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Updated Nov. 17, 2008  

Notes about some Questions

INTRODUCTION

• If a note below is about a Part 2 topic, the note assumes that the wording of the Part 2 topics, especially the verb tense, is as shown in the the list of topics on this website. Possibly the real wording is different to that shown on this website. BE CAREFUL!

• Caution! 小心!

If some of the notes on this page are possible as a complete answer to the question, be very careful about speaking those exact same words in the test. If many people speak the same sentences in the test, the examiners will eventually know that these sentences are not your original words. This will seriously damage your score! Some examiners might even read this website. Examiners don't like answers that candidates learn, word for word, from a book or from the blackboard in a class because such answers are not real, natural communication. The best idea is to adapt the ideas below (if you want to) by making your own sentences and speaking naturally in the test. (Memorized answers are usually not spoken in a very natural way.)  

Try to avoid letting the examiner know that you have read this website!

• For many Part 2 topics, you can get some additional ideas by reading the Part 3 questions that follow that topic.

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Topic 81 - A New or Exciting Activity

• Since the wording is "new or exciting", you could choose to talk about a new activity that was not really very exciting. Of course it is acceptable if it is both. Similarly, if you choose to talk about an exciting activity, it doesn’t have to be new. But if you choose to talk about an exciting activity it is probably better to say that it is also new. After all, if it is not new to you, you are probably now used to doing this activity and it is probably not so exciting anymore.

• Most people in China don’t often engage in ‘exciting’ activities so it will probably be easier for you to choose a new activity. It should not be too hard to think of an activity that you can say is new for you. For example, you could talk about starting to play a new game (e.g., chess), starting to play a new sport (e.g., ice skating), starting to play a musical instrument, or doing something new on the internet. You could also choose to talk about chatting to your friends in English (in preparation for the speaking test) and say that this is something that is new for you.

• You could even talk about going out with a member of the opposite sex (a girlfriend or boyfriend), not in a group but just the two of you. Many IELTS candidates are at the age when they have their first girlfriend or boyfriend and you could say that this is both new and exciting.

小心! Read this.

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Part 3 Topic 83 An Interesting Old Person

• It is incorrect to refer to old people in general as 'elders'. Check the correct meaning & usage of that word in a good dictionary. Suitable ways to refer to old people are: 'old people', 'senior citizens' and 'elderly people'. Definitely do not say, 'oldsters'! There is no such word. 

• The word, 'youngster(s)' is usually used by old people, not by young people themselves.

• An 'old' person is someone over the age of about 60.

小心! Read this.

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Part 3 Topic 86 - Fame

If the wording of the question is, "Would you like to be famous?", most English speakers understand this to mean something similar to, "If you were famous, would that please you?" Most people would answer, "Yes" to this question because most people consider the advantages to being famous to be greater than the disadvantages, such as the loss of privacy. This question is purely speculative, i.e., it's just talking about an imaginary situation. 

However, if the wording is, "Do you want to be famous?", then the question is not imaginary but asking about your real wants and desires in life. When you say you "want" something, it is real, not speculative - you are talking about something you really want, something that you have probably spoken about or thought a lot about. Only a few people would answer that they, "want to be famous". That is, only a few people would say that one of their real goals in life is to be famous.

小心! Read this.

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Part 3 Topic 87 A Television Program

• How do (or can) TV programs influence children? 

Children, especially very young ones (3 to 7) learn a lot by copying or mimicking others. They also do not (or cannot) distinguish very well between reality and make-believe. If they see examples of bad behaviour on TV, e.g., bad language, anti-social behaviour, violence etc. they might copy it.

Also, consider how watching TV in general (not just the programs themselves) promotes passivity and takes the place of other important activities for children such as: physical exercise (outside), playing with other kids, talking to their parents, learning news skills, reading books, doing puzzles & playing mentally challenging games, doing creative & artistic activities, doing homework or reviewing schoolwork ...

Also, many kids (many people) eat snacks especially junk food while watching TV, which, combined with not being physically active, could result in poor health & obesity.

小心! Read this.

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Part 2 Topic 88 A Book You Enjoyed as a Child

• This topic probably just says, "a book you enjoyed", not "a book you read". You could say that you read the book yourself; you could say that you were too young to read it and someone else read it to you; you could say that the book only had pictures and no words.

• If you say the book had pictures, you should give a few details about these pictures. 

• 'When you were a child' means when you were between the ages of 3 and 12 years old. Note that the topic is suitable for a book that was read to you when you were very young, e.g., 3, 4 or 5 years old.

