Page 34

ielts-yasi.englishlab.net

Updated Nov. 13, 2009

IELTS Part 2 and Part 3 Topics and Questions

Page 34

166. Someone Who is Good at Cooking (Sept. 6, 2008) (Probably no longer used)

167. A Work of Art (2) (Sept. 6, 2008) (Probably no longer used)

168. A Stage in Your Life you Enjoyed (2) (Sept. 6, 2008) (Probably no longer used)

169. An Educational Trip (Sept. 6, 2008) (Probably no longer used)

170. Something You Want to Buy (Sept. 6, 2008) (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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166. Someone Who is Good at Cooking (Sept. 6, 2008) (Probably no longer used)

Describe someone you know who is good at cooking.

You should say:

who this person is

how you know him or her (= what is your relationship with this person)

what kinds of food they cook

and explain why you think (why you say) this person is so good at cooking.

See Notes

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Possible follow-up questions:

Do other people also think he/she is a good cook?
Do you know how to cook?

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Part 3

Food and Eating Places

Food Preferences

What kind of food do Chinese people like?
Why do they like those foods?
What kinds of food do you like? (Why?)
In China, have there been any changes in recent years in the way that people eat? FQ
Have overseas foods such as KFC influenced Chinese people's eating habits very much?
What do you think will be the future trends in the way people eat (in China)?
Do you think traditional Chinese food will still be popular in the future?
(Infrequent question) Do you know why some people in the world "don't trust" Chinese food (= Chinese-style dishes)? (Hint: monosodium glutamate, 味精)

Meals

What do you think is the most important meal of the day? (Why?)
Which do you think is the more important meal for families to eat together, lunch or dinner? FQ
Does your mother use more time to prepare breakfast or to prepare dinner?

Eating Places

In China, do people usually eat at home or do they eat outside the home?
Do people today cook at home as much as they used to, several decades ago? (Why?/Why not?) FQ
(Similar to above) Do people in China today usually cook every day?
What are some differences between eating at home and eating in a restaurant? FQ
(Similar to above) What's the difference between a restaurant meal and the food people usually eat at home? FQ
Nowadays, fewer people cook for themselves than a few years ago. Can you suggest why this has happened?
What are some of the disadvantages of this?
Do you think it's important to eat with other people?
(Similar to above) Nowadays, many people don't eat at home (or, don't eat together as a family) as much as they used to. What do you think is the importance of a family eating together? FQx2
In the future, do you think families will be eating together more than they do now, or less? FQx2

Learning to Cook (at School)

Do you think it's important to know how to cook? FQx2
(Similar to above) Do you think that all adults should be good at cooking? FQ
Do you think children (or young people) should be taught how to cook at home?
Do you think it's a good idea to have cooking classes in school? FQx2
Do you think it's suitable for boys to learn cooking? FQ
How do you think young children (e.g., 8 to 12 year-olds) would react to (would be affected by) cooking lessons in school?
(Similar to above) What effects (or results) do you think would result from having cooking classes in school?
In general, what kind of people do you think are good at cooking?

School/University Food Frequent Topic

What's your opinion of the food in your school/university cafeteria? FQ
Why do some students not like eating at school?
Do you think it's really necessary for students to eat their meals at school?
How do you think the food in your school/university cafeteria could be (or, should be) improved? FQ
Do you think schools have a responsibility to ensure that the food they provide is healthy and nutritious? (Why?) FQx2
Do you think school and university cafeterias should sell such popular fast foods as hamburgers and fried chicken?

Nutrition & Food Safety

Are you very interested in information about the food that you eat?
What information are you interested in knowing about the food you eat?
(Similar to above) When you go shopping for food, are you ever concerned about the quality or the safety of the food?
(Similar to above) In general, are people in China concerned about such matters as the nutritional value of the food or the contents of the food they buy (for example, what chemical additives were added to the food)? FQ (This question might include: the packaging and the origin of the food)
What are the possible results if all (or the majority of) the people were not very concerned about the contents of the food they eat? （假设的问题）
(Similar to above) What could happen if all (or the majority of) the people were not very concerned about the contents of the food they eat?

