PART_1_SEP_TO_DEC

ielts-yasi.englishlab.net

Updated Jan 3, 2011

Part 1 Topics and Questions

For The IELTS Speaking Tests in Mainland China, September - December, 2010

Notes

This page will be continually updated until the end of December. In other words, there will be new questions added and some other changes made after each test.

For some of these topics, there might be two sets of different but similar questions, for example, the "Sport" topic. Certainly the "Work/Studies" questions exist in different sets.

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 now.

C = confirmed that this question or topic is currently being used. Questions labeled with C or NC are the most likely questions and (most questions) questions labeled with N are also very likely. Those topics and questions without a C label were the topics and questions that were predicted before the first test of September. The predicted questions without a C label are still possibly in use now, even if no-one has so far reported that they got those questions.

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

Make sure you read HOW_TO_SPEAK_IN_PART_1.htm

See also Some Notes Written for this Part 1 Page.

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

1. Your Work or Your Studies C

2. Your Hometown C

One of the two 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 and a 50% chance that you will get Topic 2.)

3. Animals C

4. Colours C

5. Food C

6. Mobile Phones C

7. Leisure Time C

8. Sport C

9. Sounds (Noises) C

10. Collecting C

11. Languages C

12. Weather & Seasons C

13. Films C

14. Clothes and Fashion C

15. Shopping C

16. Flying NC

17. Museums NC

18. News and Newspapers NC

19. Holidays NC

20. Travelling C

21. Cooking C

22. Dancing NC

23. Books & Reading NC

24. The Ocean NC

25. Meeting other People NC

26. Daily Routine NC

27. Emails and Letters NC

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1. Your Work or Your Studies C

Do you work or are you a student? C

1a) Your Work C

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?
What skills do you need for that job?
What do you do (in a typical day) at work? C
(Similar to above) What are the main tasks that you do at work? C
(Similar to above) What are your (main) responsibilities at work? C

Finding a Job N

How did you get that job? N
Was it easy to get that job? N
Is it easy (for other people in your country) to find work doing your job? NC
(Similar to above) Is it easy to get such a job? NC
(Similar to above) In your country, is it easy for people to find a job? N
Where do people get information about jobs, from newspaper or from TV? N
Are there other ways for people to get information about jobs? N

Feelings about the Job

What's your job like?
Do you like (or, enjoy) your job (or, your work)? C
(Similar to above) How do you like your current job?
(Similar to above) Is your job (or, your work) very important to you?
Which do you enjoy more, working or studying? N
What do you like about your work?
Do you think it's very important for people to do a job that they like (or, a job that they are interested in)? NC
Would you say it's a good job?
What's the best thing about your job?
Is your work very easy to do? NC
Do you plan to continue in this same job (or, kind of work) in the future?
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 choose? C

Future

What are your plans for the future?
(Similar to above) What are your work plans for the future?
What job (or, work) would you like to do (in the future)? C
Why are you taking the IELTS test?

Your First Day at Work

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

1b) Your Studies C

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.

General Description of Your Studies

What subject(s) are you studying? C
Why did you choose to study that subject? C
(For high school) Why did you choose those subjects?

Is that a popular subject (to study) in your country? NC

Do you think it's popular because people want to gain knowledge or is there some other reason? N

Have you always wanted to study _____ (your subject)?

What are the most popular subjects (= university degree courses = majors) in China?

Family Support for Your Choice

Did your family help you choose that course?
(Similar to above) Did your family have any influence on your choice of subject?
(Similar to above) How do your parents feel about your choice of subject?
(Similar to above) Did your parents agree with your choice of subject?
(Similar to above) Do your family support your choice of subject?(See Note)

School/University

What school (or university) do you go to? See Note
Why did you choose that university (or, school)?
Do you have any recreational or entertainment activities at your school/university? N (Past tense if not at school or university right now)

Liking/Disliking Your Studies

How do you like your subject?
(Similar to above) Do you like your subject? (= your major = your subjects if a high school student) (Why?/Why not?) C
What do you like about your subject? C
(Similar to above) What part of your subject do you like the most? C
Do you think it's important to choose a subject you like? (Why?) NC
(For university students) What are your favourite classes/courses/subjects at university? (Unclear which word is used)
(For high school students) What's your favourite subject at school? (Don't say P.E. – that's not really a subject that people study.)

