Page 184

ielts-yasi.englishlab.net

Updated Oct. 10, 2019

IELTS Part 2 and Part 3 Topics and Questions

Page 184

926. Not the Full Truth (Jan 2019) (Probably no longer used)

927. Bad Service (Jan 2019) (Probably no longer used)

928. An Historical Event (Jan 2019) (Probably no longer used)

929. You Taught Someone Younger (Jan 2019) (Probably no longer used)

930. A Subject You Now Like (Jan 2019) (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

***********************************************************************

926. Not the Full Truth (Jan 2019) (Probably no longer used)

See Note 4

Version A

Describe an occasion when someone did not tell you the (complete) truth.

You should say:

who this person was

what they told you

what they did not tell you

and explain why they didn't tell the full truth.

Version B

Describe an occasion when you did not tell someone the (complete) truth.

You should say:

who this person was

what you told them

what you did not tell

and explain why you didn't tell the full truth.

Notes

Many people on the Yasi Ge app report that it is Version A. But at least one person recently reported Version B. Perhaps he or she made a mistake. I suggest you prepare for both versions.
If it is Version A perhaps you should include how you know they didn't tell you the complete truth. Some time after someone has told us a lie we occasionally do realize we have been lied to, or we find out the truth some other way.
Extra Vocabulary - http://ielts-yasi.englishlab.net/vocabulary_lists_6.htm#93.%20Truth,%20Crime

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Possible follow-up questions:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part 3

Telling Lies

Do you ever tell lies?
Would you say most people tell lies from time to time? FQ
Do you think people around you lie too much?
In what situations do people tell lies? FQ
(Similar to above) Why do some people tell lies instead of telling the truth? FQ
Do you think that lying is good?
If a good person tell a lie, would you still say that person is good?
Do you think people always need to (or, should) tell others the truth when they think the truth is private information?
How would you feel if a friend told you a lie? *
In what situations do children or young people tell lies to their parents? FQ
Do you think it's important to teach children to be honest?
Besides simply being told to be honest by their parents or teachers, can you suggest how children could be taught the value (or importance of) honesty?
How can someone lie convincingly? *
Do you think good liars need to have a good memory?
Are there situations when people tell lies with good intentions? FQ ("white lies")
Do you think such well-intentioned lies can ever have negative effects? FQ
(Similar to above) If you told someone a lie about how good their clothes looked, do you think that could possibly lead to a negative result?
Can you explain why people sometimes tell lies like that?

Crime and The Police (These questions seem to be unusually difficult!)

In general, what methods do police use in order to solve crimes? FQ See Note 2
When the police are interrogating someone who they suspect has committed a crime, is there any special equipment that they can use to detect if that person is telling a lie? FQ See Note 1
Do you think such equipment is useful?
Do you think the use of such equipment would reduce the amount of crime that is committed?
Some people say that the police sometimes tell a lie in order to "ensure justice". Do you think that type of behaviour by the police is ever justified?
There are situations where several people have witnessed a crime (or seen the person who has committed a crime) but the statements that the witnesses make are not the same. Can you suggest any reasons to explain that? FQ

***********************************************************************

927. Bad Service (Jan 2019) (Probably no longer used)

Describe a time you received bad service at a shop or a restaurant.

You should say:

what goods or services you bought

who you were with when you were served

why you went there

and explain how you felt about the service. *

and explain what you did after receiving this bad service. *

Notes

For this usage (this meaning), the word "service" is a non-count noun. So it is not correct to say, "I received a bad service" because "a" means, "one", which is counting. The correct wording is, "I received some bad service" or simply, "I received bad service". "Services" (plural) is used in English but not for this usage, where "service" is a general type of behaviour. (Similarly, "advice", which is a general type of language or communication, is non-count.) See NON-COUNT_NOUNS.htm

English speakers often use the term, "poor service" (= poor-quality service) although "bad service" is also used. "Bad service" is worse than "poor service". If your example is not so bad, adapt your language to include the term, "poor service", which is more or less the same and is still answering the question.
Extra Vocabulary - http://ielts-yasi.englishlab.net/vocabulary_lists_6.htm#82.%20Service

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Possible follow-up questions:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part 3

See also the Part 3 of Topics 860, 783 & 600

Service in Your Country

Would you say that the service that people receive in your country is generally good, or generally bad?
Can you explain what the words, "bad service" mean?
Besides the example you just spoke about, can you think of any other examples of bad service that people experience?
What would you say are the most common places where people are given bad service?
Please compare good service and bad service in a restaurant.
Why do some people give bad service to others?
In general, how do you think people can give good service to others?
How do you feel about the word "service"?
Would you say good service is important?

