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ielts-yasi.englishlab.net

Updated Nov. 13, 2008

IELTS Part 2 and Part 3 Topics and Questions

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126. No Topic

127. A Project or Homework Assignment (Oct. 13, 2007) (Probably no longer used)

128. A Sport You Played in Childhood (Oct. 20, 2007) (Probably no longer used)

129. An Email or Postcard (Oct. 20, 2007) (Probably no longer used)

130. Some Advice You Received (2) (Oct. 13, 2007) (Probably no longer used) (Moved to Topic 182)

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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126. No Topic

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127. A Project or Homework Assignment (Oct. 13, 2007) (Probably no longer used)

Describe a project that you were once involved in (for example, a project at work or a homework assignment at school or university).

You should say:

the topic of this project or homework *

when and where you did this project

what research or preparation you did *

how difficult this task was (or: what the easiest and most difficult parts of this project were)

how much time you spent on this project or assignment (or, how long it took you to finish it)

and explain what you learned from this experience.

See Notes

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Possible follow-up questions:

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Part 3

See HERE for useful notes on the topics of "learning" and "studying".

(High) Schools in China

Subject Matter Taught in schools

Are there many different subjects available at your school?
Do you think students at (high) school should learn many different things?
(Similar to above) Do you think students should learn many different skills at school (or just concentrate on one or two areas)?
How do you think the school curriculum in China might change in the next 20 or 30 years? (I.e., what new subjects might be studied in the future in school? Use your imagination to answer this - there is no 'right' or 'wrong' answer.)
How do you think school lessons could be made more interesting for students?

Classroom Conditions

Do you think (high school) classes in China are too big? (too many students in each class)
What are the results of such big classes?
What do you think would be the ideal sized class?

Homework

Tell me about the typical homework you had to (have to) do in high school.
Do you think students in China have too much homework? (Why do you say that?) FQ
Do you think homework is necessary (or, important)? (Why?/Why not?) FQx2
(Similar to above) What do you think is the value of homework? FQ
Do you think young children (e.g., under 12) should do homework?
Instead of homework, what other things can students do after school?
Instead of homework, what other things can students do to review the new things they have learned at school?

High-Tech Tools in Education

How do you think modern science and technology has influenced education today in China? FQ
(Similar to above) What modern technology is used in classrooms in China today? FQ
Do you think teachers could be replaced, for example, do you think it's possible to use other methods to teach students besides having teachers in the classroom? (Hint: Computers/Internet)
How often do university students use computers?

Examinations

Do you think using examinations is a good way to educate people?
Is there much cheating in examinations in China?
Do you think this (cheating) results in examinations losing their usefulness? *

Teachers

What is the status of school teachers in China? (Is it a highly desirable profession to enter?)
Do you think teachers with different personalities can affect the students differently? *

Absenteeism

What do you think are some of the reasons for students being absent from school?

Home Schooling and Other forms of Alternative Education

Do you think it's important (or, necessary) for children to go to school to be educated or is it possible for a child to be educated at home, without attending a school? FQx2
Why do some parents prefer home schooling for their children? (Possibly 'home schooling' is not legally an option in China except for foreigners.) FQ
What do you think are some possible benefits of home schooling?
Do you think most parents are capable of educating their children at home?
Do you think most parents have enough time to do that?
How do you think children studying at home can gain knowledge? (Hints: parents; internet)
Some parents prefer to send their children overseas to study (in school, not university). What advantages are there in doing that?
Some parents who have a child with learning difficulties prefer to educate their child themselves at home. Do you agree with their decision?
How do you think you will educate your children?
Do you think it's important for students to relate to teachers on a personal, face-to-face basis?
Do you think computers will ever take the place of teachers?

Research Sources

Have you recently learned any new facts from your own research or reading?
Do you think it is necessary for university students today to have a personal computer? (Why?/Why not?)
Do you think the internet is a reliable source of information (for projects at work and homework or school assignments)? FQ
What other sources of information are there? (Hint: Library books)
In general, why do you think information is important?

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128. A Sport You Played in Childhood (Oct. 20, 2007) (Probably no longer used)

Describe a sport you played when you were a child.

You should say:

when and where you played it *

how old you were when you started to play it

(how often you played it)

what equipment was needed for this sport

and explain what benefits you got from playing this sport.

