Updated Aug 1, 2017
IELTS Part 2 and Part 3 Topics and Questions
Page 133
661. A Foreign Country You Would Like to Go To (Sep, 2015) (Probably no longer used)
662. A Success You Have Had (Sep, 2015) (Probably no longer used)
664. An Important Conversation (Sep, 2015) (Probably no longer used)
665. A Long Car Trip (Sep, 2015) (Probably no longer used)
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
***********************************************************************
Notes
I suspect that the words in the first line are, "would like to go to" not, "would like to visit". "Go to" includes visiting, migrating, or living temporarily in a country as a student.
Make sure you can pronounce the English name of this country correctly.
See also Part 3 of Topic
573 and
Going Abroad
Do you like travelling abroad? See Note 11
Can you suggest why some people are not interested in (or, dislike) travelling abroad?
What are the main reasons why people from your country
travel (or, go)
abroad?
What benefits can a person get from travelling abroad?
(Similar to above) How would you compare being a tourist in your own country and
being a tourist in a foreign country
(For Chinese candidates) Why do you think more and more Chinese people are travelling abroad?
What foreign countries are most popular for people from
your country to visit, and why do people choose those countries?
What do people from your country usually do when they travel abroad (as tourists or holiday makers)?
In what ways is travelling abroad different to travelling within one's own country? See Note 10
Why do some people stay abroad for a long time?
Why do many people want to study abroad?
(Similar to above) What are the differences between
studying in your home country and studying abroad
In what ways is working abroad
different to
(Possibly) What do you think are the differences between studying in a foreign country and working in a foreign country?
Do you think globalization is resulting in more people travelling abroad?
In addition to actually going to another country, what other ways can people use to learn about a foreign country?
What do you think are the main differences between the culture of your country and that of other countries (or, and that of the West)?
Problems When Travelling Abroad
What sorts of problems do people sometimes encounter when they travel abroad?
The
Concerning your country, in what ways do you think tourism today is different to
tourism a few decades ago?
Do many foreign tourists visit your country?
Why do foreign tourists come to your country?
Are more foreign tourists coming to your country today compared with previously, or are fewer foreign tourists coming?
How do these foreign tourists travel in your country?
Where do they go and what do they see? *
Why do you think more and more people are travelling abroad nowadays? FQ
Why do (some) people today go abroad for shopping?
What effects can (or does) long-distance travel have on
the environment?
(Similar to the question above, but not exactly the
same) How do you think the increase in tourism is affecting (or, will
affect) the environment
What benefits does tourism bring to a country (or, to a
particular location)?
What changes has tourism brought to your country?
In what ways do you think foreign tourists coming to your country is influencing (or affecting) your country?
What do you suggest could be done to attract more
tourists to your country?
Would you say the tourism industry is well-developed in your country?
How would you compare the tourist facilities in your
country today with those (the tourist facilities) in the past?
Would you say the tourist facilities in your country are getting better all the time?
In what ways do you think tourist facilities in your country will develop in the next few years?
Why do you think the tourism industry is better
developed in some places (or, some countries) than in other places (or
countries)?
What do you suggest could be done to improve the tourism industry in your country?
Do you think the internet could be used (or, is being used) to help improve the tourism industry in your country?
Are there any major differences in facilities for
tourists in big cities, compared to smaller places?
What sorts of places do you think should be included in a tour (an organized tour) of a city?
Notes
This might be a repetition of either Topic
"
Success
How do you think people can succeed in life?
Do you think success is only a matter of luck?
Would you say people's success comes from within themselves or from outside themselves?
How would you define
"success", as applied to a person?
(Similar to above) How do people judge (or, measure) someone else's success? FQ
Do you think the way we
judge success (or, measure or define success) has changed, compared to the way
it
was judged in the past?
Would you say the way people gain (or achieve) success has changed, compared to several decades ago?
Do you think being wealthy
(rich) is the same as being "successful"
What can ordinary people do in order to be successful or, feel successful?
What rewards (or, benefits) does success bring to people?
Do you think that people who are successful in one area could also be successful in other areas?
Why do you think some people succeed while others fail?
