Page 74

ielts-yasi.englishlab.net

Updated Sep. 6, 2011

IELTS Part 2 and Part 3 Topics and Questions

Page 74

366. Two People From the Same family (2) (Sept. 17, 2011) (Probably no longer used)

367. An Outdoor Activity (3) (Sept. 17, 2011) (Probably no longer used)

368. A Situation that Made You A Little Angry (Sept. 15, 2011) (Probably no longer used)

369. An Old Person You Like to Talk to (Sep. 17, 2011) (Probably no longer used) (Moved to Topic 434)

370. An Interesting Public Place (Sep. 17, 2011) (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

***********************************************************************

366. Two People From the Same family (2) (Sept. 17, 2011) (Probably no longer used)

Copy of Topic 55

Describe two people who you know from the same family.

You should say:

who these two people are

(how you know these people *)

how much these two people have similar personalities (characters)

how much they look similar

and explain how (or, how well) the two people get along with each other.

Notes

This looks like Topic 55 returning to the test.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Possible follow-up questions:

Do you know any other members of this family?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part 3

See also the Part 3 questions for Topic 55

Family Life

Have there been any changes to family life in your country in the past 20 or 30 years (the past generation)? FQx2
(Similar to above) Do you think modern families are the same as families in the past? FQx2
What effects do you think this might have in the future?
How do you think family life might evolve in the future? FQ
Compared to 20 or 30 years ago, do people today spend more time together as a family, or less time?
Would you say (one's) family is important to most people?
Do young people like to spend time with their parents?
For young people, which are more important, their friends or their parents? FQ
Do you think the role of women (wife/mother) in the family has changed in the past few decades?
Which do you think is better, to have a small family or a big family? (I.e., the number of children)
Have family values changed much in the past few decades?
Do you think it's good for older members of the family (grandparents) to live with their sons or daughters? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think there are any benefits from having older members of the family living with (grandparents) the younger members? FQ

The Influence of Friends & Family

How do people choose their friends?
Are you very similar to your friends?
Do most people make friends with others who are similar to themselves, or different to themselves? (Why?)
Who do you think has the greater influence on children (and young people), their families or their friends?
What influence do parents have on the behaviour and attitudes of their children?
How do parents (in your culture) try to correct bad behaviour in the children (and teach good behaviour)?

***********************************************************************

367. An Outdoor Activity (3) (Sept. 17, 2011) (Probably no longer used)

Copy of Topic 292

Describe an outdoor activity that you like doing (or do regularly). *

You should say:

what this activity is

where you do it

when you do it

when you started doing it

and explain why you like it.

Note

So far, this looks like Topic 292 returning to the test.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Possible follow-up questions:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part 3

See also the Part 3 questions for Topic 292, Topic 57 and Topic 246

Outdoor Activities

(Note: An "activity" can include outdoor work - it's not just a recreational activity.)

When was the last time you did an outdoor activity?
Do people in your country like to do outdoor activities? (What activities?)
(Similar to above) Do people in your country do many outdoor activities? (What activities?) FQx2 See Note
What outdoor activities do people do in your country?
What do you think are the benefits of doing outdoor activities?
Are there any possible disadvantages from engaging in outdoor activities?
Do you think modern people spend more time outdoors than people in the past, or less? FQx2
Do young and old people do the same outdoor activities? (Why not?) FQx2
Do you think outdoor games are good forms of outdoor activity?
What outdoor activities do you think are most suitable for old people?

Sport & Exercise

Do people in your country like to play outdoor sports?
Do you think it's important for people to do outdoor exercise?
In your opinion, do school children in your country get enough exercise?
In your country, do schools organize outdoor sports for the students?
Do you think those activities at school are enough?

Electronic Games Frequent Sub-topic

These questions might use either the word "children" (aged 4 to 12) or "young people" (aged 13 to 25 or 30). This is not clear. Some English speakers even use "young people" to refer to all people aged from about 7 to 25.

Are electronic games popular with children (or, young people) in your country? (Why?/Why not?)
(Similar to above) Why do children like electronic games?
Do you think children like these games more than they like to play outside?
Do you think it's good for children (or, people) to play electronic games? FQx2
What are the pros and cons of (children) playing electronic games? FQx2
Do you think parents should control the amount of time children spend playing electronic games? (If yes, how?) FQx2
Do you think schools, or the government, or the media could (or should) help reduce the amount of time kids spend playing electronic games? (How?)
Do you think these games will continue to be popular in the future?

***********************************************************************

368. A Situation that Made You A Little Angry (Sept. 15, 2011) (Probably no longer used)

Describe a situation that made you a little angry.