• Don't forget that the past tense of 'read' is spelt the same, i.e., 'read' but is pronounced as 'rеd'.

小心! Read this.

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Part 2 Topic 89 A Lesson, Class or Training Session

• This seems to be one particular class or lesson (一节课), not a series of classes such as for a whole semester at school or university. 
• This topic seems to be different to Topics 18 & 21.
• This topic is especially suitable for working people.

小心! Read this.

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Part 3, Topic # 91 - A Person You Enjoy Talking With (a)

• What do you think are some important skills that people need to know in order to communicate well with other people? FQx2

• (Similar to above) What are some examples of 'good communications skills'? FQx2 

Using some of the ideas below should be enough to answer this question. Choose 4 or 5 of the ideas that you think best answer the question. For the first of the two questions above, in which the word 'know' is used, all the skills below are suitable. But for the second question, which is a bit more general, probably those skills listed under Logical Thinking and Interpersonal Skills are slightly more suitable for answering the question.

Linguistic Skills

• Having a wide vocabulary (and knowing the correct pronunciation, exact meaning & usage of this vocabulary)

• Knowing the grammar of the language you are speaking 

• Understanding idiomatic expressions.

• Being able to paraphrase = the ability to express an idea using different words when one doesn't know or has forgotten a word

• Knowing how to use intonation to express meaning such as emotions, contrast or emphasis

• Speaking clearly e.g., not speaking too softly or in a muffled voice

• Knowing how to formulate questions

Logical Thinking Skills (+ some linguistic skills)

• Knowing what one wants to say! = Having a clear understanding of what one wants to say before speaking

• Knowing how to introduce a new topic or idea

• Knowing how to express a conclusion or express that one has finished explaining or expressing a particular idea

• Explaining things in a step-by-step, logical manner. For example, expressing things in correct chronological order.

• Using linking words and expressions to link related ideas. For example, saying, "On the other hand" to express an alternative idea.

• Being able to summarize or simplify a long patch of language or a complex idea

• Knowing how to express 'cause and effect' ideas

• Giving examples of one's meaning when the meaning might not be clear

• Being able to use analogies to explain complex or abstract ideas

• Answering a question directly, in the same verb tense as the question

Interpersonal Skills (+ some linguistic skills)

• Being sensitive to what the other person is feeling or thinking = 'putting oneself in the shoes of the listener'. For example, considering if the other person really wants to hear what you are saying.

• Being aware of the cultural, linguistic and educational background of the listener and using language that suits this background

• Using language that is suitable for the listener's comprehension

• Using body language, especially gestures, when it helps to explain meaning

• Being willing to and knowing how to express one's feelings & opinions

• Giving reasons for why one expresses a particular opinion or feeling, especially when the reasons help to clarify the meaning of what you just said

• Knowing how to discuss and how to express disagreement in a way that does not alienate the other person. For example, being willing to and knowing how to concede that one is wrong or that you think the other person is partially right.

• Being a good listener as well as a good speaker

• Having an interest in and respecting the opinions and ideas of the other person

• Seeking feedback from the listener such as checking that the other person is understanding what is being said by using such questions as, "OK?" or, "Do you know what I mean?"

小心! Read this.

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Part 3, Topic # 91 - A Person You Enjoy Talking With (b)

• (Similar to above) In the communication process, what is the most important factor? FQx2  

Probably the most important factor is a mutual willingness (or reason) for communication. The second most important factor is probably the two parties being able to use a mutually intelligible language.

小心! Read this.

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Part 3, Topic # 91 - A Person You Enjoy Talking With (c)

• In the communication process, the two parties need to continually make adjustments to the way they communicate. Can you give any examples of this? 

One example: When one party is communicating a long or complex topic, he or she occasionally checks that the other party is understanding what is being said by using such questions as, "OK?" or, "Do you know what I mean?"

小心! Read this.

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Part 3, Topic # 91 - A Person You Enjoy Talking With (d)

• Compare the way adults communicate with the way children communicate? FQ DIFFICULT QUESTION  

Children's language is simpler than adult language, reflecting the fact that adults have a more developed set of thinking processes and concepts. Children are also more likely to make grammatical errors because they are still learning the language. For example, young children (e.g., 3 -6 years old) sometimes make mistakes when using irregular verbs - they might say, "I eated it" instead of "I ate it". This shows that children partially learn by logic. 

小心! Read this.

