Updated Sep 15, 2015
IELTS Part 2 and Part 3 Topics and Questions
Page 119
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 A
Describe a person you know who you would like to be similar to.
You should say:
who this person is
how you know this person
what impresses you about this person
and explain why you would like to be similar to this person. *
or
and explain in what ways you would like to be similar to this person. *
Describe a person who you wanted to be similar to when you were younger. *
You should say:
who this person was
how you knew (about) this person
what impressed you about this person
and explain why you wanted to be similar to this person. *
or
and explain in what ways you wanted to be similar to this person. *
See also the Part 3 of Topics 120 & 271.
Role Models
Here, if the examiner says "young people", they are probably including "children" in that group. Strictly speaking, we are no longer "children" after about the age of 13, although people up to the age of about 18 are sometimes referred to as "children" in the media and when talking about law.
What influences affect the way children / young people behave and think? *
How is the way children are brought up today in your country different to when your parents were young?
Do you think they are affected very much by the other students at school?
Do you think advertising in general has much influence
on the buying habits of young people?
Some companies use celebrities (such as sports stars
and film stars) in their advertisements. What effect do you think that has
on young people?
(Similar to above) Why do you think celebrities such as pop stars are used
in advertisements?
Do you think product endorsements by celebrities should be banned?
What kinds of people do children or young people in your country want to be similar to when they grow up?
Do you think it is good for children and young people
to use entertainment stars or sports stars as role models?
Would you say this is a good thing? *
Do you think these celebrities have a responsibility to
set good models of behaviour, considering the fact that children and
teenagers might try to emulate them?
(Similar to above) Do you think this puts a lot of pressure on these stars
(to be good models of behaviour)?
Will you be able to forgive Michael Jackson for taking drugs?
Independence
Do you think it's important for children to learn to think independently?
In your opinion, at what age do young people become independent of their parents?
(Similar to above) In your culture, at what age do people think adulthood starts?
Notes
Most people are reporting this as waiting for someone.
Note: In English we say that waiters and waitresses in restaurants "wait on" the customer, not "wait for" the customer.
Waiting
Can you give any other examples of when people have to wait for something?
In general, why do we have to sometimes wait for something or someone?
Do people ever have to wait to receive something that they have already paid for (or, bought)?
(Similar to above) In what circumstances is it unpleasant or especially inconvenient to wait?
Do you like waiting for someone?
Would you like to work as a waiter / waitress? *
(Possible question) Is there much difference between waiting for a friend and
waiting for other people (non-friends)?
Do you think it could damage a friendship if you often have to wait for that friend?
Is there much difference between waiting for a friend (or a person) and standing in line, for
example, in a bank or shop, waiting for service?
How do you feel when someone "jumps the queue" when you are waiting in line?
(Similar to above)
What are the differences between the way people feel
when they are waiting for service, and when they are
giving service?
Do you think recent developments in technology have influenced the way people feel about waiting?
Do you think that, in the future, technology will further reduce the time that
people have to wait?
Patience
Do you think being impatient can cause problems at work?
Do you think here are any differences between today and the past when it comes to the question of waiting for someone? (Hint: cell phones) FQ
(Similar to above)
Why do you think some people are more patient than others?
An Efficient Usage of Time
How can employees use their time at work more efficiently?
Would you describe yourself as a punctual person?
How do you feel when you are late?
Apps
Do you often download apps?
Is it convenient (or, easy) to use an app?
Do many people you know use apps?
Why do people spend so much time using apps?
What are the benefits from using apps?
Do you use any apps that help you with your studies or your work?
Are there any drawbacks from using an app?
Who do you think uses apps more, young people or older adults? (or, old people) See Note 3
Modern (= new) Technology
In general, what effect have advances in modern technology had on
the lives of people in the past 20 years or so?
Besides saving time, what benefits does using modern technology bring to people?
(Similar to above) Do you think modern technology always saves people time?
Do you think there are any negative results from using modern technology?
Do you think young people and older adults (or old
people) approach modern technology differently?
Do you think (many/most) old people find it difficult
to use modern electronic equipment?
Why do most (young) people feel it's important to keep
up with the latest technology?
(Similar to above) Do you think it's important to frequently upgrade to the latest technology?
What's your opinion of those people who (strongly)
Do you think that the newest technology is always the best?
What do you do on your mobile phone?
Can you suggest why some people seem to be always looking at their smartphone?
Do you think they use their smartphone (or the internet) excessively?
How would you feel if you couldn't use your smartphone or use the internet for several days?
What would you say is the most useful piece of
electrical / electronic equipment?
Do you think there are any (possible) downsides from using modern technology?
Do you think we are becoming over-reliant on this technology?
(Similar to above) Do you think technological change is
always a good thing?
Do you think modern technology has improved people's relationships with others, or damaged their relationships?
Do you think some modern technology makes people lazy?
Do you think people would be more efficient if they didn't use mobile phones or the internet?