Reacting to Bad Service

If a person receives bad service from a business (or organization) in your country, what do they usually do?
Are people in your country used to complaining when they receive bad service?
Why do some people choose to remain silent when they receive bad service?
Who do they complain to?
How do the employees who give bad service usually react when a customer complains?
If you complain about bad service, do the businesses or organizations usually address your complaint?
Who should be responsible for bad service?

Improving Service

How could service in your country be improved?
What can employers do to improve the service that their employees provide?
(Similar to above) If you were managing a business, what would you do to avoid (or, prevent) your employees giving bad service?

Can you suggest why some businesses that give poor service don’t do anything about it?

**********************************************************************

928. An Historical Event (Jan 2019) (Probably no longer used)

Version A

Describe a period in history that you would like to know more about.

You should say:

what period it was

how you heard about this period

what you know about this period

and explain why you would like to know more about this period.

Version B

Describe an historical event that you would like to know more about.

You should say:

what event it was

how you heard about this event

what you know about this event

and explain why you would like to know more about this event.

Notes

About 50% of people are reporting this as, "Describe an historical period .." and 50% as, "Describe an historical event .." The two are quite different. Most likely both words are used in the Part 3 questions, which is the cause of this confusion.
No-one has reported that the first line says, "in your country".
Slightly different versions of this have been reported in the past. It is possible that this Part 2/3 is a repeat of a previously used topic. Alternatively, it might be an adaptation of a previous topic. The main previous topics like this or about history were 852, 762, 650, Topic 603, 491, 411, 327 & Topic 188.
Extra Vocabulary - http://ielts-yasi.englishlab.net/vocabulary_lists_5.htm#71.%20History

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Possible follow-up questions:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part 3

See also the Part 3 of the following topics: 852, 762, 650, Topic 603, 491, 411, 327 & Topic 188.

Learning About History

Do you think history (= knowing about history) is important? FQ
Can you suggest why some people are not interested in (knowing about) history? FQ
How do people learn about history? FQ
(Similar to above) How can people get information about history? FQ

Do you think websites about history are useful?

Which historical periods do you think are the most important to know about (learn about)? FQ

How do children (or school-age people) learn about history? FQ
(Similar to above) Do schools in your country teach history?
Do many high school students in your country choose to study history as one of their school subjects?
How is history taught at school in your country? FQ
Do you think those school lessons are interesting for most students?
Can you suggest how those lessons could be made more interesting? FQ
Do you think history textbooks are usually interesting?
Which would you prefer, to learn history from a textbook or to learn it by watching documentary videos about history?
(Similar to above) Do you think students would learn more from history textbooks or from watching documentary videos about history? FQ
Are there any other ways in which most people learn at least a little about history?
What's the difference between learning about history in school and learning about it outside of school?
Do you think books such as historical novels are a good way to learn about history? FQ
Would you say the history in books like that is accurate? FQ
Do you think watching a popular movie about an historical event is a good way to learn about history? FQ
Do you think popular movies ever distort (their depiction of) history? FQ
Do parents in your country usually tell their children about history?
What do you think is the value of parents and grandparents telling their children about history? *
Do many people in your country study history at university?

Historical Buildings

Do you think there is any value (or, any need) to preserve historical buildings? FQ
What would you say is the difference between, "an historical building" and "an old building"?
How are historical buildings preserved (maintained / protected)?
Do you think it's better for the government to maintain historical buildings, or for this to be done by private companies? FQ

Why is it quite expensive to maintain historical buildings? *

Who pays for the cost of such maintenance?

Who do you think should pay for the cost of such maintenance? FQ

(Similar to above) What would you say is the best way to pay for the maintenance of historical buildings? FQ

Do you think the whole population of a country should pay for it (via the taxes they give to the government)?

***********************************************************************

929. You Taught Someone Younger (Jan 2019) (Probably no longer used)

Describe a time you taught something new to a younger person.

You should say:

who you taught

what you taught

why you taught it to this person

and explain how you felt after doing this.

Notes

Extra Vocabulary - http://ielts-yasi.englishlab.net/vocabulary_lists_6.htm#88.%20Taught%20Someone%20Younger

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Possible follow-up questions:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part 3

Learning (or Teaching) In General

Do you think a person needs to be especially trained in order to teach skills to other people?
What are some differences between good trainers and ordinary people?
How do (or should) a good trainer teach a skill?
Do you think a person needs to be motivated to learn a new skill? FQ
Would you say most students (high school & university) are motivated to learn? FQ
Can you suggest some ways to motive a person to learn something? FQ
Do you think having curiosity is important when learning something new?

