PART 1 MAY-AUG 2013

ielts-yasi.englishlab.net

Updated September 24, 2013

Part 1 Topics and Questions

For The IELTS Speaking Tests, May - August, 2013

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Notes

The following topics that were being used in the January-April 2013 period are no longer being used: Entertainment, Dancing, Cards, Museums, Bags, Weather and Climate, Keeping Healthy, Photographs, Weekend, (and Books).

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 withoutare 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.

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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. Computers and The Internet

6. Art

7. Leisure Time

8. Names

9. Sport and Exercise

10. Family

11. Sleep

12. Transport

13. Music

14. Boats

15. Buildings

16. Concentrating

17. Writing

18. Housework

19. Parks

20. The News

21. The Countryside

22. Your Daily Routine

23. Clothes N

24. Patience N

25. Gifts N

26. Trees N

27. Toys N

28. Advertising N

29. Friendship N

30. Being Busy N

31. Cooking N

32. Television N

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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?
Do you use any equipment in your work?
Do you like your job?
Do you think that you are overloaded with work?
(Similar to above) Do you think your work is very demanding? (Why?/Why not?)

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

What's the most difficult part of it?

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

(Similar to above) What difficulties do you have?

Would you recommend that job to other (young) people?
What work do young people in your country prefer to do?
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?
Have you made any friends at work? N

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?
What's your favourite thing to do in class?
What do you think of the course contents / the school curriculum?
(Similar to above) Do you think what you are studying is interesting? 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?

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

What's the best part of being a student?

What do you like to do after classes?

Do you think that you are overloaded with study?

(Similar to above) Do you feel you are studying too much? N

(Possibly) Does studying make you feel tired? N

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

What's the most interesting part of it?

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

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

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

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?

Do many students in your country work part-time? N

Do you have many contacts with other students? N

(Similar to above) Do you have many friends at your school/university? N

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?
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?)
Would you say it's an interesting place?
What part of X (your city or town) do you live in? N
What's the most interesting part of it?
(Similar to above) What's interesting about it?
Is it famous for anything?
Are there any old buildings in your hometown?
Would you say it's a livable place?
Does it have good facilities?

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

How do you think your hometown could be improved?

Is it a suitable place for old people to live?
Have there been any recent changes (or developments) in your hometown? (e.g., in the past 20 years)
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.

What are the advantages of living in a house/flat? (Examiner possibly chooses what you live in. Unclear.)

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

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

Where is your home located?

(Possibly) What's the environment (the surroundings) like around your home? N

Do you like it?

Would you like to (or, prefer to) live in another place? N

What's your favourite room in your home?

Is there anything like like to change about your home? N

(Possibly) How long have you been living there?

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

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

(Possibly) Would you like to live in a bigger house (or flat)? N

Do you think you will leave home soon? N

Do you think your future home will be in your country, or overseas? N

4. Mobile Phones

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

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

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

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

Is your mobile phone important to you?

(Similar to above) Is your mobile phone useful) to you in your daily life?

What do you use it for?

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

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

Do you like to replace your phones often? Why? N

(Similar to above, but different) Would you like to change your mobile 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)?

(Possibly) Would you say mobile phones are important? N

5. 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?

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

What benefits can people get from using the internet?

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

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

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

(Similar to above) Do you think there are any shortcomings to (or, anything negative about) 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. Possibly the candidate who reported these questions confused "computers" with "the internet". )

Do you use computers in your 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?

6. Art

Are you very interested in art?
Do you like to paint or draw?
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 learn to paint at school? N
Do you think young children should learn to paint at school? N
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?

Would you ever buy a painting? N

What is your opinion of art collectors? N

Why do you think some people buy wall paintings? N

7. 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?
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?
Do you think it's important for people to have leisure time (or, time to relax)?
Do old people and young people spend their leisure time (or relax) in the same way?
What do you think are the good points and the possible bad points about having leisure time?
How do people in your country spend their holidays?
If you had a child, what leisure places would you go to with your child?

8. Names

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?

9. Sport and Exercise

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?

10. Family

This topic is not often reported in China but I think it is a real, current topic.

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

11. Sleep

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?

12. Transport

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?
(Similar to above) Do you prefer to use public transport or a car?
Do you think using a car is connected to one's social status?
Do you agree that more people should use public transportation? N
(Similar to above) Do you think people should use public transport more? N
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?

13. Music

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?
Is the music you like now different to the music you like when you were a kid? N
Should we teach music to our kids?
(Similar to above) Do you think children should learn to play a musical instrument? N
(Similar to above) 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?
Is there any musical instrument that you would like to learn? N
What types of music do people in your country like to listen to?
Where can you hear children's songs? N
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?
Does your country have a long musical history? N
Are musicians from your country important to you?
Are songs in (or, from) your country different to foreign songs? N
How do you think music will change in the future? N

14. Boats

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?
Is sailing very popular in your country?
Would you like to buy a boat?
If you had your own boat, what would you do with it?

15. Buildings

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?

16. Concentrating

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 it difficult to concentrate sometimes?
(Similar to above) Do you ever find it difficult to concentrate?
What affects your ability to concentrate?
(Similar to above) What disturbs your concentration the most?
What type of environment do you need to work peacefully? N
Do you (ever) do anything to help you concentrate?
Do you think people can do two things at the same time?

