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.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.