Food Safety

How important do you think food safety is? FQ
(Similar to above) Would you say that safe and healthy food is important?
Do you think people should be concerned about (or, aware of) how the vegetables they eat were grown?
Do you think children should be given information about the sources of the food we eat? FQ
In your opinion, are the vegetables (or, is the food) that people in China eat, safe?
Do you think the government has a responsibility to ensure that the agricultural produce people buy is safe to eat?
What is the government doing to try to ensure that the food people eat in China is safe? FQ
(Similar to above) How could (or, can) the government make sure that the food we buy is safe? （假设的问题）FQ
(Similar to above) Can you suggest how food safety could be improved? FQ
Do you think having laws is enough to ensure that agricultural produce is safe? (Hints: a) government inspectors and, b) law enforcement)

Nutrition

Would you say that the food people eat today in China is more nutritious than, say, 30 or 50 years ago?
What kinds of food do you think are the most nutritious (healthy)?
(Similar to above) What kinds of food (or, what kinds of meal) are nutritious?
(Similar to above) What are some examples of nutritious foods?
In general, do people in China pay a lot of attention to the nutrition of the food they eat?
What's your opinion of (American style) fast food?
Why do most children prefer eating McDonald's food to eating home cooking?
In China, when people buy food in the supermarket, do they often read the labels (on the box, the can etc.)?
Do you think people should pay attention to nutrition?
Do you think good nutrition is important for children?
Do you thinks schools have a responsibility to teach children about food safety and nutrition?

Information about Food Safety and Nutrition

Is there any information that would cause you not to buy (not to eat) a certain food product?
Do people now have access to information about the contents of the food they eat?
Do you think supermarkets give people enough information about the contents of the food products they sell?
Do you think the government should do something to make this information more available?
Do you think it's important for children to learn something about food safety and nutrition in school?

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167. A Work of Art (2) (Sept. 6, 2008) (Probably no longer used)

Describe a sculpture or other work of art that you have seen.

You should say:

when you (first) saw this work of art

where you saw it

what it looked like

and explain your feelings about this work of art when you first saw it.

Also Notes

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Possible follow-up questions:

Do you think that work of art is very valuable (= worth a lot of money)?

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See also The Part 3 questions for Topic #11, Topic #108 (on traditions & culture) and Topic #118 (on handicrafts) and see HERE for internet links to the topic of art.

Part 3

Art

What do you understand by the term, "the arts"?
(Similar to above) What do you think the word, "art" means?
Can you give some examples of art?
Would you say that handicrafts are a form of art?

Tastes for Art in China

What are the most popular types of art in China? FQ
(Similar to above) What kinds of art do people in China generally like? FQ
Do young people and older people have the same tastes in art? FQx2
(Similar to above) Do young people and older people have the same attitude towards art? FQ
What kinds of art do young people prefer? FQ

Painting

Is painting (as a hobby) very popular in China?
Do people prefer (to do) Western-style painting or traditional Chinese painting?
Do you think it's possible for everyone (or, anyone) to become an artist?
Where can (or, do) people learn how to paint?

Design and "What is Art?"

Can you think of any examples of art used in everyday life in China? FQ See Note
Would you say the design of a car is a kind of art?
What is the difference between most made-objects and those objects that we can call "art"? (Hint: For some objects, only usefulness is important and appearance is not important, for example, machinery in a factory. For other objects that we often see, for example things in the home, appearance is important.)
Do you think (online) advertising is a form of art? FQ
Why do many people think that cartoons are not a form of art?

