(Similar
to above) When was the last time you ate 'junk food'? (Unconfirmed question)
Do
you always (or, usually) eat the same food every day?
Is there any food you don’t like? (Why?)
What food did you like (most) when you were a child?
Is there any food that you liked when you were a child but you don't like
now?
What types of food do children generally like to eat?
What kinds of food are most popular in
your country? or, What kinds of food do people in your country (like to) eat?
Would you like
to try any food that you have never eaten before?
Do you think
the food in different countries is different?
(Possibly only
used if you are doing the test away from your home country.)
(Similar to
above) Is the food here (in this country) different to the food in your home
country?
(Only used if you are doing the test away from your home country.)
Do you think
it's good to (often or sometimes) take children to restaurants?
How has food in
your country changed since you were a child?
Cooking
Do you know how to make
(prepare) a meal?
(Similar to above) Do
you know how to cook?
Do you ever do any
cooking? (If yes, include how often.)
How well do you cook?
(Similar to above) How
good are you at cooking?
(If answering, 'No' to
the previous question) Have you ever thought about learning how to cook?
Do you like cooking?
(Why?/Why not?)
What do you like to
cook?
How did you learn to
cook?
Who taught you how to
cook?
When did you learn how
to cook?
(Similar to above) Did
you learn how to cook when you were younger (or, when you were a child)?
(Similar to above) Did
you ever cook (or, make a meal) when you were a child?
(Similar to above) When
you were young, did you learn how to make a meal (= how to prepare food =
how to cook)?
Do you think children
should help their parents prepare meals?
(Possibly) Do you think
children should learn to cook?
Can you remember the
first thing you cooked?
Do you usually eat at
home or do you usually eat away from home (= "eat out")?
Who usually does the
cooking in your home (or, in your family)?
Do you (ever) do any
cooking at home? (Why?/Why not?)
What dishes have you
cooked?
(Possibly) What dishes
do you cook?
Have you ever learned
how to cook?
(Similar to above) Have
you ever had a cooking lesson/cooking lessons?
Have you ever thought
about learning how to cook?
(Similar to above) Do
you think you will learn to cook (in the future)?
Would you like to attend
a cooking class?
Why do you want to learn
cooking?
Are cooking classes on
TV useful?
(Similar to above) What
is the advantage of a cooking program (or lesson) on TV?
(Similar to above) Do
you think you (or, a person) can get better at cooking by watching cooking
shows on TV?
Do you think everyone
should learn how to cook?
Do you think it would be
useful to teach cooking in school?
Do you think university
students should know how to cook?
When was the last time
you did some cooking?
Can you see yourself
cooking more in the (near) future? Why?
(Similar to above) In
the future, do you think you will be cooking more than you do now, or less?
(Why?)
Eating Places
When do you usually eat
your meals?
Where do you usually eat
your meals?
(Similar to above) Where
do prefer to eat your meals?
Do you prefer to eat at
home or in restaurants? (Why?) (What are the advantages of home cooking?)
What do you think are
the benefits of eating at home, (instead of in a restaurant)?
Who do most people in
your country usually eat with? (Why?)
Do you often eat with
your family? or, Do people in your country (or you) prefer to eat with
family or with friends? (Why?)
Do you think it's
important for people to eat with their family? (Why?)
Are most of your friends from school (or
university) or from outside school (or university)?
(Similar to above) Are most of your friends
from your work or are they not connected with your work?
Do you ever help a friend by
giving advice?
Do you prefer to spend time
with your relatives (or family), or your friends?
Your Feelings
about Friendship
Do you think friendship is important?
(Similar to above) Is friendship (= are friends) important to you? (Why?/Why not?)
(Similar to above) Do you like to spend time with friends? (Why?)
Do you prefer to spend time with friends or spend time alone? (Why?)
Are friends more important than family?
(Why?)
What kind of people do you like to have as friends?
Time With Friends
How often do you meet with (or, go out
with) your friends?
(Similar to above) How often do you do
something with a friend?
Do you feel that you spend enough time with
your friends?
(Similar to above, but different) Do you feel
that you have enough time to spend with your friends?
Do you keep in contact with friends from when
you were in school?
If you had the opportunity, would you spend
more time with your friends?
Will you keep in contact with your friends
in the future?
Activities With
Friends
What do you and your friends do together?
Do you prefer to meet your friends at home
or away from your home?
(Similar to above) Do you prefer your
friends visit you (at your home) or do you prefer to visit them (at their
homes)?
How do you keep in contact with your
friends?
Places to Spend Time With Friends
Where do you usually meet (= spent time
with) your friends?
Do you prefer to
meet your friends at home or away from your home?
(Similar to
above) Do you prefer your friends visit you (at your home) or do you prefer
to visit them (at their homes) or, to go out with your friends?
Meeting New
People/Making Friends
Do you like meeting new people?
Do you like
making friends with (a lot of) people? See Note
Do
you like face-to-face conversations with people? (See
Note)
(Similar to above) Do you like talking to strangers?
(Similar to above)
Do
you like making new friends?
(Similar to above) Do you like making
friends with (a lot of) people? See Note
Have you met any interesting people
recently?
(See
Note)
(Similar to above)
When was the last occasion you met someone new?
What
kinds of people do you like to make friends with?
(Similar to above) What kind
of people do you like to meet (or, to talk to)?
How do people in your country make friends? (= where, in what situations, e.g. at school & at work.)
(Similar to above)
How do people (in your country) meet others and make friends?
Is it easy to make friends in your work (or job)?
(Or, speaking more generally) Do you think it's easy for people to make
friends at work?
Is it important for people to
have good relationships with colleagues at their workplace? (Why?)
Would you say the students (at
your school/university) have a good relationship with each other?
Do adults and children make friends in the same
way?
How do people get to know (get to meet) new people?
Do you think it's easy to form new
friendships?
How long does it take to get to know
a person?
(See
Note)
(Similar to above) How long do you think it takes
before you can get to know a person?