(Similar to above)
Do you think it would be difficult to live a life without modern technology?
Besides computers, the internet and mobile phones, can you think of any other examples of modern technology that are bringing benefits to people?
Do you think smart phones will replace computers?
"Social Media"
How has modern technology changed people's social networks?
Do you think it's possible to make friends online?
Describe a TV or radio program that you sometimes talk about with your family or friends. *
You should say:
what the program is about / what the program is
how often you watch or listen to this program
what type of people enjoy this program
and explain what you like or dislike about this program. *
or
and explain why you talk with your friends or family about this TV or radio program. *
See also the Part 3 of
Television Programs
Why do you think those types of program are so popular?
Do you think it's good for family life to have the whole family watching TV together?
Are there different TV programs for people of different ages?
Are there any negative repercussions from watching (too
much) TV?
Do you think watching TV can have an impact on the
education of students?
(Similar to above but not just for students) Do you think there is much educational value in TV
programs?
What can people learn from TV?
Do you think television can be used to help in the education of schoolchildren (and everyone else)?
Would are some ways in which television could be used for that?
Do you think these foreign programs can help people
learn foreign languages?
Do you think government should play a role in television broadcasting?
Is there such a need in your country?
Do you think television broadcasting (or, television
programs) should be regulated (controlled)?
(Similar to above) Who do you think should
regulate / control television broadcasting?
What are the potential dangers for children from the contents on TV (and the internet)?
What types of TV programs do you think should not be allowed (= should be banned)?
Radio
Is (listening to the) radio very popular in your country?
(Similar to above) Do many people in your country listen to the radio?
Which do you prefer, radio or TV?
What types of people prefer to listen to the radio rather than watch TV?
Why do you think most people prefer to watch TV rather
than listen to the radio?
In what ways are radio and TV programs the same and in
what ways are they different?
Do you think we will always have radio broadcasts?
Some people like to listen to the radio while they are driving. Why do you think they do that?
What would you say are the advantages and disadvantages of listening to the radio while driving?
(Possibly the question above is this)
Children and Television
Do you
think that, in general, children today tend to watch too much TV?
Do boys
and girls like to watch the same kinds of programs?
Is it good (or, useful) for students to watch TV?
Do you think that parents should control their children's television watching?
Do you think there's too much violence on TV?
Notes
For this "
It is not clear which word is used, "prize" or "award". Perhaps both are used. Those two words have slightly different meanings and usages. Look them up in good dictionaries. Also look up the meaning & usage of "reward".
See also any related questions in the Part 3 of
Topics
571 &
Competition
Do you think competition is good?
Do you think it is good for
children?
Do you think children should
be forced (or, compelled) to compete against others?
(Similar to above) What are the advantages and disadvantages of competition?
Do you think it's good for parents to put pressure on their children to succeed (or to win a competition)?
Why do some adults like competition?
Do you think people who win as part of a team or group feel the same as those who win in some individual pursuit?
Do you think school children are forced to study?
Is that a good situation?
What are some examples of prizes/awards that schools give to some students?
Do you think it's necessary (or, important) to reward children at school?
What do you think are the benefits of giving prizes/awards?
What do you think are the main differences between professional athletes and amateur athletes, in terms of prizes or awards?
Do you think professional athletes only strive to win for the money?
Why do amateur athletes strive to win?
Children
How can parents encourage their children to strive for goals?
What do you think are
suitable ways to reward children for reaching a goal?
Do you think giving money to children is a good way to encourage them / motivate them?
Is rewarding children with money always a good thing?
What's another way to reward children, besides giving them a prize or reward? (Hint: praise)
How can (or, how do) companies (or employers/bosses) encourage their workers to do a good job at work?
How does the employer (or boss) know that an employee is doing a good job (or, is working hard)?
How do companies (or work
places/employers) reward employees for special achievement?
(Similar to above)
What role (what importance) do awards play in the workplace? (Do they really encourage the workers?)
What do you think employees would prefer to receive as a reward, money or something else?
How do you think an employee would feel if they received no recognition (no appreciation) for a job that they had done exceptionally well? *
Different answers would be suitable, depending on whether the examiner says "old people" or "older adults" (= "no longer young people" = over the age of about 30). "Old people" are over 60 or 65 years of age.
This question has been reported several times. If it is used as a follow-up question, I suggest speaking a much shorter, more succinct answer than if it is asked in Part 3. If it is asked in Part 3, expand your answer more, giving more details than for a follow-up question.
Little kids aged about 1 & 2 are sometimes called "toddlers", reflecting the way they walk. The word "infant" is also used to describe a very young child, below about the age of about 5.
"children" are aged from about 4 to12 years old
"young people" are about 13 to 25 (or even 30), but sometimes that term includes "children"
"older adults" > 25 (older than young people)
"middle aged" people are about 35 to 55
"old people" > 60 or > 65