Updated June 20, 2012
IELTS Part 2 and Part 3 Topics and Questions
Page 68
336. A
Walk (2) (May 7,
2011)
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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You should say:
where and when you walk
what you see on this walk
who you walk with
and explain why you regularly take this walk
Note
So far (May 11), the only information is that this is a topic about "a regular walk". I am guessing it is Topic 20, returning to the test. The wording of that topic is shown above.
This doesn't have to be a walk you do for exercise - it is possible to talk about your walk from the bus-stop to your home every evening, or from your dormitory to your classroom everyday, etc.
See also the Part 3 questions for Topic 20
Notes:
Make sure you understand the difference between 'exercise' and 'sport'. Most, but not all sport involves exercise but exercise itself is not necessarily sport. 'Exercise' is simply 'using the body' (heart, lungs, muscles) through movement, or muscular activity, such as lifting weights.
Aerobic exercise
Walking and Health
Do you like walking?
Do you think walking is very important?
Do you think walking is good for the health? (If so, how?) FQx2
(similar to above) What are the health benefits of walking? FQx2
Do people today walk as much as people did in the past? FQx2
(Similar to above) Is the attitude of modern people towards walking different to the attitude of people in the past?
Which do you think is better, to walk alone or with someone else?
Can you think of any jobs that involve a lot of walking? FQx2
Do you think it's good that so many people today have jobs in offices?
Can you suggest any way that office workers could get more exercise? *
Walking compared to other forms of exercise
Are there different ways to walk (or, different forms of walking)? (Hints: climbing stairs; fast walking, long walks)
Do you think a slow walk (a stroll) is better than a fast walk? FQ
What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of walking compared to other forms of exercise (such as swimming, jogging, riding a bicycle)? FQ
Would you say swimming, jogging and climbing stairs is hard work?
And would you say such hard work is good? *
Exercise
Besides walking, what other ways are there for people to exercise?
Why do you think people of different ages have different ways to exercise?
Describe a magazine or newspaper that you like to (or, often) read.
You should say:
what magazine or newspaper it is
what the magazine or newspaper is about
how often you read it
what kinds of people generally read this magazine or newspaper
and explain why you like to read it.
See also the Part 3 questions for
Magazines
In your country, what kinds of magazine are available?
(Similar to above) In your country, what kinds of magazines are most popular?
What sorts of magazines do young people like to read? FQ
Do older people also like to read those types of magazines?
(Similar to above) Do older people and young people like to read the same types of magazines? FQ
Do men and women like to read the same kinds of magazines? (Why?) FQx2
Do people in the countryside generally read the same kinds of magazines as people in the cities?
Do you think magazines might one day disappear?
What's the difference between (the information in) magazines and books?
There are some magazines that deal with reality and some that don't. Can you think of any examples of these?
Newspapers
What different types of newspapers do you have in your country?
What people today read newspapers?
Do young people read newspapers as much as old(er) people?
The Reliability of Information
What information can (or, do) people get from (or, learn from) books?
Do you (always) trust the information that you read in magazines and newspapers?
Where (or how) do you think you can find reliable information?
Do you think what we see on the internet is sometimes dangerous?
Why is this material on the internet?
Describe a character from a story you read or heard in your childhood.
You should say:
who the character was
when you heard or read this story
what the character looked like (or, was like)
what the character did in the story
and explain what influence this character had on you. *
Note
See also the Part 3 questions for Topic 31.
Note: A 'story' does not always mean the same as a 'book'. For example, grandmother can tell a story to her grandchildren without reading it from a book.
The Benefits of Childhood Stories
Do you think the books children read have any effect on how they behave?
What effect do good books have on children? FQ
Do you think there is much educational value in childhood stories? FQ
What can children learn from these stories? FQ
Why do (little) children like to listen to stories?
What do you think are the benefits of this?
Books for Children
Do children like to read comics? (Why?)
What kinds of comics do they like to read?
Do you think the contents of all books are good for children?
Traditional Children's Stories from Your Culture
Are traditional children's stories as popular today as they used to be, many years ago?
Why do you think foreign children's stories are so popular today?
How do you suggest traditional stories could be made more popular?
Do you think modern technology could be used to make traditional stories more popular?
