Page 75

ielts-yasi.englishlab.net

Updated July 28 2013

IELTS Part 2 and Part 3 Topics and Questions

Page 75

371. A Leader You Admire (Sep. 17, 2011) (Probably no longer used)

372. A Television Program (Jan. 8, 2011) (Probably no longer used)

373. A Bad Weather Experience (Oct. 8, 2011) (Probably no longer used)

374. An Outdoor Place for Relaxation (Oct. 29 2011) (Probably no longer used)

375. A Person Who Taught You A Useful Skill (Dec. 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

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371. A Leader You Admire (Sep. 17, 2011) (Probably no longer used)

Variation of Topic 60

Describe a leader who you admire (for example, in sport, business or politics).

You should say:

who this person is

what this person does (as a leader)

how you (personally) know this person, or know about this person

and explain how ( = why) this leader's qualities impressed you. (= explain why you admire this leader)

.Notes

Until more information becomes available, I am assuming this is the same as Topic 60, returning to the test.
I strongly suggest you don't use your father as the example here. It will sound too much like a prepared description of one of your parents - everybody learns to describe their parents in English class at school.
See also the notes written for Topic 60.

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Possible follow-up questions:

Would you also like to be a leader?

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Part 3

See also the part 3 questions for Topic 60 and for Topic 323.

Wanting to be a Leader

Do you think it would be good to be a leader? FQx2
(Similar to above) Would you like to be a leader? FQx2

What sort of leader do you think you would be? FQ

(Similar to above, but different) What sort of leader would you like to become?

In what area of life would you like to be a leader?

Why do so many people want to be leaders? FQ

Why are some people afraid of being a leader? FQ

Why do some people prefer to be followers rather than leaders? FQ

Becoming a Leader

How do people become leaders? FQx2
Do you think society plays some role in forming people who become leaders or do you think leaders are born as leaders? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think people learn to become leaders (in their childhood) or do you think leaders are born as leaders? FQ
Do you think children should be brought up from an early age to be leaders?
How do you think society (or, a community) can produce people who will become good leaders? FQ
(Similar to above) How do you think society (or, a community) can select good leaders? FQ
How are (political or community) leaders chosen in your country? FQ
(Similar to above) How do people become (political or community) leaders in your country? FQ
Do you think there will be any changes in the future concerning how people become leaders (or, how leaders are selected)?
What role do the media and modern forms of technology have in the selection of (or the "toppling of"!) leaders?

The Qualities of Leaders

What do you think are the qualities (or, characteristics) of a good leader? FQx2
How do you think a leader can inspire the people who he or she leads?
Do you think a leader should be a role model (or, set an example) to others? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think a leader needs to have a good moral character?
(Similar to above) Do you think it's (always) one of the responsibilities of a leader to be moral example?
Do you think leaders ever make mistakes?
Do you think the leaders of your country are good role models for people?
Do you think all leaders are good?
Do you think women can be good leaders?
Some people say that, to be a leader, you also need to be a follower. Do you agree?
Why do some people have a strong desire (or ambition) to become leaders?
How can a leader benefit (or be helpful towards) those he or she leads?
(Similar to above) What responsibilities does a leader have towards those he or she leads?

The Purposes/Benefits/Importance of Having Leaders

Some believe people we shouldn’t follow a leader. What is your view?
(Similar to above) Do you think we really need leaders? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think it's good to have leaders?
What purpose (role) do leaders serve? FQ

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372. A Television Program (Jan. 8, 2011) (Probably no longer used)

Describe a TV program that you like to watch.

You should say:

what type of program it is

when you watch it (or, how often you watch it)

what the contents of the program are

and explain what you learn from this program.

See Notes

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Possible follow-up questions:

Do your friends also like to watch that program?

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Part 3

See also the Part 3 questions for Topic 263, Topic 178, Topic 213, and Topic 254.

Television in General

Watching TV

Do you watch a lot of TV?

(Similar to above) Do you often watch TV? FQ

(Similar to above but different) Do you watch many different TV programs?

What programs do you usually watch?

What TV programs do people watch in your country?

What do you think of those programs?

