IELTS Part 2 and Part 3 Topics and Questions -The Cultural Impact of Overseas Travel

The Cultural Impact of Overseas Travel Why so many Chinese people want to go abroad? (Possibly not just referring to travel but also to all travel including study & migration.) • Compare the benefits of traveling abroad with domestic tourism • When people travel to places that are different to where they come from, what effects does this have on these people? • Do you think travelling (overseas) can contribute to a person's education? • What can people learn from overseas travel? • Do you think people can learn anything about themselves from overseas travel? • What is the importance (or value) of experiencing different cultures? • With more and more students going abroad to study, what effect you think this has on China when they come back? • In the past 20 or 30 years, have people's attitudes towards overseas travel changed in China? • What factors determine how people decide which country to go to? • How people decide which country to go to? • What overseas country would you most like to visit? (Why?) • Do you think traveling to that country would help you understand the culture of that country more? (If yes, how?) • Why people like to buy things when they travel abroad? Preparations Before Overseas Travel • What are some of the things people have to before they can travel (or, go) overseas? • Is it easy to get a visa to most countries? * • Does it take long to get a visa now? * • What people need to before going abroad to study? • How you think traveling abroad to study is different to what it was to several decades ago? • Tour Group Travel • • How you think individual travel (as a tourist) and travelling in a tour group are different? What you think are the advantages and disadvantages of travelling in a tour group? ************************************************************ ********* A Gift Describe a special gift that you (recently) gave to a friend You should say: what the gift was when you gave this gift who you gave it to how you got this gift and explain why you chose that particular gift * Note • The wording seems similar to Topic # 85 In fact, it might be the same as Topic #85 but with a few different part questions -Possible follow-up questions: • Was he/she (the receiver of the gift) very grateful? • Would you like to receive this same gift from someone? -Part See also the Part questions for Topic # 85 Gifts • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • In China, when (on what occasions) people give gifts to others? What sorts of things they give? Do people today still give the same kinds of gifts that people used to give, many years ago? Why people like to receive gifts? What are some of the possible different reasons why give gifts to other people? Do you think it's suitable to give money as a gift? Do you think it's a good idea for people who are doing business with each other to exchange gifts? Why some people not give gifts to others very often? Why some people not like giving gifts? How people decide on what gift to give a person? (I.e., what factors they consider?) Do you think it's suitable to give the same (kinds of) gifts to young people and older people? Do you think something that you made yourself is suitable as a gift? Which you think is better, to give something you made yourself or to give something you bought? (Answer & compare) Why some people prefer to buy a gift rather than make a gift themselves? Compare giving a gift with receiving a gift What are the differences between the two? Some people don't like receiving gifts Why you think they feel that way? There are some people who like to give presents to others but don't like receiving presents Can you guess why they feel this way? What you think makes people happier, to receive a gift to to give a gift? (Why?) • • • • Would you say it's true that the more a person gives you gifts, the more it shows that this person likes you? Do you think that expensive gifts are (always) a sign of true friendship? What is the difference between a "precious" (or, "valued") gift and a "valuable" gift? * What kinds of things people in China give as wedding gifts? Other Ways to Give, for example, Helping Others See also Part 3, Topic #156 • Do you think people today are more willing, or are they less willing to help others than they used to be? (Why you say that?) • Do you think that people of different ages need different forms of help? • What should be done to help people find suitable jobs? • In schools today in China, are children taught the importance of consideration for others? • Do young people in China help old people (or, older people) very much? • Why you think young people should help old people? • How can young people help the elderly? (Or, older people) ('old' = your grandparents; 'older' = your parents and grandparents) • Are people today willing to volunteer work? • Are people today more willing to volunteer work than people 20 or 30 years ago? • Do you know how charities work? (= how they are operated) • Can you suggest any ways that charities could encourage people to help others more? (I.e., to charitable work or donate money to charity.) Awards and Rewards See also the Part questions for Topic #43 that are related to rewarding people Rewards • Do you think we should give rewards to people who help others? • Do you think we should reward a child when he or she does something good? • What are some suitable ways to reward a child for doing something well, such as doing well at school? • Do you think that children should always be offered an incentive (a reward of some kind) when parents ask their children to something? • Do you think it's always a good idea to reward children? • What you think is the best way to reward people for doing a good job at work? Awards • Do you know the difference between an 'award' and a 'reward'? • What are some examples of international awards, for example, Olympic medals? • Do you think these awards are good (or, are useful)? • What you think is the value of these