Page 125

ielts-yasi.englishlab.net

Updated Sep. 27, 2015

IELTS Part 2 and Part 3 Topics and Questions

Page 125

621. Someone Who Is Good At Cooking (January, 2015) (Probably no longer used)

622. A Song from Childhood (January, 2015) (Probably no longer used)

623. A Toy in Your Childhood (January, 2015) (Probably no longer used)

624. No Topic

625. A Friend Who Is a Good Leader (January, 2015) (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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621. Someone Who Is Good At Cooking (January, 2015) (Probably no longer used)

Describe someone you know who is good at cooking.

You should say:

who this person is

what kinds of food they cook

why you think (why you say) this person is good at cooking

and explain how they learned to cook so well

Notes

The wording above might be a bit different to the real wording but it should be good enough.
I have never seen any version of this topic that would not allow you to speak about a professional cook or chef in a restaurant. Maybe you are friends with such a person. However, I think it would probably be better to talk about a friend, family member, relative, or neighbour. Most of you could probably talk about your grandmother here but keep to the topic of cooking - don't go describing how much she is a kind person or other information like that.

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Possible follow-up questions:

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Part 3

See also the Part 3 of Topic 166

Cooking

Do you like cooking?
Do you think that you are good at cooking? FQ
Do you think most people of your age are good at cooking?
Who does the cooking in your family?
When you were a child, who did the cooking for you?
What do you usually eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner?
Do you do much cooking?
How much time do you spend every day on cooking?
Do you think people today spend more time cooking (at home) than people did a few decades ago, or do they spend less time? FQ See Note 3
How often do people in your country cook at home nowadays? FQ
What benefits can family members get by preparing meals (cooking) together?
Who do you think is more willing to do some cooking, old people or young people? FQ
Do you think the attitudes of young people today towards cooking is the same as the attitudes their parents and grandparents had at the same age?
Do you think everyone needs to learn how to cook? FQ
Do you think it’s important to know how to cook well?
(In your country) where can (or, where do) people learn to cook?
Do you think children should learn how to cook? FQ
At what age do you think children should be taught to cook?
Do schools in your country have cooking classes?
Do you think school students should have cooking classes at school? FQ See Note 1
Do you think both boys and girls should have cooking classes at school?
Some people say students should not learn to cook at school. Why do they say that?

Eating Places / Eating with the family

Do you prefer to eat at home or to eat out? FQ
Do you think people today are cooking at home more, or going out to eat more? FQx2
In the future (say, 20 years from now), do you think people will be cooking less at home than they do now, cooking about the same as now, or cooking more at home? FQ
Do you think that restaurant food is always safe to eat? FQ
How do you know it is safe?
What do you think are the advantages of eating with family members? FQ
Do you think it's important to eat with family members? FQx2 See Note 2
(Similar to above) Do you think family meals are important?
In the future, do you think people will eat with family members more than now, or less than now? FQ
In the future, if fewer people cook at home and fewer people eat together with their family then what do you think the results will be for family life?
If more people eat out rather than cook at home, do you think that might cause some traditional dishes to disappear?

Nutrition & Food Safety

Which is better to eat, fast food or home cooked meals?
How nutritious do you think fast food is?
Do you think (growing) children need to eat nutritious food?
What is "nutritious" food for children? FQ

Do you think children should know about the products used to make the food they are eating?

Should they also know the source of these products?

Who should teach children about the nutrition, the schools or the parents?
(Similar to above) Do you think schools should teach their students about nutrition? FQ
Should schools take responsibility for providing healthy and nutritious food to their students (e.g., in the school canteen at lunchtime)?
In the future, do you think people (in your country) will be healthier, or less healthy than people are today?

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622. A Song from Childhood (January, 2015) (Probably no longer used)

Copy of Topic 186

Describe a childhood song you remember well.

You should say:

where you first heard this song

how old were you when you first heard it

what it was about

and explain how you feel when you hear this song now.

Notes

This topic was used before at Topic 186. Part 3 might be a bit different now.

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Possible follow-up questions:

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Part 3

These questions are very similar to those used in the past.

Almost all the questions below have been reported by more than one person. So, almost all of them can be considered to be "FQ" questions.

