ielts-yasi.englishlab.net  

Updated May 30, 2010

Part 1 Topics and Questions

For The IELTS Speaking Tests in Mainland China, January - April, 2010

Important Notes

• "N" = a new topic or a new question since January 9, 2010, although a small number of these questions might be mistakes. I have labeled all the questions for a new topic as new questions.

• "C" = a question that has been confirmed as in use now. These "C" questions were reported as used before January 2010 so when someone now says they got more or less the same question, it is a strong indication that this question was not mistakenly reported.

Both the "C" questions, and the "N" questions are the most likely questions that you will get for that topic but they might not be exactly the same words as shown here, just the same meaning.

You should also understand that questions without a "C" might also be in use now – they simply haven't been reported yet as being used since January 9 but they were (reported as) used in the recent few months when these same topics were used.

A small number of the questions marked "N" are probably mistakes, i.e., what the candidate thought he or she heard as the question but which were actually misunderstood questions. Another possible source of error with these questions is this: The examiners are not allowed to make their own questions in Part 1 and must only use questions from the question book but it is possible that an examiner occasionally breaks this rule and asks a question that is not in the question book. Such questions are unlikely to be asked in your test. From now (Feb. 15) on, whenever a second person reports that they got one of the questions that is marked as "N", I will add "C" so that it looks like this: "NC". This label means that you can be quite confident that this is a real new question, not somebody's guess at a new question.

• Read other important notes about Part 1 here.

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Summary of Part 1 Topics

0. The four standard introductory questions.  (Not really part of Part 1)

1.   Your Work or Your Studies 

2.     Your Home (Your Accommodation)  

3.  Your Hometown 

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).  

4.  Neighbours

5.  Computers

6.  No Topic

7.  Traveling

8.  Magazines and Newspapers

9.  Advertisements

10.  Fruits and Vegetables

11.  Films

12.  Transportation

13.  Writing

14.  Flowers  

15.  Weather 

16.  Shopping

17.  Clothes

18.  Time 

19.  Art

20.  Leisure Time

21.  No Topic

22.  Sport (and Exercise)

23.  Television

24.  Cooking

25.  Reading

26.  Friends

27.  Sounds (Noises) N

28.  Daily Routine

29.  Collecting N

30.  Languages N

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1. Your Work or Your Studies

• Do you work or are you a student? C

1a) Your Work

 See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 1b. Your Work

 General Description of Your Job

• What job (or, what work) do you do? C

• Why did you choose that job (or, that kind of work)? C

• (Similar to above) Why did you choose to do that kind of work?

• Have you always wanted to be a _____ (your job)? N

• What qualifications do you need for that work? N

• What do you do (in a typical day) at work? C  

• (Similar to above) What are the main tasks that you do at work?

• (Similar to above) What are your (main) responsibilities at work? C

• Is your job related to what you studied in university?

• What have you been doing at work in the past year? N

Feelings about the Job    

• Do you like (or, enjoy) your job (or, your work)? C

• (Similar to above) How do you like your current job?

• (Similar to above) Is your job (or, your work) very important to you?

• Would you say it's a good job? N

• What's the best thing about your job?

• Do you think your job is good for (or, suitable for) a woman?

• Would you like to change your job? C See Note

• What other job do you think you would enjoy, apart from your present job? N

• What jobs are most popular (among young people) in your country?

Difficulties at Work N

• What's the greatest difficulty you've had at work (or, in your job)? N

• How did you solve this problem? N

Working with Others    

• Do you have to talk to a lot of people at work? N

• Do you prefer working alone or with others (or, in a group)? (Why?)

Work Training  C  See Notes on this sub-topic

• Did you have to do any kind of training in order to perform your current work? C

• (Similar to above) Have you received any training at work? C

• What kind of training is necessary for you to do your job? N

• Do you have to do any training for your work? (Unconfirmed question)

• How often do you receive this training? N

• Do you think training (or, this training) at work is important? N

• Would you like to receive more training in the future?  (This question is possibly asked if you say "Yes" to the previous question.)

• Would you like to receive some training (in the future)?  (This question is possibly asked if you say "No" to the previous question.)

• Do you think you will (need to) receive any training in the future? C 

• What kinds of future training do you think you will need in the future?

Future     

• What are your plans for the future? C

• (Similar to above) What are your work plans for the future?  

• What job (or, work) would you like to do (in the future)? C

• (Similar to above) What would be the ideal job for you? C

• (Similar to above) What possible changes in the future might affect your job (or, your work)?