awards? ************************************************************ *********** IELTS Part and Part Topics and Questions Page 33 161 A Photograph (3) (July 12, 2008) 162 163 164 165 Someone You Enjoy Spending Time With (2) (Aug 16, 2008) An Important Letter You Wrote (May 10, 2008) Your Favourite Season (2) (Sept 6, 2008) Clothing for Special Occasions (Sept 6, 2008) RETURN TO PART TOPIC INDEX FQ = frequent question = a question that has frequently been reported = a question that is probably in the examiner's question book ************************************************************ *********** A Photograph (3) Describe a photograph that is important to you You should say: where (and when) you saw this photograph what (or who) is in the photograph when this photograph was taken and explain why this photograph is important to you Notes: • • It seems that on about July 12, some new Part questions started to be used for the 'Photograph' topic For this reason, the topic is being treated as a new topic So far, the wording of this new Part is a little unclear It is possible the first line is, "Describe a photograph that impressed you." (or, " a photograph that had an effect on you") Possible follow-up questions: • Do other people like that photograph? Part See also the Part questions for Topic #110 See what this note says about the meaning of the words, 'my photograph' Personal Photography (Instead of the words, "take a photograph", the words, "use a camera" might be used for some of these questions.) Basic Facts about Personal Photography • What are some situations when people take photographs? • Can you give me an example of a happy time when you took a photograph? • Do you think it's important for a person to have photographs of his or her life through the years? • What is the value of keeping photographs of one's life over the years? • In general, people in China prefer to take photos of scenery or of people? Feelings about Taking Photographs Do you like taking photographs? • Why some people dislike taking photographs? • Some old people don't like taking photos Can you suggest some reasons why? • Compare cameras today with those of, say, 30 years ago • Some people dislike (using) a camera Can you suggest who and why? FQ Feelings about Having One's Photo Taken • Why some people dislike having their photo taken? • Are there any cultural reasons (in China) why some people might not want their photograph taken? • "I'm shy about people taking my photo." Attributes of Photographs Attractive Photos • What makes a photograph attractive to people? • What kind(s) of photographs are most attractive to people? • What are some differences between photographs today and photographs 20 or 30 (or 50) years ago? • Do you think colour photos are more attractive than black and white photos? Attention-catching photographs • When you're walking outdoors, what are some examples of the scenes that can especially catch your attention? • What are some ways that a photograph can catch people's attention? • What are some examples of (or an example of) photographs that catch the attention of people? • What types (usages) of photographs especially catch people's attention? What are the attributes (qualities) of these photographs that make them so attentioncatching? • Do you think a photograph can affect a person's judgment? (or, opinions or beliefs) 'Good' and 'Bad' Quality Photographs • What you think makes a 'good' photograph? • Sometimes a person doesn't like (the look of ) a photograph that he or she has taken What are some the reasons why these people don't like these photographs? • Do you think photographs taken by professional photographers are better quality than the photos that average people take? • Do you think the quality of the photograph is (always) more important than the contents of the photograph? • What are some reasons why a person might throw away (or tear up) a photograph? • Do you think people should throw away photographs that are not good quality? • Some people don't like to throw away photographs even when the quality of the photographs is not very good Can you guess why they feel that way? • Do you think a photograph that someone takes could ever become valuable (= worth money)? Preserving Photographs • Do you think it's important to preserve (or keep) photographs? • How can that be done? • Other Uses of Photographs Do you think photography has (or, photographs have) any relationship to culture? Photographs and History • What is the value of photographs in the study of (or, the representation of) history? FQ • What you think is the value of having (old) photographs in museums? FQ • Sometimes a photograph can change a person's understanding of, or attitude towards a certain historical event Why (or, how) you think this happens? See this photo Photography in the Media • Do you think photographs are a useful means of communication? (How? Give examples.) • How are photographs used in the (news) media? • (Similar to above) What is the value of using photographs in the news media? FQx2 • (Similar to above) What is the value of using photographs when reporting a news story in the media? FQx2 • Why newspapers sometimes have photographs with their news stories? FQx2 • What qualities you think photographs in newspapers should have? • Do you think photos in newspapers always give an accurate portrayal of news events? The Impact of Photos on People • Do you think a photograph can influence people's ideas? FQ • In what ways you think photographs can influence people? • Can you think of any photos in newspapers (or news magazines) that greatly moved you (or, that left a deep impression on you)? (How did it/they affect you?) FQ • (Similar to above) How some photos in newspapers leave a strong impression on people? • Do you think photos in newspapers are sometimes too powerful (or, overpowering)? • Do you think a photograph could (have enough impact to) change the world? (E.g., a very high-impact photo in the news) • If there were no photographs in newspapers or magazines, what would (or, what could) journalists to make up for the absence of photos? (This