Interesting

Is your subject interesting? (Why?/Why not?) N

Do you think it's important to choose a subject you are interested in? (Why?) N

(What's the most interesting part of your subject? C

(Similar to above) What's the most interesting part of your studies? C

(Similar to above) For you, what's the most interesting part (or subject or class) of your course? C

(For high school) What's the most interesting of your subjects at school?

Future

Future Work

What are your future work plans? (after you graduate) C
(Similar to above) What do you plan (or, do you want) to do after you finish your course? C
(Similar to above) What work would you like to do after you finish your studies? C
Do you think what you are studying now will be very useful (or, relevant or, important) for this type of work?
How will you (or, how do you plan to) get the job you want?
Do you think it will be easy to find that kind of work? C
(Similar to above) Do you think it will be easy to find that kind of work (without help)? N
(Similar to above) Do you think it will be easy to find work (or, find a job) after you graduate? C
(Similar to above) Is it easy to find a job with this major? NC

Further Studies

Why are you taking the IELTS test?

What country do you plan to go to for further study? (Why?)

What do you plan to study at university?

Your First Day at University (or high school)

(The word, "university" is probably replaced by the words, "high school" or "secondary school" if you have not been to university yet.)

Did you like your first day at university?
(Similar to above) Did you have a good first day at university?
(Similar to above) How did you feel on your first day at university/high school?
Do you think the first day at university is important?
How important do you think it is for people to have an enjoyable first day at university (or, school)?
(Similar to above) Do you think a person's first impressions of a new school or university are important?

2. Your Hometown C

Notes:

– Your 'hometown' is the place where you grew up, not necessarily the place where you were born.

– 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"

The Place

Where do you come from? C
(Similar to above) Where is your hometown? N
Where do you live at the moment?
How long have you been living there/here?

Your Family

Do your parents also live there?
(Similar to above) Does your whole family live there?

Did your family ever move away from the place you were born? (Why?/Why not?)

(Similar to above) Has your family always lived in that city/town?

Attractions

What tourist attractions are there in your hometown?
Would a foreign visitor enjoy them?
(Similar to above) What parts of your hometown would you recommend (or, suggest) a visitor go and see?
(Similar to above) What tourist attractions would you recommend to visitors who come to your hometown?

Famous NC

Is your hometown famous for anything? NC
(If you answer no) How could it become famous? N

The History of Your Hometown NC

Do you know much about the history of your hometown? N
Did you learn (or, have you learned) much about the history of your hometown in school? NC

Change NC

(The wording of this question is unclear. At present (Sept. 20) it is just known that a question about "change" exists.)

(Possible question) How has your hometown changed, compared to historical times? * N
(Possible question) In what ways has your hometown changed in the past few years? * N
What do you think needs to change in your hometown? C
(Similar to above) How do you think your hometown could be improved? NC

Transport N

What form of transport do you prefer to use in your hometown? N

Free Time Activities in Your Hometown

What do people in your hometown do in their free time? N
(Similar to above) What do you do in your hometown in your leisure time? NC
What place(s) in your hometown do you go to in your spare time? (Why? Include what you do there.)

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? C
What do you like most about your hometown? N
Would you say it's a good place to grow up (in)? See Note
What do you like (most or, best) about (living in) your hometown (or, about living where you are living now)? C
What do you think needs to be done to make your hometown a better place to live in?
(Similar to above) How do you think your hometown could be improved? C
(Similar to above) Is there anything in your hometown that needs to be improved? C

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)?

3. Animals C

Do you like animals? C

"Do you like me?"

What's your favourite animal? (Why?) C
Are people in your country fond of animals? C
(Similar to above) Do many people in your country keep animals at home (or, keep a pet)? C
Do you think cities are suitable places for keeping a pet?
Do children like animals?
(Similar to above) What animals do children like?
What was your favourite animal when you were a child? N
Did you have any pets when you were a child?
(Similar to above) Have you ever raised (or, had) a pet? N
What do you think are the benefits of a child having a pet? N
(Possibly the question above is this) What benefits did you get from having a pet?
If you have children in the future, will you allow them to raise a pet?
(Similar to above, but different!) If you were a parent, would you let your children raise a pet?

