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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

541.  A Product from Your Country   (Jan 11, 2014)   (Probably no longer used)

Describe something that is produced in your country or region (such as a food, a handicraft, or a car)

You should say:

        what the product is

        who buys this product

        what part of your country it is produced in *

and explain why your country (or region) produces this product. *

                    or

and explain how it is produced. *

Notes

• So far, my understanding is that the wording doesn't say "a famous", "well-known" or "popular" product. If it's unusual. and/or little known, the examiner will be more interested in listening to what you have to say. Examiners love to learn something new!

• Go to a dictionary web site to hear the correct pronunciations of "product" and "produce". (Go here to see some web site addresses - INTERNET_ENGLISH_STUDY.htm)

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Possible follow-up questions:

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542.  A Film You Didn't Like   (Jan 11, 2014)  (Probably no longer used)

Describe a film you didn't like.

You should say:

        when you saw it *

        where you saw it *

        what it was about *

and explain why you didn't like it.

Notes

• It looks like only one person has reported this and he or she seemed surprised that the word, "disliked" was used. It might be a mistake. For example, maybe the examiner asked a follow-up question about disliking a film. So, there is almost certainly a new topic asking you to describe a film but the wording is still unclear.

• Even if the words, "dislike" or "didn't like" are used, it is possible to simply describe a film that "disappointed" you rather than one you disliked. But if you do that, it is important to communicate to the examiner that there is no film that you have ever (strongly) disliked but there have been a few that disappointed you. This adaptation of the wording of Part 2 topics is allowable, as long as you explain it to the examiner. If the words used on the card are "didn't like" or "disked" but you simply describe a film that disappointed you without explaining it to the examiner, then you will not get as good a score as if you had explained what you said.

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Possible follow-up questions:

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See also the Part 3 questions for Topics 440, 397, 341, 278, 200, 145, 99 and 6

Leisure Time Activities/ Entertainment

Note: Some questions might be about recreation and others about entertainment, which is a specific type of recreational activity. Where "entertainment" is written in some questions below, the examiner might simply use, "recreation" or "recreational". See here for notes on the topic of entertainment.

• In general, what do people in your country do in their leisure time?

• What do young people prefer to do?

• In your leisure time, do you prefer indoor or outdoor activities?

• (Similar to above) For leisure time activities, do people in your country generally you prefer to engage in indoor or outdoor activities?

• What kinds of people prefer outdoor leisure activities?

• Do you think leisure-time activities today are very different to those of the past (e.g., 20 to 30 years ago)? FQx2

• How do you think leisure-time activities might change in the future? FQ

• What kinds of people like to go to places such as KTVs (karaoke bars)?

• Do you think small towns and villages in your country need more entertainment facilities? FQ  See Note

• Who do you think should be responsible for the construction of public entertainment facilities? *

• (Similar to above) Who do you think should be responsible for the construction of sports facilities?

• What can (or do) people do for entertainment when there are no entertainment facilities?

• How do young people entertain themselves at home?

• What leisure activities can someone do using a computer?

• Do you think the internet has changed home entertainment?

• How do you think electronic devices will influence people's leisure activities in the future?

• (Similar to above) Do you think the internet (and/or computers in general) will change home entertainment in the future?

• How do you think computer games will (or might) develop in the future?

• Would you say entertainment is educational?

• Do you think entertainment can be used in education?

Notes

• Part 2 always has three points following the words, "You should say" and one point beginning with the words, "and explain". If I ever write more than these, it means I am not sure and, in your preparation, it would be a good idea to prepare to say something about every point I have written.

• This seems to be similar to Topic 18, (which was never very clear).

• Important - If the word "class: is used in the wording, it means "a course", not "a lesson". For example, "I studied a class called Calculus 101 in first year at university".

• The word, "class" can sometimes be used to mean a single lesson, but I don't think that is the usage here. For example, "We had an interesting class today in which we learned about photosynthesis".

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Possible follow-up questions:

• Did /Do other people (ever) ask you for advice (or help, or information) about that subject?

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544.   A Busy Time   (Jan 11, 2014) (Probably no longer used)

Copy of Topic 4

Describe a time when you are very busy.

        You should say:

               when this time is

               what you do at this time

               how you arrange your time

   and explain how you feel after this busy time is over. * (Or, Explain how you feel during this busy time.) *

Notes

• It is possible that the topic is past tense, i.e., "Describe a time when you were very busy" = describe a time when you are usually very busy. But I believe it is most likely to be present tense, as shown above.

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Possible follow-up questions:

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