See Notes

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Possible follow-up questions:

Do you still play that sport?
Is that a popular sport in China?

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Part 3

Sport in General

What would you say is China's most popular sport? ('national sport')
Do athletes ever receive injuries from playing that sport? (What injuries?)
In China, are sports activities very competitive?
Do you think competitive sport is beneficial for children (or, young people)?
Why (do you think) some people are so enthusiastic about sport? FQ
(Similar to above) In general, why do you think sport is important to some people?
How do you feel about sport?

Childhood Sport in China

In China, what sports are most popular with (young) children? FQ
What sports do (high school) students have (play) in China?
Do you think sport (or P.E.) is necessary in school? (Why?/Why not?)
Do boys and girls (or, young men & women) in China like to play the same sports? FQ
Do you think boys and girls should play the same sports? (Why?/Why not?) FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think it's suitable for boys and girls to play the same sports? (Why?/Why not?) FQ
Do you think boys and girls should compete against each other or play together on the same sports teams? *
What benefits do children (or, young people) derive from playing sport? FQ

Sports Teams

Do you think teamwork is important in sport? FQ
Do you think it's important for children (or, young people) to experience playing team sports? (Why?/Why not?) FQ
(If you were a sports team manager or coach), how would you produce an outstanding team?
What do you think are the pros and cons of teamwork (in sport)?
Do you think there are any drawbacks from playing on a sports team?
How can (or, how does) one start a sports team?
Why do many people like to watch team sports?

International Sport (e.g., The Olympic Games)

What do you think is the value of international sports competition?
Do you think international sports competition can help different countries communicate with each other?
In general, is international sports competition very important to people in China?
When a country hosts an international sports event, what benefits do you think that country can get?
How do you feel about the upcoming Olympic Games in Beijing?
What is the significance (or, the importance) of China winning the bid to hold the Olympic Games?
In what ways do you think the Olympic Games will effect (change) China?
What effect do you think the Olympic Games will have on China's international relations?
Do you think Beijing's environment will affect the Games?

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129. An Email or Postcard (Nov. 3, 2007) (Probably no longer used)

Describe a holiday postcard or email you received and that you liked.

You should say:

who the postcard/email was from

where it was sent from

when you received it *

what the contents of the postcard or email were

and explain why you liked it. *

See Notes

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Possible follow-up questions:

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Part 3

Emails & Postcards

Which do you prefer to send (or receive), postcards or emails? FQ
What are the different kinds of people who use emails? (Different users)
In general, an email user is what sort of person? (Give general qualities that describe all/most email users.)

Tourism

During their holiday time, do most people in China prefer to stay at home and relax or do they prefer to travel? FQ
(Similar to above) How would you compare relaxing at home to traveling as a way to spend one's holidays? FQ
Which group of people do you think prefers to relax at home - old people or young people? Why?
Why are people happy when they go traveling? (or, go touring) FQ
(Similar to above) Why do people enjoy traveling? FQ
Why are more and more people traveling nowadays in their holidays?
What are the benefits of traveling in your holidays, (rather than staying at home)?
What (kinds of) places do people in China prefer to travel to, as tourists? FQ
(Similar to above) Can you recommend any good tourist locations (= tourist spots) In China? FQ
(Similar to above) What places in China would you recommend (= would you suggest) people visit? FQ
Do you think your hometown is attractive to tourists? FQ
What tourist attractions does your hometown have? FQ
Why do tourists often buy things at the places they visit?
What kinds of things do they buy? FQ (One example: souvenirs - give examples)
Would you buy that kind of thing?
What would you choose to buy, for example?
Do you think tourism is an important part of China's economic development? (Why?/Why not?) FQ
(Similar to above) How do you think tourism will help China's economic development? FQ
Do you think traveling has any educational value for children or is it just for fun? FQ (Give examples)
Do you think it's important to protect the traditional culture of people who live at tourist locations? How can this be done?
How do you think tourism will develop in the future?

Holidays (vacations) from Work

What is the value of employees having vacation time from work?
Are there any advantages for companies to give employees vacation time?
Do people with different kinds of jobs choose different kinds of travel destinations? (Hint: People with higher-paying jobs can afford to travel overseas or to luxurious travel resorts. People with low-paying jobs travel much less and when they do travel, it's usually quite close to their homes, perhaps just a one-day trip.)
Do people in China receive paid vacations or are they not paid when they go on holiday?
When relaxing, what's the difference between traveling and staying at home?

