Updated Apr. 18, 2012
IELTS Part 2 and Part 3 Topics and Questions
Page 70
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
***********************************************************************
Describe a job that makes (or, can make) the world a better place. *
You should say:
what job it is
how you know about this job
what types of people do this job (or, what types of people are suitable for this job) *
and
explain why you think this job makes (or,
Notes
The first line might be more like, "Describe a job that helps people in society"
See further (not too important) notes, here.
Jobs related to Public Safety (Dangerous or Unpleasant Jobs)
In your country, who is responsible for the safety of people?
Do you think that the jobs that improve society are very important?
Can you think of any dangerous (or, unpleasant) jobs that some people do?
What are some examples of jobs where people work to protect or improve public safety (or, public security)? FQx2
In what ways do the police protect public safety? FQ
Would you like to do one of those jobs?
What's your opinion of people who work as security guards?
Why do you think they take up such jobs as police officers, firemen, security guards etc.? FQx2
(Similar to above) Why do these people do those dangerous (or unpleasant) jobs? FQx2
Are those jobs dangerous?
Do you think people who do those jobs should be paid more than other people? FQx2
If the jobs are meant to ensure public security, why are we told that we are in danger?
Liking One's Job
In general, what kinds of jobs do people prefer to do (if possible)?
What are some examples of jobs that people enjoy doing? FQ
(Similar to above) What are some examples of jobs that bring happiness (and job satisfaction) to the people who do these jobs? FQ
(Possibly) What are some examples of jobs that bring happiness to other people? *
What are some of the reasons why some people like their job?
Do you think it's necessary for people (or, necessary for everyone) to like their job?
Job Satisfaction
What factors give working people a sense of job satisfaction? FQ
What factors make a job interesting? FQ
Technology
What impact has modern technology had on office work?
In the future, do you think the use of high technology (electronics) will make work more enjoyable for more people? FQ
Salary
Do you think the salary is important in a job?
Do you think some people care too much about money? (See Note)
Finding a Job / Academic Qualifications
Is it very difficult to find a good job now in your country?
In general, what qualities do employers look for in job applicants?
How do educational qualifications help a job applicant? FQ
Do you think educational qualifications is the only thing the employer cares about? FQ
Do you think high academic qualifications automatically lead to a well-paid (and interesting) job? FQ
What do you think schools and universities could (or, should) do to make education more suitable for work?
The Treatment of Employees by Employers
If an employee feels that he is she is treated unfairly by his or her boss (or manager, or employer), what can he or she do?
A Comfortable Work Environment
What factors contribute to make a work environment that is "comfortable" to work in?
Improving the World / Society
In what ways do you feel that the world needs to be improved? *
Can you suggest and ways to bring about these improvements? *
How do you think the world could be made more peaceful (i.e., fewer wars)?
How can we get good quality people to do the job you just described (in Part 2)? FQ
(Similar to above) How can we get good quality people to do the jobs that need to be done to improve the world?
The Environment Frequent Sub-Topic
Do you think it's easy to improve the environment? FQ
How can industrial pollution be reduced? FQ
Do you think it's easy to get industrial companies to change their practices (their behavior)? FQ
Do you think that industries that pollute the environment should be banned?
What can industries do to help improve the environment?
How do you think industries will adapt to "climate change" (global warming) in the future?
Describe a shop you like to go to.
You should say:
what shop it is
what it sells (or, what you usually buy there)
when you first started going to this shop (or, how you came to know about this shop)
and explain why you like (to go to) this shop.
See Notes
Shopping in General
Do you think shopping is an important part of life?
Do men and women have the same attitudes towards shopping? FQ
Why do you think some people are "crazy about" shopping?
What do you think are the pros and cons of shopping online?
Do you think credit cards are a good thing?
How is shopping today different to several decades ago?
Which is more popular in your country, shopping in shopping malls or shopping online?
What are the benefits of online shopping?
In what ways do you think "globalization" is changing shopping (in your country)?
What changes do you think we will see in the future concerning shopping? FQ
Describe something unusual or interesting that you did recently.
You should say:
what it was
who was with you
and explain why you think it was unusual or interesting. *
Notes
This might be Topic 19 returning to the test.
See also the Part 3 questions for Topic 19
Notes:
Weekends are not the only time when people have free time. They also have free time in the evenings and whenever they have a holiday.
"Children" = ages 4 to 12; "Young people" = ages 14 to 30; "Older people" = middle aged = ages 35 to 60; "Old people" = over 60
Do you like to do unusual things? (Why?/Why not?)
Free Time Activities in Your Country
In your country (or, hometown), how do people usually spend their free time? FQx2
(In your country,) what do older people, such as your parents, do in their free time?
Do you think that people today have more leisure time than people in the past (E.g., 20 or 50 years ago) FQx2
Do many people in your country often work overtime? (I.e., more than 8 hours of work per day)
Differences between Men & Women Frequent Sub-topic
Do men and women generally enjoy the same free-time activities?
In general, who do you think has more leisure time, men or women? (Why?) FQx2
Do you think the free time (activities) of married men and women is the same as it was before they got married?
Do you think men and women should have the same amount of free-time?
Young People
What do you (and your friends) usually do in your free time? FQ
(Similar to above) What do young people usually do in their free time? FQx2
Do young people prefer to do things alone or in a group? (Why?)
Old People
Do old people do the same sorts of things as young people?
What would you recommend as suitable leisure time activities for old people?
Children's Leisure Time
What do children do in their free time? FQx2
Do you think children enjoy themselves in their free time more than adults?
