Updated June 10 2014
IELTS Part 2 and Part 3 Topics and Questions
Page 102
FQ = frequent question = a question that has frequently been reported = a question that is probably in the examiner's question book
* = my guess at a question
***********************************************************************
Describe a statue or other work of art that you have seen. *
You should say:
where you saw it
when you saw it *
what it looked like *
and explain your understanding of what this work of art means (or, represents). *
or
explain your impressions of this work of art. *
Notes
This is probably a repeat of either Topic 11, Topic 167 or Topic 414, although there might be new Part 3 questions.
You should learn the difference between the two words, "statue" and "sculpture".
See also the Part 3 questions for
Most of these questions seem to be about the visual arts such
as painting, sculpturing, designing (
Artistic Tastes in Your Country
Do people in your country like art?
What types of art do people in your country like?
(Possible question following the question above) Which of those is the most popular?
Do you think elderly people and young people have the same tastes in art?
Where can (or, do) people see examples of art?
How could the government encourage people to see more art?
Do you think foreign (or Western) art is very different to the art in your country?
In your country, is international (or, foreign) art more popular than art from your country?
Would you say art is important?
Why do some paintings (and other works of art) have higher value than others?
Do you think it's right for someone to make a replica of a valuable (or famous) work of art?
Being an Artist
Do you think anyone (or, everyone) can be an artist if they want?
Do you think young people today should study art?
(Possibly) Do you think art should be a (compulsory) subject to study at school? *
In your opinion, what would a good high school art course (class) be like? (what contents?/ what activities?/ what skills?)
Do artists usually have much money?
(Similar to above) Do you think the government should support the arts?
Do you think the government should support street artists (or graffiti artists)?
Do you think government should invest in art?
Exhibitions and Art Galleries
Are art galleries very popular in your country?
How often do you go to an art gallery (or art exhibition)?
Why do people like to go to art galleries and similar exhibitions?
What kinds of people generally go to art galleries (or, art exhibitions)?
Is the entry charge to art galleries very expensive?
Describe a competition that you would like to take part in.
You should say:
what competition it would be
what happens in such a competition *
what preparations you would need to make for this competition *
and explain why you would like to take part in this competition. *
or
and explain what difficulties you think you might (or, would) have in such a competition. *
Notes
So far, some of the wording for this is my guess.
Of course, sports and games could be used as examples for this. Something like a TV quiz show (Topic 294) would also be suitable.
Try to understand the subtle difference between the meaning of , and usage of, "want to" and, "would like to". See HERE. Basically, "want to" means you have an active plan or desire to do something but "would like to" means "I would be happy if it happened but I have no active plan or strong desire for it". "Would like to" is also used as a more "polite sounding" way to say, "want to".
See also any questions about teamwork, co-operation, competition, and motivation in the Part 3 of the following Topics: 109, 218, 265, 290, 294, 344, 379, 380 & 416.
Competition
Besides your example (in
your Part 2), what are some other examples of contests and competitions?
What is the most popular competitive game in your country? (Don't chose a sport for this wording)
What benefits do people get from
playing these games (or, from competition)?
What skills (or attributes) do you think are necessary to play these games? (Examiner might choose one particular game)
Is competitive sport very popular in your country?
Which do you think is better, a sense of personal achievement (= winning) in a competition between individual people, or a sense of achievement from winning as a member of a team?
In your opinion, how beneficial (or, how important) to society is competitive sport?
(Similar to above) What
benefits do people derive from taking part in competitive sport?
What motivates the
competitors in these sports (or games)?
(Similar to above) Do you
think professional athletes are motivated more by money or by sporting
achievement?
Do you think competing in sports or games is good?
Do you think they compete more for money or for fame?
Do you think sports champions really deserve such fame?
Do urban people and rural people in your country have a sense of competition with each other, or do they have more a sense of co-operation?
Children and Competing / Children and Achievement
What rewards do you think are suitable to give to children when they make a big achievement?
Do you think competitions are good for children (to
take part in)?
What are some competitions that you think are good for children?
What skills can children learn by taking part in competitions?
What benefits do you think children derive from competing as a team?
Do you think competitions (at school) should be compulsory for students?
(Similar to above but stronger in meaning) Do you think children should be forced to engage in competitions?
What effects do you think it has on a child if he or she "fails" in a competition?
Is there much competition
among students in your country? (Why?)
(Different to above. The
question above is about a general attitude of competitiveness among
students) What competitions / contests are popular among (university)
students?
