PAGE 11

ielts-yasi.englishlab.net

Updated Dec. 16, 2007

IELTS Part 2 and Part 3 Topics and Questions

Page 11　

51. A Piece Of Equipment (September 16, 2006) (Probably no longer used)

52. A Library (September 16, 2006) (Probably no longer used)

53. A Domesticated Animal (Probably not a Part 2 topic)

54. A Childhood Present (September 16, 2006) (Probably no longer used)

55. Two People From the Same Family (September 16, 2006) (Probably no longer used)

RETURN TO PART 2 TOPIC INDEX

***************************************************

51. A Piece of Equipment (September 16, 2006) (Probably no longer used)

Describe a useful piece of (electrical or electronic) equipment (such as a mobile phone or computer) that you use at home or at work.

You should say:

what it is

where it is (or, how long you have been using it)

how you learned to use it

and explain why this item is useful to you.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Possible follow-up question:

Was it very expensive?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part 3

Electrical Appliances

Have (the item you chose to talk about) changed much over the years?
Do you think that (the item you chose to talk about) are important to society? (How?)
Do you think everyone needs to know how to use the item you chose to talk about?
What kinds of electrical appliances are most used in the home, (besides the telephone and computer)? (Hints: washing machine; vacuum cleaner; rice cooker; iron; coffee maker; electric kettle; water dispenser; food blender; microwave oven; hair dryer; air conditioner; fan) FQ
How do these things help people? FQ
What are some examples of electronic or electrical equipment that are used for communication? FQ
What are some examples of electronic or electrical equipment that are used for entertainment (leisure)? FQ
What are some advantages and disadvantages of using electrical equipment? FQ
Do you think we can now live without electrical appliances? FQ
What's your opinion of this? Is that a good situation?
Do you think science and technology will one day completely eliminate traditional technology and equipment?
What kinds of electrical or electronic appliances do you think we will have in the future? ( = How do you think electrical & electronic appliances will develop in the future?) FQ (Hint: Difficult question. Think science fiction.)
Do you think computers will one day replace books?

The following was the examiner's own question, not listed in the question book.

You say you download songs to your MP3. But if you like a singer, don't you think you should support him/her by buying their CD's?

Office Equipment

What are some of the different forms of electronic communication that people use in offices today and how are they useful? FQ
What are the effects of using such electronic forms of communication? (What are the advantages & disadvantages of using these?)
(Similar to above) What are the advantages and disadvantages of using new technology in the workplace? FQ
Today, people rely on hi-tech communication equipment. Do you think there are any dangers or shortcomings to this reliance? FQ
What other tools are used in offices today?
Compare office equipment today with office equipment of years ago. *
How do you office equipment will change in the future?
Do you think that advancements in office technology will result in fewer people or more people working in offices in the future? FQ
(As above) What effects do you think the future use of electronic equipment will have on employment? FQ

Modern Technology & Human Progress

What are the effects on people of modern technology such as television and computers? FQ
(Similar to above) What changes have taken place in society as a result of the use modern technology such as the television and the computer? FQ
Do you think people rely too much on machines and modern technology nowadays?
What are the advantages that we get from using modern home and office equipment?
What do you think is the most useful thing that man has ever invented?
Do you think being able to use advanced technology (e.g., computers) can help people when they are looking for a job?
Do you think computers will ever be intelligent enough to replace human brain power?
Do you think robots will replace humans for some types of work?
Do you think we will ever be able to truly communicate with robots? *
Is there a relationship between advancements in high technology and the true progress of humanity? (Hint: Not really. Many advancements in high technology were first made for military purposes.)
Do you think modern appliances have decreased the amount of housework that people have to do?
Who does most of the housework in Chinese families, the husband or the wife?
How do you think electronics will develop in the future? (= What new electronic devices do you think might be invented in the future?)
How do you think modern technology will change the way people work in the future? FQ

***********************************************************************

52. A Library (September 16, 2006) (Probably no longer used)

Describe a library that you visited. (For example, a public library, school or university library)

You should say:

where it was

what the library looks like *

what facilities it had (or, what type of library it was)

and explain why you went there.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Possible follow-up question:

