Page 116

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Updated June 30, 2015

IELTS Part 2 and Part 3 Topics and Questions

Page 116

576. A Family Member You Like to Spend Time With (May , 2014 ?) (Probably no longer used)

577. No Topic

578. A Group Activity (Sep. 4, 2014) (Probably no longer used)

579. An Important Job (Sep. 4, 2014) (Probably no longer used)

580. A Beautiful or Handsome Person (Sep. 4, 2014) (Probably no longer used)

RETURN TO PART 2 TOPIC INDEX

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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576. A Family Member You Like to Spend Time With (May , 2014 ?) (Probably no longer used)

Describe a family member who you like to spend time with. *

Describe the member of your family who you spend the most time with. *

You should say:

who it is (or, who they are)

how often you spend time together *

what you usually do together *

and explain why you like to spend time with this person. *

and explain why you spend the most time with this person (and not some other family member). *

Notes

Someone has reported that the wording is simply, "the family member who you spend the most time with". This is not always a question of "liking" or "choosing".
Some people have reported that the wording is something like, "Describe an older (or, old) family member who you like to spend time with", and it is this that has caused me to confuse this topic and Topic 547, An Old Person (in Your Family)
"Family" can mean your extended family (such as an uncle) and "older" (if that word is used) means "older than you"
The key point here is to describe a person - the key point is not to describe an activity (what you do together) although you should include that point.
Use mostly the present tense for this, not the past tense.

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Possible follow-up questions:

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Part 3

Family Relationships

Do you think family relationships are important? FQx2
In your country, what influence does one's family relationship have on society?
(Similar to above) In your country, what role do family relationships play in the overall society?
In recent decades, has family life changed much in your country?
Do you think it's important to spend time with other members of one's family? FQ
Do you think parents today should spend more time with their children?
What effects do you think it would have on a child if the child's parents (or one of the parents) spent very little time with the child?
What do people in your country do together as a family?
Why do you think some people do not have good relations with the members of their family? FQ
Why do some people choose to live independently from their family? FQ
Do you think people from different cultures differ in their family relationships? FQ
Have family relations (or, has the family structure) changed in the past few decades, compared to what it has been traditionally?
In the future, do you think people will have better relations with members of their families than they do now, (or worse relations, or about the same as now)?
(Possibly the question above is this) In the future, do you think people will have closer relations with members of their families than they do now, or will they be less close (more estranged) than they are now?

Old Family Members

In your country, do old people generally look after themselves or do family members look after them?

In your country, who takes care of old family members who need help?

Do people consider it a burden to look after their old family members?

Some young people like to spend time with old family members (or, possibly, old people in general) while other young people don't like it. Can you suggest why these differences exist?

Do you think adults should regularly visit their (elderly) parents, (e.g., once a week or once a month)?

In your culture, would you say that old people are losing their importance as members of society (or family members) or is their importance increasing?

Maintaining Family Relationships from Far Away

How can people maintain communication with their family members after they have moved far away (e.g., overseas)?
Do you think using online communication resources such as Facebook or Skype are suitable for keeping in touch with family members? FQ
Why are websites such as Facebook so popular? FQ
Are there any disadvantages from using those resources? FQ
Do old people in your country generally know how to use those online services?
What do you suggest could be done about the problem of old people not using the internet?

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577. No Topic

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578. A Group Activity (Sep. 4, 2014) (Probably no longer used)

Describe something you did with a group of people.

You should say:

what you did together

when you did it.*

who the other people were

how you prepared for this activity *

and explain why you did it in a group. *

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Possible follow-up questions:

Did you enjoy that experience?

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Part 3

See any related questions in the Part 3 of the following topics - 511, 448, 402, 225 and 290

Group Activities in General

Do you prefer to do things in a group or to do things individually (= alone)?
What are some examples of activities that people in your country like to do in groups?
What are the advantages of doing some things in a group?
What do teenagers like to do as a group?
What are some of the reasons why people do things in groups?
(Similar to above) What are some of the reasons why doing something in a group is often more successful than doing it as an individual? FQ

(Similar to above) What are some of the advantages in doing something in a group rather than doing it as an individual? FQ

Which do you think is more satisfying, group success or individual success? *
What (types of) activities are most suitable for groups and what (types) are most suitable for a single person to do?
Which do you think is better, a decision made by one person or a decision made by a group?
What sorts of influence do groups have on the individual members of the group?
(Similar to above) What sorts of influence do groups have on individuals?
Do you think a group leader is important? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think a group always needs to have a leader? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think a group needs a leader in order to be successful? FQ
(Probable question) What qualities do you think a group leader needs to have? *
Why do you think some people don't get along well with others in a group situation? FQ
(Similar to above, but different) Why do you think some people don't work well with others in the workplace? FQ
How can a working person get along well with his or her colleagues? FQ
What do you think are the pros and cons of travelling in a group?
Why (or, how) do you think communication problems sometimes occur within groups or organizations? See Note 1

Family Groupings

What do families in your country generally do as a group?
Do you think parents should spend more time with their children?