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Part 3, Topic # 91 - A Person You Enjoy Talking With (e)

• Can you think of any jobs where communication skills are especially important? (Include why so important for these jobs.)  FQx2

Professional advice-givers (see Topic #59); leaders (see Topic #60); actors & actresses; radio & TV hosts; salespeople; translators & interpreters; sports coaches; someone whose job is to explain to laymen how something works such as a computer expert explaining how to use a computer ...

小心! Read this.

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Part 3, Topic # 91 - A Person You Enjoy Talking With (f)

• Compare the differences between how animals communicate with each other and how humans communicate. FQx2 

Humans have highly developed, symbolic languages that can convey many complex meanings - animals have only a limited range of sounds and body language to convey a limited and very basic set of meanings.

小心! Read this.

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Part 3, Topic # 91 - A Person You Enjoy Talking With (g)

• Do you think language is important for the development of national identity or national cohesion? 

The Chinese government believes that it is important for all people in China to know how to speak mandarin Chinese  i.e.,  putonghua.

小心! Read this.

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Part 2, Topic # 93, Something You Lost

• Don't talk about something that you lost temporarily and found again later. For example, don't say you lost your wallet but found it three days later under your bed. In English, we usually use the word, “misplace” instead of,  “lose” for this situation.
• Something that was stolen can also be described as "lost". This meaning of "lost" = "I no longer have it". For example, if your grandmother died last year, you can say, "I lost my grandmother last year."
• Typical things that people lose are: a bicycle, a wallet, keys, a cellphone, a camera, a bus pass, an ID card, a pair of glasses, a notebook etc. 
• It is also possible to say that you lost a friend, girlfriend or boyfriend. And you could even say that you "lost the love of a certain person" or "lost the respect of a certain person". But don't simply say that you "lost love" because it is possible to "find love again" - it is not permanently lost. Similarly, although we can say in English, "lose confidence", "lose face", "lose interest in something" and "lose respect for someone", you should not use these examples because losing a feeling is not always a permanent loss. In other words, it is best to talk about losing a concrete thing, not an abstract thing. 
• You could talk about losing your hair, for example, if you are a man who is (partially) bald or if you lost your hair one time when you were sick. This is considered to be a permanent loss because, even if your hair grows back again, it is not the same hair that you lost.
• If you left your umbrella outside a shop when you went into the shop but forgot to pick it up after you left the shop, it is possible to say that you "lost your umbrella". However, even though you did lose it (i.e., you no longer have it and you did not choose to leave it outside the shop), it is more accurate to describe this situation as, "forgetting" something, rather than "losing something".
• Try to choose something that caused you considerable inconvenience after you lost it or something that had great emotional value to you, such as a cherished gift. This choice will then allow you to talk in more detail about how you felt after you lost it.

小心! Read this.

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Part 3, Topic # 93, Something You Lost (a)

• What are some of the ways that people lose things? FQ

• (Similar to above) In what situations is it easiest for people to lose things? FQ 

When they are in a hurry, very busy or otherwise distracted; When they are drunk, tired, sick or upset and not paying attention to themselves or their situation; When they are old and losing their memory; When they are in a crowd (pickpockets); When people are moving their body a lot (e.g., exercising, working, walking) it is easier for things to fall out of their pockets ...

小心! Read this.

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Part 3, Topic # 93, Something You Lost (b)

• (Similar to above) Why (or, how) do people lose things?  FQ  

As above. Also, some people, such as children, have not developed good habits of managing their possessions. Young people & adults who are like this are often called, 'careless' or 'lazy' about looking after their possessions.

小心! Read this.

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Part 3, Topic # 93, Something You Lost (c)

• How can a person organize his or her possessions in order to minimize losing (misplacing) things? 

Being tidy and organized; Keeping valuable and important possessions in a set place; ...

小心! Read this.

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Part 3, Topic # 93, Something You Lost (d)

• How can people protect their property (such as their house or car) against thieves?  FQ 

Developing good habits such as always locking doors, locking your car, locking up your bicycle and the other good habits listed below; Not leaving a spare house key in a place where thieves might find it (such as under a door mat); Not carrying valuables in the pocket of a backpack that can be easily opened from behind; Not carrying your wallet in a back pocket of your pants where a pickpocket could steal it; Never leaving things unattended, especially in public places or where there are people who you do not trust 100%; Not conspicuously showing very valuable things (such as jewelery, expensive electronic devices or a lot of money) in public places; Not writing your ATM password where others could find it and certainly not keeping the password in your wallet with your ATM card!; Only carrying valuable things when you need to carry them (such as your ATM card, your passport or a lot of money); Being aware of the people around you when withdrawing money from an ATM machine; Not lending things to people who might not return these things to you; Installing an alarm system on your doors, windows, car etc; Installing video surveillance cameras around your home; Hiring security guards for your home [an option for wealthy people]; Living in a safe area or living behind security walls ...

