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Updated Oct 10, 2019

IELTS Part 2 and Part 3 Topics and Questions

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891. A Talkative Person (May 2018) (Probably no longer used)

892. A Sport You Would Like to Try (May 2018) (Probably no longer used)

893. A Website (May 2018) (Probably no longer used)

894. An Interesting Animal (May 2018) (Probably no longer used)

895. A Good Law (Sep 2018) (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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891. A Talkative Person (May 2018) (Probably no longer used)

Describe a person you know who talks a lot. *

You should say:

who it is

how you know this person

what they usually talk about

and explain why you think they talk a lot. *

and explain how you feel when this person talks. *

Notes

I named this topic as "A Talkative Person" because it is a short label and also because most examples of this are, in fact talkative people. Talkative people are people who like to talk a lot and, in fact, a few people have reported that as the topic wording. Talkative people usually have quite an extroverted (outgoing) personality. However, I think the card probably just says, "a person you know who talks a lot".

What's the difference? Well, one example of a person who talks a lot is a university lecturer (or a school teacher). But those people have to talk a lot as part of their job. In reality, I think many university lecturers (and some school teachers) don't really feel comfortable talking to large groups of people, although the more extroverted ones do like to talk a lot about their field of expertise. University lecturers are academic people who have had a lot of experience studying and who probably are interested in reading about, and doing research in their field. This profile fits someone who is usually quite introverted, rather than extroverted. By nature, outside of work, they might not be very talkative even though they (have to) talk a lot when they teach. In other words, "talkative" is a personality trait. It's just a small point.

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Possible follow-up questions:

Are you a talkative person?

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Part 3

Communication in Society

Are you a talkative person?
Would you say people in your country are talkative?
In what situations do people talk?
Do you think it's important to be a good communicator? FQ See Note 1
(Similar to above, but a bit different) Do you think communication is important? FQ
In what situations is it most important to be communicative?
In the workplace, which do you think is more important, knowledge or good communication skills?
How do you think someone can improve their communication skills? FQ
Can you give me some examples of jobs that require good communication skills? FQ
(Similar to above) Can you give me some examples of some types of jobs that require people to talk a lot?? FQ
Can you give me some examples of people who need to speak to groups of people? FQ
Can you suggest how someone can learn to be a better talker / speaker?
What skills do you think a lawyer needs when speaking?

Children Talking

Can you suggest why some children like talking while others don't like to talk so much? FQx2

(Similar to above) Why do you think some children like to talk a lot? FQ
What kind of child do you think likes to talk a lot?
Do you think talkative children have talkative parents?
Do you think children who are talkative are more intelligent than those who are not so talkative?
Who do you think is more talkative, (little) boys or (little) girls?
Do you think it's good for children to be talkative?
Do you think it's important for parents to encourage their children to talk? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think it's important for parents to encourage their children to talk more?
Similar to above) Do you think parents should encourage their children to talk more?
Can you explain why some parents want their children to talk more?
Why do you think children like to talk to people?
Do you think parents should teach their children how to express themselves?
How can parents encourage their children to express themselves more?
How do you think the personality of a child is formed?
Do you think parents should teach their children how to communicate properly? FQ
What are some examples of what parents can teach their children about good communication? *
How do you think a speech can be made less boring?
Do you think it's OK if a child talks too much?
How do children learn when (or in what environment, or situation) they should be quiet (or, speak less)? FQx2
What are some reasons why children are noisy at times?
Do you think it's good for a child to ask many questions?
Do you think parents should ask their children questions?

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892. A Sport You Would Like to Try (May 2018) (Probably no longer used)

Describe a sport that you have watched others play and would like to try (or play) yourself. *

You should say:

what sport it is

where you have seen it being played

who was playing it

and explain why you would like to try it.

Notes

This seems to be a variation of Topic 693.
The words, "would like to try" do not necessarily mean that you have a strong desire to play this sport. However, if you say, "I want to try this sport" then your meaning is that you have a strong desire, even a goal, of trying it.