Do
you think it's possible to become real friends with the people you meet on
the internet, for example, on chat sites or personal introduction sites? *
(See
Note)
How
will you make new friends in the future?
Can you remember your first (or, your earliest) friends? (Who were they?)
Other Friendship
Questions
What do your friends think of you? (Do your friends think that you are a good friend? Why?)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17. Games
Do you often play games? (Include
examples such as: chess; majiang (= mahjong in English), weiqi, card games,
word games, drinking games, computer games etc. and children's games such as
hopscotch and hide-and-seek.).
Don't choose sports games such as basketball, ping-pong
etc. These are most often just called "sports" in English.
(Similar to above) Do you like to play games? (Why? What games?)
(Similar to above) What games do you like to play?
Do you play any indoor games?
Do you prefer to play indoor games or outdoor
games?
What indoor games did you play when you were a child?
(Similar to above)
Is there any particular indoor game that you liked when you were
a child?
What sorts of indoor games do children play
now?
Can you play this game with friends?
How do people learn to play this game?
Can you get information about this game on the internet?
Are there other ways to get information about this game?
What benefits do you get from playing this game?
(Similar to above) What benefits do people get from playing games?
(Similar to above) Why
do you (or do people) play games?
Do different age groups of people like to play different games? (Give examples - What games?)
What games are popular in your
country?
What's the most popular game in
your country?
How have computers influenced the games people play?
Did you play electronic games when you were a
child? (If yes, what games or why? If no, why not?)
Do you think electronic games are good for
children?
Do you know of
any games that are studied in university? (Hint: Games Theory)
*
What can people learn from games?
What sorts of (indoor) games do you think children will be playing in the future?
Is there any indoor game you'd like to learn
(how) to play?
(Similar to above) Have your friends ever given you
gifts?
What's your favourite (or, the
best) gift you have ever received?
(Similar to above) What's the
most useful gift you have ever received?
Have you ever received a gift
that you disliked?
What gift(s) do you (or, did
you) like the least?
Do you prefer receiving a gift or
giving a gift?
(Similar to above) Which do you think
is better, to receive a gift or to give a gift?
What was the last gift you gave someone?
Who did you last give a gift to?
Do you like giving presents to other people? (Why?/Why not?)
(Similar to above) Do you often give presents to other people? (Why?/Why not?)
Do
you and your friends or family members give each other gifts?
(Similar to above) Do you often buy
gifts for friends or family members?
What sorts of gifts do you give to
your family and friends?
What sorts of gifts do you give to
your friends?
Do
you think it's easy to choose what to give other people?
When considering a present to give to someone, how do you
(or, how do people) select this gift?
Do
you think it's important to give expensive gifts?
Have
you ever given someone a gift you made yourself?
Do you think
gift-giving is very important?
Do you think it's difficult to choose
what gift to give to people?
Is there anyone
you'd like to give a present to?
Gifts and
People (in your country) in General
Do people in your country like to (or
often) give gifts (to
other people)?
What
sorts of things do people in your country usually give as gifts? See
Note
When do people in your country give gifts? (On what
occasions?/In what situations?)
(Similar to above) What are some of the gift-giving customs in your
country?
Why do they give these gifts?
In your country, is it necessary to bring a gift when you visit someone?
What sorts of things do they bring?
In your country, is it necessary to
bring gifts when you return home after traveling to another place
(such as overseas or a different part of your country)?
Do you think it's ever
a good idea to recycle a gift?(See Note)
Do you think flowers
are good gifts?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20. Languages
Sometimes the topic is mainly about English
while at other times it might be about languages in general
What food do
people where you live (or, in your country) usually eat?
Which meal do you prefer, lunch or dinner (supper)? (Why?)
What do you usually eat for lunch?
What do you usually eat for your evening meal?
Do you prefer to eat three full meals a day or do you prefer to eat many snacks throughout the day?
(Similar to above) Do you
think it is better to eat one big meal a day or is it better to eat
several smaller meals each day?
Which meal of the day do you think is
the most important? (Why?)
Do you think breakfast is important? (Why?/Why not?)
What do you usually eat for breakfast?
Is there any special food that you
particularly like? (See
Note)
Would you like to try any new food? (If yes, give an
example &/or say why.)
Do you like cooking (or, preparing your own meals)? (Why?/Why not?)
What do you
think are the advantages of home cooking? (See
Note)
Do people in
your country prefer to eat alone or with other people?
Where do people
in your country usually eat their meals?
(Similar to
above)
Where do you usually eat your meals?
Do you usually
eat your meals together with your family?
(Similar to
above) Do you prefer
to sit together with your family for a meal, or to eat separately?
What are the
benefits of (or, what is the importance of) eating with the family?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24. Music
Your
Tastes in Music
Do you often listen to music?
(Similar
to above) Do you like listening to music? (Why?/Why not?)
(Similar to above) Do you like music? (Why? What kind?/Why not?)
(Similar to above) Would you say music
is important to you? (Why?/Why not?)
(Similar to above) How important is music to you? (Why?)
When do you listen to music?
How does music affect you?
How much
time do you spend listening to music every day?
What kinds of music do you like to listen to?
(Similar to above) What kinds of
music do you most often listen to?
What's your favourite kind of music?
How often do you listen to (that
type of) music?
Has your
preference in music (ever) changed? (See
Note)
Has your taste (or
preference) in
music changed since you were a child?
What kinds of music
(or, songs) did
you like listening to when you were a child?
Is there any music
that you don't like listening to?
When
did you start listening to this type of music?
Where do you listen to it?
What method (or what equipment) do you use to
listen to music?
(Similar to above) How do you usually listen
to music?
How
do you feel when you listen to this music?
Do
you like listening to songs?
Have you ever been to a musical
performance?
(Similar to above) Have you ever
listened to live music?
What kinds of (live) musical
performances have you been to?
Do you like live music?
When was the last time you went to a
musical performance?
(Similar to above) When was the last
time you listened to some live music?
Do you prefer to listen to CD's (or, recorded
music) or to listen to music at the actual performance (= listen to live music)?