• Is it easy to find that kind of job? N

• Why are you taking the IELTS test? C

1b) Your Studies

 See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 1a. Your Studies

Note: For high school students or recent high school graduates who have not yet started university, the word "school" or the words, "high school" or "secondary 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 the questions will be asked in the past tense.

General Description of Your Studies

• What subject(s) are you studying? C

• Why did you choose that subject? C

• (For high school) Why did you choose those subjects?

• What are the most popular subjects (= university degree courses) in China?

• What have you been studying in the past year? N

School/University    

• What school (or university) do you go to? C

• (Similar to above) Where do you study?

• Why did you choose that university (or, school)? NC

• How is your school (or university)? 

• Which is the best university in your country (or, city)?

Liking/Disliking Your Studies     

• Have you always wanted to study _____ (your course or major)? N

• How do you like your subject? C

• (Similar to above) Do you like your subject? (= your major = your subjects if a high school student) C

• (For university students) What are your favourite classes/courses/subjects at university?  (Unclear which word is used) C

• (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.) C

Easy and Difficult    

• Do you think that's a difficult subject to study?

• What's the most difficult part of your course? C

• (Similar to above) What's the most difficult part of your studies? C

• (Possible question for high school students or graduates) Are (or, were) your subjects at school very difficult?

• (Possible question for high school students or graduates) Which subjects at school do you (or, did you) find difficult and which do you (or, did you) find easy?

Interesting C

• What's the most interesting part of your course (your subject)? C

• For you, what's the most interesting part (or subject or class) of your course? C

• (For high school) What's the most interesting of your subjects at school? C

Specific Course Content   

For University Students

• How do students in your course learn this subject?  See Note

• (Similar to above) How do you learn this subject?

• What (specific things) do you learn in your course (in your studies)?

• (Similar to above) What subjects (classes) do you have in your course (in your studies)?

• How do you study ________ ? (The examiner chooses one of the subjects in your course)

• Do you think (all of) those subjects are useful to you? N

For High School Students

• How do you study ________ ? (The examiner chooses one of your subjects)

• Do you think (all of) your subjects are useful to you? N

Study Efficiency    

• How do you think you could improve your study efficiency?  (Not confirmed as a real question)

2.     Your Home (Your Accommodation)  C

 See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 2. Your Home (Your Accommodation)

• How are the rooms in your house decorated? (Or, How is your house decorated? Or, What decorations do you have in your house?)  

• What's your favourite room in your home?  (Why?) C

• (Similar to above) What part of your home do you like best?) (Why?) C

• (Similar to above) What's the best part of your home?

• How have you decorated this room?

• How do you think this room could be improved?

• How do you think your home (your house or your flat) could be improved? C

• If you could change one thing in your apartment, what would it be? N

Surroundings / Neighbourhood / The Location of your Home C     

• What is the environment like around your flat/house? C

• What facilities does that location offer?

• Are the transport facilities to (or near) your home very good?

• (Similar to above) Is it easy to travel to and from your home?

• (Similar to above) Is the public transportation good in the area where you live? N

• Would you say it's a good place to live? C

• (Similar to above) Would you say it's a suitable place to live? N

• (Similar to above) Would you recommend that as a good place (a good location) to live?

3.  Your Hometown 

        See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 3. Your Hometown  

        Notes:

v     Your 'hometown' is the place where you grew up, not necessarily the place where you were born.

v     Don’t say your hometown is “Henan” or some other province. That is your home province, not your home town.

v     Sometimes the questions below are used not for your hometown but for the place where you are living now, even if the word, "hometown" is used in a question below.

v     Several questions here are similar because there is more than one set of questions for the topic, "Your Hometown"

 The Place

• Where do you come from? 

• Where do you live at the moment? 

• Do your parents also live there? NC

• (Similar to above) Does your whole family live there? NC

General Information about the Place

• What's that place like?

• What kind of place is your hometown (or, the place your are living in now)?

• (Similar to above) Tell me something about your hometown.

• What would you recommend a tourist see in your hometown? NC

Size / Countryside or City

• Is that a big city or a small town (or, a village in the countryside)? C

• Do you prefer to live in a big city or in the countryside? C

• (Similar to above) Would you prefer to live in a big city or in the countryside?

• (For you,) what benefits are there from living in a big city?

Your Feelings about the Place

• Why did you choose to live here/there? (If not living in your hometown)

• Do you like _____? (The place you are living in now / your hometown) (Why?/Why not?)

• (Similar to above) Do you like living here/there?

• (Similar to above) Would you say it's a good place to grow up? NC

• (Similar to above) Would you say that's a good place to live?

