Page 36

www.yasi-kouyu.com.cn

Updated Dec. 21, 2008

IELTS Part 2 and Part 3 Topics and Questions

Page 36

176. A Sports Event (2) (Sept. 6, 2008)

177. A Good Friend (Sept. 6, 2008)

178. A TV Program (Sept. 6, 2008)

179. A Childhood Game (2) (May 19, 2007) Still in Use

180. A Polluted City (July 7, 2007) Still in Use

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

***********************************************************************
176. A Sports Event (2) (Sept. 6, 2008)

Describe a sports event that you watched or took part in.

            You should say:

                          when this event was held

                          where it was held

                          who participated in the event

             and explain why you remember this event so well.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Possible follow-up questions:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part 3

See also the part 3 questions for Topic 64 that are similar to these questions.

Children's Sport

Do you think it's important for children to participate in some kind of sport?
(Similar to above) What are the benefits of sport for children? FQ
In China, how much time do children spend on sport (and exercise) at school?
In China, how much time do children spend on sport (and exercise) at school?
Do you think this amount of time should be increased?
Outside of school, what sports would you suggest a parent in China encourage their child to take up? (= to start doing)
What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of competitive sport for children?
Which do you think is better for children, individual sports or team sports? FQ
Can you think of any disadvantages of individual sports for children?
(Similar to above) Compare the advantages (and disadvantages) that children gain from taking part in team sports with the advantages they gain from taking part in individual sports. FQ
Do you think co-operation is important in modern society?
What are some ways that co-operation between countries can be encouraged?

Competition and Awards in General

See also the Part 3 questions for Topic 43 and Topic 109 for the topics of competition, co-operation and rewards/awards.

Do you think the experience of competing in sport can bring benefits to people in life outside of sport?
Besides sport, can you think of any other competitive situation that people face in life? *
What are some examples of competition that exist in the classroom (at school)?
In general, what do you think are the advantages of having competition in life?
Do you think competition is a good thing?
Can you think of examples in life when people co-operate with each other? *
What are the benefit of co-operation?
Do you think it's a good thing to give top students in school an award or some prize? FQ
Are there any (possible) disadvantages to awarding only the top students?
Besides awards (prizes), are there any other ways to encourage children to do well at school?

Sports Organizations

Can you give some examples of sports organizations?
In general, how would you describe the spirit of these organizations?
What do you think is the benefit (are the benefits) of this spirit?

**********************************************************************

177. A Good Friend (Sept. 6, 2008)

Describe one of your good friends. *

          You should say:

                          how (and when) you first met this person

                          when you see this person *

                          what you usually do together

and explain what kind of character (or, personality) he or she has. *

Notes

The topic might be, "Describe your best friend." Or, it might say, "Describe a family friend".

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Possible follow-up questions:

Do you think you will always be good friends? *

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part 3

The Nature of Friendship

What are the qualities of a good (or, a real) friend? FQ
(Similar to above) How can one be a good friend?
Do you prefer old friends or new friends?
When you go out (to enjoy yourself / to have some fun), do you prefer to go out with friends or family members? (Why?)
Which do you think is more important, friends or family? FQ See Note
What are some of the main differences between family relationships and friendships?
How can people maintain a friendship when the two people are living far from each other?
Do you think friendships between boys (or, males) are stronger than friendships between girls (or, females)?
(Similar to above) How are friendships between boys (or males) different to friendships between girls (females)? FQ
Do you think men and women can have (close) friendships with each other?

Other Relationships

Do you think people can be real friends with others in the same workplace?
Do you think co-workers (= work colleagues = workmates) should also be friends with each other? FQ
Do you think it's possible for a boss (an employer) at work to be friends with the people he or she manages (the employees)? FQ
Do you think a boss should be friends with his or her staff? FQ
Do you think there are any advantages or disadvantages to a boss being friends with his or her staff?
How do you think an employee (or, the employees) can/could get along with a terrible boss?
How do you think a person should react if they encounter an unfriendly person?
(Similar to above) How can people get along with an unfriendly boss or an unfriendly co-worker? FQ
What qualities do you think a good boss should have? *

Male/Female Differences

Do you think a man and a woman can be good friends?
Do you think men and women have different ideas about boyfriends and girlfriends?
Do you think there are any differences when men are friends with each other and when women are friends with each other?