question is testing your grammar) Photographs as Art • Why some people especially like looking at photographs and paintings? • (Similar to above) What benefits can people derive from visiting an art exhibition or art gallery? FQ • What benefits can children derive from visiting an art exhibition or art gallery? FQ • How are paintings and photographs different (and how are they similar)? FQx2 • (Similar to above) Do people look at photos and paintings in the same way? • Compare artists (painters) and photographers Do they use the same skills? • Tell me about the visual arts in China, for example, painting * Photographs in Advertising and Marketing • How are photographs used in advertising and marketing? • Can you give an example where photographs are very useful in advertising? • ************************************************************ *********** 162 Someone You Enjoy Spending Time With (2) (Aug 16, 2008) Version A Describe someone you enjoy spending time with You should say: who this person is how you know this person * what you together * and explain why you like to spend time with this person * Version B Describe someone you would like to spend time with You should say: who this person is how you know this person * what you would like to say to (or ask) this person * what you would together * and explain why you would like to spend time with this person * Notes • • • • It is not clear if it is Version A or Version B, but it is probably Version A If it is Version A, it is probably more or less a repeat of Topic #106 If it is Version B then the title of the topic should be, "Someone you would like to spend time with" Be careful if it is Version B See Notes Possible follow-up questions: • • Do others also like to spend time with him/her? Do you think you'll (still) like to spend time with Him/her in the future? -Part See also the Part questions for Topic 106 Friendship • • • • • • • • • • • • • Do you think people have more free time today than they did before? (Why?/Why not?) What are the sources of pressure in people's lives? How you think people can (or do) deal with this pressure? In general, you think people spend more time with friends or with family? Do you feel that you, personally, will remain friends with your parents for a long time? Is that the same for people in the countryside and people in the cities? When people are together with their friends, they usually prefer to chat or to watch TV? What are some ways to make new friends? What are some ways that people can help colleagues or classmates? What are some methods for maintaining a friendship with someone who is living far away? Can men and women become genuine friends? Can work colleagues (workmates) become friends? Do you think employers and employees can become friends? The Relationship Between Individuals and Groups • • • Which you think is more important, to be an individual or a member of a group? * In life, for example, at work or as a student, what can people when they need help? FQ At work or in school you think people need to (or should) help each other? FQ • • • • • • • • • • • • Do you think it's better for a person to study alone or in a group? (Similar to above) Do you prefer to study alone or study with others? See Note Some people say there are advantages and disadvantages from studying or working with others What you think? If a person is always working or studying alone, what you think the result might be? How would you feel about working in an organization composed of only one person – you? In the future, you think students will be studying and working more as individuals or more in groups? FQ What is the value of teamwork? FQ (Similar to above) Do you think teamwork is important? (Why?/Why not?) FQ How you help your colleagues at work? Do you think it's important for nations to have good international relations with other nations? What impact you think small businesses have on the world? Are there any disadvantages from being a member of a group? Interpersonal Relationships in Society Do you think people today are closer to other people or more isolated from other people, compared to the past? • In general, what are the factors that are most important for having good communication between people? • Do you think modern people have enough time to communicate with others? • When you have free time to spend with your family? Community Size • Do you think the closeness of people to each other is related to the size of a community? For example, are people who live in cities as close to each other as people who live are in villages? • What you think future relationships between people will be like? Modern Technology and Interpersonal Relationships • How have mobile phones and the internet improved the way people communicate today (compared to the days before we used these inventions)? • What are the advantages and disadvantages of, on the one hand, using mobile phones and the internet to communicate and, on the other hand, of face-to-face communication? • In the future, you think the use of high-tech communication equipment will enhance cooperation between people or hamper co-operation? • Do you think the internet has brought people closer together, with it's communication capability or has it created a greater gap between people? FQ • At home, you think the computer has a good effect on family life? • In the future, you think these inventions will lead to people spending time with other people less than they today? FQ • What would be the advantages and disadvantages of spending less time with other people? • (Similar to above) What are the advantages of modern-day electronic forms of communication? • ************************************************************ ********** 163 An Important Letter You Wrote (May 10, 2008) Describe an important letter you wrote You should say who you wrote to when you wrote it what you wrote and explain why you wanted to write to this person * or and explain why you wrote that letter * Notes • • This has been the topic in use since May 10, 2008 Topic #105, 'An Important Letter You Received' was