PART 1 JAN-APR 2015

ielts-yasi.englishlab.net

Updated July 4, 2015

Part 1 Topics and Questions

For The IELTS Speaking Tests, Jan. - Apr., 2015

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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 considered to be "new", even if some of those questions have been used in previous tests months or years ago. But if a topic is "new", the questions listed for that topic will not be labeled with N .

Topics without N are topics that are continuing from the set of Part 1 topics in the previous 4-month period.. About two thirds of the topics are in this group. 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 (must 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 or different people have reported slightly different questions. You might get one of those questions from any group that includes "Similar to above" but not more than one of them.

Where the question says, "in your country", the examiner usually uses the name of the country, for example, "China".

Make sure you read HOW_TO_SPEAK_IN_PART_1.htm

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

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

1. Your Work or Your Studies

2. Where You Live

3. Your Home (Your Accommodation)

One of the three topics above is a compulsory topic and you will be asked 3 to 5 questions on this topic. You will then be asked questions on two of the topics from below. (Again, 3 to 5 questions per topic).

4. Shoes

5. Colours

6. Housework

7. Teachers

8. Writing

9. Friends

10. Natural Places

11. Advertising

12. Public Holidays

13. Weather & Seasons

14. Museums and Art Galleries

15. Street Markets

16. Days of the Week

17. Food

18. Photography

19. Television

20. Shopping

21. Time Management N

22. Collecting N

23. Sleeping N

24. The Sky N

25. Visitors N

26. Trees N

27. Clothes N

28. Reading N

29. Weekends N

30. Taking a Break (Possible topic)

31. Family (Optional topic)

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1. Your Work or Your Studies

Do you work or are you a student?

1a) Your Work

The questions in Group 1 have been reported for the Jan-Apr period. However, the questions in Group 2 were used in the previous two four-month periods and some of these questions are possibly still being used, even if they haven't been reported yet. Since this is a high probability topic if you are working (or usually work), then you should think about all the questions in both groups.

Group 1

What work do you do?

Why did you choose to do that type of work (or, that job)?

What do you do in that job?

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

Would you say that's a difficult (or, easy) job to do? N

Do you like you job?

Your first day at work. See the questions for this topic at ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 1b. Your Work

Did you like your first day at work?

(Possibly the question above is this) What was your first day at work like?

(Possibly the question above is this) How did you feel on your first day at work?

Do you think there will be future changes in your field of work? N

(Similar to above) Do you think your way of work or work culture will change in future? N

(Similar to above) Do you think your work pattern will change in the future? (Why?) N

Do you plan to continue doing that work? (or, that type of work / or, that job)

(Possibly the question above is this) Do you intend to change your job in the near future?

(Possibly the question above is this) Will you change your job in the future?

1b) Your Studies

Notes: 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. For university students, the word "subject" will be used, which has basically the same meaning as the American, "major".

There are probably two or three different sets of questions for this topic, on two or three different cards in the examiner's question book. I have no way of knowing which questions belong to which set so all the "studies" questions are grouped together here.

The questions in Group 1 have been reported for the Jan-Apr period. However, the questions in Group 2 were used in the previous two four-month periods and some of these questions are possibly still being used, even if they haven't been reported yet. Since this is a high probability topic if you are a student (or have not started work yet), then you should think about all the questions in both groups.

Group 1

What subject(s) are you studying?

Why did you choose to study that subject? / Why did you choose to study those subjects? (See Note)

(Possibly) What do you learn about that subject? N

(More for high school students) What subjects do you study? N

Do you find them hard to learn? N

Is it important to you to study them? (Why?) N

Do you like your subject? (Why?/Why not?)

Is it very difficult to study that?

What work do you plan to (or, want to) do after you finish your education? N

(Similar to above) What are your future career plans? N

Your first day at school / university. See the questions for this topic at ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 1a. Your Studies

Did you like your first day at university/high school?

(Possibly the question above is this) What was your first day at university/high school like?

(Possibly the question above is this) How did you feel on your first day at university (or high school)?

What was/is your university like?

(For high school students & recent HS graduates) What was/is your high school like?

Why did you choose (to attend) that school/university?

How long will you continue studying there?

Would you say your school / university has a good learning environment?

Group 2

Was that an easy choice to make?

Have you always studied that subject? (See Note)

(Possibly the question above is this) Have you always wanted to study that subject?