Fictional Characters or Heroes, and Reality (for both children and adults)
(e.g., Superman)
Fictional Characters
How are children's stories different to reality?
Do you think kids really believe that some of these stories
are true?
(Similar to above) Do you think the children believe the characters in these stories are real?
Why not use real stories of real people instead of using fictional stories?
Do you think what these fictional characters do in the TV program or films can ever become true (= become reality)?
Are there any differences between modern fictional characters and fictional characters in traditional stories?
The Characteristics of Fictional Heroes
What are some of the characteristics of fictional heroes in movies and books that are widely admired?
Why do you think people, both children and adults, admire heroes from films or books even when they know the heroes are fictional?
What do you think are the differences between heroes in movies and those people (those actors) in real life?
Do you think that the heroes in fictional stories have any impact on society? FQ
(Similar to above) How do you think fictional heroes affect people's real lives? FQ
Notes
See also the Part 3 questions for Topic 32 and Topic 324
Traveling in General
These questions seem to be mainly about traveling as a tourist during a vacation (= going on a holiday), although it might be possible to include travel for other reasons in some of your answers.
Do you often go traveling?
(Similar to above) Have you done much traveling in your life? FQ
Do you enjoy it? FQ
Where have you been to? FQ
What personal qualities should a traveler have? FQ
Traveling Today Compared to the Past
How is traveling today different to traveling when your parents were young? FQx2
(Similar to above) How is traveling today different to traveling in the past? FQx2
How has technology changed traveling, compared to the past? (20 to 50 years ago)
How do people travel today ( = what means of transport do they use)?
Do you think people today have more time for traveling than people in the past?
Are there any differences between people your parents' age and people of your generation concerning traveling?
Do you think people will be doing more traveling in the future than they do today? FQ
Traveling Alone Compared to Traveling with Others
Which do you think is better, to travel alone or to travel with others? FQx2
What do you think are the pros and cons of traveling alone and traveling with others? FQx2
If you wanted to travel with another person (or, with others), what kind of person (or people) would you like to travel with?
Traveling Preferences in Your Country
How do people in your country usually spend their holidays ( = their vacations from work or school)?
When people travel somewhere for a holiday, how do they decide where to go? FQ
Do people in your country prefer to travel to cities or to rural areas? FQx2
(Similar to above) What are some differences between traveling to a city and traveling to a place in the countryside? FQ
What are some popular tourist locations in your country?
Why do you think some people prefer to travel to places that have natural beauty?
Many people like to go to the seaside for a holiday. Why do they choose to go there?
What form of travel (means of transportation) do people in your country prefer when they travel long distances?
What do you think are the advantages of traveling by air (flying)?
Do you think there are any disadvantages to flying?
Traveling and the Environment (a reference to the CO2 output of planes)
Do you think traveling can ever harm the environment?
Should travel be banned in order to protect the environment?
Length (in time) of Trips
Which do you think is better, to travel once for a rather long time (e.g., several weeks) or to travel several times but for shorter lengths of time?
What do you think is the ideal length of time to go traveling?
Traveling Abroad
In English we say, "go abroad" or "travel abroad" etc. There is no "to" used here, such as "go to abroad".
"Overseas" = "abroad". But of course, it is sometimes possible to "go abroad" (= go to another country) without crossing any oceans, such as traveling from China to Russia..
Is it common for people from your country to travel abroad (for a holiday)? FQ
(Similar to above) Do many people from your country travel abroad nowadays? FQ
What are some of the different reasons why people travel abroad?
Do people in your country prefer to travel within your country or travel abroad?
Where do they go? FQ
(Similar to above) What are the most popular overseas travel destinations for people from your country? FQ
How do (or, how can) people get information about a foreign country they are interested in visiting? FQx2
Do you agree that it is beneficial to visit countries with different cultures?
What are some examples of (= what sorts of) difficulties do you think people might experience while traveling abroad? FQx2
Why do some people migrate from one country to another?
Tourism
What do you think are the benefits of tourism?
(Similar to above) What benefits does the tourism industry bring to a country (or, an area)? FQ
Are there any problems that result from tourism? FQ
How do you think these problems could be (or, should be) addressed? FQ