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130. Some Advice You Received (2) (October 13, 2007) (Probably no longer used) (Moved to Topic 182)

Version A

Describe some good advice you received.

You should say:

when you received this advice

in what situation you received this advice

who gave you the advice

what the advice was

and explain why you thought this advice was good. *

Version B

Describe some advice you received.

You should say:

when you received this advice

in what situation you received this advice

who gave you the advice

what the advice was

and explain your impression of this advice. *

and explain whether or not you thought this advice was good advice. *

and explain what changes resulted from this advice. *

See Notes

This topic has been moved to Topic #182. 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 #182 only. The topic was moved to make sure readers do not overlook this topic.

It seems Version B is the current Version being used.

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Possible follow-up questions:

Are you still in contact with that person (the person who gave you the advice) ?
Did you follow this advice? *
Do you yourself ever give people advice? *

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Part 3 (Since October 13, 2007)

(See also the Part 3 questions for Topic #59 for reported Part 3 questions before Oct. 13, 2007)

Personal Advice

When you have a problem and need some advice, can you usually find someone to discuss your problem with?
Do you prefer to make your own decisions or do you tend to listen to the recommendations of others?
Do you ever give advice to others or do you just receive advice?
Do you prefer advice from your family or your friends? FQx2
(Similar to above) Do you usually get advice from your family or from your friends? ( = Which is more frequent?)
(Similar to above) Which advice is more important to you, advice from your family or advice from your friends? FQx2
Do you think people should give advice to their friends?
What kinds of advice do your friends give you?
Compare the advice friends usually give to the advice that parents usually give. * (This is a general question, not your friends & your parents.)
When somebody gives you some advice, do you usually follow this advice or do you usually insist on your own opinion? FQx2
(Similar to above, but a little different) When somebody gives you some advice, do you usually take the advice or do you more often follow your own judgment? FQx2
What are some examples of situations or times when people need or want personal advice from someone else? *
Do teachers ever give advice to their students?
What is this advice (from teachers) usually about? FQ
Do you think teachers should give students personal advice or just academic advice? FQx2
Do you think teachers should give their personal opinions to students? (Opinions on any topic)
Do you think it's suitable for teachers to advise students on matters related to growing up, and not related to studying?
What do young people today think of the advice from old(er) people?
Why do you think there is a generation gap between young people and their parents?
If you were going to give some advice to someone, what factors would you first need to consider?
When somebody is giving career advice, what things factors should this advice-giver take into consideration?
Do you think it is good if a parent is always giving advice to a child? (Or do you think it is sometimes better to let a child solve his/her own problems?)
In the future, what kind of advice do you think people will be giving each other? (hint: technical advice)
What is the most important piece of advice that you would give to young people today?

Career Advice

How do young people in China get advice (or, get information) about what career to choose?
Do you think you will seek the advice of others about your future study and career plans? (Why? From whom?/Why not?)
If you received advice from someone about a job, (or career), what factors would you need to consider when thinking about this advice?
Do you think advice from parents to their children about the children's future career is usually good advice?
Do you think parents should decide what their son's or daughter's future career should be or should the decision be made by the son or daughter? FQ
(Similar to above) How much do you think advice about a person's career is that person's personal decision to make? FQ
If you received advice from your parents about your career (your choice of career) and this advice was different to your own opinion (or feelings), how could this problem be resolved?

Professional Advice

Have you ever received advice from a trained person? (i.e. a person trained to give advice)
What are some examples of occasions when people need or want professional advice? *
What are some examples of people who give professional advice to others? (i.e., as part of their work)
Have you ever received any advice from a trained person? ( = trained to give advice) What do you think of people who are professionals at giving advice?
How reliable do you think people are who give advice to others?
In general, what kind of person is most suitable for giving advice to others?
(Similar to above) What personal qualities do you think these professional advice givers should have? FQ
And what personal qualities does a receiver of advice need to have? FQ
Where do you (or, where do people) usually get advice when buying products?
Do you think it's a good idea to (always) follow the advice from sales promotion materials (= advertisements)?

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