Page 49

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Updated Jul. 29, 2010

IELTS Part 2 and Part 3 Topics and Questions

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241. A Public Event (2) (Nov 21, 2009)

242. A Trip with a Friend (Dec. 3, 2009)

243. A Modern Building (2) (January 9, 2010)

244. A Wild Animal (2) (January 9, 2010)

245. A Famous Foreign Person (January 9, 2010)

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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241. A Public Event (2) (Nov 21, 2009)

Describe a (popular) public event that you went to (such as a carnival, sports event or religious event). *

You should say:

what the event was

when you went there

who you went there with

and explain why you enjoyed this event. *

and explain what you saw and did there. *

and explain why this event is popular in your country. *

Notes

See note about the number of points on the card.
The wording above is more or less a copy of Topic 73. It looks like this topic has returned to the test, more or less the same as in 2007.
It is not certain that the words, "that you went to" are used but that is the implied meaning of this topic. At least describe an event that happened in your country. Don't describe a public event that happened overseas and that you saw on TV (such as an NBA game).

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Possible follow-up questions:

Did you take any photos of that event?

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Part 3

See also the Part 3 questions for Topic 73.

Public Events

What are some of the main public events that exist in your country? FQx2
Which public events are most popular among the people?
Do people prefer to actually attend these events or to watch them on TV? (Compare the two) FQ
(Similar to above) What's the difference between watching an event on TV and actually being at the event? FQx2
What makes public events attractive to people?
Do you think it's easy for the government to organize public events?
Why do many people prefer to attend a public event in person when there are so many people there? (= when these places are so crowded)
Is it always safe to attend a public event?
What are some possible effects on the people who live nearby to where a (big) public event is being held?
Do big public events have any effect on the traffic in that location?

Neighbours

What sort of relationship do you have with your neighbours?
How often do you talk to your neighbours?

Population/Crowded Cities

What are some of the changes that can happen to the population in a certain place, such as a city or country or area?
What are some problems that can result from these changes?
What population movements (or changes) are occurring in your country at the moment?
What are the negative and positive effects on people living in crowded cities?
What are some of the problems that result from having people living in cities with large populations?
What can be done (or, what do suggest should be done) about these problems? FQ
Do you think living in a city with a large population increases the stress in people's lives? See Note

Crowds

What comes to your mind when you see a big crowd of people?

Do you like living in a city that is crowded?

Do you think there are any dangers to having a large crowd of people at one place? *
(Similar to above) What could (or should) be done to decrease the number of people in crowded places? FQ

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242. A Trip with a Friend (Dec. 3, 2009)

Describe a trip you would like to go on with a friend. *

You should say:

who you would like to travel with

where you would go (or: where you would like to go.)

how you would go there

and explain why you would choose to travel with this person.

See Notes

See note about the number of points on the card.
The wording might be, "Describe a trip you would like to go on with a friend or friends."

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Possible follow-up questions:

Do you like traveling?
Do you know anyone else who you would like to travel with?

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Part 3

See also Part 3 for Topic 206.

Travelling

Do Chinese people like to travel?
What are some of the various reasons why people travel?
How does traveling help in one's life?
(Similar to above) What do you think are the disadvantages of not traveling?
Do you (or, do people) prefer to travel with one other person or with a group of people?
How has travelling changed, compared to several decades ago?
Do people in China prefer long-distance travel or short trips? FQx2
(Similar to above) What are some differences between long-distance travel and trips to nearby places? FQx2
Do people in China prefer to have one long holiday each year, or several shorter holidays?? FQ
When Chinese people travel (as tourists), who do they usually go with?
Why do people usually choose to travel with a family member or a friend?
Where do Chinese people like to go when they go on a holiday trip? (Why?)
Do people in China ever go on trips that are a bit dangerous (adventurous)?
Traveling alone can be dangerous. If you were a parent, at what age would you allow your son or daughter to travel alone? FQ

Differences in Traveling (mostly as a tourist)