You should say:

what it was that made you angry *

where you were when this happened *

what you were doing at the time *

who you were with

and explain how you handled this situation. *

and explain why you felt angry. *

Notes

The first line might be, "Describe an event that made you a little angry" or, "Describe an experience that made you a little angry". An "experience" focuses on you being involved, while an "event" might, or might not, focus on you being involved. But these two can be made to have the same meaning. If the real wording is, "an experience", it is not very suitable (although not 100% wrong) to simply say, "a news event made me angry". That's not suitable because it doesn't focus on you having an experience. But if you just change the words to, "reading about this event made me angry" then you are talking about your experience i.e., your reading about the event.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Possible follow-up questions:

Do you still feel angry about that now?
Did you tell anyone in your family about that?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part 3

Expressing Emotions

Do you think everyone has the same feelings about things?
Do you think it's good to show your feelings to others or is it better to hide your feelings?
(Similar to above) Do you think it's important for people to show their emotions? FQ
What are some of the ways in which human beings express their feelings (= emotions)? FQ
How can children be taught to express their feelings in an appropriate way? FQ

Male/female Differences

Do men express their emotions more than women, or do women express their emotions more than men? FQx2
Do men and women express their emotions in the same way?
Who do you think is better at expressing emotions such as tenderness and love, men or women? (Why?)

Anger

How do people express anger?
What kind of person is most likely to show (to express) anger?
What kinds of people make others feel angry?

Physical Health & Emotions

Do you think it's good to cry?
Is there any relationship between a person's (physical) health and their emotions?
What effect do you think it might have on the health of a person if they stop themselves from expressing their emotions?
Do you think it's good for a person's health to express anger when they feel angry?
What effects on a person health do positive emotions and, on the other hand, negative emotions have? FQ

Your 'National Character'

Would you say people in your country are good at expressing their feelings (or, their emotions)?
(Similar to above) Do people in your country express their emotions very much? (If yes, how?) FQ
(Similar to above) How do people in your culture communicate their feelings about things? FQ
Do you think that might change in the future?

Instinct or Learned Reactions

Do you think the way people express their feelings is more instinctive (inborn) or is it learned behaviour?
How do people learn the manner in which they express their feelings?
Do you think modern (city) life has any relationship with the feelings people have or with the way they express their feelings?
Do you think people can be trained to deal with their own emotions?

Empathy/Sensitivity/Reading Others' Emotions

Do you think some people can read (or detect) other people's emotions better than others? (If yes, how?)
What kinds of people are these? (What characteristics do they have?)
Do you think you are one of those people?
Are there any particular times when it's important to pay close attention to the emotions of others?
Can you think of occupations which require people to pay close attention to the feelings/emotions of other people?
Who do you think is better at detecting other people's feelings, men or women? (Why?) FQx2
Do you think it's a skill to be able to detect other people's feelings? FQ
Do you think it's important to have this skill? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think this is a good skill to have? FQ
Do you think people can be trained to understand other people's feelings? (If yes, how?)
Are there any professions in society that are especially trained in this skill?
How can children be taught to be sensitive to the feelings of others? FQx2
Do other people express their feelings to you very much?

Getting Along With Others

Do you think it's important for people to get along with others? *
How do you think people can get along with others?

***********************************************************************

369. An Old Person You Like to Talk to (Sep. 17, 2011) (Probably no longer used) (Moved to Topic 434)

Describe an old person who you like to talk to. *

You should say:

who this person is *

how you know them (him or her) *

what you usually talk about

and explain why you like to talk to him or her. *

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Possible follow-up questions:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part 3

The Role of Old People in the Family & in Society / Attitudes Towards Old People

Attitudes

Do you think it's important to speak with old people?
In your country, how are old people treated?
Do you think the way old people are treated in your country is good?
Do you think people's attitudes towards (e.g., respect towards) old people have changed in recent years? (e.g., the past 30 years) (If yes, how and why?) FQx2
Do you think the way old people are treated (or, attitudes towards old people) will change in the future? FQ
How are the views of old people different to what young people today think? *

Old People Living with Their Families Frequent sub-topic

What do you think is the role of old people in the family today?

Has this role changed, compared to the past?

Do you think that old people should live with their children (and grandchildren)? FQx2

What are the benefits of this? FQx2

(Similar to above) What can old people do within the family that is helpful?
Do you think it's a good idea for old people to take care of (young) children?
Why do many old people help to take care of their grandchildren?
Do you think old people should have to take care of (young) children?
Do you think it's fair for old people (if they have to do that)?
What are some reasons why old people sometimes (have to) take care of young children?
What can children (grandchildren) learn from old people?
And is there anything that young people can teach old people?
Do you think old people generally get along with young people?
Do you think there is a 'generation gap' between old people and their children and grandchildren and how serious or important is this?
Are children generally willing to accept advice from old people?
Are young people (e.g., teenagers and people in their twenties) willing to accept advice from old people?

Problems

What problems do (some) old people have? FQ
(Similar to above) Would you say that old people in your country are happy? (= Do they have any problems?) FQ
Do you have any suggestions on how this problem could be addressed? *

What government services are there for old people in your country? *

Are the old people happy with these services?