See Note 53
(Similar to above)
Do you feel that going to a concert is
better than listening to a CD, or watching a concert on TV?
Do you think you will
go to concerts in the future?
Have you ever taken
part in a musical performance?
(Similar to above) If
you get the chance, do you think you will go to concerts in the future?
(Similar to
above) Have you ever been in a choir or some
other musical performance? See Note 46
Would you participate in a musical performance or concert, if you
had the chance?
(Similar to above) Would you like to
perform in a concert?
Musical Instruments
Have you ever learned to play a musical instrument?
(Similar to above) Do you or do any
of your friends know how to play a musical instrument?
(Similar to above) Do you play any musical instruments?
(Similar to above)
Is there any musical instrument that you would like to learn?
If you had the opportunity to learn a musical instrument, what instrument would you learn? (Why?) [If the examiner asks " ...what instrument
would you learn?" you should answer, "I would
learn the violin." or some similar answer. If the examiner asks you, " ...what instrument would you
liketo
learn?" then you should begin your answer with "I'd like to learn the violin". See
HERE for more on this grammar
point.]
(Similar to above) What musical instrument would you like to learn to play?
What musical instrument(s) is (are) most
popular in your country?
Which instrument would you prefer to study - the piano or the violin?
What musical instrument do you most enjoy listening to ( = enjoy listening to most)? (Why?)
Have you ever listened to anyone play this instrument? (Who?)
What benefits do children gain by studying music (learning a musical instrument) (in school)?
Do you think it's important to learn to play a
musical instrument?
(Similar to above)
Do you think it's important for children to learn (to play) a musical instrument?
(Similar
to above) Do you think parents should encourage their children to learn a
musical instrument?
(Similar to above) What advantages (or, benefits) do you think there
are for a child to learn (to play) a musical instrument?
(Similar
to above) Why do some parents want
their children to learn (to play) a musical instrument?
What musical instrument do children in
your country
most often learn?
Do you think schools should teach children how
to play a musical instrument?
Music
at School
Do (school) students in your country need to
(or, have to) study the creative arts, such as music? See Note 47
(Similar to above) Is music an important subject at school in
your country?
Do you think students should study the creative arts, such as
music?
(Similar to above)
Should we teach music to our kids?
When do children in your country start to study music in school?
What benefits do children gain by studying music (learning a
musical instrument) (in school)?
Music in Childhood
Did you like to listen to music when you were a child?
(Similar to above)
Did
you often listen to music when you were a child? (If yes, give details.)
What
kinds of music did you like when you were a child?
Where can you hear children's songs?
What
are some differences between the music you listened to as a child and the
music you listen to now?
(Similar to above)
Is the music you like now different to the music you like when you
were a kid?
Do you think it's important for children to learn (to play) a musical instrument?
(Similar
to above) Do you think parents should encourage their children to learn a
musical instrument?
(Similar to above) What advantages
(or, benefits) do you think there are for a child to learn (to play) a
musical instrument?
(Similar
to above) Why do some parents want
their children to learn (to play) a musical instrument?
Music
in Society
Do you think music is an important
part of life?
Is
music very important to people in your country?
(Similar
to above) What role does music play in the cultural life of people (or, of
society)?
(Similar to above)
Would you say music is an important
part of the culture in your country?
(Similar to above)
Does your country have a long musical history?
Are musicians from your country important to you?
Are songs in (or, from) your country different to foreign songs?
What kinds of music are (most) popular in
your country?
How
does music affect (or influence) people?
Compare the music that young people like and the music that old(er) people like.
(Similar to above) Do retired people
like to listen to the same type of music that young people listen to?
What (types of) outdoor activities are popular in your country?
What are some examples of outdoor sports that are popular in your
country?
Do people in your country prefer to spend
time indoors or outdoors?(See
Note)
Do you think people in your
country spend enough time outdoors? (Why?/Why not?)
(As above) Do you think it's important to spend some time outdoors? (Why?/Why not?) [Possibly the question above is worded as, "Is taking part in outdoor activities important to you?" (Why?)]
Do you think people in your country have
enough time to spend on outdoor activities?
(Similar to above) Do you think people in
your country have enough time to spend on outdoor exercise?
What outdoor activities did you do when you were a child?
(Similar to above) What sorts of outdoor games did you play
when you were a child?
Can children play sport at school in
your country?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
28.
Parks and Public Gardens
Do people in your hometown like to go to
a park?
What types of people go to parks?
Are there many parks or
public gardens where you live (or, in your hometown)?
Do you often (or, ever)
go to a park or a (public) garden?
How often do you go
there?
What do you (like to) do
when you go to a park or public garden?
Do you like parks?
What kinds of parks do
you like?
What do you like most
about (going to) a park?
What do other people do
in these places?
Do you prefer to relax
with your friends in a park or an indoor place?
When do other people go
there?
Did you go to parks when
you were a child?
Did you go to parks when you were a
child more often than you do now?
What did you do there?
Do you do the same things in parks that
you did when you were a child?
Do you think parks and
public gardens are important to a city? (Why?/Why not?)
(Similar to above) Do
you think every city and town should have parks and public gardens?
(Why?/Why not?)
(Similar to above) What
do you think are the functions of parks and public gardens? (See
Note)
What do you think are the advantages of
walking in a park?
Do you think there
should be more parks?
Do you think you will go
to parks more often in the future?
(Similar to above) Will you continue to go to parks in the
future?
Make sure you know how to pronounce "photograph", "photography", "photographer"
and "photographic".
The word stress (i.e., which syllable is stressed more) is different in some of
these words.
Photography and You
Do you like to take photographs? (Why?)
(See Note 22)
(Similar to above) Do you like taking photographs?
(When you 'take a photograph' you are
the person using a camera, that is, standing behind the camera, not the person standing in front of the camera!)
(Similar to above) Do you like
photography (= taking photographs/taking
pictures)? (See
Noteand
see Note 67)
(Why?/Why not?)
What do you like to photograph?
(Similar to above)
What do you take photos of?
On what occasions (= when) do you take
photos?
Do you prefer to take photos yourself or to have other people take photos? (Why?)