The Role of Art in Society

Do you think art plays an important role in society? (Why?/Why not?)
(Similar to above) What is the value ( = the importance) of art for society? FQx2
How do you think ordinary people can be helped to appreciate art?
What sorts of art could be considered to be purely Chinese art?
What are the differences between modern art in China and traditional Chinese art? FQx2
Can you think of any examples of pop art in China? See Note

Art as a Job

Do you think art (or, being an artist) is a good way to make a living?
Do you think artists such as painters and sculptors are very wealthy? (Why?/Why not?)
Why do you think some works of art, such as some paintings, are sold for very high prices? FQ
(Similar to above) What makes a certain work of art have high value (while other works of art do not have high value)?
Do you think the value of artists in society is underestimated?
Do you think the government should financially support these artists (painters and sculptors etc.)? FQ

Government Encouragement and Support of the Arts

Do you think government should spend money promoting art in society? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think government should encourage the arts? (If yes, how?) FQ
Do you think there is any art that is worthless?
There are a number of cities in the world which have works of art (sculptures or statues or other works of art) displayed in a prominent public place and the cities have paid the artists a very large amount of money for these works of art. What do you think of this? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think governments should spend a lot of money paying for a work of art such as a statue or sculpture (that is going to be placed in a public place)? FQ
Sometimes works of art are sold for extremely high prices. What do you think of that?
How are decisions made about the (financial) value of works of art?

Art Galleries (and Museums)

In your hometown, do you have any opportunities to go somewhere to see works of art?
What is that place like? (what are those places like?)
(Similar to above) Do you ever visit art galleries? FQ
Why do some people go to art galleries?
Do young people (like to) go to art galleries or art exhibitions?
Do you think it's important to have places such as art galleries?
If there's an art exhibition in your city, is it usually very expensive to enter the exhibition?
Do you think it's reasonable for people to have to pay to enter an art gallery?
What do you think of the idea of holding exhibitions in public parks where people can view art free of cost?

Exhibitions (Possibly all types of exhibitions, not just art or photography exhibitions. E.g., a vintage car exhibition)

Do you like to visit exhibitions?
What are the kinds of things you can see at an exhibition?
Are people in China generally willing to pay to see an exhibition?
Are you and your parents all willing to spend money to see the same kinds of exhibitions?
(Similar to above) Do young people and older people have different ideas about what is an interesting exhibition?
Do you think the government should make museums free to enter?

Art and Children

What benefits are there for a child to be exposed to art from an early age?

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168. A Stage in Your Life you Enjoyed (2) (Sept. 6, 2008) (Probably no longer used)

Describe a stage of your life that you enjoyed. (Such as your childhood or your high school years)

You should say:

how old you were (or, when this stage of your life took place)

how long it lasted

where you were living at the time / Who you were living with at the time

what you were doing during this stage

and explain why you think this was an enjoyable stage of your life.

Notes

You should choose a past stage of your life (or possibly your present stage of life - ask the examiner if that is ok), not a future stage of your life.
The Part 3 questions are very similar to those for Topic # 75, 'A Stage of Your Life' (January 20, 2007). This new topic might be Topic # 75, returning to the test exactly the same as before! See the Notes I wrote for Topic #75.

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Possible follow-up questions:

Have you changed since that period in your life?
Do you think there will be more changes, later? * (unclear)
Are you still in contact with people from that stage of your life?

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Part 3

The Legal Age for Certain Activities

At what age do you think a person becomes an "adult"?
Can children do (all) the same kinds of things that adults do, such as driving a car and getting married?
(Similar to above) What are some examples of things that adults can do (by law) but children cannot do? FQ
In China, what is the legal age of adulthood? (I.e., At what age does one become an adult, according to the law?) FQ
(Similar to above) In your country, at what age does a person becomes responsible for their own actions? FQ
What sorts of things can people do when they reach this legal age of adulthood (things they couldn't do before this age)? FQ
At what (minimum) age can people get a driver's license in China?
How old were you when you had your first drink (= alcoholic drink)?
Do you think the government should enact a law to ban young people under the age of 18 from drinking alcohol?