last reported on April 19, 2008 The card might say, ' important letter or message' If the card says that, a posting on an internet message board or an email should be suitable to use as your answer In fact, even if the card doesn't say that, such examples might be suitable Ask the examiner Possible follow-up questions: • • Do you often write letters? Did you receive a reply? * Part See also the Part questions for Topic # 105 Communication What are the different types of letters that people write? (= the different purposes for writing letters E.g., business letters, love letters, invitations, applications for a job, ) FQx2 • Besides letters, what are some other ways to communicate with someone? • Do you think people will continue to use (hand-written) letters in the future? • When you think a phone call is more suitable and when is a letter more suitable? FQx2 • (Similar to above) Compare the advantages of letters and the advantages of phone calls FQx2 • How have mobile phones and the internet improved the way people communicate today (compared to the days before we used these inventions)? FQ • (Similar to above) What are the advantages of modern-day electronic forms of communication? FQx2 • Of all the different ways to communicate (emails, faxes, hand-written letters, phone calls & text messages), which way you think is the most effective? (Why?) • What are some differences (and similarities) between emails and handwritten letters? • Do you think there are any disadvantages from using those methods of communication? • Do you think a photograph can communicate much information? International Language • Do you think it would be a good idea to have an international language so people all over the world could communicate with each other? FQ • Do you think this will happen in the future? • • • • • • • • • • Has English had any effect on Chinese? (e.g., English words entering into Chinese) Compare the relative importance in the world today of your language and English (Similar to above) How important you think English is? What you think is the dominant language in the world today? Why (or how) you think English has become the dominant language in the world? FQ What you think of (= how you feel about) the dominance of English in the world today? FQ (Similar to above) What you think of this phenomenon? Do you think a global language means a global culture? What language(s) you think will be dominant in the future? ************************************************************ *********** 172 A Famous Person (Sept 6, 2008) Describe a famous person you would like to meet You should say: who this person is (or, was) how you first learned about him or her (or, where you first saw him or her) * See Note how/why this person is famous * and explain why you would like to meet this person * See Notes -Possible follow-up questions: • Do you want to be famous? (Or, Would you like to be famous?) • Is he/she still famous today? • Do you think you really will meet him/her one day? * -Part See also the Part questions for Topic# 86 Fame Wanting to be Famous • Do you think he/she (the person you just spoke about) wanted to be famous when he/she was in high school? • Why some people want to be famous? FQ • (Similar to above) Why so many (young) people nowadays want to be famous? See Note • (Similar to above) What benefits people get from being famous? FQ • Do you think it's good to be famous? • Do you think people become a little "lost" when they become famous? • Do you think famous people change their ways of thinking when they become famous? FQx2 (Similar to above) Do you think the personalities of people change after they become famous? FQx2 • For example, what changes you think might happen if someone suddenly became rich? • Do you want to be famous? FQ See Note • Would you like to be famous? FQ See Note • If you became famous, how you think your life (or, you) would change? People's Ideas on Who is Famous • What kinds of people young people in China today consider to be "famous" or celebrities? • Does everybody have the same idea about who is famous? • Do older people and young people have the same ideas about who is famous? • In general, what qualities famous people possess? FQ See Note • Why many people like popular celebrities such as film stars, pop stars and sports stars? • To be one of these stars, what qualities people need to have? FQ • (Similar to above, but different) In general, what qualities famous people have? FQ • How people become famous? * • Who were some famous people about 30 or 40 years ago? FQ • Compare the types of people who were famous about 30 or 40 years ago (or, in the past) with the people who are famous today FQx2 • (Similar to above) Do you think the kind of people that others admire (or, 'greatly respect' or think of as 'heroes' or 'famous') has changed in the past few decades? FQ See Note • Do you think all famous people are good people? • Can you think of some examples of famous people who have contributed something to society? • Nowadays, is it common for serious people (such as top scientists) to become famous? • Was it the same in the past, for example, 30 or 50 years ago? • What kind(s) of people you think will be famous in the future? FQ Famous People as Role Models (for the young) • What kinds of famous people become role models for teenagers? • Why you think certain famous people become role models for young people? • Do you think this is a positive thing? • Do you think there is a possible danger in young people using some famous people as role models? FQ • (Similar to above) Are there any possible drawbacks to young people using famous people as role models? FQ • (Similar to above) What you think might happen if a famous person, who is a role model for teenagers, does something inappropriate? FQ • Do you think famous people ever fail (or, makes mistakes)? • If a famous person failed (or, for example, disgraced him or herself) what would you think about that person? • Why we, the general public, give famous people so much respect? • Who first decides (or, determines) who is famous? * • Why