ielts-yasi.englishlab.net                                                                                                     

Updated Feb. 27, 2009

IELTS Part 2 and Part 3 Topics and Questions

Page 25

121.  A Place for Shopping  (Aug. 11, 2007)  (Probably no longer used)

122.  A City You Have Visited  (Aug. 11, 2007)  (Probably no longer used)

123.  A School Friend  (Sep. 1, 2007)   (Probably no longer used)

124.  No Topic

125.  A Happy Event  (August 11, 2007)  (Probably no longer used) (Moved to Topic 181)

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

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

121.  A Place for Shopping  (Aug. 11, 2007)  (Probably no longer used)

         Describe a place where you like to go shopping.

You should say:

what type of place it is

when you usually go there

how often you go there

what kind of people work there (Or, what kind of people go shopping there) 

what this place looks like *

what this place sells (or, what you usually buy there) 

                   and explain why you like to shop at this place.

See NOTE

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

Possible follow-up questions:

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

Part 3

Shopping 

• Do you like going shopping? (Why?/Why not?)

• Why do some people like shopping and others not like it? FQx2

• What kinds of people dislike shopping? (Why?) (One example: men often dislike shopping) FQ

• Why are men not very interested in window shopping?

• Why do people dislike waiting to be served or waiting in line at the supermarket checkout?

• What (different) kinds of places are there for shopping in your neighbourhood? FQ

• (Similar to above) What different types of places for shopping does your hometown/your neighbourhood have? FQ See Notes

• Are there any things that you can't buy in the shops near your home?

• How has shopping in China changed in the past few decades?

• Compare big shops such as supermarkets & department stores with small shops. FQ

• Do you prefer to shop at big stores (such as department stores and big supermarkets) or small shops? (Why?)

• What are the benefits and disadvantages of shopping at both big shops and small ones?

• Why do people dislike waiting in long lines at supermarkets and places like that?

• Do you think the increase in the number of big supermarkets and department stores will cause the eventual disappearance of the small, family-owned shops? FQ

• What do you think are the positive and the negative aspects of having shops staying open until late at night?  (Hint: People who work in the shops do not (always) have the evenings free and this is not good for family life.)

• How do you think shopping will change in the future?

• What kinds of things do people buy when they travel overseas? Hint: souvenirs

• How do you feel about bargaining when buying something?

• Do you think it's a good idea for parents to take their children with them when they go shopping? 

Other Ways to Buy Things

• Do you know any other ways to do your shopping? (Hint: Internet shopping) FQ

• What can one do if one needs to buy something but cannot go out shopping? 

• What do you think of buying things on the internet?

• Do you like buying things on-line (on the internet)? (Why?/Why not?)

• What are the advantages (and possible disadvantages) of internet shopping? FQ

• (Similar to above) Compare the advantages and disadvantages of internet shopping and shopping in a real shop. FQ

• What kinds of things can people buy on the internet?

• In the future, do you think most people will use the internet for shopping?

• Do you trust the people selling things on the internet?

• Is there enough security when shopping on the internet?

• Do you think internet shopping will lead to the disappearance of small shops?

Advertising

• What are the different ways that things (products & services) are advertised? FQ

• What is the most common form of advertising?

• How effective do you think it is?

• (Similar to above) When we think about people's buying behaviour, how influential do you think advertising is? FQ

• What influence does advertising have on consumers? FQ

• How has advertising influenced the way you do your shopping?

• What influence does advertising have on on-line shoppers?

• What do you think is the most effective form of advertising?

• Do you think advertising should be aimed at children? (Why?/Why not?)

• Can you recall any examples of advertising aimed at children? (Give an example. This question seems to be like a very short Part 2. If you can't think of a real example, invent one.) FQ

• What do you thinks can (or, should) do to help their children understand these advertisements?

• Is misleading (or, dishonest) advertising very common in China? 

• What should the government do to solve this problem?

• Do you think that would be easy to do?

