Page 37

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Updated Dec. 21, 2008

IELTS Part 2 and Part 3 Topics and Questions

Page 37

181. A Happy Event (August 11, 2007) Still in Use

182. Some Advice You Received (2) (Oct. 13, 2007) Still in Use

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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181. A Happy Event (August 11, 2007) Still in Use

Version A

Describe an enjoyable event from the past that you remember well.

You should say:

what the event was

when and where it happened

who participated in this event

what you saw or did *

and explain why this event was so enjoyable. *

and explain why you remember this event so well. *

Version B

Describe a recent event that made you feel happy.

You should say:

what the event was

when and where it happened

who participated in this event

what you saw or did *

and explain why this event was so enjoyable. *

and explain why you remember this event so well. *

Notes

This topic has been moved from Topic #125. There is no need to go there because all of the questions were moved to here, Topic #181 and any future changes or additions will be made to Topic #181 only, not to Topic#125.
Some people have reported Version A & others have reported Version B. I think Version B is the wording but I suggest you prepare for both.

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Possible follow-up questions:

Do you often do that? (Do you often do what you just spoke about?)
Do you often talk about this topic?
Did your parents or friends also enjoy this event?

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Part 3

See also the Part 3 questions for Topic #74, 'A Happy Childhood Memory'.

Happiness & Happy Events

The Nature of Happiness

What do you think 'happiness' is?
There is a theory that some people are born with a more optimistic personality than others, with the result that they are happier throughout their lives. What do you think of that theory?

The Sources of Happiness

What are some things that make you happy?
(Similar to above) What are some things that make people happy?
Do you think entertainment can make people feel (genuinely) happy?
Do you think artistic activities can make people happy? (Why?/Why not?)
Do you think people who have more talent are happier than others? (Why?/Why not?) FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think people feel happier when they are good at something? (Why?) FQ
Do you think money makes people happy? FQx2
Are the things (or, the events) that make people happy today the same as several decades ago? FQ

The Importance of Family for Happiness

Why do people feel happy when they are with members of their family? FQ
In general, what do you think makes a happy family? FQ
What are some (other) examples of family activities that make people feel happy? FQx2

Happy People

What kind of people do you think are most likely to be happy? (describe qualities of people)
Do you think some people are born with a more happy disposition that others?
Why do some people (seem to) stay happy even in difficult circumstances?
How do you think a person can make you feel that you and he or she will get along with each other?

Ages Differences and Happiness

Do you think there is any relationship between a person's age and their happiness? (Why?/Why not?) FQ
What are the times in a person's life when they are most happy and what are the times when people are most unhappy?
Do you think children today are happy?
Some people say the happiest time in people's lives is the period when they are at school? Do you agree? FQ
What kinds of people are most likely to feel that the past was happier (for them) than the present?
Do young people and old(er) people find happiness from the same things? (Compare the two.) FQ
Do you think old people are very happy?
When you are old(er), what kinds of things do you think will bring you happiness? FQ

Happiness in Society

Do you think people were happier in the past than they are now? FQx2
Do you think there is any relationship between government and the happiness of the citizens?
What could the government do to help increase the overall happiness of people? FQ

The following four questions are guesses.

What are some examples of things that people value very highly? *
Why do you think these things are so important to them? *
Do you think only things that cost a lot of money are highly valued by people? *
(Similar to above) Can you think of any examples of things that don't cost a lot of money but are still highly valued? *

Memories

Forgetting and Remembering Happy & Sad Events from the Past

Some people say they have forgotten important things from the past. Do you think this is possible?
Do you think it is possible to choose what to remember and what to forget?
What kinds of events do people have the strongest memory of?
What times in a person's life are most worth remembering?
Do you think your (present) time at university is worth remembering?
Do you think people mostly remember sad events or happy events? (Why?) FQ
How can people benefit from recalling sad events? (See Note)
What can a person do if he or she wants to forget something but cannot forget it?

The Accuracy of Happy and Sad Memories

Sometimes, people replace memories of real events with their own versions of the event. What do you think of this? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you think that what most people remember about the past is accurate, compared to what really happened? FQ
Have you ever imagined that something happened when, in fact, it did not happen?
Compare the memories that older people have with the memories that young people have about childhood experiences? (See Note)
Quite often, old(er) people say the happiest time in their life was when they were young. Why do you think they say that?
(Similar to above) Quite often, old(er) people talk about "the good old days". What do you think they mean?
(Similar to above) Quite often, people who are working say that the happiest time of their life was when they were a student. Why do you think they say that? FQ

The Value of Recording Events - Diaries

Why do some people keep diaries? (Or: Why do some people like recording their experiences on paper?) FQ
What kinds of people like to keep a diary of their life experiences? (See Note )
Do you think writing one's experiences in a diary is important?
Do you think the older generation should pass on their life experiences to the next generation by recording these experiences in a diary?
(Similar to above) Do you think it's important for old people to pass on their memories (of their experiences) to young people? (Why?/Why not?) FQ

History

Do you think learning about history (or, studying history) is important? FQ
Do you think students should learn about the bad things in history or just the good things?
(Similar to above) What do you think is the value of studying world history? (Famous quotation: "Those who cannot learn the mistakes of history are bound to repeat those mistakes.")
(Similar to above) What can one learn from history?
(Similar to above) What is the value of children (or, young people) studying history?
Why do some people find it boring to study history?
What are some ways to make history lessons more interesting for school children?
Compare learning about one's national history (or, one's local history) with learning about world history. FQx2
(Similar to above) Which do you think is more important for children to study at school, their nation's history (or local history) or world history? FQx2
How can one study, or learn about, one's local history?
Do you think it's important to learn about one's local history?

