Part 1 Topics and Questions

For The IELTS Speaking Tests in Mainland China, May - August, 2010

Notes

• Previous to July 9 2010, this page included six topics that were deleted on July 9 because these topics had not been reported by any candidates (in China) during the months of May and June. These topics were originally part of my predictions for Part 1, written in April, 2010. The topics were: Computers, Advertisements, Fruits and Vegetables, Transportation, Writing, and Television. If you want to see a copy of these topics and questions, go HERE.

• On July 11, I deleted some of the questions that were listed under the topics of Your Work, Your Studies and Your Hometown. These questions were previously listed here because they were reported as used in the recent past, (before May). However, they have not been reported as being used in May or June. Although I think these questions are probably not being used now, it is still possible that a small number of them are actually being used now. I have listed those deleted questions HERE.

• N = new topic or question. But some of these might be mistakes. When a second person has confirmed that he or she got this topic or question, this label will be changed from N to NC. You can be confident that any topics and questions with this label are being used.

• C = confirmed that this question or topic is currently being used. Questions labeled with C or NC are the most likely questions. Those topics and questions without a C label were the topics and questions that were predicted before May. The predicted questions without a  C label are still possibly in use now, even if no-one has reported that they got that question.

• 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 guessed question

• Make sure you read HOW_TO_SPEAK_IN_PART_1.htm

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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 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).   (There's a 50% chance of getting Topic 1 and a 25% change of getting Topic 2 or Topic 3.)

 See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 1b. Your Work

General Description of Your Job

• What job (or, what work) do you do? C
• Why did you choose to do that job (or, that kind of work)? C
• Is that a popular choice of career in your country? NC
• What qualifications do you need for that work?
• What skills do you need for that job? N
• What do you do (in a typical day) at work?  C
• (Similar to above) What are the main tasks that you do at work?
• (Similar to above) What are your (main) responsibilities at work?
• Is it easy to get a job where you work? N

Work Training  C  See Notes on this sub-topic

• Did you have to do any kind of training in order to do your current work? C

• (Similar to above) Have you received any training at work? C

• What kind of training is necessary for you to do your job?

• Do you have to do any training for your work? (Unconfirmed question)

• How often do you receive this training?

• Do you think training (or, this training) at work is important?  

• Would you like to receive more training in the future?  (This question is possibly asked if you say "Yes" to the previous question.)

• Would you like to receive some training (in the future)?  (This question is possibly asked if you say "No" to the previous question.)

• Do you think you will (need to) receive any training in the future?  

• What kinds of future training do you think you will need in the future?

Feelings about the Job

• What's your job like? N
• Do you like (or, enjoy) your job (or, your work)?
• (Similar to above) How do you like your current job?
• (Similar to above) Is your job (or, your work) very important to you?
• What do you like about your work? N
• Would you say it's a good job?
• What's the best thing about your job?
• Do you plan to continue in this same job (or, kind of work) in the future? N
• Would you like to change your job? C See Note
• What other job do you think you would enjoy, apart from your present job? C
• (Similar to above) If you had a choice, what would be your ideal job? C
• (Similar to above) If you had change your career, what other job would you chhose? C

Future

• What are your plans for the future?
• (Similar to above) What are your work plans for the future? C

• What job (or, work) would you like to do (in the future)?

• Why are you taking the IELTS test?

Your First Day at Work  C

• Do you remember your first day at work?
• What did you do on your first day at work? C
• Did you like your first day at work?
• (Similar to above) How did you feel on your first day at work? C
• Do you think the first day at work is important? C
• (Similar to above) Do you think a person's first impressions of a new job are important?

1b) Your Studies  C

• Is that a big city or a small town (or, a village in the countryside)?

• Do you prefer to live in a big city or in the countryside?

• (Similar to above) Would you prefer to live in a big city or in the countryside?

Your Feelings about the Place

• Why did you choose to live here/there? (If not living in your hometown)

• Do you like _____? (The place you are living in now / your hometown) (Why?/Why not?)

• (Similar to above) Do you like living here/there?

• (Similar to above) Would you say it's a good place to grow up (in)?  C See Note

• What do you like most (or, best) about living in your hometown (or, about living where you are living now)? NC

• What do you think needs to be done to make your hometown a better place to live in? NC

• (Similar to above) How do you think your hometown could be improved? NC

Future Plans

• Do you plan to live there/here for a long time? 

• What (other) place would you like to live in (in the future)?

4.  Sounds (Noises)  C

     Also see All Part 1 Questions 26. Noise

     See Note on the meaning and usage of the word, "noise".