See also the Part 3 questions for Topic 186, Topic 270, Topic 136 and Topic 81.

Childhood Songs & Music

What kinds of songs (or, what kinds of music) did you listen to when you were growing up?
How did these songs influence you?
What can people learn from songs (in their childhood)?
In what ways are children's songs today different to when you were a child?

Music in Your Country

Do you think music is important?
(Similar to above) How important is music in our life?
Is music an important part of your culture?
What is your favorite music?
How does music represent your culture?
Is there any music type, or any song, or any instrument that you think is part of your national identity? See Note 4
How does a song become a symbol of cultural identity of a country? See Note 4
Where can (or, do) we hear music? See Note 9
Where do you usually listen to music? See Note 9
People of different ages like different music. Can you suggest why that is?
In your country, what kinds of music do the people of different ages like? FQx2
When young people get older, do you think they will like the same music that they liked when they were young? FQ
In your opinion, how important is it to teach a child about music, or to play a musical instrument?
Do you think parents should push their children to learn a musical instrument?
Do you like the traditional music of your culture / country?
Do you think that one's personality has anything to do with the kind of music he or she prefers?
Do you think some people listen to a certain type of music for reasons besides really liking it?

Music in Shopping Centres (and other public places)

Many shopping centres play have recorded music playing. Why do they do that? FQ

(Similar to above) We often hear load (recorded) music being played in shops and other public places. Can you suggest why that is done? FQ

What is the best music to be played in the children’s department of a department store?

Sometimes we hear loud music playing in or outside a shop. Do you like to hear that?

Some people say it's a form of "noise pollution". Do you agree?

Should it be allowed?

What time is the right time to stop playing this loud music?

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623. A Toy in Your Childhood (January, 2015) (Probably no longer used)

Describe a special toy you had in your childhood.

You should say:

what it was

who gave it to you

how often you played with it (or, how you played with it) *

and explain why it was special for you.

Notes

Some poor kids make their own simple toy, or their father makes one. Not all toys are necessarily store-bought. For example, little boys in Africa can often be seen with a simple wheel, like an old bicycle wheel, that they push along with a piece that serves as a 'handle' - that it their only toy but it provides amusement for them. If you only had one toy at a certain point in your life then, of course, that toy was special for you.

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Possible follow-up questions:

Do you still have that toy?

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Part 3

These questions are very similar to those used in the past. Most of the questions below were reported by more than one person, making most of the questions below "FQ" questions.

See also the Part 3 of Topic 187, Topic 273, Topic 477 & Topic 427

Toys in Your Country

What types of toys do children like today? FQ
(Similar to above) What toys do children play today? FQ
(Similar to above) What are the most popular toys in your country? FQ
Are those the same as the toys kids used to play with in the past?
(Similar to above) Are those the same as the toys kids used to play with when you were a child? FQ
Do kids today have more toys than kids 20 or 30 years ago?
Do boys and girls like the same kinds of toys? FQ
Why do you think there is a difference between the preferences of girls and boys in the choice of toys they play with?
Do you think it would be a positive thing for boys to play with girls' toys, and girls to play with boys' toys?
Do you think we should give children toys according to their gender? FQ
What effects do you think toys might have on the development of a child's personality/character/ attitudes?
(Related to above) Do you think that there are any toys that are, in fact, a bad influence on kids? FQ
Why do different children (e.g., 2 boys of the same age) sometimes choose different toys to play with?
Why do kids of different ages like different toys?
Do you think kids feel that their toys are important?
Why do you think (little) kids sometimes become very attached to one particular toy?
Do you think it's important for children to be taught to share their toys? FQ
Do you think it is better for kids to play with the same toys as other kids, or play with toys that are different to those of other kids?
Why do you think some people keep their toys even into adulthood?
Do you think toys should be given to others when they are no longer needed?
If you had a child, what toy(s) would you buy him or her?
Do you think only children like to play with toys?

