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Updated Oct. 10, 2019

IELTS Part 2 and Part 3 Topics and Questions

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916. Something You Borrowed (Sep 2018) (Probably no longer used)

917. A Teenager (Sep 2018) (Probably no longer used)

918. Equipment that Had a Problem (Sep 2018) (Probably no longer used)

919. An Interesting Part of Your Country (Sep 2018) (Probably no longer used)

920. A Decision You Made (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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916. Something You Borrowed (Sep 2018) (Probably no longer used)

Copy of Topic 671

Describe a time when you borrowed something.

You should say:

what you borrowed

who you borrowed it from

what you used it for (how it was useful to you)

how long you borrowed it for

and explain why you borrowed it. *

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Possible follow-up questions:

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Part 3

See also Topic 444 & Topic 133

Teenagers

What would you say are the differences between teenagers and children? FQ
What are the differences between teenagers and adults? FQ
What are the differences between teenagers and elderly people?
Do you think there are any differences between teenage boys and teenage girls?
Can you think of any teenage behaviour that is (more or less) unique to teenagers?
Would you say teenagers today have a good attitude towards elderly people?
In what ways do you think teenagers today are different to teenagers 20 or 30 years ago?
Would you prefer to be a teenager today or a teenager 20 or 30 years ago?
At what age is a child be considered to be a teenager?
At what age do teenagers begin to be treated as (or, considered to be) adults? FQ

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918. Equipment that Had a Problem (Sep 2018) (Probably no longer used)

Copy of Topic 575

Describe a time when you had a problem with a piece of equipment (e.g., a TV or a washing machine) *

You should say:

        what equipment

        what problem you had

        when you had this problem *

and explain what you did about this problem. [Or: how you fixed (resolved) this problem]

Notes

Possibly the first line asks you to talk about some equipment that was broken, which is just one example of having a problem with equipment. On the other hand, if the word, "problem" is used then the equipment might not necessarily have been "broken". For example, if it was equipment that was working perfectly well but you didn't know how to correctly use it then it was you who had the problem, not the equipment.
It could be equipment at home, at your work or study place or any other place where you go, such as the machine that dispenses tickets in the subway.
Other examples of "problems" with equipment could be: equipment that was too big to be stored in a convenient place; equipment that made too much noise to be used where you live; equipment that was too complex to use; equipment that was too heavy for you to use . . . .

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Possible follow-up questions:

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Part 3

Modern Equipment & Technology

What are some examples of the common home appliances that people have (in their homes) today? FQ
Besides a mobile phone and a computer, what equipment would you say is "essential" for most people to have?
If people didn't have ______ (one of your choices), do you think their lives would be very different compared to now?
In what ways have these examples of modern equipment made people's lives better?
What would you say is the most useful piece of (modern) equipment that most people have?
How are mobile phones different to (or better than) the older fixed-line telephones? FQ See Note 3
If you had a piece of equipment (including electrical / electronic equipment) that was not working, would you try to fix it yourself or have someone else fix it? FQ
When a piece of equipment is no longer working, do you usually buy a new one, or get it fixed? FQ
Can you explain why so many people prefer to buy new equipment instead of getting their broken equipment fixed? FQ
Can you explain why so many people prefer to buy new equipment instead of continuing to use some equipment that is still working but is a little old ? FQ
Do you think there are any problems what result from people trowing away old or broken equipment?
What are some common reasons why equipment stops working?
When does equipment usually stop working?
What sorts of things can a person do to maintain equipment in good, working order?
(Similar to above) What sorts of things can a person do to extend the working life of a piece of equipment?
What are some examples of (modern) equipment (or, technology) that are used in classrooms today?
Can you think of any examples of equipment that is used outdoors (or out of the home)? See Note 2
Would you say that modern equipment tends to make people lazy? FQ

Solving Problems with Equipment

Would you say you are a good at finding & fixing problems with equipment?
(Similar to above) Would you say you are a good "problem solver"?

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919. An Interesting Part of Your Country (Sep 2018) (Probably no longer used)

Describe an interesting part of your country.

You should say:

where it is

how you know about it

...........

and explain why you think it is interesting.

Notes

This seems to be a new topic.
If the wording is, a "part of your country" instead of, "a place in your country" then you could use general words such as, "the north-east part" or "the far-western part" without actually giving any names. But including a name or two along with naming the part would be better.
"Interesting" means "interesting to you". It might not be especially interesting to other people.
"Interesting" means it stimulates your mind, your thinking, not necessarily your feelings. For example, there might be something that you think is unique about this place, or something you would like to learn more about this place. It does not necessarily have to be "attractive", or other adjectives that refer to feelings.
The missing clue might be: "what you know about this place", "whether or not you have visited this place" or, "how well-known this place is" . . . You can include a few words about all of those points.

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Possible follow-up questions:

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Part 3

Your Country

What are the differences between the northern and southern (or, eastern and western) parts of your country?

Living in Cities

What do you think are the main differences between living in a city and living in the countryside (in a village or small town)?

Countries of the World

What sorts of things make one country different to another country (or, different to other countries)?

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920. A Decision You Made (Sep 2018) (Probably no longer used)

Describe an important decision that you made with the help or advice of someone

You should say:

what the decision was

how you made your decision

what the results of the decision were

and explain if you think the advice was good and if you think the decision was right.

Notes

Although Part 2 topics about decisions have been used in the past, this wording seems to be new.

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Possible follow-up questions:

Have you recently helped anyone to make a decision?

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Part 3

See also Topic 845, 773, 686 , 509, Topic 445 & Topic 2

Decision-making in General

Why do you think some people take a long time to make a decision?
What kinds of decisions do you think take the longest to make?
Can you explain why some people usually (or often) have difficulty making decisions?
(Different to above) Can you explain why people sometimes have difficulty making a particular decision?
Would you say young people take longer to make a decision than old people?
In general, how do people make decisions (or, a decision)?
What are some examples of the more important decisions that people make in their lifetimes?
At what times in people's lives are some of the most important decisions made?
What makes these decisions so important?
What are some of the important decisions that teenagers have to (or, usually) make? FQ
What are some examples of the decisions that people make almost daily?
Do you think people are influenced by others when they make a decision?
Who would you say is more likely to make bad decisions, men or women? See Note 1
In general, would you say people have to make more decisions about their personal lives, or decisions about their work? FQ

Sources of Advice / Asking for Help

Why do people sometimes need help to make decisions?
What decisions (or, at what times) do you think people especially need the help or advice of others before they make a decision?
Do you ever ask for advice when trying to make a decision?
Can you suggest why some people people refuse to ask for help?
Do you think it's a good idea to listen to the advice of others before making an important decision?
Would you say young people (e.g. teenagers) should seek advice before making an important decision? FQ
Who can people seek advice from?
Do you think we can trust the advice of people we don't know?

Decisions and Children

In your country, who generally makes the important decisions concerning the education of children, their mother or their father?
Is it appropriate for the parents to make decisions for their children?
Do you think parents should always make decisions for their children (their sons and daughters)?
What are some examples (or some kinds of) decisions that are difficult for children to make?
At what age do you think a person is suitable for (or, capable of) making their own decisions?

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Note 1

Think about in what areas (of expertise or experience) men make better decisions, and in what areas women make better decision.

Note 2

Try to give some examples from some of the following categories:

Construction & farming equipment, gardening equipment, equipment used in the forestry & fishing industries, fire-fighting equipment, street-cleaning equipment, military equipment, sports equipment, . . .

Note 3

So-called "smartphones" are really just more advanced forms of mobile phones.