("拉",
"Midvale 聪慧的儿童学校")Updated Jun. 6, 2010
IELTS Part 2 and Part 3 Topics and Questions
Page 43
212.
A Happy Childhood Memory (2)
214. An Intelligent Person (Sept 5, 2009) (Probably no longer used)
215. A Book You Would Like to Read Again (Sept 5, 2009) (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
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211. A
Recent Happy Event (2) (May 9, 2009) (Probably no longer used)
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. *
Do you think people in the 21st century are happier than earlier generations of people? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think people today are (generally) happier than people were in the past? FQ
Do you think people today are too concerned with "immediate" pleasure (or, happiness) rather than thinking about the long-term?
What do you think is, "true happiness"?
(Similar to above) How would you define the word, "happiness"?
Can you give some examples of things (situations) that make people feel happy?
Do you think achievement, such as reaching a goal or performing well on a test can make people feel happy? (Why?)
Does being part of a family make you feel happy?
Do you think people's understanding of the meaning of happiness today is different to people's ideas in the past?
China today has the "One Child Policy". Do you think this will result in more loneliness in society than there used to be before this policy came into effect?
China today has the "One Child Policy". Do you think this affects the happiness of old people (the grandparents)?
Wealth and Happiness Frequent Topic
How important do you think money is for happiness?
(Similar to above) How important would you say money is in life?
Do you think having a lot of money can (or, does) make people happy? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think that the more money a person has, the happier they are?
(Similar to above) Do you think money can buy happiness? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think a person who has lots of money is really happy? FQ
Do you think rich people are happy (or, happier than ordinary people)? See Note
Which group do you think is happier, poor people or rich people?
Why do you think the divorce rate is higher for rich people than for poor people?
Why do you think some people who have a lot of money are still not happy? FQ
Which do you think brings more happiness to people, material things or spiritual satisfaction?
In what ways do you think the happiness people get from having money is different to the happiness people get from relationships with other people?
Which do you think brings more happiness to people, having money or having friends? (Why?)
Do you think poor people can lead a happy life?
Compare the happiness that people get from money with the happiness they get from a loving family.
In the future, do you think people in China will be happier than they are now as their standard of living increases?
Money and Family Life
Do you think money is very important in family life?
Do other people around you (other people you know) share your view on this?
Does money ever cause problems between friends or between members of a family?
Some people (especially in some cultures) make decisions on who they will marry based on how much money this other person has. What's your view on this?
Which do you think is better, to marry someone you love who has very little money or to marry someone you don't love who has a lot of money?
Work and Happiness
Do you think a person's work can affect that person's happiness?
Do you think people can gain happiness from their work? FQx2
Do most people expect to be happy in their work? (Why?/Why not?) FQ
What do you think of people who work in order to be happy?
What kinds of work do you think make people feel happy?
What would you say is the most important part of one's work that influences how happy a person is?
(Similar to above) What are some things about a person's work that can make that person feel happy?
Do you think a person's salary plays an important role in determining how happy they are with their work?
Would you say people today are happier in their work than people were a few decades ago?
Do you think people place too much reliance on being happy in their work?
Would you say happy people work better? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think there is any relationship between a person's happiness and their efficiency at work? FQ
What are some reasons why some people are unhappy in their work?
Do you think people should change their jobs if they are not happy with their job?
What do you think of "workaholics" (工作狂)?
Why do you think they (workaholics) work so hard (or, so much)? *
How do you think people can find a balance between work and leisure?
Affection and Friendship
Do you think friendship is important concerning how happy people feel?
Which do you think is more important, friendship or money?
Do you think the way people show affection and friendship has changed from the way they showed these feelings in the past?
Some people pay (a lot of) attention to their own happiness. Would you say they are being selfish to do that?
Do you think people have a greater responsibility for their own happiness or for the happiness of others?
If you had a friend who was not happy, what would you do?
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Describe a happy event from your childhood that you remember well
You
should say:
what the event was
when and where it happened
who was with you
what you saw or did *
and explain why you remember this event so well. *
Also see Note
Memories of the Past
What sorts of things do you think people are most likely to remember from the past?
What kinds of people are most likely to recall things from the past (think about the past)?
Recalling Childhood Memories
Do you think it's easy for people to recall things from their childhood?
What things cause people to recall memories from their childhood?