Do you think children today have more free time than children a few decades ago, or less free time?
Do you think children need more leisure time?
Can you suggest any improvements to how many children spend their free time?
What would you recommend as suitable leisure time activities for children?
(Similar to above) What do you think are the best ways for children to spend their free time? FQ
Do you think it's better for children to play with the friends in their leisure time or to play with their parents?
Do you think it's important for children (and/or, young people) to spend time with their parents?
Why do you think parents and their children seem to be not closely connected nowadays?
What do you think parents could do in order to become closer to their children?
Can you think of any activities that children (or young people) could do with their parents?
Do you think children in your country do enough physical activity (exercise)?
How could children be encouraged to spend less time playing computer games?
Do you think what children do in their free time is important? FQ
The Leisure and Entertainment Industry
Can you give me some examples of the leisure and entertainment industry? *
Has entertainment changed over the past few decades? FQ
Do you think the leisure and entertainment industry is important? *
How popular are leisure or entertainment centres nowadays?
Do you think it's important to have such centres?
How much effect does the leisure and entertainment industry have on the economy? FQx2
(Similar to above) Is the leisure industry an important part of the economy in your country?
(Similar to above) How does the economy benefit from people's leisure time activities?
Do you think the leisure industry is always beneficial in the cultural development of a country?
You should say:
what type (or style) of clothes
where you usually buy these clothes
how often you buy them
how you choose what to buy *
and explain why you like this style of clothes.
Notes
Many people report the first line as, "Describe the (type of) clothes you like to wear". In reality, there's not much difference between what you like to wear and what you like to buy.
Also see Notes
See also the Part 3 questions for Topics 295, 165 and 67.
Shopping for Clothes
Does everyone like to go
shopping for clothes?
Why do you think some
people don't like shopping for clothes?
Do you think there is a difference between males and females when buying clothes?
Why do you think females like shopping for clothes more than males?
Do many young people in your country buy clothes on the internet?
Do you think there are any problems involved with buying clothes on the internet?
Expensive Clothes
Do you spend much money on clothes?
Do you think expensive clothes are always better quality than cheaper clothes?
What's your opinion of people who are not rich but who (only or mostly) buy expensive clothes?
Fashions / Clothes Styles
"Fashion" is a noun; "fashionable" is the adjective. There is no such thing as "fashion clothes" - it's "fashionable clothes".
What's your opinion of the clothes that young people are wearing today?
Do you think it's important (or, good) to follow the current fashions in the clothes you wear? FQ
Why do many young people feel
it's important to wear clothes that are "in fashion"?
(Similar to above) If you
are young, does that mean you have to follow fashion?
Are university students in your country very concerned about wearing clothes that are in fashion?
Do you think young men follow fashion as much as young women?
Who do some men follow fashion?
Clothes as a Representation of the Wearer
Do you think people tend
to judge
others by the clothes they wear? (Why?) (Is this good?)
(Similar to above)
If you saw a person wearing old or dirty clothes, what would you think?
Why do you think different people like to wear different styles of clothes?
Do you think these
differences in clothes reflect differences in personality?
Can you give some examples of how clothes reflect
people's
Do you think a person's (style of) clothes is ever related to the way that person behaves?
Are there any major differences between the clothes people in your country wear and the clothes that people in the West wear?
Uniforms Frequent Sub-topic
Do you (did you) like wearing a school uniform?
Do you think it's good for people (such as school students) to wear uniforms?
What do you think is the purpose of uniforms? *
Are there any benefits from school students wearing a uniform?
Do you think it would be a good idea to let students design their own school uniform?
The you think the clothes industry (the garment industry) is important?
(Similar to above but
different)
What impact do you think the fashion industry has on people?
Describe a person you know who has a healthy lifestyle.
You should say:
who he /she is
how you know this person
what sort of person he/she is (or, what he/she is like)
and
explain
or
Notes
Talk about someone you know personally, i.e., someone who you have spoken to.
A Healthy Lifestyle
What do you think makes a "healthy lifestyle"?
(Similar to above) How do you think a person can adopt
a "healthy lifestyle"?
Can you give some examples of how a person's lifestyle affects their health?
What are some examples of an unhealthy lifestyle?
Do you think that most people's lifestyle today is
healthier than in the past (a few decades ago)?
Do you think celebrities usually have a healthy lifestyle? (See Amy Winehouse)
How much sleep per day do you think a person needs in order to maintain good health?
What do you think are the hazards of smoking?
Do you think the average person in your country has a good understanding of what a "healthy lifestyle" is?
Do you think schools should include lessons about health?
Do schools in your country do that?
What about mental health? How do you think a person can maintain good mental health?
Food
What food do people in your country usually eat?
What do you think is "healthy food"?
(Similar to above) What foods do you think should be part of a healthy lifestyle?
Would you say what people eat in your country is "healthy"?
What food do you think are not very healthy?
Why do you think people eat these less healthy foods?
(Similar to above) Why is fast food so popular?
Do you think it's possible that some fast food could also be quite healthy?
Which food do you think is healthier, home-cooked food
or already cooked food that you can buy (such as 'fast food')?
Do you think
home-grown food is healthier than store-bought food?
(Similar to
above) Do you think there are any advantages from growing your own
vegetables at home?
How do you
(or, how can you) know that the food you buy is healthy?
(Similar to above) What guarantees are there that the food you buy is safe to eat?
Why have there been several food safety problems in China in the past few years, such as the baby milk powder scandal?
Who should take responsibility for these food safety problems?