Taking Care of Old People

What is life like for old people today, compared to 20 or 30 years ago?
Do you think there are any new problems resulting from the fact that many countries now have an aging population?
What do you think life will be like for old people 20 or 30 years in the future?
Besides financial help, in what ways do old people need help?
Who do you think should be responsible for looking after old people, the government or the family?
Do you think young people have a responsibility to look after old people?
Do you think the government has a responsibility to look after old people?
In your culture (your country), do old people usually live with their children? FQ
Do you think this is good?
Do you think this might change in the future?
How do you think taking care of old people could be improved?

An Aging Society

Are there many old people in your hometown?
How does it affect the community when there are more old people than young people?
(Similar to above) In many countries, the proportion of old people in society is increasing. How do you think society will (or, might) change in the future as a result of this trend? FQx2
How could a place that doesn't have enough young people attract more young people to move there (or not to leave there)?

Retirement/Leisure

Why do companies usually not hire old people for work?
In your country, at what age do people usually retire from work? FQ
Is this retirement age a law or is it just the custom in your country?
Do you think this is a suitable age to retire? *
Do you think many old people would like to continue working after they retire? FQx2

(Similar to above) Do you think old people want to retire? FQx2

(Similar to above) Why do you think a lot of old people want to keep working? FQx2

What problems do you imagine some old people have as a result of retiring from work?

Why do some employers think that hiring old people has advantages? FQx2

(Similar to above) What can an older person offer an company?

Old People's Activities

In your country, what do old people do after they retire? FQ

Has this changed in the past few years (e.g., 30 years)?

(Similar to above) How do old people relax?

(Similar to above) What do old people (in your country) do at home?

What do old people do for exercise?

Are there any recreational or entertainment facilities in your hometown especially for old people?

Do you think it's important for old people to continue learning new things?

***********************************************************************

370. An Interesting Public Place (Sep. 17, 2011) (Probably no longer used)

Version A

Describe an interesting public place in your hometown or city that people visit. *

You should say:

what place this is

who usually goes there

why people go there

and explain why people think it is an interesting place to visit. *

Version B

Describe an interesting public place in your hometown or city that you have visited. *

You should say:

what place this is

who usually goes there

why people go there

and explain why you think it was an interesting place to visit. *

Notes

It is not clear whether Version A or Version B is closer to correct. It might be a mixture of Versions A & B.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Possible follow-up questions:

Do you often go there?
Have you been there recently?
Would you recommend this place to others as a place to visit?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part 3

Public Places ( Public Facilities)

Notes:

- A 'public' place does not necessarily mean a place that costs nothing to enter. And the definition of "a public place" could possibly include a place that is open for the public to use but is privately owned. For example, although cinemas are privately owned, they are open to the public but you have to pay to go in. Some public places such as museums or national parks are owned by the public (= owned by the government) but are not free of charge to enter.

- Some people have only reported the words, "public buildings" but I think some of those questions were probably about "public facilities" or "public places", not necessarily buildings. For example, a park is a public facility but it is not a building.

Besides the example you just gave in Part 2, in general, what public places do most towns and cities in your country have?
(Similar to above) Besides the example you just gave in Part 2, what other interesting public places are there in your hometown? FQ
(Similar to above) Besides the example you just gave in Part 2, what other attractive (or, popular) public places are there in your hometown? FQ
What kinds of people go to these places?
What are the purposes of these public places?
Do you think we really need these places?
(Similar to above) Do you think it's important to have these public facilities?
What public facilities are used by people in their free time (i.e., for recreation or entertainment)?
Is there much difference between public buildings facilities today and those in the past (e.g., 30 to 50 years ago)?
Are there any differences between the usage of public facilities today and in the past?
Are public buildings (or public places) for everyone or just some people?
Are all public places free of charge to enter?
Do you think some (or all) publicly owned places should be free of charge to enter (or use)? FQx2
What public places do young people prefer to go to? FQx2

Public Buildings

What are some examples of public buildings in your hometown? FQ

What is the purpose of these buildings? (= How are these buildings used?) FQ

Is there much difference between public buildings today and those in the past (e.g., 30 to 50 years ago)?

Do modern public buildings have the same visual effect on people as those built several decades ago?

Are there any differences between the usage of public buildings today and in the past?

Are public buildings (or public places) for everyone or just some people?

What public buildings are young people more interested in going to? FQ

Are government buildings open to the public?

What is the purpose of government buildings? FQ

Laws & Regulations in Public Buildings / Behaviour in Public Places

Are there any particular rules (or laws) concerning what people can and cannot do in public buildings (or public places)? FQ

Are there any public places where you can't take your pet dog? FQ

Do you think it's suitable for people to take their dog (or, a pet) to a public place? FQ

City Life and Small Town Life

See also the Part 3 questions for Topic 24

What are the differences between living in a village or small town and living in a big city?
Are there any differences between the two concerning education?

Do you think family life is different in cities and in small towns and villages?

How is people's work different in cities and in small towns and villages?

Why do many people want to leave the smaller places and go to live in a city?

**********************************************************************