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Written Nov. 16, 2008

IELTS Part 2 and Part 3 Topics and Questions

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171. Something that Helped You Learn a Language (Sept. 13, 2008)

172. A Famous Person (2) (Sept. 6, 2008)

173. A Success You Have Had (Sept. 6, 2008)

174. Another Person's Home (Sept. 13, 2008)

175. No Topic

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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171. Something That Helped You Learn a Language (Sept. 13, 2008)

Describe something you do/did that helps/helped you learn another language (besides your own language). *

You should say:

what it is you do/did

where you do/did it

who you do/did it with

and explain how this activity helps/helped you.

Notes

It seems that this is referring to an activity.
It is not clear what tense is used but most people are reporting the past tense.

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Possible follow-up questions:

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Part 3

See also the Part 3 questions for topic #115

Learning Another Language

What are some reasons why people learn a foreign language?
(Similar to above) What are the benefits of learning a foreign language? FQ
What are the ways that a person can learn a foreign language?
What do you think is the most difficult part of learning another language? FQx2

Age and Language Learning

Do you think language learning is more important for young people than it is for older people?
Who do you think is more willing to learn a foreign language, young people or old(er) people?
(Similar to above) Who do you think is more enthusiastic about learning a foreign language, children people or people older than children? *
Who do you think finds it easier to learn a foreign language, children or adults? FQ

Language and Culture

Do you think learning another language has changed your thinking at all?
How important do you think English is?
What do you think is the dominant language in the world today?
What do you think of this phenomenon?
What language do you think will be dominant in the future?

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172. A Famous Person (Sept. 6, 2008)

Describe a famous person you would like to meet.

You should say:

who this person is

where you first saw him or her (or, how you first learned about him or her) * See Note

how/why this person is famous *

and explain what you would say to this person. *

See Notes

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Possible follow-up questions:

Is he/she still famous today?
Do you think you really will meet him/her one day? *

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Part 3

See also the Part 3 questions for Topic# 86

Fame

Wanting to be Famous

Do you think he/she (the person you just spoke about) wanted to be famous when he/she was in high school?
Why do some people want to be famous?
Do you think it's good to be famous?
What are some of the benefits of being famous?
Do you think people become a little "lost" when they become famous?
Do you think famous people change their ways of thinking when they become famous?
Do you think famous people ever fail (or, makes mistakes)?
If a famous person failed (or, for example, disgraced him or herself) what would you think about that person?
Do you want to be famous? * See Note
Would you like to be famous? * See Note
If you became famous, how do you think your life (or, you) would change?

People's Ideas on Who is Famous

Does everybody have the same idea about who is famous?
Do older people and young people have the same ideas about who is famous?
Why do many people like popular celebrities such as film stars, pop stars and sports stars?
To be one of these stars, what qualities do people need to have?
Who were some famous people about 30 or 40 years ago?
Compare the types of people who were famous about 30 or 40 years ago with the people who are famous today. FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think the kind of people that others admire (or, 'greatly respect' or think of as 'heroes' or 'famous') has changed in the past few decades? FQ See Note
What kind(s) of people do you think will be famous in the future? FQ
Who first decides (or, determines) who is famous? *
Why do you think certain people are 'chosen' to be given the label, 'famous'?

Family Life for Famous People

Can you think of any disadvantages to being famous?
Do you think famous people can (or, do) keep their privacy after they become famous? FQx2
(Similar to above) Do famous people have privacy? FQx2
Do you think it's important for a person to have some privacy?
What would you suggest a famous person do to have privacy with their family?
Do you think the children of famous people can play with normal children?

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173. A Success You Have Had (Sept. 6, 2008)

Describe a success you have had.

            You should say:

                          what it was

                          when it happened

                          why you chose this area of activity

                          how easy or difficult it was to achieve *

             and explain how important this success was (to you).

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Possible follow-up questions:

Do many other young people aim for the same success as you did? *

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Part 3

See also the Part 3 questions for Topic #43 and Topic #109.

The Nature of Success

You've just described one success that you've had. What are some other examples of success that other people have?
How would you define the word, 'success'? FQ
Do you think everybody agrees with you about how to define 'success'?
(Similar to above) In general, how do people in your community (or, people you know/ people in your society/ people in China) decide to call someone, 'successful"?
Do you think 'success' is the same as making a lot of money?
How successful would you say you have been in your studies?
Do you think you and your parents have the same ideas about success?
In general, how do you think one can make achievements (or, become successful)?
Why do many people have plans and goals for themselves? FQ
Do you think a person need to have goals before they can be successful? (Why?)

Success at Work

What do think is 'success' for an employee? FQ
(Similar to above) In the workplace, how would you judge the degree of success of an employee? FQ
In considering a person's success at work, which do you think is the more important, to look at 'the process' or look at 'the results'?
How can a person become successful at his or her job? FQ
How can a boss make his or her employees feel successful? FQ
(Similar to above) How can a boss reward his or her employees for work well-done? FQ
(Similar to above) How can a boss (or, a company) encourage the employees to be successful? FQ
When and how should an organization reward its employees?
(Similar to above) What kinds of success in the workplace should be rewarded?
In addition to money, what other incentives could be used to encourage the employees?

Competition

Do you think competition is good?
Why do many people dislike competition?

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174. Another Person's Home (Sept. 13, 2008)

Describe a house or flat that you like. For example, a friend's home. (Not your own home.)

You should say:

whether it is a house or a flat *

how you know about this home

where it is

what it looks like

and explain why you like it.

Notes:

The wording might be, "Describe a house or flat (apartment) that you have visited. For example, a friend's home."

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Possible follow-up questions:

Do other people also like this home?

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Part 3

See also any Part 3 questions at the following locations that are similar to the topics or questions below: Topic #13, Topic #45, Topic# 71, Topic #96 & Topic# 122

Building Design and Urban Development

What are the different types of homes in China?
Do young people and old(er) people (like to) live in the same kinds of places?
In the future, what kind of home would you like to live in? * (= What's your ideal home?)

Houses vrs Flats

What are the differences between houses and flats (apartments)? (or, " ... the differences between a house and a flat")
In the cities of China, do people mostly live in houses or flats? (Why?)
Compare the different types of people who live in different types of homes. (Different types of houses and flats - urban & rural/ wealthy & poor)
Do you think there should be more houses in the cities? (Why? How?/Why not?)
What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of living in a flat instead of a house?

Home Design

Do you think the (outside) appearance of a home is important? (Why?/Why not?)
Who should be responsible for the appearance of a home? See Note
Do you think (local) government should (have the right to) regulate on the outside appearance of people's homes? FQ
Do you think the climate of a place affects the way the buildings in that place are designed?
In China, are there any differences between homes in the north of China and those in the south?
In China, is there any difference between the north-facing side of houses and the south side? *
What qualities (and skills) should a good architect have?
In the future, what sort of home would you like to live in? *

Backyards and Balconies

What do people in China like to do in the outside parts of their home, for example on their balcony or in their backyard?
What do your neighbours do on their balconies?
Can you suggest any new ways for using backyards and balconies? (回答是假设的话. Use "could" not "can".)

Old Buildings

What are the characteristics of traditional Chinese architecture? FQ
Do you think the government should put some restrictions on the appearance of old buildings?
Do you think spending money on maintaining old buildings is a waste of money?
Do you think old buildings should be preserved (protected)? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think old homes that were well built should be demolished to make way for new buildings or should they be maintained?

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175. No Topic

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