4. Colours C

What's your favorite color? (Why?) C
Do you usually (or, often) wear clothes in your favourite colour? C
Are there any colours that have a special meaning in your country? C
What colour would you choose to paint the walls of your room? (Don't use, "will".) C
Do you think different types of people like different colours?

5. Food C

What foods do you usually eat?
Did you like to eat the same food when you were a child?
(Similar to above) What food did you like to eat when you were a child? C
Do you still like that food now? C
(Similar to above) Would you want your children to eat the same food now? N
(Similar to above) If your children asked for that food now, would you make it for them?
If you had children, what foods would you recommend they eat? C
(Similar to above) In the future, if you have children, what food will you recommend they eat? C
Do you think it's good to (often or sometimes) take children to restaurants? C
How has food in your country changed since you were a child?
Do you think the food in different countries is different? NC (Probably only used if you are doing the test away from your home country.)
(Similar to above) Is the food here (in this country) different to the food in your home country? N (Only used if you are doing the test away from your home country.)

6. Mobile Phones C

Do you have a mobile phone (= "a cell phone")? *
(Similar to above) Do you use a cell phone?
Is your cell phone important for you in your daily life? N
What do you use it for?
How often do you use it? C
When did you get it?
(Similar to above) When did you get your first mobile phone? C
How did you get your first mobile phone? N
How did you feel when you got your first mobile phone?
What feature (or, function) of your cell phone do you like the best?
Is there anything you dislike about using cell phones? C

7. Leisure Time C

How much free time (or time to relax) do you have (per week)? C
How do you relax?
What do you do in your spare time (= free time)? C
What do you do on weekends? N
(In the evenings), do you prefer to relax at home and watch TV or go out with your friends? C
(Similar to above) Would you prefer to relax at home and watch TV or go out with your friends? C
(Similar to above) Would you prefer to relax at home and watch TV or go shopping? N
Do you think it's important to (have time to) relax? C
Do men and women relax ( = spend their free time) in the same way?
What do you usually do with your family?
Do you think modern people like to do things with others, in a group?
Do you often do things in a group?
Do you prefer to do things in a family group or in a group of friends?
How did you spend your last holidays (vacation)?

8. Sport C

Are you interested in sport?
(Similar to above) Do you like sport? C
What sports do you like? (Why?) C
(Similar to above) What sports do you usually play? NC
Do most people in your country like sport?
(Similar to above) What sports do people in your country like to play?
Do men and women feel the same about sport? N
(Possibly the question above is) Do men and women play the same sports? NC
What benefits do you think sport can bring us?
Do (did) you often play sport at school? (What sport?) (Past tense if you have finished school.)
What sports did you play when you were a child? NC
What are the benefits of playing sport? N
What are the differences when boys and girls play sports? NC
Do you think we should encourage children to play sport in school?
(Similar to above) Do you think it's important for children to play sports?
Will you let your children play sport? N
(Similar to above) Would you let your children play sport? N
(Similar to above) Would you encourage your children to play sport? N

9. 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?
(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
(Possibly the question above is this) Would you prefer to study (or work ) in a quiet environment or an environment with some noise (or, sounds)?
Does your school have any quiet places for studying?
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? C

10. Collecting C

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

11. Languages C

See Notes

What foreign languages have you studied (or, learned)?
(Similar to above) How many languages can you speak? NC
Why did you choose to study that language?
How did you learn that language?
(Similar to above) How did you learn (to speak) English? C See Note
How long have you been learning that language (or, learning English)? C
Would you say it's a difficult language to learn? (Why?) See Note
(Similar to above) (Compared to other languages), would you say English is difficult? (Why?/Why not?) C
(Similar to above) Is that language hard for you?
Do people in your country have many chances to practice oral English? N
Do you think it's important to know more than one language?
If you had the chance, would you be willing to learn another language? N
(Similar to above) What other language would you like to learn, (if you had the opportunity)? (Why?) C

