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Updated Jul. 23, 2017　

 

IELTS Part 2 and Part 3 Topics and Questions

Page 145

721.  Something You Shared  (May 2016)  (Probably no longer used) 

722.  A Creative Person  (May 2016)  (Probably no longer used) 

723.  A Course You Would Like to Study  (May 2016)  (Probably no longer used)  

724.  Someone You Enjoy Spending Time With  (May 2016)  (Probably no longer used)

725.  A Situation When You Felt Angry  (May 2016)  (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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721.  Something You Shared  (May 2016)  (Probably no longer used)

Version A (past tense)  The Most likely version

Copy of Topic 559

Describe something that you have shared with others (or another person) *

You should say:

        what you shared

        who you shared it with.

        why you shared it

and explain how you felt about sharing it

 

Version B (present tense)

Describe something that you share with others (or another person) *

You should say:

        what you share

        who you share it with.

        why you share it

and explain how you feel about sharing it

 

Version C

Describe something that you would like to share with others (or another person) *

You should say:

        what you would like to share

        who you would like to share it with.

        how you would prepare for this

and explain how you feel about sharing it *

                            or

          and explain how you would feel after sharing it *

 

Notes

  • It is not confirmed yet if it is Version A or Version B. But Version A is the most likely version.

  • Someone in China seemed to report something like Version C (for the June 16 & 18 tests). You should prepare for both Versions A & B but I think Version C is unlikely.

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Possible follow-up questions:

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Part 3

See also the Part 3 of Topic 559

See also Note 5

Sharing in Society

  • Besides your example from Part 2, what are some other things that people commonly share?

  • What are some things that people don't (usually) share with others? FQx2

  • (Similar to above) What are some things that people cannot share with others? FQx2

  • What do you share with your friends?

  • What are the benefits, and possible disadvantages, of sharing? FQx2

  • Do people in your country generally prefer to live alone, or do they prefer to share accommodation with others (non-family members)?

  • Should students share accommodation?

  • Do you think it's good to share a dorm room with others? FQ

    •

  • Would you say living in a dorm with other students is an example of sharing? FQ

  • (If you share a dorm room) Do you have any conflicts with your roommates?

  • Have you developed any rules for your room?

  • Do you think the benefits of living with someone else outweigh the disadvantages?

  • Do you prefer to share public transport with others, or do you prefer to use private transport?

  • (Similar to above) Do people in your country generally prefer to share public transport with others, or do they prefer to use private transport?

  • Would you ever share your food with someone?

  • When eating with others (at a meal table), why do some people pay more attention to their mobile phones than to the people they are eating with?

  • Do you think working in teams is very important in society?

Children and Sharing

  • Do you think young children naturally share things?

  • (Similar to above) Do you think young children (people) are born with the instinct to share things? FQ

    •

  • How do children learn to share with others?

  • Why should children be taught to share?

  • Should parents teach their children to share?

  • Should teachers of young children teach their pupils to share? FQ

  • How could parents and teachers teach young children to share? FQ

  • (Similar to above) How could parents and teachers teach young children not to be selfish? FQ

  • How do children benefit by sharing with others?

  • Do you think there are things that children cannot share (or, have difficulty sharing) with others?

  • Do you think there are things that children should not share with others?

  • Are there things that we don't need to share with others?

  • How can we judge what to share and what not to share?

    •

Internet Privacy  (Unconfirmed sub-topic)

  • Have you ever shared personal information on the internet?  See Note 3

  • What do you know about data privacy?

  • Do you think sharing information on the internet is a good idea?

  • Why do researchers share information online?

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722.  A Creative Person  (May 2016)  (Probably no longer used)  

Describe a creative person who you admire (e.g., a scientist, an artist, a musician, an inventor etc.)

            You should say:

                          who this person is 

                          how you know about this person *                   

                          what their greatest creation has been

             and explain why you admire this person.

 

Notes

  • Check on the website www.howjsay.com for how to pronounce, "creative". It is pronounced as, "kree-AY-tiv", not, "kree-tiv". The words, "create" and "creation" are also pronounced that way.

