PART 1

HATS
Do you often wear a hat?

What kinds of hats do you like to wear?

Are there any types of hats that you dislike wearing?

Do you prefer to wear fashionable hats, or comfortable hats?

Did you wear a hat when you were a child?

(Slightly different to above) Did you have to wear a hat when you were a child?

Is wearing a hat very popular in your country?

Why do (some) young people like to wear hats?

In your country, on what occasions do people wear hats?

Why do they wear hats?

(Similar to above) Do they wear hats for fashion or for some other reasons?

Do any people in your country wear a hat for traditional reasons? (Hint: religious reasons)

FILMS
Do you like watching films?

What kind of films do you like the most?

Do you like going to a cinema?

How often do you go to the cinema?

Do you like to watch adventure films?

Do you think children nowadays watch different films compared to the past?

How do you think films might change in the future?

SAVING MONEY
Do you have the habit of saving money?
What ways do people use to save money?

Do you think it's easy for people to save money?

SINGING
Do you often (like to) sing?

When do you like to sing?

How much time do you spend in singing every day?

What kinds of music do you like to sing?

Is it difficult to sing well?

Do you want to be a singer?

OUTDOOR GAMES
What was your favourite outdoor game when you were a child?

Did you play any outdoor games at school?

Would you like your child to play (any) outdoor games?

(If yes, to above) What (sorts of) outdoor games would you like your children to play?

DRAWINGS AND PAINTINGS

How often do you visit art galleries?

What kinds of things do you like to draw?

Is it easy to learn how to draw?

Do you like painting/ drawing? Why?

Do you think children should learn drawing?

Why do primary schools have painting class?

Why do people display art work (painting) at their homes?

Have you ever bought any painting?

Do you think painting (or drawing) is important for adults?

Do you still draw those pictures that you did in your childhood?

BUS AND TAXI

How often do you take the bus?

When was the first time you took a taxi?

What are the advantages of taking a taxi compared with buses?

Is it convenient to take the bus/taxi in your city?

PATIENCE
Is it important to be patient? Why?

Is it easy to be patient? Why?

How can people be patient?

When do people need to be patient?

What do you do when waiting for the bus or something else?

Are people now less patient than people in the past? Why?

ADVERTISEMENTS
Are there many advertisements in your country?

Why do you think there are so many advertisements now?

What are the various places where we see advertisements?

How do you feel about advertisements?

What kinds of advertisements you like the most?

Do advertisements (ever) influence your choice about what to

buy? Do you like advertisements on TV?

Do you prefer advertisements on TV or those in magazines?

What do you think is the purpose of advertisements (or advertising)?

BIRTHDAYS AND PARTIES

How do people in your country celebrate birthdays?

How do you like to celebrate your birthday?

What did you do on your last birthday?

Are birthdays more important for children or for adults?

Do you like to celebrate your birthday with your family or your

friends? Do you like birthdays?

Do people in your country celebrate birthdays?

Are any birthdays (reaching a certain age) especially important in your country?

Who do you like to celebrate your birthday with? With your friends or family?

Do all your friends know when your birthday is?

Do people in Vietnam have birthday parties? (Why/ Why not)

Do you think it's important to give a (special) gif t to someone on their birthday?

Do children and adults celebrate birthdays in the same way?

What do children do when they have a birthday party?

SUNNY DAYS
Do you like sunny days?

Do you prefer sunny days or cloudy days?

Do you like going (or, being) outside on sunny

days? What do you like to do on sunny days?

What benefits can (or do) people get from sunshine?

(Similar to above) What benefits can (or do) we get from the sun?

(Possibly) Do you think there are any downsides (or dangers) from sunshine? *

Would you like to go, as a tourist, to a place that has little sunshine?

(Similar to above) Would you ever go, as a tourist, to a place that has little

sunshine? What do (did) you do on sunny days at school?

FLOWERS
Do you like flowers?

What is your favorite flower?

What are the occasions when people send or receive flowers?

What flowers have special meaning in your country?

When do people in your country usually send flowers?

What kinds of flowers do people in your country usually send to each other?

When was the last time you sent flowers?

When was the last time you received flowers?

Do people in your country love gardening?

Where do Chinese people usually plant flowers, in gardens or on balconies?

What influence do you think planting flowers has on people?

What special meanings do different flowers have exactly?

NEWSPAPERS & MAGAZINES

Do you like to read newspapers and magazines?

What was the first newspaper or magazine you bought?

What newspapers do people like to read in your country?