What are some differences between long trips and short trips? FQ
What is the difference between taking a trip with friends compared to a trip with family members?
Would you agree that there are differences between different people when they go on a trip? FQ
(Similar to above) Do different types of people all like to travel the same way? FQ
What are some of the different reasons why people travel?
How is traveling different when old people travel and when young people travel? FQ
What benefits do young people (or, children) get and what benefits do old(er) people get when they travel? FQx2
(Similar to above) What benefits do people of different ages get from travelling? FQ
What benefits do children get from traveling?
Does everyone like to travel to the same kinds of places?
How is traveling different when wealthy people travel and when people who don't have much money travel?
What are some differences between a business trip and a holiday trip? FQ

Tourism

What benefits does tourism (the tourist industry) bring to society? FQ
Are there any problems that sometimes arise as a result of tourism?
What do you think the government could do to address these problems?
How do you think we can balance the economic benefits of tourism with the environmental damage that is done by tourism?
When people travel to foreign countries, what aspects of foreign culture can (or do) they learn about?
Do you think tourism will increase in your country?

The Media in Relation to Tourism

How do people get information about travel destinations?
Do you think the media has much effect (influence) on the tourism industry? FQx2
(Similar to above) Do you think the media, such as TV and the internet has changed the way people travel? FQx2
Some people think it's not necessary to go to tourist places now that we can see these places on the internet or on TV. Do you agree? FQ
(Similar to above) Compare learning about a place by going there rather than by reading about the place in books or seeing it on TV or on the internet. FQ
(Similar to above) Would you agree that you can learn more about a place by going there rather than by reading about the place in books or seeing it on TV? FQ
(Similar to above) If you wanted to learn about a foreign country or city, would you prefer to go there yourself or learn about it from TV? FQ
How important do you think the media are, for helping the tourism industry to develop?
How do you think future changes in the (technology of) the media will be reflected as changes in tourism?

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243. A Modern Building (2) (January 9, 2010)

Describe a modern building that you think is interesting.

You should say:

[where it is *]

what it is used for

what it looks like

how you know this building

and explain what you think is interesting about this building.

Notes

See note about the number of points on the card.
This is a bit different to the wording of Topic 71. Topic 243 seems to ask you to say why you "like or dislike" this building but Topic 71 seems to stress the word "interesting". (It's possible that Topic 71 was the same as this new topic, and I never originally had an accurate description of the wording.) Of course, for this new Topic 243, you can say that you like it because the design is interesting. But it requires quite good vocabulary to explain why a design is interesting. You can say you like it for some other reason, instead of an interesting design.
You need to prepare some vocabulary for this topic, especially to describe a design. But be careful not to use vocabulary that is very unlikely to be known by someone at your English level. If you do that, you will reveal to the examiner that you knew the topic beforehand and had prepared your answer. Examiners don't like to see such obvious signs that you knew the topic was in the test. And they don't like to see obvious signs that you had prepared your answer before the test.

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Possible follow-up questions:

Are there many modern buildings in your hometown?

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Part 3

See also the Part 3 questions for Topic 71.

Old and Modern Buildings

How common are modern buildings in your country?
Is there the same number of modern buildings in every part of China?
Why are there more modern buildings in some places than in other places?
Why do you think there are more modern buildings in the big cities than in the smaller cities?
Are all modern buildings hi-rise buildings?
What are some of the main differences between modern buildings and buildings from the past (or, "of the past" or, "in the past"). FQx2 See Note
(Similar to above) Which do you prefer, traditional architecture or modern architecture? FQ
(Similar to above) Do you prefer old buildings or modern buildings? FQx2
(Similar to above) Would you prefer to live in an old building or a modern building?
Do you think the quality of construction of modern buildings is better than that of older buildings?
What do you think are the advantages of modern buildings over old buildings? FQx2
(Similar to above) Compared to old buildings, what benefits do modern buildings bring us? FQx2
(Similar to above) Why do some people like (some) old buildings?
Do you think China will have more modern buildings in the future?
What's your opinion on the question of demolishing old buildings in order to replace them with modern buildings?
Are there any benefits from using old buildings?
Do you think modern buildings are a "threat" to old buildings?
Do you think the Forbidden City will ever be replaced by modern buildings?
Do you think old buildings should be preserved?
Do you think historic buildings should be preserved?
Have you been to any other countries that have old buildings?
In what ways do you think old (or, traditional) buildings in China are different to old (or, traditional) buildings in other places?

Styles of Buildings

Do you think the (outside) appearance of a building is important? FQ

(Similar to above) Do you think the style of a building's design is important? FQ

In the design of buildings, which do you think is more important, the practicality of the building or its attractiveness?