  • One person has reported the wording as, "Describe a creative person whose work you admire". This is more or less the same as above but it has a slightly different emphasis than what is written above.

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Possible follow-up questions:

  • Have you met him / her personally? * Or: Would you like to meet him / her personally?

  • Would you say you are a creative person?

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Part 3

Creativity in Society

  • Do you know any other local artists?

  • Besides your example from Part 2, in what other ways are people creative? *

  • What do you think are the characteristics (or, the qualities) of creative people? *

  • Do you consider yourself a creative person?

  • Do you think creative people are important to (or, beneficial to) society? FQ

  • Why do some people prefer to copy the ideas (or creations) of other people (rather than generate their own ideas or creations)?

  • Do you think creative people are born that way or did they develop their creativity in childhood? *

  • Do you think engaging in artistic activities can make a person more creative?

Creative Work

  • Can you give me any examples of jobs that require a lot of creativity? FQ

  • In general, would you say that most employees need to be creative at work?  See Note 9

  • Does your government do anything to encourage (or support) employment in the "artistic creative industries", such as working in the musical, artistic and entertainment industries?

Creativity in Childhood

  • What's the most creative thing that you have ever done or made?

  • Would you say you were more creative when you were a child than you are now?

  • Can you explain why some children (or people) are not very creative?

  • Can you suggest some ways in which creativity can be developed (or, stimulated) in children? FQ

  • What can schools do in order to nurture (or, encourage) the development of creativity in children?

  • Do you think participating in extra-curricula activities can help children develop creativity?

  • Do you think it helps a child's creativity for him or her to engage in art, such as painting and drawing? FQx2

  • Do you think it helps a child's creativity for him or her to engage in science, such as doing experiments with insects or plants?

  • Do you think learning to play a musical instrument can help a child develop creativity? FQx2

  • Do you think learning to play a musical instrument , or painting, can help a child develop the ability to be innovative?  See Note 8

  • Would you say that developing one's powers of analysis can increase one's creativity? FQ

  • Would you say using a computer can help a child's development of creativity? FQ

  • Would you say playing computer games can help a child to develop creativity, or not? FQ

  • Which do you think is better for a child, to spend a lot of time playing computer games, or engaging in some form of artistic activity? FQ

    •

Creativity in the Media

  • Can you suggest why many adults enjoy watching children's cartoons on TV?

  • What do you think is the impact of advertising on people?

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723.  A Course You Would Like to Study  (May 2016)  (Probably no longer used) 

Describe a course you would like to study (or, do), if you had the time.

            You should say:

                          what course it is (or, would be) *                    

                          where you would do it *

                          what you would learn in that course *

            and explain why you would like to do this course.

 

Notes

  • Obviously, there is an "if" statement included in the wording so this topic is testing your ability to speak in the "subjunctive mood", using ",would", "could" etc. Don't use, "will" here.

  • The word "would" might not be used exactly as shown above for the second point. Instead, it might be, "where you would like to do it".

  • It might say, "A course your would like to do". Generally, English speakers use "do" here if the course is rather practical and non-academic, that is, not really requiring the "study" of theory in textbooks.

If the word "study" is written on the card, it would be most suitable to choose a course that is somewhat academic or theoretical, rather than practical. For example, learning how to maintain your car, how to draw or how to cook are more practical and it is less suitable to use the word, "study" when describing learning how to do these things. Yes, you can say, "learning" how to do these things but "studying" usually involves (or means), "book learning".

  •  IMPORTANT NOTE:

You should NOT talk about your real future study intentions or plans. Instead, talk about an extra course, besides any main course that you plan to do. That is the whole point of using the grammar of the subjunctive mood.  We Use the subjunctive when talking about things that are conditional, i.e., they depend on an "if" statement first becoming true. Side by Side Book 4 covers the various commonly used subjunctive constructions very well.

