Part 1 May to Aug 2008

ielts-yasi.englishlab.net

Updated Dec. 16, 2008

Part 1 Topics and Questions

For The IELTS Speaking Tests in Mainland China, May. 10 - Aug. 31, 2008

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Summary of Part 1 Topics

0. The four standard introductory questions.

1. Your Work/Your Studies

2. Your Home (Your Accommodation)

3. Your Hometown

One of the three topics above is a compulsory topic and you will be asked about 4 questions on this topic. You will then be asked questions on two of the topics from below. (Again, about 4 questions per topic).

4. Gardens (New on May 10)

5. The Weather

6. Newspapers

7. Music

8. Housework

9. Telephones

10. Games (Possible topic)

11. Clothes

12. Sport/Exercise (New on May 10)

13. Art Galleries and Museums

14. Relaxing

15. The Internet (New on May 10)

16. Birthdays (New on May 10)

17. Food (New on May 10)

18. Friends

19. Evenings (New on May 10)

20. Transport

21. Gifts

22. Reading

23. Television

24. Weekends

25. Shopping

26. Names

27. Teachers

28. Emails (and Letters)

29. Computers

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Important Notes

For every topic listed below, the questions that are reported will be added to this page. But many questions are not reported or are inaccurately reported so you should also read the questions for that same topic on this page: ALL PART 1 QUESTIONS .

The letter, "N" after a question means that question is new, although the topic might not be new.

The list of Part 1 topics and questions for May - August, 2008 will not be complete until after we have had many tests. We might even still be discovering new Part 1 topics and questions towards the end of August. This means that you should return to this page whenever the page has been updated, (probably after each test).

For almost every question here, you should add extra information after you have answered the basic question. You should consider these questions as basically invitations to give information, with the beginning of your answer directly answering the basic question.

(Possibly you don't need to give any extra information after answering this question: Do you work or are you a student? For that particular question, if you do give extra information, it might be best to make it rather short and general, although a lot of extra information might also be suitable.)
For example: Do you think the internet is a good thing? Don't just say, "Yes, I do." and then stop. You should answer by first saying, "Yes, I do." and then follow that with some examples of what you think are the good points about the internet.
You could answer that particular question with an answer such as, "Yes, I think it's mostly a good thing but I also think there are a few negative sides to it." And then explain what you mean by giving examples or by speaking more specifically.
Although some questions here have (Why?/Why not?) written after the questions, you should consider that every question requires you to answer 'why' or 'why not', or some similar extra piece of information if 'why' or 'why not' are not applicable to that question.

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1. Your Work/Your Studies

Do you work or are you a student?

1a) Your Work

What job (or, what work) do you do?
How long have you been working? (Or: How long have you been doing this job?)
What does your company do?
What do you do in a typical day at work?
(Similar to above) What are your responsibilities at work?
Do you need to work with (= co-operate with) other people at work? (teamwork question)
Do you like working with them?
Do you like your job (or, your work)?
What's the most difficult part of your job?
Would you recommend this job to other people?
Do you think your (school or) university education prepared you well for the work you are doing now?
Do you prefer your life now, as a working person, to the life you had as a student?
Why are you taking the IELTS test?

1b) Your Studies

Notes: For high school students or recent high school graduates who have not yet started university, the word "school" or "high school" will be used instead of "university. If you are no longer a student now but have not yet started to work, the questions will be in the past tense, about the last time you were a student, either high school or university.

What subject are you studying?
Why did you choose to study that?
Do you like your subject? (= your major = your subjects if a high school student)
(For high school students) What's your favourite subject at school? (Don't say P.E.)
Where do you study (= what school/university do you attend)?
Why did you choose that (particular) school/university?
When did you start this course and when will you finish it? (= How long have you been doing this course?)
(Similar to above, for high school students) How many years have you spent in school?
(Possible question) What year are you in at school/university? * See Note
Tell me about your student life. (= Tell me about your life as a student)
(For high school students) In addition to gaining knowledge, what other ways have you benefited from your school experience?
Do you like university life?
(Similar to above) How do you like university life? ( = How do you feel about life at university?)
What do you think of your school/university?
(Similar to above) What do you think of the place where you are studying?
What is the best thing about your university/school?
(Similar to above) What part of university life do you like best? (Why?)
Why are you taking the IELTS test?
What are your future study plans?
Do you think the things you are studying now in school/university will prepare you well for your future work?
What are your future work plans? (after you graduate)
When you start working, do you think you will prefer that to being a student?