Joining Groups; Co-operation and Teamwork

Do you think it's important that people should join groups or be a part of a a community? (Why?/Why not?)
Some people think it is better to be a 'loner', someone who is independent and self-sufficient and who doesn't join any groups or a community. What do you think of that attitude?
What benefits can people get from joining groups?
In life (or, in work), do you think teamwork is important? FQ
(Similar to above) What are the (social) benefits of teamwork (or, co-operation) between people? FQ
Can you think of any examples of work (or, jobs) where teamwork is especially important? FQ

International Relations

Do you think international co-operation (or, collaboration) between countries is important? FQ
(Similar to above) What is the role of international co-operation between countries?
(Similar to above) What are the results (the effects) of international co-operation between countries?
Can you give any examples of international co-operation?
Do you think there have been any changes in the past few years in the way countries co-operate (or don't co-operate)? FQ
Do you think international competition can help promote international co-operation?

***********************************************************************

178. A TV Program (Sept. 6, 2008)

Describe a TV program that you enjoy watching. *

You should say:

what the program is about * (including what type of program *)

when you watch it*

what people are in the program* (or who you usually watch the program with *)

and explain why you enjoy this program. *

Notes

Previously, when people were reporting this topic as "A story from TV", I wrote that I thought this topic was actually being confused with Topic # 151. Although I have not yet found a good description of the wording of the topic, I now think this does exist as a separate topic.

The wording shown above is my guess at what the topic probably says. It is probably asking you to describe one program but not asking you to describe one particular episode of this program.

The Part 2 and Part 3 both seem similar to Topic #87. (In fact, it might be exactly the same as Topic #87.)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Possible follow-up questions:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part 3

TV and Society

The Benefits and Possible Harm from TV

Why do you think people like to watch TV? FQ
What are the benefits for family members watching TV together?
(Similar to above) What do you think are the benefits of having parents watch TV with their children? FQ
Do you think families watching TV together can be harmed by doing this?
(Similar to above) Do you think TV has any effects on family relationships?
Do you think watching TV has any effect on the education of school children?
(Similar to above) Do you think watching TV has any effect on how well students do at school?
Do you agree that there are "good" television programs and "bad" television programs?
Do you think parents should control the amount of TV their children watch? FQ
Do you think using the internet might be a better way to improve one's English?

TV and Reality

Do you think what you see on TV is actually close to real life?
Do you think that what you see on TV is related to people's real lives?
Do you think that children could benefit more by sometimes going outside the home instead of watching TV? (Hints: a) see the real world, b) get exercise, c) relate to other people such as friends)

TV versus Other Media

Do you think the internet is better than TV as a source of entertainment, or news or as a way to improve your English?
How do you think television (or the way people watch it) will change in the future?

Advertisements on TV

Do you like [to see (or, watch)] advertisements on TV?
Do you think there are too many advertisements on TV?
(Similar to above) Do you think there is a good balance between (the amount of time given to) TV programs and advertisements on TV?

***********************************************************************

179. A Childhood Game (2) (May 19, 2007) Still in Use

Describe a game you enjoyed when you were a child. (Not a sport.)

You should say:

what the game was

when, where and with whom you usually played it

how you played it

and explain why you enjoyed this game.*

and explain what was special about this game. *

Notes

Topic #100 was due to retire in May 2008 but seems to be still in use.
The Part 2 and all of the Part 3 was copied from Topic 100 with no changes. I am guessing that some changes were made to the Part 3 questions around May 10, 2008 (date unsure) but, so far, I have not found what questions are new.
Any future changes and additions will be made here, at Topic 179. New questions will not be added to Topic 100.
Also See Note

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Possible follow-up questions:

Do children today still play this game?
Do you still like to play this game? *

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part 3

Children's Free Time Activities

Besides sport, what play activities do children like to do?
What's your opinion about the entertainment choices that children today have? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think entertainment for children today is good or not? FQ
Do you think it's important for schools to have after-school activities (= extra-curricular activities) for school children? FQx2
(Similar to above) Do you think it's necessary for children to have after-school activities (= extra-curricular activities)? FQx2

Children's Play in General

Are boys and girls interested in the same games or play activities? FQ
After they grow up (or, as they grow older), why do you think boys and girls tend to be interested in different activities?
What are the benefits of play for children?
Do you think children today get along better with other children than children did, say 20 or 30 years ago?
What do you think are the good points and possible bad points about China's 'One Child Policy'?