The words, "would like to try" could be used just to describe a sense of curiosity about what it would be like to try this sport, maybe just once when, in fact, you really have no strong desire (at the moment) to play the sport more often than that. Even a person who is not very athletic could say that.

If you really do have quite a strong desire to try (or play) the sport, then the most suitable thing is to start by saying you "would like to try it" but then quickly move one step further by saying that, in fact, you "want to" try it or that it is one of your goals for things to do in the future.

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Possible follow-up questions:

Do you think you (really) will try that sport one day? *
Have you thought about studying sport (or, physical education)?

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Part 3

Watching Sport

What sports are most popular in your country?
Can you explain why people like to watch sports competitions?
Do you have a lot of TV programs about sports?
Which sports do people in your country like to watch on TV? FQ
Why do people like to watch sports on TV? FQ
Do you think there are too many sports programs on TV?
Can you explain why some people think watching sport is good, while other people think it's a waste of time?
What do you think is the difference between watching a sport live, (at the actual location of the game), and watching it on TV? FQ
Why do people prefer to watch sport on TV? (rather than to watch it at the venue where it is taking place)?
Do young people and old(er) people like to watch the same sports (on TV)? FQ
Do you think children and adults like to watch the same sports?
What sports do girls (or, females) prefer to watch? FQ
Do you think sports shows on TV are a good way to encourage people to exercise?

Famous Athletes

Can you tell me any sports stars of this generation in your country? FQ
What type of personality do you think successful (or, champion) sportspeople need to have? FQ
Can you explain why some famous people, including some famous athletes are used in advertisements? FQx2
What is the purpose of advertising?
Do you think it's appropriate for athletes to advertise unhealthy foods such as Coca Cola? FQ

Competitive Sports in Your Country

Would you say people in your country are good at sport? FQ

(Similar to above) What kinds of sports are people good at in your country? FQ

How often do you play a sport?

What are the differences between individual and team sports? FQ

Do you think athletes are under more pressure to succeed when they compete in a team?

Is teamwork important to you?

Why do you think some countries are better at sport than others?

In your opinion, should children have sports classes in school? FQ

Do you think athletes need to be raised from childhood? FQ

Do you think the government should spend more on developing sports in your country?

Do you know how athletes in your country are selected to compete in competitions such as the Olympic Games?

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893. A Website (May 2018) (Probably no longer used)

Describe a website that you like to visit.

You should say:

what it is

how you first found it

how you use it

and explain why you like using it. .

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Possible follow-up questions:

Would you recommend that website to other people?

Have you recommended that website to other people?

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Part 3

Uses of the Internet See Note 2

What are some popular websites in your country? FQ

Why do people use the internet? FQ

Do you think people of all ages use the internet in the same way?

How do you think the internet influences teenagers, and children?

Do you think parents should control the internet activities of their children?

Are there people who don't use the internet?

What disadvantages do they suffer because they don't use the internet?

What are some websites that are used for entertaining people (= used for entertainment)? FQ

What are some shopping websites?

As far as you know, is the internet used much for study/learning/education?

How do school teachers use the internet for teaching? FQ

(Similar to above) How do schools use websites? FQ

How do students use computers at school? * See Note 1

The Media in Your Country

What kinds of people prefer to read newspapers and what kinds of people prefer to use an electronic means of getting news and information?
Which of those (newspapers, or electronic media) do you think is more accurate (or, reliable) in their presentation of news and information?
Do people in your country prefer to watch the news on TV, or to get the news from the internet? FQ
Do young people and old(er) people generally choose the same form of electronic media?
(Similar to above) Who prefers to use a mobile phone for information and who prefers to watch TV, old people or young people?
Would you say the internet is replacing television (as people's main source of news and information)? FQ

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894. An Interesting Animal (May 2018) (Probably no longer used)

Describe an interesting animal.