• Is there anything you don't like about your hometown?  See Note

• What would you say is the best thing about the place where you're living?  See Note

• (Similar to above) What's the most satisfying thing about this place?

• What's the most interesting thing about your hometown/where you're living now?

• Would you recommend your city as a travel destination to your friends? N

• (Similar to above) Would you recommend that place to others (as a good place to live)?

• What would you recommend (or, suggest) visitors to your city see and do? NC

Past Tense or Present Perfect Tense

• How long have you been living there/here?

• Did your family ever move away from the place you were born? (Why?/Why not?) N

• (Similar to above) Has your family always lived in that city/town? C

• Has your hometown changed much in the past few years? (e.g. the past 10 to 50 years)

• Compared to the past, would you say your hometown today is more suitable for living in, or less suitable?

Future Plans

• Do you plan to live there/here for a long time? C

• Have you ever thought about moving to live somewhere else? (Why?/Why not?)

• (Similar to above) Do you think you'll always live there?

• (Similar to above) Do you plan to continue living there (or, here) in the future?

• (Similar to above) Do you think you will change the place where you are living?

• What (other) city would you like to live in (in the future)? C 

Transportation in Your Hometown or Where you are Living Now C

• What's the traffic situation like in your hometown (or, where you are living now)? C

• (Similar to above) Is transportation very convenient in your hometown?

• (Similar to above) Is transportation very convenient around where you live?

4.  Neighbours 

See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS - Your Neighbours

See Note      

• Do you know your neighbours? NC

• Do you think it's necessary to know your neighbours? N

• What do you think of your neighbours?

• (Similar to above) Do you like your neighbours? N

• How do you get along with your neighbours? N

• How often do you talk to (or, see) your neighbours? C

• (Similar to above) When do you meet your neighbours?

• Do you prefer to have young people as your neighbours, or old people? C

• Do you think it's important to have a good relationship with your neighbours? C

• What are the benefits of having good relationships with one's neighbours? N

• What sorts of problems (conflicts) can people have with their neighbours? C

• In what ways can neighbours help each other? C

5.  Computers C

      Notes

v     There might be two separate topics, "Computers" and "The Internet" or maybe only one of these topics is being used. It is not clear because people sometimes report the word, "computer" was used when probably the words, "the internet" were really used. You need to understand that the internet is just one usage of computers.

    See also All Part 1 Questions 8. Computers

• Do you use computers very much?

• When did you start using computers?

• What was your impression (or feeling) when you used a computer the first time?

• How did you learn to use a computer? N

• What do you use computers for? C

• What do you think are the benefits of (using) a computer?

• (Similar to above) What are the benefits of using computers? C

• How has using computers changed people? C

• How has using computers changed people's lives?

• Do you think a computer can give you better access to knowledge?

• Do you play computer games?

• How often do you play computer games?

• What do you do when your computer has problems?

6.  No Topic

7.  Travelling

      See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 40. Travel

Almost certainly, this means long distance travelling, not travelling (commuting) to work or school in your city or town. 

The emphasis of this topic seems to be on tourism, although the word "travel" can apply to simply going somewhere, not necessarily as a tourist. For example, you might sometimes make long trips to go from your hometown to another city where you attend university.   

See Note on word usage.    

• Do you often travel (go travelling)? N

• Why do you travel? (purposes) N

• Do you prefer traveling alone or with others such as family or friends? N

• What kind of places do you (like to) travel to? N

• Have you ever been on a long trip? (If yes, say where you went!) NC

• Do you like travelling? C (Include why, i.e., what you like about traveling)

• (Similar to above) Do you like long distance travelling? 

• What do you like about traveling? N

• (Similar to above) What do you think are the benefits of travel? N

• (Similar to above) Do you think it's important to travel? N

• What types of places do you like to travel to? N

• What are some places that you have traveled to?

• What was the last place you traveled to?

• What was the most interesting place you have traveled to? N

• What did you gain from that trip? N

• How often do you return to your hometown? (If not living at home now)

• Which city (or place) that you have been to did you like the most? (Why?)

• What (kind of) place would you like to travel to in the future? N (Not necessarily an overseas place)

• (Similar to above but different) Which country would you like to travel to (in the future)? C

• (Similar to above) If you were to go on a trip, where would you (like to) travel to? N

• What makes a place attractive for visitors (or, tourists)?

• What places in China are (or, would be) attractive for foreigners to travel to? 

• (Similar to above but note the wording) What places in China would you recommend (or suggest) foreigners travel to?