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

122.  A City You Have Visited  (Aug. 11, 2007)  (Probably no longer used)

Describe a city that you have visited. (that left an impression on you) *

You should say:

where the city is (and its name)

when you went there

what you liked & disliked about the city

                                    or

                  and explain why this city left an impression on you. *

                                   or

                  and explain what kind of work people do in this city. *

                                    or

                  and explain what was special about this city. *

Notes

• See also old Topic# 24.

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

Possible follow-up questions:

• Do you think you will go there again one day? (Or: Would you like to visit there again?)

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

Part 3

See also the Part 3 questions for Topic #24.

See also this person's 51ielts.com posting on this topic, here. She had some good answers. 

The City You Just Spoke About

• Why do so many people want to travel to ____ (the you just mentioned)?

• What materials did you use to get information about this city?

• What was the landform of that place (or, around that place)?  (Not sure if the word, 'landform' is used. But that is probably the meaning of the question.)

• Do you think that tourists can harm the local culture of the people and the environment of a tourist spot?

Urban & Rural Areas

• Which do you think is the better place to live, a city or a village in the countryside?

• In China, what are the major differences between the urban and the rural areas? 

• Why do many people prefer to live in the city instead of in a rural area?

• What problems are there from living in a city and what problems are there from living in a village (or, the countryside)?

• If you were asked to go and live in a village, (for example, as part of your job), would you be willing to go? (Why?/Why not?) See NOTES

• Do you think it's just as good to live on the outskirts of the city (= in the suburbs) as it is to live in the middle of the city?

• What are the benefits for children to grow up in an urban area and, alternatively, in a rural area?

• (Similar to above) Do you think families with children should live in a city or a rural area?

• Would you agree that people in the rural areas have fewer problems than people living in the cities?

• Are the educational facilities in the countryside as good as those in the cities? FQ

• Why are people migrating from the rural to the urban areas of China?

• (Similar to above) Why do young people usually prefer to live in a city? 

• What benefits are there for young people who live in a city?

• What kinds of people (like to) live in cities? FQ

• (Similar to above) What kinds of people like city life? FQ

• Compare people who live in cities with people who live in rural areas. FQ

• How do you think a town changes (grows) to become a city?

Big Cities

• Why do so many people want to live in cities?

• What are the advantages of living in cities?

• (Similar to above) What are the advantages of living in a city for families with children? + Are there any disadvantages? FQx2

• Do you think big cities are ideal places for old people to live?

• What are some of the (serious) problems associated with living in big cities? FQx2

• In what ways does living in a big city affect the personality of the city residents?

• Which do you think has the greater influence on people, the culture of the city they live in or the national culture?

• How can the problem of congested traffic in cities be solved?

• Do you think the only way to solve the problem of crowded cities is to allow the cities to expand? (Some alternatives to city expansion: Decentralization; Build satellite cities; Develop the economy of the rural areas ...)

• What do you think cities will be like in the future?

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

123.  A School Friend  (Sep. 1, 2007)   (Probably no longer used)

Describe a friend who you had at school.

You should say:

what he/she looked (looks) like

where you first met

how you became friends (or, how you first met each other)

what you do/did together (or, what you had in common)

                    and explain why you remember him/her so well. *

                                                   or

                   and explain why you like him or her. *

Notes

• 'School' here means high school or primary school, not university or college. Americans sometime refer to university or college as, 'school', but this is not usually said in Britain & Australia.

• The topic wordings might include, "a school friend who you remember well". If it does say that, you must talk about a past friend from school, someone who is no longer a friend (not because you no longer like each other but because you have simply lost touch with other). But if the topic doesn't say "remember", then of course you could talk about a current school friend if you are still in high school. Read the words carefully and choose the verb tense and situation carefully. 

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

Possible follow-up questions:

• How long have you two been friends? *

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

Part 3

Friendship

See also the Part 1 topic, "Friends".

• Do you think friends are important? (having friends is important?) FQ

• Do you think people really need to have friends? (Why?/Why not?)

