Updated July 28, 2010

IELTS Part 2 and Part 3 Topics and Questions

Page 52

256.  An Exciting Message (Jan. 23, 2010)

257.  A Family (2) (Jan. 23, 2010)

258.  An Artist You Admire (Jan. 23, 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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256.  An Exciting Message (Jan. 23, 2010)

Describe an exciting message you received by phone, email or text message.

You should say:

what the message was

who it was from

what you did after you got this message

and explain what you did after you got this message. *

                               or

and explain why you felt excited when you got this message. *

             
Notes

• The word used might be "news" instead of "message".

• Make sure you know the differences (in meaning, usage and pronunciation) between the two words, "exciting" and "excited". And make sure you know the differences (in meaning and pronunciation) between the two words, "message" and "massage"!

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Possible follow-up questions:

• Did you share that news with anyone?

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Part 3

Communication Skills

• How important do you think communication between people is? FQ
• In general, do you think it's easy to communicate with other people? (This is a general question, not a personal question.)
• Would you say you are a good communicator?
• Do you think it's important to have good communication skills? FQ
• What sorts of skills do you believe are important for good communication? FQx2
• What sorts of people (i.e., what sorts of jobs) especially require good communication skills?
• Do you think communication skills can be taught or are they part of the (inborn/innate) nature of a person? FQx2
• How can (or, could) people be taught to communicate better?
• What communication skills do school children learn at school?
• Do you prefer to communicate face-to-face or to communicate by text message, email etc.? FQ
• (Similar to above) Why do some people prefer face-to-face communication? FQ
• In what situations do you think face-to-face communication is best?

Modern Communication Technology

• What different forms of (methods of) communication technology are there today?

• Are these the same in different countries?

• How do you think people benefit from these modern technologies?

• How do you think recent changes in communication technology has changed people's communication? FQ

• Can you think of any problems that result from the use of modern communication technologies such as the internet and cell phones?

• Why do you think many people prefer to use the telephone to communicate rather than speak face-to-face with people? FQx2

• Do you agree that (cell-phone) text messages can cause people to quickly change their plans?

• In what situations do you think it is suitable to use emails to communicate (and when is it not very suitable)?

Old and Young Differences Frequent Topic

• Do old people and young people today generally use the same methods to communicate with each other (from afar)? FQ

• Do young people and old people about the same kinds of topics?

• Do you think modern communication technology is just for young people?

• In what circumstances would it be very useful for old people to use modern communication technology?

• Why don't old people use modern forms of communication technology very much?

• How can old people be helped to use this technology?

Information

• What sorts of (or, what are some examples of) public information that people want to know about?

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257.  A Family (2) (Jan. 23, 2010)

Describe a family (not your own) you enjoyed  spending time with.

    You should say:

            where this family lived (or, lives)

            who the members of the family were (or, are) 

            how you know them 

            what each person in this family is interested in         

      and explain why you like this family. 

Notes

• This seems very similar to Topic 146.

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Possible follow-up questions:

• Do you often visit this family?

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Part 3

See also the Part 3 questions for Topic 146

The Treatment of the Youngest and Oldest family Members

• What do you think are some differences between families where the grandparents are living with their grandchildren, compared to families where they live separately?

• Can you think of any activities that younger family members and older family members (usually/often/sometimes) do together? FQ

• (Similar to above) How can old family members be made to feel that they are valued members of the family? FQ

• Do you think it's important to include old family members in family activities? (Why?/Why not?)

• In China, has the way that parents treat their children changed at all in the past few years (20 or 30 years)?

The Importance of Family

• In general, which do you think is more important, people as individuals or the family? Difficult Question 

Living Arrangements

• How can people get along with those they live with?

• In the future, how do you think people's living arrangements will be different to the way people live today?

• Do people in China prefer to rent or buy their home?

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258.  An Artist You Admire (Jan. 23, 2010)

Describe (a famous) artist you admire (e.g. a painter, a performer etc.)

You should say:

who he or she is

how you know about this person (or: when you first learned [learnt] about this person)

what he or she has done to become famous

and explain why you admire this person.

Note:

• Someone reported this as, "Describe an artist who you admire (e.g., a singer or actor)". In other words, the word "famous" might not be in the wording.

• The wording on the card is probably suitable only for describing someone who is living now (e.g., "who he or she is"), not someone from the past.

• Since the wording says, "an artist", it would not be suitable to talk about a pop group (which is not one person).

• See the note for Topic 271 on the meaning of "admire".

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Possible follow-up questions:

• Do your friends also admire him/her?

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Part 3

The Arts in Society

• Do you think art (or, the arts) is (are) important? FQ

• (Similar to above) How important do you think the arts are? FQ

• (Similar to above) What is the value of the arts in people's everyday lives? FQ

• (Similar to above) What is the value of the arts in society? FQ

• What are the different forms of art?

• What would you say is the most popular art form in China today? FQ

• (Similar to above) What would you say is the most popular art form that people practice China today?

• Why do you think playing a musical instrument is more popular than painting?

• How has art (or, the arts) changed (in China) in the past few years (or, decades)? FQ

• How do you think the way people experienced (or appreciated) art in the past compares to the way people experience art today? FQ

• Do you think the design of buildings (i.e., the architecture) is a form of art?

• Do you think art is important in business? (Hint: advertising) FQ

• How do you think the way future generations experience the arts will be different to the way we experience art today?

Technology and Art

• Do you think (modern) technology has had an effect on the arts?

• In the future, do you think art will be affected by new technologies? (Include in your answer how it will/might be affected.)

Working as an Artist

• Why do some people want to work as artists?

• Do you think it's easy to make a living as an artist of some kind (including an author)?

The Cost of Art Performances & Exhibitions

• Do you think art performances, exhibitions and art galleries should be available to the public for free?

• Who do you think should pay for providing these services?

The Arts in Schools & Universities

Children

• How are children (or, young people) exposed to art? FQ

• (Similar to above) In general, what access to (or, contact with or, experience of) art do children (in your country) have? FQ

• How important do you think it is for children to have art classes in school? FQ

• What can/could children learn from art classes in school?

• If children do not have art classes at school, how do you think they could be exposed to art?

• What are some good ways to teach art to children? FQ

At University

260.  No topic

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