2. Your Home (Your Accommodation)

Do you live in a house or a flat?
Who do you live with?
Please describe the place where you live.
How have you decorated your home (or, your room)? *
Is there anything (hanging) on the walls of your home (or your room)? (e.g., decorations) N See Note
What can you see when you look out the window of your room (or, the windows of your home)? N
What is the environment like in your neighbourhood?
Do you know your neighbours very well?
Do you like your neighbours?
What kind of people are your neighbours?

3. Your Hometown

(The questions below might be about your hometown or about the place you are living in now, if it is not your hometown.)

Where is your hometown? (Or, what part of China do you come from?)
Do you think you'll always live there?
Where do you live at the moment?
Do you like your hometown? (Why?/Why not?) (Or: Do you like the place you are living in now?)
What sorts of buildings are there in your hometown?
What would you say is the best part of your hometown?
(Similar to above) What would you say is the best thing about your hometown?
What's the most famous thing about your hometown?
Is there anything worth visiting in your hometown?
(Similar to above) Are there any places that are worth visiting (seeing) in your hometown?
(Similar to above) Is there anything in your hometown that's good for tourists to see?
Has your hometown changed much in the past few years? (e.g. 20 years)
Would you say your hometown is suitable for children to grow up in?
What parts of your hometown are most suitable for families and children?
What's the weather usually like in your hometown?
Has the weather in your hometown changed much in recent years?

4. Gardens (New on May 10)

See also the Part 3 questions for Part 2 Topic # 142

Does your family have a garden? N
Do many people in China have their own garden? N (Don't forget, about 65% of China's people live in the countryside!)
If someone has a private garden in China, do they usually prefer to grow flowers or vegetables? (Why?) N
Have you ever grown anything? (in a garden, or possibly in a flower pot) N
Do Chinese people like growing flowers? N
Do you like growing flowers? N
What benefits do people get from gardens (or, from gardening)? N
(Similar to above) Why do some people like gardening? N

5. The Weather

What's the weather usually like in your hometown?
Are there any bad points about the weather in your city?
What weather do you like best? (Why?)
How does the weather affect you? (affect your life)
Do you think the weather can affect a person's mood?

6. Newspapers

When did you first start reading newspapers?
Do you most often read about local news or international news? (Why?) See Note
What (different) kinds of newspaper are there in China?
What influence do you think newspapers have on society?
Why do people read newspapers?
(Similar to above) What can people get from reading newspapers?
Do you think the internet is a good way to get news?

7. Music

Do you often listen to music?
What's your favourite type of music?
(Similar to above) Do you like light music or, what kind of music do you like?
How do you feel when you listen to this music?
When did you start listening to this type of music?
Is music very important to people in China?
(Similar to above) What role does music play in the cultural life of people?
How does music affect (or influence) people?
What advantages do you think there are for a child to learn (to play) a musical instrument? (= to study music)
(Similar to above) Why do some parents want their children to learn (to play) a musical instrument?

8. Housework

Who usually does the housework in your home?
Do you often do housework? (If yes, what? How often. If no, why not?)
What housework do you least like doing?
Did you do any housework when you were a child?
Have there been any changes in the housework people do since the time when your parents were your age?
Do you think it's necessary (or, a good idea) for children to do some housework? (Why?/Why not?)
Do you think people should be paid to do household chores?

9. Telephones

Is your cellphone very important to you?
When do you usually use your cellphone and for what purposes?
When do you (usually) use a telephone? (= time &/or purpose) (Including a mobile phone = cellphone)
How often do you make a phone call?
Do people (in China) (or, do you) prefer to use a mobile phone or a fixed-line phone? (Why?)
Do you prefer to talk to people by phone or face-to-face? (Why?)
Do people in China generally prefer to communicate by telephone or by letter? (Why?)

10. Games (Possible topic)

Why do you (or do people) play games?
What are the advantages of playing games?

11. Clothes

What types of clothes do you prefer to wear?
Do you prefer to wear formal clothes or casual clothes? (= leisure wear)
Do you think it's important what clothes a person wears? (Why?/Why not?)
Is it important what clothes you wear at your job? (your company)
Would you like to wear (or, do you like wearing) a uniform?
What kinds of people wear a uniform? (I.e., examples - soldiers, policemen, most school students, etc.)
Do you think the clothes a person wears leaves an impression on others?
What can we tell about a person from the clothes they wear?
Do you like shopping for clothes?
Do you ever wear traditional Chinese clothes? (When?)
Why do you think traditional clothes are popular (with some kinds of people)?