• Do you prefer a quiet environment or an environment with some sounds? C

• (Similar to above) Do you prefer a quiet environment or a noisy environment? C

• (Similar to above) Do you prefer to study (or work ) in a quiet environment or an environment with some noise (or, sounds)? C

• (Similar to above) Would you prefer to study (or work ) in a quiet environment or an environment with some noise (or, sounds)? C

• Does your school have any quiet places for studying? N

• What natural sound do you like (the most)? (Why?) C

• What sounds do you dislike? (Why?) C

• (Possibly the question above is worded this way:) Are there any sounds that you dislike? (Why?)

• What sounds remind you of your childhood?

• What (kinds of) music do you like the most?

• (Unconfirmed question) How do you feel when you hear your national anthem?

5.  Collecting  C

     See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 7. Collecting

• Do you collect anything as a hobby? (Now) C
• Did you collect anything (such as stamps or CD's) when you were a child? C
• Do you still collect them now? C
• Why do you like collecting things?
• (Similar to above) Why do you think people like collecting things? C
• What are some examples of things that some people collect (as a hobby)? See Note
• Do you think you will collect anything in the future?
• If you had a lot of money, what would you like to collect? See Note
• (Similar to above) If you had a lot of money, what would you collect? (Don't use, "will".) See Note  C

6.  Languages C

    See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 20. Languages

    See Notes

• What language do you usually speak?
• What foreign languages have you studied (or, learned)?
• Why did you choose to study that language? C
• How did you learn that language?
• (Similar to above) How did you learn English?  See Note
• How long have you been learning that language (or, learning English)? N
• Would you say it's a difficult language to learn? (Why?)  C See Note
• (Similar to above) Compared to other languages, would you say English is difficult? (Why?/Why not?) N
• (Similar to above) Is that language hard for you?
• How long have you been learning that language?
• Do you think it's important to know more than one language? N
• What other language would you like to learn, (if you had the opportunity)? (Why?) C

7. Flowers  C

    See also All Part 1 Questions 14. Flowers

    See Note on the word, "send"

• Do you like flowers? C
• What flowers do you like? (Why?) NC
• Do you think flowers are important?
• (Similar to above) Are flowers important in your culture? (Give examples)
• On what occasions are flowers important?
• (Similar to above) On what occasions do people in your country give flowers to other people? C
• When was the last time you gave flowers to someone? C
• (Similar to above) When was the last time you bought flowers? C
• (Similar to above) When was the last time you yourself bought flowers? N
• (Possibly the question above is this:) When was the last time you bought flowers for yourself? N
• Do you like to have flowers in your home?
• Do you (ever) grow flowers at home? (Give details)
• (Similar to above) Have you ever grown flowers at home? (Give details)
• Do many people in your country grow flowers at home? C

8.  Time  C    

    See some vocabulary

    See also these Part 3 questions

• Do you (usually) wear a watch (a wrist watch)? (Why?) C
• Do you think time is very important? (Why?) C
• (Similar to above) Is time very important to you? (Why?)
• Are you ever late for anything?
• (Similar to above) Have you ever been late for anything?
• What would you do if you were late for a meeting? NC
• How do you feel when you are late? C  See Note
• Do you think it's important to be on time (= to be punctual)? C
• Do you feel that time moves fast, or slowly? C See Note
• When do you feel time seems to move slowly? C
• When does time seem to move fast? C
• If you could go back in time, what would you do (i.e., what would you do differently)?

9.  Weather & Seasons  C

      See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 41. Weather

      See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 46. Seasons

• What's the weather like today?
• What's the weather (usually) like in your hometown? C
• Do you like that weather (or, that kind of climate)? (Why?/Why not?) N
• Have there been any changes in the weather over the past few years? N
• What's your favourite season? (Why?) C
• (Similar to above, but different) What's your favourite weather? (Why?) C
• What do you usually do during your favourite weather (or season)?
• Is there any season you dislike? (Why?) N
• Would you prefer to have (or live in a place that has) the same climate all year, or a place that has different seasons?
• When is (what season has) the best weather in China (or, in your hometown)? N
• How often is the weather good in your hometown? N
• What did you do the last time the weather was good? NC
• (Similar to above) What do you usually do when the weather is fine?
• Do you (or, do people in China or, in your hometown) do the same thing in different seasons? NC
• Do you pay attention to (or, watch/listen to) the weather forecasts? C
• Does the weather ever affect what you do?
• (Similar to above) Does the weather ever affect you? (If yes, how?) C

• (Similar to above) Does the weather affect your life?