When was the last time you took a photo?
How long have you been taking
photographs?
(Similar to above)
How long have you liked taking photographs?
(Include 'since' or 'for' in your answer. E.g., "... since I was about ten years old" or
"... for about 5 years".)
How (why) did you become interested in photography?
How often do you take photographs? (You should include an approximate time, such as 'about once every 2 or 3 months.')
In what situations (or, when) do you take
photographs?
Do you like to take photos when you travel?
When your travel, do you prefer to take
photos, or to record videos?
What kind of photos do you like to take? (Why?)
In what environment (or, where) do you prefer to
take photos?
Do you prefer to take pictures of
people or of scenery? (See
Note)
Do you ever delete (or, if on paper, throw
away) any of your photos?
Do you enjoy looking at
photographs?
What kinds of
photographs do you most like to look at?
Have you ever been to a place that had a lot
of photographs? See Note 68
Do you have any favourite photos?
Do you have a favourite
family photograph?
What kinds of
photographs do you most like to look at?
Do you ever take photos of yourself?
(Similar to above) Do you like to take
photos of yourself? (e.g., "selfies")
Do you use a self-timer (when you take
a picture of yourself)?
(See Note 23)
Do you have any photos from your (or, of
your) childhood?
Are there any photos on the walls of your home?
Do you frame (or have you framed) any of your photos? (If yes, which? & why?)
Do you prefer to send
postcards to people or to send photos that you took yourself?
(Why?) (Or: As a souvenir of a place that you visit, do you prefer
to buy a postcard or take a photograph yourself?)
(Similar to above)
Which do you
think is better to send to someone, a postcard that has a photograph on it
or a photograph you took yourself? *
Would you like to work
as a professional photographer?
(Possibly the question above is
this) Would you like to take photos like a professional photographer?
Would you like to improve your
knowledge of photography? See Note 36
(Similar to above) Would you like to
learn how to take better photos?
Photography
and People in General
Is photography a popular hobby in
your country?
Is taking
photographs very popular in your country?
(Why?/Why not?)
Why are more and more
people taking photographs today?
Do you think people are
taking too many photographs?
Why do (you think) some people do not like taking photographs?
(Similar to above) What types of
people don't like taking photographs?
What is the value of taking photographs?
Why do you think some people like taking photographs when they visit another place?
Do people in your country like to visit photograph exhibitions? What kind of photos do they like to look at?
Do you think being a photographer would be a good job? (Why?/Why not?)
Why don't some people like having
their photo taken? (See
Note)
(Similar to above) Why do some people dislike having themselves photographed?
What factors make a good photograph?
Do you think taking photos today is the
same as it was in the past?
What advantages and
disadvantages do you think using a camera gives to students?
What do you think are the advantages, and the
disadvantages, of taking photos with a mobile phone (or, smart phone)?
Does it rain much in your hometown? (Include how
often)
In what season does it rain the most?
Would you prefer to have, more rain or less rain (in
your hometown)?
Do
you like rainy days? (= How do you feel on rainy days? = Do you
feel sad on rainy days?) How does rain affect different people’s
moods? (Or: How does rain effect people's lives?)
(The question above might simply be, "Do you like rain?)
Do you prefer rainy days or sunny days?
What do you do on rainy days (or, on a rainy day)?
(Similar to above but possibly different in
meaning) What do you usually do when it rains (or, when it starts to
rain) and you are outside?
Do you think rain is good? (Why?)
How does rain affect (life in) your country?
Is there any part of your country
where it doesn't rain much? (Where?) (or: Is there an even
distribution of rain throughout your country?)
Would you prefer to have, more rain or less rain (in your hometown)?
What effects can a shortage of rain (a drought) have on people's lives?
When (in what month/season) does it rain most in your hometown?
What about the other parts of your
country? (In which season does it rain most in other parts of your
country?)
Can you remember any time when it rained particularly heavily in your hometown? (When?)
Does rain ever affect transportation in your hometown? (How?)
Do you think the seasons have changed in recent years, compared to the past? (Why? How?)
In
the questions below, the word "sport" might be replaced by the word,
"exercise" for some questions.
Sport/Exercise
and You
Are you interested in sport?
(Similar to above) Do you like
sport?
What sports do you like? (Why?)
(Similar to above) Do you like any
particular sports? (What sports?)
(Similar to above) What sports do
you usually play?
How often do you play that sport
(or do that)?
Do you like to do daily exercise?
(Why?/Why not?)
What sports or exercise do you
like to do? (Why?)
(Similar to above) What sport or
exercise do you do?
How often do you do some physical
exercise?
(Similar to above) What kind(s) of
physical exercise do you do to keep fit?
(Similar to above) Do you like any
sports? (What sport?)
Do you do any exercise to keep fit
or healthy?
(Possibly if you say "No" to the
question above) Do you plan to do any exercise in the future?
How often do you do that?
How much time do you have for
exercise?
Do you use any equipment for this
exercise (or sport)?
Do you participate in any sports
with your friends?
Are there any sports facilities
(or, exercise facilities) near where you live? (for the public to use)
In the future, what sports would
you like to play (or, take part in / or learn)?
See Note
(Similar to above) Is there any
sport that you have never played that you would like to try (or, to learn)?
(Possibly the above question is
this) Is there any form of exercise that you would like to try in the
future?
Sport at School
(or Children and Sport/Exercise)
Do children in your country play much
sport (or do much exercise)?
Is children's sport (or exercise) very
important in your country?
What sports do you think are suitable
for children to play?
Did you (or, do you) take part in any
(organized) sport at school? Past tense if you have finished school.)
(Similar to above) Do you (or did you)
do any regular physical exercise at school?
Do you think it's important to have P.E.
classes (or sports classes) at school? (Why?/Why not?)
(Similar to above) Do you think primary
school children should have sports classes at school? (Why?/Why not?)
(Similar to above) Do you think children
should be encouraged to do more exercise?
(Similar to above) Do you think we
should encourage children to play sport in school?
