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ielts-yasi.englishlab.net

Updated Feb. 21, 2011

IELTS Part 2 and Part 3 Topics and Questions

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256. An Exciting Message (Jan. 23, 2010) (Probably no longer used)

257. A Family (2) (Jan. 23, 2010) (Probably no longer used)

258. An Artist You Admire (Jan. 23, 2010) (Probably no longer used)

259. No Topic

260. No topic

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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256. An Exciting Message (Jan. 23, 2010) (Probably no longer used)

Describe an exciting message you received by phone, email or text message. *

You should say:

what the message was

who it was from

what you did after you got this message

and explain why you felt excited by this message.

Notes

The word used might be "news" instead of "message".
Make sure you know the differences (in meaning, usage and pronunciation) between the two words, "exciting" and "excited". And make sure you know the differences (in meaning and pronunciation) between the two words, "message" and "massage"!
Someone has reported that the adjective used is "interesting", not "exciting". You should prepare for this possibility. (I always thought "exciting message" was a bit strange because it is rare for a person to receive a message that could be described as "exciting".)

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Possible follow-up questions:

Did you share that news with anyone?

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Part 3

Communication Skills

How important do you think communication between people is? FQx2
(Similar to above) Do you think communication between people is important?
Do you think it's important to have good communication skills? FQ
In what situations do you think communication is very important? FQ
(Similar to above) In what situations do you think communication skills are most important? FQ
Do you think communication is more important between parents and their children or between a husband and a wife?
In general, do you think it's easy for people to communicate with other people? (This is a general question, not a personal question.)
Would you say you are a good communicator? FQx2
What sorts of skills do you believe are important for good communication? FQx2
(Similar to above) How can one be a good communicator? FQ
Is there much difference between the ways young people communicate and the ways old people communicate? FQ
What sorts of jobs (or, work) especially require good communication skills? FQx2
(Similar to above) What are some examples of jobs (or, work) that especially require good communication skills? FQ
Do you think communication skills can be taught or are they part of the (inborn/innate) nature of a person? FQx2
How can (or, could) people be taught to communicate better?
What communication skills do school children learn at school?

Face-to face vs. Electronic Communication

(Note that video conferencing on the cell-phone or computer is both face-to-face and electronic communication!)

Do you prefer to communicate face-to-face or to communicate by text message, email etc.? FQx2

(Similar to above) Why do some people prefer face-to-face communication? FQx2

When do you think face-to-face communication is better than (or more suitable than) electronic communication?

Do you think sending messages is the best way to communicate?

In what situations do you think face-to-face communication is best?

In what circumstances do you think writing an email is more suitable than writing a letter and when is a letter more suitable than an email?

Writing and Speaking

Would you say that both writing and speaking are both communication skills (or, forms of communication)?
How are they different? *
Which do you think is the more important communication skill (or, form of communication)?

Modern Communication Technology

What different forms of (methods of) communication technology are there today?
Are these the same in different countries?
How do you think people benefit from these modern communication technologies?
(Similar to above) What are the benefits (or advantages) of the most modern communication technology that we have today? FQ
Do you think it's a good idea for old people to use mobile phones?
How do you think recent changes in communication technology have changed people's communication? FQ See Note
Can you think of any problems that result from the use of modern communication technologies such as the internet and cell phones?
Why do you think many people prefer to use the telephone to communicate rather than speak face-to-face with people? FQx2
Do you agree that (cell-phone) text messages can cause people to quickly change their plans?
In what situations do you think it is suitable to use emails to communicate (and when is it not very suitable)?

Communication Differences (old & young/ male & female) Frequent Topic

Age Differences

How do you usually keep in contact with your friends?
Which do you think is better, letters or emails?
Do old people and young people today generally use the same methods to communicate with each other (from afar)? FQ
(Possibly the above question is this:) Do children and adults communicate in the same ways?
Do young people and old people about the same kinds of topics?
Do you think modern communication technology is just for young people?
In what circumstances would it be very useful for old people to use modern communication technology?
Why don't old people use modern forms of communication technology very much?
How can old people be helped to use this technology?

Gender Differences

In general, do men and women communicate the same way? *
Do you think that people find it easier to communicate with others of the same sex, or with people of the opposite sex? (Why?)

Public Communication

What sorts of (or, what are some examples of) public information that people want to know about?
(Similar to above) What sorts of things can be communicated to the public? FQ
Would you say advertising is a form of communication to the public?
Do you think advertising is useful?
Do you think there is too much information in our lives today? See Note

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257. A Family (2) (Jan. 23, 2010) (Probably no longer used)

Version A

Describe a family (not your own) you enjoy spending time with.

You should say:

where this family lived (or, lives)

who the members of the family were (or, are)

how you know them

what each person in this family is interested in

and explain why you like spending time with this family. *

and explain what effect this family has had on you. *

Version B

Describe a family (not your own) you would like to spend time with.

You should say:

where this family lives

who the members of the family are

how you know them

what each person in this family is interested in

and explain why you like this family. *

Notes

I think both versions are equally likely to be the true wording. The wording of Version A might be " ...you have enjoyed spending time with" but that doesn't change the topic very much.

Version B has been reported as the wording by several people. But sometimes several people report the same mistaken wording because they have all read this mistaken version in a blog somewhere on the internet. If the wording is, "would like to spend time with", you would need to talk about a family who you do not normally now spend time with, even though you have met them. (For example, "I would like to have a car" implies, "I don't have a car now.") It seems a little strange to say you don't spend time with a family but you have met them and you know what each person in the family is interested in, which implies you know them quite well. On the other hand, if the real wording is, "would like to spend more time with", then it would make sense.

