Updated May 12, 2009
IELTS Part 2 and Part 3 Topics and Questions
Page 30
146. A Family (Jan 19, 2008) (Probably no longer used)
147. Your Work or Study Place (Jan 19, 2008) (Probably no longer used)
148. A Recent Change (2) (May 10, 2008) (Probably no longer used)
149. A Piece of Equipment (Aug. 18, 2007) (Probably no longer used)
150. An Organization (May 10, 2008) (Probably no longer used)
FQ = frequent question = a question that has frequently been reported = a question that is probably in the examiner's question book
* = I am not sure of the words here.
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146. A Family (Jan 19, 2008) (Probably no longer used)
Describe a family (not your own family) that you like.
You should say:
where this family lives
who the members of the family are
how you know them
what each person in this family does in life (student/work/retired etc.)*
and explain why you like this family.
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Possible follow-up questions:
Do you also know many other families?
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Part 3
Family Life in General
Families in China
Who are the people in your family? (Give extra information - don't only answer the basic question.)
Are Chinese families usually big or small? (many children or just a few?)
How have families in China changed in the past few decades? FQ
What do you think are some of the advantages and some of the disadvantages of big and of small families?
(Similar to above) Compare the advantages and disadvantages of family planning.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of China's "One Child Policy"? (especially the advantages and disadvantages for the families themselves)
Roles of the Mother & the Father
Who would you say is the head of your family? FQ
Why do you say he (or, she) is the head of your family?
(Similar to above) In China, who is generally considered to be the head of the family?
Do you think that men and women have different roles to play in a family and what are these roles?
In families with children, who usually makes the decisions on how to bring up the children, the mother or the father?
Do you think women (or, wives or mothers) should stay at home or should they go out to work? FQ
Nowadays, more and more working wives are achieving great success in their careers, perhaps even more than their husbands. What effect do you think this might have on the marriages of these people?
Do you think it is better to have one parent who is more important than the other or to have equality in status between the parents?
Parenting
How (well) do you get along with your parents?
Do you think parents have a big influence on their children today?
In your opinion, what are (some of ) the attributes (= the qualities) of 'a good parent'? FQ
Do you think everyone is suitable to become a parent?
What do you think are the responsibilities of parents towards their children?
Do you think children have responsibilities towards their parents?
How does one become a good parent? (How does a person learn how to be a good parent?)
Do you think people need to go special classes to learn how to be good parents? *
Do you think such classes might be a good idea? *
Influences on Family Life
How have families in China changed in the past few decades? FQ
Do you think it's important for family members to spend time together?
In their free time, do families in China go out much together? Where do they go? What do they do?
Some people say modern mass media has had an effect on family life. What do you think? FQ
What effect do you think watching TV has on family life?
And what about the internet? Do you think spending time on the internet is good for family life?
The Effects of Work on Family Life
Do you think modern changes in the way people work has had an effect on family life?
How can work affect a person's family life?
Do you think some parents neglect their family because they place too much emphasis on making money?
Do you think parents today should spend more time with their children than they do at the moment? FQ
What effect do you think it would have on family life if a person had to spend seven days a week working or seven days a week at school? FQ
(Similar to above) What is your opinion of a father who doesn't spend much time with his family? (What might the results of this be?)
The Role of Old People in the Family
Decision-Making in the family
In Chinese families, who usually makes the major decisions? FQ
(Similar to above) In China, who is usually the head of the family?
In China, do the elderly members of the family have much influence in family decision-making? (I.e., is their opinion valuable? Or: Do the opinions of the oldest family members carry the most weight?)
Old People with Families in China - the General Situation
Do any of your grandparents live with you?
In China, do old people (grandparents) often live with young children?
(Similar to above) Do many families in China still like to have grandparents living with the family?
The Impact of Old Family Members on the Family
Has the influence of grandparents on Chinese families changed, compared to the past?
How do you think old people should be treated?
Some people think that the ideas and opinions of old people (e.g., grandparents) are old-fashioned and obsolete. Do you think it is useful to listen to their opinions?
In your opinion, what are ( some of ) the attributes (= the qualities) of 'a good grandparent'?
Grandparents and Grandchildren
Do you think grandparents can contribute much to the family of their children?
Do you think it is good for grandparents to help bring up their grandchildren? FQ
How helpful are grandparents when they contribute to (= give their time to = help) in the upbringing of their grandchildren?
What can children learn from their grandparents? FQ
Family Housing
What is the present housing situation for families in China?
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147. Your Work or Study Place (Jan 19, 2008) (Probably no longer used)
Describe a place where you have worked or studied.
You should say:
where this place was
what this place looked like
what you did there
and explain why you chose to study or work at this place. *
or
and explain how you felt about this place. *
Notes
Pay attention to the verb tense. It seems this topic has the past tense in the wording on the card.