In general, what do you think are the good points and the bad points about watching TV?
Why do people watch TV?
(Similar to above but different) Why do so many people spend a lot of their free time watching TV? FQ
Do you think people watch TV too much (= watch too much TV)? FQx2
What are the effects of watching too much TV?
Do you think watching TV is addictive?
What effects does watching television have on people?
What other things can people do for recreation?

Television in Your Country

What types of television programs are (most) popular in your country? FQ
What types of television shows do you prefer to watch?
What are the differences between the TV programs that people watch today and the programs of several years ago?
What benefits does (watching) television bring people?
Why do you think many people prefer to watch television instead of doing other activities?
Do you think any TV programs can (or do) have a negative affect on children who watch those programs?
Do you think government should control what is shown on TV? (If so, how much and control what?)

The Importance of Television

Do you think television is important?

What do you think is the purpose of television programs? (=Why are television programs made?)

What benefits does watching TV bring to people?

What do you think are the good points and the bad points about TV? FQx2

How do you think television will change in the future?

Educational Television

What kinds of television programs can people learn something from?
In general, do you think people prefer to watch educational TV programs or entertainment ("fun") programs? (Why?) FQ
(Similar to above) Which do you think are better, educational TV programs or entertainment ("fun") programs? (Why?) FQ
Who do you think prefers to watch educational programs and who prefers to watch entertainment programs?
Do you think educational TV programs would be more popular if they included famous TV stars?
Do you think it's important to have educational television programs?
Do you think there should be more educational programs on TV?
Do you think it's good for teachers to use educational television programs in their classes at school?

Alternatives to Television

How do (or, how can) people share their views with others about what they see on TV, such as the contents of news programs?
How do you think television compares with the internet as a source of information?

Foreign TV programs

Do you prefer TV programs from your own country or foreign programs?
(Similar to above) How are TV programs from your country different to foreign TV programs?
Why do you think different places in the world have different television programs, instead of having the same programs for the whole world?
Do you think it's a good thing that different places (or, different countries) each have their own television programs? *
What has satellite TV brought to our lives? FQ
(Similar to above) In the future, how will an increased use of satellite TV affect (young) people's lives? FQ
Do you think international television could ever have negative (or, damaging) effects on your country (or, culture; or, on the people in your country)?

Producing Television Programs / The Keys to a Successful Television Program

Which do you think is more important for a successful television program, the director of the program or the host?
Do you think that only professional television producers (or, experts) can make a television program?
(Possible question) What you like to produce a television program? *
What are the qualities of a 'good' television program? *
How do you think the quality of television programs could be improved?

Famous Actors, Actresses & TV Personalities

Would you like to be an actor in a TV program?
(Possibly) Do you want to be an actor in a TV program? (See note on the different between "would like" and "want".)
Do you have a favourite TV actor or television personality?
What kind of person is he/she?
(Similar to above) What personality characteristics does he or she have?
Why do you think people like TV stars?
Why (or, how) do people become famous when they appear on TV? FQx2
What about the people who participate in reality shows, how do they become famous?
In general, what types of TV programs most often make people famous? FQ
Do you think the people in these programs want to become famous? (Why?)
What are the advantages and the disadvantages of becoming a famous on TV?
Is there any advantage to the maker (the producer) of that TV program if the person in the program is famous?
What influence do TV personalities have on society (or, on the community)? FQ

The Private Lives of TV Personalities and Actors

Do you know much about this person's real life, away from television? (Your favourite TV star, from above)
In general, what sort of lives do you think these TV celebrities live when they are not on TV? FQx2
Why do you think people are so interested in the private lives of TV personalities and actors?
Do you think there are any possible negative effects (on the famous person) that result from becoming famous on TV?
What sorts of problems do you think they face in 'real life'? FQ
Do you think the privacy of TV personalities should be respected? *
How do certain TV personalities or actors become "famous" or popular (= become celebrities)?
What advantages does it bring to TV program makers to use popular TV celebrities in their programs?

Talents and Skills

Do you think (famous) TV personalities and actors are really talented or are they just popular?
(Similar to above) Do you think it takes real talent to become a popular TV celebrity?
What talents and skills are needed to be successful as a television personality or actor? FQx2

Advertising (on Television)

Do you think it's good to have advertisements on TV?

