Page 58

ielts-yasi.englishlab.net

Updated Jun. 28, 2011

IELTS Part 2 and Part 3 Topics and Questions

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286. A Place Where You Go for Lunch (Sept. 4, 2010) (Probably no longer used)

287. An Important Celebration (Sept. 4, 2010) (Probably no longer used)

288. An Old Friend (Sept. 4, 2010) (Probably no longer used)

289. A Time When You Were Late (3) (Sept. 4, 2010) (Probably no longer used)

290. A Project (2) (Sept. 4, 2010) (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

* = my guess at a question

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286. A Place Where You Go for Lunch (Sept. 4, 2010) (Probably no longer used)

Describe a place where you sometimes go to eat lunch. *

You should say:

where it is *

what it looks like (or, what the environment there is like)

who you usually eat with

what you usually eat there

and explain why you (like to) go to this place. *

and explain what the food is like there. *

Notes

Most people report that the wording includes the word, "lunch", without any mention of "dinner" or the word, "meal". I suspect it just says, "a place where you go to eat".
Say something better than, "I eat Chinese food"! There's nothing wrong with introducing the topic of what you eat that way, but make sure you be more specific and give examples.

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Possible follow-up questions:

Would you recommend that place to your friends?

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Part 3

See also Part 3 for Topic 15, Topic 80, Topic 117, Topic 166, Topic 205, Topic 226, and Topic 231.

Restaurants

Do people in your country usually eat lunch at home?
Where do most people (go to) eat their lunch?
(Similar to above) Where do people go when they eat out?
Besides restaurants, what other places are there where people eat away from home?
Do people in your country prefer to eat at home or in a restaurant? FQx2
(Similar to above) You you usually eat at home or do you eat out?
When (on what occasions) do people in your country (go out to) eat in a restaurant?
What kinds of restaurants do people most like eating in?
Why do people like to eat in restaurants? FQ
(Similar to above) What are some reasons why people eat in restaurants? FQ
(Similar to above) Why do many people eat out nowadays? FQ (See Note)
What kinds of people tend to eat out more than eat at home?

Which do you think is better, home-cooked meals or restaurant meals?

Which do you think is healthier, home-cooked meals or restaurant meals? FQ

Which is more popular in your country, fast food restaurants or traditional restaurants?
What are some of the benefits of eating in restaurants? FQ
Do you think restaurant food is always good?
Do you think the food in the restaurants is safe? FQ

Attracting Customers to a Restaurant

How can a restaurant impress its customers?
(Similar to above) How can (or do) restaurants attract (or, keep) customers? FQx2
(Similar to above) What factors attract (or, keep) customers to a restaurant?
Can you think of any examples of restaurants that could be called "special" or unique?
If you had the money (and the desire) to open a restaurant, how would you decorate it in order to attract customers?

Healthy Food

What (kind of) food do you like to eat? (Why?)
What kinds of food would you say are "healthy foods"?
(Similar to above) What do you think is "healthy food"? FQx2
Do you think healthy food is less delicious than less healthy food? (= Do you think that less healthy food is more delicious than healthy food?)
Would you say the food that people eat in your country is healthy food? FQ
Do you think home-cooked meals are usually healthy food?
Do you think school food is healthy? FQ
How do you think school students can maintain a healthy diet?
How do you think schools could encourage students to eat healthy food (or, healthier food)?
Do you think advertisements for food (or, for eating places) are useful?
Do you think advertising affects what people choose to eat?

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287. An Important Celebration (2) (Sept. 4, 2010) (Probably no longer used)

Describe an important traditional celebration (in your culture/country).

You should say:

when this celebration is held

who attends this celebration (or, who is involved in this celebration) *

what people do during this celebration

and explain why this celebration is important.

Notes

This seems similar to Topic 108

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Possible follow-up questions:

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Part 3

See also Part 3 for Topic 29 and Topic 108.

Celebrations

Do you think celebrations are important? FQx2
What are some of the main celebrations in your country?
Do you think people should spend a lot of money on celebrations? FQ (See Note)
Is the New Year celebrated in your country? FQ
Do you think it's important to celebrate the New Year? FQ (See Note)
Do young people in China celebrate New Year the same as older people?
Do people celebrate marriages in your culture?
Do you think it's important to have a wedding celebration? FQ
Are there any differences between wedding ceremonies today and those of the past?
Do you think that, today, there's too much emphasis on making money from celebrations? FQ
What do most people do when they have a national holiday in your country?

Traditional Culture / Traditional Celebrations

Traditional Celebrations

How important do you think it is to observe traditional celebrations? FQ
How do (young) people in your culture learn about traditions (or, traditional culture; or traditional celebrations)? FQ

Do people (of different ages) all celebrate traditional celebrations in the same way?

(Similar to above) Does everyone do the same things when you have a traditional holiday in your country?

