Page 23

ielts-yasi.englishlab.net

Updated Nov. 11, 2008

IELTS Part 2 and Part 3 Topics and Questions

Page 23

111. A Polluted Place (July 8, 2007) (Probably no longer used) (Moved to Topic 180)

112. Travel to Somewhere in the World (July 14, 2007) (Probably no longer used)

113. No Topic

114. A Website (Aug. 11, 2007) (Probably no longer used)

115. Another Language (Aug. 11, 2007) (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

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111. A Polluted Place (July 7, 2007) (Probably no longer used) (Moved to Topic 180)

Describe a place that you have been to that was polluted.

             You should say:

           when and where you went

           why you went there

           what the pollution was like (or, what kind of pollution it was)

  and explain what you think were the causes of this problem. *

                                    or

and explain some possible ways to fix this pollution problem. *

Notes:

As at November 11, 2008, this topic is still in use. On Nov. 11, all of the questions here were copied to a new location, Topic # 180. You should go there to continue reading because any changes and improvements to these questions will, after Nov. 11, be added to Topic # 180 only, not to here. The topic was moved to make sure that readers no not overlook this topic.

If the words just say, 'a place you have been to', you could talk about a part of your hometown that has an environmental problem - you don't have to talk about going to a place away from your hometown. But I think the topic is not referring to the place where you live. Many people report the words are, "... a city you visited that has pollution."

See further NOTES

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Possible follow-up questions:

Do other people think this is a problem?
If you had the opportunity, would you like to go there again?

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Part 3

See here for some useful vocabulary.

See here for a good video.

Dealing with Environmental Problems

Do you ever discuss the topic of the environment with your friends? FQx2
What are the different kinds of environmental problems that exist right now? FQx2
What do you think is the most serious environmental problem in China? (Why?) FQx2
What are the causes of these problems?
(Similar to above) Why do people create pollution?
Do you think environmental problems are worse than they used to be? (Why?)
Whose fault is it that we have these environment problems? FQ
Do you think those who cause pollution are criminals? (Why?/Why not?) See NOTE
In general, what do you think is the best way to deal with these environmental problems?
(Similar to above) What is the government doing to tackle this problem? FQ
(Similar to above) How is China going to (or planning to) tackle these problems?
If you were a government official, how would you try to solve these environmental problems?
Do you think it is the government's responsibility to solve environmental problems or is it the the responsibility of each individual? FQx2
What are some things that individuals can do to help solve environmental problems?
Do you think pollution will be less severe in the future (than it is now), or do you think it will get worse?
Do you think these problems will be solved in the future?
What do you think will be the result if we ignore these environmental problems?
Compared to before, do you think people's awareness (consciousness) of environmental problems has increased or decreased? (How? Why?) FQ
(Similar to above) Why do you think some people don't pay much attention to environmental problems?
What are some ways that the government could use to help educate people about the environment? FQ
Do older people in China have the same attitudes towards the environment as young people? FQ See NOTE
What do you think China's environment will be like in the future (e.g., 20 or 50 years in the future)? FQx2
(Similar to above) Do you think the environment will be improved in the future or do you think it will get worse?
How do you think cutting down all the trees in a forest affects the environment?
Do you think that air-conditioning in buildings such as this (the examination building), is a form of environmental pollution?
Do you think air pollution might (or will) have any effect on Beijing's Olympic Games this year?

The Problem of Waste Disposal

What are the sources of waste (& rubbish) that society produces? FQ See NOTE
Compare how waste is disposed of today and how it used to be disposed of many years ago.
How do you think we could make waste (waste materials) beneficial to society? (Hint: recycling)
Do you think recycling is important?
Do young people & older people have the same attitudes towards waste disposal? (E.g., attitudes towards recycling, and towards what should be thrown away & what should be kept.) FQ
Do you think old people produce as much waste (such as waste paper) as young people? FQ See NOTE
As society advances in science and technology, it seems that we have more garbage to dispose of. Why do you think this is so?
Do you think that advertising leads to the production of more garbage in society? FQ See NOTE
Some people throw rubbish/garbage/trash on the street, for example, an ice-cream wrapper. What do you think of this behaviour?
How can/could these people's behaviour be changed?
How important is it to change the behaviour of these people?

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112. Travel to Somewhere in the World (July 14, 2007) (Probably no longer used)

Describe a place in the world that you would like to travel to.

