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Updated Nov. 18, 2008

IELTS Part 2 and Part 3 Topics and Questions

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161. A Photograph (3) (July 12, 2008)

162. Someone You Enjoy Spending Time With (2) (Aug. 16, 2008)

163. An Important Letter You Wrote (May 10, 2008)

164. Your Favourite Season (2) (Sept. 6, 2008)

165. Clothing for Special Occasions (Sept. 6, 2008)

RETURN TO PART 2 TOPIC INDEX

FQ = frequent question = a question that has frequently been reported = a question that is probably in the examiner's question book

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161. A Photograph (3) (July 12, 2008)

Describe a photograph that you like. *

You should say:

where you saw this photograph

what (or who) is in the photograph

why this photograph was taken

and explain why you like this photograph. *

and explain what was different about this photograph. *

and explain why you were impressed/affected by this photograph. *

Notes:

It seems that on about July 12, some new Part 3 questions started to be used for the 'Photograph' topic. For this reason, the topic is being treated as a new topic.
So far, the wording of this new Part 2 is a little unclear. It is possible the first line is, "Describe a photograph that impressed you." (or, " a photograph that had an effect on you")

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Possible follow-up questions:

Do other people like that photograph?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Part 3

See what this note says about the meaning of, 'my photograph'

Personal Photography

(Instead of the words, "take a photograph", the word "use a camera" might be used for some of these questions.)

Do you like taking photographs?
What are some situations when people take photographs? FQx2
Can you give me an example of a happy time when you took a photograph?
Why do some people dislike taking photographs? FQ
Why do some people dislike having their photo taken?
Are there any cultural reasons (in China) why some people might not want their photograph taken? Difficult question
Compare cameras today with those of, say, 30 years ago.

Attributes of Photographs

Attractive Photos

What makes a photograph attractive to people? FQx2
(Similar to above) What kind(s) of photographs are most attractive to people? FQx2
What are some differences between photographs today and photographs 20 or 30 (or 50) years ago?
Do you think colour photos are more attractive than black and white photos?

Attention-catching photographs

What are some ways that a photograph can catch people's attention? FQ
What are some examples of (or an example of) photographs that catch the attention of people?
(Similar to above) What types (usages) of photographs especially catch people's attention?
What are the attributes (qualities) of these photographs that make them so attention-catching?
Do you think a photograph can affect a person's judgment? (or, opinions or beliefs)

'Good' and 'Bad' Quality Photographs

What do you think makes a 'good' photograph?
Do you think photographs taken by professional photographers are better quality than the photos that average people take?
Do you think the quality of the photograph is (always) more important than the contents of the photograph?
(Similar to above) Do you think people should throw away photographs that are not good quality? FQ
Some people don't like to throw away photographs even when the quality of the photographs is not very good. Can you guess why they feel that way?

Preserving Photographs

Do you think it's important to preserve (or keep) photographs?
How can that be done?

Other Uses of Photographs

Do you think photography has (or, photographs have) any relationship to culture?

Photographs and History

What is the value of photographs in the study of (or, the representation of) history? FQ
What do you think is the value of having (old) photographs in museums? FQ

Photography in the Media

Do you think photographs are a useful means of communication? (How? Give examples.)
How are photographs used in the (news) media?
(Similar to above) What is the value of using photographs in the news media? FQx2
(Similar to above) What is the value of using photographs when reporting a news story in the media? FQx2
Why do newspapers sometimes have photographs with their news stories? FQx2
What qualities do you think photographs in newspapers should have?
Do you think photos in newspapers always give an accurate portrayal of news events?
Can you think of any photos in newspapers (or news magazines) that that greatly moved you (or, that left a deep impression on you)? (How did it/they affect you?) FQ
(Similar to above) How do some photos in newspapers leave a strong impression on people?
Do you think photos in newspapers are sometimes too powerful (or, overpowering)?
Do you think a photograph could (have enough impact to) change the world? (E.g., a very high-impact photo in the news)
Photos are used a lot in newspapers and magazines. If there were no photographs, what would (or, what could) journalists do to make up for the absence of photos? (This question is testing your grammar)

Photographs as Art

Why do some people especially like looking at photographs and paintings?
How are paintings and photographs different? FQ
(Similar to above) Do people look at photos and paintings in the same way?
Compare artists (painters) and photographers. Do they use the same skills?
Tell me about the visual arts in China, for example, painting. *

Photographs in Advertising and Marketing

How are photographs used in advertising and marketing?

