Page 169

ielts-yasi.englishlab.net

Updated Aug 5,, 2018

IELTS Part 2 and Part 3 Topics and Questions

Page 169

851. An Occasion When You Had to be Polite (Jan 2018)

852. An Historical Period (Jan 2018)

853. Your Ideal Holiday (Jan 2018)

854. A Place You Go to with Friends (Jan 2018)

855. A Popular Person (Jan 2018)

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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851. An Occasion When You Had to be Polite (Jan 2018)

Copy of 405

Describe an occasion when you (felt you) had to be polite. *

You should say:

what the situation was

where it was

who you were polite to

and explain how you showed politeness. *

and explain why you felt you had to be polite. *

Notes

There are several ways that people show politeness. One group of ways to show politeness involves doing something. Another group involves not doing something, which is refraining from doing something, such as not pointing out something negative about someone, not criticizing or not complaining when you think such a negative comment might offend that person.

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Possible follow-up questions:

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Part 3

See also the Part 3 of Topics 777, 472 and 405

Politeness in Your Culture

Do you think politeness is important to people? FQ
Would you say people in your country are polite? FQ
What are some typical situations in which a person needs to be polite? FQ
How do people show politeness in your culture? FQ
Should family members be polite to each other? FQ
Do people show politeness differently in their family and when they are with non-family members? FQ
Do you think people should be polite to strangers, for example, if you step on someone's foot in a public place? FQ
In your country, do people tend to be more polite to family members, or to strangers?

Are their any differences between the way people show politeness today, compared to the past? FQ

(Similar to above) Would you say people are more polite today than in the past?

Do you think there are any differences between politeness in your culture and in foreign countries?

Politeness and Friendliness

Do you think it's necessary for friends to be polite to each other?
What would you say are the differences between politeness and friendliness? FQx2
Do you think you (= one, a person) can be polite and friendly at the same time?
How can a person show politeness and friendliness at the same time?
What kind of person behaves very politely but is actually not friendly?

Impoliteness

Can you give me any examples of what is considered to be impolite behaviour in your culture?
What would you do if someone was rude to you?
Why do you think some people are more polite than others? FQ
Would you say politeness and social status (or, social class) go together?
(Similar to above) Would you say that, in general, better educated people are more polite?
Why are some well-educated people not very polite?

Hiding Your True Thoughts

In what situations would you not say your true thoughts, in order to be polite? FQ
(Similar to above) When would you tell a white lie to someone, in order to be polite? FQ
Who do you think are better at hiding their true thoughts, adults or children?
Do you think children are being rude when they say something that an adult wouldn't say? FQ
Do you think it's natural for children to express their opinions and feelings freely? FQ
Do you think people speak more honestly (or, speak their true thoughts more) nowadays than they did in the past?

Politeness and Children

Do you think children should be polite?
Do you think there's any difference when children are impolite and when adults are impolite?
How can children be taught politeness?
If parents are often (or habitually) impolite, what effect do you think that would have on their children?
If your child spoke or showed impoliteness, what would you do?

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852. An Historical Period (Jan 2018)

Describe a period of history that interests you.

You should say:

what period it is

what happened in that period *

how you know about this period

and explain why it is interesting to you.

Notes

This seems to be a new topic.

There is a small possibility that it is actually not a topic about an historical period but instead a topic about an historical event. The topic of "An Historical Event" has been used more than once in the past.

As well as giving the name of this period, if the period has a name, you should also include approximately when it was, using the the terms, "AD" and "BC". Just like the common system for stating the year, such as "2018", those two terms refer to the birth of Jesus Christ. "AD" = the Latin words, "anno domini", which means, "in the year of our Lord (Jesus Christ)". This year, 2018, could be called "2018 AD" but we don't need to use the "AD" when we know it is after Jesus was born, 2,018 years ago. "BC" = "before Christ". So, the year 2,000 BC was 4,018 years ago.

In the past 20 or 30 years some people have been using two different abbreviations, "CE" and "BCE". "CE" means, "Common Era" (= "AD") and "BCE" means, "Before the Common Era" (= "BC"). It's useful for you to know this for the Reading and Listening tests but I suggest not using these terms in the Speaking and Writing tests because they are still not well-known to everyone and not used by the majority of people in the English-speaking world.

Alternatively, you could just say something like, "from about 400 years ago to about 200 years ago". Or you could say something like, "Between World War 1 and World War 2", when the listener (the examiner) already knows when those two wars began and ended.

The word, "interesting" refers to the intellect, i.e., the rational, thinking brain. It does not refer to feelings (emotions) such as the adjectives, "exciting", "sad", "happy" etc.. Another example of this: An animal might be "cute" but if you are asked to describe an "interesting animal" then only describing it as "cute" or "lovely" is not explaining how it is interesting. Usually, interesting things have something unique or unusual about them. That is a rational thought because it involves comparison, which is a process of rational thinking, not emotional thinking.