you think certain people are 'chosen' to be given the label, 'famous' and others are not chosen? * The Private Lives of Famous People - Privacy Issues Frequent Topic • • • • • • • • • • • • • What benefits people get from being famous? FQ Can you think of any disadvantages to being famous? FQ Do you think famous people can (or, do) keep their privacy after they become famous? FQx2 (Similar to above) Do famous people have privacy? FQx2 Do you think it's fair that famous people don't have as much privacy as average people? Do you think that famous people have as much right to privacy as ordinary people? Do you think people such as politicians who are famous because they are serving the people, have the right to privacy? In general, you think it's important for a person to have some privacy? Do you think there should be laws to protect the privacy of famous people? What would you suggest a famous person to have privacy with their (= his or her) family? Do you think the children of famous people can play with normal children? FQ (Similar to above) Do you think the children of famous people can have a normal childhood? FQ ************************************************************ *********** 173 A Success You Have Had (Sept 6, 2008) Describe a success you have had You should say: what it was when it happened why you chose this area of activity (= why you chose to this) how easy or difficult it was to achieve * and explain how important this success was (to you) * or and explain why you thought this was a success * -Possible follow-up questions: • Do many other young people aim for the same success as you did? * -Part See also the Part questions for Topic #43 and Topic #109 The Nature of Success • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • You've just described one success that you've had What are some other examples of success that other people have? FQ How would you define the word, 'success'? FQ See Note Do you think everybody agrees with you about how to define 'success'? (Similar to above) In general, how people in your community (or, people you know/ people in your society/ people in China) decide to call someone, "successful"? Do you think 'success' is the same as making a lot of money? FQ Do you think people should respect others who are successful? Do you think this respect can ever be overdone? (Similar to above) Do you think it's good (mentally healthy) to "worship" (崇拜) others who you think are successful? How successful would you say you have been in your studies? In recent years, have people's ideas about success changed in China? FQ Do you and your parents have the same ideas about success? In general, how you think one can make achievements (or, become successful)? (Similar to above) How you think a person can become 'successful' in life? FQ (Similar to above) What personal qualities are required for a person to become successful? FQ (Similar to above) What you think are the (main) factors that lead to a person being successful? FQ Do you think everybody can be successful? What you think is the most difficult part about becoming successful? Why many people have plans and goals for themselves? FQ Do you think a person need to have goals before they can be successful? (Why?) What goals you have? Success at Work • What think is 'success' for an employee? FQ • • • • • • • • • • • (Similar to above) In the workplace, how would you judge the degree of success of an employee? FQ In considering a person's success at work, which you think is the more important, to look at 'the process' or look at 'the results'? How can a person become successful at his or her job? FQx2 How can a boss make his or her employees feel successful (= feel appreciated)? FQ (Similar to above) How can a boss reward his or her employees for work well-done? FQ (Similar to above) How can a boss (or, a company) encourage the employees to be successful? FQ When and how should an organization reward its employees? (Similar to above) What kinds of success in the workplace should be rewarded? In addition to money, what other incentives could be used to encourage the employees? In general, men and women place equal importance on their own success at work? In general, people think that success at work is as important for women as it is for men? Liking and Disliking One's Job • • • • • • In general, people in China like their jobs? Some people who are quite successful don't really like their jobs Can you suggest why? Some people work at a job that they don't really like very much Why you think they that? FQ If your friend didn't like his or her job, what would you suggest they do? FQ Many people dislike looking for work (or, a different job) Can you suggest why they feel that way? What unemployed people to pass the time? Competition • • Do you think competition is good? Why many people dislike competition? ************************************************************ ********** 174 A Home You Like (Sept 13, 2008) Describe a house or flat that you like (Not your own home) You should say: whether it is a house or a flat * when you saw this home (or, how you know about this home) where it is what it looks like and explain why you like it -Possible follow-up questions: • Do other people also like this home? -Part See also any Part questions at the following locations that are similar to the topics or questions below: Topic #13, Topic #45, Topic# 71, Topic #96 & Topic# 122 ... ************************************************************ *********** IELTS Part and Part Topics and Questions Page 33 161 A Photograph (3) (July 12, 20 08) 1 62 1 63 164 165 Someone You Enjoy Spending Time With (2) (Aug 16, 20 08) An Important Letter... ********** IELTS Part and Part Topics and Questions Page 34 166 167 168 169 170 Someone Who is Good at Cooking (Sept 6, 20 08) A Work of Art (2) (Sept 6, 20 08) A Stage in Your Life you Enjoyed (2) (Sept... and Part Topics and Questions Page 35 171 1 72 1 73 174 175 Something that Helped You Learn a Language (Sept 13, 20 08) A Famous Person (2) (Sept 6, 20 08) A Success You Have Had (Sept 6, 20 08) A