Do you think newspapers (made of paper) will be replaced by electronic newspapers in the

future? When was the last time you bought a newspaper?

WALKING
Do you like walking? Where

do you usually walk?

Do / did you (ever) go to school or work on foot?

What do you think is the most suitable place for walking?

What would you say are the benefits of walking?

What do you think are the differences between young people walking, and elderly people?

Have you had any interesting experiences while walking?

(Similar to above) Have you ever seen anything interesting while walking?
ART
Do you like art?

Do you think art is an important part of life?

What experience of art did you have when you were younger?

Do people in Vietnam like visiting museums and art galleries?

Do you think going to museums and art galleries is beneficial for

children? Do schools in Vietnam have field trips to museums?

WEEKENDS
What do you usually do (or, like to do) on weekends?

Are there any places in your city that you like to go to on weekends?

Do you often (or ever) go to a cinema on weekends?

What do you plan to do next weekend?

NOISE
What noises / sounds do you generally hear around where you live?

Do you have a favourite sound, and a sound that you find the most

annoying? Do you think the amount of noise in modern life is increasing?

What you do when you encounter loud noise? *

(Similar to above) What would you do if you encountered loud noise? *

 PART 2

1. Describe a difficult decision that you made.

You should say:

what decision it was what

difficulties you faced how

you made the decision

and explain why it was a difficult decision.

Everyday Decisions

• What are some of the typical, everyday decisions that people have to make? FQ

• Besides your example from Part 2, what other difficult decisions are many people faced with
at times in their lives? FQ
How to Make a Decision

• Do you prefer to shop at many different shops or just a few? FQ

• Do you prefer to shop in big shops or in small ones? FQx2

• How do you (or, people) decide which one to shop at? ? FQx2

• When buying clothes, do you prefer to go to a shop with a wide selection of choices, or to
a shop that has a small number of choices?
• How do you (or, people) decide what clothes to wear?

• Can you explain what makes a decision a "difficult" decision? FQ

• In general, do you think it's easier to make a decision when you have few choices, or many
choices?
• Do you think teachers should help students make decisions?

• What (sorts of) factors do people consider when they make decisions?

• How can one choose what is the most important factor when making a decision?

• Can you suggest why people sometimes make a quick decision?

• (Unreported but possible question) How can someone know that they have made the right
decision? *
 • In the future, do you think people will find it easier to make decisions than they do today, or
will they find it harder?
Decisions Throughout Life

• What do you think are the most important decisions that people have to make in their
lifetimes?
• Do you think children and adults usually have the same decisions to make? FQx2

• (Similar to above) Do you think children and adults have the same choices in life? Who do
you think has a harder time making decisions, children or adults? FQx2
• (Similar to above) Do you think the decisions that children make are more difficult (for them)
than the decisions that adults have to make? FQx2
• Do you think children should make their own decisions, or should they follow the advice of
adults? FQ
• (Similar to above) Do you think parents should make decisions for their children? FQ

• What sorts of decisions do young people have to make? FQ

• Do you think parents can help young people decide what subject to study at university?

• What decisions about the future do people have to make? FQ

2. Describe a place you have visited that has been affected by pollution.

You should say:

what place it was

why you went there

how it was affected by pollution

and explain how you felt about this situation.

Part 3

Pollution in Your Country

• Besides your example from Part 2, what other examples of pollution are there in
your hometown (or your country/ or around where you live)? FQ
• What are the reasons for (or the sources of) these kinds of pollution?

• How do suggest this problem should be tackled? FQ

• In general, would you say there is more (rubbish and) pollution today than several decades
ago? FQx2
 • Do you think pollution near or alongside waterways is very important?

• Can you suggest why some people do things such as throw rubbish into a lake?

• What can we do to reduce pollution?

• Do you think we should start by educating the locals about protecting the environment?

• What should the government do? FQ

• (Similar to above) How much do you think government is responsible for doing
something about pollution, and how much do you think it is an individual responsibility
for everyone? FQx2
• What would you say are the responsibilities of individuals for protecting the
environment? FQx2
• What do you think is the relationship between pollution and the economy?

• Is there any pollution problem (or, environmental problem) that is world-wide?

• Do you think the pollution situation in your country will change in the future? FQx2

• Do you think the pollution situation will get worse in the future, or better? FQx2

Perceptions about Pollution

• In general, would you say that people in your country are concerned about the
environment?
• Do you think different people have different perceptions about (or, of) pollution?