This "extra course" could be academic, such as a Diploma or Certificate course, A Masters Degree, a second Bachelor Degree course, or a more "practical" course such as a course in learning to drive, or even a 1-hour course in learning how to care for your pet. The latter usage of "course" is, "course" = a single "lesson" or "class" and is less often used. Instead, most English-speakers use "lesson" or "class" for such a short-duration thing. It is best to avoid such examples.

  • The words, "would like to" do not necessarily mean that you strongly "want to" do this course or that you plan to do it, but it can be used to mean that. It could be a course that simply "would be nice to do", if you ever had time to do it or if you ever had the opportunity to do it.. Read the usage of "would" here.

  • The word, "Course"

There is usually a difference between doing or studying a "class" and doing or studying a "course". A course involves several stages of learning, such as a degree course. For example, you could study a course in which you learn to speak Russian. That course would consist of several levels or stages, such as Year 1 Russian, Year 2 Russian and Year 3 Russian.

For the word, "class" - You could attend a "drawing class" or "cooking class" where you learn the basics of drawing or cooking but never progress to higher levels or stages of this learning.

On the other hand, some English speakers do use the word, "course" even to describe something as simple as learning the basics of drawing or to cooking. This is referring to a class that you might attend once a week for 6 months, for example. This is because even such a class as that starts with the basics and progresses through stages of knowledge.

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Possible follow-up questions:

  • Do you think many other people would like to do such a course?

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Part 3

See also any relevant questions in the Part 3 of Topics 18, 36, 89, 230, 304 & 389

University Courses and Employment

  • What are some of the most popular university degree courses that students in your country choose to study? FQx2

  • Why do you think those courses are so popular?

  • Do you think some university courses are more useful than others?

  • Is it easy to find employment after finishing those courses?

  • Why not study history or philosophy if you think you can make money from your education?

  • If you like art, do you think it's necessary to get a paper qualification in that area?

  • Do you think what people learn in university courses and what they actually do after they graduate are the same?

  • Do you think people choose these course more because they want to work in that area, or more because they are interested in learning about those subjects?

  • Besides teaching, what kinds of work can liberal arts graduates do?

  • Do you think tertiary (eg. university) courses should be based only on employment needs (or, availability of work)?

  • Do you think employers should have a say in the design of tertiary courses?

  • Do you think that universities should provide classes to help students find a job (or, find employment) after they graduate? FQ

  • Would you say the average level of education in society is increasing all the time?

  • What university courses do you think will be most useful in the future?

  • Do you think the government should provide courses for people of all ages?

  • Would you say that people of different ages have different learning styles?

    •

Theory versus Practice

  • Which do you think is more important, the studies that a person does (e.g., at university), or their work experience? FQ

  • Do you think employers prefer to hire people with theoretical knowledge, or those with practical (work) experience?

  • In your country, do young people themselves choose what to study at university, or do their parents usually make that choice?

High School Subjects (classes)

  • What would you say are the most popular high school subjects (or, high school classes) in your country?

  • Can you suggest why some students dislike studying (= learning) at school?

  • Can you explain why schools have such theoretical subjects as history and mathematics?

  • What school subjects do you think are best (or, most beneficial) for school students?

  • Do you think high schools should have more practical subjects than they do now?

  • Do you think school examinations should be based on the students' capability to be useful in the workforce?

  • Do you think schools should teach both science-based subjects as well as non-science subjects (the humanities)?  See Note 2

  • Do you think schools should also teach forms of art? See Note 2

  • Which kind of subjects do you think are more important (as high school subjects), artistic subjects or practical subjects?  See Note 7

  • In the future, do you think school children will still need to go to school, or will they be able to study everything in an "online classroom"?

Teachers

  • What do you think is the role of a teacher? FQ

  • What qualities / skills would you say teachers need to have? FQ

  • Do you think people can learn these qualities and skills from books (or by attending a class)?  See Note 6

  • (Very possibly, the above question is this) Are there some students who don't need teachers but can self-study from books and other recourses?

  • (Possibly) Would you say most teachers are more academic and theoretical, rather than practical? *

  • What academic qualifications are needed in order to work as a teacher?