(Similar to above) Do you think it's
necessary (or, important) for children to play sport?
(Similar to above) Will you let your
children play sport? (Probably not using the word, "let".)
(Similar to above) Would you let your
children play sport? (Probably not using the word, "let".)
(Similar to above) Would you encourage
your children to play sport?
Age Differences
(Possible question) Do old
people and young people like to do (or, play) the same sports?
What sports do old people like to do (or, play)?
Male/Female Differences
Do men and women feel the same about sport?
Are boys and girls good at the same sports?
(Possibly the question above is) Do
men and women play the same sports?
What are the differences when boys and
girls play sports?
Exercise
and People in General
Do people in your
country like to do daily exercise?
What forms of exercise
are most popular in your country?
Where do people in your
country usually exercise?
Do you think everybody
should do some exercise? (Why?)
(Similar to above) What
are the advantages of doing regular exercise?
( Similar to above) Do
you think physical activity is important? (Why?/Why not?)
(Similar to above) Do
you think physical activity is important for children? (Why?/Why not?)
(Similar to above) What
are the benefits of exercise (or sport)?
(Similar to above) Do
you think sport or exercise helps (= benefits) people? (How?)
Do you think exercise is
beneficial for older people?
What kinds of exercise
do you think are most suitable for children?
What sport (or exercise)
can people do at home?
Do you think cycling is
good exercise?
Sport
and People in General
Do most people
in your country like sport?
(Similar to above) What sports do
people in your country like to play?
(Similar to above) What sports are most popular in your country?
What
sports are most popular with young people today?
What sports do children prefer?
Why do you think people like (to participate in) sport?
What benefits do you think sport can
bring us?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 36.
Sports Teams
Do you like sport? (Why?/Why not?)
Why do some people enjoy (watching) sports events?
What are the most popular sports in
your country? (Or: What's the most popular sport in your country?)
Does your country have any good sports teams? (
= What are some of the best sports teams
in your country?) (your country has many world class teams - you don't have to
restrict your answer to world champion teams.
Avoid table tennis because some people think a pair of table
tennis players is not called a 'team' but instead, a 'pair'.)
(Similar to above) Which Chinese sports teams are most popular?
(Similar to above) Which Chinese sports team is most popular?
Which is your favourite Chinese sports team?
Have you watched this team compete?
Has this sports team been successful recently?
Is there any team you don't like? (If yes, include why you dislike it.)
Do you think teamwork is important? (Why?)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 37.
Telephones / Mobile Phones / Mobile devices
Who do you call?
For what purposes do you make or
receive phone calls?
Is
your cellphone very important to you?
Are cellphones (or, mobile phones)
very popular in your country? (Why?)
How often do you use a cellphone?
When
do you usually use your cellphone and for what purposes?
How often in a day do you use an
older-style (fixed-line) telephone?
Which do you prefer to use, a
cellphone or a normal house phone (= 'a fixed-line phone')? (Why?)
What are the differences between cell
phones and typical house phones?
Do you often make phone
calls?
(Similar to above) How
often to you make a phone call?
When do you make these
phone calls?
Who do you call?
For what purposes do you
make or receive phone calls?
Is your cellphone very
important to you?
Are cellphones (or,
mobile phones) very popular in your country? (Why?)
How often do you use a
cellphone?
When do you usually use
your cellphone and for what purposes?
How often in a day do
you use an older-style (fixed-line) telephone?
Which do you prefer to
use, a cellphone or a normal house phone (= 'a fixed-line phone')? (Why?)
What are the differences
between cell phones and typical house phones?
Do people in your
country prefer to use cellphones or the older-style phones?
(See
Note)
Do you think cellphones
are important for modern people?
What services does your
cellphone have that fixed phones don't have?
How do you think
cellphones will develop in the future?
Which is better, a
face-to-face conversation or a phone call? (why?)
(Similar to above) Do
you prefer to talk to people by phone or face-to-face? (Why?)
How has advertising for
cellphones developed in recent years?
Do people in your
country generally prefer to communicate by telephone or by letter? (Why?)
Do men and women use
telephones/cellphones in the same way?
(Similar to above) Are
there any differences between the cellphones (= mobile phones) that men use
and those that women use?
Cell-Phones (Mobile Phones) &
Mobile Devices (e.g. smart phones)
Do you have a
mobile phone (= "a cell phone")?
(Similar to
above) Do you use a cell phone?
When did you start using mobile
devices?
Is your cell
phone important (or useful) for you in your daily life?
What do you use
it for?
How often do
you use it?
When do you use it?
When did you
get it?
(Similar to
above) When did you get your first mobile phone?
How did you get
your first mobile phone?
How did you
feel when you got your first mobile phone?
What feature
(or, function) of your cell phone do you like the best?
(Similar to above) What
features are (most) important for you in a mobile phone pr mobile device?
Is there
anything you dislike about using cell phones?
Do you ever turn off
your mobile phone or device?
Do you think people should turn off their
phones in public places (or, in meetings)?
Have you ever
had any problems using
your your mobile phone while traveling?
Do you usually
use your mobile phone to call people or to send text messages?
(Similar to above) Do you prefer to
use your mobile phone to call people or to send text messages?
Who do you
usually call/send text messages to?
(Possibly) Do you prefer to chat, or play games on your
phone?
Are mobile phones very popular
in your country?
Do you think
you will be using your mobile phone more often (than you use it now) in the future?
Have mobile
phones developed (or changed) in the past few years?
Do you like to replace your phones often? (Why?/Why not?)
(Similar to above, but different) Would you like to change
your mobile phone?
(Similar to above) Would
you like to swap (or, replace, or exchange) your mobile device (or, mobile
phone) for the latest one?
How do you think mobile phones will
develop (or change) in the future?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
38.
Television and Radio
Television
Do you like watching TV?
What types of TV
programs do you (most) like to watch?
What benefits do you get
from watching that program?
Do you prefer to watch
TV or listen to the radio? (Why?)
Do you think watching TV
is an important part of people's lives?
Do you prefer reading a
newspaper, (or reading a magazine) or watching TV?