Is it very interesting?

Would you say you are good at that subject?

(Possibly) How was your summer vacation (summer holidays)? *

Will you (or, do you intend to) continue studying that subject?

(For high school students & recent HS graduates) What was /is your favourite subject at high school?

(Possibly) What was /is your most useful subject in high school?

(Continuing from the question above) Will you (or, do you intend to) continue studying that subject?

Was there/is there any high school subject that you didn't like?

Do you prefer to study in the mornings, or in the afternoons? (Why?)

(Possibly the question above is this) Do you study better in the mornings in in the afternoons? (Why?)

(For non-high school students & non-recent H.S. graduates) What are you going to (or, planning to) do in the future?

(For university students) What do you think you will do after you graduate?

Do you prefer to study in a quiet environment, or in a place that has some noises (or sounds)? See Note

What do you do if there's too much noise (and you want to study)?

2. Where You Live (Or, Your Hometown)

See also the question in September-December 2013 for this topic

Note: The questions below are about the city or place that you are living in now, regardless of whether it is your hometown or not.

Some of the questions below will possibly no longer be used in the Jan-Apr. testing period.

Where are you living at the moment? (= Where do you live?)
Where do your parents live?
Do you like living in _______ (your hometown, or where you are living now)?
What are the good points and the bad points about living here/there?
(Possibly) Is there anything you dislike about it?
Has it changed much since you were a child?
Can you suggest how it could be improved?
Would you say it has good facilities?
Do you think it's a good place to grow up in?
Does it have good educational facilities?
Is the public transport system in your hometown convenient to use?
Would you say it's a good place for (families with) children to live? See Note
Would you say it's a suitable place for young people to live? N
Do you have many neighbours?
Do you know your neighbours (or the local people) very well?
Would you like to change the place where you live?

Where would you take a visitor to your hometown? (Why?)

(Similar to above) What would you show a visitor to your hometown?

(Similar to above) What would you recommend a visitor to your hometown see and do?

3. Your Home (Your Accommodation)

Do you live in a house, or a flat (= an apartment)? See Note 6
How long have you lived (or, been living) there?
Did you live in a house / flat when you were a child? N
Do you like it (= like living there)?
What do you think are the advantages of living in a ______ ? (flat or house, whichever you live in).
Could you describe it a little?
Which is your favourite room? (Why)
Who do you live with?
Do you live with your family (your parents)?
Do you think it's good to live with one's family?
Has your family (or, have you) always lived there? See Note 1
(Possibly) Do you get along well with your neighbours? N
Do you feel your home could be improved in any way? N
Are there many shops near your home? N
What other facilities are there in your neighbourhood (= near your home)? N
Do you plan to live (or, to continue living) there for a long time? N

4. Shoes

Do you like shoes (or, are you interested in shoes)? N
What kind of shoes do you like? Why? N
How many pairs of shoes do you have? N
(Possibly) Do you like shopping for shoes? (Why? / Why not?) *
How often do you buy shoes?
(The question above might be this) How long is it since you bought some (or, a pair of) shoes?
Is price important when you chose shoes to buy? N
What kinds of shoes do you usually buy? (or, prefer to buy / prefer to wear)
Do you prefer comfortable shoes, or good-looking (fashionable) shoes?
Do you have a pair of shoes that you especially like (a favourite pair of shoes)?
Do you ever buy shoes online?
(Similar to above) Have you ever bought shoes online? N
Do you think men and women are equally interested in (buying) shoes?

5. Colours

People are reporting a lot of different variations of these questions!

Do you have a favourite colour? (If so, what colour and why is that your favourite colour?)
Was that also your favourite colour when you were a child?
Do you think colours are important?
Were colours important to you when you were a child? (See Note)
What colour clothes do you like to wear?
Did you wear bright coloured clothes when you were young?
Do you prefer light colours, or dark colours?
(Slightly different to above) Do you prefer light colours, or bright colours?
What colour would you choose to paint the walls of your room?
What colour car would you choose to buy?
Do you think the colour of one's car or walls is important (or, has any significance)?
(Similar to above) Is the colour of your car important to you?

6. Housework

Do you like doing housework (= doing household chores)?
Do you do much housework? *
Is there any housework that you (especially) dislike doing? *
How do you think housework could be made more interesting (or, more fun)?
Did your parents ask you (or, make you) do any housework when you were a child?
Do you think children should do some housework?
What could be done to make household chores fun for kids? N See Note 8
Would you like to have all your chores done by special appliances (e.g., robots)? N
In the future, do you think machines will replace humans for doing housework?

