Updated Apr. 18, 2012
IELTS Part 2 and Part 3 Topics and Questions
Page 69
341.
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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Describe a foreign film that you recently watched. *
You should say:
what type of film it was
who the actors were
what the film was about *
and explain what you liked and possibly disliked about this film.
Notes
It is possible that the topic is simply, "a film", not "a foreign film".
I am guessing that the words, "that you recently watched" is in the wording. "Recently" here means within the past few months, up to a year ago. (But the film itself can be old!) They probably use the word "recently" because if you have seen a film recently, you remember it better than a film you saw many years ago and can therefore talk more about it.It doesn't have to be an English-language film.
If you choose to talk about a film that originally had an English name, try to find out this English name of the film and say it correctly.
I am guessing that the words, "and explain what the film was about" are in this topic. Make sure you can summarize this! Don't talk too much on this one point. That is, don't try to retell the whole story of the film – you won't have time for that.
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Part 3
See also the Part 3 questions for Topics 278, 200, 145, 99 and 6.
Films in General
What types of films are popular in your country? FQ
What kinds of films do you prefer to watch?
In general, what do you think are the qualities of a "good film"?
Foreign Films
What kinds of foreign films are popular in your country? FQ
How do foreign films compare with films from your country? FQ
Who in your country likes foreign films more, old people or young people?
Why do many (young) people prefer foreign films to films made in their own country? FQx2
Do you think the culture of your country is being influenced by foreign films? FQ
Do you think there are any bad influences on your culture from foreign films? FQ
(Similar to above) In your opinion, is this influence a good (= a positive) thing? FQ
What are some (other) ways in which your culture is being affected (or, has been affected) by foreign cultures?
What can people in your country learn from foreign films?
Do you think the violence in some foreign films is a negative influence on children?
What do you suggest parents could do to protect their children form this violence in films?
Which foreign country's actors are most popular in your country? (Why?)
Film Actors (or, film stars)
Would you like to be an actor in films?
(Similar question to above) Would you like to be a film star? FQ (See note about the grammar here)
What are the benefits and the downsides of being a film actor? FQx2 (See note)
(Similar question to above) What are the benefits and the downsides of being a famous actor (= a star)?
What qualities do you think a person needs to have in order to be a good actor? FQ
(Similar to above but different!) What qualities do you think a person needs to have in order to be a film star? FQ
Do you think the income of actors is too high? FQ (See note)
(Similar to above) Do you think the income of film stars is too high? FQ
Do you think film stars deserve to have some privacy?
Describe someone who has recently been in the news who you would like to meet.
You should say:
who this person is
how you know about this person (= how you know this person was in the news)
and explain why you would like to meet them (= meet him or her).
See Notes
See also all the other Part 3 questions on this website related to "news", the "media" and "famous people".
People in the News
In general, what kinds are people are usually in the news? FQx2
(Similar to above) In general, who is usually in the news? FQ
Why are they in the news?
Celebrities and Famous People Frequent Sub-topic
What kinds of famous people or celebrities are often in the news?
Do you think it's a good thing (a positive thing) that some people are considered to be celebrities?
In what ways do 'celebrities' influence people?
Do you think that all of the news stories about "famous people" is really news-worthy?
Do you think news about "famous people" is always accurate?
Is gossip a good thing?
Why do people want to know about the lives of celebrities?
Do you think there is too much news about celebrities? FQ
The News
Do you think (the) news is important? FQ
(Similar to above) Why do people watch the news on TV (or read about it in newspapers)? FQ
What news topics are shown on the TV news in your country?
Do you think the news reports today are (much) different to the news reports in the past (e.g., 20 or 30 years ago)? FQ
(Similar to above) Are news reports today in your country different to news reports many years ago?
What types of news (or, what topics in the news) are you most interested in? FQ
Why do you think different people are interested in different types of news (or, different news topics)?
Do you think "old news" has any value (or, usefulness)?
The Volume of Information Available Today
Do you think there is a lot of news information available today? (Why?)
Would you say there is too much information?
How do you handle this large amount of information?
Good/Bad News
Do you think there is both "good news" and "bad news"?
What are some examples of both good and bad news?
Which do we see most often in the news, good or bad news? Why?
Why do you think people are often more interested in bad news (such as disasters) than in good news? FQ
Local (or domestic) / International News
Are people in your country more interested in local (national) news or international news? FQx2
Which do you think is more important, national or international news? FQx2
Does international news have any effect on you?
Untrue News
Do you think that everything you read or hear in the news is true? FQx2
Do you think that everything you read or hear in the news is accurate?
What do you think about "false news"?
Can you give any examples of news reports that you think are not 100% true or accurate?
Do you think journalists are ever paid for writing certain news stories, that is, given money that is separate from their salaries (= bribed)?
The News Media
What are the choices that people have as sources of news?
Which news medium is most popular in your country?
What different types of newspapers are there in your country?
Which do you think is more important as a news medium, the radio or the television?
Do you think that written news reports contain more information than news reports on the television?
Do many people get their news from the internet?
How does the news on the internet compare with the news on TV or in newspapers?
Why do people read newspapers (especially now that we have the internet)?
What do you think are the benefits of having the news on the internet?
Notes
The wording above is adapted from Topic 64.
Almost everyone has watched or taken part in some sports event at school.
See also the Part 3 for Topic 64 and any other previous sport topic.
Sport in Your Country
Do you often take part in sport? FQ
Does everyone in your country like sport?
(Similar to above) Does everyone play a sport in your country?
What sports do people play in your country?
(Similar to above) What sports are most popular in your country? FQ
What benefits do people get from this sport?