小心! Read this.

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Part 3, Topic # 93, Something You Lost (e)

• (Similar to above) How can theft be reduced? FQ 

Other hints: Public education on how to protect one's possessions; Reducing poverty in society and providing public assistance for those who are unemployed; Increasing a sense of social cohesion among people so that fewer people feel alienated or have an attitude of "them and us"; Providing rehabilitation for prisoners who are in jail for theft, rather than simply punishing these criminals by sending them to prison; Greater use of security cameras and a greater police presence at places where theft occurs often (such as at railway stations) ...

小心! Read this.

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Part 3, Topic # 93, Something You Lost (f)

• In China, have there been any changes in the number of crimes committed or the types of crimes committed in the last few years?  FQ 

This question might be focused on the question of theft, not other crimes such as murder - listen carefully to the words of the question. "Embezzlement" and "fraud" are forms of theft. Other forms of theft are: "burglary", "robbery" and "mugging".

小心! Read this.

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Part 3, Topic # 93, Something You Lost (g)

• Why do some people steal things? FQ 

Some Reasons:

• A need for money or property (= things) because of extreme poverty, drug addiction or gambling addiction etc.

• Extreme poverty + hunger  - the reason why someone might steal food for him or herself or for his or her family

• Greed = A distorted value system such as thinking that getting rich by any means possible is acceptable (suitable for explaining the crimes of embezzlement and fraud) ...

• Especially for children: Peer pressure = Wanting to have the same things that other kids have but coming from a poor family that cannot afford these things

• Envy of others' possessions because the thief feels he or she will always be poor and resents this fact

• A desire to hurt or inconvenience the person whose property is stolen

• Mental illness such as kleptomania

• Anti-social feelings - a feeling of anger towards society or disrespect for society and society's laws in general

• The desire to experience the "excitement" of the risk-taking activity of committing a crime

• The desire to be caught in a theft as an attention-seeking action - a cry for help

小心! Read this.

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Part 2 Topic 94 A Way to Relax

• These words are guesses - nobody has written a clearer description of the words on the internet.

• In English, we do not say, "relax myself",  "relax themselves", "relax himself" etc. - we just say "relax". But we do say "relax you", "relax him", "relax her", "relax us", and "relax them".

• "Relax" has two main meanings: 1) Relax the body by loosening the muscles - meditating is a good way to do this. 2) Do an activity that is not 'work' of some kind, such as play a sport, engage in a hobby, chat to people, watch TV, engage in other forms of entertainment such as karaoke or watching movies. These activities 'refresh oneself' (refresh the spirit) after work. However, too much of a strenuous physical activity such as a sport or a mental activity such as playing very competitive weiqi is almost the same as work and further relaxation might be needed after such activities!

小心! Read this.

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Part 2 Topic 97 Future Work Plans (2)

• Although the words of this Part 2 topic seem to be very similar to or even exactly the same as those of Topic #22, Page 5, I suspect that the set of Part 3 questions is a little different. Not only that, I believe that Topic #22 was in use from late 2005 until December 2006 and was then not reported as used at all for the first 4 months of 2007. For these reasons, I am treating this as a new topic and calling Topic #22, 'Future Work Plans (1)' and Topic #97, 'Future Work Plans (2)'. 
• Of course, you should also prepare to answer the Part 3 questions for Topic #22.
• It is possible that Version B is closer to the real wording because Version B is also suitable for people who have already started work and have work plans for the future (= professional goals).
• Some people have reported that the wording is 'Your Ideal Job'. If this is true, then Version C is the correct wording. For Version C, you have to talk personally, describing why this ideal job would suit you. This need not be the job that you are really planning to do. For example, if you are a good artist, you could say the ideal job for you would be working as a graphic designer but in reality you plan to work as an accountant because you think it is a more secure way to earn a living. The grammar of Version C is the same as for the Ideal Park topic. Be careful! 
• The difference between Versions A, B & C is that Versions A & B are talking about your real plans for future work but Version C is just 'wishful thinking' or 'fantasy', 幻想. 'Want' is used when talking about something you really want, such as a goal, and in Version A, 'you would like to do' is a polite way of saying, 'you want to do'. But in Version C, if it says, 'you would like to do' it means 'you would like to do, if you could' or, 'you would like to do, if it were possible'. Don't use 'will' for Version C because 'will' is used to talk about the real future, not an imaginary situation. The key is to use the same verb form for the questions as they are written on the task card.
• For Versions A & B (which are close to each other), you should use words such as 'plan to', 'intend to' and 'hope to', not just 'want to' and not just 'will + V'.