You should say:

how you would go there

how you know about this place

what the scenery is like in this place

(who you would go with) *

(when you would like to go there. *)

and explain why you would like to go to this place.

(or, and explain what you would like to do there.) *

See NOTES

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Possible follow-up questions:

Are you really thinking of going there?
Have any of your friends or relatives been there?

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Part 3

See also Part 3 questions for Topic # 32 & Topic# 90.

Travel & Migration

When people go travelling (as tourists), what do they spend money on? FQ (Hint: souvenirs - give examples)
When people move to another country (migrate to another country), what changes do you think take place in their lives, compared to their lives before they left home? FQ
(Similar to above) How are people affected by the place they live in?
What do you think about children growing up abroad? Do you think children (with Chinese parents) are affected by growing up abroad? How? FQ
What are the benefits of experiencing different cultures?
Why do different cultures often have things in common?

Travel Destinations

Referring to the place you just talked about, why do other people (want to) go there? See NOTE
What personal qualities should people who want to go to that place have?
What are the benefits of travelling to new places? FQ
What are some of the best (or, most popular) travel destinations in China? FQ
Which places (countries) are Chinese people most interested in visiting? (Why?) FQ
How have attitudes about international travel changed in China in the past 20 years?
Do you think the government should encourage people to make trips overseas? ( = Wouldn't the money be better spent on domestic tourism?) FQ
Compare the types of travel destinations that people your age choose and the destinations that people your parents' age choose.
Compare the travel destinations that city people prefer and the travel destinations that rural dwellers prefer.
Why do many people (i.e., city people) prefer to travel to places of natural beauty rather than travel to another city? FQx2
How does the culture (or, lifestyle) of a place influence the people who live there? FQ
(Similar to above) People from one kind of place are often different to people from a different kind of place. Can you give some examples of this and possibly explain why they are different? FQ Difficult Question See NOTE
Do you think people are influenced more by local culture or by national culture?
What is the landscape like in China? FQx2 See NOTE
Why do (you think) people like natural scenery? DIFFICULT QUESTION See NOTE
Can you give me any examples in China of beautiful, natural landscapes that are popular tourist destinations? FQ
Can you describe some/one of these places? * See NOTE
Do you think that tourism to these natural places can lead to damage to the natural environment in these places? (If yes, how?)
What are some examples of places in China that have special (cultural or) historical significance? FQ
What are some examples of important historical tourist locations in China? *
Do you think it's important to preserve (all) the different cultures that exist in the world or in a country? (Why?/Why not?) FQ

Exploring and Development

Why do people (humans) like to explore new places? FQ
If some people decide to explore a remote area, who should pay for it? (Why?)
What personal qualities does a person need to be an explorer?
If somebody got lost while exploring or travelling in a remote part of the world, or if they needed some other type of help, who should pay for this help? FQ See NOTE
What are some reasons why people (want to) develop a new place? (I.e., develop a previously undeveloped place)
Do you think that new development in a place can harm the natural environment? (Is this a serious problem?)
New development in China sometimes involves the destruction of some ancient buildings. Do you think this is good?

Tourism

Is tourism an important industry in China? *
How can people benefit from visiting new places? FQ
When many people visit a particular place, what effects can that have on this place? FQ
(As above) What are the advantages and disadvantages of heavy tourism to a certain place? FQ
(Similar to above) When tourists travel, in large numbers, to a certain place, do you think they might damage the environment? FQ
What difficulties might a foreigner have while travelling as a tourist in China? FQ
Compare tourism today in China to, say, thirty years ago. *
How do you think tourism in China will change in the future? *
What are the responsibilities of a tour guide?
What qualities does a person need to have in order to be a good tour guide?

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113. No Topic

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114. A Website (Aug. 11, 2007) (Probably no longer used)

Describe a useful website that you like to visit. (Or, that you have visited)

        You should say:

                what he contents of the website are (or, were)

                how and when you first found this website

                how often you go to this website *

       and explain why you think this website is (or, was) useful.

Notes

I strongly suggest you DO NOT talk about this website, ielts-yasi.englishlab.net! Most IELTS examiners would consider the contents of this website to be 'cheating'. You should avoid letting examiners know that you have prior knowledge of the test questions!

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Possible follow-up questions:

Do Chinese people often use that site?
Have you told anybody else about this website?
Do your friends also visit this website? *

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Part 3

See these internet links for good reading material about the internet.