• (Similar to above but note the wording) What places in China would you recommend (or suggest) people visit? (People, not specifically foreigners)

• (Similar to above but note the wording) What places in your hometown would you recommend (or suggest) people visit? (People, not specifically foreigners) N

• Why do you think traveling is so popular nowadays?

8.  Magazines and Newspapers

    See also 'All Part 1 Questions' 25. Newspapers

• Do you like reading magazines and/or newspapers? C

• (Similar to above) Do you read magazines or newspapers? C

• What kinds of (types of) magazines (or newspapers) do you usually read? NC

• (Similar to above) What kinds of news (= what topics or what kinds of information) do you find most interesting? N

• Which do you prefer reading, magazines or newspapers?

• What parts of a newspaper do you prefer to read? C

• (Similar to above) Which parts of a newspaper are you most interested in reading? C

• What kinds of articles do you like to read? C 

• Have you ever read a foreign newspaper (or magazine)? C

• (Similar to above) Do you ever read any newspapers or magazines in a foreign language? N

• Do you think reading magazines and newspapers in a foreign language is useful? N

• (Similar to above) Do you think reading foreign magazines and newspapers can help you (or, help people) learn a new language? C

9.  Advertisements    

    See Note about pronunciation    

    See also Part 3, Topics #170 & #190

• Are there many advertisements in your country? C

• (Similar to above) Is there much advertising in your country?

• What are the various places where we see advertisements? N

• Why do you think there are so many advertisements now?

• How do you feel about advertisements? C 

• (Similar to above) Do you like advertisements? C

• (Similar to above) Do you think there are too many advertisements? (in society/on TV/in magazines and newspapers/on the street)

• What kind of advertisement do you like the most? C

• (Similar to above) What kinds of advertisements do you find most interesting?

• (Similar to above) What type of advertisement do you prefer to use for getting information? N

• Do advertisements (ever) influence your choice about what to buy? 

• (Similar to above) Have you ever bought anything after seeing (or hearing) an advertisement? C

• (Similar to above) Do advertisements have much influence on people's lives?

• Where can we see (or, what are the various places where we can) advertisements? C 

• Do you prefer advertisements on TV or those in magazines? C

• (Similar to above) What are the differences between advertisements on TV and those in magazines?

• What sorts of advertisements leave the deepest impression on people? N

• What do you think is the purpose of advertisements (or, advertising)? 

• Do you think advertising plays a very important role in today's world? C

• (Similar to above) Do you think advertising is an important part of life? N

• What do you think about the developments in advertising in China today?

10.  Fruits and Vegetables

See Notes 

• Do you like to eat fruit(s) and vegetables?

• (Similar to above) Do you often eat fruit(s) and vegetables?

• (Similar to above) Do you eat fruit and vegetables every day?

• (Similar to above) How often do you eat fruit and vegetables? C

• What fruit(s) (and /or vegetables) do you especially like to eat? C

• (Similar to above) What's your favourite fruit? N

• Did you like to eat vegetables when you were a child? C See Note

• Generally speaking, do children like to eat fruits and vegetables?

• What fruit and vegetables did you like to eat when you were a child? 

• (Possible question) When you were a child, did you like the same fruits and vegetables that you like now? *

• Is it easy (or, convenient) to buy fruit and vegetables where you live? C

• What are the benefits of eating fresh fruit (or, fresh fruits and vegetables)? C

• How much fruit and vegetables do you think a person needs to eat (everyday) to stay healthy? C

• (In China,) is there much difference between the fruits and vegetables that people eat today and what they used to eat in the past?

• Would you ever grow your own vegetables? N

• What's the difference between growing your own vegetables and growing vegetables on a large farm? N

• What factors affect the growing of fruits and vegetables on a farm? N

11.  Films 

       See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 13. Films

• Do you like to watch films? C

• What types of films do you like? C

• What types of films do you like and what types of films do you dislike?

• (Similar to above) Are there any types of films that you dislike? C

• What kinds of films did you like to watch when you were a child?

• Do you prefer to watch films at home or in a cinema? (Why?) C

12.  Transportation

See Also 'All Part 1 Questions' 39. Transport

Transportation Where you Live (or, in your hometown)

• What forms of transportation do you have where you live (in your hometown)?

• (Similar to above) What's the transportation like where you live (in your hometown)?

• (Similar to above) How convenient is the transportation where you live (or, in your hometown)?

• What means of transport do you usually use? N

• Do you often use public transportation?

• Why do you think so many modern people drive a car? N

Having/Driving a Car

• Do you (ever / usually) drive a car? C

Driver's License

For the words, "get (or have) a driver's license" the words, "know how to drive" or "learn to drive" might be used.