Differences Between Toys Today and Toys in the Past

Are there any toys today that did not exist when you were a child?
Do you think it's good for children to play with electronic (or, hi-tech) toys? FQ
Which is better in your opinion, electronic toys or simple soft toys (such as stuffed animals)?
How do you imagine toys of the future being different to toys of today? *

The Benefits of Toys

What benefits do you think children derive from toys? FQ
Do you think children get much physical exercise when they play with toys?
Can you think of some examples of toys that promote physical exercise?
Besides promoting general physical exercise, are there any toys that promote other physical skills and abilities?
Can you think of any toys that promote intellectual (mental) development (promote the growth of intelligence)? FQ See Note 5
(Similar to above) What can children learn from toys? FQ
Do you think children playing computer games is as good as playing with 'normal' toys?

Buying Toys

Do you think parents should choose what toys to buy their kids or should they let the kids choose?
Do parents in your country spend a lot of money on toys for their kids?
Some parents buy their children many toys. Do you think it's good to buy many toys for a child?
At what point would you say "many toys" is "too many toys"?
Can you suggest why some parents buy many toys for their child?
Which do you think is better, a parent spending time with (playing with) their child, or the parent buying a new toy for the child instead of playing with the child?
Do you think that the more expensive the toy, the better it is?

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624. No Topic

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625. A Friend Who Is a Good Leader (January, 2015) (Probably no longer used)

Copy of Topic 323

Describe a friend who you think is a good leader.

You should say:

who this friend is

how you know this person (or, how [& when] you first met this person)

how other people behave towards him/her

and explain why you think he/she is a good leader.

Notes

The previous topic with the same name was Topic 323. It is possible that one or two points on the current version are different to those in the previous version. Very little detail is being reported on the wording of this topic.
Note that one person has reported the first line as, "Describe a friend who you think could be a good leader." If that is the wording, then you need to focus more on being a leader later, not now. That person could also be a leader of some sort now but need not necessarily be a leader now. When you focus on being a leader later, use words such as "would be", "would be able to", "could". Be careful of using "will" because "will" is used to predict a certain, definite future but you are just talking about a possibility or likelihood here, even if it is a strong likelihood. However, modifying "will" with words such as "very likely will", "probably will" and even, "almost certainly will" is suitable for this situation.

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Possible follow-up questions:

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Part 3

See also the Part 3 of Topic 371, Topic 323 & Topic 60

See also any relevant questions related to "decision making", which is a leadership skill, at the following topics: Topic 2, Topic 323 & Topic 445

Decision-making / Leadership in the Family

See Note 6

Who makes most of the major decisions in your family? FQx2
(Similar to above) In your country or culture, who makes most of the major decisions in the family? FQx2
Who do you think should lead a family, the father or the mother (or, the male or the female)? FQ
(Similar to above) In your country, who is usually the leader of the family, the father or the mother (or, the male or the female)? FQ
Are there any differences between rural and urban households concerning who the leader of the family is?
Do you think it's difficult to make decisions within the family? FQ
Do you think the children within a family can ever be helpful in the decision-making process?
(A little different to above) Do you think the children within a family ever influence the decision-making process?
Do you think there have been any changes in the roles of men & women in the home in the past few decades? See Note 7
Who do you think should be the leader within the family/ the home?
Are there any decisions that can be better made by women, and other decisions that can be better made by men?

Leadership Qualities

Would you like to be a leader?

What sort of leader would you like to become?

Why do some people like to be leaders?

Do you think leaders are born that way? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think some people are born leaders? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think some people are "natural leaders"? FQ
How do people become leaders? FQ
(Similar to above) How do some people develop into leaders as they grow up? * See Note 8
Do you think society plays a role in forming the character of people who later become leaders?
What personal qualities do most "natural" leaders possess? FQ
Do you think almost everyone could be taught to be a leader?
What do you think are the qualities of a good leader? FQ
(Not always exactly the same as above) What skills are needed to be a leader? FQ
Do you think it's difficult to make decisions?