7. Teachers

Do you (or, did you) like your teachers at school? (past tense if no longer a school student)
Did you like your teachers in primary school? N
Do you (or, did you) have a favourite teacher?
Why do (did you) you like him/her?
How does (or did) this teacher help you?
(Possibly) How have our teachers helped you?
(Possibly) Have you stayed in contact with him / her?
Have you stayed in touch with any of your former teachers?
Would you like to be a teacher?
Do you think you could be a teacher?
(Similar to above) In the future, do you think you will be able to work as a teacher? See Note 3
Do you think it is important to have good teachers? (Why?) N

8. Writing

How do you communicate with your family / friends when you are away from home?
Do you receive many handwritten letters or cards?
Do you like writing cards and letters (by hand)?
Would you say you have good handwriting?
(Similar to above) Do you have a clear handwriting?
Do you think you (or, one) can judge someone's personality by looking at their handwriting?
(Similar to above) What do you think good handwriting or bad handwriting tells us about the writer?
Do you think handwriting is a skill? N
Do you like to write letters or emails?
(Similar to above, but different) Which do you prefer to write, letters or emails? N See Note 7
Who do you write to? ( = "To whom do you write?" in more formal language) N
On what occasions do you write an email / letter? N
Do you prefer to receive a phone call or an email? N
(Similar to above) Do you prefer to receive a phone call or a letter? N
What types of emails do you mostly receive? N
What type of email / letter is hard(est) to write for you to write? (Why?) N

9. Friends

How much time do you spend with your friends?
How often do you spend time with friends? N
Where do you meet your friends? ( = Where do you get together with your friends?)
What do you usually do with your friends?
How long have you known your best friend?
(Similar to above) When did you first meet your best friend? N
When will you see him/her next?
What do you (and your best friend) usually do together?
Which do you think is better (or, prefer), to have many friends, or just one or two close friends?

10. Natural Places

Do you like nature? N
Do you often visit natural places?
(Possibly) Do you like natural scenery?
(Possibly) What are some well-known natural attractions in your country?
What do you think is the best way to learn about nature? N
How do people in your country come into contact with nature?
Do you (or, would you) prefer to travel to a natural place, or to a place with many people (e.g., a city)?
Do you like the country life (or lifestyle)?
(Similar to above) Would you like to live in the countryside? See Note 5
(Similar to above) Would you ever consider living in a place such as in the mountains?
Have you ever gone camping?
Do you like to do outdoor activities? See Note 2

11. Advertising

Do you watch the advertisements on TV?
Where do you see more advertising, on TV or on the internet?
(Similar to above) Do you prefer watching advertisements on TV, or the internet? N
Do you like advertisements on TV?
Do you enjoy watching advertisements that appear in the middle of a TV program? N
Do you like the advertisements that you (can) see on the street?
Do you think advertisements are important? N
Do you think advertisements help people to buy products? N
Have you ever bought anything after seeing it in an advertisement?

12. Public Holidays

Are there many (public) holidays in your country?
What (public) holidays do you have in your country?
Which do you think is the most popular holiday?
(Similar to above but about you) Which holiday do you like the most?
What do you usually do during on a holiday?
What did you do during the last (public) holiday?
Do you think (public) holidays are important? N
Do you think there should be more (public) holidays in your country?

13. Weather & Seasons

What's the weather (or climate) like in your hometown?
Would you say the weather in your hometown is generally good, or bad weather?
How are the (four) seasons different in your hometown?
Which season do you like the best (or, the most)?
Would you prefer to live in a place with one season all year round, or four different seasons?
(Similar to above) Would you like the weather to stay the same all year round? N
Would you say there have been any changes in the weather (in your hometown) in the recent past?
Does the weather have much impact on your life?
(Similar to above) Does the weather ever affect your mood?
(Similar to above but more general) How does the weather affect you?
Do changes in the weather affect your mood?
Does the weather have much impact on (daily) life in your country?
Do you think the weather has any effect on traveling? N
Do you do different activities in different seasons?
Do you pay attention to the weather forecasts? N
(Similar to above) Do you check the weather forecast daily? N
Do you use the Internet to check it, or watch it on TV? N
Do you ever ( or, often) talk about the weather with your friends?
(Similar to above) Do you like to talk about the weather? (Why?/Why not?)
What sort of weather (or, climate) do you prefer?
Do you like extreme climate? (Why?/Why not?)
Would you prefer to go to a hot place, or a cold place for a holiday?