Why do we have advertisements on TV? FQ

(Similar to above) What is the purpose of advertisements (U.S. = 'commercials') on TV? FQ

Do you like them?

Are there any negative aspects to advertisements on television?

Which do people prefer, television advertisements or other kinds of advertisements? FQ

(Similar to above) Would you say advertisements on television are more interesting than advertisements in newspapers? FQ

Do you think advertisements influence many people?

Why do you think there are so many advertisements with celebrities endorsing products?

Who do you think is influenced more by advertisements, young people or old(er) people? (Why?) FQ

Do you think advertisements have a positive effect on children?

Do you think children's TV programs should have advertisements?

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373. A Bad Weather Experience (Oct. 8, 2011) (Probably no longer used)

Describe an experience you had with bad weather.

You should say:

what sort of bad weather it was

when it happened

where you were when it happened

and explain how it affected you. *

and explain what you did. *

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Possible follow-up questions:

Have you told anybody else about this experience, such as your classmates or friends?

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Part 3

See also Part 3 for Topic 180, Topic 164, Topic 25, Topic 95 and Topic 227.

See here for my personal opinion on "man-made global warming"

Bad Weather

Besides the example you just gave (in Part 2), what are some other examples of bad weather (in your country/in the world)? FQx2
Do different parts of your country experience different types of bad weather?
Why do you think people call it "bad weather"?
Do you think bad weather can ever be dangerous? FQ

The Effects of Weather & Climate on People

What effects does the weather have on people?
What do people in your country do when the weather is bad? FQ
(Similar to above) How do people deal with bad weather? FQ

Do you think there is anything that we can do to prevent bad weather? (For example, is there any way to prevent a heavy snowfall?)

Is there anything we can do to prepare for bad weather?

How does bad weather affect people? FQx2
Does bad weather ever affect people's ability to travel?
Do you think the weather (or, the climate) can affect people's mood? FQ
How does bad weather affect people's mood?
Do you think people become depressed or bored during bad weather?
Why do people live in places where the weather can sometimes be bad?
Do you think people's personalities are influenced by the type of weather (or climate) they usually experience?
Do you think people who live in cold places have different personalities to people who live in warm or hot places? FQx2

The Weather and Climate

Do you think there are any problems with the world's climate now?
How do you think these problems were caused?
Do you think the world's weather (or climate) is changing?
What do you think is causing these changes?
Do you think this is a problem? * (See Note)
What do you think governments should do to address this problem?
Do you think governments can do anything to solve this problem? *

Changes in Weather/Climate

Would you like to live in a place where the the climate never changes?
How do people change the way they live in different seasons?
(Similar to above) What different activities do people do in the different seasons?

Natural Disasters

What are the types of natural disasters that sometimes occur? FQ
Do you think there is much we can do to prevent these disasters?
How do you think a government should react to a natural disaster? FQx2
How do you think governments should prepare for extreme weather conditions and natural disasters? FQx2
What does your government do when a natural disaster occurs?
Do you think what your government does at these times could be improved in any way? FQ

The Environment

Do you think it's important to protect the environment?
What can people do to help protect the environment?
Do you think publicizing environmental problems has much effect on people?

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374. An Outdoor Place for Relaxation (Oct. 29 2011) (Probably no longer used)

Version A (present habit tense)

Describe an outdoor place you go to to relax.

Describe an open-air place you go to where you feel relaxed.

You should say:

when you go there

where it is

what it is like

what you do there

and explain why you feel relaxed in this place. *

Version B (past tense)

Describe an outdoor place you have been to where you felt relaxed.

Describe an open-air place you went to where you relaxed.

You should say:

when you went there

where it was

what it was like

what you did there

and explain why you felt relaxed in this place. *

Notes

Some people have reported this as Version A (present habit tense) and others have reported it as the past tense. I think the present tense is more likely.
If it is the past tense, a suitable example would be a holiday location you once went to, such as a beach. If it is present tense, a suitable place would be a park, garden, river bank etc.
Instead of the word, "outdoor", the words "open air" might be used.

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Possible follow-up questions:

Would you recommend this place to other people?