Interaction Between Adults and Children When Children Play

(In general), do children prefer to spend time with other children or with adults? FQx2
Do children and adults like playing together? FQx2
Do you think children generally do things arising from their own interest or as a result of their parents' encouragement (or example)?

The Benefits of Outside Play for Children

Why do children usually enjoy playing outside?
Why do many children today not (like to) play outside?
What are some of the benefits and possible bad points of children playing outside the home?
Do you think it's important for schools to have areas for outdoor play (i.e., playgrounds)? FQ
When new apartments (or, apartment complexes) are built, do you think playgrounds or other recreational facilities for people (or, for children) should included?

Toys

What toys did you play with when you were a kid? *
What do you think is the value of toys for young children?

Games

Your Favourite Games

Do you often play games? (Include: what kinds of games)
(Similar to above) Do you like to play games? (Why? What games?)
Can you play this game with friends?
Can you get information about this game on the internet?
Are there other ways to get information about this game?
What benefits do you get from playing this game?

Games in General in China

What's the most popular game in China?
How have games changed in the past few decades? FQx2
How have children's games changed in the past few decades? FQ
How do you think games will develop in the future?
How have computers influenced the games people play today?
Why do Chinese adults like playing mahjong?
Are there any drawbacks from playing internet (or, computer) games?

Games for Different Age Groups

Do different age groups of people like to play different games? (Give examples - What games?)
(As above) How are children's games different to adults' games? FQx2
Why do many adults today not play games? FQ
If you were teaching a child how to play a new game, how would you do it?
Notice the similarity to this question (Topic #84 ): "If you were a father, how would you teach your child to swim?" For both of these questions, you should say "I would" not "I will". See HERE.

Games for Girls and Games for Boys

Are there any differences between the games boys like to play and those girls like to play? FQ

The Benefits of Games

Why do you think people like playing games?
What benefits do people get from playing games? FQ
What benefits can children get from playing games? FQ
(Similar to above) How does playing games help in the mental development of children?

Competitive Games

Do you think it's good for children to play competitive games? FQ
(Similar to above) What are the good and possibly the bad results of children engaging in competitive activities such as games? FQ

Games Used in Education

How do you think school lessons could be made more interesting for younger schoolchildren? (E.g., learning via games in class.) FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think teachers should include activities in their lessons in order to make the lessons more interesting? (Why?/Why not?) FQ

Sport

General Information About Personal (not professional) Sport in China

Is sport an important part of people's lives? (Why?/Why not?) [Hint: 'Exercise' and 'sport' are NOT exactly the same.]
Do men and women (or, boys and girls) (like to) play the same kinds of sport? FQ
Do you think boys and girls should play the same kinds of sports? (Why?/Why not?) FQ
Do you think sports teams should be composed of both boys and girls?
What kinds of sports do children like to play? FQ

The Value of Sport and Exercise

What are the benefits and possible disadvantages of playing sports?
(Similar to above) What are some of the benefits that regular exercise can have for the body?
Do you think it's important (or necessary) for schools to have outdoor sports activities for students?
Do you think there should be more extra-curricular activities such as sport available for school children?
Today, are there more non-academic (= extra-curricular) activities in school than there used to be several decades ago?
Do you think there are any psychological benefits from doing exercise?
Do you think parents should play sport with or exercise with their young children?
Do you think the government should organize people's leisure activities (such as sports activities)?

