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ielts-yasi.englishlab.net

Updated Dec. 11, 2012

IELTS Part 2 and Part 3 Topics and Questions

Page 86

426. A Day Off (2) (May 26, 2012) (Probably no longer used)

427. A Childhood Toy (3) (May 26, 2012) (Probably no longer used)

428. An Interesting Member of Your Family * (May 26, 2012) (Probably no longer used)

429. A TV or Film Character (May 26, 2012) (Probably no longer used)

430. No Topic

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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426. A Day Off (2) (May 26, 2012) (Probably no longer used)

Copy of Topic 333

Describe what you would do if you had a day off, free from work or study.

You should say:

where you would go

what you would do there

who you would go with

and explain how you think you would feel at the end of this day.

Notes

This is probably Topic 333 returning to the test.

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Possible follow-up questions:

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Part 3

See also the Part 3 questions for Topic 333

Leisure Activities in Your Country

(For this topic, the word "relax" (if used) = do pleasurable, non-work activities. It means more than simply relaxing on the sofa or lying on your bed, although it can include that.)

How do people in your country spend their free time?
What do young people (in your country) like to do in their free time?
Is this different to what young people liked to do in their free time about 20 or 30 years ago? FQx2
(Similar to above) Have there been any changes in people's leisure activities in the past 20 or 30 years? FQx2

Do people of different income levels all do the same kinds of leisure activities?

The Amount of Leisure Time People Have

Do you think people today have enough leisure time?

In what ways do you think having not enough leisure time can affect a person's work performance?

Do you think there will be more changes in the future? (If yes, what? why? or how?)

Do you think people in the future will have more leisure time than people have today? FQ

Leisure Time and Age

Do people of different age groups do the same kinds of things as leisure activities?
(Similar to above) Is there much difference between your leisure time and that of your parents?
Is the leisure time of children the same as that of people of other age groups?

Work and Leisure

Do you think working people today have more leisure time today than working people had a few decades ago, or less?
Do you think people would work harder if they were given more leisure time?
How many hours a week do you think is reasonable for people to spend at work?
What do you think is a suitable retirement age for people?
What do old people usually do after they retire?

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427. A Childhood Toy (3) (May 26, 2012) (Probably no longer used)

Modified copy of Topic 273

Describe a toy that was special to you when you were a child.

You should say:

when you got it

what it looked like

where you played with it

who gave it to you

and explain how you used it (how you played with it). *

and explain why it was special to you. *

Notes

This is probably Topic 273 or Topic 187 returning to the test.
It looks like "Toys" is also a current Part 1 topic, starting in May 2012.

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Possible follow-up questions:

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Part 3

See also the Part 3 questions from Topic 273 and Topic 187

Toys in Your Country

What (types of) toys are most popular with kids in your country?
Do boys and girls like the same kinds of toys?
Do children of different ages have the same types of toys?
How have toys changed in the past few years (e.g., in the past few decades)? FQx2

What do you imagine toys in the future might be like?

(Similar to above) How do you think toys in the future might be different to toys of today?

Do adults have their own toys?

What are some of the differences between adults' toys and children's toys?

What do you think is the purpose of toys?

The Benefits of Toys

Have toys had (or, did toys have) much of an impact on you?
Can you suggest why children like playing with toys?
Do you think playing with toys is good for children? FQx2
How do children benefit from playing with toys? FQ
Do you think children learn anything by playing with toys? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think playing with toys can help develop a child's imagination? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think playing with toys can help develop a child's intelligence? FQ
(Similar to above) What skills can children learn from playing with toys? FQ
What types of toys do you think can best help to develop a child's imagination (or, intelligence)?

Parents and Buying Toys

Do you think it's necessary for parents to spend a lot of money on toys for their kids?
Do you think that expensive toys are better than cheap toys?
Why do some parents buy a lot of toys for their child?
Do you think some parents buy lots of toys for their child as a substitute for spending time with their child? FQ
(Similar to above) What do you think is the difference between a parent playing with their child and a parent who simply buys toys for the child? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think toys (or, a toy) can ever take the place of a parent if the parents don't spend much time with their child? FQ
(Similar to above) Which do you think is better, a child receiving a lot of attention from his or her parents but having only a few toys, or a child receiving little attention from his or her parents but having many toys? FQ
Do you think it's good for kids to break their toys?
Why do some kids break their toys?

The Cost of Toys

Do you think it's necessary for parents to spend a lot of money on toys for their children?

(Similar to above) Do you think the best toys are the most expensive ones?

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428. An Interesting Member of Your Family * (May 26, 2012) (Probably no longer used)

Version A

Describe one of the members of your family from (or, in) the past who had an interesting life.

You should say:

who he or she was

where they lived *

how you know about this person's life

and explain what was interesting about his or her life (or, their life).

Version B

Describe a person from the past who had an interesting life.

You should say:

who he or she was

where they lived *

how you know about this person's life

and explain what was interesting about his or her life (or, their life).