14. Museums and Art Galleries

Have you ever been to a museum? N
Do you like visiting museums and art galleries?
What kinds of museum do you like the most?
What did you learn from visiting these places?
(Similar to above) What have you learned from visiting these places?
(Possibly) Which did you (or do you) prefer to visit, museums or art galleries? *
(Possibly) What is the difference between a museum and an art gallery? *
Do you prefer to go to a museum alone or with friends? N
Would you like to work in a museum? N
Do you think schools should take their students to visit museums and art galleries?

15. Street Markets

See here for information about street markets.

Do you like visiting street markets?
Are street markets very common in your country (or, where you live)?
What is usually sold in these street markets?
Do people in your country prefer to shop at a street market, or in normal shops and shopping malls?
(Similar to above) What do you think are the differences between a street market and a supermarket?
Would you visit a street market in a foreign country (if you were visiting that country)?
(Similar to above but different) Would you like to visit a street market in a foreign country?
In what ways do you think street markets in other countries are different to street markets in your country?
(Similar to above) In what ways do you think street markets in other countries would be different to street markets in your country?

16. Days of the Week

Do you do the same things every day of the week?
Which is your favourite day of the week?
Which day (would you say) is your busiest day of the week?
Is there anything you would like to change about your weekly routine?
(Similar to above) If you could change one thing about your weekly routine, what would it be?
How many days off do you have every week? *
Do you usually have days off together or are they separated (by work/attendance at class)?
What do you usually do on weekends?

17. Food

See also the questions under "Food Preferences" for the topic ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS.htm#15. Food/Cooking

What kind(s) of food do you like to eat?
(Possibly the question above is this) What kind(s) of food do you usually eat?
What's your favourute food?
When do you eat that?
Did you also like to eat that when you were a child?
(Similar to above) What food did you (like to) eat when you were a child?
Would you give that food to your children if they asked for it?
Do you prefer to eat at home, or to eat out? *
Do you know how to cook?
Have you ever cooked for your friends?
When do you usually eat?
(Similar to above) At what times do you usually eat?

18. Photography

Make sure you know how to pronounce "photograph", "photography", "photographer" and "photographic". The word stress (i.e., which syllable is stressed more) is different in some of these words.

Do you like to take photographs? (Why?)
How often do you take a photo (or, take photos)?
Do you think it is better to take photos using a camera, or a mobile phone?
(Similar to above) Do you prefer to take photos using a camera, or a mobile phone?
What do you most like to take photos of?
Do you ever take a photo of yourself?
What do you do with your photos after you have taken them?
Do you ever share your photos with other people on the internet?
Would you like to attend a photography class?
(Similar to above) Would you like to learn more about photography?
Will you take (or, be taking) more photos in the future?

19. Television

Do you like watching television?
How much TV do you (usually) watch? (See Note)
(Similar to above) Do you watch TV regularly? (possibly "often", not "regularly")
When do you usually watch TV? N
What types of TV programs do you have in your country?
What (types of) TV programs do you most like to watch?
(Possibly the question above is this) What's your favourite TV program?
In your country, have people's TV-watching habits (or, attitudes towards TV) changed much over the past few decades?
Do you prefer to watch films (or, videos) on television, or on the internet?

Did you watch much TV when you were a child? (How much?)

What (types of) programs did you watch when you were a child?

Do you still like to watch those programs?

Do you think children's television has changed (much) since you were a child? (See Note)

Do you think TV is good for children? (Why?) N
(Similar to above) In your opinion, how does watching TV affect (or, influence) children?
(Similar to above) What influence does TV have on children?
How much TV would you like your children to watch? (See Note)
Do you think children today watch too much TV? N
Do you think children these days watch TV more often than in the past? N
Do you think children will watch more TV programs in the future? N
Do you think there will be a bigger variety of programs in the future?
In your opinion, what kinds of programs should be on TV? N
What TV shows do you expect to see more in the future? N