See HERE for a note about the usage of the expression, to 'surf the internet'.

The Internet in Society

The Different Types of Internet Users

Is the internet used very much by people in China? FQ See NOTE
Why do people (like to) use the internet?
What are the benefits that people get from using the internet?
What (different) things do these (different kinds of) people use the internet for? FQ
Today, different groups or different types of people in society all use the internet. Why do you think this is the case? See NOTE
(Similar to above) What (different) kinds of people use the internet? FQ
(Similar to above) What do people do when they go on the internet?
(Similar to above) What are some of the different ways that the internet is used?
(Similar to above) What are some of the different reasons why people use the internet? FQ
Some people say that different age groups have different tastes on internet content. What do you think? FQ

The Internet and Children

What influence can (or, does) the internet have on children? And what about teenagers?
Do you think parents should control what internet sites their children visit on the internet?

The Disadvantages for People Who Don't Use the Internet

What do you think of people who have a computer and what do you think of those who don't have one?
Compare the types of people who don't use the internet with those who do.
What (kinds of) people don't use the internet and what are the disadvantages that these people suffer because they don't use the internet? FQx2 See NOTE
(Similar to above but a more complex question) Please describe the impact of the internet on people by comparing the impact on those who use the internet with the impact on those who have never used it. FQ
Do you think the internet is narrowing the distance between different groups of people or is it possibly increasing the distance? See NOTE
How can a person today live without the internet?

Old people and the internet

Do you think young people and older people have the same attitudes towards the internet?
Do old people access (= go onto = use) the internet very much? (Why not?) FQx2
(Similar to above) Do old people have difficulties using the internet? FQx2
How do you think these difficulties for old people could be overcome? FQx2 See NOTE
Do you think it is useful to teach old people how to use the internet? FQx2
(Similar to above) Do you think it is useful to encourage old people to use the internet? FQx2
If you were with an old person who didn't know how to use the internet, and who didn't want to try to learn, what would you do? (Note the 'would' question)

The Importance of the Internet

What are some of the most popular websites in China?
What are the good points about the internet? FQ
Do you think the internet is important? FQ
How has the internet influenced the way people study or work?
(Similar to above) Is the internet very important (for people in China)? (How?) FQ
What is the value (the usefulness) of the internet for society?
Do you think the internet is playing a role in changing the world?

The Bad Points about the Internet

Does the internet have any bad points? FQ See NOTE
(Similar to above) What would you say are some of the good points and some of the bad points about the internet? FQ
In your opinion, is there anything negative about the internet? FQ
(Similar to above) Are there any negative effects of the internet on some people? (Hint: Internet addiction, especially addiction to games.)
In your opinion, is the information that we read on the internet reliable (or, accurate)?

The Development of the Internet in Your Country

How has the internet developed in your country?
What are the differences between websites in China and those from other countries?
How do people in China pay to use the internet?
How do you think the internet might develop in the future? FQ
How do you think the internet will change society in the future? FQx2
(Similar to above but different) How do you think computers will change (or will affect) society in the future? FQx2

Control of the Internet

In what ways do you think the government should, and shouldn't exercise control of the internet?
Do you think people can freely express their opinions on the internet? FQ
(Similar to above) Are people allowed to freely express their opinions on the internet?
Do you think people should be able to express their opinions freely on the internet? (Why? What are the advantages of that?)

The Internet as an Alternative to Reality

Do you think the internet can be a substitute for reality?
Do you think that friendships formed on the internet, for example, on chat sites, are very close friendships? (Why not?)
If we had a computer program that could speak, what effects would this have on society? See NOTE
(Similar to above but different because this time, the computer program can simulate the 'thinking' of a real person and 'chat' with the user) If we had a computer program that could chat with the user, what effects would this have on society? (Actually, such programs exist already.)

The Internet in Business (and E-Commerce)

Is the internet used very much in business (in companies/in offices) in China?
Have you ever bought anything on the internet? FQ
What do you think about buying things on the internet? FQ
What kinds of things do people buy on the internet?
What things do you think are most suitable for buying on the internet and what things are the least suitable?
Do you think there are any dangers with online shopping?
(Similar to above) Do people in China have much trust in the security of online shopping?
What kind of advertisements do you prefer, TV advertisements or ads on the internet? (Why?)