Children and Group Activities

Do you think children prefer to do things alone or do things with other kids?
Do you think children prefer playing with other children or playing with adults? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think children prefer playing with other children or spending time with adults? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think children prefer spending time with other children or spending time with adults? FQ
How do you think children learn how to interact with other people?
(Similar to above) What sorts of activities are good for teaching children how to co-operate with others?
Would you like to be a teacher of (young) children?
Do you think it's important for children to have experiences doing things in a team?
Do you have any ideas on how to help children learn to co-operate with others and work as a team (or, develop sense of teamwork)?

Mixed Gender Groups

How do groups of men and groups of women differ?
What do you think are the benefits of little boys and little girls playing together (from an early age)? FQx2
What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of having co-educational high schools (= boys & girls together)? FQ
If boys and girls go to single sex high schools, how do you think they can learn to interact with the opposite sex? *

Teamwork

Why do some (most) people work together with others at their workplace?
Do you think teamwork is important?
What qualities do you think a good team member should have?
What factors do you think are most important when doing something as a member of a team?
How does a good member of a team contribute to the team?
How do you think a team should be organized?
Do you think a team needs to have a leader? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think it's (always) necessary to have a strong team leader? FQ
How should a team leader do his or her job (as a leader)?
What would you say are the advantages and possible downsides of doing things in a team?

International Co-Operation

Do you think international co-operation is important?
Do you think there will be more, or less, international collaboration in the future?

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579. An Important Job (Sep. 4, 2014) (Probably no longer used)

Describe an important job in your country.

You should say:

what job it is

who has (or, does) this job

what skills or training (or qualities) people need for this job

and explain why you think it is an important job in (or for) your country.

Notes

So far, this looks like a new topic, describing a job. But there's a small chance that it is actually a repetition of Topic 457, "A Person with an Important Job", describing a person.
The Part 3 questions being reported for this seem to be very similar to those being reported for Topic 564. A Person who Has an Interesting Job (on Page 113). This leads to the possibility this Topic 579 is not being used at the moment and that people have, in fact been getting Topic 564 only. It is also possible that two separate Part 2 topics are in use, with the same set of Part 3 questions being used for both.
(Note added Oct 29) The wording might be, "... important for your country". If this is the case, you should relate the importance to the particular needs of your country, not simply to the needs of human society in general. Even if "for" is not used, that is the meaning.

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Possible follow-up questions:

Do you know someone who does that job?
Do other people also think that's an important job?

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Part 3

See also any related or similar questions in the Part 3 at 22, 50, 97, 98, 139, 147, 201, 227, 346, 360, 363, 453, 484 & 499.

Especially look at Topic 457, "A Person with an Important Job" for some questions about what makes a job, "important".

Finding a Job

Is it easy for (young) people to find a job in your country? FQ

Are there companies or organizations (including government agencies) that help people find a job?

How do you think schools could help students be able to find a job in the future?

Is that the same in all parts of your country?

Do you think a person should take the first job that's available or continue to look for a job that they will like better?

Do you think the question of money is important when looking for a job?

Are there any types of work that your country can't find enough qualified people to do?

What occupation are considered to be the best jobs in your country?

What occupation are not considered to be good jobs?

In general what makes a job (or type of work) desirable?

Do you think money (the salary/ the wage) is the only thing that people consider when they choose a job?

In general, what are employers looking for in their employees (or, when employers advertise for new employees)? FQ

In general, what are employers looking for when hiring new employees? FQ

Why do business people, on average, make more money than other people?

Do you think that's reasonable (fair)?

Education & Training (for Work) in Your Country

At what age do most people begin working in your country? FQx2
Do you think that's a suitable age? Why not earlier? FQ
(Similar to above) What age do you think is most suitable (or best) for young people to start working a full time job? FQx2
Do you think it's suitable for high school students, aged about 16, to have a part-time job?
Which do you think is better, to attend a training institute such as a university or college (after high school but) before starting work, or starting work immediately after high school?
What do you think are the benefits of further education or training (after high school) before starting work?
How do you think the work environment today is different to that in the past? FQ
Do you think the fact that science and technology are more advanced than before has an effect on people's ability to do a job today?
Do you think it's necessary to have a degree in order to get a good job? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think it's necessary for everyone to go to university before they get a job? FQ
Are there many young people who decide not to study (immediately) after they finish high school in your country? See Note 4
Why do you think it is happening?
Do you think it's good to spend some time abroad (e.g., travelling) before settling down to education and a career?
Why do some people decide to go abroad to work after they graduate from university?
Do you think it's good for people to migrate to another country for work? See Note 6
What changes (or improvements) do you think could be/should be made to the educational system in your country? See Note 5
Do you think more practical, work-related skills should be taught in high school? (What skills?) See Note 3
Do you think universities actually prepare people well for future employment?
(Similar to above, but more general) Do you think education today really does prepare young people for the jobs of the future? FQ

Working Conditions

In general, would you say working conditions in your country are better, or worse, than they were a few decades ago? FQ
How can young people be motivated to do their job better?
Do you think this is only a matter of money (salary/wage)?
What gives people job satisfaction?