12. Sport/Exercise

In the questions below, the word "sport" might be replaced by the word, "exercise" for some questions.

What kind(s) of physical exercise do you do to keep fit?
Do you use any equipment for this exercise (or sport)?
Do you like any sports? (What sport?)
What sports are most popular with young people today?
Do you participate in any sports with your friends?
Have you (or, did you) take part in any organized sport in school?
Do you think it's important to have P.E. classes (or sports classes) at school? (Why?/Why not?)
What are the benefits of exercise (or sport)?
(Similar to above) Do you think physical activity is important? (Why?/Why not?)
Are there any sports facilities near where you live? (for the public to use)

13. Art Galleries and Museums

Do you like art? (If yes: What are some examples of the art that you like?)
Do you think art is an important part of life?
What experience of art did you have when you were younger?
What kinds of art are you good at?
(Similar to above) What kind of art are you best at?
Are there any museums or art galleries in your hometown?
Do people in China like visiting museums and art galleries?
Did you ever go to art galleries or museums when you were a child?
(Similar to above) Have you ever visited an art gallery or museum?
(Possible question) Do you think people should go to art galleries and museums? *
(Similar to above) What effects do museums and art galleries have on people (or, people's lives)?
(Similar to above) Do you think people can learn anything from art galleries and museums?
(Similar to above) What can people learn from art galleries and museums?
Do you think going to museums and art galleries is beneficial for children? ( e.g., for their development)
Do schools in China have excursions to museums?

14. Relaxing

How do you usually relax (in your spare time)? (= What do you usually do to relax/for relaxation?)
(Similar to above) What do you do in your free time?
What do other people around you (= other people who you know) like to do in their free time?
Do you ever go out with your workmates/colleagues or classmates?
In general, what activities do people in China do for relaxation?
Do you think relaxing is important for people?
(Similar to above) Why do people need to have some leisure time?
Do you think modern people have enough time for relaxing?
What can people do to find more time for relaxing?
How important are holidays to you?
How do people in China spend their holidays?
Do you think it's important for people to have holidays?
Do you think it's reasonable for an employer to ask his or her employees to work in their rest time? (休息时间)

15. The Internet (New on May 10, 2008)

See also the Part 3 questions for Part 2 Topic # 114.

Do you ever use the internet? (= access the internet = go onto the internet) N
When did you first start using (or first learn to use) the internet? N
How did you learn to use the internet? N
Is there anything you don't understand about the internet? N
How (or, where) do you go onto the internet? (At school? At home? At an internet cafe?) N
Do you think the internet is a good thing? N
What are the good and bad points about the internet? N
Do you think the use of the internet needs to be controlled? N
How can people learn things on the internet? N
What sorts of things can people learn on the internet? N
What do you think are the benefits of "e-learning"? (= studying online) N

16. Birthdays (New on May 10)

Do people in China celebrate birthdays? N
(Similar to above) Are people's birthdays very important in China? N
How do they celebrate birthdays? N
(Similar to above) Do people in China do anything special to celebrate birthdays? N
How do you like to celebrate your birthday? N
What did you do on your last birthday? N
Nowadays, how do young people in China celebrate their birthday? N
Do people in China have birthday parties? N
Do you think it's important for people to celebrate birthdays? N
Are birthdays more important for children or for adults? N

17. Food (New on May 10)

What's your favourite food? N
How often do you eat that? N
(Similar to above) What sort(s) of food do you like? (Why?) N
Have you always liked that food? N
When did you start to like that food? N
What food did you like (most) when you were a child? N
Is there any food that you liked when you were a child but you don't like now? N
What types of food do children generally like to eat? N
Where do you usually eat your meals? N
(Similar to above) Where do prefer to eat your meals? N
Do you know how to make (prepare) a meal? N
(Similar to above) Do you like cooking? (Or, Do you know how to cook?) N
What do you like to cook? N
When you were young, did you learn how to make a meal (= how to prepare food)? N
Have you ever thought about learning how to cook? N

18. Friends

Do you like making new friends?
Do you like meeting new people?
Have you met any interesting people recently?
What kind of people do you like to meet (or, to talk to)?
(Similar to above) When (or where) was the last time you met someone interesting?
How long do you think it takes before you can get to know a person?