• (Similar to above) What are the benefits of having friends?

• (Similar to above) What are the qualities of a good friend? FQ

• Do you think everybody needs to have a close friend? (Or is it enough just to have a few casual friends?)

• Do you prefer to have one or two close friends or a wide circle of friends (= many friends)? FQ

• (Similar to above) Some people think it is enough to have 2 or 3 close friends. What do you think?

• (Similar to above) Which do you think is better, to have a large group of friends or just a few close friends? FQ

• What do you think is the difference between a 'close friends' and a 'best friend'?

• How can one distinguish between a close friend and an acquaintance? FQ

• What would you do if you and a friend were having trouble getting along with each other?

• Why do some friendships last a long time and others only last a short time?

• How can people balance the time spent with friends with the time spent with their family?

Making Friends

• Do you enjoy meeting new people?

• Have you met any interesting new people recently?

• How do you usually make new friends?

• How long do you think it takes before you can say you know a person well?

• (In modern society), which do you think is more important, old friends or new friends? (Include comparisons) FQ

• Is there any difference to the way you make friends now, compared to when you were a child? FQ

• (Similar to above) Are there any differences between childhood friends and friends in adulthood? FQ

• Do children and adults make friends in the same way? FQ

• How is the way people make friends today different to the way people made friends years ago? FQx2

• Do you think it's easier to make friends today than it used to be? FQx2

• Do you think parents should supervise who their children make friends with, if the children are very young? Or, do you think children should be free to make friends with anyone they want to? FQ

• Do different types of people often become friends?

• In China, do high school students make friends based on common interests and hobbies or on what basis?

• What are the benefits of having a friend who is a similar type of person to you? (or someone with similar interests)

• Do you think it is necessary for people to have common interests before they can become friends?

• Do you think it's hard to make new friends in today's society? FQ

• Do you think that friendships formed on the internet, for example, on chat sites, are very close friendships? (Why not?)

• Why do some people choose to make friends on the internet? FQ

• (Similar to above) Why do you think so many people like internet introduction services? (Introduction services for marriage) FQ

Memories *

See the questions on this topic under Topic# 74.

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

124.  No Topic

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

125.  A Happy Event  (August 11, 2007)  (Probably no longer used) (Moved to Topic 181)

Version A

Describe an enjoyable event from the past that you remember well.

You should say:

what the event was

when and where it happened 

who participated in this event 

what you saw or did *

                   and explain why this event was so enjoyable. *

                                            or

                  and explain why you remember this event so well. *

Version B

Describe a recent event that made you feel happy.

You should say:

what the event was

when and where it happened 

who participated in this event 

what you saw or did *

                   and explain why this event was so enjoyable. *

                                            or

                  and explain why you remember this event so well. *

Notes

• This topic has been moved to Topic #181. There is no need to continue reading here because all of the questions here were moved and any future changes or additions will be made to Topic #181 only.

• Some people have reported Version A & others have reported Version B. I think Version B is the wording but I suggest you prepare for both.

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

Possible follow-up questions:

• Do you often do that? (Do you often do what you just spoke about?)

• Did your parents or friends also enjoy this event?

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

Part 3

See also the Part 3 questions for Topic #74, 'A Happy Childhood Memory'.

Happiness & Happy Events

The Nature of Happiness

• What do you think 'happiness' is?

• There is a theory that some people are born with a more optimistic personality than others, with the result that they are happier throughout their lives. What do you think of that theory?

The Sources of Happiness

• What are some things that make you happy?

• (Similar to above) What are some things that make people happy?

• Do you think entertainment can make people feel (genuinely) happy?

• Do you think artistic activities can make people happy? (Why?/Why not?)

• Do you think people who have more talent are happier than others? (Why?/Why not?) FQ

• (Similar to above) Do you think people feel happier when they are good at something? FQ

• Do you think money makes people happy? FQx2

• Are the things (or, the events) that make people happy today the same as several decades ago? FQ

The Importance of Family for Happiness

• Why do people feel happy when they are with members of their family? FQ

• In general, what do you think makes a happy family?