  • Would you say liberal arts graduates are suitable for working as teachers?

  • If you want to teach art, do you think it's necessary to first have a formal qualification (a "piece of paper")?

  • Who do you think are more suitable for working as kindergarten teachers, men or women?

  • Can you suggest why some people choose to study to become a maths teacher instead of a physical education teacher? FQ

  • What kind of skills should a sports teacher have, compared to those of a maths teacher? FQ

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724.  Someone You Enjoy Spending Time With  (May 2016)  (Probably no longer used)

Copy of Topic 106

Describe a person who you like to spend time with.

        You should say:

                how you first met this person / what relationship the two of you have

                how often you are together

                what you usually do together 

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

 

 

Notes

  • In the previous testing period (Jan-Apr 2016), there was Topic 680,  The Family Member You Spend the Most Time With. But that topic was probably retired on Apr. 30. Furthermore, that topic did not seem to include the word, "like" or "enjoy".

Another indication that this is a different topic is the fact that the Part 3 of this new topic seems to focus on communication and inter-personal relationships, similar to Topic 513, while Topic 680 focused more on families.

So it looks like this topic is a different topic to Topic 680, especially since it has been used in the past, as Topic 513 and Topic 106.

  • However, if the wording above is accurate, then it is possible to talk about a family member as your answer for this new topic.

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Possible follow-up questions:

  • Would you like to spend more time with this person?

  • Do other people also enjoy spending time with this person?

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 Part 3

See also the Part 3 of Topic 513 and Topic 106

Spending Time with Others

  • How do you usually spend your free time?

  • In a typical week, would you say you spend more time with your friends or with your parents? FQ

  • Do you prefer to spend time with your family, or with your friends? FQ

  • What do you do when you are with your friends?

  • Can you explain why many young people are always holding their mobile phones?

  • Can you explain why many young people dislike spending time with (or living with) old(er) people?

Modern Communication & Human Relationships

  • What are the various ways that people communicate with others? *

  • Has the way that people communicate with each other changed much in the past few decades?

  • Who do they usually communicate with?

  • What are the benefits of conversation with others? FQ

  • (Similar to above) How can conversation help us in our daily life? FQ

  • Do you think people spend enough time communicating with others?

  • (Possibly the question above is this) Do you think people today have enough time to communicate with others?

  • Do people communicate with others when they travel on the subway?

  • Do you think people need to spend time on maintaining their friendships?

  • Would you say that people today spend a lot of time with their friends?

  • How do you think the usage of computers at work is affecting people's lives? FQ

  • (Similar to above) How do you think the usage of mobile phones and the internet is affecting people's lives? FQ

  • (Similar to above) Would you say that modern technology has had an effect on the personal contact that people have with others? FQx2

  • Why do so many young people walk around holding their mobile phones (or looking at their mobile phones)?

  • Do you think looking at one's mobile phone so much is a positive, or a negative change in society?

  • Do you think modern devices make personal contacts among friends less frequent, or more frequent? FQ

  • (Similar to above) Would you say that mobile phones help people to maintain their friendships, or do they tend to do the opposite? FQ

  • (Different question to above!) Would you say that mobile phones help people to communicate, or do they tend to do the opposite? FQ

Teamwork / Group Activities

  • Do you think that people today are spending less time, or more time working with others, compared to several decades ago?

  • Do you think fewer people will work together in the future?

  • What do you think are the benefits and the downsides of studying in a group? FQx2

  • (Similar to above) What do you think are the benefits and the downsides of teamwork in the workplace? FQx2

  • Would you say that cultural background influences (the amount of) teamwork or group activities that people do?

  • Is it very common for people in your country to work in a group to help others?

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725.   A Situation When You Felt Angry  (May 2016)  (Probably no longer used)   

Copy of Topic 368

Describe a situation that made you (a little) angry.