The Legal Age for Marriage Frequent Topic

What is the (minimum) legal age for marriage in China? FQx2
Do you think this age is (these ages are) reasonable?
Why are the ages different for men and women?
What do you think are (or, will be) the results of girls in China getting married later than they used to do in the past?
Do you think there are any benefits from delaying marriage (i.e., from getting married later rather than early?)
Are there any disadvantages for women getting married later rather than earlier? *
Do you think the legal age for marriage (in your country) might change in the future? FQ

Future Changes to Age Laws

Do you think that is a suitable age (for classifying a person as an adult)? (Why?/Why not?) FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think this legal age of adulthood is reasonable? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think this legal age of adulthood should be decreased?
If you could change the legal age of adulthood, would you increase it or decrease it?
Do you think the government will ever change the legal age for some things (such as getting married)? FQ
Do you think the government should change some of these laws? FQ
(Similar to above) If you were the government, what changes would you make? *
(Similar to above) Since young people seem to be maturing faster than before, do you think it is now necessary (or, will be necessary) to change this legal age for reaching adulthood? FQ
(Similar to above) In the future, what changes do you think might (or will) be made to the laws concerning the legal age for doing some things?

Gaining Maturity

At what age would you say a person becomes, 'mature'? FQ
(Similar to above) At what age would you say a person should become, 'responsible for their own actions'? FQ
Would you say young people today are more mature than young people when your parents were young?
Do you think young people should assume more family responsibilities than they do now? FQ
At what age do you think children (or, young people) should start to assume some family responsibilities? FQ
How do children (or, young people) know what their parents hope or expect them to do? (Unclear question)
If a young person who is not yet an adult commits an illegal act, do you think the parents should be held responsible?
How do people become more mature?
What life experiences help people to mature?
What setbacks do most people experience in their lives?
Do you think that parents tend to pass on their own personal hopes and ambitions to their children? (Unclear question)

Reaching Certain Age 'Milestones' in Life

In China, what birthdays, representing reaching a new stage of life, are especially celebrated? FQ
(Similar to above) In Chinese culture, what are some of the important life events (of individuals) that are celebrated? FQ
How do people celebrate these important life events? FQ
In China, do people have any special celebration when a person reaches the age of adulthood?

Preparing for the Next Stage in Life

What defines when a new "stage" in a person's life starts? (Hint: The beginning of a major change that will continue for a long time, not just a temporary change)
How do you think people can best prepare themselves (or be prepared) for the next stage in their lives? FQ
How do you think a person can prepare him or herself for university before they start university?
How do you think people can best prepare themselves for retirement?
How (or where) can people get help if they have questions about the next important stage in their lives (such as starting work, going to university, getting married or becoming a parent)? FQ

Old People

What do you think is the best time in adulthood?
In many parts of the world, society is getting older. Do you think that's a good or bad thing?
What is the situation in your country?
Do you think it's good to be old?
What is the social status of old people in Chinese society?
(Similar to above) What do people in China think about old people? FQ
Do you think (young) people should respect the elderly?
In China, is there a "generation gap" between young people and old(er) people? (Why?) ["generation gap" = inability to communicate or a big difference between attitudes and understanding caused by an age difference]
In what ways does the government in China (try to) ensure the welfare of old people?
In the future, more and more people will be living a longer life than people used to live. How do you think this will affect society, as a whole?
(Similar to above) What changes to society are caused by people living longer? FQ
What kinds of work do you think might suit old people, (if they want to or need to work)?

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169. An Educational Trip (Sept. 6, 2008) (Probably no longer used)

Describe an educational trip that you went on when you were in school.

            You should say:

                          who went with you

                          where you went

                          what you did there

            and explain what you learned on this trip.