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580. A Beautiful or Handsome Person (Sep. 4, 2014) (Probably no longer used)

Describe a beautiful or handsome person you have seen (or, met). *

You should say:

who it was

when & where you (first) saw this person

what kind of person they were (maybe = what kind of personality they had) *

and explain what it was that you thought was beautiful or handsome about this person *

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Possible follow-up questions:

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Part 3

See also any relevant questions in the Part 3 of Topic 403

People's Appearance / People's Physical Attractiveness

Do you think it's good to be physically attractive (pretty/ beautiful/ good-looking etc)?
What standards do people use when they describe a woman as "beautiful"? FQ
(Similar to above) In your opinion, what are the physical features that make someone a, "good looking" person? FQ
What benefits do good-looking people get from their good looks?
Do you think good-looking people find it easier to find work than ordinary-looking or ugly people? (Why?) - Is that fair?
Are there any possible disadvantages form being good-looking?
Do you think many people care about the appearance of others (and themselves)?
(Similar to above) Do you think a person's appearance is important? FQ
(Similar to above but different) Do you think it's important how good-looking someone is? FQ
Do you think people who are attractive on the outside always have inner beauty?
Which do you think is more important, a person's appearance or their inner qualities? FQ
(Similar to above) Which do you think is more important, a person's appearance or whether they have a good heart? FQ
How do people become good-looking? Is it just good luck?
Do you think there are cultural differences (differences in different countries) about what is good-looking and what isn't?
In your culture, what do most people think a beautiful woman and a handsome man looks like?
Why do you think advertisements that show a person usually use good looking people (as opposed to "average-looking" people)?
Do you think it's good that advertisements only use very good-looking people?
How does it affect people when they see only beautiful and handsome people in advertisements? FQ
We often see tall, thin models in (women's) magazines. What effect do you think that has on girls and young women? FQx2
Can you suggest why models like that are chosen to be in magazines and in fashion shows?
Do you think models such as that sell more clothes?
Do you think having beautiful models wearing certain clothes influences how well those clothes sell?
Do we really need to have fashion models?
Do you think models lead an exciting life?
Do you think clothes are important to a person's appearance? FQx2
(Similar to above) Do you think a person's clothes affect their appearance? FQx2
(Similar to above) Do you think wearing attractive clothes makes people more attractive? FQx2
If an ugly person wore good looking clothes, do you think that would make this person "good looking"? FQ
Do you think it's good for women to wear make-up?
How do you think people can make themselves better looking?
Do you think it's a good idea for people to use plastic surgery to change their appearance? FQ

The Beauty of Nature and Man-Made Beauty

Know the difference between "landscape" and "natural scenery"

What do you think the word, "beauty" (or "beautiful") means?

Which do you think is more beautiful, a city or a natural place? (Why?) FQ

What are some examples of beautiful urban places (or, beauty in an urban environment)? FQ See Note 2

What are some examples of natural beauty? FQx2
What are some examples of beautiful natural places (in your country)? FQx2
(Similar to above) What are some examples of beautiful places in the countryside? FQ

(Similar to above) Does your country have any beautiful natural landscapes (or scenery) FQ

What are some of the characteristics of a beautiful natural scene (or place)? *
What (benefits) do people get from beautiful places?
Do you think natural places (or scenes) are always "beautiful"?

Expressing Beauty

What do you think are the best ways of communicating one's feelings about beauty to other people?
Which do you think is more suitable for expressing the idea of beauty, (written) words or a picture?
Would you say that the people in your country have an understanding of the beauty of nature?
Do you think words, or poetry can adequately describe the beauty of nature?
How (or why) do people write poetry to express beauty?

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Note 1

The "organizations" or "groups" in this question would include companies or other groups of working people. Obviously the size of these groups would be one cause of communication problems. But there are several other factors such as the purpose of the group or organization, and the degree of homogeneity or otherwise of the members of the group. Give examples of the factors that you talk about.

Note 2

For the question, "What are some examples of beauty in an urban environment?" it would be suitable to include man-made art, a fountain in a park, a park or garden, attractively designed buildings etc If the examiner does not include the word, "see" then you could also include the beauty of music.

Note 3

This question would apply to general (typical) high schools, not vocational high schools.

Note 4

This is called a "gap year". It is quite popular among some types of young people in the West. They use that year to travel or to get some work experience. This helps some people grow in maturity or helps some people decide what career they want to have in the future.

Note 5

This question also invites you to talk about career counselling in high schools, and about the topic of the next question, i.e., practical work skills, including how to apply for a job.

Note 6

There are some good points about migrating for work, especially for the people who do it. But if many well-educated people migrate for work then this results in a "brain drain" from the country they are leaving. It can also result in lost employment opportunities in the country that receives migrant workers. For example, in the U.S. (and other countries), many IT specialists can't find work because cheaper IT workers from India have immigrated, on special work visas, to do the work.