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ielts-yasi.englishlab.net

Updated May 22, 2020

IELTS Part 2 and Part 3 Topics and Questions

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1011. A Trip by Public Transport (Jan 2020)

1012. A Challenging Thing You Did (Jan 2020)

1013. A Person Who Taught You (Jan 2020)

1014. A Member of a Team (Jan 2020)

1015. A Job You Would Not Like to Do (Jan 2020)

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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1011. A Trip by Public Transport (Jan 2020)

Describe a trip you took by public transport that you enjoyed.

You should say:

when it happened *

where you went

what means of transport you took

what you did during the trip

and explain how you felt about the trip. *

or

and explain how/why you enjoyed the trip. *

.

Notes

All past tense Part 2 answers should include "when" even if you are not told to say that.
Except in rare cases, most of us don't remember or particularly "enjoy" a daily commute to work or school by public transport. So this topic is looking for you to talk about a long-distance trip by train, plane, bus or possibly boat (or, ship) of some kind. Those are the most common means of public transport. Going on a trip in a car (unless you hire a taxi) is going by private transport.

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Possible follow-up questions:

Do you often take public transport?

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Part 3

See also the Part 3 of Topic 884

Transport

What are the different forms of (means of) transport that people (can) use in your country? FQ
(Similar to above) What would you say are the most popular forms of transport in your country?

Do you often use public transport?

(Instead of above) Which of those do you use?

Is that a popular means of transport?

How do those forms of transport compare, in terms of cost? FQ See Note 2
(Instead of above) Which of those is the most expensive?
Do you think the cost of traveling is reasonable in your country?
Do you think the cost (or, price) of (public) transport is important?
What do you think are the effects (the results) of having public transport?
What kinds of obstacles do you think some local governments have to face when they develop transportation infrastructure?
How do you think transportation might (or, will probably) change in the future?
How do you think driverless cars will affect people's lives in the future? FQ
Do you think more people will be using public transport in the future?

Air Travel

Why do you think more and more people prefer to travel by plane? FQ
Do you think more people will choose (or, will be choosing) to travel by air in h future?
Do you think people choose to fly only because of the speed?
Can you suggest why some people travel by bus and not by air?

Problems With Traveling

What are some examples of (possible) problems that people have when they travel?
Do you think traffic jams would be reduced if people could travel on public transport for free?

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1012. A Challenging Thing You Did (Jan 2020)

Describe a challenging thing you have done. *

You should say:

what you did

when you did it

why you did it *

how you handled this challenge

and explain why you though it was challenging. .

Notes

The first line might be something like, "Describe a challenging thing you have faced." Of course, if you did nothing when you faced this challenge then you have nothing to talk about so obviously this Part 2 wants you to talk about what you did.

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Possible follow-up questions:

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Part 3

See also the Part 3 of Topic 416

Challenges

Do you think children today face many challenges?
(Similar to above) Do you think children today face more challenges than children in the past?
What are some examples of things that are challenging for children?
Do you think parents should give their children challenging things to do? FQ
What do you think children can learn from (facing) challenges?
Do you think parents should try to reduce the difficulties that their children face in life?
In general, what do parents in your country do to try to reduce (or protect their children from) the difficulties their children have?
What kinds of things do you think are more challenging for old people to do than for young people?
(Similar to above) What are some examples of things that are more challenging for old people to do than for young people?

Challenges in Sport

What difficulties (= challenges) do you think exist when schools have sport at school?
In what ways do you think the challenges of team sports are different to those of individual sports?
(Similar to above) Which do you think are more challenging, team sports or individual sports? FQ

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1013. A Person Who Taught You (Jan 2020)

Describe a person who taught you something important.

You should say:

who this person was

what they taught you

how they taught it to you

and explain why you think what they taught is important.

.

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Possible follow-up questions:

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Part 3

See also the Part 3 of Topic 525

Teachers

What would you say are the most important qualities that a good teacher should have?