• (Similar to above) How does bad weather affect your mood? (See NOTE)

• (Similar to above) How does bad weather affect people's mood? N

10. Films  C

     See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 13. Films

• Do you like to watch films?
• What types of films do you like? C
• Are there any types of films that you dislike? C
• What kinds of films did you like to watch when you were a child?
• Do you prefer to watch films at home or in a cinema? (Why?) C

11.  Neighbours  C

      See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS - Your Neighbours

      See Note

• Do you know your neighbours? C
• What do you think of your neighbours?
• Does you think it's important for a person to have a good relationship with their neighbours? C
• How often do you see (or talk to) your neighbours? C
• (Similar to above) When do you meet your neighbours?
• What sorts of problems (conflicts) can people have with their neighbours? C
• In what ways can neighbours help each other?
• Have you ever asked a neighbour for help?
• (Similar to above) Have your neighbours ever given you any help? N
• Would you prefer to have young people as your neighbours, or old people? C

12.  Magazines (and Newspapers)  C

        See also 'All Part 1 Questions' 25. Newspapers

• Do you like reading magazines (and newspapers)? C
• Which do you prefer reading, magazines or newspapers?
• What kinds of (types of) magazines (or newspapers) do you usually read? C
• What can you learn from reading magazines (or newspapers)? N
• What parts of a newspaper do you prefer to read?
• (Similar to above) What parts of a newspaper do you read first?
• What kinds of articles do you like to read?
• What sorts of newspaper headline attracts you? N
• Have you ever read a foreign newspaper (or magazine)? C
• Do you think reading foreign magazines and newspapers can help you (or, help people) learn a new language? C

13.  Travelling  C

See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 40. Travel

Almost certainly, this means long distance travelling, not travelling (commuting) to work or school in your city or town. 

The emphasis of this topic seems to be on tourism, although the word "travel" can apply to simply going somewhere, not necessarily as a tourist. For example, you might sometimes make long trips to go from your hometown to another city where you attend university.   

• Do you like travelling? C

• (Similar to above) Do you like long distance travelling?

• Where do you like to travel to?  N

• How do you feel when you travel?  N

• What's the longest journey you've been on?  N

• What form of transport do you prefer to use when you travel? N

• What was the last place you traveled to?

• Have you ever travelled alone?

• Which city (or place) that you have been to did you like the most? (Why?)

• Where (which country or place) would you like to travel to (in the future)? C

• What makes a place attractive for visitors (or, tourists)?

• What places in China are (or, would be) attractive for foreigners to travel to?

• (Similar to above but note the wording) What places in China would you recommend (or suggest) foreigners travel to?

• Why do you think traveling is so popular nowadays?

• Do you think finding out about other people's culture is important? (Why?)  N

14.   Cooking  C

See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 15. Food and Cooking

• Who usually does the cooking in your family (or, in your home)? C

• Do you know how to cook? 

• Do you like cooking? NC

• When did you learn how to cook? 

• (Similar to above) Did you learn how to cook when you were younger (or, when you were a child)? 

• (Similar to above) Did you ever cook (or, make a meal) when you were a child? N

• Who taught you how to cook?

• When was the last time you did some cooking? N

• Can you see yourself cooking more in the (near) future? Why?

• (Similar to above) In the future, do you think you will be cooking more than you do now, or less? (Why?) C

• (Possible question) What would you like to (learn to) cook in the future?

15.   Clothes and Fashion  C

See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 6. Clothes

Shopping for Clothes

• Do you like shopping for clothes? C

• (Similar to above) Is shopping for clothes important to you?

• Where do you buy your clothes? NC

• Where do you think you can buy the most fashionable clothes?

• When was the last time you went shopping for clothes?

• Do you think men and women think the same about clothes?  

• Do you like to try on clothes before you buy them? (Why?/Why not?)  

• For you, is the colour of the clothes very important when you are shopping for clothes?

Wearing Clothes

• What kinds of (or, style of) clothes do people in your country like to wear? 

• What kinds of (or, style of) clothes do you usually wear (or, buy)? 

• (Similar to above) What kinds of (or, style of) clothes do you like? C

• Do you wear the same clothes both at work and after work? N

• Do you wear the same kinds of clothes in winter and summer? N

• (Possible question) Do you think you will change the style of clothes you wear in the future? N

Fashion

• Are you very interested in fashion (or, clothes fashions)? C

• (Similar to above) What do you think of (or, about) fashion? C

• (Similar to above) What do you think about fashion nowadays in your country? 

• Are people's ideas about fashion (or, ideas about what is 'fashionable') today the same as people's ideas in previous years? C

• (Similar to above) Are the clothes that people in your country wear today the same as people's clothes in previous years? C

• Do many people (in your country) follow fashion? C

• What are the benefits of following fashion? 