Did you have to pay anything to use the library or was it free?
How long do (did) you usually stay in the library?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part 3

Libraries (in China)

Do people in China often go to libraries?
Do you often go to libraries? (If yes, say why.)
Are there many public libraries in China?
Do people in China prefer to read in a library or at home?
(As above) Compare reading at home with reading in a library.
Why do you think a library is a good place for reading?
Are there any advantages to using a library instead of reading at home?
What can people read in a library that they can't read in other places? FQ DIFFICULT QUESTION ! (HINT: Reference books; encyclopedias; rare books)
Compare looking up material in a library with using the internet for this purpose.
What are some differences between a public library and a university library?
Even though it might cost a lot to maintain a library, do you think every university should have its own library? FQx2
When students are deciding which university to attend, do they ever consider the quality of the university's library?
Do you think every primary school and secondary school should have a library? FQx2
Do you think every town and city should have a public library? FQx2
Do you think young children should be encouraged to use libraries?
Who should be responsible for the cost of running libraries? FQ
Should the government spend more money on libraries? FQ
Do you think public libraries should be free of charge? FQ
What kind of skills and personal qualities do you think library staff should have? FQx2
What are the qualities of a good library? (Including: What services and facilities should a good library have, besides lending books?) FQ
Should libraries have computers capable of connecting to the internet? FQ
How do you think libraries can (or do) encourage people to read more? FQx2
(Similar to above) How do you think more people can be encouraged to use libraries?
Do you think libraries should have comfortable seats?
Why are libraries quiet places?
How do you think libraries will change in the future? FQx2
Do you think we will still need libraries in the future, (now that we have the internet)? FQx2
(As above) Do you think the internet will influence the way people will use libraries in the future? (How?)
(Similar to above) Do you think the internet will replace libraries in the future? (Why?/Why not?)

Reading

What kinds of books do people in China like to read?
With the rapid development of technology today, do you think we still need books in future? FQx2
(Related to above) Do people still prefer to read real books or do they now prefer e-books (电子书)?

The Historical and Cultural Function of Libraries

What is the educational function of libraries?
How do libraries help preserve history and culture?

***********************************************************************

53. A Domesticated Animal (Probably not a Part 2 topic)

Note: This seems to be a different topic to # 39, A Wild Animal, even though some of the Part 3 questions seem similar. I think (but I am not 100% sure), that topic # 53 refers to a domesticated animal. (Someone wrote on the internet that it was 'a town animal'.)

Describe a domesticated animal. (= Describe an animal that is used by people) in your hometown.

You should say:

what the animal is

where it lives

what it looks like

and explain how this animal is useful to people. *

and explain how you feel about this animal. *

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part 3

Animals

What are the living conditions of farm animals and work animals in China?
Do you think the living conditions should be better? (In what way?)
How could these improvements be put into effect?
Do you think governments should have laws that protect the welfare of domestic animals?
Does China have laws that protect the living conditions of domestic animals?
What is the relationship between domesticated animals and the economy?
Compare the importance of domesticated animals today in China to the situation of many years ago.

Pets

Do you have a pet at home?
Do Chinese people like to keep animals (at home)? (= pets) What kinds of animals?
Why do some people have a pet animal?
What are the benefits for children of having a pet?
Do you think that a pet is like a friend? (Why?/Why not?)
Are there any laws in China concerning pets?

***********************************************************************

54. A Childhood Present (September 16, 2006) (Probably no longer used)

Describe a present (a gift) you received when you were a child

You should say:

what the present was

who gave it to you

how you used this present

and explain how you felt when you got this present.*

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Possible follow-up question:

Do you still have this thing? (toy, gift)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part 3