See Notes

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Possible follow-up questions:

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Part 3

School Excursions

Do schools in China ever organize educational trips for students, for example, a visit to a museum?
Do you think school excursions (educational trips) are important (or, useful)? FQ
Do you think children really do (or can) learn something from an educational trip? (How?)
What are some suitable places for school students to go for an educational visit? FQ
In general, what attributes are necessary for an ideal school excursion?
Do you think there is any difference between the places boys would prefer to visit and the places where girls would prefer to visit?
What do you think are the benefits (advantages) of taking children to visit places where they can learn something? FQx2
What role do you think the teacher should play on these school excursions? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think the teacher is more important than the things the students can see on a school excursion?
In general, do you think children learn better (or, learn more) inside the classroom or outside the classroom? FQ
What are some examples of places where parents could take their children for an 'educational visit'?

Studying at Home

[The words, "study at home" can have two meanings: a) Not attend school but instead stay at home and learn things there from books and from the parents acting as teachers (= "home schooling"), and b) Do school work at home = do homework in the evenings and on weekends but attend school during the day. Some of these questions seem to refer to meaning 'a' but some questions could refer to either or both a & b.]

The Value of School

Do you think it's important for people to get an education? (Why?)
Do you think that (nowadays) everyone needs some form of training in order to work?
Which do you think is better, studying at school or studying at home?
Do you think children should start school at an earlier age than they do now?
Can you think of any other ways for children to learn, besides classroom instruction? FQ
Can you think of any outdoor activities in which children can learn something?
What can they learn from these activities?
How has education in China changed in the last few decades?
Do you think education should be free?
Do you think schools are really necessary for getting an education?
How do you think schools will change in the future?
Do you think more people will study at home in the future? FQ
(Similar to above) In the future, which do you think will be more popular, studying at home or studying at school? FQ

Children Doing Schoolwork at Home

Why is it necessary for school students to do homework if they attend school during the day?
At home, how do you think parents can help their children learn? FQ
(Similar to above) At home, how do you think parents can support their children with their schoolwork (their study, their homework from school etc)? FQ
(Similar to above) What are some things that parents could provide for their children to encourage learning at home?
What do you suggest a parent do if he or she doesn't understand what their child is studying but still wants to help their child? FQ

Home Schooling

Do you think children can get an education at home, instead of going to school? FQ
(Similar to above) In some places in the world, there is a trend for parents to educate their children themselves, at home. What do you think of that? FQ
What is the value of children learning from professional teachers?
How do you think a student's learning would be affected if the student did not like his or her teacher?
Do you think children in poverty stricken areas (i.e., with poor school facilities or none at all) could benefit from studying at home?
Do you think modern technology could help these children study at home? (Hint: internet & television)

Adults Studying at Home

Do you think it's necessary for adults do any any study?
In the future, do you think adults studying at home will be very common? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think it's possible for an adult to study at home, for example, for a degree? * (Hint: internet) FQ
For adults, what are (or, what would be) the advantages from studying at home? FQ

Further Education

Do you think adults should (ever) continue studying after they start working?
Do you think it's good for a company (or any work unit) to provide training for people?
Which do you think is better, for a company to provide training or to directly give employees money (so that they can choose their own training location and method)?
Please compare the pros and cons of studying overseas with the pros and cons of studying in China.

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170. Something You Want to Buy (Sept. 6, 2008) (Probably no longer used)

Describe something special you want to buy in the future.

            You should say:

                          what it is

                          what it is like (or, what you think it will be like or look like)

                          how long you have wanted to buy it

                          (when you intend to buy it)

                          (who you want to buy it for *)

             and explain why you want to buy it.