19. Evenings (New on May 10)

What do you (like to) do in the evenings? N
Do you do the same things every night? N
Is there much (or, any) difference between what you do in the evenings and in the daytime? N
Do you go out much in the evenings? N
What do you (like to) do when you go out in the evenings? N
Who do you go out with? N
What are some special occasions when people go out in the evening? N
What sorts of nighttime activities are available in your hometown? N
Do people (or, do you) do different things in the evenings in different seasons? N

20. Transport

How did you come here (= get here) today?
Why did you choose that form of transport?
What form of transport do you usually use?
What vehicles (or, what means of transport) do people in China most often choose to use?
What do you think of the transport situation in your hometown?
Would you say transport costs are high in your hometown?
How has the transport system in your hometown changed in the past few decades?
Do you think the public transportation system needs to be further developed (or, improved) in your hometown?
Can you suggest any ways to improve the transport system in your hometown?

21. Gifts

In what situations do Chinese people give gifts?
Why do they give these gifts?

22. Reading

Do you like reading?
What kinds of books (or, what kinds of things) do you usually read?
How many hours a day would you say you spend on reading?
Where do you usually read?
Did you like reading when you were a child? (What did you read then?)
Do you think children like reading nowadays? (Why?/Why not?)
What would you say is a suitable amount of time for children to spend reading each day?
What sorts of books do children (in China) like to read?
Would you ever give a book as a gift to one of your friends?

23. Television

Do you like watching TV?
What types of TV programs do you (most) like to watch?
What (type of) programs did you like to watch when you were a child? (Why?)
Do people in China watch any foreign TV programs?
(Similar to above) Do people in China (have the opportunity to) watch any English language (or, foreign) TV programs? (Say what programs.)
How do they get these programs?
Do you think English language programs are necessary? (Why?/Why not?)
Do you think English language programs are useful? (Why?/Why not?)
(Similar to above) Do you think people can improve their English by watching these programs?
(Similar to above) Do you think watching these programs can help people learn English?
Do you prefer to watch TV or listen to the radio? (Why?)
Would you say entertainment is important for people?

24. Weekends

What do you like to do on weekends?
Are weekends important to people?
What do people in China do on the weekends?
Do you think people should be asked to work on weekends?
Do you think people should be paid more money if they work on weekends (or public holidays)?
Do you think working people need to rest on weekends?
Which weekend day do you like more, Saturday or Sunday?
What do you usually do on that day?

25. Shopping

Do you like (going) shopping? (Why?/Why not?)
Who do you go shopping with?
Who does the shopping in your family?
What (kinds of things) do you usually buy when you go shopping?
What are the most fashionable things to buy?
Is there anything you don't like about going shopping?
What kind of shops do you most like?
What places for shopping in your hometown would you recommend to foreigners (or, recommend to visitors to your hometown)?
How has shopping in China changed in the past few years (e.g., 20 - 30 years)?
(Similar to above) In your hometown, what has been the biggest change in shopping in the past few years?
Have any (new) shops recently opened near where you live? (If yes, what?)
Do you think that some people spend too much time or money on shopping?
Why do you think they do that?

26. Names

Does your name have any special meaning?
Do you like your name?
Would you like to change your name? *
What name do people at home (your family members) call you?
How are babies given their names in China?
Is there any special ceremony when babies are given their names?
Are there any special names (or, special types of names) that Chinese parents choose for their children?
In China, are the names that people give their children today the same names that people used many years ago?
Do Chinese people attach a lot of importance to (their) names?
Why are some Chinese names very similar to each other?
Are there any names that are very commonly used?
Do people in China ever change their names?

27. Teachers

What's your opinion of teachers?
Did you like your primary school and high school teachers?
(Similar to above) Who is your favourite teacher? (Why?)
Do you think it's important to like your teachers?
Did any teachers in your high school have a big influence on you?
Were (are) your high school teachers very strict?
(Similar to above) Do you think teachers in China are very strict?
What sort of personality do teachers need to have?
(Similar to above) What sort of character do teachers need to have?
What kind of teacher do students most like?
(If you had the opportunity) would you like to be a school teacher? (Why?/Why not?)

28. Emails (and Letters)

How often do you write an email or a letter?
Who do you write to?
Do you often write letters?
Who do you write to? (by letter)
Which do you prefer, to write a letter or write an email? (Why? Compare them.)
Which do you prefer, to make a phone call or write an email? (Why?)
In what situations do you write to (or email) a friend?

29. Computers

Do you find computers very useful in your everyday life?
When do you use a computer?
Do you think computers are perfect now or do they still need to be improved?
Do you think there are any disadvantages to using computers?