This topic seems to be referring to a school or university that you previously attended (= studied at), not a school or university where you are studying now. Similarly, a workplace (a company etc.) where you previously worked but no longer work.
On the other hand, the wording might allow you to talk about a place where you have been working or studying (meaning a place where you are still working or studying). But, although this is possible, I don't think this is likely, especially in light of the reported follow-up question (below).
Also see Notes
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Possible follow-up questions:
Does that place still exist?
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Part 3
Further Questions on the Part 2 Answer
What city do you work/study in?
Why did you choose to work/study in this city?
How long did you work/study in that place? Or, How long have you been working/studying in that place?
And how much longer do you think you will continue to work/study there?
What are your best memories of that work/study place?
What do you think is the most important thing that people need to learn (or learn about)? See Note
Work Places
It is possible to get questions either about a study environment or a working environment, or both, regardless of whether you are working now or not.
During your time as a student, did people (including your teachers) discuss the topic of your future work?
Time Spent at Work
Nowadays, people spend a lot of time at work. How do you feel about this? (Or, what do you think of situation?) FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think people (today) spend too much time studying and working? (Why?/Why not?) See note about the meaning of, ''too much''.
Do you think people are working longer hours today than they did in the past? FQ
Do you think it's right for an employer to ask an employee to work on the weekend?
Do you think people who work on weekends should be paid more than their usual pay rate?
Do you think people time nowadays on study or work than they used, several years ago?
Workplace Conditions & Facilities
How are the working conditions at your workplace or study place?
Do you think the environment of the place where a person studies or works is important? (Why?) FQ
In general, what essential facilities should a workplace have? FQx2
What facilities (equipment) are there at your workplace or study place?
In general, what do you think are the factors that influence a person's working (or studying) conditions?
(Similar to above) What factors make a workplace an enjoyable place to work?
Do you think it's important for a workplace (or study place) to be attractive? (Why?/Why not?)
What factors influence the friendliness of a workplace, school or university?
Do you think the people one works with are more important than the surroundings? FQ
Do you think the kind of people one works with can have an effect on a person's enthusiasm for his or her job? FQ
Do you think people should be able to wear at work whatever clothes suit their personality or taste?
Working at Home
What kinds of people work at home? (Hint: Don't forget to include housewives who do unpaid work at home) FQ
Can you think of examples of people who bring work (from there workplace) to their homes? (Hint: Teachers & others)
Do you think more people will be able to work from home in the future? (How? Hint: Internet)
What do you think will be (or, are) the benefits from working at home? FQ
Do you think there are any drawbacks from working at home? FQ
Work and Environmental Degradation
Do you think big companies contribute to pollution of the environment more than small companies?
Who do you think should be responsible for this pollution?
Do you think there is any relationship between the way most people work now and environmental pollution? (Hints: a) Industrial production b) Travelling to work by car, motorcycle or bus.)
Do you think there are any problems in the natural environment resulting from high-rise buildings or factories?
Places of Learning (i.e., Schools or Universities)
Do you think school students spend too much time on schoolwork right now? (classes + homework)
(Similar to above) Do you think attending classes at school takes up too much time? FQ
Do you think people time nowadays on study or work than they used, several years ago?
Do you think environment of the place where students study is important?
How do you think the design (or, the layout) of a school should address the needs of the students? (Not just senior high schools but also junior high schools & primary schools.)
In general, what essential facilities should a school (or study place, such as at home) have?
(Similar to above) How are the working conditions at your workplace or study place?
In general, what do you think are the factors that influence a person's studying conditions?
What factors influence the friendliness of a workplace, school or university?
Do you think the kind of people one attends school with, or the kind of people who work there can have an effect on a student's enthusiasm for learning? FQ
What do you think is necessary to have a comfortable environment for studying?
What facilities do you think a good school should have (for a good studying environment)? FQx2
What is the best classroom environment (or atmosphere) for studying/learning? FQ
What effect do you think a person's mood or attitude has on learning?
What range of subjects do you think an ideal (high) school should have? (How many different subjects/which ones)
How has teaching (in China) changed, compared to several decades ago?
Do you prefer to study at school or at home? FQx2
In the future, what changes do you think we will see in schools? FQ
When do people in China do more study at home - when they are at school or at university?
Unpaid Work
See also questions about volunteer work, Part 3 Topic #156
Can you think of any examples of unpaid work? (Hints: housework; community work)
Do you think unpaid work is less important than paid work?
What kinds of people do unpaid work? *
Do you think being a housewife should be considered to be 'work'?
What kinds of things do housewives do? *
Do you think housewives (or, women who do housework at home) should be paid for their work, just the same as men who work outside the home? FQ
What functions towards society do housewives serve?