Sometimes we see government buildings that are very ornate. Why is that?

Do you think it is reasonable for governments to spend a great deal of money on building ornate government buildings? FQ

Do you think government buildings should be more practical (or, functional) than attractive? FQx2

Do you think interesting modern buildings can (or, could) be used to attract tourists? FQ

(Similar to above) Do you think cities could use interesting buildings as a way of attracting tourists? FQ (Perhaps this question does not specify modern buildings.)

(Similar to above) Do you think it's important for cities to have attractive buildings, such as government buildings, in order to make the city more interesting for visitors to the city? FQ

Besides the difference in height, how are high-rise buildings different to buildings that are only a few stories high?

City Life

Modern Cities (esp. facilities)

Which cities in China are modern and which are old cities?
What facilities do modern cities commonly have?

(Similar to above) What facilities do you think modern cities should have? FQ

Is there anything about your city (or town) that you are not satisfied with?

How do you think this situation could be improved?

What do you think city life will be like in China 100 years from now?

Crowded Cities

In what ways have cities in China changed in recent years?
How has population growth affected the urban areas in China?
Has the increase in the population of the cities created any problems?
What do you think could be done to alleviate the problem of over-populated cities?

Urbanization (and here)

(See notes)

Do you think the growth of large, modern cities is having any adverse effects on the (surrounding) countryside?

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244. A Wild Animal (2) (January 9, 2010)

Describe an interesting wild animal from your country. *

You should say:

where you learned about this animal

what it looks like *

where it lives

and explain why you think this is an interesting animal. *

Notes

This seems similar to Topic 39.
See these Notes that were written for topic 134, "An Interesting Animal". Some of the points here also apply when answering this topic, Topic 244.

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Possible follow-up questions:

Do your friends also like that animal?
Have you actually seen this animal?

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Part 3

See also the Part 3 questions for Topic 39 and for Topic 134.

Zoos

Do you like zoos?

Some people don't like zoos. Can you guess why they feel this way?

Do you think zoos are good or bad? FQx2

(Similar to above) Do you think it's good to keep wild animals in zoos? FQx2

(Similar to above) Compare the good and bad points of zoos. FQx2

Do you think it's cruel to keep wild animals in zoos?
Why do you think so many cities have zoos? FQx2
(Similar to above) What is the purpose of having a zoo?
Do you think seeing animals on the internet is just as good as seeing them in a zoo?
Do you think we will still (need to) have zoos in the future?
In the future, do you think we will continue to have zoos?
How do thinks zoos, as they exist now, could be improved?
In your opinion, what features should a good zoo have?
Compare a nature reserve and a zoo, as places for animals to live.
What do you think are the qualities of a good zoo or animal reserve?
Do you think zoos might disappear in the future?
What future developments do you think we will see concerning zoos? FQx2

The Protection of Wild Animals

What effects do humans have on wild animals?
Do you think human activities do harm to wild animals?
Do you think animal conservation is important?
(Similar to above) Why do you think wild animals should be protected? FQx2
In what ways does human activity result in the extinction (or near extinction) of some animal species? FQ
At present, many animals are already facing extinction. How do you think average citizens could (help) protect wild animals? FQ
Does the government in your country attach much importance to the protection of wild animals?
Do you think the government has a responsibility to protect will animals?
In your opinion, is the government in your country doing a good job of protecting wild animals?
It sometimes costs quite a lot of money to protect wild animals. Do you think protecting wildlife is really worth the cost?
Can you suggest any ways that we could lessen the harmful effects of humans on wild animals?
Do you the protection of wildlife should include the protection of trees and other plants?

Mankind's Relationship with Animals

Why are many people interested in wild animals?
Did you ever raise an animal (e.g., a pet or a farm animal) when you were a child?
Do you think there are any benefits for children to have experience with raising an animal? *
Can you think of any ways that animals help people?
What's your opinion of training animals to perform, for example, in a circus?
How would you feel if you had a talking monkey that could teach you English? See Note
Why do you think wild animals were often part of very old, traditional stories?
Why do you think films or books for children so often include animals? FQ
(Similar to above) Why do you think films or books for children so often have animals as the leading characters in the film or book? FQ

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245. A Famous Foreign Person (January 9, 2010)

Describe a famous person (still living), not from your country, who you would like to meet.