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162. Someone You Enjoy Spending Time With (2) (Aug. 16, 2008)

Version A

Describe someone you enjoy spending time with.

You should say:

who this person is

how you know this person *

what you do together *

and explain why you like to spend time with this person. *

Version B

Describe someone you would like to spend time with.

You should say:

who this person is

how you know this person *

what you would like to say to (or ask) this person *

what you would do together *

and explain why you would like to spend time with this person. *

Notes

It is not clear if it is Version A or Version B, but it is probably Version A.
If it is Version A, it is probably more or less a repeat of Topic #106.
If it is Version B then the title of the topic should be, "Someone you would like to spend time with".
Be careful if it is Version B. See Notes

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Possible follow-up questions:

Do others also like to spend time with him/her?

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Part 3

See also the Part 3 questions for Topic 106.

Friendship

Do you think people have more free time today than they did before? (Why?/Why not?)
In general, do you think people spend more time with friends or with family?
Is that the same for people in the countryside and people in the cities?
When people are together with their friends, do they usually prefer to chat or to watch TV?
What are some ways to make new friends?
What are some ways that people can help colleagues or classmates?
What are some methods for maintaining a friendship with someone who is living far away?
Can men and women become genuine friends?
Can work colleagues (workmates) become friends?
Do you think employers and employees can become friends?

The Relationship Between Individuals and Groups

Which do you think is more important, to be an individual or a member of a group? *
How would you feel about working in an organization composed of only one person – you?
What is the value of teamwork?
Do you think it's important for nations to have good international relations with other nations?
What impact do you think small businesses have on the world?

Communication

In general, what are the factors that are most important for having good communication between people?
How have mobile phones and the internet improved the way people communicate today (compared to the days before we used these inventions)?
In the future, do you think these inventions will lead to people getting together with other people les than they do today?
What would be the advantages and disadvantages of getting together less with other people?
(Similar to above) What are the advantages of modern-day electronic forms of communication?

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163. An Important Letter You Wrote (May 10, 2008)

Describe an important letter you wrote.

You should say

who you wrote to

when you wrote it

what you wrote

and explain why you wanted to write to this person. *

and explain why you wrote that letter. *

Notes

This has been the topic in use since May 10, 2008. Topic #105, 'An Important Letter You Received' was last reported on April 19, 2008.
The card might say, ' ... important letter or message'. If the card says that, a posting on an internet message board or an email should be suitable to use as your answer. In fact, even if the card doesn't say that, such examples might be suitable. Ask the examiner.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Possible follow-up questions:

Did you receive a reply? *

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Part 3

See also the Part 3 questions for Topic # 105.

Communication

What are the different types of letters that people write? (= the different purposes for writing letters. E.g., business letters, love letters, invitations, applications for a job, ...) FQ
Besides letters, what are some other ways to communicate with someone?
Do you think people will continue to use (hand-written) letters in the future?
When do you think a phone call is more suitable and when is a letter more suitable?
(Similar to above) Compare the advantages of letters and the advantages of phone calls. FQx2
How have mobile phones and the internet improved the way people communicate today (compared to the days before we used these inventions)? FQ
(Similar to above) What are the advantages of modern-day electronic forms of communication? FQx2
Of all the different ways to communicate (emails, faxes, hand-written letters, phone calls & text messages), which way do you think is the most effective? (Why?)

Communication Skills; Face-to-face Speech

With the greater use of modern, hi-tech means of communication, would you say that people today communicate better with others than they used to?
In general, what are the factors that are most important for having good communication between people? FQx2
Why do you think some people are good at interpersonal communication while others are not so good? FQx2
What are the advantages of face-to-face communication? FQx2
Which do you think creates a more powerful impression on people, to be told something face-to-face or to be told by letter? (Why?) FQx2
Do you think a universal language would be a good thing in the world right now?

Letters to the Editor

Do you think writing letters to newspapers is important? FQ
(Similar to above) What is the value of writing letters to newspapers?

Emails

What sorts of people write emails? *
Why don't many old people write emails?

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164. Your Favourite Season (2) (Sept. 6, 2008)

Describe your favourite season or time of the year.

You should say:

when season it is

what the weather is like at this time

what you usually do at this time

and explain what is special about that season.

