PART 1 JAN-APR 2013

ielts-yasi.englishlab.net

Updated July 27, 2013

Part 1 Topics and Questions

For The IELTS Speaking Tests, January - April, 2013

*****************************************************************************

Notes

N = a new topic or question. "New topic" or "new question" means it wasn't used (or was never reported) in the previous 4-month period. (Some of these "new" topics seem to be repeats of previous topics that were used months or years ago.) If a topic is new then all the questions are "new", even if some of those questions have been used in previous tests.

Topics without N are topics that are continuing from the set of part 1 topics in the previous 4-month period.. Usually the questions will be the same in the previous period but I might find some new questions. If that happens, I will label the question as N.

I don't label the topic of Work/Studies as new because it is always in the test. Some of the questions continue from the previous 4-month testing period but you can assume that there will also be some new questions at each test change time (January, May & September) When I find such new questions, I label them as N.

Similar to the Work/Studies topic, either one of the topics Hometown and Home is always in the test. Usually both are in the test at the same time but there have been rare times when only one of them is used for a 4-month testing period. Some of the questions continue from the previous 4-month testing period but you can assume that there will also be some new questions at each test change time (January, May & September) When I find such new questions, I label them as N.

Many of the questions have the words, "(Why?/Why not?)" written in the examiner's question book after the question. I have not always shown that here but you should include this information when you answer any questions about your preferences, opinions, likes and dislikes or any other answer that obviously needs you to state a reason for a complete, coherent answer. If you do not, the examiner will ask you "Why?" or, "Why not?". If the examiner is forced to ask that several times, you will be losing valuable time and you will not give a good impression.

* = A question that I have guessed is in the test OR a question that seems to exist but which has not been reported clearly so I have guessed the wording.

"Similar to above" means the wording of the question is not clear. You might get one of those questions in any group that includes "Similar to above" but not more than one of them.

Make sure you read HOW_TO_SPEAK_IN_PART_1.htm

See also Some General Notes for the Part 1 Questions Page.

*****************************************************************************

0. The four I.D. checking questions. (Not really part of Part 1)

1. Your Work or Your Studies

2. Your Hometown

3. 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). (There's a 50% chance that you will get Topic 1, a 25% chance that you will get Topic 2 and a 25% chance of getting Topic 3.

4. Mobile Phones

5. Entertainment

6. Computers and The Internet

7. Dancing

8. Greeting Cards

9. Museums

10. Bags

11. Weather, Seasons and Climate

12. Keeping Healthy

13. Art

14. Weekends

15. Leisure Time

16. Photographs N

17. Names N

18. Sport and Exercise N

19. Family N

20. Sleep N

21. Transport N

22. Music N

23. Boats N

24. Buildings N

25. Concentrating N

26. Writing N

27. Housework N

28. Parks N

29. The News N

30. The Countryside N

31. Your Daily Routine N

32. Books N

*****************************************************************************

1. Your Work or Your Studies

Do you work or are you a student?

1a) Your Work

What work do you do?
Why did you choose to do that kind of work (or, that job)?
What do you do in that job? N
Do you use any equipment in your work? N
Do you like your job?
Do you think that you are overloaded with work? N
(Similar to above) Do you think your work is very demanding? (Why?/Why not?) N

(Similar to above) Would you say it's a difficult job to do? N See Note

What's the most difficult part of it? N

(Similar to above) What is the hardest part of your job?

(Similar to above) What difficulties do you have? N

Would you recommend that job to other (young) people?
What work do young people in your country prefer to do? N
Do you plan to continue doing this type of work?
(Similar to above) What job would you like to do in the future?
(Similar to above but a little different) Do you plan to continue in this job?

1b) 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. For high school students (or recent high school graduates), the word "subjects" (plural) will be used.

What subject(s) are you studying?
Why did you choose to study that? / Why did you choose to study those subjects? (See Note)
How long have you been studying .... (your subject)?
Do you like it?
What do you usually do in class? N
What's your favourite thing to do in class? N
What do you think of the course contents / the school curriculum? N
What school/university/school do you go to now?
How long have you been going to that school/university?
Do you like studying there?
What's the best part of studying there? N

(Similar to above/possible question) Do you like being a student? / Do you like university life? N

What's the best part of being a student? N

What do you like to do after classes? N

Would you say that's an interesting subject to study? N

What's the most interesting part of it? N

Would you say that's a difficult subject to study? N

(Similar to above) Would you say it's stressful to study that? N

What's the most difficult (or, stressful) part of it? N

(Probable question) Do you think that you are overloaded with study? * N

What do you plan to do after you have finished your studies? ("Your studies" probably = the studies you are doing now but it could mean all of your studies, including your future studies.) = What do you plan to do after you have graduated?