Team Sports

Do you think it's important for children (or, young people) to experience playing team sports? (Why?/Why not?)
How can (or, how does) one start a sports team? Do you think

Competitive Sport

In China, are sports activities (for children) very competitive?
Do you think competitive sport is beneficial for children (or, young people)?

***********************************************************************

180. A Polluted City (July 7, 2007) Still in Use

Describe a city that you have been to that was polluted. *

             You should say:

           when and where you went

           why you went there

           what the pollution was like (or, what kind of pollution it was)

  and explain how you felt about this pollution. *

Notes:

On November 11, 2008, this topic was moved from Topic #111 to here because the topic is still in use. This was done to make sure readers do not overlook this topic.

From November 11, 2008 onwards, any changes or additions to the questions for this topic will be added to this location, Topic #180 only.

The first line has been changed to say, "a polluted city".
The last line has the "feel" but the full wording is unclear.
If the words just say, 'a place you have been to', you could talk about a part of your hometown that has an environmental problem - you don't have to talk about going to a place away from your hometown. But I think the topic is not referring to the place where you live. Many people report the words are, "... a city you visited that has pollution."

See further NOTES

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Possible follow-up questions:

Do other people think this is a problem?
If you had the opportunity, would you like to go there again?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part 3

See here for some useful vocabulary.

See here for a good video.

Dealing with Environmental Problems

Do you ever discuss the topic of the environment with your friends? FQx2
What are the different kinds of environmental problems that exist right now (in cities)? FQx2
What do you think is the most serious environmental problem in China? (Why?) FQx2
What are the causes of these problems?
(Similar to above) Why do people create pollution?
Do you think environmental problems are worse than they used to be? (Why?)
Whose fault is it that we have these environment problems? FQ
Do you think those who cause pollution are criminals? (Why?/Why not?) See NOTE
In general, what do you think is the best way to deal with these environmental problems?
(Similar to above) What is the government doing to tackle this problem? FQ
(Similar to above) How is China going to (or planning to) tackle these problems?
If you were a government official, how would you try to solve these environmental problems?
Do you think it is the government's responsibility to solve environmental problems or is it the the responsibility of each individual? FQx2
What are some things that individuals can do to help solve environmental problems? FQx2
Do you think pollution will be less severe in the future (than it is now), or do you think it will get worse?
Do you think these problems will be solved in the future?
What do you think will be the result if we ignore these environmental problems?
Compared to before, do you think people's awareness (consciousness) of environmental problems has increased or decreased? (How? Why?) FQ
(Similar to above) Why do you think some people don't pay much attention to environmental problems?
What are some ways that the government could use to help educate people about the environment? FQ
Do older people in China have the same attitudes towards the environment as young people? FQ See NOTE
Do you think pollution (in China) today is worse than it was 20 or 30 years ago? (Or, has the situation improved?) FQ
What do you think China's environment will be like in the future (e.g., 20 or 50 years in the future)? FQx2
(Similar to above) Do you think the environment will be improved in the future or do you think it will get worse?
How do you think cutting down all the trees in a forest affects the environment?
Do you think that air-conditioning in buildings such as this (the examination building), is a form of environmental pollution?
Do you think air pollution might (or will) have any effect on Beijing's Olympic Games this year?

The Problem of Waste Disposal

What are the sources of waste (& rubbish) that society produces? FQ See NOTE
Compare how waste is disposed of today and how it used to be disposed of many years ago.
How do you think we could make waste (waste materials) beneficial to society? (Hint: recycling)
Do you think recycling is important?
Do young people & older people have the same attitudes towards waste disposal? (E.g., attitudes towards recycling, and towards what should be thrown away & what should be kept.) FQ
Do you think old people produce as much waste (such as waste paper) as young people? FQ See NOTE
As society advances in science and technology, it seems that we have more garbage to dispose of. Why do you think this is so?
Do you think that advertising leads to the production of more garbage in society? FQ See NOTE
Some people throw rubbish/garbage/trash on the street, for example, an ice-cream wrapper. What do you think of this behaviour?
(Similar to above) Why do you think some people don't care where they put (or, throw) their garbage?
How can/could these people's behaviour be changed?
How important is it to change the behaviour of these people?

***********************************************************************