• Do you (know how to) drive a car? 

• (Similar to above) Do you have a driver's license? (Why?/Why not?) (U.S. = a "driving license") C

• When did you get your driver's license? 

• Do you think it's important (or necessary) to get (or, to have) a driver's license? C

• (Similar to above) Do you think it's necessary to learn to drive? C

Driving Skills / Safety

• Do you think it's important to pay attention to safety when driving? C

• Do you think it's important to drive well? C

• (Similar to above) How important do you think it is for drivers to have good driving skills? C (Give example)

• What do you think might happen if a driver had poor driving skills? N

• What advice would you give people about safe driving?

Age

• Do high school students in China drive cars? N

• In the future, when you have a child, at what age will you allow him or her to get a driver's license? C

• (Similar to above) If you had a child, at what age would you allow him or her to get a driver's license? C (In your answer, use "would", not "will".)

High School Driving Classes

• Do high schools in your country have driving classes? C (Why?/Why not?)

• Does China have schools for learning to drive? * N See Note

• Do you think it would be a good idea to have driving classes in high school? C

13.  Writing 

See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 22. Letters & Emails

• At work or in your studies, do you often write things?

• (Similar to above) Do you write everyday? C

• What do you usually write?

• Do you like writing to people? N

• How often do you send e-mails? N

• What are your main reasons for using e-mails? N

• Do you like to send e-mails? N

• Do you usually write by hand or write using the computer (or a typewriter or word-processor)? C  

• (Similar to above) Do you prefer to write by hand or write using the computer (or, using a keyboard)? C  

• Nowadays, how do most people write things? 

• Do you think computers might one day replace handwriting?

• (Similar to above) Do you think emails might one day replace handwritten letters?

• When do children begin to write in your country?  

• When did you start to learn how to write?

• How did you learn to write?

• Do you think handwriting is still important nowadays? C

• What impression does a person's handwriting have on other people?

• How can children today improve (or, practice) their handwriting?

What You Most Often Write          

• Do you like to write letters?

• (Similar to above) Do you often write letters or emails?

• (Similar to above) How often do you write letters or emails? C

• (Similar to above) Do you often write letters? C

• (Similar to above) Do you often write emails?

• Which do you prefer to write, emails or letters? C

• Who do you write to? C

• What do you write about? C

• When was the last time you used your email (or, wrote an email)?

• When was the last time you wrote a letter? C

• When was the last time you wrote an email? C

• (Similar to above) Who do you receive letters / emails from? 

Comparisons

• What are the differences between email and letters?

• Which do you prefer to write, letters or emails? (Why?) C

• Which do you think is easier to write, a letter or an email? 

• What are the advantages of emails, (compared to letters)?

• Do you think there are any (possible) negative points about emails?

• Do you prefer to receive a phone call or a letter? 

• Which do you prefer, to write a letter, write an email or make a phone call?

14.  Flowers  

    See also All Part 1 Questions 14. Flowers

    See Note on the word, "send"

• Do you like flowers? C

• Are flowers important in your culture? 

• Do flowers have special meaning in your culture? C

• (Similar to above) Do any flowers have special meaning in China? C

• What's your favourite flower? N

• On what occasions are flowers important?

• (Similar to above) On what occasions do people in China give flowers to other people? C

• Do you ever give flowers to other people? (If yes, who and why?)

• When was the last occasion that you bought flowers for someone? N

• Where did you buy these flowers?

• (Similar to above) Where do (can) people buy flowers?

• When was the last time you gave flowers to someone? C

• (Similar to above) When was the last time you bought flowers?

• Do you like to have flowers in your home? 

• Do you (ever) grow flowers at home? (Give details)

• (Similar to above) Have you ever grown flowers at home? (Give details) 

• (Similar to above) Do Chinese people ever grow flowers at home? C

• Do many people in your country grow flowers at home? C

• Do old people in China like gardening? N

15.  Weather 

      For some questions, either the word, "weather" or "climate" is used.

        See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 41. Weather

        See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 46. Seasons

• What's the weather like today? 

• What's the weather (usually) like in your hometown? C

• (Similar to above) What is the typical weather in your country?

• (Similar to above) What's the weather (usually) like where you come from? 

• What changes are there between the different seasons in your country? NC

• What's your favourite season? (Why?) C

• (Similar to above, but different) What's your favourite weather? (Why?) C

• (Similar to above) What sort of weather do you like? C

• What sort of weather do you least like?

• Do you like snow? (Why?)