小心! Read this.

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Part 3 Topic 97 Future Work Plans (2) a

• Why do people specifically choose to do just one kind of work? 

Hint: modern work is specialized

小心! Read this.

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Part 3 Topic 97 Future Work Plans (2) b

• In order to prepare for work, which do you think is more important, work experience (practical experience) or theoretical study? FQx2

This question might be worded to specifically ask about the work that you spoke about in Part 2.

小心! Read this.

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Part 3 Topic 97 Future Work Plans (2) c

• What personal attributes does one need to work successfully (= to do a job well)? 

Hints: A need or desire to work, for example, a need for money or an interest in that work; knowledge of the skills necessary for the job; an ability to get along with others, especially if teamwork is part of the job; certain personal habits or training such as being able to get out of bed on time and being able to use transportation to get to work; ...

小心! Read this.

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Part 3 Topic 97 Future Work Plans (2) d

• What kinds of work (or, what jobs) do you think will probably disappear in the future? 

Hint: Dangerous & labour-intensive jobs that will be done by machines/robots/computers. 

小心! Read this.

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Part 3, Topic # 98 A Small Business

• (Similar to above) What personal qualities are needed to open and run your own small business?  FQx2 

If the words, 'personal qualities' are used, the meaning includes 'personality' but also includes character traits such as 'perseverance' and 'honesty' and skills such as the ability to manage money.

小心! Read this.

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Part 3, Topic # 99, A Type of Film

• Are people attracted (or influenced) by advertisements (or previews) for new films? FQ DIFFICULT QUESTION

Possibly this is referring to the previews of films that are shown in the cinema, (or on DVD), before the main film starts. Or possibly it is referring to posters and billboards. Or any kind of advertisement.

I think the idea behind this question is that many people go to see a certain film simply because an advertisement for the film says it is good, not because other people say it is a good film! So, it would be better for people to select what films they want to see by reading objective film reviews rather than relying totally on advertisements for that film, which, of course, are not objective.

小心! Read this.

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Part 2 Topic 100 A Childhood Game

• Originally I was not sure if this topic was about a "childhood activity" or a "childhood game". "Activity" can include "game". But now everybody writes on the internet that it is a game.

• But many people still say there is a topic called, "A Childhood Sport". So I have created two topics - #100, "A Childhood Game" and # 128, "A Childhood Sport".  

• 'Childhood' is the period between the times when you were about 4 and 12 years of age.

• Here are four examples of a "childhood game" - marbles (for boys), hopscotch (for girls), "hide and seek" (for both boys and girls) and "mothers and fathers" (for both boys and girls) in which kids pretend to play family roles.

• There must be many more games that kids play.

• See this website: http://www.gameskidsplay.net/index.html

小心! Read this.

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Part 2 Topic 101 A Newspaper

• It seems that this topic only allows you to talk about a newspaper. That is, you should not talk about a magazine.

• See HERE (Vocabulary List, P.2) for a list of typical newspaper sections.

小心! Read this.

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Part 3, Topic 101

• How do you think newspapers in your country compare to newspapers in Western countries? DIFFICULT QUESTION

Obviously examiners cannot seriously expect you to be familiar with foreign newspapers if you have never left China. For questions like this, you should use language that expresses the fact you are only guessing because you really don't know much about foreign newspapers. For example, say, "I'm not familiar with foreign newspapers but I imagine ... I guess .... I suppose .... I expect ...  I would think ... " or the words, "maybe, perhaps, possibly and probably", followed by the reasons you think these things. The question is testing your knowledge of such language.

小心! Read this.

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Part 2, Topic #102, An Ideal Park

• I am 99% sure that the wording is as shown above. If the words are as shown above, the words mean a completely imaginary park. However, there is a small possibility that the wording is, "Describe the most perfect park that you have seen." This means, "the best park that you have seen". This means a real park that you have seen. Be careful if you get this topic! That is, read it carefully. It might cost you one whole Band point if you get it wrong!

