Notes

• It seems that there might be some differences between the current Part 1 topics being used in China and those being used elsewhere.

• 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 

One of the two 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). (There's a 50% chance that you will get Topic 1 and a 50% chance that you will get Topic 2.)

3.  Dictionaries 

4.  Rain 

5.  Train Travel 

6.  Computers 

7.  Punctuality 

8.  Animals    

9.  Music 

10.  Television 

11.  Languages 

12.  Clothes  

13.  Cooking 

14.  Shopping 

15.  Weather and Climate 

16.  Concentration  N

17.   Cars  N

18.   Museums and Art Galleries  N

19.   Street Markets  N  

20.   Maps  N  

21.   Gifts  N  

22.   Days of the Week  N  

23.   Parks  N

24.   Food  N 

25.   Photography  N

26.   Travel  N

27.  Your Leisure Time   N

28.  Birthdays 

29.  Politeness  N  (Not reported in China yet)

30.  Parties  N  (Not reported in China yet)

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1.  Your Work or Your Studies  

• Do you work or are you a student?

1a) Your Work

See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 1b. Your Work

• What work do you do?

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

• Was that an easy choice to make?

• Have you always wanted to do that type of work?

• (Possibly) Is that a very popular job in your country?

• Would you recommend that job to others?

• What do you do in that job? C

• Do you like you job?

• Does your job keep you interested? C

• (Similar to above) Is your job very interesting?

• Do you like challenges at work? C

• How would you handle a task that was very lengthy and time consuming? C

• Do you think you are more efficient (or, productive) in the mornings or in the afternoons? (Why?)

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

• 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?

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

• What do you do if there's too much noise (when you are trying to work)? N 

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

• Did you like your first day at work? N

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

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

1b) Your Studies

• What subject(s) are you studying?

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

• 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?

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

• Is it very interesting?

• Would you say you are good at that subject?  N

• 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?  N

• How long will you continue studying there?  N

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

• (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?  N

• 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)?  N  See Note

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

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

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

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

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

2.  Where You Live 

See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 3. 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.

• Where are you living at the moment? (= Where do you 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?

• Can you suggest how it could be improved? N

• Would you say it has good facilities? N

• Is the public transport system in your hometown convenient to use? N

• Would you say it's a good place for (families with) children to live? N  See Note

• Do you have many neighbours?

• Do you know your neighbours very well?

• Would you like to change the place where you live?

5.  Train Travel 

• Is train travel very common in your country?

• Do you often travel by train?

• Do you like traveling by train?

• What do you usually do when (you are) traveling by train?

• What do you think are the benefits of traveling by train?

• (Possibly) Do you ever meet interesting people while traveling by train? N

• Is there a subway system in your city?

• Do you ever travel by subway?

• (Similar to above) Have you ever traveled by subway?

6.  Computers 

• Do you like using computers?

• Do you use computers very often?

• (Possibly) How often do you use a computer?

• (Possibly) How often do you use a computer for work / study?

• What do you use a computer (or, computers) for?

• When did you first use (or, first start using / or start to learn how to use) a computer?

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

• Do you think computers have helped improve our (or, people's) lives?

• (Similar to above) Do you think the invention of computers has helped improve people's lives?

• Are there any drawbacks (disadvantages) from using a computer?

• Do you think computers are useful for the education of children?

• (Similar to above) Do you think it's good for children to use computers?

• Do you think there should be restrictions on (or, controls on) the use of computers by children?

7.  Punctuality  (Being on Time)

"Cooking" involves the use of heat. "Preparing a meal" might or might not involve using heat.

• Do you ever do any cooking? (If yes, include how often.)

• Do you like cooking? (Why?/Why not?)

• What cooking experience have you had? 

• Who taught you to cook? 

• When you were a child, did you ever help your parents to prepare a meal?

• Do you think children should help their parents prepare meals?

• (Possibly) Do you think children should learn to cook?

16.  Concentration  N

These questions are possibly included under the Work/Study topic

See also Part_1_Questions_MAY_to_AUG_2013.htm#Concentrating

• Do you prefer to study/work 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 work / study)? 

• When (or, at what times) do you find it easiest to concentrate? (Why?)

17.   Cars  N  

See also Part_1_Questions_SEP_to_DEC_2012.htm#Cars

• Do you like traveling by car?   See Note

• When was the last time you traveled by car?

• (Possibly)  When was the last time you traveled by taxi?

• Do you prefer to travel by car or to use public transport?

• Do you think it would be good if everyone had their own car?

• Do you think it's important to have a driver's license?

18.   Museums and Art Galleries  N 

See also Part_1_Questions_JAN_to_APR_2009.htm#Museums and Art Galleries

• Do you like visiting museums and art galleries?

• 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? *   See Note

• Do you think schools should take their students to visit museums and art galleries?

19.   Street Markets  N  

  This topic has not been used before.

• Do you (ever) use a map?

• When do you use a map?

• (Similar to above) How often do you use a map?

• Who taught you how to use a map?

• (Similar to above) How did you learn to use (or read) a map?

• Do you prefer to use electronic maps or those made of paper?

• (In your city) have you ever asked others for directions?

• (Possibly) Would you ever ask people for directions in your city?

• (Possibly) Do you prefer to use a map or ask people for directions?

21.   Gifts  N

See also Part_1_Questions_SEP_to_DEC_2013.htm#Gifts

See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS.htm#19. Gifts

• Do you like to receive gifts? (Why?/ Why not?)

• What kind of gifts do you like to receive? (Why?)

• What gifts did you receive in your childhood?

• (Similar to above, but different) What sorts of gifts did you like to receive when you were a child?

• Do you like giving gifts to people? (Why?/ Why not?)

• (Possibly) What gifts did you give to others in your childhood?

22. Days of the Week  N  

See also Part_1_Questions_JAN_to_APR_2013.htm#Weekends and ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS.htm#21. Leisure Time & Relaxing

• Do you do the same things every day of the week?

• Is there anything you would like to change about your weekly routine?

• 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?

• Which day would you say is your busiest day of the week?

• Which is your favourite day of the week?

• (Possibly) What would cause you to change your favourite day of the week?

23.   Parks  N

See also Part_1_Questions_MAY_to_AUG_2013.htm#Parks

• Do you like going to parks and/or public gardens?  (Why?/ Why not?)

• Who do you usually go there with?

• When was the last time you went to a park?

• Do you think the parks and gardens where you live could be improved in any ways?

• Would you like to see (or, have) more parks and gardens in your hometown (or where you are living)?

• Do you prefer to relax with your friends in a park or an indoor place?

• (Possibly) Would you prefer to entertain guests (or visitors) in a park or an indoor place?

24.  Food  N

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