Children's Education

Can you suggest how we could (or, can) make children more interested in learning (or, study)?
Who would you say is more important to the education of a child, the parents or teachers?
Do you think it's easier to learn new things when you're young?
When do you think is the best time for children to start learning English?
What do you think is the best age for children to start going to school? FQ

Learning Things

What (do you think) are the main skills that a person needs in order to be a good learner?
What are the differences in attitude between the elderly and the young towards fresh things in society, such as new ideas and new things?
In what ways can people be encouraged to accept new ideas and things (= to accept innovation)?
Who do you think are better at learning new things, young people or old people? FQ
(Similar to above, but a little different) Who do you think are better at learning new things, children or adults? FQ
Which do you think is more efficient, to study in class, or to study by yourself? FQ
Do you think the government should encourage high school students (or high school graduates) to go to university? (If yes, how, if no, why not?)
(Different to above) Do you think the government should encourage ALL high school students (or high school graduates) to go to university?
How do you think modern technology has affected (or, changed) the way students today study?
Which do you think is better, self-study or studying at a school/university etc?

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1014. A Member of a Team (Jan 2020)

Describe a team that you (are or) were a member of *

You should say:

what team

why you joined this team

your role in the team (what you do/did in the team

and explain why you became a member of this team *

Notes

Those lines marked with * might be a little different. For the first line, it is unknown whether it gives you a choice, as shown above, of present tense or past tense.

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Possible follow-up questions:

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Part 3

See also the Part 3 of Topic 448

Teams and Teamwork

In a team, which do you think is more important, to pursue individual development or to achieve team targets?
Do you think it’s important (or, necessary) for children to join teams in order to learn to cooperate with others?
Do you think disagreements among team members have a great influence on the teamwork?
Can you give any examples of international teamwork? See Note 1

Competition

Do you think competition is a good thing?

Do you think people can make friends with their competitors?

Children and Teamwork

Do you think children who have siblings are better at teamwork?
Can you suggest how teamwork could be cultivated in classes at school?
Can you give any examples of teamwork among children?

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1015. A Job You Would Not Like to Do (Jan 2020)

Describe a job (a type of work) you would not like to do.

You should say:

what the job is

how you know about it

whether it is an easy or difficult job

and explain why you would not like to do it.

.

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Possible follow-up questions:

Do you know anyone who does that job?

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Part 3

See also the Part 3 of the topics about work or a job on the page http://ielts-yasi.englishlab.net/COMPLETE_P2_LIST.htm

Work

Which do you think is more important about a job, the income one gets, or the amount of interest that one has in the work? FQ
(Similar to above) Which do you think is more important about a job, the income you get, or how you feel about the job? FQ
Do you think there are many well-paid jobs that are not very interesting?
Do you think the quality of being hard-working is something people are born with, or can it be developed?
Can you suggest how people could do their work better?
Would you ever move to work and live in another city?
Is it common in your country for people to move to other cities because of work?
How do you think the work that a person does affects them psychologically?

High Technology

In what areas (or, sectors of the economy) is science and technology most used?
How do you think AI (artificial intelligence) will affect people’s work?
That technology will make some people lose their jobs. How do you think this problem should be handled? FQ

Choosing a Job or Career

What kinds of work (or jobs) do young people in your country want to do?
What kinds of work (or jobs) do young people usually not want to do?
When young people choose their jobs, which do you think is usually more important, the salary or their interest in the work?
What would you say are the important factors to consider when choosing a career?
What usually happens if there is a disagreement between parents and their children in choosing a job (or career)?

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Note 1

No, this question is not asking you to name a foreign football or basketball team!

Note 2

The main meaning of this question is, "How do those forms of transport compare, in terms of cost to the users?" But if "users" or similar words are not included in the question, you could possibly talk about the cost to the country, or the city, of having different forms of transport, such as a subway system or even the cost of roads for private cars.