• Important Grammar Points:  If the word 'would' is used on the task card, you should use 'would' in your answer. If the word, 'would is used', this topic is asking you to describe an imaginary park, not a real park that exists now or a real park that will exist in the future. You can think of the word 'would' as an imaginary form of 'will' - we only use 'will' when talking about something real in the future.

"It will have a lake" is incorrect because that is talking about the real, (more or less certain) future. 

It is also incorrect to say, "It has a lake" or "There is a lake" because these are present tense - i.e., now, and real. 

'Hope' is incorrect because 'hope' is used to talk about a real possibility for the future. 

'Wish' is incorrect here because 'wish' is mostly used to talk about a desired change to the present or past. 

It is also incorrect to say, "I would like it to have a lake." because "would like" = "I want it to have a lake." which is unsuitable here because it sounds like your are talking about a real thing in the future.

Correct sentences are: "It would have a lake." or, "There would be a lake." (Best to use, " There'd be ..." at least a few times - don't use "There would be ..." all the time.) 

You could also say something like, "I (can) imagine it having a lake."

It is also possible to say "It should have a lake" but it would be best to use "should" only a few times. Understand that 'should' is used to mean the same as in this sentence: "All parks should have a toilet."  There is no reason why an ideal park 'should have a lake' but it is obvious that than ideal park should have toilets.

Another possible mistake is using 'can' instead of 'could'. For example, the following sentence is incorrect: "It would have exercise equipment so people can exercise if they want to." The correct sentence is: "It would have exercise equipment so people could exercise if they want(ed) to." (I think both 'want to' or 'wanted to' are acceptable here but 'wanted to' is a little better.)

Further hints for answering this topic:

• Of course, there is nothing perfect in the world. Just describe the best park you can think of that would best fulfill the needs and wants of the people in a city. 

• The best possible park for the people of a city would need to be quite big in order to contain many things. It would need to contain many things (many different facilities) in order to satisfy the needs and wants of most of the people in the city. Therefore, it is reasonable to say that a very good park would have a basketball court because so many young men like to play basketball in China. However, a good park cannot and should not contain everything some people might want in a park because a park is not meant to provide every imaginable sports facility - that is unreasonable. For example, a swimming pool, tennis courts, football field and several basketball courts would be best placed in another kind of public facility, a sports centre. Similarly, it is reasonable to say that a very good park would have an elevated mini-train running around the edge of the park, as an amusement for children (as long as this train did not make too much noise) but it would be unreasonable to say that a very good park would have such fun rides as a roller-coaster - such rides would best be places in another kind of facility, an amusement park.

• Remember: For this and all Part 2 topics, you are judged on the quality of your English and your ability to 'tell a story' - there are no 'right' and 'wrong' answers. Just use your imagination and justify why the items in the park would make this a very good park. 

• It might be a good idea to include some of the features of the best and most famous, beautiful Chinese gardens in your description of this park.

• You should not leave the last item, 'Explain why this is the best park' until the end of your talk but instead say why each item that you mention is good (ideal), as you mention each item. At the end, you could summarize that this park would be ideal because it would combine both beauty and functionality.

• Read the Part 3 questions (below) to give you ideas on what an ideal park should be like.

• See a useful vocabulary list on the topic of parks HERE.

小心! Read this.

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Part 3 Topic 102 Park Note 1

• How do you feel about parks? 

= Do you like parks? or, What do you think of parks?

小心! Read this.

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Part 3 Topic 102 Park Note 2

• Which is better, to have a park that is beautiful or a park that is functional (= well-used)? FQ

These two are not mutually exclusive.

小心! Read this.

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Part 3 Topic 102 Park Note 3

• Do you think that the park you just described should have any cultural facilities? (If yes, what?) 

Hints: An outdoor performance area; A community notice board; A display of art; A statue of a local historical character, with information to read about this person; An information board with information about the history of this location ... 

小心! Read this.

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Part 3 Topic 102 Park Note 4

• What role do parks play in the life of a community? 

Hint: Many of the old people who go to a park in the morning are really going there just to be with other people, rather than to just exercise. For example, many of these old people might be living alone because their spouse has died and they feel lonely, living alone.

小心! Read this.

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Part 3 Topic 102 Park Note 5

• Does a park represent the culture or the history of the place where it is located? 

One hint: Parks can be used as community gathering places because a park is a pleasant environment and has a lot of space. Therefore, parks are ideal places for people to celebrate and practice their cultural traditions or cultural events such as performances or concerts. In addition, parks, (as well as city squares), are ideal places to put statues of famous (local) historical characters.

