Updated June 10, 2014
IELTS Part 2 and Part 3 Topics and Questions
Page 103
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
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Version
Describe a group that you are part of, (e.g., a film club, a sports club) *
You should say:
where it is
what the group does
how often you go there
and explain why you enjoy being part of this group
Version B
Describe a group that you would like to be part of, (such as a club) *
You should say:
what group it is *
who the members of this group are *
what this group does *
and explain why you would like to belong to this group.
Notes
I'm not sure which one of the two versions is the one being used now. Both versions have been reported. I tend to think Version A is more likely to be the real wording.
For Version A, it might say, "
For Version B: Naturally, if you "would like to be member of" a group, then you are not a member of this group now!
It could be an informal group, such as a group of friends who play basketball, or (for Version A), even simply your class at university! Or your working group, i.e., the staff of the company you work for.
Check out the common error that some people make when talking about groups, HERE. The mistake is explained under, "B) Countable Group Nouns".
The Groups that People Join
Do people in your country often do things in a group
(or, join groups)?
What sorts of things do people often (or, usually) do in a group?
Why do you think most people like doing things in a group?
In your country, what are
What are some examples of organizations that people join?
What sorts of groups do young people like to join?
Is there much difference between the groups that women
join and those that men join?
Who do you think tends to be the more independent (i.e., alone, not joining groups), males or females? (Why?)
Do you think foreign students (students studying away from their home country) tend to join groups or do they tend to be independent?
What are the benefits that people, (both men and women), get from joining a group?
Why do you think some people like joining groups more than other people?
What are some examples of community activities that exist in your country (or, your community)?
What qualities does (or should) a group have?
Do you think a group always needs to have a leader?
What different social classes do you have in your country?
Online (Social) Groups Frequent Sub-Topic
Note:
What kinds of online groups are there that people join?
In what ways do you think changes (improvements) in communications technology have resulted in the formation of online groups?
How do people make friends online?
Do you think online groups are good places for making friends?
Children and Groups
What sorts of groups do children in your country join? *
What are the benefits of children joining groups? *
Describe a house or apartment you are familiar with that you like. (Not your own home).
You should say:
where it was (or is)
when you visited it
what was interesting about it
and explain why you liked it.
Notes
This does not have to include visiting a person, although it could include that. It could be simply a place you visited because you were looking for an apartment or house to rent or buy. It could apply to a house that you are familiar from the outside of the house only, i.e., you have never been inside it.
This might be a rerun of Topic 439.
- See also any relevant Part 3
questions in the following topics related to people's homes and buildings:
- "Home" = where someone lives. A "home" can be a flat, a house, a mobile home, a caravan,
Houses and Apartments (especially the design)
(Similar to above, but different) Do most people in your
hometown live in a flat (= an
apartment) or a house?
(
What do you think are the reasons why people live in apartments or in houses? (Do you think it's just a question of tradition?)
Why do you think the type of housing that people live in is different in different countries?
What do you think are the advantages and the disadvantages of everybody living in their own, separate house (as opposed to living in a flat)?
In your country, do rural and urban people both live in
the same types of homes (or, the same types of buildings)?
What do you think are the most important factors that
should be considered when (city) homes are being designed?
In what ways are people's home in different regions of your country
different?
The (Outside) Appearance of Buildings
Is the (outside) appearance of a home (house or apartment or apartment building) important to you?
Which do you think is more important, the functionality of a home, or it's appearance?
What effect do you think the appearance of a house (or, the houses) have on a city?
(Similar to above)
Do you think there should be laws concerning the
outside appearance of buildings?
Old Buildings
Do you think it's a waste of money for the government
to maintain historic buildings?
(Similar to above but different) Do you think the government should spend taxpayer's money to preserve (or, repair) old buildings?
Why does the government sometimes tear down old buildings?
City Living
What is it like to live in a (big) city?
Who decides how many parks and other recreational areas are in a city and where they are?
Would you say there are enough recreational areas in your city?
Do you think urban planning is necessary (or,
important)?
What role does government play in urban planning? (a big question!)
The Price of Homes / Buying a Home
How do people buy a home in your country?
Is it easy for young people to buy a home?
Describe a person who you like to spend time with.
You should say:
what relationship the two of you have
how often you are together
what you usually do together
and explain why you like to spend
time with this person.
Notes
This looks like a return of Topic 106
See also the Part 3 questions for
People's Relationships
In general, who do you spend your time with?