2. Your Hometown

Notes:

– Your 'hometown' is the place where you grew up, not necessarily the place where you were born or your ancestral family location. It's probably where your parents are living now.

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

– 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.

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

What's your hometown again?
What part of China (or, your home country) is that in? N
Could you describe your hometown a little?
Do you like your hometown?
Do you prefer living in a big city or a small city? (Why?) N
Would you say it's an interesting place?
What's the most interesting part of it?
(Similar to above) What's interesting about it?
Is it famous for anything? N
Are there any old buildings in your hometown? N
Would you say it's a livable place? N
Does it have good facilities? N

What would you say are the good points and the bad points of living there / of your hometown? N

How do you think your hometown could be improved? N

Is it a suitable place for old people to live? N
Have there been any recent changes (or developments) in your hometown? (e.g., in the past 20 years) N
Do you plan to continue living there?
(Similar to above) Do you plan to live there in the future?
(Similar to above) Would you like to live there in the future?

3. Your Home (Your Accommodation)

Do you live in a house or a flat?

Please describe it a little.

Is the architecture of your home modern or more traditional? (Possibly only in the Buildings topic, below.) N

Do people in your country prefer to live in modern homes or more traditional homes? (Possibly only in the Buildings topic, below.) N

Where is it located? N

Do you like it? N

(Possible) What's your favourite room in your home?

(Possible) How long have you been living there? N

What kind of place did you live in when you were a kid? N

In the future, what sort of home (flat, house etc.) would you like to live in? (See Notes)

4. Mobile Phones

Do you have a mobile phone (= a cell phone)?

(Similar to above) Do you use a cell phone?

Is your mobile phone important (or, useful) to you in your daily life?

What do you use it for?

When did you first have (or, get) a mobile phone?

(Similar to above) When did you first start using a mobile phone?

Do you prefer sending text messages (texting), or talking on the phone?

(Possibly) Do you prefer to chat, or play games on your phone? N

Do people in your country like using mobile phones?

(Similar to above) Are mobile phones very popular in your country?

Do you think people should turn off their phones in public places (or, in meetings)?

5. Entertainment

See Note on the meaning of the word, "entertainment"

What do you do for entertainment?
(Similar to above) What types of entertainment do you like? N
What did you do for entertainment when you were a child?
When you were a child, what places did you (like to) go to for entertainment? N
What do (other) people do for entertainment around where you live?
(Similar to above) What do your friends do for entertainment?
What choices for entertainment are there for young people around where you live (or, in your hometown)?
(Similar to above) Are there any entertainment places near your school (or university)?
Have you recently been to any place for entertainment?
What did you do for entertainment in the past week? N
Is there any form of entertainment that you'd like to try in the future?

6. Computers and the Internet

How much time do you spend every day on your computer or on the internet?

Do you often use the internet?

(Similar to above) How often do you use the internet?

What do you use it for?

(Similar to above) What do you do on the internet?

How useful would you say the internet is for you? N

Do other people (at home, or) in your family also use the internet?

What benefits can people get from using the internet? N

Would you say (or, would you agree that) the internet is essential for modern life? N

(Similar to above) Would you say that the internet is essential for your life? N

Do you think there are any bad points about (using) the internet?

(Similar to above) Do you think there are any shortcomings to using the internet?

Do you think some young people buy things online that they don't really need?

When did you first start using the internet?

Other Reported Questions (reported once)

Do you use computer in you daily life?
Did anyone explain to you (teach you) how to use a computer?
When did you start using a computer?
When you first started using a computer, what did you use it for?

Other Reported Questions (reported once)

Who do you think uses the internet the most in your country?
What is the difference in internet use between different age groups?
Do you know anyone who doesn’t use the internet?
What is the life like for those people who don’t use the internet?

7. Dancing

Do you like dancing?
What type of dancing do you like? (Why?) N
Do people in your country like to dance?
When do people in your country (or culture) dance?
What dances are most popular (with young people) in your country?
Where do (young) people go to dance? N
Is traditional dancing very popular in your country? N
Do young people in your country like traditional dancing? See Note
(Similar to above) What do young people in your country think of traditional dancing?
(Similar to above) Do people in your country regard traditional dances as important?
What kinds of dance performances do people (in your country) like to see? N

8. Greeting Cards

Most people report this topic using the word, "postcard" but I think that is too restrictive. The examiner probably calls this topic, "Greeting Cards" or possibly just, "Cards".

