Updated May 15, 2009
Part
1 Topics and Questions
For The IELTS Speaking Tests in Mainland China, Jan. 10 - Apr. 30, 2009
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Summ
0. The four standard introductory questions.
1. Your Work or Your Studies
2. Your Home (Your Accommodation)
One of the three topics above is a
compulsory topic and you will be asked about 4 questions on this topic. You will
then be asked questions on two of the topics from below. (Again, about 4
questions per topic).
6. The Internet
7. Birthdays
8. Food
9. Evenings
10. News
11. Parties
13. Swimming
14. Holidays
15. Bicycles
16. Shopping
18. Music
19. Writing N
20. Plans and Goals N
21. Cooking N
23. No topic
24. Daily Routine
25. Travelling N
26. Gifts
27. Weekends
28. Going Out (出去玩儿) N
29. Leisure Time
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Important Notes
The letter, "N" after a question means that question is new, although the topic might not be new.
The letter, "N" after a topic name means that topic is new and all the questions are new.
Those topics that are labeled as "New" are topics and questions that have not been seen before within the past three years.
Some topics that are not labeled as "New" have new questions, even though the topic has been used before.
You should not assume that you know what the question is just because the question is similar to a question on this page. This is because some of the questions on this page might be inaccurate. So, listen carefully to the exact words of the question that the examiner asks.
For every topic listed here, the Part 1 questions that are reported on the internet will be added to this page only. (Later, they will be added to the page, 'All Part 1 Questions'.)
Many questions are not reported at all or are inaccurately reported so you should also read the questions for that same topic on this page: ALL PART 1 QUESTIONS because previously used Part 1 questions are frequently used. That page shows all the questions and topics that have been (reported as) used in Part 1 since January 2006.
The list of Part 1 topics and questions for Jan - Apr, 2009 will not be complete until after we have had many tests. We might even still be discovering new Part 1 topics and questions towards the end of April. This means that you should return to this page whenever the page has been updated, (probably after each test).
For almost every question here, you should add extra information after you have answered the basic question. You should consider these questions as basically invitations to give information, and invitations to show vocabulary, with the beginning of your answer directly answering the basic question.
(Possibly you don't need to give any extra information after answering this question: Do you work or are you a student? For that particular question, if you do give extra information, it might be best to make it rather short and general, although a lot of extra information might also be suitable in rare cases.)
For example: Do you think the internet is a good thing? Don't just say, "Yes, I do." and then stop. You should answer by first saying, "Yes, I do." and then follow that with some examples of what you think are the good points about the internet.
You could answer that particular question with an answer such as, "Yes, I think it's mostly a good thing but I also think there are a few negative sides to it." And then explain what you mean by giving examples or by speaking more specifically.
Although some questions here have (Why?/Why not?) written after the questions, you should consider that every question requires you to answer 'why' or 'why not', or some similar extra piece of information if the words, 'why' or 'why not' are not applicable to that question.
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1. Your Work/Your Studies
Do you work or are you a student?
See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 1b. Your Work
General Description of Job
What
job (or, what work) do you do?
Why did you choose to do that job?
(Similar to above) Why did you choose to do that kind of work?
How
long have you been working? (Or: How long have you been doing this job?)
What
does your company do?
What
do you do in a typical day at work?
(Similar
to above) What are your (main) responsibilities at work?
(Similar
to above) What are your (main) tasks at work?
Feelings about the Job
How do you feel about your job (or, your work)?
(Similar
to above) Do
you like your job (or, your work)?
Do
you prefer your life now, as a working person, to the
life you had as a
student?
Do you think your (school or) university education prepared you well for the work you are doing now?
Would
you say it's an easy job?
What's
the most difficult part of your job?
Would
you recommend this job to other people?
Would you like to change your job? See Note
Working with Others
Do
you need to work with (= co-operate with) other people at work? (teamwork
question)
Do
you like working with them?
(Similar
to above) Do you prefer working alone or with others (or, in a group)?