• Do you usually pay attention to the weather forecasts? C

• Does the weather ever affect what you do? C

• (Similar to above) Does the weather affect your life? C

• (Similar to above) How does bad weather affect your life (or, your mood)? C(See NOTE)

• Do you think the weather can affect people's moods? (See NOTE)

• (If doing the test far from your hometown) Compare the weather in your hometown and the weather here. (See NOTE)

• In China, are there ever any problems caused by the weather? (= caused by extreme weather?)

• Would you prefer to live in a place that has just one, warm season that lasts the whole year or a place with different seasons? N

• Do you (or, do people in China) do the same things in the different seasons of the year? NC

• Do people (in China) play the same sports in different seasons of the year? N

16.  Shopping

        See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 34. Shopping

• Do you like (going) shopping? (Why?/Why not?) C

• Do you prefer shopping alone or with others?

• (Unconfirmed question) Do you prefer to buy things yourself or to have your parents buy things for you? N

• What time of the day do you prefer to go shopping?

• (Similar to above) When do you prefer to go shopping?

• When was the last time you went shopping? C

• What was the most recent thing you bought (for yourself)?

• Do you prefer to buy things in small shops or in big shops such as supermarkets and department stores? C

• (Similar to above) What are the pros and cons of buying things in big shops compared to buying things in small shops?

• Is there anything you dislike about (going) shopping?

• (Similar to above) What kinds of shopping do you dislike?

• (Similar to above) What thing(s) do you least like buying?

17.  Clothes

         See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 6. Clothes

• Do you like shopping for clothes? C 

• (Similar to above) Is shopping for clothes important to you?

• When was the last time you went shopping for clothes?

• Do you think men and women think the same about clothes?  

• What kinds of (or, style of) clothes do people in your country like to wear? N

• What kinds of (or, style of) clothes do you usually wear (or, buy)? C

• (Similar to above) What kinds of (or, style of) clothes do you like? C

• Do you like to try on clothes before you buy them? (Why?/Why not?)  

• For you, is the colour of the clothes very important when you are shopping for clothes?

• Where do you think you can buy the most fashionable clothes?

• Are you very interested in fashion (or, clothes fashions)? C

• (Similar to above) What do you think about fashion? N

• (Similar to above) What do you think about fashion nowadays in your country? N

• Are people's ideas about fashion (or, ideas about what is 'fashionable') today the same as people's ideas in previous years? C

• Do many people (in China) follow fashion? N

• What are the benefits of following fashion? N

18.  Time 

See some vocabulary

See also these Part 3 questions.       

• Do you (usually) wear a watch (a wrist watch)? (Why?) C

• What do you use your watch for? N

• (Similar to above) How does your watch help you? N

• Do you often look at your watch? NC

• Do you think time is very important? (Why?) C

• (Similar to above) Is time very important to you? (Why?)

• Do you think time management is important? N

• Have you ever been late for anything?

• Were there any serious consequences when you were late? N

• Do you think it's important to be on time? C

• (Similar to above) Do you think punctuality is important? C

• How do you feel when you are late? C  See Note

• How do you feel when (other) people are late?  C (Possible question. Most people report the question above.)

• Do you feel that time moves slowly, or fast? C  See Note

• When do you feel time moves fast? N  See Note

• When do you feel time moves slowly? (Why?) NC

• (Similar to above) When does time seem to move fast and when does it seem to move slowly?

• If you could go back in time, would you do (i.e., what would you do differently)?

19.  Art

    See Also 'All Part 1 Questions' 49. Art

    and See Also 'All Part 1 Questions' 11. Drawing and Painting

    Note: For some questions it is unclear whether the word, "painting", "drawing" or "art" is used.

• Do you like drawing / painting? (Why / Why not?) C

• Why do some people like to draw (or paint)?

• Have you ever taken a class in (drawing or) painting? C

• (Similar to above) Have you ever taken an art class? C

• When you were a child, did you have art classes at school? C

• (Similar to above) Did you learn to paint when you were a child? C

• Have you kept any of your drawings or paintings (from when you were a child)? 

• Do you think children should learn drawing / painting (from a young age)?

• (Similar to above) Do you think children should have art classes in school? C

• (Similar to above) Do you think it’s necessary to teach children to draw?

• Do you think art is necessary (or, important) in society?

• Why do you think people buy paintings? C

• Why do you think people like to have a painting (or other artwork) in their homes?  C

• Why do you think people like to put paintings (or other artwork) on the walls of their homes? C

• Do you ever buy paintings (or, have you ever bought a painting)? C

• (Similar to above) Would you consider buying a painting yourself?