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Possible follow-up questions:

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Part 3

Shopping

Do you like shopping?
(If you say you like shopping) (For you), what's the best part of shopping?
(Similar to above) Why do many young people like shopping?
How often do you go shopping?
How many hour a week do young people spend shopping?
Which do you think is better, shopping on your own or with another person?
In general, are men and women the same when it comes to shopping? FQ
(Similar to above) In general, do men and women have the same shopping habits (or, shopping behavour)? FQ
In general, do you think shopping has positive or negative effects on society?
Do you think shopping is beneficial to people?
Do you think shopping is a good way to pass the time? FQ
Do you think shopping (as a way to pass the time) has become more popular than it was in the past?
Some people say shopping is a waste of time. What's your view on this?
(Similar to above) Some people say we (or, young people) spend too much time on shopping. What do you think? FQx2
Some people become "shopaholics" (i.e., addicted to shopping). Why do you think this happens?
In China, how has the way people do their shopping changed in the past 20 or 30 years? FQ
What do you think is the best location for a (big) supermarket?
How do you think the current international financial crisis is changing some people's shopping behaviour?
How do you think shopping (in China) will change over the next 20 or 30 years?
What do you think are the pros and cons of internet shopping (online shopping)?

Credit Cards

Is it easy to apply for and get a credit card in China?
Do you think paying for things by credit card is a good idea?
How safe is it to use a credit card on the internet?

Advertising

Do you think advertising is necessary? (Why?/Why not?)
What do you think is the function (or, purpose) of advertising?
Do you think it's possible to run a successful business without advertising?
Do you think advertising benefits business more or consumers more?
(Similar to above) How important is advertising for businesses? FQ
(Similar to above) What impact does advertising have on consumers? FQ
How do advertisements affect our shopping habits?
Do you think advertising plays a very big role in determining what people buy? FQ
What are some differences between advertisements for companies and personal advertisements that people can put in a newspaper?
In China nowadays, what things are being advertised quite a lot?
Which do you think is the most effective way to advertise? FQ
Why do you think some advertisements for sporting-goods use attractive young women to advertise their products (or, as saleswomen in the sporting goods shops)?
To be successful, what do you think is the most important quality that an advertisement needs to have?
What makes an advertisement attractive to people?

Positive and Negative Effects of Advertising

What do you think are the good and the bad points about advertisements (or, advertising)? FQx2
(Similar to above) What do you think are some of the positive and negative aspects of advertising? FQ
In general, how (or how much) does advertising influence people?
Why do you think young people (e.g., 15 to 30) generally enjoy advertisements more than older people such as their parents?
What sorts of TV programs usually have the greatest number of TV commercials?
What do you suggest people do if they don't want to sit and watch all those commercials?
Do people generally trust advertisements to tell the truth (or, believe that advertisements are telling the truth)?
Is there much dishonest advertising (in your country)?
What can be (or should be) done about this problem?
Do you think advertising can ever have a negative effect on the environment?
What do you think of advertising handbills (handout leaflets)?
Do you think advertising (can have) has any negative effects on people?
Do you think some advertising can have negative effects on children?
What effects do you think advertising has on the economy? FQ
Do you think advertising has a good effect on the economy? * (See Consumerism, below)
Do you think advertising tends to promote excessive consumption? * (See Consumerism, below)
Many young people (e.g., 14 to 30 years old) rather slavishly (or, mindlessly) allow advertisements to determine what they buy and how much they buy. What do you think of this?
Do you think advertising tends to result in excessive consumption by young people?

Consumerism

Do you think it's necessary for people to buy as many things as they do?
Do you think it's good (for the national economy) if more people buy more things?
(Possible question) What do you understand by the term, "consumer"?
What sorts of things do young people buy?
Do you think (a culture of) consumerism ( = excessive consumption) has any effects on the environment? FQ (Hint: paper packaging = garbage; paper packaging = fewer trees)
Do you think this damage to the environment is reversible?
Do you think excessive consumption can result in other problems?
Sometimes the more developed countries (such as the U.S.A.) transport recyclable garbage to countries such as China. What do you think of this?
Do you think there will be any changes to the way people buy things in the future?
Do you think a high rate of consumption can be maintained into the future? FQ
In the future, what sorts of changes do you think we will see in the things people buy (or, changes in people's buying habits)?

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