What are the differences between the sports that young people like to play and those that older people like to play?
Do men and women (or, boys and girls) usually choose to play the same sports? FQx2
(Similar to above) What's are some differences between men's sports and women's sports? FQx2
Do you think sport is beneficial for children? *
Some parents push their child (= son or daughter) to excel in a certain sport. Can you suggest why they do that? FQ
What sports facilities for children are there in your country?
Do you think old people can also benefit from playing sports?
In your country, do companies (or, employers) ever provide opportunities for their employees to play sport?
Teams Sports versus Individual Sports
Which do you think is better (for young people), team sports or individual sports? FQx2
What benefits do people get from playing team sports? FQ
Spectator Sports (or, watching sports competitions)
What's the difference between watching a sporting competition, such as a football game, in a stadium and watching it on TV? FQx2
In general, how would you describe the atmosphere in a stadium (or wherever the competition is being held) when a sporting competition is being held?
Why do you think people like to cheer when they are watching a sports competition?
Do you think it's good that people often choose to support one team (or one competitor) in a sports competition?
International Sports Competitions
Why do you think many countries try hard to become the host country for the Olympic Games? FQ
Why are certain countries especially prominent in certain sports at the Olympic Games?
What effects do big international sporting events have on people?
Copy of Topic 43
Describe something that you would like to succeed in doing.
You should say:
what it is
how difficult you think it would (or, will) be
what you should do to prepare for this
and explain why you want to succeed in doing this.
Notes
This topic looks to be similar to Topic 43.
Also read these important notes about "success"
See also the Part 3 questions for Topic 43 and Topic 173
Success
What's your understanding of the word, "success"?
Do you think having lots of money equals success? FQ
At what age do you think people are most eager to be successful? (Why?)
Who do you think works harder (at trying to be successful), old people or young people? (Possibly the word is "older".)
Rewards for Achievement (or, for success)
(A useful word for this sub-topic: an "incentive")
Do you think it's important for everyone to feel that they have had some successes in life?
Rewards for Children at Home
Do you think it's a good idea to reward children after they achieve a significant success (such as high grades in a test)? FQ
How would you suggest these children should be rewarded?
What did your parents do when you succeeded in doing something when you were a child?
Do you parents should give gifts to their children when they do something successfully?
Do you think there are other ways for parents to encourage their children to do what they (the parents) want?
Rewards at School
How do teachers reward students for doing something well? FQ
Do you think teachers should also praise students who don't do well?
Rewards in the Workplace
In the workplace, do you think people need (or, should receive) rewards for significant successes?
Do you think giving someone a pay raise at work is enough reward for doing something well? FQ
Do you agree that it's important for employees to be rewarded with money?
Competition
Do you like competition?
(Similar to above) Do you think competition is good? FQ
Some people say that children should not be exposed to too much competition. Do you agree? FQx2
Do you think it's always good for parents to have high expectations for their children? FQ
How do you think competition will change in the future? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think there will be a greater amount of competition in the future than what we have now? FQ
Copy of Topic 116
Describe an enjoyable family event (such as a birthday party or family dinner) that you attended.
You should say:
where and when this event took place
what you did (or, what happened at this event)
who was there at this event (or, who participated in this event)
and explain why this event was enjoyable.
Notes
This looks like Topic 116, returning to the test.
See also the Part 3 questions for Topic 116
Families
Do you think families are (or, the family is) important? FQx2
Has the concept of (the meaning of the word) "family" changed much in the past few decades?
In your country, do relatives usually live together, (as an extended family)?
Do you think growing up in a family today is the same as it was several decades ago?
Have there been any changes in the attitudes of parents towards their children over the past 20 or 30 years?
(Similar to above) Do you think the way parents today treat their children is the same as in the past? FQx2
What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages for a child to grow up in a big family? FQx2
(Similar to above) What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of being part of a big family? FQx2
The Role of Females in the family
In a family, who do you think plays the more important role, the mother or the father (the wife or the husband)?
Do you think it's possible that, in the future females will be making the major decisions in the home?
(Similar to above) Do you think it's possible that, in the future females will be making the major decisions in society? *
Is the education of females today the same as it was in the past?
Old People (grandparents) in the Family
Do you think there are any advantages to having a grandparent living with the family? FQ
In general, do you think having old people and young people living together creates conflict (or, problems)?
Is it good for grandparents to help take care of young children? FQ
What do you think children can learn from their grandparents?
Many countries are experiencing what is called, "an aging population". What problems will these countries have as the percentage of old people in society increases and the percentage of young people decreases?
The Effect of Work on Families
Do you think the work that parents do has an effect on their children?
Do you think modern work circumstances is having an effect on the traditional family situation?
Do many people in your country have to live separately from their family (their wife or husband or their children) because of their work?
What effects do you think it has on the children if one or both of their parents is living and working away from them?
Do you think it can affect a marriage if a husband and wife have to live in separate places because of their work?
Family Celebrations
What family celebrations do you have in your country?
What happens at these celebrations?
Some people hold family gatherings once a year where many extended family members get together (= a family reunion). Do you think that's a good idea?
Children in Families Learning Things
What do children learn in their family (= in the home)? (See Note)
What do children usually learn in the family? (This is not really about academic subjects, although it is possible to include that.)
Do you think children in a big family learn different things to say, a single child?
Do many parents today teach their children things at home? (This can include academic subjects.)
(Similar to above) Do many parents today feel a responsibility (or, feel pressure) to teach their children academic things at home?
Do you believe that parents should teach their children?
What do you think children can learn from their grandparents?
Are there any differences between the education of male children and female children today?