• (Similar to above) Would you (ever) buy a painting? C

20.  Leisure Time 

See Note about pronunciation

See also ALL PART 1 QUESTIONS 21. Leisure Time and Relaxing 

• What do you do in your free time? C

• What are your hobbies?

• (Similar to above) Do you have any hobbies or interests?

• (Similar to above) What are your hobbies or interests?

• Do you often do things with others in a group (or, with your friends)?

• Do you prefer to do things in a family group or a group of friends?

• What leisure activities do you and your family like doing together? N

• What do you do with your friends in your leisure time?

• Do you and your family often get together for a family gathering (家庭聚会)? 

• What do you do at these family gatherings?

• What kinds of leisure time activities are popular with young people today?

• Where do people (in your country) go nowadays to spend their leisure time? N

• What types of outdoor leisure time activities are there (in your country)? N

• Do older people like to do the same activities?

• Do you think modern people like to get together with others?

21.  No Topic

22.  Sport (and Exercise) 

     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?

• Are you interested in sport? N

• What sports do you like? N

• (Similar to above) Do you like (to play/to do) any sports? (What sport?) C

• (Similar to above) What's your favourite sport? N

• How often do you play that sport (or do that)? N

• (Similar to above) How often do you do a sports activity? N

• (Similar to above) How often do you do some physical exercise? N

• What sports are most popular with young people today?

• (Similar to above) What sports are most popular in your country? C

• Do children in China play much sport (or do much exercise)?

• 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? C

• (Similar to above) Do you (or did you) do any regular physical exercise at school?

• (Similar to above) Did you have sports classes when you were in school? C

• Do you think children should be encouraged to do more exercise? N

• What sports facilities did you (or do you) have in your high school?

• (Similar to above) In China, what sports activities do students do at 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 sport is important? (Why?/Why not?) C

• (Similar to above) Do you think physical activity is important for children? (Why?/Why not?) C

• (Similar to above) Do you think it's necessary for children to play sport? N

• Are there any sports facilities near where you live? (for the public to use)   C See Note

• In the future, what sports would you like to play (or, take part in / or learn)?  See Note

23.  Television

    See Also 'All Part 1 Questions' 38. Television and Radio       

• Do you often watch television (TV)? C 

• (Similar to above) Do you like watching television? C

• How much time (per day/per week etc.) do you spend watching television? C

• What programs do you like to watch?   

• (Similar to above) What programs do you usually watch? 

• (Similar to above) What types of programs do you like to watch? C

• (Similar to above) What's your favourite TV program? N

• What type(s) of television program do you watch when you want to relax? N

• When you were a child, did you (used to) watch more television than you do now, or less? 

• (Similar to above) How are your television-watching habits now different to (or, different from) when you were a child? 

• Possibly the question above is: How has television changed since you were a child?

• How do you feel about advertisements on TV? N

• Do you think watching TV is an important part of people's lives?

• Do you prefer reading a newspaper (or reading a magazine) or watching TV?

• (Unconfirmed question) What kind of news do you prefer to watch on television? N

• (Similar to above) Do you prefer to get your news from television or from some other source? N

• Do you ever watch programs from other countries? C 

• (Similar to above) Have you ever watched programs from other countries? C 

• What benefits can people get from watching foreign TV programs? 

• Do you think watching TV can help you? C

• Do you think watching TV can help students in their studies (in their education)? 

• Has watching TV (ever) helped you in your work?

• Is there any difference between different people when they watch TV?

24.  Cooking

        See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 15. Food and Cooking

• Do you know how to make (prepare) a meal?

• (Similar to above) Do you like cooking? C

• (Similar to above) Do you know how to cook? C

• (Similar to above) Do you (ever) do any cooking at home? (Why?/Why not?)

• How well do you cook?

• (Similar to above) How good are you at cooking?

• Who usually does the cooking in your family (or, in your home)? C

• Would you like to try any food that you have never eaten before?

• Do you usually eat at home or do you usually eat away from home (= "eat out")?

• What do you (like to) cook?

• (Similar to above) What dish do you cook best?

• When did you learn how to cook? C

• (Possible question) How did you learn to cook?

• When you were young, did you learn how to cook/make a meal (= how to prepare food)?

• (Similar to above) Did you learn how to cook when you were younger (or, when you were a child)? C

• How did you learn to cook?

• Who taught you how to cook? N

• Have you ever thought about learning how to cook?  

• Do you think everyone should learn how to cook? 

• Do you think it would be useful to teach cooking in school?

• Do you think university students should know how to cook?