• Do you think your tastes in fashion will be the same when you are old? N

16.   Shopping  C

See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 34. Shopping

• Do you like (going) shopping? (Why?/Why not?) C

• How often do you go shopping? N

• Which day of the week do you usually go (or, do you like to go) shopping? NC

• What do you usually buy when you go shopping? N

• When was the last time you went shopping? C  (Include what you bought.)

• In what ways do you think people's present and past shopping habits are different? N

• Do you prefer to buy things in small shops or in big shops such as supermarkets and department stores? C

• (Similar to above) Do you enjoy shopping in big shopping malls (big shopping centres)? NC

• (Similar to above) What are the pros and cons of buying things in big shops compared to buying things in small shops?

• What do you buy in big shopping centres? N

• Do you think it's good that there are more and more big shops nowadays? N

• Is there anything you dislike about shopping? N

• Do you like window shopping? N

17.   Reading  C

    See Also 'All Part 1 Questions' 32. Reading

• Do you like reading? 

• What (sorts of books) do you like to read? C

• (Possible question) What sorts of things do you most often (or, usually) read? See Note

• How much time each day do you spend reading? 

• (Similar to above) How often do you read?

• What did you (like to) read when you were a child? C

• What sorts of things do children like to read? N

• Do you think it's important for children to read? N

• (Similar to above) For children, what are the benefits of reading?  C

• What books (or, what things) have you read recently? 

18.  Animals  NC

• Do you like animals? NC

         "Do you like me?"

• What's your favourite animal? (Why?)  N

• Are people in your country fond of animals? N

• (Similar to above) Do people in your country keep animals at home? N

• Do you think cities are suitable places for keeping a pet? N

• Do children like animals? N

• (Similar to above) What animals do children like? N

• Did you have any pets when you were a child? N

• If you have children in the future, will you allow them to raise a pet? N

• (Similar to above, but different!) If you were a parent, would you let your children raise a pet? N

19.  Colours  NC

        See also All Part 1 Questions: The Colour of Clothes

• What's your favorite color? NC

• Do you usually wear clothes in your favourite colour? N

• Are there any colours that have a special meaning in your country? N

• What colour would you choose to paint the walls of your room? NC  (Don't use, "will".)

• Do you think different types of people like different colours? N

20.  Food  NC 

    See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 15. Food and Cooking

• What foods do you usually eat?  N

• Did you like to eat the same food when you were a child?  N

• (Similar to above) What food did you like to eat when you were a child?  NC 

• Do you still like that food now? NC 

• If your children asked for that food now, would you make it for them? N

• If you had children, what foods would you recommend they eat?  NC 

• (Similar to above) In the future, if you have children, what food will you recommend they eat? NC 

• Do you think it's good to (often or sometimes) take children to restaurants?  NC

• How has food in your country changed since you were a child? N

21.  Mobile Phones  N

    See also All Part 1 Questions 37. Telephones

• Do you have a mobile phone (= "a cell phone")? *  N

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

• What do you use it for?  N

• How often do you use it? NC

• When did you get it?  N

• (Similar to above) When did you get your first mobile phone?  NC

• How did you feel when you got your first mobile phone? N

• What feature (or, function) of your cell phone do you like the best? N

• Is there anything you dislike about using cell phones? NC

22.  Leisure Time  NC

    See also All Part 1 Questions 21. Leisure Time & Relaxing

• What is the best part of the day for you? NC

• How much free time (or time to relax) do you have?  NC

• (Similar to above) How often do you relax? N

• How do you relax? N

• What do you do in your spare time (= free time)?  NC

• (In the evenings), do you prefer to relax at home and watch TV or go out with your friends? NC

• (Similar to above) Would you prefer to relax at home and watch TV or go out with your friends? NC

• (Similar to above) On the weekends, do you prefer to stay at home or go out with your friends? N

• Do you think it's important to relax? N

• Do men and women relax ( = spend their free time) in the same way? NC

• What parts of your hometown do you go to in your spare time? N  (Why?) [Possibly under the Hometown topic]

• What do you usually do with your family? N

• Do you think modern people like to do things with others, in a group?  N

• Do you often do things in a group?  N

• Do you prefer to do things in a family group or in a group of friends?  N

• How did you spend your last holidays (vacation)?  N

23.   Sport  N

        See also All Part 1 Questions 35. Sport/Exercise

• Are you interested in sport? N

• (Similar to above) Do you like sport? NC

• What sports do you like? (Why?) N

• Do most people in your country like sport? N

• (Similar to above) What sports do people in your country like to play? NC

• What benefits do you think sport can bring us? N

• Do (did) you often play sport at school? (What sport?) NC (Past tense if you have finished school.)

• Do you think we should encourage children to play sport in school? N

• (Similar to above) Do you think it's important for children to play sports? NC

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