What type(s) of
television program do you watch when you want to relax?
Do you prefer to watch
TV alone or with others (or with friends/family)? (Why?)
In your country, have
people's TV-watching habits (or, attitudes towards TV) changed much over the
past few decades?
Do you feel you watch
too much TV?
Do you ever feel that
watching TV is a waste of time?
The Benefits of
Watching Television
Do you ever watch
programs from other countries?
(Similar to above) Have
you ever watched programs from other countries?
What benefits can people
get from watching foreign TV programs?
Do you think watching TV
can help you?
Do you think watching TV
can help students in their studies (in their education)?
Has watching TV (ever)
helped you in your work?
Is there any difference
between different people when they watch TV?
Childhood TV
Watching
When you were a child, did you (used to) watch more television than you do
now, or less?
(Similar to above) How are your television-watching habits now different to
(or, different from) when you were a child?
How has
television changed much since you were a child?
(See Note)
What types of program do children in
your country like to watch?
What
(type of) programs did you like to watch when you were a child? (Why?)
Do you still like to watch those programs?
What was your favourite TV program
when you were a child? *
Did you like to watch TV when you were
a child? (If yes, include what programs you liked to watch.)
Did you watch much TV
when you were a child? (How much?)
How much TV
would you like your children to watch?
(See Note)
What influence does TV
have on children?
Do you think you watched too much TV
when you were a child?
English
Language Television
Do
people in your country watch any foreign TV programs?
In your country, is it possible for you to watch any TV programs
in English? (What programs?)
(Similar to above)
Do people in your country (have the opportunity to) watch any English language (or,
foreign) TV programs? (Say what programs.)
How
do they get these programs?
Do
you think English language programs are necessary? (Why?/Why not?)
What do you think are the benefits of watching TV programs
in English?
(Similar
to above) Do you think English language programs are useful? (Why?/Why not?)
(Similar
to above) Do you think people can improve their English by watching these
programs?
(Similar
to above) Do you think watching these programs can help people learn
English?
Advertisements
on TV
How do you feel about advertisements on TV?
The News on
Television
Do you prefer to get your news from
television or from some other source?
Television
and Radio
Would
you say entertainment is important for people?
What kind of entertainment do you prefer, TV or radio? (Why?)
(Similar to above)
Do
you prefer to watch TV or listen to the radio? (Why?)
How are radio programs and television programs different?
What programs do you like to watch/listen to?
When do you watch TV/listen to the radio?
In your country, has television/radio changed much in the past few years? (How?)
How do you think TV/radio broadcasts in
your country could be improved?
Do
you prefer to watch TV or listen to the radio? (Why?)
Do you prefer TV news or news on the radio? (Why?)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 39. Transport
How did you get to the test today? (What form of transportation did you use?)
(Similar to above) How did
you come here (= get here) today?
Why did you choose that form of transport?
Do you often use public transportation?
What kind(s) of transport do you
usually use?
(Similar to above)
What form of transport do you usually use (to
get around your city)?
(Similar to above) What’s your favourite form of transport? (Why?)
(Similar to above) What type of transportation do you usually (or, most often) use?
(Similar to above) How do you travel
around your hometown?
Do you like travelling by car?
For you, what are the benefits (advantages) of using that form of transportation?
Is it very expensive (= very dear)?
(Similar to above) What vehicles (or, what means of transport) do people
in your country most often choose to use?
What do you like to (or usually) do while you
are travelling?
What do you usually take (or carry) with you
when you are travelling?
Who do you prefer to travel with?
What form of transport do you prefer for
long-distance trips?
Have you ever taken a long bus trip?
Transport in Your Hometown
Is transportation very important
where you live?
What's the most common means of (=
form of) transport in your hometown?
What do you think of the transport conditions in your hometown?
(Similar to above) How is the public transport system in your
hometown (or, where you are living)?
(Similar to above) What do
you think of the transport situation in your hometown?
(Similar to above) What’s the traffic like in your hometown?
How do you think the transport system could be improved?
(Similar to above)
Can you suggest any ways to improve the transport
system in your hometown?
Do you think transportation costs (gasoline, subway, bus & taxi fares, etc) are expensive in your hometown?
(Similar to above)
Is there anything that could be (or,
should be) done to improve the public transport in your hometown?
Would you
say transport costs are high in your hometown?
(Similar to above)
Is the public transport in your city
affordable (cheap) for most people?
How has the transport system in your hometown changed in the past few
decades?
How do you think transport (in your
hometown) will change in the future (or, in the next 20 or 30 years)?
In your country, is transportation in the big cities the same as transportation in small towns and villages?
Public Transportation
Note: I think it's safe to say that public roads
are part of the "public transport system" (or, network) but
private cars on the public roads are not part of the public transport system.
Taxis are part of the public transport system. The most common types of public
transport are - buses, trams, trains (including subway trains), taxis and
ferries.
How often do you use public transportation?
What form of public transport do you prefer
to (or, most often) use? (Why?)
(Similar to above) What type of
public transport do you use most often?
Do you
think the public transportation system needs to be further developed (or,
improved) in your hometown?
Is the transportation (the trains, buses, trams, etc.) very crowded in your
city?
Which do you think is
the better choice, to drive a private car or to use public transportation?
How often do you take a bus?
Are buses convenient to use where you live?
Which do you prefer to use (or most often
use) when you travel in
a city or town, a bus or a taxi?
(Similar to above)
Which is more convenient to use
where you live, a bus or a taxi?
Do you think it's important to have public
transport available?
What do you think are
the benefits of having a good public transport system?
Do you agree that more
people should use public transportation?
(Similar to above) Do
you think people should use public transport more?
What do you think can
(or, could) be done to encourage more people to use public transport?
Noise While
Travelling
Do you ever have problems with noise when you
are travelling?
Are you ever disturbed by the noise from
other passengers?
Almost certainly, this
refers to long distance travelling, not travelling (commuting) to work or
school.
Do you like to travel
(in your holidays or free time)? (Why?)
(Similar to above) Do
you like long distance travelling?