• Can you see yourself cooking more in the (near) future? Why? NC

• (Similar to above) In the future, do you think you will be cooking more than you do now, or less? (Why?) NC

25.  Reading

    See Also 'All Part 1 Questions' 32. Reading

• Do you like reading? C

• (Similar to above) Do you normally do much reading?

• What (sorts of books) do you like to read? C

• (Possible question) What sorts of things do you most often (or, usually) read? See Note

• How much time each day do you spend reading? C

• (Similar to above) How often do you read?

• Where do you usually do your reading?

• Did you like reading when you were a child?

• (Similar to above) Did you read much when you were a child? C

• What did you (like to) read when you were a child? C

• For children, what are the benefits of reading? NC

• What are the differences between what you read (and how you read) today, compared to when you were a child?  

• What books (or, what things) have you read recently? C

• What's the most recent book you've read? *

26.  Friends

    See Also 'All Part 1 Questions' 16. Friends   

• How often do you meet with (or, go out with) your friends? C

• (Similar to above) How often do you do something with a friend? N

• Do you feel that you spend enough time with your friends? N

• (Similar to above, but different) Do you feel that you have enough time to spend with your friends? N

• What do you do when you are with your friends? C

• Are most of your friends from school (or university) or from outside school (or university)?

• (Similar to above) Are most of your friends from your work or are they not connected with your work?

• Where do you usually meet (= spent time with) your friends? C

• Do you prefer to meet your friends at home or away from your home? C

• (Similar to above) Do you prefer your friends visit you (at your home) or do you prefer to visit them (at their homes) or, to go out with your friends? C

• Do you like making friends with (a lot of) people? See Note

• Do you think friendship is important? 

• (Similar to above) Is friendship important to you?

• How do you keep in contact with your friends?

27.  Sounds (Noises) N

           Also see All Part 1 Questions 26. Noise

        See Note on the meaning and usage of the word, "noise".

• Do you prefer a quiet environment or an environment with some sounds? N

• (Similar to above) Do you prefer a quiet environment or a noisy environment? N

• (Similar to above) Do you prefer to study in a quiet environment or a noisy environment? N

• What natural sound do you like (the most)? (Why?) NC

• (Similar to above) What kinds of natural sounds do you like? NC

• What sounds do you dislike? (Why?) NC

• (Similar to above - A common form of Part 1 questions) Are there any sounds you dislike?

• What sounds remind you of your childhood? NC

• What (kinds of) music do you like the most? N

• (Unconfirmed question) How do you feel when you hear your national anthem? N

28.  Daily Routine

        See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 9. Daily Routine          

• What time do you usually get up? C

• What do you usually do after you get up (or, in the morning)?

• (Similar to above) What's the first thing you usually do after you get up (or, in the morning)?

• What's your favourite time of (or, part of) the day? C

• (Similar to above) For you, what's the best time of the day? C

• What do you usually do at that time? (Or: What are you usually doing at that time?) 

• What's your favourite day of the week? *

• Is you life now the same as it was before? 

• (Similar to above) How is your life (or, your daily routine) today different to what it was when you were a child?

• (Similar to above) Has your life recently changed in any way? 

• What changes would you like to make to your daily routine (or, to your life) in the future?

• (Similar to above) If you could change one thing about your daily routine, what would it be? 

• (Similar to above) If you could change your daily routine, what changes would you make?

29. Collecting N

         See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 7. Collecting

• Do you collect anything (as a hobby)? N  See Note

• Have you ever collected anything? N

• (Similar to above) Did you collect anything (such as stamps or CD's) when you were a child? NC

• Do you still collect them now? NC

• Why do you like collecting things? N

• (Similar to above) Why do you think people like collecting things? NC

• What are some examples of things that some people collect (as a hobby)? N  See Note

• Do boys and girls usually collect the same things? N

• Do you think you will collect anything in the future? N

• If you had a lot of money, what would you like to collect? N  See Note

• (Similar to above - probably this is the question being used) If you had a lot of money, what would you collect? N (Don't use, "will".) See Note

30. Languages N

       See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 20. Languages

       See Notes

• What language do you usually speak? NC
• What foreign languages have you studied (or, learned)? N
• Why did you choose to study that language? N
• How did you learn that language? N
• (Similar to above) How did you learn English? N (See Note)
• Would you say it's a difficult language to learn? NC See Note
• (Similar to above) Is that language hard for you? N
• How long have you been learning that language? N
• What language would you like to learn, (if you had the opportunity)? (Why?) N
• (Similar to above) What language would you like to learn in the future? (Why?) N

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