Do you think married women with children should go out to work or should they stay at home and look after the house and the children?
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148. A Recent Change (2) (May 10, 2008) (Probably no longer used)
Describe a recent change in your life (that changed your life in a good way). (For example, a new job or a new school).*
You should say:
what the change was
what caused this change
how you benefited from this change
and explain how you feel about this change.
Notes
It is possible that this topic is still being used but I don't think so because it hasn't been reported, even once, for many tests.
See also Notes
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Possible follow-up questions:
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Part 3
See also the Part 3 questions for Topic #92 and Topic # 47.
Change in One's Life
Do you like change in your life? (Why?/Why not?)
Do you think change is important in life?
Why do you think some people try to resist change in their lives?
What kinds of people are more likely to resist change?
And what kinds of people do you think are more likely to embrace change?
Do you think it's good for people to sometimes change their job? (Why?/Why not?)
What do you think are some of the problems that can occur when someone changes their work (or, job)?
Do you think it's a good idea sometimes for people to changed their career, for example, to change from being a reporter to being a doctor? (= Do you think this is ever a good idea? = What are the advantages & disadvantages of doing that?)
Change in Society
Have there been many recent changes in your community? (or, your society, i.e., Chinese society) FQ
What do you think can be the results of sudden change on a community?
Do you think there have been any changes in the weather in your country in the past few years?
Do you think there is more change today than there used to be, a few years ago?
What do you think have been some of the major changes in the world in the past few years? FQ
Do you think these changes have been changes for the better, or for the worse? FQ
Do you have any thoughts on why these changes are occurring now?
Can you think of any things that were better (than they are now) a few years ago? FQ
Can you think of any things that are better now than they used to be a few decades ago? FQ
Have there been many changes in the countryside in China in the past few years?
Change and Children
Who do you think is capable of coping with change better, children or adults?
Do you think it's good for children to experience new things? FQx2
Do you think it's good for children to undergo a lot of change in their lives? (Why?/Why not?)
Do you think parents should teach their children how to cope with change? FQ
How could parents do that?
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149. A Piece of Equipment (Aug. 18, 2007) (Probably no longer used)
Describe a useful piece of equipment (besides the computer) that you use at home.
[Or, Describe a useful piece of electrical equipment (besides the computer) that you use at home]
You should say
how you use it
where you use it
what you use it for
and explain why you think this thing is so useful.*
or
and explain what influence this equipment has on your life. *
Notes
Most people just report that their topic was "Equipment", not specifically "Electrical equipment". That is, the topic probably allows you to include a piece of equipment that doesn't use electricity. But to be safe, it is probably best to prepare to talk about electrical equipment.
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Possible follow-up questions:
Are they (that thing you just spoke about) very expensive (= dear) for the average person to buy? (Be careful: Usually the plural is used when speaking in general.)
Do your friends also use this thing? *
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Part 3
See also: Part 3 questions for Topic #51 'A Piece of Electrical Equipment'.
Electrical Appliances in the Home
What electrical appliances do you (or people in China) have at home? FQx2 See Vocab. list Also see Note
What do people use these appliances for (= what work do people do, using these appliances)?
What benefits do people get from using these things? FQx2
(Similar to above) Do you think these things are important?
(Similar to above) Why do modern people use so many electrical appliances (work tools) in the home?
(Similar to above) What electrical appliances (or, electrical equipment) that people use in the home or office have made it easier for people to work or study?
Some people say that modern electrical appliances make people lazy. Do you agree?
Do you think there are any shortcomings or dangers to using electrical equipment in the home? FQx2
Who do you think should carry the greatest responsibility for the safety of electrical equipment in the home - the manufacturer of the product, the seller of the product, the user of the product or the government?
What happens when there is a blackout? (= How do people manage when there is a blackout?) FQ
(Similar to above) How did people manage before they had electrical appliances in the home? FQ
(Similar to above) How was housework many decades ago different to housework today?
How has household equipment changed in China in the past few decades?
Product Design
Do you think the design of the products people use is important? For example, the design of an electric kettle for boiling water?
Do you think the design of products (such as tools, furniture & appliances) is important for children?
What do you think is the most important factor when considering the design of an invention?
Which do you think is more useful, a simple design or a complex design? (Say why & include a comparison of the two.) FQ
What tools(s) do home appliance designers use to do their work? See Note
To be a designer of home appliances, what qualities (or skills) do you think a person needs to have? FQ
What do you understand the word, 'creativity' to mean?
Do you think children should be encouraged, in school, to develop their creativity, innovation & artistic skills? FQ
How do you think this could be done? *
Inventions and Technological Development
What do you think are some of the most useful inventions that have been made? FQ
How are the tools and equipment we use today different to those of several decades ago?