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Possible follow-up questions:

Are your friends also interested in that period of history?

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Part 3

See also any related or relevant questions in the Part 3 of the following topics:

762, 650, Topic 603, 491, 411, 327, & Topic 188

Learning about History

Are you very interested in (= do you like) history? FQ
Do you like to learn about history?
Who do you think is more interested in history, young people or older people? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think older people pay more attention to history than young people do? FQ
What aspects of history do you think most people (or, most young people) find interesting?
In the study of history, what do you think is the difference between reading history books and visiting historical sites?
Why do people visit historical sites?
What kinds of historical sites do people like visiting? FQ

Have you been to any historical sites?

Do people have to pay to enter historical sites?
Do people have to pay to enter history museums?
Do you think they should have to pay?
Do you prefer to visit historical sites or watch films about history?
What kinds of people prefer to watch (semi-fictional, or dramatic) films about history?

Can you explain why some people like to watch war movies?

Do you think historical movies give people accurate information about history? FQ

Do people in your country like to watch TV documentary programs about history? FQ
Would you say it's important for people to have knowledge about history? FQ
(Similar to above) What's the importance of learning about past experiences of humans? FQ
What do you think would be the result if people knew nothing about history?
Do you think knowledge of history is important for planning the future development of a country?
Would you say modern technological developments have a positive impact on people's ability to learn about history?

Children Learning about History

Some people think it's not suitable to teach history to children. What's your opinion on that?

Do children learn about history at school in your country? FQ

(Similar to above) Did you have any history classes at school? FQ

How is history taught in school?

What aspects of history do the teachers focus on most in history classes?

Do you think history classes at school are interesting?

Do you think they should learn more history in school?

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853. Your Ideal Holiday (Jan 2018)

Copy of 466

Describe your idea of a perfect holiday/vacation away from home.

You should say:

        where it would be

        who you would go with

        what you would do there

and explain why you think this would be a perfect holiday for you.

Notes

Anything that is "ideal", "perfect" or "dream" (such as a "dream home") is imaginary, i.e., it is not real. Therefore, you should not use the verb "will" in your answer (your monologue) because "will" refers to something real in the future. Instead, you should use, "would". See here

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Possible follow-up questions:

Have you shared this idea with any of your friends?

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Part 3

See Note 2 on the word, "vacation"

Holidays in General

In general, what do people in your country do when they have a holiday? FQ See Note 1
Do many people in your country travel away from home during their holidays? FQ
What kinds of people are more likely to travel away from home for a holiday (and what kinds of people are more likely to stay at home during a holiday)? FQ
What do they do when they travel away from home (or, what kinds of travelling do they do)? See Note 4
Do most people in your country prefer to spend a holiday away from home in a natural environment, or in an urban environment? *
Do they prefer to travel to a nearby place or far away?
Do many people from your country travel abroad for a holiday?
When people travel to a place where the locals have different customs (different to the travellers' customs), how important do you think is it to follow (= observe) / respect the local customs? FQ See Note 3
Do you think it's important for people to plan before travelling away from home? FQx2
What should people consider when choosing a place to go on vacation? FQ
What preparations do people need to make before they travel away from home (for a vacation)?
If you go abroad for holiday, is there anything different about the preparations you need to make?

In your opinion, what are the most important features of a "good holiday"?

Do you think having a holiday is important, or is it just a waste of time? FQ

Do you think people should have (need) more holidays than they have now?

Do you think companies (and other work organizations) benefit from giving their employees a holiday?

The Cost of Vacations

Is it expensive to travel away from home for a holiday?
Do you think people tend to spend more money than usual when they travel away from home (, or less than usual)? FQ
Some people think that spending a lot of money during a holiday away from home makes it a good holiday. Do you agree? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think people should spend more money than usual when they go somewhere for a holiday? FQ
Which do you think is a better vacation (= holiday), an expensive one or a cheap one? FQ

Do you think you can still have a good holiday without spending much money?

Which do you think is better, to have several inexpensive holidays, or to have just one expensive holiday?
Do you think a vacation can be great without spending money?

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854. A Place You Go to with Friends (Jan 2018)

Describe a place (in your town or city) you like to go to with your friends or family. *

You should say:

where (or what) this place is

who you go there with

what you do there

when you started going there *

and explain why you like to go there.

Notes

The first line might say, "Describe a place you often go to with your friends or family" or it might say, "Describe a place you sometimes go to with your friends or family". Obviously, if you choose to go there, then you must like it.

Basically, the topic is asking you to describe a place for recreation, relaxation, entertainment or some other leisure-time activity done with others. It could be a park, a beach, a river or lake, a swimming pool, a basketball court, a pool hall (for playing snooker), a karaoke parlour (a KTV), a nightclub or pub, a coffee shop or tea house or even a restaurant, or it could be a cinema, a concert hall, a museum, an art gallery, an amusement park etc. It would not be wrong to choose to talk about a shopping centre if shopping (or window shopping), or just hanging out in a shopping mall is one of your "hobbies".