Do you think success
always brings happiness to people
(Similar to above) Do you think all
"successful" people feel happy about their lives
How would you describe (or define) a "successful parent"?
(Possibly) What do you think parents should do in order to maximize the chances that their son or daughter is successful when they grow up? *
Do you think one's level of education is closely connected to one's "success"?
In what ways do you think personal success and the success of a company are the same, or different?
Would you like to run a successful home enterprise (= a business run from home)?
Failure
What's the most difficult thing that you have ever (tried to) do but failed to do?
How do you feel when you fail to achieve something?
Do you think failure is necessary (or, useful) in people's lives?
Can you suggest why people sometimes fail to achieve what they want to achieve?
Success in the Workplace
How do people assess someone as being "successful" in their work / at the workplace? *
How do (or, how can) people become successful in their work?
(Similar to above) What
factors determine how successful a person is in their work
If someone becomes especially successful in their work, do you think their colleagues will become jealous?
Would you say that a person's social network is important for determining success in their work?
Do you think people who like their work are more likely to be "successful" in that job?
Do you think people who are successful in their work should be rewarded? See Note 14
In your country, how are people who are
successful at work rewarded?
(Slightly different to
above) How should
How would you like to be rewarded for doing a good job?
(Similar to above)
What do you think a person should do if they don't
like their job?
Do you think it's possible for all working people to feel successful in their work?
In addition to work, what other ways can a person be "successful"?
Please compare "personal success" with "the success of a company".
Notes
So far, the wording is not very clear. If the wording is similar to above, then you have the choice of describing a general activity you did during your school years such as painting, or describing a specific activity you did once such as helping to paint a picture on a wall when you were in 5th grade.
"Crafts" refer to such activities as basket-making. Crafts usually involve creating a practical product that also has some artistic value. "Handicraft" means the same as "craft" in this context. If the word "craft" is really included in the wording, as I think it is, then even making a stool or a bookcase in woodworking class would satisfy the requirements of this topic.
Traditional Arts & Handicrafts
What are some examples of traditional arts and handicrafts that
you have in your country (or, culture)?
Do you think traditional theatrical (or, dramatic) techniques will continue to be practiced?
How could a person learn traditional arts and handicraft skills?
What could be done to help preserve this knowledge?
Are young people today (e.g., teenagers) very interested in learning (or,
doing) these traditional handicrafts?
What could be done to encourage young people to be more interested in learning traditional arts and handicrafts? FQ
Do you think primary school children should learn how to create some of these traditional handicrafts?
Are their any shops in your country that specialize in traditional arts and handicrafts? See Note 5
Handmade Gifts
Would you ever give an piece of traditional art or traditional handicraft to someone as a gift?
What kinds of things do some people make themselves as gifts to give to others?
How do handmade gifts compare with machine-made gifts? See Note 1
What do you think are the advantages of a giving a handmade gift?
Do you
think handmade gifts give the receiver of the gift a feeling that is
different to the feeling one gets from machine-made gifts
Art Education
Have you ever attended any art classes?
What did you learn from those classes?
In general, how important do you think art is in society?
Do you think it’s important to cultivate an appreciation of art in children?
Do you think children should learn about art at school?
(Not
exactly the same as above)
How do you imagine art will be taught in the future? See Note 4
Notes
The point, "
Several of the Part 3 questions seem to be very similar to those used in the Part 3 of Topic 500, An Interesting Conversation. This new topic definitely uses the word, "important", not "interesting" but it is possible that Topic 500 was mistakenly reported as using the word "interesting" when, in fact, it might have also used the word, "important".
See also Part 3 of
See Note 2
Spoken Communication
What are the differences between face-to-face
communication and communication by telephone?
Do you think body language plays a role (or, an
important role) in communication
Are there any differences between the ways males and females communicate?
What qualities (or skills) does a person need in order
to communicate well with others?
Do you think clear pronunciation is an important speaking skill?
Conversations
In what situations do people in your country have a conversation with others?
What kinds of (everyday) conversations do people
typically have in your country?
(Similar to above) In your country, what topics do
people typically talk about when they have everyday conversations?
Are men and women equally interested in those topics?
Do you think women like to chat more than men?