Chinese students (and others) should take care to clearly pronounce the "d" in the word, "card", so that it doesn't sound like "car".

See here for some vocabulary.

Do you ever receive letters or cards?
(Similar to above) Do you receive many letters or cards?
Have you ever sent a postcard to a friend?
When was the last time you received a card?
Do you (ever) give cards to your friends?
(Similar to above) Have you ever given cards to your friends?
Which do you think is better (to send or receive), a card, or an email?
(Similar to above) Do you prefer to send an email or a card?
Which do you prefer, to send a card, or to receive a card?
Do you keep (or, collect) any cards?
(Similar to above) Do you keep cards that you receive?

9. Museums

Have you ever visited a museum?
(Similar to above) What museums have you visited in the past?
Do you like museums? N
Do you often visit museums?
(Similar to above) How often do you visit museums?
What benefits do you get from visiting a museum? N
Do you think museums are important?
What's the use of museums? N
Do you think museums are good for children?
Do you think visiting museums should be part of the curriculum for school children? N
What benefits do children get from visiting museums? N
Do you think the government should build more museums? (See Note) N
Is there any museum you'd like to visit in the future? N
What museum (or, what kind of museum) would you like to visit in the future? (See Note) N

10. Bags

See here for some vocabulary

Do you like bags? N
What types of bags do you like? N
Do you usually carry a bag (when you go out)?
What types of bags do you use (in your everyday life)?
(Similar to above) Do you have different bags for different occasions (or, different purposes)?
What do you put in these bags?
What sorts of bags do women like to buy?
When you are buying a bag, what factors do you consider?
(Similar to above) How do you make your choice when you are buying a bag?
When you buy a bag, which is more important for you, the price of the bag or the quality of the bag? N
Do you think the style of a bag is very important? (Why?/Why not?)
Do you have a bag for special occasions? (Probably means a luxury handbag or an especially beautiful handbag.)
Have you ever lost a bag?
Do you usually take a bag when you travel? N
(Possible question) Do you think backpacks are important in life? N

11. The Weather, Seasons and Climate

Make sure you know the difference in meaning between "season" and "climate". "Climate" can be considered to be, "average long-term weather", especially in relation to temperature. Weather and climate are not exactly the same.

What's the weather usually like in your country?
(Similar to above) What's the weather usually like where you come from? N
Do you have four distinct seasons?
Is the weather the same in all parts of your country? N
Do you think the weather has changed much in recent years? See Note
(Similar to above) Have there been any changes to the weather in recent years (where you live)?
(Similar to above) Have there been any changes to the climate in recent years (where you live)? N
(Similar to above) Do you think there has been a major change in climatic conditions recently? N
How is the weather different in different seasons? N
Do you like when it’s raining? N
What's your favourite season (or weather)?
Do you prefer hot weather or cold weather? (Or, "a hot climate or a cold climate".)
As a child, did you prefer hot weather or cold weather?
Do you wear different clothes in different seasons (or, in different types of weather)? N

12. Keeping Healthy

See Note

Do you do anything to keep healthy?
How do (or how can) people maintain good health?
What foods do you (or do people) eat for good health? N
What would you say is a "healthy lifestyle"? *
Is there any sport (or activity that promotes good health) that you would like to try (or do) in the future?
Did you (or do you) do any exercise at school?
Do you like doing exercise? N
Do you think people do enough exercise nowadays? N
Has your school/university taught you anything about how to live a healthy life?
(Similar to above) Have your teachers at school taught you anything about how to live a healthy life? N
Do you think being overweight is an important health issue? N

13. Art

Are you very interested in art?
Do you like to paint or draw? N
How often do you paint (or draw)?
Do you think painting (or drawing) is difficult (or difficult to learn)?
Have you (ever) studied (or, learned) anything about art?
Did you do any artistic activities such as painting when you were a child?
Do you think art is an important part of people's lives?
(Possibly) Would you say art is an important part of your life?
Have you ever been to an art gallery (or, an art exhibition)?
How often do you visit art galleries (or, an art exhibition)?

Would you like to visit a place that displays art (such as an art gallery)?

Have you ever given a work of art to someone as a gift? N

14. Weekends

Make sure you know the difference in meaning between "a weekend" and "a holiday".