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182. Some Advice You Received (2) (Oct. 13, 2007) Still in Use

Version A

Describe some good advice you received.

You should say:

when you received this advice

in what situation you received this advice

who gave you the advice

what the advice was

and explain why you thought this advice was good. *

Version B

Describe some advice you received.

You should say:

when you received this advice

in what situation you received this advice

who gave you the advice

what the advice was

and explain your impression of this advice. *

and explain whether or not you thought this advice was good advice. *

and explain what resulted from this advice. *

See Notes

This topic has been moved from Topic #130. There is no need to go there because all of the questions were moved to here and any future changes or additions will be made to Topic #182 only. The topic was moved to make sure readers do not overlook this topic.

It seems Version B is the current Version being used. This allows you to choose to talk about some bad advice you received but which you did not follow. (Of course, you can also choose to talk about some good advice that you heeded.)

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Possible follow-up questions:

Are you still in contact with that person (the person who gave you the advice) ?
Did you follow this advice? *
Do you yourself ever give people advice? *

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Part 3 (Since October 13, 2007)

(See also the Part 3 questions for Topic #59 for reported Part 3 questions before Oct. 13, 2007)

Personal Advice

When you have a problem and need some advice, can you usually find someone to discuss your problem with?
Do you prefer to make your own decisions or do you tend to listen to the recommendations of others?
Do you ever give advice to others or do you just receive advice?
Do you prefer advice from your family or your friends? FQx2
(Similar to above) Do you usually get advice from your family or from your friends? ( = Which is more frequent?)
(Similar to above) Which advice is more important to you, advice from your family or advice from your friends? FQx2
Do you think people should give advice to their friends?
What kinds of advice do your friends give you?
Compare the advice friends usually give to the advice that parents usually give. * (This is a general question, not your friends & your parents.)
When somebody gives you some advice, do you usually follow this advice or do you usually insist on your own opinion? FQx2
(Similar to above, but a little different) When somebody gives you some advice, do you usually take the advice or do you more often follow your own judgment? FQx2
What are some examples of situations or times when people need or want personal advice from someone else? *
Do teachers ever give advice to their students?
What is this advice (from teachers) usually about? FQ
Do you think teachers should give students personal advice or just academic advice? FQx2
Do you think teachers should give their personal opinions to students? (Opinions on any topic)
Do you think it's suitable for teachers to advise students on matters related to growing up, and not related to studying?
What do young people today think of the advice from old(er) people?
Why do you think there is a generation gap between young people and their parents?
If you were going to give some advice to someone, what factors would you first need to consider?
When somebody is giving career advice, what things factors should this advice-giver take into consideration?
Do you think it is good if a parent is always giving advice to a child? (Or do you think it is sometimes better to let a child solve his/her own problems?)
In the future, what kind of advice do you think people will be giving each other? (hint: technical advice)
What is the most important piece of advice that you would give to young people today?

Career Advice

How do young people in China get advice (or, get information) about what career to choose?
Do you think you will seek the advice of others about your future study and career plans? (Why? From whom?/Why not?)
If you received advice from someone about a job, (or career), what factors would you need to consider when thinking about this advice?
Do you think advice from parents to their children about the children's future career is usually good advice?
Do you think parents should decide what their son's or daughter's future career should be or should the decision be made by the son or daughter? FQ
(Similar to above) How much do you think advice about a person's career is that person's personal decision to make? FQ
If you received advice from your parents about your career (your choice of career) and this advice was different to your own opinion (or feelings), how could this problem be resolved?

Professional Advice

Have you ever received advice from a trained person? (i.e. a person trained to give advice)
What are some examples of occasions when people need or want professional advice? *
What are some examples of people who give professional advice to others? (i.e., as part of their work)
Have you ever received any advice from a trained person? ( = trained to give advice) What do you think of people who are professionals at giving advice?
How reliable do you think people are who give advice to others?
In general, what kind of person is most suitable for giving advice to others?
(Similar to above) What personal qualities do you think these professional advice givers should have? FQ
And what personal qualities does a receiver of advice need to have? FQ
Where do you (or, where do people) usually get advice when buying products?
Do you think it's a good idea to (always) follow the advice from sales promotion materials (= advertisements)?

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Questions Reported after Sept. 6, 2008

In your community, what kinds of people give what kinds of advice?
What do you think of this advice?
What kind of people do you like (or, prefer) giving you advice?
What kind of advice do you not accept? (Why?)
Would you say young people are usually willing to accept the advice of older people? FQ
Why do so many young people not accept (or, not follow) the advice of older people?
(Similar to above) Why is the advice that parents give to their children not always what the children want?
When people (older people?) give advice to a teenager, what should they pay attention to?
(Similar to above) How should a person (an older person?) give advice to a teenager?
If you were to give one piece of advice to young people, what would it be?
Would you say an independent thinking person finds it easier or, more difficult to accept the advice of others?
Which would you say is better, to be an independent person making progress in life but making a few mistakes along the way, or to make progress in life but make fewer mistakes because you are less independent and listen to the advice of others?

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