Do you think modern inventions are becoming simpler than before or more complex?
Would you say computers are 'user-friendly'?
(Besides the computer), what do you think has been the most important invention of mankind? (Perhaps the computer is allowable as an answer - the question is unclear.)
What would you say is the best invention in your family home?
What skills and knowledge do you think people need to be an inventor?
How do you feel about modern science and technology? For example, do we really need to be continuously presented with new products and new inventions? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think it's good that new inventions are appearing so often (or, so quickly) (in the shops or, in society)? FQ
Why do you think we are constantly being urged to buy new products?
What are some of the major products that China produces? *
(Similar to above) What are some of the major products that are produced in your part of China? *
Compare these products with similar products produced overseas.
If you were the manager of a company that had produced a new invention, how would you promote it?
If a new invention were going to be used by many people, what kind of testing of this product do you think would be necessary? (Hint: health & safety checks - give examples)
In what ways do you think technology will develop in the next, say, 20 or 30 years?
Do you think there will be any negative effects resulting from future technology?
What conditions will be necessary to encourage the future development of technology in China? FQ
(Similar to above) If you were the leader of China, what would you do to promote the development of technology in China?
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150. An Organization (May 10, 2008) (Probably no longer used)
Describe a large organization that you know about. (For example - a place (where people work) such as a company, a factory or a government organization). *
You should say
where this organization is
how you know about this organization
how many people work there (or, what kind of people work there)
and explain what this organization does (= the purpose of this organization = what people do in this organization).
Notes
It is not certain that the topic is a big organization. If the wording does not say 'big', it might be possible to talk about a small organization such as a student club or students' union.
However, it seems that the card stresses that the organization is a place where people work so I think it is safest to choose a place where people work for pay, not a student union.
Also see Notes
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Possible follow-up questions:
Would you like to work in that organization? (Or: Would you consider working in that organization?)
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Part 3
Working in an Organization - Big vrs. Small
Is it hard to find work in China today?
Besides companies, what are some other types of places where people work in China?
What are some of the different kinds of jobs at your university?
What would you prefer to work in, a big organization or a small one?
Do you think the size of an organization has any advantages for employees? (Compare small & big - advantages of each for employees) FQx2
(Similar to above) What are the benefits of working in a small organization?
(Similar to above) What are the benefits of working for a big organization?
(Similar to above) What are some of effects on people, and the environment, of having (or working in) big organizations?
Why are so many people willing to accept a job in a small organization?
Shift Work
Why do some jobs require employees to work both day and night?
Can you give some examples of jobs where people have to work during the night?
Why do some companies work 24 hours a day while others don't?
Why do some people choose to do this kind of work?
Why are (some) shops open in the night (or, in the evenings)?
Would you like to do shift work, for example, working during the night in a 24-hour convenience store? FQ
Why do some people shop at these 24-hour convenience stores?
Do you think employees should be given the choice of whether or not to do shift work?
How do you think doing that kind of work impacts a person's (personal & family) life? FQ
Do you think there are any advantages from working at night? FQ
(Similar to above) Why do you think some people like working at night?
Factory Work/Company Management
Would you like to work in a factory? FQ
Compare working in a factory and working in an office (= doing 'white-collar' work). FQ
Compare mental work and physical work.
Which do most people prefer, to work in a factory or to have a white-collar job?
If you were the managing a factory to make some product, how would you organize it?
When managing an organization such as a company, what do you think are the most important things to pay attention to?
Industries
Types of Industries in Your Hometown
What kind of work do people do in your hometown? FQ
(Similar to above) Around where you live, what (different) kinds of companies (or, employers) are there? FQ
Are these industries (or, these factories or these companies) all the same size?
How have these service industries (or all industries, in general) developed in the recent few decades?
How do you think the economy of your hometown could be improved?
Service Industries
What service industries are there in your hometown?
How do you think service industries will develop in the future in your hometown?
Factories and Environmental Pollution / The Location of Factories in a City
In general, what part of the city are the factories located in?
Why are these factories on the edge of the city? FQ
What are the benefits (and the disadvantages) of having factories far from where people live? FQ
What are some of the effects on people, and the environment, of having (or working in) big factories?
What is the government doing to protect the environment (from industrial pollution produced by these factories)?
Types of Organizations
Besides companies, what are some of the common types of organization in China?
(Similar to above) Besides companies, what are some other types of places where people work in China?
What effects on society do (or can) organizations have?
Do you think small businesses have much impact on the world? FQ
What kind of organization would you (or, do you) prefer to work in? (Not just whether big or small)
Compare working for a government organization (i.e., being a public servant) to working for a private company.
Can you think of any examples of international organizations? (Hint: The United Nations, The Red Cross, ...)
Do you know anything about non-profit organizations?
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