(Why?)
What do you do with your colleagues (workmates)? N (If answering you prefer to work with others.)
How (well) do you get along with your colleagues? N
Do you do
anything with your colleagues after work?
Work Tools, Equipment
What tools or equipment do you use in your work? (Include information about how useful it is/they are.)
Is it/are they very helpful to you?
(Similar to above) Would you say it's/they're very useful?
(Similar to above) How useful would you say it is/they are?
Do you use computers in your work? * N
What do you use them for? * N
What are your work plans for the future?
Are you planning to change your job? See Note
In the future, what changes do you think will take place in your industry?
Why are you taking the IELTS test?
See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 1a. Your Studies
Notes: For high school students or recent high school graduates who have not yet started university, the word "school" or "high school" will be used instead of "university". If you are no longer a student now and have not yet started to work, the questions will be about the last time you were a student, either high school or university and asked in the past tense.
General Description of Studies
What
subject are you studying?
Is
that a popular subject in China?
Do
you think that's a difficult subject to study?
Why
did you choose to study that?
What specifically do you learn in your course? N
Are there any particular skills that you learn in your studies? N
(Unconfirmed question) Is there anything else you would like to study (if you had the opportunity)? N
In a typical day, what do you do in the classroom? N
Your Feelings about Your Studies
How do you feel about your studies/your subject/your subjects?
Do
you like your subject? (= your major = your subjects
if a high school student)
(For high school students) What's your favourite subject at school? (Don't say P.E. - that's not really a subject that people study.)
Study Place
Where
do you study (= what school/university do you attend)?
Why
did you choose that (particular) school/university?
What
do you think of your school/university?
(Similar
to above) What
do you think of the place where you are studying?
What
is the best thing about your university/school?
Length of Time as a Student
When did you start this course and when will you finish it?
(Similar to above) How long have you been doing this course?
(Similar
to above, for high school students) How many years have you spent in school?
(Possible question) What year are you in at school/university? * See Note
Life as a Student
Do
you like university life?
(Similar
to above) How do you like
university life? ( = How do you feel about life at university?)
In addition to gaining knowledge, what other ways have you benefited from your school/university experience?
In your free time, do you do anything with your classmates?
Study Tools, Equipment, Facilities
What
"study tools" (or equipment) do you use? See Note
Do
you th
What facilities are there at your school/university to help you in your studies?
Do you use computers in your studies? N
What do you use them for? N
Studying with Others N
Do you prefer studying independently ( = studying alone) or with others (or, in a group)? (Why?) N See Note
What do you do with your classmates? N (If answering that you prefer to study with others.)
Future
Do
you think the things you are studying now in school/university will prepare
you well for your future work?
What
are your future work plans? (after
you graduate)
(Similar
to above) What do you plan to do after you finish your course?
When
you start working, do you think you will prefer that to being a student?
Why
are you taking the IELTS test?
What are your future study plans?
2. Your Home (Your Accommodation)
See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 2. Your Home (Your Accommodation)
Do
you live in a house or a flat?
How long have you lived there? N
Please
describe it a little.
Who
do you live with?
How do you like your flat/house? ( = How do you feel about your house/flat?)
How are the rooms in your house decorated? (Or, How is your house decorated? Or, What decorations do you have in your house?) N
What's your favourite room in your home? (Or: What part of your home do you like best?) (Why?)
What do you do in this room? (= What is this room used for? = What is the function of this room?) N
What decorations does this room have? (Or: How have you decorated this room?) N
How do you think this room could be improved? N
(The question above is possibly this:) How do you think your home could be improved? Or: Is there anything about your room (or, your home) you would like to improve? Or: How do you plan to improve your home in the future? N
Is
there anything on the walls of your home (or, your room/this room)? See Note
What
can you see when you look out the window of your room (or, the windows of
your home)?
What is the environment like around your home? * N (Possible question. Unconfirmed)
(Your 'hometown' is the place where you grew up, not necessarily the place where you were born.)