17. Writing

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?
(Similar to above) How much writing do you do in a day?
Do you think writing is important?
Do you receive letters very often?
Do you write letters very often?
Do you prefer to write letters or emails?
(Similar to above) Which do you write more, letters or emails? N
(Possibly) What do you usually write about in emails/letters? (Whichever one you said you write more) N
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?

18. Housework

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 feel it's important to help your parents with the housework? N
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? *

19. Parks

Does your hometown have many 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?

20. The News

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?)
How do you usually read a newspaper?
Do you think young people have the same views about the news as old people? N
(Similar to above) Do you think young people feel the same about the news as old people? N
Would you like to be a (news) reporter (or, a journalist)?

21. The Countryside

(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?

22. Your Daily Routine

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?

23. Clothes N

What kinds of clothes do you like to wear?
Do your friends ever give you advice about clothes?
(Similar to above) Do you and your friends ever give each other advice about clothes?
(Similar to above, but different) Do you and your friends ever help each other choose what clothes to buy?
What factors do you consider when you are buying clothes?
Do you like shopping for clothes?
How often do you go shopping for clothes?

Who bought your clothes for you when you were a child?

(Similar to above) (When shopping for clothes), who helped you choose what to buy when you were a child?

Do you ever go shopping for clothes with a friend?

Have you ever helped other people choose what clothes to buy?

24. Patience N

This seems to be a topic that has never been used before.

What do you usually do when you're waiting for a bus or a train?
What do you think "patience" is?
Do you think patience is important?
(Possibly) Do you think being patient is an important part of being polite?
Would you say you are a patient person?
Have you ever lost your patience?
What do you become impatient about?
What do you do when you become impatient?
Are people in your country generally very patient?
What causes some people in your country to become impatient?
(Similar to above) What do people in your country become impatient about?
When someone is late in your country, are other people usually patient, or angry?

25. Gifts N

Do you like receiving presents?
What's your favourite (or, the best) gift you have ever received?
Do you ever receive (or, have you ever received) a gift that you dislike(d)?
(Similar to above) What gift(s) do you (did you) like the least?
Is there anyone you'd like to give a present to?
Do you find it hard to choose gifts for people?
Do you prefer to give a gift or to receive one?
In your country, when do people give gifts to others?

26. Trees N

This seems to be a topic that has never been used before.

Do you like trees?
(Similar to above) Do you like (to go to) the forest (or, a forest)?
Is there a forest near your hometown?
(Possibly) Would you like to live in a place that has lots of trees?
Where can one find trees (or forests) in your country?
Do you think places with trees attract more visitors than places with few trees?
Did you ever (like to) climb trees when you were a child?
Have you ever planted a tree?
Do you think more people should plant trees?
(Similar to above) Do you think we should plant more trees?
Do you think trees are important?
What would you say are the benefits of having trees?
Do you think we need to protect trees?

27. Toys N

(Possibly) Do you like toys?
Are toys very important to you?
(Possibly) What sorts of people like toys?
What sorts of toys did you like when you were a kid? (Why did you like it/them?)
(Similar to above) What was your favourite toy when you were a kid? (Why?)
Did your parents give it to you?
Do you still have any of your old toys?
(In your opinion), why do some people like to keep a childhood toy?
What kind of toys do children like today?
If you had a child, what toy would you buy him or her?

28. Advertising N

What advertising (or, advertisements) do you have in your country?
What type of advertisements do you like?
Why do you think companies advertise themselves (or, their products)?
Have you ever bought anything after seeing an advertisement?
(Possibly) Have you ever bought anything that you have not seen advertised?
(In your opinion), which is more effective, TV ads or newspaper and magazine ads?

29. Friendship N

How do people (in your country) meet others and make friends?
Is it easy to make friends in your work (or job)?
(Or, speaking more generally) Do you think it's easy for people to make friends at work?
Is it important for people to have good relationships with colleagues at their workplace? (Why?)
Would you say the students (at your school/university) have a good relationship with each other?
How would you describe a "good relationship"?
Do you ever help a friend by giving advice?
Do you prefer your relatives, or your friends?

30. Being Busy N

This seems to be a topic that has never been used before.

Have you been very busy recently?
When was the last time you were busy?
Do you like having a busy life?
(Similar to above) Do you prefer to be busy or to have free time? (Why?)
(Similar to above) Do you prefer to be busy or to have nothing to do?
Was there a time when you felt stressed out (or, under pressure) because of a busy schedule?
Have you experienced stress at work?
How do you handle stress?
Do you think you will be busy in the next few years?
(Similar to above, but different) Do you think you will be busier in the future than you are now?

31. Cooking N

Do you like cooking?
Can you remember the first thing you cooked?
Who does most of the cooking in your home (or, in your family)?
Have you ever learned how to cook?
(Similar to above) Have you ever had a cooking lesson/cooking lessons?
Would you like to attend a cooking class?
Why do you want to learn cooking?
Are cooking classes on TV useful?
What is the advantage of a TV cooking class?
Is cooking very popular in your country?

32. Television N

How much television do you watch?
(Possibly) What (sorts of programs) do you like to watch on TV?
(Possibly) What (types of) programs do think are the most interesting?
(Unclear wording) Do you ever feel that watching TV is a waste of time?

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