When men chat with other men do they usually talk about
the same things that women do when they chat with other women?
Do you agree that women generally talk about trivial matters while men generally talk about serious matters, such as politics?
When men and women are together (i.e., mixed company)
what do they usually talk about?
What makes a good conversationalist?
What (do you think) is the difference between chatting (having a casual conversation) and gossiping?
Who do you prefer chatting with - your parents or your friends?
Do you think it's necessary to adjust one's language when talking to different people?
What different types of conversations do people have in
different inter-personal relationships?
Do people generally speak the same to their boss at work as they do to their colleagues?
Do school students generally speak in the same way to
their friends as they speak to their teachers?
Do you think there is much difference between the conversions that people in your country have and those that people in foreign countries have?
In your country, do people talk very much when they are travelling on public transport?
Talking to Strangers
Is it easy for people in your country to have conversations with strangers, such as on the street or in a shop? FQx2
(Similar to above) Do
In what circumstances (or, when) do people in your
country typically talk to strangers
What types of questions, or topics, do people avoid when they are talking to strangers?
What sorts of conversations do you think travellers typically have with strangers?
What are some differences between a conversation
between friends and a conversation between strangers?
Internet Privacy (from Topic 684, possible topic)
Describe a long car trip (or, journey) you went on.
Notes
This is possibly a repetition of Topic 601,
Page 121 and/or
Although many people have reported the current question as a car
trip, the question might actually be more general, e.g., "
For a car trip, you can, of course, choose going on this trip as a passenger in a car, or as the driver.
"Long" can be measured in time or distance and is a relative term. For many people, a taxi trip of 40 minutes within a big city like Beijing might be considered to be, "long". You should mention why (by what logic) you consider your trip to be "long".
Long Car Trips
Are
long car trips very popular (or, common) in your country?
What sorts of problems can a person have when they drive a car on a long trip?
Can you suggest how to avoid those problems?
What do
you think are the advantages and the disadvantages of making long trips by
car, compared to making long trips by bus
Cars
Can you suggest why many people buy a car?
Is owning a car a very important
goal for you?
(Similar to above) Do you want
to have your own car?
Can you explain why different people choose to buy different types of cars?
Do you think males and females
are different in the importance they place on owning a car?
Do you think there are any differences between the way males drive and the way females drive?
Would you say males and females
tend to choose different kinds of cars when they buy a car?
Why do some people in cities with good subway systems still choose to buy a car?
What kinds of people buy their own cars in your country?
(Similar to above) What percentage (or, proportion) of people in your
country own a car?
Is owning a car a status symbol in your country?
Do you think car ownership in your country will increase in the future?
Do you think it's good for one person or one family to own more than one car?
Would it be a good thing if everyone
had their own car?
(Similar to above) Do you think it's necessary for everyone to own a car?
Do you think it's suitable for young people to own a car?
What are the strengths and weaknesses of using a car for transportation?
What would you say is the relationship between the speed of traveling and safety?
Do you
think cars harm the environment?
What
could be done to solve (or, alleviate) that problem?
(Similar to above) What could be done to encourage people to use other means
of transportation besides a car
How can we balance the individual needs of people with the problems of congested traffic and harm to the environment?
What do you think are the differences between being caught in a traffic jam while traveling in a bus, compared to being caught in a traffic jam while driving your own car?
Do you
think the government should limit the number of cars on the roads (or, in
your country / your city)?
How do you suggest the government could do that? *
Can you think of any new technological developments in cars? See Note 13
What do you imagine cars will be like in the future? FQ
Do you think the government should invest in more public transport?
Buying a Car
Would you say cars are cheap to buy in your country, or expensive?
Would you say it's more convenient to buy a car than to use public transport? * See Note 15
What types of car do people in your country buy?
If
you bought a car, what type of car would it be?
In general, how does one choose what car to buy?
Why do some people buy big cars while others buy small cars? *
How do
people buy a car in your country?
Can you
explain why different people choose different types of cars?
What
are some differences between men's and women’s preferences in cars (or,
attitudes towards cars)?
Why do some people choose to buy luxurious cars while other people choose to buy lower-priced cars?
Is it good for the environment to have old cars on the road?