The Internet in Education

In China, is the internet used much in schools or colleges/universities? FQ
Is the internet useful for schools (or, for education)? FQ
(Similar to above) Is the internet very useful for teaching purposes? FQ
What are the benefits of using the internet in schools? FQ
What are the ways that students in school can benefit from using the internet?
Do you prefer using the internet to find information or do you prefer using a library? (Answer & compare the two.)

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115. Another Language (Aug. 11, 2007) (Probably no longer used)

Describe another language that you would learn, if you wanted to learn another language [in addition to English and your own language (Chinese)] *

      You should say:

            the name of this language (& where it is spoken)

            how you would learn it

            what equipment or facilities you would need to study this language *
       and explain what difficulties you think you would have (or, might have) when learning this language.
                                                or

      and explain why you would choose to study this language. *

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Possible follow-up questions:

Do you think you will really study this language?
Do you have any friends who speak that language? ( friends from that country)
Or: Have you ever met anyone who speaks this language?
Or: Do you know any Chinese people who can speak that language?

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Part 3

Studying Foreign Languages

Do you think it's important to study a foreign language?
Why do people study a foreign language?
What do you think the key point (= purpose) is for learning a foreign language? (Hint: communication)
Do many people in China study a second foreign language? (Why?/Why not?)
Do you think everyone (i.e., all school students) should (or, should have to) study a foreign language? (Why?/Why not?) FQ
(Similar to above) Is studying a foreign language (or, studying English) in school considered to be very important?
Are there any drawbacks to studying a foreign language? See NOTE
What are some of the advantages (benefits) of studying English?
How has studying English benefited you?
Why do you think some people are better than others at learning a foreign language? FQx2
How would you assess your own language ability? (= your own ability to learn a language) FQ
(Similar to above) Would you say you are good at studying foreign languages? FQ
What do you think is the best way (or, what are some good ways) to learn a foreign language?
Do you think children can learn a foreign language faster than adults? (Why?/Why not?) FQ
Who do you think is better at learning a language, boys or girls? FQx2
What are some of the factors that influence how well a person learns a foreign language?
Do you think the (attitudes) of parents influence how well their children study a foreign language?
What makes studying a foreign language interesting or boring?
What are some ways an English teacher could make learning a foreign language (or, English) more interesting? FQ
(Similar to above) If you were an English teacher, how would you try to make your lessons (more) interesting? FQx2
What do you think are some of the qualities of a good English teacher? *
Do you think it's useful to use foreign language teachers (外教) in language classes?
How does studying a foreign language help people to understand the culture of the people who speak that language? FQ
Do you think it's possible to learn a foreign culture without learning the language? FQ
How do you think people will study foreign languages in the future? (Hint: Internet)
Do you think the internet is useful for studying a foreign language?
How can the internet be used to help people learn a foreign language?
Do you think that the Chinese language is (or, has been) influenced by the outside world (by foreign cultures)? See NOTE
Would you say Chinese is a difficult language for foreigners to learn? (Why?/Why not?)
How would you teach a foreigner to speak Chinese?
What would you think if, for example, a very talented athlete (= sports person) was denied the opportunity to study overseas simply because he or she could not speak English very well?

A Single World Language/An International Language

Do you think it's important (or, a good idea) to have one main world language? (= 'a universal language') FQ
Do you think it is possible (or feasible) to create or choose one language to be a single world language? *
What would be the advantages and disadvantages of having a global language? FQx2
Do you think a world language would have a unifying effect on humanity?
Do you think English is most suited to be the world's main language of everyday usage?
Do you think there would be any negative results if English became the official world language?
Besides English, what other languages might be suitable to become the world language?
Do you think Chinese will possibly become 'the world language'? (Why?/Why not?)
In the past, several man-made languages have been developed as universal languages. Do you think it is feasible or necessary to create another man-made world language? *
How do you think people of the world will be communicating with each other in the future? * (E.g., 30 or 50 years in the future)
What do you think about the relationship between language and culture?
Do you think it is possible to really understand another culture if you don't know the language of that culture?
With 'globalization', do you think it is possible that some languages might die out (= become extinct)? How?
(Similar to above) With the world becoming more and more like a 'global village', do you think it is possible that some languages might die out (= become extinct)? How?
Do you think this is important? Why? *
(Similar to above) Do you think these languages should be preserved? Why? *
How do you think they could be preserved? *

The Sounds of Language

What do you think of the sound of that language?
Do you like the sounds of any other languages?

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