Present-giving in China

Do Chinese people often give gifts? (On what occasions?)
(As above) Is gift-giving important in Chinese culture (Chinese society)? (How important?) FQ
(Similar to above) What is the value of giving presents?
Do Chinese people give each other gifts on special holidays? (Give details) (Or: Does China have any holidays when people give each other gifts?)
(As above) Describe some of the gifts that Chinese people give each other on different occasions. FQ
Do you think it is necessary for friends to give presents to each other?
What kinds of gifts are suitable for friends to give each other?
What factors do people consider when buying a gift for friends? FQ
Why do people give presents? FQ
Some people, after they offend another person, later give that person a gift. Why do they do that?
Do you think people should wait for a special occasion to give gifts or should they give gifts whenever they feel like it? (Compare the value of each.)
Do you think giving your time to someone is a suitable gift?
(Similar to above) Could gifts replace spending time with family members? FQ
(Similar to above) Do children prefer receiving gifts or spending happy time with their parents? FQ
Do people give the same kinds of gifts to both boys and girls? FQX2
(As above) Compare the kinds of gifts that boys like with those that girls like. FQX2
Compare the kinds of gifts that young people like with those that older people like.
Compare the kinds of gifts that well-educated people like with those that less educated people like.
Are expensive gifts always better than cheap gifts? FQX2
(Similar to above) Can we judge the quality (or value) of a gift only from the cost of that gift or are there other factors that determine the value of the gift? FQX2
What do people in China think/feel when they receive an expensive gift from someone?
Do men and women have the same attitudes towards gift giving? (Or: Do men and women usually give the same kinds of gift?) FQ
How are gifts that people give each other today different to gifts when you were a child? FQ
What kinds of presents are suitable for older people?

Children's Gifts/Toys

How are toys today different to toys of the past? (How have toys changed?) FQ
What kinds of gifts do parents give to their young children? FQ
Can you give any examples of 'educational toys'? *
Do children really need to have toys to play with? Why? What is the value of toys? *
How do you think toys will change in the future? FQ
If you were going to give a present to a child, what would you give them? (= him or her) (What should you first consider before giving a gift to a child? Hint: Is the gift suitable and safe?) FQ
When you buy toys for very young children and babies, what should you pay special attention to? FQX2 (Hint: Safety. E.g., Small items that could be broken off toys could be swallowed and caught in the child's windpipe, causing the child to choke to death. Another example: toxic chemicals such as paints on toys could be chewed or swallowed by very young children.)
Is it important for parents to give presents to their children?
Is it possible to give children too many presents, such as too many toys? FQX2
(From above) What could be the result of that? ('Too many' means 'an excessive number'. Children could become spoiled; they could lose any appreciation of the value of their toys and not look after them; etc) FQX2
Some parents don't spend much time with their child but, instead give the child gifts as a way to show their love. Do you think this is good enough? FQX2

***********************************************************************

55. Two People From the Same Family (September 16, 2006) (Probably no longer used)

Describe two people who you know from the same family.

You should say:

who these two people are

how much these two people have similar personalities (characters)

how much they look similar

and explain how (how well) the two people get along with each other.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Possible follow-up question:

Are you still in contact with these people?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part 3

(See also the Part 3 questions for Topic #70)

Personality Development

Do you feel that the characteristics of parents are always passed on to their children? FQ
(Similar to above) Do children usually have personalities that are similar to their parents? FQ
Do parents affect in a big way the development of their children's personalities? (Give some examples.)
Do you think people become more like their parents as they grow older?
Are young people more influenced by their friends or their family? (OR: Are people more like their friends or more like their parents?) FQ

Family Life

Is family life important (to you)?
What do family members in China do together? FQ
Why is it important for children to live with adults? (What effects do adults have on children?)
How has family life (or, families) changed in China in the recent past, for example, in the past 20 or 50 years? FQ
Have these been changes for the better or for the worse?
(Similar to above) Has the influence of family on people changed, compared to many years ago?
If a child has no brothers or sisters, (a single child), do you think they can communicate with their parents better or not as well as a child from a big family?
Do (young) people today still like living with their parents as much as young people did years ago?
What are some of the problems that people have when they live alone?
What are the benefits (and possible disadvantages) of living in extended families? FQ
Do you think it is good to have old people (grandparents) living with children? (Why?/Why not?)
Do you think the government should be responsible for teaching people about parenting? (teaching parental skills) FQ
When both parents go out to work, how does this affect their family? FQ
What are the responsibilities of parents? FQ
What problems do people have when they are trying to bring up a child or children?
In China, do employers provide any support for parents?

***********************************************************************