See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 3. Your Hometown
Where do you live at the moment?
If Not Living in Your Hometown Now
How long have you been living there/here?
Do
you like _____? (The
place you are living in now)
General Information about Your Hometown
Where
is your hometown? (Or, what part of China do you come from?)
What
kind of place is your hometown?
(Similar
to
Is that a big city or a small town (or, a village in the countryside)?
(Similar to above) How big is that place? *
Do you think it's good to live in a big city?
(For you,) what benefits are there from living in a big city?
Has
your hometown changed much in the past few years? (e.g. 20 years)
Feelings about Your Hometown
Do you like your hometown? (Why?/Why not?)
Compared to the past, would you say your hometown today is more suitable for living in, or less suitable?
Do
you think you'll always live there?
The Weather in Your Hometown
What's
the weather usually like in your hometown?
Has
the weather in your hometown changed much in recent years?
Notable Features of Your Hometown
What sorts of buildings are there in your hometown?
What's
your favourite part of your hometown?
What facilities does your
hometown have?
What would you say is the best thing about your hometown?
See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 50. Private Gardens
See also the Part 3 questions for Part 2 Topic # 142
Does your family have a garden?
Do many people in China have their own garden? (Don't forget, about 65% of China's people live in the countryside!)
Why do wealthy people like to have a garden? N
What do people in China use their gardens for? (What do people in China do in their gardens?)
If someone has a private garden in China, do they usually prefer to grow flowers or vegetables? (Why?)
Have you ever grown anything? (in a garden, a flower pot or possibly just in a bowl of water)
Do Chinese people like growing flowers? (Or: Do Chinese people like gardening/like growing things?)
(Similar to above) Are gardens important to Chinese people?
What do you think of gardening? (= How do you feel about the topic of gardening?)
Do you like growing flowers? (Or: Do you like gardening/like growing things?)
What benefits do people get from gardens (or, from gardening)?
(Similar to above) Why do some people like gardening?
See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 35. Sport and Exercise
In the questions below, the word "sport" might be replaced by the word, "exercise" for some questions.
What kind(s) of physical exercise do you do to keep fit?
Do you use any equipment for this exercise (or sport)?
Do you like any sports? (What sport?)
What sports are most popular with young people today?
Do you participate in any sports with your friends?
Is children's sport (or exercise) very important in China?
What kinds of exercise do you think are most suitable for children?
Did you (or, do you) take part in any (organized) sport in school?
(Similar to above) Do you (or did you) do any regular physical exercise at school?
What sports facilities did you (or do you) have in your high school?
Do you think it's important to have P.E. classes (or sports classes) at school? (Why?/Why not?)
What are the benefits of exercise (or sport)?
(Similar to above) Do you think physical activity is important? (Why?/Why not?)
(Similar to above) Do you think physical activity is important for children? (Why?/Why not?)
Are there any sports facilities near where you live? (for the public to use)
In the future, what sports would you like to play (or, take part in / or learn)? N See Note
See also the Part 3 questions for Part 2 Topic # 114.
Note: In English we always put the word "the" before the word, "internet". So don't say, "I think internet is a good thing."
Your Internet Usage
Do
you ever use the internet? (= access the internet = go onto the internet =
log onto the internet)
How
(or, where) do you go onto the internet? (At school? At home? At an
internet cafe?)
What do you do on the internet?
Have you ever bought anything on the internet?
First Time
When
did you start using (or first learn to use) the internet?
How
did you learn to use the internet?
Where did you learn to use the internet? N
Good and Bad
Do
you think the internet is a good thing?
Is there anything that's not so good about (or, on) the internet?
What
are the good and bad points about the internet?
(Similar to above) Is there anything you don't like about the internet?
Do
you think the use of the internet needs to be controlled?
The Impact of the Internet
In general, what impact does the internet have on people's lives? N
(Similar to above) How has the internet changed people's lives? N
(Similar to above) How has the internet changed your life? See Note N
People's Usage of the Internet, in general
Is the internet very popular in China?