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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Part 3

See also the Part 3 questions for Topic #25 and Topic #95.

Climate and Living Place

Seasons

Is there anything you don't like about that season (the one you just talked about)? (What? Why?)
What's the difference between 'season' and 'weather'?
What are the differences between the different seasons?
What are the signs that the season is changing (for example, from summer to autumn)?
Which season would you say is the best for tourism?
What are the different things that people can do in different seasons (or, in hot weather and in cold weather)?

Climate in Different Parts of Your Country

What's the climate like in your hometown?
How does the climate in your hometown compare with other parts of China?

Hot versus Cold Weather

How does the weather (or, the seasons) effect people's work? Does it place any restrictions on work?
(Similar to above) What are the advantages and disadvantages of working in the summer and in the winter? FQ
In general, do you think people prefer to live in warm or in cold places? FQ
(Similar to above) Which do you prefer, cold weather or hot weather? FQ

Why do some people live (or, prefer/choose to live) in cold places? FQ See Note
(Similar to above) What are some of the good points about cold weather? FQ
(Similar to above) What are some of the advantages from living in a place that has cold winters? FQ
Why do many children like winter?

Changes in Weather Patterns (esp. Global Warming)

In general, how does the weather effect people's lives (or, affect society)?
Do you think the weather patterns (the climate) have changed much in recent years in your hometown? (Hint: The question is referring to global warming.)
In your opinion, is 'Global Warming' really taking place? *
Do you know what is causing Global Warming?
What does 'the Greenhouse Effect' mean? *
Can you explain how this 'Greenhouse Effect' works? *
How does (or will) global warming affect the community?
In the future, do you think Global Warming will affect the way people work?
What is the government doing about (preparing for) these changes?
What do you think the government could/should do? *
Would you say that Chinese people feel climate change is an important topic? FQ
(Similar to above) For Chinese people, how important is protecting the environment? FQ

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165. Clothing for Special Occasions (Sept. 6, 2008)

Describe an item of clothing that you wear on special occasions. *

You should say:

what this clothing looks like

where you bought it

on what special occasions you wear it

and explain why you wear it on special occasions. *

Note

The wording might be, "Describe something you wear on special occasions". If this is the case, there are other things that people 'wear' besides clothes. See Notes

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Possible follow-up questions:

Do other people like your _______? (The thing you just talked about)

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Part 3

See also the Part 3 questions for Topic #67 and the previously used Part 1 Clothes questions.

Clothes Choices & Fashion

Do Chinese people spend much money on clothes? (Why?/Why not?) FQ
What about you - do you spend much money on clothes?
Do old(er) people and young people think the same about clothes?
Do you think people's tastes in clothes change at different stages of their life?
Do you think a person's job affects the kinds of clothes that person wears?
Do you think different lifestyles are reflected in the different types of clothes people wear? (Give examples)

Formal & Casual Clothes

Compare formal clothes and casual (informal) clothes.
In China, what are some occasions when people wear formal clothes? FQx2
Do you think people today wear formal clothes today more often than they used to, or less often than they used to? FQx2
Do you think restaurants should have a 'dress code'?
What's your opinion of people who wear formal clothes?
In China, what are some occasions when people wear casual clothes? FQ

Fashion

Why do you think fashions in clothes seem to be constantly changing?
Do you think 'globalization' is having an effect on fashions (or, on the clothes that people wear)?
Who is more interested in fashion, older people or young people? (Why?) *
Who is more interested in fashion, men or women? (Why?) *

Traditional Clothing

Are traditional Chinese clothes worn very often in China? *
Do you think traditional Chinese clothes will eventually disappear?
(Similar to above) Do you think people will stop using their traditional clothes in the future? FQ
What are the major differences between modern clothes and traditional Chinese clothes?
Which do you prefer, traditional Chinese clothes or modern clothes?
How do you think clothes will develop over the next few decades?

Uniforms

How do you feel about uniforms (or, about wearing a uniform)?
Do employers in China often require employees to wear a uniform?
In companies where the employees wear a uniform, how (do you think) the colour of the uniform was decided? *
What do you think is the role of (= the reason for = the purpose of) uniforms?
(Similar to above) Why do some people (have to) wear a uniform?
(Similar to above) What do you think are the benefits of uniforms?

The Garment Industry

What changes do you think will take place in the clothes manufacturing industry over the next few decades? FQ

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