How do you feel about spending a lot of money on (traditional) celebrations?

Are traditional celebrations today different to the traditional celebrations in the past? FQx2

Do you think religious festivals should be celebrated at school?

Traditional Culture

How is traditional culture in your country different to (traditional) culture in the West (or, in other countries)?
How much do young people in your country know about traditional culture?
Are young people very interested in knowing about traditional culture? FQ
(Similar to above) How much do young people in your country care about traditional culture?
(Similar to above) What do young people in your country today think of traditional culture? FQ
How do young people today learn about your traditional culture?
Can you suggest how traditional culture could be promoted among young people?
Is there much difference between the attitudes of young people and older people concerning traditional culture?
Do you think the use of modern technology today is affecting the purity of traditional culture?
What changes do you think might occur to to the traditions of your country in the next 100 years? Do you think the traditions will survive?

The "Globalization" of Culture / The "Globalization" of Celebrations

Do you know of any celebrations that are celebrated in the West? FQ
Are there any celebrations that are celebrated in both western and Chinese culture? (Hint: New Year, January 1)
Do you think that traditional celebrations all over the world have certain things in common?
Do you think "globalization" will eventually bring all the cultures of the world closer together?

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288. An Old Friend (Sept. 4, 2010) (Probably no longer used)

Describe a friend who you have known for a long time.

You should say:

when (or how) you first met

how you felt about him/her when you first met

how you keep in contact (= keep in touch)

and explain how (or why) your friendship has lasted a long time. *

and explain why you like this person. *

Notes

It probably does not say "old friend" but I am using this title in order to teach you some more English! (Although most languages use the word "old" for this meaning.)
The verb "to contact" someone means something like "to meet" someone, "to write to" someone, "to call someone on the phone" or "to pass a message" to someone. To "contact" someone = "to get in touch with" someone. It is possible to "contact" someone who you don't know by finding their phone number or email address on the internet.

However, "to keep in contact with" someone just means to keep the lines of communication open i.e., to occasionally or frequently contact someone so that you know what is happening in this other person's life – you probably always know their address, their phone number or their email address. To "keep in contact with" someone = "to keep in touch with" someone. You can only "keep in contact with" someone who you already know. This topic is about keeping in contact with someone.

If you simply speak about your "best friend" without emphasizing the long time you have known each other, then it would not be suitable if the wording specifies a friend who you have known for a long time. [See 3Gbbs.com, 2010年12月11日-12日雅思口语回忆, Page 4 #70, copied to here.]

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Possible follow-up questions:

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Part 3

See also Part 3 for Topic 8, Topic 30, Topic 91, Topic 106, Topic 123, Topic 162, Topic 177, and Topic 223.

The Nature of Friendship

Do you think having friends is important? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think friendship is important? FQ
What are some differences between friendship in the past and friendship today? (A general question, not referring to your friendships.)
What do you think are the qualities of a good friend?

Are there any benefits from having long-term friendships?

How can people maintain (keep) the friendships they have for a long time? FQ

(Similar to above) What are the different ways that friends can keep in contact with each other? FQ

Making (New) Friends

How do people in your country meet (make) new friends? FQ
(Similar to above) What are some different ways to make (new) friends? FQ
Where do people (go to) make new friends (or, meet new people)? FQx2
(Similar to above) (If you wanted to make some new friends,) where would you go to make new friends? FQ
Do you think it's easy to make new friends in modern society?
What are some differences between a new friend and an old friend?
What are some differences between a young friend and an old friend?
Is the way that people make friends today different to the way people made friends when your parents were young?
(Similar to above) Do you think the way people make new friends today is different to the way people used to make friends in the past?
What do you think is the most important factor when making new friends?
Do you think it's important for friends to have common interests? FQx2
(Similar to above) Do you think it's important for friends to have things in common? FQx2 (See Note)
Do you think it's possible for two people to become good friends if they don't have much in common?
Do you think it's possible (or, easy) for people to make friends with others who are (much) older or younger than themselves? FQx2
(Similar to above) Do you think it's possible for people of different ages to be friends with each other?
Do you think it's easy for people to form friendships with people of the opposite sex? (i.e., platonic friendships)
Why do you think some people have problems making (new) friends?

Making New Friends and Modern Technology

Do you think modern technology today influences how people make friends? FQx2
Where do you (or, would you) go to make new friends?
Have you ever had contact with people you don't know on line?
Do you think it's risky?
Would you ever meet them?
How do people make friends on the internet?
Do you think using the internet is a good way to make new friends? FQx2
(Similar to above) Do you like making new friends on the internet?
What's the difference between making friends on the internet and making friends by face to face contact? FQ
What do you think of chatting with strangers on the internet?
Do you think some people tell lies and try to trick people when they make friends on the internet?
How do you suggest this problem could be solved?