Leadership (management) in the Work Place

In the workplace (or, in a company), who do you think is more important, the employees (the "workers") or the managers?
Do you think power (to make decisions) should be shared between managers and workers? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think managers should involve employees in the decision-making process? FQ
How do differences of opinion in the work place usually get settled?
Do you agree that the workplace needs to have a leader?
Why is it that, in most companies, the managers’ salaries are higher than those of other employees? FQ
Do you think managers should get higher salaries than normal employees? FQ
In your culture, how important is it to obey the orders of 'superiors"?
Many women are earning a high salary now. Does that mean they can be good leaders?
Some people who are not really suited for the role want to be leaders at work (managers). Why do you think they want to be in that role?
In your culture, are there any restrictions or traditions on who can and who cannot be a leader at work?
Are these cultural restrictions or traditions changing at all now?
Do you think there are any differences in the abilities of men and the abilities of women to be good leaders / managers / decision-makers in the workplace?
Do you think being able to communicate with others is a necessary leadership skill?
Do you think there is a "science" called "decision-making" and, if so, what is the nature of this science?
What is the personality (the personal characteristics) of a good leader in a workplace? FQ

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Note 1

Having cooking classes at school, for example in junior high school, need not be compulsory classes.

Note 2

I think the assumption here is that, ''eating with family members" means, ''eating at home with family members". But, although it is not common, family members could also get together every night and eat in a restaurant together!

Note 3

The question, "Do you think people today spend more time cooking (at home) than people did a few decades ago, or do they spend less time?" could be answered by saying that people today do just as much cooking as before but they spend less time on it because of modern cooking appliances, semi-prepared food from the supermarket etc. In other words, you could talk about the same cooking today being done faster than before because of various labour-saving measures, such as ready to cook frozen vegetables etc. However, judging by the other questions, it seems that the examiners are mostly asking the question, "Do people today do as much cooking at home as people did in the past?" Listen carefully to the question and communicate clearly with the examiner.

Note 4

Of course, not everyone in the world feels that their "cultural identity" and their "national identity" is the same. And, (again of course), the national anthem of your country is part of your national identity and if it is sung (if it is a song) then this is one song that is part of your "national identity". But there are other examples that could be used. These two questions might actually be written in the examiners' question book as "national or cultural identity".

Note 5

Of course, these include the so-called "educational toys". The main intellectual / mental area developed by virtually every toy is the imagination because the very act of playing with toys involves the child imagining, often imagining a role-play situation but also inventing situations or little "stories". The "Transformer" toy is an excellent example of an educational toy that promotes the imagination in little boys. It also promotes the ability to visualize changing shapes. Any toy with moving parts like that promotes a certain type of engineering ability. The Rubic's Cube certainly exercises the mind but this is bordering on being a puzzle, not a toy.

Note 6

If the examiner says, "in the home", he or she probably really means, "in the family". You might need to clearly make this distinction because, in many cultures, it is the wife/mother (or head female) who is "the boss" when it concerns issues within the family house, especially within the kitchen! And the husband/father/head male makes the decisions concerning matters outside the home, especially concerning how the family gets the money to live on.

Note 7

Women working outside the home / contraceptives + smaller families / greater female education today in some cultures

Note 8

Think about this - Does an only child (i.e., no brothers or sisters) or the youngest child in a family get many opportunities to experience being a leader in their childhood?

Note 9

Where can (or, do) we hear music?

Where do you usually listen to music?

You should pay close attention to whether the examiner says, "hear music" or whether he/she says, "listen to music". When we walk through a department store, we often hear recorded music playing. We also hear music at the beginning of and throughout most movies and some TV shows. But these examples of music are more or less in the background and we usually don't pay much attention to this music. In contrast, when you go to a concert you are focusing on or paying attention to the music. This is "listening to music", just like listening to someone who is talking to you.

Occasionally a native English speaker might say something like, "I'm going to a concert to hear some music". This is not wrong but I would say it's a kind of shorthand way, or even a lazy way of saying, "listen to some music". The same situation exists when talking about "seeing", "looking at" and "watching". What is the difference between those three? "See" is more general and it is simply what we do when we open our eyes. When we "look at" and "watch" something, we are focusing on or paying attention to something - "look at" is used for something that is not moving and "watch' for something that is moving. Very often (not just occasionally), English speakers say, "see a movie" (film) when they mean, "watch a movie". But no-one says, "I'm going to see TV tonight" - we only say, "I'm going to watch TV tonight".