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Part 3 Topic 102 Park Note 6

• What are some differences between parks in cities and those in the countryside?  

Hints: The countryside has national parks and sometimes you can find 'safari parks' or open zoos where animals live in natural conditions. These parks are much bigger than city parks and have natural landscapes and natural flora and fauna,  in comparison to city parks which have man-made landscapes, cultivated trees and flowers and no animals. The main purpose of national parks is to preserve the unique environment of that place.

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Part 3 Topic 103

• (Similar to above) What role does science and technology play in children's development today? FQ 

Hints: education - computers; entertainment - TV, videos, computer games etc.; friendship - electronic communication such as cell phones, email & internet chatting.

Also, advancements in scientific knowledge, such as in medicine, nutrition and psychology, help parents know how to better raise their children.

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Part 2 Topic 104 A Person Who Likes to Help Others

• For this answer, you could talk about a 3-year-old kid who helps you clean the house!

• This topic possibly has the words, 'you know'. If the wording includes 'you know', it means someone you know personally (someone you have spoken to), not someone you know (about) from TV or the newspaper.

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Part 3 Topic 104 Note 1

• What are some examples of jobs where people help others a lot? *  

Hint: doctors; nurses; teachers; tutors; policemen & policewomen; social workers; psychologists; physiotherapists; volunteer workers; tour guides;  ....

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Part 3 Topic 104 Note 2

Community Spirit

See also the Part 3 topic called 'Community Service'  for topic #86, 'A famous Person Who Has Helped Your Country'. (Page 18)

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Part 3 Topic 104 Note 3

• Do you think community spirit has increased (or improved) compared to years ago, or has it decreased? (Why?)  FQx2 

Here, 'community spirit' means, 'the willingness to help others' in one's community and/or 'the willingness to be part of the community'.

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Part 3 Topic 104 Note 4

• (Similar to above) Do neighbours communicate with each other as much as they used to, many years ago?  FQx2 

Hint: Of course not. Blame the TV.

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Part 3 Topic 104 Note 5

• Who should help these people?  FQx2

= Whose responsibility should it be to help these people? = Who should pay for this help?  

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Part 3 Topic 104 Note 6

• What do you think is the best way to communicate with neighbours? (Why?)

By phone? By email? Face-to-face? By shouting through the wall? 

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Part 2 Topic 105 An Important Letter

• This seems to be the same Part 2 as Topic #1 but the Part 3 questions seem to be a little different. However, to be safe, you should also prepare to answer the Part 3 questions for Topic #1.

• The Part 3 questions that are reported for this topic from June 9, 2007 onwards will be written on this page, not Page 1.

• The word 'important' really means 'important to you'. For example, a letter from your girlfriend telling you that she wants to break up with you (= finish the relationship) is important to you even though it might not be very important to other people.

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Part 3 Topic 105 Letter Note 1

• Do people today write letters by hand as much as they used to do many years ago?  

Hint: emails; cell-phones & cell-phone text messages

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Part 3 Topic 105 Letter Note 2

• (Similar to above) What is the value of reading letters that famous people in history have written?  FQ

= What can we learn from such letters?  

Hint: Personal letters written by leaders such as wartime leaders can sometimes be more factually correct than 'standard' accounts of history because letter writers usually express their true personal feelings & motives about events.

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Part 2, Topic #106 - Someone You Like to Spend Time With

• You don't have to restrict your answer to talking about a typical friend. It is possible to talk about spending time with one of your parents or grandparents or, for example, your 3-year-old niece. 

• When you enjoy 'spending time with someone', it doesn't always mean that you do a lot of talking. Instead, you & the other person could do other activities such as playing a game together (e.g., chess), working together, playing music together, playing badminton together, watching TV together etc.

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Part 3, Topic # 106- Someone You Like to Spend Time With

• Compare spending time with one's boss and with one's friends (or workmates/work colleagues).  FQ

• (Similar to above) Compare one's relationship with one's friends (or workmates/work colleagues) and with one's boss. FQ 

Hint: The first is a relationship of equals; the second is a relationship of unequals = The first is a relationship between people of equal status; the second is a relationship between people of  unequal status. The second involves someone having power over another person.

小心! Read this.

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Part 2 Topic 109 Success

• You don't have to restrict yourself to study or career goals such as, 'I'd like to get a degree in Business Management in England' or, 'I'd like to be the CEO of my own company' (not a short-term goal) or, 'I'd like to get a good job in International Trade'. These are suitable things to say but you could also talk about more personal goals such as, 'I'd like to quit smoking', 'I'd like to lose about 10 kg. of weight', 'I'd like to learn to play the guitar really well' or, 'I'd like to master the English language.'