        You should say:


                what it was that made you angry *

                where you were when this happened *

                what you were doing at the time *

                who you were with

                                         
         and explain how you handled this situation. *

                                    or

         and explain why you felt angry. *

 

 

Notes

  • This might be return of Topic 368

  • Americans often use the word, "mad" to mean, "angry". But I suggest you do not use it in the IELTS test because "mad" also means, "insane". The only exception to that would be in Part 3 if your examiner is American and he/she uses the word "mad" in a question.

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Possible follow-up questions:

  • Do you still feel angry about that?

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 Part 3

See also the Part 3 of Topic 368

Mood / Anger

  • Can you suggest why some people get angry more easily than other people?

  • What factors influence people's moods?

  • Do you think it's good to hide one's mood (or, feelings)?

  • Do you think it's important to be calm?

  • What would you suggest angry people do in order to manage their anger?

  • How do you control your anger?

  • What would you do if you had made someone angry at you?

  • Who do you think is more likely to get angry, men or women?  FQ

  • (Similar to above) Which group are more likely to control their anger, men or women?  FQ

Expressing Emotions

  • Can you suggest why some people are mean to others?

  • Do you think it is necessary for people to openly express their emotions?  FQ

  • (Similar to above) Which do you think is better, to openly express one's feelings, or to hide one's feelings?  FQ

  • (Similar to above) Which do you think is more important, to express one's feelings or to hide one's feelings?  FQ

  • Why do you think some people are better at expressing their feelings than other people?

  • What can be (or, are) the consequences when people hold back expressing their emotions?

    •

  • In general, would you say expressing one's emotions is good for one's health, or bad for one's health?

  • In general. how do people express their emotions (their feelings)?  FQ

  • Do you think men and women express their feelings differently?

  • (Similar to above) Which group are more likely to express their feelings, men or women?  FQ

  • Some people say that women are better at "reading the minds" of other people than men. What do you think?  See Note 4

    •

  • How can someone control their emotions (or, control the expression of their emotions)?

  • Do you think it is right to express anger?

  • Do people in your country (or, do you) think it's appropriate to express one's emotions in a public place?  FQx2

  • Is there any difference between expressing emotions in public and in private, such as in the family home?

  • (Different to above) Do people (in your country) express their emotions in the same way to both their family members, and to people who are not part of their family?

  • Which group are more likely to express their feelings, young people or old(er) people?  FQ

  • Do young people and old(er) people express their emotions in the same way?

    •

  • Do you think that viewing foreigners, such as Americans, in films or TV programs has influenced the way people in your country think about expressing emotions?

Teaching Children Sensitivity Towards Others

  • Would you agree there are certain skills involved in being sensitive to the feelings of others?

  • Do you think it's important to teach these skills to children?

  • What are some examples of those skills? *

  • How would you suggest these skills be taught to children?  FQ

  • In general, who do you think are more sensitive to the feelings of others, males or females?

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Note 2

Although we have a "Bachelor of Arts" degree in university, which mainly refers to studies in "the humanities", I don't think it is appropriate to label non-science-based subjects in high school as, "the arts". Instead, these non-science subjects in high school are better labelled as, "the liberal arts". These subjects in high school are - languages, history, social studies etc.

The terms, "art" or "the arts" refer to such subjects or activities as the visual arts (painting, drawing, sculpture, design etc.) and performance arts such as music, drama, dance and singing. Activities such as video production and the creation of handicrafts can also be classifies as "forms of art" or artistic creations.

Note 3

The expression, "to share information" with someone really means the same as, "to give information" to someone.

What "personal information" is this question referring to?

We see that the other questions are about privacy so this question is referring to personal information that some (or most) people prefer not to share with others, especially others who they don't personally know and trust.

Firstly, there are various levels of of sensitivity to privacy. For example, some people, in some situations on the internet, prefer not to use their real name, although it is very difficult to achieve perfect, 100% anonymity on the internet these days.