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Part 3

See also the Part 3 questions about parks and gardens in Topic 332, Topic 102, Topic 142 and Topic 246

See also the Part 3 questions for Topic 24

Relaxing

Note: In English we do not normally add one of the "self" words after the verb, "relax". That is, we don't normally say, "relax myself", "relax yourself", "relax himself", relax herself", or "relax ourselves". But we do say things such as, "This will relax you", "The music relaxed him" etc.

Stress

Some people say that, on average, there is more stress in people's lives today than in the past. Do you agree? (Why?) FQ
Some people say that pressure on people is good. Do you agree?
What do you think might be the results of too much pressure on a person?

Places for Relaxation in Cities and Big Towns

Which do you think is more suitable for relaxing, an urban area or a rural area? FQx2
In cities and big towns, why do you think people need to find a special place in order to relax?
Besides the example you spoke about in Part 2, are there other places in cities where people go to relax?
Do you think the way people in big cities relax is the same as the way people in the countryside relax?

Relaxing At Home

Which do you think is more suitable for relaxation, staying at home or going out? FQx2
(Similar to above) Would you say it's easy to relax at home? FQx2
(Similar to above) Some people say it's not so easy to relax at home. Why do you think they might say that? FQx2

Ways to Relax

What are some examples of ways that people use to relax? FQ
Do you prefer to relax alone or with other people?
Why do you think some people find it easier to relax than other people? FQ
(Similar to above) Why do you think some people find it difficult to relax? FQ
Do you think music can help people to relax? (Why?/Why not?) FQ
In what ways are old people and young people different when it comes to relaxing? FQx2
Why do you think some people play sports as a way to relax?

Holidays (See note)

Sometimes a holiday is stressful when it should be relaxing. Can you suggest why this happens?
What's the most stressful holiday in your country?
Do you think traveling is a good way to relax?
Where do most people in your country prefer to go during a holiday, to the outskirts of the city (the nearby countryside) or further away?
Where do most people in your country prefer to go during a holiday, to a city or to a non-urban location? FQ
What are some possible problems that people can have when they travel (for a holiday)?

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375. A Person Who Taught You A Useful Skill Dec. 17, 2011) (Probably no longer used)

Describe a person who taught you a useful skill. (For example, cooking, riding a bike.)

You should say:

who this person is (or, was)

what you learned from them (= him or her)

how they taught you this

and explain how this skill is useful to you.

Notes

From the examples given (cooking, riding a bike), it would probably be better to talk about a practical, everyday skill although it might be acceptable to describe an academic skill.

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Possible follow-up questions:

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Part 3

See notes about "learn" and "study"

Learning in Childhood

In general, how do children learn things?
What are the various influences on children that affect the learning they experience?
How much influence do you think parents have on their children's learning?
Do children learn the same (kinds of) things in the home as they do at school?
What do you think parents should teach their children? FQ
What skills do you think children should be taught? FQ
Which do you think is more important, what they learn in the home or what they learn at school?
Do you think children learn more from their parents or from their teachers at school?
Do you think children can (or, do) learn anything from other children? FQ
Do you think children always learn good (or, positive) things from other children?

The Influence of Television on Children

What kinds of television programs do children like to watch?
Do (or, can) children learn anything from television?
(Similar to above) Do you think television can ever be part of the learning experience of children?
Which do you think is better for a child, to learn from television or learn from a teacher, or a person (face to face)? FQ
Overall, do you think television has a positive effect on a child's attitudes towards learning (or, effect on the learning that children do)?
Is television a positive thing for students who need to study at home (e.g., do homework)?

School Teachers

Do you think whether someone is a good student or not depends on the quality of the teacher?
Do you think poor (= not very good) students are a result of low quality teachers?
Do you think poor students will become better if they have a better teacher?
What are the qualities of a good teacher?
Is it important for a teacher to be "popular" with the students?
Who do you think is more important in a class, the students or the teacher?

Being a Good Student

(Possibly the examiners are using questions they remember from Topic 365 in this Topic 375.)

Do you think studying is important?
(Similar to above, but different) Do you think it's important to be a good student?
What do you think are the qualities (or, the characteristics) of a good student?
(Similar to above) What does a person need in order to be a good student?
Do you think good students are popular at school?
What makes a student popular?

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