• Note that simply saying, 'I'd like to learn the guitar' is not too bad but people can say they have learned to play the guitar after they have simply learned the basics of playing it, so, learning to do something well or mastering that skill is more suitable. After all, you have been learning English for years but is it suitable for you to say right now, "I have succeeded in learning English"?

• Similarly, you should be specific in your goal. To simply say, "I'd like to lose weight" is not too bad but that can mean simply losing 0.1 kg of weight. Is that such a big success?

• Whatever goal you choose, it should be rather challenging. People don't usually talk about 'succeeding in' doing something that is quite easy to do.

• It is not suitable to say, 'I'd like to get 6.5 in the IELTS test' because the other questions on the task card are asking about preparations for doing this and asking you how difficult you think this will be. In other words, the IELTS test is not in the future when you do the Speaking test - it is in the present. But if you say that you intend to do the test again because you know you didn't do very well in the Writing test yesterday, then this example of a success you'd like to have in the future is suitable.

• The wording seems to be exactly the same as Topic #43 or very close to the same. However, the Part 3 questions for this topic, Topic #109, are probably a little different to those of Topic #43.

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Part 3 Topic 110 A Photograph Note 1

• Why do some people take photographs as a hobby? 

Hints: 

1) Photography is a creative, artistic activity that appeals to people's sense of beauty and novelty. 

2) Some people like to capture history, for example, photographing old parts of Beijing before they are renovated. 

3) Photography equipment is more affordable for many people nowadays. 

4) Most people today have some leisure time for activities such as hobbies - they don't have to spend all their time working.

5) Some people feel that it's important to to keep a photographic record their life and the lives of their family - they feel it's important for their children and grandchildren. 

小心! Read this.

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Part 2, Topic # 111 - An Environmental Problem

Although the words of this topic probably say, 'where you live', that does not mean that the environmental problem is only is in your hometown. For example, many parts of northern China experience dust storms ( = sand storms) in spring but you could just talk about how your hometown is affected by dust storms. On the other hand, you could talk about how the river or lake in your hometown is polluted.

Originally, most people reported that the words are "where you live" or something similar. But in February & March 2008, many people have been reporting that the words are, "..an environmental problem in a place that you have been to".

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(Part 3, Topic # 111, a)

• Do you think those who cause pollution are criminals? (Why?/Why not?)

        Think about major industrial pollution, especially that which seriously damages people's health.

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(Part 3, Topic # 111, b)

• What are the sources of waste (& rubbish) that society produces? FQ

Examples:  Packaging & containers, human waste (sewerage), household & restaurant kitchen waste, old/used household items (clothes, newspapers, furniture etc.), industrial waste, construction waste, farm waste, ... .

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(Part 3, Topic # 111, c)

• Do you think old people produce as much waste (such as waste paper) as young people? FQ 

Young people are often bigger consumers than old people; young people more often buy products such as KFC & McDonald's food, resulting in waste in the form of packaging.

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(Part 3, Topic # 111, d)

• Do you think that advertising leads to the production of more garbage in society?  FQ

Advertising tends to produce greater consumption. Also, advertising materials themselves such as flyers and catalogues become waste.

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(Part 3, Topic # 111, e)

• Do older people in China have the same attitudes towards the environment as young people? FQ 

        Older people are often less educated or less aware of these problems.

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Part 2, Topic #112 - Travel to Somewhere in the World

• If the words are, 'Travel to some place in the world' then it is possible to talk about travelling either within China or overseas. That is, I think you can probably choose to talk about a place in China, if you want to. However, if the words are 'travel overseas' then, of course, you should not choose to talk about a place in China. If you have the choice of choosing a place in China, it might be easier to talk about a place in China (such as Yunnan, Tibet, Xinjiang) because you probably have more knowledge about these places than overseas places.

• If the words "would like to travel to" are used, then "would like to" can have two possible meanings: a) "would like to" = "want to" = a real plan; b) "would like to" = "it would be nice to do that, if I had the opportunity". This second choice is talking about something imaginary, a fantasy. In this latter case, you could choose to answer about a place that you think would be a good place to visit but a place that you are not really planning to travel to. For example, it is possible to talk about how nice it would be to travel to such places as Paris or Rome or Tahiti in the South Pacific Ocean if you had the opportunity to do so.

• However, this top