You should say:

where this person comes from

how you first learned about him or her (See Note)

(or: how you know about this person)

why this person is famous

and explain why you would like to meet this person.

Notes

See Notes
Also see all the notes that were written for Topic 172 (both Part 2 and Part 3) and for Topic# 86

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Possible follow-up questions:

Do many people in China like XXX (the person you just spoke about)?
Do (you think) many other people would like to meet him/her?

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Part 3

See also the Part 3 questions for Topic 172 and for Topic# 86

Fame

If you met that person (the one you just spoke about), what would you say to him/her?

Becoming Famous

Besides famous entertainers and athletes, what other types of people become famous?
Who are some famous people from your country?
Do you think they will still be famous in five years?
Is it easy to become famous in your country? (Why?/Why not?)
How do people become famous? FQ See Note
(Similar to above) In what ways do people become famous? FQx2
How did people become famous in the past?
How have people who become famous continue to stay famous?
Do any people become famous just for a short period of time? (If so, how? Why don't they continue to be famous?) FQ
(Similar to above) Why do some people stay famous for just a short time while other people stay famous for a long time? FQx2
Do you think people who are famous today will still be famous a thousand years in the future?
Some people become famous while many others, who are outstanding in their own field, don't become famous. Why do you think that is?

Wanting to Become Famous

Why do some people want to be famous? FQ
Do you want to be famous (one day)? FQ
(If you say yes to the question above) What method do you plan to use to become famous? Or: What method will you use to become famous? Or: How do you plan to become famous?
Do you think putting yourself on the internet, for example, on YouTube, is a good way to become famous?

The Qualities of Famous People

In terms of their personal qualities and talents, do you think famous people are really much different to ordinary people?
Do you think all famous people are (or, were) talented people?
Why do some people who are exceptionally talented (or who do wonderful work or who do unique, unusual things) never become famous?

The Results of Fame

Is it good to be famous?
What are the benefits of being famous? FQx2
(Similar to above) What are the advantages and disadvantages of being famous? FQx2
What do you think is the biggest downside (disadvantage) to being famous? FQ
Do you think that wealth always accompanies being famous?
Do you think it would be appropriate for a famous person to marry someone who was not famous?
Why do you think film stars and sports stars have such high incomes?
Do you think they have a responsibility to share some of their wealth with poor people?

The Influence of Famous People

What kind of famous people do you think is most important?
What influence do famous people have on ordinary people? FQ See Note
(Similar to above) What influence do famous Chinese people have on the people of China?
(Similar to above) What influence do famous Chinese people have society?
Are there any (possible) negative influences that famous people can have on society? FQ
Do you think being famous puts some (extra) responsibilities on these famous people?
How do you think celebrities should behave?
Don't you think it's unfair to apply a higher standard to their behaviour, since they are human beings, like you and me?
Why do you think many companies like to use famous people to endorse their products in advertisements? FQx2
What effects do you think this has on the people who watch those advertisements?

The Benefits that Famous People Bring to Society

In what ways can having famous people benefit a country? FQ
How can famous people use their fame to benefit other people? FQ
Can celebrities make a difference towards social problems such as the environment? FQx2
(Similar to above) Can celebrities make a difference towards social causes? (See definition 3a) FQx2
(Similar to above) Do you think celebrities can help solve world problems?

The Influence of Famous People on Young People

Why are many young people interested in (popular) celebrities?
What influence do you think famous people have on young people?
When a young person (or a child), thinks of a famous person as an idol or hero, what effect does this have on this young person or child? FQx2
Do you think it's a good thing for young people to imitate (the lifestyle of) celebrities? FQ
What are the good and bad points concerning this power that celebrities have to influence young people?
Why do you think young people are so easily influenced by celebrities?

Internationally Famous People

Do you think people today care about the nationality of internationally famous person?
Are the any differences between famous people in your country and famous people in foreign countries?
Do you think a country needs internationally famous people in order for that country to be known to the rest of the world?
(Similar to above) Do you think a country needs internationally famous people to represent that country? FQ
Do you think this will this change in the future?
Why do some multinational companies use an internationally famous person as a spokesperson? (What benefits does that bring?)
If China had internationally famous people, what benefits would this bring?

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