Business Trips
Why do some people make business trips?
What do you think are the main differences between a business trip and a trip done for pleasure?
If that is the wording of the question, then it does not necessarily mean a gift that you made by hand - it could be an example of traditional handicraft that you bought as a souvenir after visiting the area where people traditionally make such things.
It is not certain that two separate sub-topics, "Communication" and "Conversations" are used but different people have reported both words as used. Of course, "communication" can be done via writing, via body language, by touch or even via artistic expression such as music. A conversation is extended talking between two or more people, which is just one example of communication, although it is the main way we communicate.
To answer any questions about the future, first think if the internet or simply computers themselves will likely be part of the future of this particular topic. For example, answers about the future of education or shopping should include something about the internet.
This question can be interpreted in two ways - shops that sell supplies and equipment for people who engage in traditional arts & crafts, and shops that sell the finished products.
I think most IELTS candidates would not know what this question is referring to without some background information. This question is mainly referring to air travel and the CO2 that planes emit as they burn their fuel.
I suggest you make an effort to watch the film, "The Great Global Warming Swindle" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-m09lKtYT4. In China, the film can be seen, with Chinese subtitles, at http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNTgyMDA4MDY4.html?from=s1.8-1-1.2. That film is a very intelligent look at this question. Or try to at least watch the first few minutes of it. At about 1.20 in the film the narrator say that man-made global warming is the "defining moral and political force of our age". For this Speaking Test question, it is the moral aspect that we are concerned about. Then at 3.00, the narrator says, "Global warming has gone beyond politics - it is a new kind of morality." As an example of this new kind of morality (new quasi-religion), the BBC newsreader then says, "Now the Prime Minister's back from his holidays. He's unembarrassed and unrepentant about yet another long-haul destination."
My personal opinion on (the unproven theory of) "man-made global warming" and the idea that carbon dioxide (CO2) is a "pollutant" are outlined here. But don't spend too much time reading about this one topic. And be careful how you speak or write about his topic in the IELTS test because, for some examiners, it is truly a new kind of religion for them! I suggest you speak and write objectively, stating what "some people believe" but keeping your personal opinion to yourself (or state that you have no opinion about this issue, or are undecided).
"Success" and, "achieving (or reaching) a goal" are closely linked, if not identical. It's difficult to say that one has "succeeded" in doing something if one never had the goal, intention or the desire to do that. For example, achieving the goal of quitting smoking or losing weight are personal successes but if you lose weight without intending to do it, it is unlikely you would describe it as a "success". Even scoring a goal in a soccer match is, obviously, a (minor) success! Have you ever passed an exam? Of course you have - you didn't fail every exam you sat for! I wrote extensive notes about success for some of the previously used topics about success.
This is another question seeking to direct the discussion towards the topic of man-made global warming and the production of CO2 by transportation.
If the words, "want to have" are used in this question, and you choose to say "Yes" then understand that "want to have" refers to a specific, clear and rather strong goal of owning a car, and you should speak in those terms. On the other hand, if the words, "would like to have" are used, then it is possible to answer "Yes" even if it is not a current goal that you have. For example, if someone asked me if I would like to travel to the moon, I would say, "Yes" even though it is not a goal that I have. That is, I would like to travel to the moon if the opportunity presented itself, which is extremely unlikely to happen.
Here, "travelling" means travelling as a tourist.
This question is only applicable if you have already travelled abroad at least once.
This
question might actually be,
"New" can be within the past 5 years or even 10 years if the examiner is old.
In recent years, a few Chinese billionaire company owners have given their whole staff paid overseas holidays, with the staff all traveling together. One famous example was the hundreds of employees of one company who went on a company-paid trip to Paris.
Of course, in the East Asian countries such as China, Japan & Korea, many companies give their employees, all as one group, a short holiday at some camp or tourist attraction in their country. These seem to be more for the purpose of "binding employees together" or helping employees get to know other employees who they don't usually meet at work, than for the purpose of actually "rewarding" employees. This is because these camps are usually nothing special, something that ordinary people can afford to do, and something that involves experiences or activities that are not particularly special to most people.
It
might be that question or it might be: "