How do you feel when you
travel?
What do you like about
travelling?
Do you often travel (go
travelling)?
Why do you travel?
(purposes)
Have you ever been on a
long trip? (If yes, say where you went!)
(Similar to above) Have
you ever travelled for a long time? = Have you (ever) been on any long
trips?
Do you like long
distance travelling?
(Similar to above) Do
you like long trips?
What's the longest
journey you've been on?
What form of transport
do you prefer to use when you travel?
Where do you like to go?
(If you say you like to travel or do, in fact travel in your holidays.)
(Similar to above) What
kind of places do you (like to) travel to?
What was the last place
you travelled to?
What was the most
interesting place you have travelled to?
What did you gain from
that trip?
Have you ever been to
any unusual (or, strange) places?
How often do you return
to your hometown? (If not living at home now)
Which city (or place)
that you have been to did you like the most? (Why?)
Do you think it's
important to travel during your holidays? (Why?/Why not?)
Do you think it's
necessary to travel in order to enjoy your holidays? (Why?/Why not?)
Why do you think
travelling is so popular nowadays?
Do you think finding out
about other people's culture is important? (Why?)
Which country would you
like to travel to (in the future)?
(Similar to above) Where
(which country or place) would you like to travel to (in the future)?
What (kind of) place
would you like to travel to in the future? (Not necessarily an overseas
place)
(Similar to above but
different) Which country would you like to travel to (in the future)?
(Similar to above) If
you were to go on a trip, where would you (like to) travel to?
What makes a place
attractive for visitors (or, tourists)?
Which city (or place)
that you have been to did you like the most? (Why?)
What places in your
country are (or, would be) attractive for foreigners to travel to?
(Similar to above but
note the wording) What places in your country would you recommend (or
suggest) foreigners travel to?
(Similar to above but
note the wording) What places in your country would you recommend (or
suggest) foreigners travel to?
(Similar to above but
note the wording) What places in your country would you recommend (or
suggest) people visit? (People, not specifically foreigners)
(Similar to above but
note the wording) What places in your hometown would you recommend (or
suggest) people visit? (People, not specifically foreigners)
Have you ever travelled
alone?
Do you prefer travelling
alone or with friends?
(Similar to above) Do
you prefer travelling alone or with others such as family or friends?
Do you prefer travelling
with just one or two friends or with many friends (a group)?
(Similar to above) What
do you think are the benefits of travel?
(Similar to above) Do
you think it's important to travel?
Why do you think
travelling is so popular nowadays?
Make sure you know the difference in meaning between "season" and "weather".
"Climate" is long-term average weather, especially in reference to temperature
and rainfall.
What's the weather like today?
What kind of weather do you like
(best)? (Why?)
(Similar to above) What
sort of weather do you like the most? (See
note)
What
sort of weather do you least like?
(Similar to above) What's your favourite
weather? (Why?)
Do you like
sunny weather?
What do you usually do during your favourite weather (or
season)?
What's
the weather (usually) like in your hometown?
(Similar to above) What has the weather in your hometown been
like recently?
(If doing the
test away from your home country) How is the weather here different to the
weather in your home country?
Do you like that weather (or, that kind of climate)?
(Why?/Why not?)
How often is the weather good in your hometown?
What did you do the last time the weather was good?
(Similar to above) What do you usually do when the weather is
fine?
Are
there any bad points about the weather in your city?
What is the typical weather in
your country like?
(Hint: There is no typical weather
because your country is so big and different parts of the country have
different kinds of weather. For example ...)
(Similar to above)
Is
the weather in your country (your country) the same all over the country?
(Give
examples)
Have there been any changes in the weather over the past few
years?
(Similar to above)
Has the weather
in your country (or, hometown) changed much in the past few years?
Have
you ever been to any place where the weather is different to your hometown?
(If
yes, compare the two.)
(If
doing the test far from your hometown) Compare the weather in your hometown
and the weather here. (See Note)
Which city in your country (or, which part of
your country) has the best weather?
Which city in your country (or, which part of
your country) has the worst weather?
Does the weather ever affect what you do?
(Similar to above) Does the weather affect your
life?
(Similar to above) How does bad weather affect
your life (or, your mood)?
(See
Note)
How does the weather affect people (or, you)? (If
yes, how?)
(Similar to above) How does bad
weather affect your mood?
(Similar to above)
Do
you think the weather can affect people's moods? (See
Note)
(Similar to above) How/why does bad
weather affect people's mood?
How do you feel when the weather is
cloudy?
Do you always (often/usually) pay attention to the weather forecast? Why?/Why not?
Can you give any examples of unusual weather?
In
your country, are there ever any problems caused by the weather? (= caused by
extreme weather?) (Give examples)
Do you like snow? (Why? / Why not?)
Would you prefer to live in a place that
has just one, warm season that lasts the whole year or a place with
different seasons?
Do you (or, do people in your country) do the same
things in the different seasons of the year?
Do people (in your country) play the same sports in
different seasons of the year?
(Similar to above) Are Saturdays and Sundays (= weekends) important to you?
How do you (usually) spend the weekend?
(Similar to
above) What do you
usually do on weekends (or, on the weekend)?
(See Note)
(Similar to above) What do you
like to do on weekends?
What did you do
last weekend?
What are you
going to (planning to) do next weekend? (See Note)
(Similar to above) What do you plan to
do next weekend?
(Similar to
above) What do you think you might do next weekend?
Do you think it's important to make the most of your
weekend?
(Similar to above)
Are weekends important to you?
Do you feel
that weekends now are more important to you than when you were a child?
Are your weekends today more interesting
(or, more enjoyable/more fun) than your weekends were when you were a child?
Which do you prefer, Saturday or Sunday? (Why?)
What
do you usually do on that day?
Is
there anything new that you would like to do on weekends?
Do you (like to) wear different clothes on the
weekend, compared to what you wear during the week?
Weekends and People in General
Would you say weekends are important to people?
How
does the average person in your country spend his or her weekend? (See
Note)
(Similar to above) What do
people in your country do on the weekends?