See also the Questions on this topic from January-April, 2012. Possibly some of those questions are also being used now.

What do you usually do on weekends (or, on the weekend)?
Are weekends important to you? N
Do you think employers should ask their employees to work on weekends?
(Similar to above) Do you think people should work on weekends? N
If someone (an employee) works on the weekend, do you think they should be paid more (per hour)? N
(Similar to above) If someone works overtime on a weekend, do you think they should be paid more (per hour)? N
Do you (like to) wear different clothes on the weekend, compared to what you wear during the week? N

15. Leisure Time

What do you do in your spare time?
(Similar to above) What do you do to relax? See Note
How do you usually spend your evenings?
(Similar to above) What do you usually do after work/after classes? N
Do you prefer to stay at home in the evenings or do you prefer to go out?
(Similar to above) Do you go out much at night?
Do you think modern lifestyles give people enough time for leisure?
Do you think people today have more time to relax than in the past? N
Do you think it's important for people to have leisure time (or, time to relax)? N
Do old people and young people spend their leisure time (or relax) in the same way? N
What do you think are the good points and the possible bad points about having leisure time? N
How do people in your country spend their holidays?
If you had a child, what leisure places would you go to with your child? N

16. Photographs N

Do you like taking photographs?
When was the last time you took a photo?
Do you think taking photos today is the same as it was in the past?
Why are more and more people taking photographs today?
Do you think people are taking too many photographs?
Do you like to take photos when you travel?
Do you enjoy looking at photographs?
What kinds of photographs do you most like to look at?
Do you have a favourite family photograph?
What advantages and disadvantages do you think using a camera gives to students?

17. Names N

Does your name have any particular meaning? See Note
What's the origin of your name? (or, your surname) This is different to the first question.
Do you like your name?
What do your friends call you?
Did your family have a certain (nick)name that they called you when you were a child?
What names are popular to give to babies in your country?
(Similar to above) Are there particular names that are more popular than others in your country?
How do people in your country choose what name to give to their babies?
If you had a newborn child (now), what name would you give it?
(Similar to above) If you have a child in the future, what name do you think you will give it?
Do any other people in your family have the same name as you?
Do many people in your country have the same surname (as other people)?
(Similar to above) Do many people in your country have the same surname as you?

18. Sport and Exercise N

Do you like sport?
Do you play any sport (or do any exercise)?
Did you (or, do you) play any sport or do any exercise at school?
Is there any particular sport you'd like to try in the future? (Why?)
What sport (or exercise) can people do at home?
Do you think cycling is good exercise?

19. Family N

This topic was not often reported in China but I think it is (was) a real topic.

Do you have/come from a big family?
Please describe your family.
What family would you like to have in the future?

20. Sleep N

How many hours a day do you sleep?
Do you think that's enough?
(Similar to above) How many hours do you think is enough for you to sleep daily?
(Similar to above) How much sleep is best for people?
Do you think studying hard helps people sleep?
Do you agree that excessive sleep can be dangerous?
Do you think sleep is important? (Why?/Why not?)
Do you think it's sometimes convenient to sleep for short periods of time?
(Similar to above) Do you ever have a nap during the middle of the day?
Do you think we need to sleep in the afternoon (have or take a nap)?
Do you think elderly people need less sleep than young people?
How do you think people can have a good sleep?
Do you do anything before going to bed to help you sleep?

21. Transport N

What type of public transport do you use most often?
How is the public transport system in your hometown (or, where you are living)?
Is there anything that could be (or, should be) done to improve the public transport in your hometown?
Is the public transport in your city affordable (cheap) for most people?
Which do you think is the better choice, to drive a private car or to use public transportation?
What do you think can (or, could) be done to encourage more people to use public transport?
What do you think are the benefits of having a good public transport system?

22. Music N

Do you like listening to music?
What kind of music do you like to listen to?
Is music an important part of your life?
When do you usually listen to music?
How does it affect you?
Have you ever listened to live music?
Did you like to listen to music when you were a child?
Should we teach music to our kids?
Do you think learning to play a musical instrument is good for children?
(Similar to above) What are the benefits for children of learning to play a musical instrument?
What types of music do people in your country like to listen to?
Do retired people like to listen to the same type of music that young people listen to?
Would you say music is an important part of the culture in your country?
(Similar to above) Do you think that a country’s traditional music is important to its culture?
Are musicians from your country important to you?