In general, do you think children should be rewarded for learning?
(Similar to above)
If you were a teacher, how would you encourage your students to learn?
Which do you think is better for schoolchildren, criticism or encouragement?
Were the teachers in your high school very strict?
Competition & Cooperation in the Workplace
Do you think competition in a work place is useful?
(Similar to above, but a
little different)
Do you think it's good for a boss (a supervisor. a manager) to be strict?
What do you think are the differences between a strict boss and a strict teacher?
Describe a successful family business that you are familiar with.
You should say:
what business it is
how you know this business
who the customers of the business are
and explain why you think this business is successful. *
Notes
You should choose a business run by (owned by) people who you personally know, i.e., people you have spoken to. For most people, a local (small) shop or restaurant would be a suitable example.
See also the Part 3 questions for Topics 37, 79, 98, 306, 378 & 398.
Businesses/Companies
Do you think business is important?
What are some of the main differences between big companies and small businesses?
(Similar to above) Would you prefer to work
in a small business or a big company?
In general, what do you think are the benefits of working in a big company and the benefits of working in a small company?
Many small businesses fail
after just a year or two. Can you suggest why that is?
How do you think someone could be a successful (self-employed) businessperson?
Do you think men and women are equally as good at running (or, managing) a business?
What types of business do you think will be most successful in the future?
Do you think there will be fewer big companies in the future and more small companies, or the reverse?
Family Businesses
Do you think it's good
(or, a good idea) for a family to start a business together?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a family business? FQx2
When parents have a family business, do you think the children learn any good skills from this situation?
Do you think the early stage of running a small business is generally easy, or difficult?
What do you think is better, to start a business alone or in a partnership with others or another person?
Do many people in your
country want to have their own business?
Why do you think many
people want to start their own business?
What types of people are
most inclined to start their own business?
(Different to above) What skills does a person need to start their own company?
Do you think men and women are equal when it comes to being self-employed?
Would you like to have your own business?
What do you think are the pros and cons of a young person starting his or her own business?
International Business
What benefits are there for a business to export the goods it produces?
Do you think a country should impose limits on the goods that are imported into that country?
Do you think multi-national companies play an important role in the economy of the world?
What do you think would happen if a multi-national company stopped functioning?
Version A
Copy of
You should say:
what the decision was
how you made your decision
who helped you make this decision
what the results of the decision were
and explain why it was important.
Or
explain the impact that this decision had on your life. (= the result of this decision)
Describe an important decision you took a long time to make. *
You should say:
what decision it was
what difficulties you faced in making this decision
how you made the decision *
and explain why it took you a long time to make this decision. *
Notes
* = guessed information.
See also the Part 3 questions for Topics 2, 60, 323 & 371.
Decision-Making in General
Do you think it's difficult to make decisions?
When you have to make a decision, how do you do it?
(Similar to above) If you had two possible choices, how would you decide which choice to make?
What decisions do parents have to make?
Do you think the decisions that people have to make today are, in general, more difficult than decisions that people had to make in the past?
Do you think the media (the news media & the entertainment media) have any influence on the decisions that people make?
Would you say these influences are positive, or negative?
Young People and Decision Making
What are some examples of decisions that teenagers (or, young people) have to make?
(Similar to above, but a
little different)
What are some differences between the decisions that young people make and those that old people (or, older people) make?
Does the family of a young person influence what decision that young person makes?
Do you think parents should help their children to make decisions?
Who do young people
usually turn to for advice when they need help to make difficult decisions?
Do young people prefer to ask
their parents for advice, or ask their friends for advice?
Do you have any advice for teenagers (or, young people) on how to make the right decisions?
How useful (or valuable)
do you think are the opinions of family and friends when a young person (or,
someone) has to make
an important decision?
In general, what kinds of decisions do you think parents mostly help their children make?
Do you think teachers are suitable for giving advice to young people when the young people have difficult decisions to make?
Do you think teachers should give advice to help students make decisions?
Some teachers encourage their students to make their own decisions. Do you think that's a good policy?
Do you think schools
should include the teaching of decision making skills in the curriculum?
(Similar to above)
If you were teaching that, how would you do it?
Can you think of other people in society, besides teachers, parents and friends who might be useful for giving advice to young people?
Governmental Decisions/ International Decisions
Can you give an example of an important decision that the government of your country needs to make (or, has made)?
How are decisions made when two countries need to arrive at a decision that affects both of them?
Do you think there are any factors that influence international desision-making?