What sorts of memories (or events) do people mostly recall from their childhood?
Do you think there is any different between men and women when they recall happy memories from their childhood?
(Unclear question) When (old or older) people are talking to strangers, sometimes they talk about their childhood days. Can you suggest why they do that?
Many (old or older) people feel that their childhood was the happiest (or, the best) time of their lives? Can you suggest why they might feel that way? FQ
(Similar to above) Many people recall their childhood with a smile. Why do you think that is? FQ
Recording Childhood Experiences
Do you think all of one's childhood experiences are recorded in the brain?
Do you think people's memories of their childhood are always accurate? FQx2
Can you remember things from your childhood very well?
Do you think it's easy for people to remember things from their childhood? (Why?/Why not?)
What are some ways for recording childhood experiences?
How can parents help their children to remember their (the children's) childhood?
Do you think it's important for parents to talk to their children about their (the children's) childhood?
Some people like to keep things (such as a toy) from their childhood. Can you suggest why these people do that? FQ
How do you think people feel when they look at things they have kept from their childhood?
Why do you think people like to show others these things they have kept from their childhood?
Memory
Do you think it's important to have a good memory?
What are the results if someone has a bad memory?
Can you suggest any ways for people to help themselves have a good memory?
Traditions
Many young people are not very interested in traditions or in doing things the traditional way. Why do you think they are like that? FQ
Do you think traditions (including traditional ways of life) are important to preserve? FQx2
What are some ways that could be used to help preserve traditions?
Do young people and old(er) people have the same views concerning traditions?
How do you suggest young people's interest in traditions (in their traditional culture) could be stimulated? FQ
(Similar to above) Can you suggest any ways to help preserve traditional culture (in your country)?
Do you think the government plays an important role in maintaining traditional culture?
(Similar to above) Do you think the government has a responsibility to help maintain traditional culture?
What do you predict the future will be, concerning China's traditional culture?
Do you think the importation of some foreign culture will have an effect on traditional Chinese culture?
History
Some people say that there's not much use in teaching history to children. How much do you agree with that?
Why do you think it's important to teach history to children?
What kind of history is easiest (for children) to learn (or, remember)?
What do you think are some good ways to learn history? FQ
What do you think is the best way to learn history? FQ
Do you think it's important for students to study international history in school?
Which do you think is more important for students to study, international history or one's national history?
What do you think is the value of preserving historical buildings?
How can these buildings be preserved?
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213. A TV or Radio Program
Describe a TV or radio program that you sometimes talk about with your family or friends.
You should say:
what the program is about / what the program is
how often you watch or listen to this program
what type of people enjoy this program
and explain what you like or dislike about this program. *
or
and explain why you talk with your friends or family about this TV or radio program. *
Notes
(Feb. 13, 2010) It looks like this Part 2 topic has been retired from the test. People have recently been reporting the topic as simply, "A TV program you enjoyed" and I think a new topic is now being used. See Topic 263.
In contrast to Topic #178, which should be spoken in the past tense, this topic should be spoken in the present tense (一般现在时).
Note that this topic has the words, "and explain what you like or dislike about this program". In other words, this topic seems to have always given you the choice to either talk about a program you like, or talk about a program you dislike.
Also see Part 3, Topic #178
Have you ever learned anything from watching TV?
Do you think television should be/could be used in schools?
Do you think television can only be used for relaxation (or, entertainment) or can it be also used for education?
(Similar to above) Do you think television (and radio) can be used as educational media (for children)? (= Is it possible?) FQx2
(Similar to above) How can television and/or radio help people with their study? FQ
What sorts of TV programs do you think have educational value?
Do you think watching TV programs in English could help students learn English?
(Possible question) How much are they being used for education in your country? *
Which do you think is better for doing that, TV or radio?
What is your opinion about the internet and television being used as educational media?
Do you think there would be any shortcomings to using electronic media to provide distance education to students?
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214. An Intelligent Person (Sept 5, 2009) (Probably no longer used)
Describe a (very)
You
should say:
who this person is
when and where you (first) met them (him or her)
what kind of person he or she is *
and explain why you think this person is intelligent.
("拉",
"Midvale 聪慧的儿童学校")
Describe
You
should say:
what the book was about
why you read it (发音是, "rеd", 过去时)
what you learned from this book
and explain why you would like to read it again.