23. Boats N

Do you often travel by boat?
Have you ever been on a boat while you were on holidays (on vacation)?
(Similar to above) Have you ever been on a boat tour while you were on holidays?
Would you like to go on a boat tour? (Why?/Why not?)
(Similar to above) Would you like to have a holiday on a boat?
Where in your country do people most often use boats? (or, travel by boat)
Do many people in your country own their own boat?
Would you like to buy a boat?
If you had your own boat, what would you do with it?

24. Buildings N

What types of buildings are there in your hometown?
What buildings in your country/your hometown do tourists most like to visit?
(Similar to above) What are some of the most famous buildings in your country?
Are the buildings in your country mostly modern or traditional buildings?
Do people in your country prefer modern buildings or more traditional buildings?
Which do you prefer?
What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of modern buildings and traditional buildings?
Please describe a traditional house in your country.
Would you like to design a building?

25. Concentrating N

What times in your life do you need to concentrate on doing something?
Does your job require concentration and attention to detail?
Is it difficult/easy to concentrate? (Why?)
(Similar to above) Do you find difficult to concentrate sometimes?
What affects your ability to concentrate?
(Similar to above) What are the things that disturb your concentration the most?
Do you ever do anything to help you concentrate?
Do you think people can do two things at the same time?

26. Writing N

Do you like writing?
What sorts of writing do you do?
(Similar to above) When do you need to write?
How many hours a day do you spend writing?
Do you think writing is important?
Do you write letters very often?
Do you prefer to write letters or emails?
What do you think are the benefits of writing letters?
Do you prefer to use a computer to write or to write by hand (using pen and paper)?
What did you write when you were in primary school? (If you are still a high schools student.)
What did you write when you were in high school? (If you have finished high school.)
What did you write when you were in university? (If you have graduated from university.)
Would you like to write a book one day?
(Similar to above) Would you like to be a writer and publish your own book one day?

27. Housework N

See also the questions on this topic from Jan. - Apr. 2011

Do you (or, did you) ever help your parents with the housework after school?
Do you like doing housework?
What household chore do like the most? (Why?)
What's your least favourite household chore? (Why?)
Do you think children should (be taught how to) help with the housework in the family? (= "to help around the house")
What benefits do you think children would gain from doing that? *

28. Parks N

Do you often visit public parks?
(Similar to above) How often do you go to a park?
What do you usually do there?
Do you like parks?
What kinds of parks do you like?
What do you like most about (going to) a park?
Did you go to parks when you were a child?
What did you do there?
Do you think it's good to have parks and public gardens in cities? (Why?)
(Similar to above) Do you think it's important to have parks and public gardens in cities?
Do you think there should be more of them?
Do you think you will go to parks more often in the future?

29. The News N

Are you very interested in the news?
(Possible) Do you try to keep up with the news?
How do you usually get your news?
Do you prefer to get news from the internet or from newspapers? (Why?)
When you watch the news on TV, do you usually watch it alone or with others?
Do you ever discuss the news with your friends?
Which news is more interesting for you, international or domestic news? (Why?)
Would you like to be a (news) reporter (or, a journalist)?

30. The Countryside N

(Possible question) Do you live in the countryside? = Is your home in the countryside?
Do you enjoy the countryside?
(If answer to first question is yes) Do you like living there? (Why?/Why not?)
(If answer to first question is no) Would you like to live there? (Why?/Why not?)
(If answer to first question is no) What's the countryside like around your city?
Do you often go there?
(Similar to above) How often do you go there?
What would you say are the good points and the bad points about living in the countryside?
Has the countryside in your country (or, around your city) changed much in recent years (or decades)?
What future changes do you imagine might happen to the countryside?
(Similar to above) How will the countryside look in the future?
(Similar to above) What do you think the countryside will look like in the future?
Do you like a natural environment?
How do city kids in your country have contact with nature?
Do you have any memories of nature from your childhood?

31. Your Daily Routine N

What's your daily routine nowadays?
(Possible) How do you plan/arrange your time?
Would you say you are busy?
What part of the day do you like best? (Why?)
What part of the day do you think is best for learning/study?
Have there been any recent changes to your daily routine?
Do you think there will be any changes to your routine in the near future?
Would you like to make any changes to your daily routine?
Do you (usually) get up early?

32. Books N

Do you like reading?
What type of books do you read?
Are you reading a book at the moment?
Do you prefer to read books made of paper or books on a computer?

*****************************************************************************