What kinds of people (= what groups or what categories of people) most often use the internet? N
(Similar to above) What kinds of people most often use the internet for work? N
How can people best make use of the internet?
Learning + the Internet
Is
there anything you don't understand about the internet?
What do you think is the best way to learn about (or learn how to use) the internet?
How
can people learn things on the internet?
(Possible question) What is the best way people can learn from the internet? * (= What is best way to use this tool for learning.)
What
sorts of things can people learn on the internet?
What
do you think are the benefits of "e-learning"? (= studying online)
Do
people in China celebrate birthdays?
(Similar
to above)
Are people's birthdays very important in China?
How
do Chinese people celebrate birthdays?
(Similar
to above)
Do people in China do anything special to celebrate birthdays?
(Similar
to above) Nowadays, how do young people in China celebrate their birthday?
Do
people in China have birthday parties?
How
do you like to celebrate your birthday?
(Similar to above) Do you usually do anything special on your birthdays?
What
did you do on your last birthday?
Do
you think it's important for people to celebrate birthdays?
Possibly the above question is this: Do you think it's important to remember people's birthdays?
Do you think it's important to give a (special) gift to someone on their birthday?
Are
birthdays more important for children or for adults?
(Similar to above) Do you think it's more important for children to celebrate birthdays than adults?
Do children and adults celebrate birthdays the same way?
See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 15. Food and Cooking
What
[sort(s) of] food do you (especially) like? (Why?)
(Similar
to above) What's
your favourite food?
How
often do you eat that?
When was the last time you ate that?
Have
you always liked that food?
(Similar to above) Did you like to eat that when you were a child?
(Similar to
above) When
did you start to like that food?
What
food did you like (most) when you were a child?
Is
there any food that you liked when you were a child but you don't like now?
What
types of food do children generally like to eat?
Do you usually make that yourself or do you usually buy it?
Where
do you usually eat your meals?
(Similar
to above) Where do prefer to eat your meals?
When do you usually eat your meals?
Do you always (or, usually) eat the same food every day? N
What do you think are the benefits of eating at home, (instead of in a restaurant)? N
What do you usually do in the evenings?
(Possible question) What did you do yesterday evening (or, last night)? *
Do you do the same things every night?
Is there much (or, any) difference between what you do in the evenings and in the daytime?
Do you go out much in the evenings?
What do you (like to) do when you go out in the evenings?
Who do you go out with?
(Similar to above) Do you like to go out in the evenings with your friends? N
Do you prefer to go out with a large group of friends or just a few friends? N
When was the last time you went out with your friends? (Include what you did.) N
On what occasions do people in China go out in the evening? (= for what purposes = why)
What sorts of nighttime activities are available in your hometown?
Do you do different things in the evenings in different seasons?
Are you willing to (or, would you like to) work in the evenings? N
What do you think are some of the good and bad points about working in the evenings? N
Are you very interested in the news?
(Similar to above) Do you like to keep up with the latest news?
(Similar to above) Do you like to follow the news?
Why do you want to know the latest news? N
How important is it to you to get the news every day? N
What
sort of news are you most interested in?
(Similar
to above) What
types of news do you like?
How do you usually find this news?
(Similar
to above) How
do you usually get your news?
Which do you think is more important, domestic news or international news?
Would
you say the news affects your life very much?
(Similar
to above) How do you think that being aware of the news can affect a
person's life?
Do
you think children like (= are interested in) the news? (Why?/Why not?)
Do
you (often/ever) read newspapers?
(Possible question) When did you start to read newspapers? *
Do
you think newspapers are important?
Besides
newspapers, what are some other ways people get news?
Who is more interested in the news (or, interested in reading newspapers), older people or younger people? (Why?) N
Are
old(er) people and young people interested in the same (kinds of) news?
(Why?/Why not?)
Party animals