See Note 6 on the word, "play".

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Possible follow-up questions:

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Part 3

Leisure Activities with Other People in Your Country

See Note 5 and Note 6

In your country, what sorts of things do people do in their free time with other people? FQ
Why do people choose to go to those places?
Do young and old(er) people do the same things with other people? FQ
Do males and females generally do the same things?
Are people's leisure time activities today the same as they were in the past (e.g., 30 or 40 years ago)?
Is there much difference between going somewhere with a friend, and going somewhere with one's family? FQ
Is there much difference between doing things (leisure activities) with a friend, and doing things (leisure activities) with one's family? FQ
Do you think young people spend enough time with their family?
What day of the week do people usually do these things?
What sports do people play with other people?
What sports do you like to play with your friends?
Why do you say shopping is a leisure activity? Isn't shopping what people do when they need to buy something?

Groups

For this topic, "group" can be considered to be 2 or more other people in addition to yourself. But if the question just uses the words, "with other people" or especially, "not alone" then talking about doing something with one other person might be OK.

How do people usually meet others and make friends?
What are some typical activities that people participate in as a group?
What brings people together? See Note 7
Are there any major events in your country that bring people together as a group (or, in groups)?
Do you think it's safe to attend events when there are thousands of people there?
What are the benefits of doing leisure activities in a group?
Do people usually know everyone in a group when they take part in a group activity? FQ
Is it possible to get to know everyone in a large group?
Why do people prefer to visit scenic spots in a group?
What's the difference between getting along with your friends and getting along with your family?

Children

What did you do in your free time when you were a child?
Did you go out (or outside) to do things with other kids?
Do boys and girls do the same things when they play with their friends? FQ
Do you think children should spend more time on study, or on playing? FQ

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855. A Popular Person (Jan 2018)

Describe a popular person (who) you know. *

You should say:

who this person is

what this person does *

how you know them (= him or her)

and explain why (you think) they are popular.

Notes

Some people seem to be confusing the words, "a celebrity" and "a popular person". A celebrity is well-known to probably millions of people via TV, the internet, magazines etc. and is usually also "popular". (See here for more on the word, "celebrity".)

The word, "popular" means "many people like him/her/it/them" or, "many people choose him/her/it/them". This person might be popular just in your class at school or university, or workplace.

It is not suitable to describe a person who is popular in your class, school, university or workplace as a "celebrity". On the other hand, possibly someone who is popular (= well-known and well-liked) in your neighbourhood, town or city could be described as a "local celebrity", especially if the person is involved in the entertainment industry, some entertainment activity (including a spectator sport such as football), the media, or in politics where choosing people in elections is part of your political system.

For this Part 2 topic, the words, "you know" could mean, "you know about" (e.g., from TV) and in that case, it would be suitable to talk about a famous person in your country who many people like. But I think the most suitable interpretation of, "you know" is, "you personally know" = "someone you are personally acquainted with".

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Possible follow-up questions:

Would you like to be as popular as him/her?

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Part 3

It seems that some Part 3 discussions do develop into a discussion about celebrities or "famous people", possibly because the candidates themselves change the topic from "popularity" to "being famous". I doubt that the examiners themselves are introducing these topics. Possibly there is a sub-topic about popular actors, in which case "popular" and "famous" would both apply to some actors.

Popularity

What kinds of people are popular? FQ
What kinds of people are unpopular?
Can you explain why some students at school are more popular than others? FQ
What effect does being popular as a child (e.g., in primary school) have on that child?
Do you think that a 3 or 4-year-old child can become popular? See Note 9
What kinds of teachers are usually the most popular in schools or universities? FQ
Do you think a popular teacher is always a good teacher? FQ
Do you think students can still learn (or learn just as well) from a teacher who they don't like? See Note 8
Do you think a teacher needs to become close to his or her students in order to become popular?
Do you think there are any disadvantages from being popular?
Do you think popular people are happier than other people?
Do you think a person can become happier by becoming popular?
Do you think happy people tend to be more popular than others?
How do people become popular?
(Similar to above) What can someone do in order to become popular?
Do you think social skills could be (or, should be) taught in schools?
Do you think it's easier to be popular if you are wealthy than if you are poor?
Can you explain why some people are popular (or famous) for many years while others are only popular (or famous) for a short time? FQ
Do you want to be popular?
(Different to above!) Would you like to be popular?