20. Shopping

Do you like (going) shopping?
When was the last time you went shopping?
When (e.g., what time of the day/week) do you prefer to go shopping?
Where do you go shopping?
(Similar to above) Do you prefer shopping in small shops, or in big department stores and supermarkets?
What do you usually buy when you go shopping?
Is there anything you dislike about shopping?
Are there shops that you don’t like to go to? N
Do you spend much (money) when you go shopping?
Do you like buying things online?
Would you say the things you buy (or, can buy) on the internet are good quality?
How can someone judge the quality of goods for sale on the internet?
Would you like to work in a shop?
Do you think men and women have different shopping habits (or, different attitudes towards shopping)?
Would you say shopping is a popular activity in your country?
Who do you think prefers to go shopping, young people or old people?

21. Time Management N

Do you wear a watch?
Are you usually on time (for meetings, classes etc.)?
Do people in your country think it's important to be on time?
Do you plan your (use of) time?
Do you think it's good to plan your time?
(Similar to above) Do you think it's important to make plans?
How do you plan your (free) time?
Do you plan your holidays or vacations?
How do you plan them?
Is it hard to manage your time?
Would you say you are a good time planner?
(Similar to above) Do you think you manage (or, organize) your time well?
When (at what age) did you start planning your time?
How did you learn to plan your time?
(Similar to above) Who taught you how to plan (or, manage) your time?
What would you do if you had more free time?

22. Collecting N

Do you collect anything?
(If yes to the first question) Where do you collect them from? / How do you collect them?
How much time do you spend on your collection?

What do (young) people in your country like to collect?

(Similar to above) What are the most popular tings for (young) people in your country to collect?

Can you suggest why (some) people like collecting?
Do you think it's good to collect something?

23. Sleeping N

How long do you sleep every night (or, every day)?
Do you think you sleep enough or would you like to sleep more?
What do you usually do before going to bed (or, going to sleep)?
Do you think reading in bed is helpful before you go to sleep?
Did you have the same sleeping habits when you were younger?
How much sleep do you think people need every day (every night)?
Do you think people slept more (than they do today) in previous times?
Do you think elderly people and young people sleep the same amount of time?
Do you think babies need more sleep?
Do you need to sleep in the middle of the day (a nap)?
Do you think having a nap in the daytime is a good habit to have?
(Similar to above) What are the benefits of having (or taking) a nap?

24. The Sky N

Do you like to look at the sky? See Note 4
Where do you like to look at the sky?
(Similar to above) Where is the best place to look at the sky?
(Possibly) Do you like to look at the sky when it's cloudy?
Do you prefer to look at the sky in the day time or the night time? (the "night sky")
(Similar to above) Which is better to look at, the sky in the daytime or the night sky?
How do you look at it?
Do you go somewhere special to do it?
(Similar to above) Do you like to look at the stars?
Where is the best place to look at the stars?
Did you learn about the stars (or the planets in our solar system) in school?

25. Visitors N

How often do visitors come to your home?
(Similar to above) Do many people visit your home?
When do they usually come to your place?
Do you need to prepare anything before visitors arrive?
When did you last have visitors (or, a visitor)?
How do you entertain (or show hospitality to) visitors to your home?
(Similar to above) What do and your visitors you usually do when they visit?
Do you like to visit other people?
How often do you do it? (Why?)
(Possibly) Do many people visit your hometown?

26. Trees N

Do you like trees?
Are there many trees around where you live?
What trees do you have (around) where you live?
(Possibly) Would you like to have more trees around where you live?
Do you think trees are important?
What benefits do you think trees provide?
(Possibly) Do you think trees in cities have an impact on city life?
(Possibly) Do you like gardening? (Why?)
Have you (or your family) ever grown trees in your garden?

Did you ever plant a tree when you were a child?

Do you like planting trees?

Are there any (types of) trees that have "special meaning" (e.g., famous / special uses) in your country?
Did you ever climb trees when you were a child?

27. Clothes N

Do you like (or, are you interested in) clothes?
How important are clothes to you?
What type of clothes do you usually wear?
(Similar to above) What is your favourite type of clothing?
Do you wear the same type of clothes on the weekends that you do during the week?
(Similar to above) Do you dress differently on weekends and on weekdays?
Do you wear the same (types of) clothes in all seasons?
Is there any particular colour of clothes that you prefer?
Will you continue to wear the same types of clothes (as you wear now) in the future?
Do you think you will you dress the same in your old age (as you do now)?
Do you think young people and elderly people like the same types of clothes?
Are there many clothing shops in your area?
(Possibly) What clothes do you wear on special occasions?
Do you think clothes represent the personality of a person? (How?)

