Updated May 23, 2013
IELTS Part 2 and Part 3 Topics and Questions
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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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Notes
The wording for this topic is not yet clear. The wording above is my guess.
This is testing your ability to summarize. In 1 to 2 minutes you cannot describe a historical event in great detail!
Also see this Note
History
Do you think it's important to know about history?
What can we learn from history?
How do (or how can) people get reliable historical information?
Museums
Do people in your country like to visit museums?
What can people learn from museums?
Who do you think likes to got to museums more, children or adults?
Do you think museums should be free of cost to enter?
Do you think local people and tourists should pay the same amount to enter a museum? (See Notes)
(Similar to above) H
Notes
Instead of "haven't been in contact with" it might simply say, "haven't seen". In this case, you could have been in contact by email, text message, phone call etc. but simply haven't seen each other for a long time.
Sometimes the words, "haven't seen for a long time" really mean, "haven't been together with this person for a long time". It might be possible to say that you have "seen" this person by video transmission on the internet but you haven't actually been together for a long time. In this case, it would probably be OK to use that as an example, as long as you explain your meaning. If you simply say you have seen each other via video but do not add that you haven't met each other for a long time, you will not be communicating very clearly.
It is possible for you to say you haven't been in contact with someone for a relatively short time such as 6 months, as long as you explain why this is a long time for you.
Making Friends
In general, do old people and young people make friends the same way?
The Nature of Friendship
Why do people have friends?
Do you think it's a good idea for people to have friends of different ages?
Why do people often call someone a "best friend"?
Maintaining a Friendship
How (or why) do people
sometimes lose contact with friends?
(Similar to above) Why do
friendships sometimes come to an end?
If someone loses contact with a friend, how could they re-establish contact?
What do you think are the advantages of maintaining a friendship for a long time?
How can a person maintain a friendship for a long time? FQ
Notes
I think it would be OK to use your parents as an example.
A "couple" = "two". Here, it means "two people".
The first line might be, "Describe a couple you know who are happily married."
Weddings in Your Country
("wedding" = the marriage ceremony)
What happens at a wedding in your country? FQ
Is it expensive to get married in your country?
Why do people spend so much money on their weddings?
What do you think is the best age to get married?
In your country, in the past 20 or 30 years, have there been any changes in the ages at which people get married?
What do you (or people in your country) think of teenagers getting married?
The Division of Labour Within a Marriage
In a marriage, do you think the husband and the wife are equals? (= equal in status)
(If "No" to the question above) Do you think they should be equal?
Do you think that married men and women have equal responsibilities in the marriage (i.e., in the family)?
What different roles do husbands and wives usually play
(in the home/in the marriage) in your country?
Do you often find married men and women in your country who perform the same household duties?
How does a married couple decide who does what work? (esp. housework & child-rearing)
Do you think the roles of married men and women are changing?
You should say:
when you (first) saw this work of art *
where you saw it *
what it looked like *
and explain your feelings about this work of art when you saw it. *
Note
So far, the wording is my guess, adapted from Topic 167.
This might be either Topic 11 or Topic 167 returning to the test.
Possibly "artwork" also exists as a Part 3 sub-topic for Topic 403, A Place of Natural Beauty.
See also the Part 3 questions for
Art and Culture / Art in Society
What forms of visual art (e.g., paintings, sculpture) are popular in your country?
(Similar to above) What are some examples of (visual)
art that people see (or, create) in your country?
Do you think art adds anything to the lives of people (including both the artists who create this art and the people who see this art)?
(Similar to above) How important is art in the culture of a country (or, a cultural/ethnic group)?
Are there any differences between the art in your country and the art in Western
(i.e., European culture) countries?
Do you prefer the traditional art of your country or Western art?
If you were collecting art as an investment, would you choose to collect Western art or art from your country?
What do you think of abstract art?
What do you think is the purpose or the aim of artists who produce abstract art?
Art Exhibitions / The Financing of Art
Are there many art exhibitions in your country?
How are these exhibitions financed?
(Similar to above) Who pays for these exhibitions?
Do you think people should be able to see these exhibitions for free? *
In general, how is art financed in your country? *
Do you think the government should (or, has a responsibility to) pay for the creation of art? *
Children and Art / Art Education
Do you think everybody should learn how to draw?
Do you think it's important to cultivate an appreciation of art in children?
How do you suggest that could be done?
Do you think art should be included in school
curriculums? (Why?)
Do you think school students should learn (or practice) more the traditional art of your country or foreign art?
How do you imagine that art will be taught in the future? (Will there be differences to the way art is taught today?) FQ
Describe a happy event from your childhood that you remember well.
You
should say:
what the event was
when and where it happened
who was with you
what you saw or did *
and explain why you remember this event so well. *
Notes
Possibly this is the same as the other two
times this topic was used -
Topic 74 and
It is unsuitable to talk about something such as "playing with my dog" as an "event" because playing with your dog is something you did as a habit or did continuously over a long period of time.
See also the Part 3 questions for
Recording the Childhood of a Person
Do you think it's important to record the childhood of a person in some way? FQ
(Possible question) Why do people like to keep a record of their child's growing years?
In what ways are can a parent keep a record of their child's growing years?
Do you think taking photos of one's children is a useful (or valuable) thing to do? FQ
Influences on (factors influencing) Child Development
Do you think your childhood was (exactly) the same as other people's childhood?
What are the various factors that influence how a child develops?
For parents, what do you think are the most important things to pay attention to concerning child development?