Notes

(Note written July 24) I think Version A is the most likely wording. This topic would suit talking about one of your grandparents who has died, not a grandparent who is still alive.
The words, "your family" could include your extended family, e.g., grandparents, uncles, aunts etc. and it probably would not be necessary to actually say the word "extended" in your answer.
Also see the earlier Notes written for this topic.

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Possible follow-up questions:

Do you think his/her parents thought he/she had an interesting life? *
Have you ever talked about this person to your friends?

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Part 3

Local History

Is there anything special (or interesting) about the history of your hometown (or the local area where you grew up)?

Did any famous people come from your hometown?

Do you think people are, in general, interested in the history of the place where they live?
Do you think it's important for people to know about the history of the place where they are living (or where they grew up)?
(Similar to above) What benefits can a person get from knowing about the history of his or her hometown?
Who do you think is more interested in the history of their hometown, old people or young people? (Why?)
How could a person discover (learn) more about your local history? *
Has your hometown changed much, compared to the way it was many years ago?
(Possibly) Have people in your hometown preserved any local traditions or customs?*
How can (or how do) people preserve their local traditions (or, culture)?

Recording Family History

Do you think it's very important for people to record their family history?
How do (some) people record their family history?
(Similar to above) How have people recorded their family histories in the past?
In the future, do you think there will be new ways for people to record their family histories?
Do you think modern technology can help people record their family history?
(Similar to above) In the future, do you think modern technology will be used to help people record their family history?

Researching Family History

Do you think it's important for people to know about their family history (= their genealogy)? FQx2
(Similar to above but different) Do you think the family history of people is important?
Do many people in your country know much about the history of their family? *
How do/can people get information about their family history? FQ
(Similar to above) Where can people get information about their ancestors?
(Similar to above) Where can people get information about people who lived in the past?
If you were going to research your own family history, how would you do it?
(Similar to above) If you were going to research your own family history, how would you start?
Do you think modern technology can help people research their family history?
In the future, as science and technology develops, do you imagine there will be other ways to discover facts about your family history? (Hint: DNA testing)

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429. A TV or Film Character (May 26, 2012) (Probably no longer used)

Describe a character in a TV program or film who you liked.

You should say:

who the character was

what they did in this TV program of film

where you saw this TV program or film

and explain why you liked this character.

Notes

Also see Notes
Don't spend too much time explaining the story of the film or TV program. Just summarize that in 2 or 3 sentences (or a little more if you can speak fast).

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Possible follow-up questions:

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Part 3

TV and Film Characters

It is not clear whether the word "characters" (= "roles") or "actors" ( or "film stars"/ "TV stars") is used in these questions. It looks like both are used, for different questions. Listen carefully to what word is used and answer according to which word is used. Remember, "characters" are fictional and "actors" are real.

What kinds of TV or film characters are most popular in your country? FQ

Is there any difference between popular characters today and those that were popular when your parents were young?

What kinds of characters do you think will be popular in the future? FQ

(Similar to above) Do you think the most popular type of character might be a different type at some time in the future? FQ

Do males and females (actors) generally play the same kind of characters in films and TV programs?

The Influence of TV and Film Characters

Do people of different age groups like the same kinds of TV & film characters?

Do males and females like the same kinds of TV & film characters? FQ

What kinds of characters do people most respect (e.g., as good examples)?
Do you think the character you just described (in Part 2) has much influence on young people (including children)? FQx2
(Similar to above) In general, do you think characters in films and TV programs have much influence on young people? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think many young people try to imitate characters they see in films or in TV programs? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think children ever try to imitate characters they see in films or in TV programs? FQ
In your opinion, why do famous TV & film personalities (stars) sometimes appear in advertisements?
What effect does it have on the viewers when they see a famous person (a star) promoting a certain product in an advertisement?
Do you think these stars really do use the products that they promote? *

Violence

Do you think there's too much violence in films (and TV shows)? FQ
Do you think there's more violence on TV or in films than there used to be? (If yes, why?)
Do you think violence in films or TV programs has any effect on children? FQ
What do you suggest should (or could) be done to solve this problem? *
Do you think there should be stronger (or more) government censorship to limit violence in films and on TV?

Films

What kinds of films are most popular in your country?
Which is more popular in your country, TV shows or films?
What do you think are the pros and cons for film censorship?

Interest in TV and Film Stars*

Why do you think some people are so interested in TV and film stars?
What kinds of people are most interested in TV and film stars?
Do you think people of different backgrounds are interested in different types of TV or film characters?
Do males are females generally like the same kinds of TV or film characters?
What skills do people need to have in order to be successful TV or film stars?

Television Programs

What types (kinds/sorts) of TV programs do you like to watch?
What kinds of TV programs are most popular in your country? FQ
Do you watch the News program on TV very often?
What benefits do people get from watching the News?
What do parents in you country think about their children watching TV?
(Similar to above) How do parents in your country feel about their children watching TV?
Do you think television has much of an impact on the community (or, on society)?

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430. No Topic

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