You should say:

what it looks like

where you saw it

where it lives

and explain why you think it is interesting.

Notes

This is similar to, if not the same as previous topics 696, Topic 565 and Topic 134

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Possible follow-up questions:

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Part 3

Animal Protection

Do you think it's important to protect animals?
Can you explain some of the benefits of protecting endangered animals from extinction?
How can governments help protect (rare and) endangered animals? FQ
What can ordinary people do to help protect (rare and) endangered animals? FQ
Do you think keeping endangered animals in zoos is a good way to help protect them from extinction? FQx2
Do you think dangerous animals should also be protected?
Can you explain why some animal species are facing extinction (or, have become extinct)?
What do you think would be the result if an animal disappears from the earth (= becomes extinct)?

Animal Welfare

Do you think animals should be used by humans to do work?
Do you support doing scientific experiments on animals?
Can you explain why some people refuse to eat animals?

Children and Animals

Can you explain why TV programs about animals are popular?
Do you think schools should teach children about animals? FQ
What should the schools teach the children about animals? FQ
Do you think it's important for schools to teach children about protecting endangered animals?
Do you think schools should teach children to understand (and appreciate) animals? FQ
What do you think children can learn from having a pet? FQ
(Similar to above) What do you think are the benefits of a child having a pet? FQ
Do you think it would be a good idea for schools to keep some small animals for the children to have as pets?

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895. A Good Law (Sep 2018) (Probably no longer used)

Copy of Topic 558

Describe a good law in your country.

You should say

what the law is

how you first learned about this law (or, how you know about this law)

who benefits from this law (or, who is affected by this law)

and explain why you think this is a good law. *

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Possible follow-up questions:

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Part 3

The current questions mostly look very similar to the questions asked in Topic 558, Topic 284 and Topic 152, although some of the questions below look to be new.

The Law

Can you give any examples of what is illegal in your country?
Would you say that people in your country are generally law-abiding? FQ
Do all the people in your country obey the law?
What happens when someone breaks the law?
Many people think that an occasional, minor breach of the law is OK. Do you agree? FQ
What would you say is the role (or purpose) of the law in society?
(Similar to above) Why do you think we need to have rules (or, laws & regulations) in society? FQ
If there were no laws. what do you think society would be like?
How are laws formed (created, made) in your country?
Can you suggest any situations in which it would be best to abolish a law?
Are the "laws of science" the same as those laws?
Do you think there should be any laws specifically for scientists to follow?

Lawyers and the Police

A "police officer" = a policeman or policewoman. It is not the same as a "public official".

Would you say being a police officer is a good job? FQ
What kinds of people become police officers? FQ
Are many young people in your country willing to become police officers?
Would you say police officers are all good people?
What personal characteristics do you think a person need in order to be a good police officer?
Would you say kindness is an important quality in a police officer?
Do you think a police force should include both men and women?
Would you say police officers are (or, should be) well-paid?
Do you think people should attend a police academy before they become police officers?
What do you think they should learn at a police academy?
Which job do most people in your country think would be preferable to have, being a police officer, or a lawyer? FQ

International Law

Do you think international law is important?
Do you think it's easy to establish international laws (the same laws for all countries)?
What sorts of problems need to be overcome in order to get countries to agree to a law?

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Note 1

How do students use computers at school?

This question was reported using the word, "computers" instead of, "the internet". The question was probably really about the internet, not computers in general. But be aware that computers are used for other purposes, besides the internet.

Note 2

In most cases, you need to use the word, "the" before the word, "internet". For example, "I like to use internet" is not 100% correct. That should be, "I like to use the internet".

However, there are a few cases when the word, "the" is not normally used. For example, "I don't like internet advertising" and, "Internet shopping is the main way young people buy things nowadays." In those examples, "internet advertising" and "internet shopping" are compound nouns, i.e., two (or more) words together that represent one thing, or one activity.