Skills in General

What are some examples of the skills that adults typically have today? FQ
(Similar to above) What are some examples of the skills that adults typically need to have today? FQ
Do you think that driving a car is a skill that most people should learn?
(Similar to above) Do you think that driving a car is an important skill to have?
Are the skills that people have today different to the skills that people had in the past?
Can you suggest how the skills that people will have in the future will be (or, might be) different to the situation today?
(Similar to above) What do you think will be (or might be) the most important skills to have in the future?
Are there any particular skills that you want to (or, would like to) learn?

Teaching Skills to Children

Do you think it's important for children to learn new skills?
(Similar to above) Do you think it's important for people to learn skills in their early childhood years?
What skills would you say all children need to (or, should) learn?
What skills do children have to (or, should) learn before they start school? FQ
Who do you think is more important for the teaching of skills to children? FQ
Do parents and school teachers usually teach the same skills to children? FQ
What can a parent or teacher do to make a child more interested in learning?

***********************************************************************

930. A Subject You Now Like (Jan 2019) (Probably no longer used)

Describe a subject that you once were not very interested in but are now interested in. *

Describe a subject that you once thought was not very interesting but now think is interesting. *

You should say:

what subject it is

how long you studied it

why you thought it was not interesting

and explain why you now find it to be interesting.

Note

A few people have reported this as, "Describe a subject that you didn't like before but now like." However, most people report it using the word, "interesting" or "interested in". Note that "interesting" is spoken with 4 syllables while "interested in" is spoken with 5 syllables.
Extra Vocabulary - http://ielts-yasi.englishlab.net/vocabulary_lists_7.htm#97.%20A%20Subject

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Possible follow-up questions:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part 3

Subjects

What subjects do most students in your country study at school? FQ
Do you think it's better for high school students to study many subjects or to specialize in just a few subjects? FQ
Which subjects would you say everyone should (or, needs to) study?
Can you suggest why some school students learn more than others?
How can a student master the subject they are studying?
Why do we need to learn things at school?
Do you think communication skills need to be learned? See Note 3
Do you think that universities should have more courses, or fewer courses than they have now?

Teachers

What would you say is the main job, or task of being a teacher?
Do you think teachers should guide the students? FQ
Do you think a teacher needs to be interested in what they are teaching? FQ
(Different to above) Do you think a teacher needs to be interested in teaching? FQ
What would the result if a teacher was (were) bored?
Do you think teachers need to be (or, should be) patient?

The Internet as a Source of Knowledge

In what ways does the internet influence the way people work and study?
Do you think using the internet is a good way to increase one's knowledge?
What sorts of information can be found on the internet?
Is it easy to search for information on the internet?
Do you think playing games on the internet teaches people anything?

***********************************************************************

Note 1

A lie-detector (= a polygraph), which is attached to a person who is then asked questions.

Note 2

searching for clues at the crime scene as to the identity of the person who committed the crime
searching for fingerprints
searching for materials such as hair that contain DNA
interviewing people living or working nearby & interviewing friends & family if a person has been murdered or has disappeared
if there is a victim, searching the victim's computer, mobile phone & home for clues
checking any available surveillance camera videos
comparing the crime with data in databases of previously similar unsolved crimes
appealing to the public for information if not many clues or leads are found
interviewing possible suspects

Note 3

Do you think communication skills need to be learned?

This is a good example of the difference between the two words, "to study" and "to learn". Obviously we need to learn these skills because we are not born with them. But to "study" something usually means something like reading a textbook on that topic, writing essays on the topic etc.

The topic of "Communication" is studied at university by some students but this is mainly about mass communication, such as the media, advertising etc. "Communication skills" is also studied at university as part of the subject of psychology. It is possible to study the subject of communication skills in high school and, more commonly, many high school studenrs do learn some communication skills in high school, such as writing essays, public speaking, debating etc.

Note 4

There are two ways to not tell the truth: a) to tell a lie and b) to not say anything at all. The latter is called, "lying by omission". An example of that is when someone plans a surprise birthday party for another person. The truth is that a party is planned but the "birthday boy or girl" is unaware of it. So the birthday boy or girl in under the impression (= believes) that there will be no birthday party, which is not the truth.

Lying by omission is a form of lying if it misleads someone i.e., it causes someone to have the wrong idea. But if you don't tell someone about something and that person does not think about it at all then it's not very suitable to call it a version of "lying". Instead, it's simply an example of not telling someone about something.