Popular Entertainers (possible topic)

Can you explain why some people (actors) are popular (or famous) for many years while others are only popular (or famous) for a short time? FQ
Do you think that a 3 or 4-year-old child can become popular? See Note 9

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Note 1

"Have a holiday" (= "take a vacation") means just to spend some time off work, not including weekend breaks from work. It does not always mean going away from home during your holiday. When some English speakers say, "have a holiday" they mean, "go away fro a holiday", especially if they say something like, "I had a holiday in Thailand" but, strictly speaking, "have a holiday" does not necessarily mean travelling away from home.

We use the phrase, "on holiday" (= "on a vacation"), as in, "I'm on holiday" = "I'm having a holiday at the moment".

For this topic, the meaning of the word "holiday" is not the same as the word, "festival". Since many people have a day or more off work during important festivals, some people have come to use the word, "holiday" to mean "festival" but they are really two different words with different meanings.

Note 2

If you want to use the word, "vacation", make sure you don't pronounce it as "vocation", which has a similar (but not 100% the same) meaning to the word, "career".

Note 3

See Note 5 on Page 168. "To follow or observe a custom" is not exactly the same as "to respect a custom". It is not clear which word is used in this question. Possibly both are used.

Note 4

The following have been reported but it is unclear if these were answers or questions: Group tours; beach (or seaside) holidays; shopping holidays. I think they probably are questions.

You can also mention: a) travelling as a tourist, such as spending two weeks travelling to various countries in Europe and b) going to a holiday resort such as at a beach, a ski resort, or a resort in the mountains. The difference between a) and b) is the fact that people who do b) are not really, "tourists" (unless they tour some nearby places). But if you go to a place such as a beach resort in Thailand mainly just to enjoy the beach and also walk around the town and take photographs, then you are a "tourist" while visiting the town and taking the photographs.

Note 5

For these questions, the emphasis seems to be on activities that people do when they go somewhere with others, not what they do at home or in other people's homes. However, if the examiner does not specify "going" somewhere, such as in this question, "What sorts of things do people in your country do in their free time with other people?", then it is perfectly suitable to include doing things at home or in other people's homes when you answer the question. Wait until the examiner starts talking about going somewhere.

A further point is this: The Speaking test right now seems to be heavily testing the candidates' suitable usage of the words, "outside", "outdoors", and "go out". See Note 8 on Page 168

This is similar to the mistake that some people make concerning the expression, "to eat out". When you eat out, you eat a meal in a restaurant or a similar place, away from home. It does not mean to eat outdoors, in the fresh air, such as when people have a picnic or eat a meal in their backyard such as when they have a barbeque.

Note 6

In English, we use the verb, "play" (without adding what is played such as "play basketball") only to refer to what children (aged 2 to 12) do when they are not doing something serious such as study. This is different to most other languages where "play" can also be used to speak generally about adults doing fun or non-serious activities. So it is not suitable for a 20-year-old to say, "We often go to the park to play" (unless the topic being spoken about is a specific activity such as basketball, football, chess etc.)

English speakers use expressions such as, "have fun", "for fun", "enjoy ourselves", "for pleasure", "for entertainment", "to have a good time", "to pass the time" etc. to describe what people who are not children do for leisure. There are also some slang expressions (mainly American) that are used such as "fool around" and "hang out" but I don't suggest using them in the Speaking test because these expressions are sometimes not suitable to describe some activities.

Of course, English does use expressions such as "play a game", "play a musical instrument", "play basketball", "play chess" etc. when talking about the activities of adults (or people who are not children).

If you want to see an example of how people change after the age of 12, just walk past a primary school when the kids are outside during their break and do the same with a high school. The big difference is that the primary school kids are very active, running around shouting and laughing in the playground, but the high school kids are not so active and not so loud. In fact, the high school kids might not be outside during their break.

The expression, "to kill time" is only used when you are very bored and time seems to be moving very slowly. Instead, "to pass the time" is more suitable when you do something just to fill in some spare time.

Note 7

What brings people together?

Depending on where in the "discussion" this question is asked, one key expression to include might be, "in common" or "common" such as, "having things in common", and "having common interests".

Note 8

Do you think students can still learn (or learn just as well) from a teacher who they don't like?

Of course, one teacher might be a popular choice as a teacher because he or she is a good teacher, while another teacher might be more popular than the good teacher as a friend or someone to talk to because of their personality.

Note 9

Do you think that a 3 or 4-year-old child can become popular?

Popularity is a situation that exists in a group of people. Unless the 3 or 4-year-old goes to kindergarten, it is unlikely he or she would have the opportunity to become popular. An exception to that would be a child who appears as an actor in films or on TV. A very attractive 3 or 4-year-old or one with a very attractive personality night become popular among the adults who are involved in the child's life. But even in a kindergarten setting, such children would have little effect on their popularity with the other children. After all, kids at that age don't even recognise people of different ethnic groups. However, a little kid who is not too selfish with the toys in kindergarten, and who shows small acts of kindness towards the other kids might become more popular than others as someone to play with.