Below are some examples of personal information that most or many people are careful about giving, or avoid giving to others:

 

The most private information

– passwords

– personal ID numbers such as your Social Security number (in the US), passport number, driver's licence number, credit card numbers, bank account numbers, your exact date and place of birth, your exact date and place of marriage, photocopies of your university degree etc. that could be used by criminals to create false identities (to steal your identity), to commit theft or commit other crimes

– your credit rating (if it is poor), and your general financial situation (e.g., your income, level of debt, degree of wealth, asset ownership)

– information about valuables in your home (which could be targeted by criminals)

– personal information about your family members without their consent

– your sexual identity (if you are homosexual, especially in places where it is illegal to be homosexual)

– your sexual history or details of any current sexual relationships (that could be used for blackmail)

– your criminal record (if you have a criminal record) or any current illegal activity such as illegal drug usage

– biometric information such as your DNA profile, fingerprints, detailed photograph of your iris, detailed photographs of your face etc. (part of "the surveillance society")

– any history of "mental illness"

– membership of some organizations (in some cases, especially political organizations)

– the financial status and other details of your business (if you have a business)

– your school or university records (especially if you did not perform very well)

– past employment information (especially if you changed jobs often or ever got fired)

– your exact place of work, exact address and your habitual movements or future schedule (if you are worried about surveillance, political persecution, or criminals targeting you)

– your political opinions (in some cases)

– attempts to seek employment elsewhere when you are already employed (possibly damaging information if your current employer finds out)

 

Somewhat less sensitive information (in most cases) is:

– your real name

– your email address

– your phone number

– your social media ID, Skype ID, Wechat ID etc (especially if you don't want to be bothered by unwanted contacts)

– your health status, health records, and usage of prescribed drugs

– your network of friends, business contacts and other social contacts

– your marital status

– any history of divorce

– your age

– your educational level

– your religion, religious affiliations, or religious views

– your ancestry and socio-economic background

– your employment status, especially if you are unemployed

– your weight (if you are exceptionally overweight), and any other physical abnormalities

– your tobacco and alcohol usage  (not so sensitive in many societies)

– your shopping habits and preferences

– the record of your online book purchases (difficult to keep 100% private)

– your website viewing habits or preferences (difficult to keep 100% private)

– your IP address (impossible to keep 100% private from internet servers, determined internet spies or government agencies)

– the contents of your computer hard drive (difficult to keep 100% private from determined internet spies or government agencies)

 

Note 4

Read about intuition.

 

Note 5

If you have the time, I suggest you do a little research on the common English expressions of the form, "share + noun".

Many word combinations of the form, "share + noun" type are suitable to use, but some might not always be suitable, although your meaning might be clear.

A Few Common Examples are:

share costs (expenses) (= to split the costs)

share a room / share a house

share a bathroom / a kitchen etc.

share food (= to give some, but not all of your food to another person. Possibly includes eating together, but not necessarily so.)

share information (= to give information, usually mutually but possibly just one-way)

share a taxi / share a carriage in a train  (= to travel with others). Strangely, I have never heard of "share a bus".

share a bicycle (= the most common meaning in English is for 2 or more people to use one bicycle, at different times, not riding with two people on the bicycle at the same time. However, that latter meaning is possible for, "share a bicycle" but you would need to explain it and not assume the examiner knows what you mean.)

 

Note 6

The purpose of this question (whatever the exact wording of this question is), is to see if you can express that teachers gain a lot of their teaching skills from their experience, not just from reading about how to be a good teacher.

Note 7

Artistic subjects in high school are listed in Note 2. Some more "practical" subjects that are taught in some high schools are listed below.

- woodwork

- metalwork

- technical drawing (draughting (Br) = drafting (US)

- automobile maintenance (usually in the USA)

- driving (= driving a car, usually in the USA)

- computing  (= basic computer usage)

- cooking

- sewing

('Home Economics' incudes cooking & sewing)

- book-keeping (the first stage of the subject, accounting)

- animal husbandry (usually only in some rural areas)

Note 8

Think about the extent to which creativity and innovation are the same, and how they differ. 

Is playing a musical instrument, and other forms of artistic self-expression the same as creating something?

What abilities are developed when children solve puzzles, solve problems, analyse situations etc?

Note 9

Au contraire!