In your country, who do
people spend most of their time with?
Who do spend most of your time with (when you are not alone)?
What are the different relationships that people have with others throughout their lives?
What can we learn from others?
(Possibly the question above is this:) What can we learn from our relationships with others?
Is it important to you to
spend time with your family?
(Similar to above)
Is it important to you to spend time with your colleagues (workmates)?
Which is more important to you, spending time with your family or with your colleagues (or, friends)?
Do many young adults in your country still live at home with their parents? (Why? / Why not?)
Do you think that everyone
needs to spend time alone from time to time?
People's Behaviour and Attitudes Towards Others / Different Types of People
Do you think it's good to have a variety of types of people in a society?
(Similar to above) Do you think it's important for
people to get along with others?
What are some reasons why some people can't (or, don't) get along with others?
Would you say the person you just talked about (in Part 2) is similar to you?
Do you meet many different kinds of people?
Are you willing to spend time with people who are different to you?
What do you think you would learn from spending time with these people?
Do you think the way people behave depends on who they are with?
Do you think people behave
differently when they interact with rich or famous people, compared to when they
interact with poor or average people?
Do you think the way
(young) people behave with old people is the same as the way they behave with young
people?
Do you think we should
(always) respect (or, be polite to) old people?
Relationships at Work
How should a good employee behave towards his or her employer?
who wrote it
what the letter was about
how you felt about the letter
Notes
This looks like a return of Topic 1.
See also the Part 3 questions for
Letter Writing
(In this sub-topic, it is not clear if the questions are only referring to hand-written letters or if it includes letters produced by a computer printer. This point should be discussed with the examiner.)
How often do you write a letter?
What do you write about?
What do you think are some differences between a formal letter and an informal one?
Do people today write more letters than people in the past?
Why do you think people write fewer letters nowadays?
Please compare hand-written letters with emails or other messages sent by computer. FQx2
Can you suggest why some people (prefer to) write hand-written letters?
Do young people and old(er) people have the same preferences when it comes to writing emails and writing letters?
What other means of communication are there?
What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of letters, as opposed to other forms of communication?
What do you think are the advantages, and the disadvantages, of communicating with someone by using a mobile phone and by writing a letter?
Can you think of any occasions (or, situations) when writing a letter is the best form of communication? *
Do you think letters written a long time ago have any value in the study of history?
Do you think people in the future (when they study the history of today) will be able to get the same benefits that we get today from reading old letters?
Business Letters Frequent sub-topic
Do you think letters play an important role in business? (give examples)
What are the differences between a personal letter and a business letter?
What skills does a person need in order to write a business letter?
Which do you think are more important in business, phone calls or letters?
How do people (in offices) generally write business letters?
Notes
See also the Part 3 questions for
Formal and Casual Clothes
What do you like to wear most of the time?
Do you think it's suitable to wear the same clothes for all occasions?
What should people wear on different
Do people in your country like to wear formal clothes?
On what occasions do they wear formal clothes?
Do you think people today like to wear casual clothes more than people did in
the past? (several decades ago)
(Similar to above)
Do you think people wear clothes that reflect their lifestyle? FQx2
(Similar to above) Do you think the clothes that people wear reflect those people's behaviour?
Do you ever wear overalls? *
Do you think girls look good in overalls? *
Clothes in General
Do you have a national costume (= traditional clothes) in your country?
In general, what are the differences between women's clothes and men's clothes?
Do you think men and women have the same attitudes towards clothing?
Who do you think is more interested in clothes, men or women? (Why?)
Do you think people change the types of clothes they wear as they grow older?
Do old people and young people usually wear the same types of clothes?
How do you think clothes might change in the future?
Uniforms Frequent Sub-topic
What are some examples of people who wear a uniform?
Did you (or, do you) wear a school uniform at school?
(If yes) Did you like wearing the school uniform?
Do you think school children should be required to wear a school uniform?
In your opinion, what types of clothes should school students wear at school?
What do you think is the purpose of having people wear a uniform?
Do you think it's good that some companies require their employees to wear a uniform?
Do you think that workers in some types of workplace should be provided with work clothes by the company?
Would you like to wear a uniform in your future employment?
The Clothing Industry / The Fashion Industry
In what ways do you think globalization has affected
the clothing industry?
Do you think people's tastes determine fashion, or is it the reverse?