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289. A Time When You Were Late (3) (Sept. 4, 2010) (Probably no longer used)

Describe an important occasion when you were late.

You should say:

when this happened

what occasion you were late for

why you were late (Or, how you explained your lateness)

and explain what happened after you were late (e.g., the result of your being late).

Notes

This looks very similar to Topic 63 and Topic 131

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Possible follow-up questions:

Are you often late for things?

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Part 3

See also Part 3 for Topic 63 and Topic 131

See some vocabulary related to Time Management

Punctuality

Do you think it's important for people to be on time (for work, class, meeting others etc.)?
Why should people be on time?
What do you think is the main reason why some people are late for something? FQ
Do you think people are often late because of the daily rush hour, when everybody is going to work or school at the same time?
Can you suggest any ways to ease the problems caused by of the daily rush hour? (Also hear the recording here.)
What sorts of excuses do people give to explain their lateness?
Do you think many people tell lies as excuses for being late?
And do you think these lies are serious or can they be forgiven?
Are there any occasions when it doesn't matter (very much) if you're late? FQ
(Similar to above) What are some times when punctuality is very important and some times when it's not so important? FQx2
Do you think people are becoming more and more concerned about punctuality?
In your country, do you think people's concept of punctuality has changed in the past generation or two? FQ

People's Feelings about time

See note on the expression, "kill time"

Is time very important to you?
In your country, what do people think about the concept of time? ( = being on time, the importance of time etc.)
Do you believe this thinking could be changed?
(Similar to above) What would cause people's attitudes towards time to change?
In your country, do you think people's concept of time has changed in the past generation or two? FQ
What caused this change?
Do you think the pace of life in the past was slower than it is today? FQx2
When do people feel that time is moving slowly?
Do you think modern technology has given people more free time? FQx2
(Similar to above, but different) Do you think modern technology helps people save time? FQ
As time passes, people become older. How do you feel about becoming older?

The Pressure of Time

Why do you think many people feel the "pressure of time" in their lives? (What causes it?) FQ
Can you suggest any ways that people could use to relieve this feeling of pressure? *

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290. A Project (2) (Sept. 4, 2010) (Probably no longer used)

Describe a project or some work that you did with others.

You should say:

what the project or work was.

who was with you

how easy or difficult it was *

and explain why you did this with other people. *

and explain why how you felt about doing this with other people. *

Notes

It seems to be Topic 225 and Topic 127 returning to the test.

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Possible follow-up questions:

Do you keep in contact with them? (= Are you still in contact with them?)
Do you think you will (or, would you like to) continue with that project?

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Part 3

See also Part 3 for Topic 225, Topic 127 and Topic 218.

Working with Others

Do you think it's important to do things with other people? FQ
What do you think are the advantages (and possible disadvantages) of working with others?
What are some differences between working (or, doing something) alone and working (or, doing something) in a group?
Do people in your country prefer to work with others or to work alone?
What do you think are some possible advantages from working alone?
(Similar to above) What are the advantages of working alone (or, independently)?
Can you think of any examples where it is better to do something independently, rather than in a group?

Co-operation / Collaboration

Do you think it's very important for people to co-operate with others (or, with each other)?
Is co-operation very important in your country (or, your culture)?
Do you think this is the same in other countries?
Can you give any examples of how people in your country (or culture) co-operate with others? FQ

What do you think are the benefits of co-operation?

What do you think are the benefits of co-operating with colleagues at work (or, workmates)? FQ

Which do you think is more important, co-operation or competition?

Who do you think finds it easier to co-operate with each other, a group of men or a group of women?

How is co-operation in education (at school) important? (Give examples)
Do universities emphasize the importance of co-operation? FQ
Would you say there is more competition at your university (or school) than co-operation, or more co-operation than competition?
Do you think co-operation at school (or university) and at work are the same?
Do people co-operate with others in the business world?
Can you suggest how schools (or universities) could co-operate with businesses?
How is co-operation at work (or, in business) important? (Give examples)
In what ways is international co-operation important?
How do you think countries could (or, do) co-operate? FQ
In what ways do people co-operate when they are in a competition?

Children Learning Co-Operation

Do you think children are co-operative by nature or do they need to learn it?
Do you think it is important for children to learn about cooperation? FQ
How can (or, how do) children learn to co-operate with others? FQ
Do you think it's important for schools to have activities in which children learn to work with others? FQ
Can you give any examples of those activities? FQ
Do you think sport is a good way for children (and young people) to improve their ability to co-operate with others?
Is there much difference between young people co-operating with others (or, with other young people) and old(er) people co-operating with others (or with other old(er) people)?
In what ways can children learn to co-operate with others? FQ
(Similar to above) How can a spirit of co-operation be fostered in children? FQ
(Similar to above) How could a parent teach their child to co-operate with others? FQ

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