• What are some (other) examples of family activities that make people feel happy? FQx2

Happy People

• What kind of people do you think are most likely to be happy? (describe qualities of people)

• Do you think some people are born with a more happy disposition that others?

• Why do some people (seem to) stay happy even in difficult circumstances?

• How do you think a person can make you feel that you and he or she will get along with each other?

Ages Differences and Happiness

• Do you think there is any relationship between a person's age and their happiness? (Why?/Why not?) FQ

• What are the times in a person's life when they are most happy and what are the times when people are most unhappy?

• Do you think children today are happy?

• Some people say the happiest time in people's lives is the period when they are at school? Do you agree?  FQ

• What kinds of people are most likely to feel that the past was happier (for them) than the present?

• Do young people and old(er) people find happiness from the same things? (Compare the two.) FQ

• Do you think old people are very happy?

• When you are old(er), what kinds of things do you think will bring you happiness? FQ

Happiness in Society

• Do you think people were happier in the past than they are now? FQx2

• Do you think there is any relationship between government and the happiness of the citizens?

• What could the government do to help increase the overall happiness of people? FQ

The following four questions are guesses.

• What are some examples of things that people value very highly? *

• Why do you think these things are so important to them? *

• Do you think only things that cost a lot of money are highly valued by people? * 

• (Similar to above) Can you think of any examples of things that don't cost a lot of money but are still highly valued? *

Memories

Forgetting and Remembering Happy & Sad Events from the Past

• Some people say they have forgotten important things from the past. Do you think this is possible?

• Do you think it is possible to choose what to remember and what to forget?

• What kinds of events do people have the strongest memory of?

• What times in a person's life are most worth remembering?

• Do you think your (present) time at university is worth remembering?

• Do you think people mostly remember sad events or happy events? (Why?) FQ

• How can people benefit from recalling sad events? (See Note)

• What can a person do if he or she wants to forget something but cannot forget it?

The Accuracy of Happy and Sad Memories

• Sometimes, people replace memories of real events with their own versions of the event. What do you think of this? FQ

• (Similar to above) Do you think that what most people remember about the past is accurate, compared to what really happened? FQ

• Have you ever imagined that something happened when, in fact, it did not happen?

• Compare the memories that older people have with the memories that young people have about childhood experiences? (See Note) 

• Quite often, old(er) people say the happiest time in their life was when they were young. Why do you think they say that?

• (Similar to above) Quite often, old(er) people talk about "the good old days". What do you think they mean?

• (Similar to above) Quite often, people who are working say that the happiest time of their life was when they were a student. Why do you think they say that? FQ

The Value of Recording Events - Diaries

• Why do some people keep diaries? (Or: Why do some people like recording their experiences on paper?) FQ

• What kinds of people like to keep a diary of their life experiences? (See Note )

• Do you think writing one's experiences in a diary is important?

• Do you think the older generation should pass on their life experiences to the next generation by recording these experiences in a diary?

• (Similar to above) Do you think it's important for old people to pass on their memories (of their experiences) to young people? (Why?/Why not?) FQ

History

• Do you think learning about history (or, studying history) is important? FQ

• Do you think students should learn about the bad things in history or just the good things?

• (Similar to above) What do you think is the value of studying world history? (Famous quotation: "Those who cannot learn the mistakes of history are bound to repeat those mistakes.")

• (Similar to above) What can one learn from history?

• (Similar to above) What is the value of children (or, young people) studying history?

• Why do some people find it boring to study history?

• What are some ways to make history lessons more interesting for school children?

• Compare learning about one's national history (or, one's local history) with learning about world history. FQx2

• (Similar to above) Which do you think is more important for children to study at school, their nation's history (or local history) or world history? FQx2

• How can one study, or learn about, one's local history?

• Do you think it's important to learn about one's local history?

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