This seems very similar to Topic 146.

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Possible follow-up questions:

Do you often visit this family?

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Part 3

See also the Part 3 questions for Topic 146

Different Generations Living Together

What do you think are some differences between families where the grandparents are living with their grandchildren, compared to families where they live separately?
What do you think are the benefits (and possible disadvantages) of young family members (children) and grandparents living together? FQx2
Do you think it's important to include old family members in family activities? (Why?/Why not?)
Can you think of any activities that younger family members and older family members (usually/often/sometimes) do together? FQx2
(Similar to above) How can old family members be made to feel that they are valued members of the family? FQ

Raising Children

Are there any differences between raising children today and raising children in the past? FQx2
n your country, has the way that parents treat their children changed at all in the past few years (20 or 30 years)?
In your country, what is the status of children in the family today?
Has the status of children in your country always been like that?
Do children today listen to the advice of their parents?

The Importance of Family

How important is family in a person's life?
Which do you think is more important, family or friends?
In general, which do you think is more important, people as individuals or the family as a group? Difficult Question

Living Arrangements

How can people get along with those they live with?
In the future, how do you think people's living arrangements will be different to the way people live today?
Do people in China prefer to rent or buy their home?

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258. An Artist You Admire (Jan. 23, 2010) (Probably no longer used)

Describe (a famous) artist you admire (e.g. a painter, a performer etc.)

You should say:

who he or she is

how you know about this person (or: when you first learned [learnt] about this person)

what he or she has done to become famous

and explain why you admire this person. *

and explain why this person deserves your respect or admiration. *

Note:

Someone reported this as, "Describe an artist who you admire (e.g., a singer or actor)". In other words, the word "famous" might not be in the wording.
The wording on the card is probably suitable only for describing someone who is living now (e.g., "who he or she is"), not someone from the past.
Since the wording says, "an artist", it would not be suitable to talk about a pop group (which is not one person).
See the note for Topic 271 on the meaning of "admire".

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Possible follow-up questions:

Do your friends also admire him/her?

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Part 3

See also Part 3 for Topic 11, Topic 81 and Topic 167

The Arts in Society

Do you think art (or, the arts) is (are) important? FQ
(Similar to above) How important do you think the arts are? FQ
(Similar to above) What is the value of the arts in people's everyday lives? FQ
(Similar to above) What is the value of the arts in society? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think art is useful in people's lives? FQ
What are the different forms of art?
What would you say is (are) the most popular art form(s) in China today? FQ
(Similar to above) What would you say is (are) the most popular art form(s) that people practice in China today?
Why do you think playing a musical instrument is more popular than painting?
What sorts of performances do people in your country like to watch?
How has art (or, the arts) changed (in China) in the past few years (or, decades)? FQ
How do you think the way people experienced (or appreciated) art in the past compares to the way people experience art today? FQ
Do you think the design of buildings (i.e., the architecture) is a form of art?
Do you think art is important in business? (Hint: advertising) FQ
What do you think will be the most popular art forms in the future?

Technology and Art

(This is referring to high-technology such as computers, hologram technology, etc.)

Do you think (modern) technology has had an effect on the arts?
How do you think the way future generations experience the arts will be different to the way we experience art today?
In the future, do you think art will be affected by new technologies? (Include in your answer how it will/might be affected.) FQx2
(Similar to above) Do you think technology will help the development of art in the future? FQx2

Working as an Artist

Why do some people want to work as artists?
Do you think it's easy to make a living as an artist of some kind (including an author)? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think it's easy to find work as an artist? FQ

The Cost of Art Performances & Exhibitions

Do you think art performances, exhibitions and art galleries should be available to the public for free?
Who do you think should pay for providing these services?

The Arts in Schools & Universities

Children

How are children (or, young people) exposed to art? FQx2

(Similar to above) In general, what access to (or, contact with or, experience of) art do children (in your country) have? FQ

How important do you think it is for children to have art classes in school? FQX2

What can/could children learn from art classes in school?

If children do not have art classes at school, how do you think they could be exposed to art?

What are some good ways to teach art to children? FQ

At University

Do you think the study of artistic subjects is more popular in universities today than in previous times?

Do you think art and literature (or, the arts) should be taught in universities? FQ

(Similar to above) Do you think the different arts should be taught at universities? FQ

(Similar to above) Do you think studying one of the different arts is useful for university students? FQ

(Similar to above) Do you think studying one of the different arts, such as literature or fine art would help university graduates fins a job? FQ

(Similar to above) Do you think university students should learn to play a musical instrument?

What kinds of art (or, arts) classes are offered at universities in China?

Do you think more people should study literature in universities?

(In your country), which is more popular for study in university, the arts or the sciences?

Traditional Art Forms

Do people in your country prefer modern art or the more traditional art forms?
Do you like classical songs? (Possibly referring to Peking Opera.)
Who likes that kind of art (classical singing)?
What are some traditional art forms in your country?
Are they still being practiced very much today?
Do you think traditional art forms will (or might) disappear in the future? FQ
Do you think it's important to save traditional art forms from dying out?
How do you think these art forms could be saved from extinction?
What kinds of art do you think will be most popular in the future?

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259. No Topic

260. No topic

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