12. Weather & Seasons C

What's the weather (usually) like in your hometown? C
(Similar to above) What has the weather in your hometown been like recently? N
Do you like that weather (or, that kind of climate)? (Why?/Why not?)
Have there been any changes in the weather over the past few years?
What's your favourite season? (Why?)
(Similar to above, but different) What's your favourite weather? (Why?)
What do you usually do during your favourite weather (or season)?
Is there any season you dislike? (Why?) C
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)?
How often is the weather good in your hometown?
What did you do the last time the weather was good? C
(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?
Do you pay attention to (or, watch/listen to) the weather forecasts?
Does the weather ever affect what you do?
(Similar to above) Does the weather ever affect you? (If yes, how?)
(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?
How do you feel when the weather is cloudy? N

13. Films C

See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 13. Films

Do you like to watch films?
How often do you watch a film? N
(Similar to above) How often do you go to the cinema? N
Where do you prefer to watch films? N
Do you like to watch films in a cinema? (Why?/Why not?) N
Do you prefer to watch films at home or in a cinema? (Why?)
What types of films do you like? C
Are there any types of films that you dislike?
What kinds of films did you like to watch when you were a child?
Do you ever watch foreign films? N

14. Clothes and Fashion C

Shopping for Clothes

Do you like shopping for clothes?
(Similar to above) Is shopping for clothes important to you?
Where do you buy your clothes? C
Have you ever bought clothes that you (now) don't like? N
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 buy (or, wear)? C
Do you wear the same clothes both at work and after work?
Do you wear the same kinds of clothes in winter and summer?
(Possible question) Do you think you will change the style of clothes you wear in the future?

Fashion

Are you very interested in fashion (or, clothes fashions)?
(Similar to above) What do you think of (or, about) fashion?
(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?
What types of clothes are in fashion now? N
Are the clothes that people in your country wear today the same as people's clothes in previous years?
Do many people (in your country) follow fashion?
What are the benefits of following fashion?
Do you think your tastes in fashion will be the same when you are old?
(Similar to above) Do you think fashion trends will be the same when you are old(er)? N

15. Shopping C

See also ALL_PART_1_QUESTIONS 34. Shopping

Do you like (going) shopping? (Why?/Why not?)
How often do you go shopping?
When do you think is the best time to go shopping? N (I.e., what day of the week / what time of the day)
Which day of the week do you usually go (or, do you like to go) shopping? C
What do you usually buy when you go shopping?
When was the last time you went shopping? C (Include what you bought.)
What did you buy? N
What are some differences between men and women concerning shopping? N
In what ways do you think people's present and past shopping habits are different?
Do you prefer to buy things in small shops or in big shops such as supermarkets and department stores?
(Similar to above) Do you enjoy shopping in big shopping malls (big shopping centres)? C
(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?
Do you think it's good that there are more and more big shops nowadays?
Is there anything you dislike about shopping?
Do you like window shopping?

16. Flying NC (= 坐飞机,乘飞机)

= "Air Travel"

Have you ever traveled by (= flown in a) plane? (If yes, when, where did you go?) N
(Similar to above) Do you often travel by aeroplane? NC
(Similar to above) Do you often travel by air? NC
Do you like it (like flying)? NC
(Similar to above) What do you think about traveling by plane? N
How does flying compare to other forms of transport? NC
(Similar to above) What are the advantages of flying? N
Would you like to travel by plane again? N
(Similar to above) Do you think you will be using aircraft more in the future? N
Do you think there will be more people traveling by air in the future? NC
If you travel by plane again, where do you think you will go (or, you will be going)? NC
(Similar to above) In the future, where would you like to travel to by plane? NC

17. Museums NC

Are there many (or, any) museums in your hometown? N
(Similar to above) Are there many museums in your country? N
(Similar to above) Are there any famous museums in your country? N
Do you think museums are useful for visitors to your hometown/country? N
Do you often visit a museum? N
Did you go to any museums when you were a child? N
When was the last time you visited a museum? NC
Do you think museums are important? N
Do you think it's suitable for museums to sell things to visitors? NC
(Similar to above) Do you think museums should sell things to visitors? N

18. News and Newspapers NC