28. Reading N

See Note 9

Did you read a lot as a child?
What kind of books did you read?
Do you still like to read?
What kind of books do you usually read?
(Similar to above) What books do you like to read?
Is there anything you dislike reading?
Are you reading any books at the moment?
Where do you do most of your reading?
(Similar to above) Where do you do most of your reading at home?
What is a good place for reading?
(Similar to above) What is the perfect reading place for you?
(Similar to above) What qualities should a place have in order to be good for reading?
Is there any place where you find it hard to read? See Note 10
(Similar to above) Have you ever been to a place where you couldn't read?
Do you have experience reading in public places?
Do you prefer to read alone or with a group of people (e.g., with friends)? See Note 7
Has modern technology had an impact on people's reading habits?
Do you think people prefer to read online (or on an electronic device) or do they prefer to read something printed on paper?
Do you think children should read books?
Do children like to read books?
Do you think it's good to give books to children (as presents)?
Do you think it's good to give your books to others if you are not using them now (or, if you are no longer using them)?
Why do people read?

29. Weekends N

What do you like to do at/on weekends (or, at/on the weekend)?
(Similar to above) What do you usually do at/on weekends?
Have you ever worked on the weekend?
Do you mostly spend weekends on study or on leisure?
What's your favourite part of the weekend? (Why?)
What did you do last weekend?
Who was there with you?
Do you (prefer to) plan your weekends ahead of time?
What do you plan to do next weekend?

30. Taking a Break (Possible topic)

British English most often is "have a break" while American English most often is, "take a break". Both are correct.

Do you usually have a break after (or during) your work/study?
(Similar to above) Do you usually have a break when you are doing your work/study?
(Similar to above) Do you take short breaks during the day?
Do you get a break in the afternoon?
What do you do when you have a break?
How do you feel after you have a break?

31. Family

"Family" is always an optional topic. That is, the examiner will first ask you if it is OK to ask you questions about your family. You can always reply, "I'd prefer not to" and then the examiner will choose a different topic. This is the only topic in which you have a choice of asking for a different topic.

Are you married?
How many brothers and sisters do you have?

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Note 1

The wording is unclear but I think the question is something like that. It might be, "Has your family lived in many other apartments/houses?" or, "Has your family moved often to different living places?" In that question, "family" means your parents & siblings but it could possibly include earlier generations living in the same house. Note that the examiner is most likely to use the British form, "have your family", not the American form, "has your family". The British consider family as "them" or plural while Americans consider it as one group, "it". When you speak or write, both are correct.

Note 2

That was how the question was reported but it is probably a bit different to that. Obviously the topic is about outdoor activities away from a town or city (such as fishing, camping, hiking, skiing etc), not outdoor activities that people do in a town or city, such as playing football. "Do you like the outdoor lifestyle?" would be more suitable.

Note 3

If this question exists, it is asking you whether you think will have the training and qualifications that will allow you to work as a teacher (if you want to) after you graduate from university.

Note 4

We look at something that is not moving. We watch something that is moving. See is what you (can) do when your eyes are open.

Note 5

In English, the word "suburb" refers to a part of the city, or part of the metropolitan area (the urban area). It does not refer to an area just outside the urban area. We have "inner suburbs" and "outer suburbs". meaning parts of the city that are close to the centre of the city or parts that are quite far from the centre of the city. You could describe an area just outside the urban area using expressions such as "a nearby village", "a nearby residential area", "in the nearby countryside" or, "in the countryside just outside the city". ("nearby" = near to the urban area.)

Note 6

If you are living in a dormitory at the moment, it is perfectly suitable to say that.

Note 7

Almost certainly, questions such as this use the word "prefer", not "like". You can "like" both choices but "prefer" means "like more than the other choice". For example, you can like both rice and noodles but which one do you prefer?

Note 8

"Fun" and "funny" are not the same.

Note 9

"Reading" and "studying" are not always the same. "Reading for pleasure", "reading for enjoyment" or "reading for entertainment" is not "studying".

Note 10

This is probably mostly referring to a place where you can't concentrate. But, depending on the exact wording of the question, it could include a place that was dark, a place in which you can't see the written material.