(Similar to above) What do other
people in your hometown usually do on weekends?
Do children (or, young people) today spend
their weekends differently to children (or, young people) in the past?
Working on
Weekends
Do you know anyone who works at the weekend?
(For
working people) Do you like working on weekends?
(Similar to above) Would you like to work on weekends?
Should people be working, or resting, on Saturdays and Sundays?
(Similar to above) Do you
think working people need to rest on weekends?
(Similar to above) Do you think
people should be asked to work on weekends?
Is it important for people to have weekends
off?
Should people be paid overtime for working at the weekend?
(Similar to above) Do you think people should be paid more money if they
work on weekends (or public holidays)?
(Similar to above)
Do
you think it is reasonable that employees be paid at a higher rate for
working overtime? (See
Note)
(Similar
to above) If you were asked to work on the weekend, do you think it would be
reasonable to ask for extra pay?
(Similar to above)
If someone (an
employee) works on the weekend, do you think they should be paid more (per
hour)?
(Similar to above) If someone works
overtime on a weekend, do you think they should be paid more (per hour)?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
43.
Your Primary School
Possibly used as the topic, "Your First School"
How old were you when
you started school?
What can you remember
about your first school?
Do you remember your
first day at primary school?
Where did you go to
school?
How many schools have
you attended?
(Similar to above) What
different types of schools have you been to?
Which school did you
like the most? (Why?)
What was the first
school you attended?
(Similar to above) Do
you remember the first school you attended?
(Similar to above) What
primary school did you attend?
Can you describe the first school you attended?
See Note 51
(Possibly the question
above is this) Can you describe your
primary school?
Was it far from your
home?
How did you go to (or,
travel to) school?
How did you get to
school each day?
Tell me something about
the school. (= Can you describe it?)
Did you enjoy (or, like)
it? (Why?/Why not?)
Was it a good school?
Would you say it was a
good school?
Do you think that your
primary school is (or, was) special?
What were the good
things about your primary school?
(Similar to above) What
did you like most about it?
What were some of the
most popular activities (in the playground?) at primary school?
Have you ever returned
to see your old school again?
Are you still in contact
with any of the friends you had in primary school?
Would you send your
child to that school today?
Did your parents choose
your secondary school (= high school) for you?
(Similar to above) Did
you parents let you choose your secondary school (= high school)?
If you could, how would
you change your primary school?
(Similar to above) If
you could, what's one thing you would change about your primary school?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
44.
Your Secondary School
Note: It is possible for you to be
asked this topic even if you are a university student or are working now.
Did your parents choose your secondary school (= high
school) for you?
What subjects did you study in secondary school (= high school)?
What was your favourite subject ( = class) in secondary school? (= high school)
And which class (= subject) did you like the least? (Why?)
Which secondary school subject do you think is most useful for people in adult life?
What part of your secondary school education did you enjoy most? Or: Did (do) you like your secondary school life?
How do you feel about your high school (secondary school)?
Why did you choose to attend (= to go to) that particular school?
Which class did (do) you enjoy the most? (Why?)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
45.
Family
Examiners usually have to first ask candidates if they are comfortable talking about
this topic. You can say that you would prefer not to talk about your family and
the examiner will then choose a different topic.
Note:
In English we always put the word "the" before the word,
"internet" (except for compound nouns such as "internet sales"). So don't say, "I think internet is a good
thing." Instead, say,
"I think the internet is a good thing."
Your Internet Usage
Do you ever use the internet? (= access the internet
= go onto the internet = log onto the internet)
Do you use the
internet (very much)?
How often do you use the
internet?
How (or, where) do you go onto the
internet? (At school? At home? At an internet cafe?)
What
do you do on the internet?
Have
you ever bought anything on the internet?
(Similar to above)
Do you often
(or, do you ever) buy things
on the internet?
Do other people (at
home, or) in your family also use the internet?
Your Feelings about the Internet
Is the internet very
important (or, useful) to you?
How useful would you say
the internet is for you?
Do think you could live without
the internet?
(Similar to above) Do
you think you could live or work as well as you do now
ifyou didn't use the
internet?
Your First Time/Learning to Use the Internet
When did you first start using (or first learn to
use) the internet?
(Similar to above)
When was the first time
you used the internet?
(Similar to above) How
long have you been using the internet?
Where
did you learn to use the internet?
How did you learn to use the internet?
What do
you think is the best way to learn about (or learn how to use) the internet?
Is
there anything you don't understand about the internet?
Good and Bad Sides to the
Internet
Do you think the internet is a good thing?
What benefits can people
get from using the internet?
Is there
anything that's not so good about (or, on) the internet?
(Similar to
above) Is there anything you don't like about the internet?
(Similar to
above) What are the good and bad points about the internet?
Do you think the use of the internet needs to be
controlled?
The
Uses & Benefits of the Internet
Is the internet very popular in
your country?
What
kinds of people (= what groups
or what categories of people) most often use the internet?
(Similar to
above) What kinds of people most often use the internet for work?
What age group of people
most often use the internet?
(Similar to above)
Who do you think uses the internet the most in your country?
What is the difference in
internet use between different age groups?
How can people
best make use of the internet?
The Impact / Importance of the Internet
In
general, what impact does the internet have on people's lives?
(Similar
to above) How has the internet changed people's lives?
(Similar to
above) How has the internet changed your life? See
Note
Would you say (or, would you agree that) the
internet is essential for modern life?
(Similar to above) Would you say that the
internet is essential in your life?
Do you know anyone who doesn’t use the internet?
What is the life like for those people who don’t use the
internet?
Internet Shopping
Do you think some young people buy things
online that they don't really need?
Learning (or, studying) via the Internet
How can people learn things on the internet?
(Similar to
above) What is the best way people can learn from the internet? (=
What is best way to use this tool for learning.)
What sorts of things can people learn on the
internet?
(Similar to above)
What
can you (= people) learn from the internet?
What do you think are the benefits of
"e-learning"? (= studying online)
Do you think
information on the internet is very reliable?