• (Similar to above) Do you think different people have a different understanding of the word,
"pollution"?
• Can you explain why some people are concerned about pollution while others
are not? FQx2
• Can you suggest why some people are not interested in (the topic of) protecting the
environment?
• Why do some people think they can do nothing to protect the environment?

• Would you say that children and young people today are more aware of pollution than the
older generations?

3. Describe a product you bought that you were (or, are) happy with.
You should say:

what you bought

how you bought it

why you bought it

and explain why you were (or are) happy with it.

Part 3

Shopping

• Do you like shopping?

• (If you do the test away from your home country) Is there much difference
between shopping in your home country and in this country?
• What are some of the various ways that people buy things? FQ

• Do you like shopping in shopping malls?

• Do you prefer to go shopping in shopping malls or in small shops around your home?

• Can you explain why so many people choose to do their shopping in big shops such as big
supermarkets and department stores?
• How does that compare with the ways people bought things in the past?

• How (or, where) do most people in your country buy things? FQ

• What would you say are the major differences between online shopping and shopping in
typical shops? FQx2
• Can you explain why online shopping is so popular today?

• Why are goods online generally cheaper than those in typical shops? FQ

• What would you do if you were disappointed with something you had bought on the
internet?
• What effect do you think this is having (or, will have) on the typical shops that people used
before the internet age?
• Do you think online shopping tends to make people lazy?

• Do you think online shopping will (eventually) replace shopping in real shops?

• How often do people in your country go shopping?

• When do people usually go shopping?

• Do you think people spend too much time on shopping? FQ

• Would you say that, in general, people like shopping? FQ

• Who usually enjoys shopping more, males or females?

• Who usually does more shopping, men or women?

• Do you know anyone who could be described as a "shopaholic"?

• Have you ever had a bad shopping experience?

• What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of using a credit card when
buying things, as opposed to paying cash?
The Quality and Price of Products

• Which is more important to you, the price of a product, or the quality?

• Do you think there is a relationship between the brand of a product and the quality of
that product?
• Do you think expensive products are always high in quality?

• What makes a product a "high quality" product?

• Do you agree that companies have a responsibility to advise customers on the quality of the
products they sell?
• How do you (or, how can a person) compare prices? FQ

• In your country, is bargaining very common when shopping? FQx2

• Why (or, when) do some people bargain?

• Can you suggest why most Westerners don't like to bargain?

• Can you explain why some places have cheaper prices than other places? *

• How can (or, how do) people find out the lowest prices for goods (products)?

• (Similar to above) How can (or, how do) people buy the cheapest-priced goods (products)?

• Do people in your country ever buy second-hand good? (If yes, what?)

Marketing

• Nowadays some people buy things they don’t need. Can you suggest why that is?

• Why are some shopping centres in your country crowded?

• Why do some people like to buy expensive things (= luxury products)?

• What do you think are the advantages and the disadvantages of buying luxury products?

• Do you think marketing is important?

• How does marketing help?

• What types of marketing are there?

• Do you think all products need to be marketed (need marketing)?

4. Describe a person (you know), much older than you, who you admire.
You should say:

who this person is

how you know this person

how this person has influenced you

and explain why you admire this person.

Part 3

When the words, "young people" and "older people" are both used in the same sentence, "older
people" means, "older than the young people", which could include anyone over the age of about 30
for most IELTS candidates.
Generational Differences

• In your view, what is "an old person"?

• How do you know when you are looking at an old person? For example, do all old people
have white hair?
• Do you think there an increasing proportion of old people in the population today,
compared to the past, or a decreasing proportion?
• What would you say are the main differences between "young people" and "old people"?

• Do you think the media today is more focused on young people, or on old people?

• Do you think young people would have difficulty living with old people?

• Do you think young people and old people have difficulty communicating with each other?
FQ

• Do you think there is such a thing as, "the generation gap"?

• How is this generation gap formed?

• In what ways is the thinking of young people and that of old people different?

• Which group do you think spends more money shopping, old people or young people?

• What sources of income do old people in your country have?

• In general do young people in your country respect old people? FQ

• Do you think the young people and older people (or, old people) can learn anything (or,
learn much) from each other? FQx2
• Do most old people know how to use modern electronic products?

• Can you suggest why many elderly people are not interested in learning how to use modern
technology such as using the internet?
• What do you think young people can learn from older people (or, old people)? FQ

• What do you think young people should learn from older people (or, old people)? FQ

• Why do young people sometimes ask older people about the past?

• Can you explain why young people ask older people for advice?

The Lives of Elderly People Today

• What sorts of things do old people like to do with their time? FQx2
• (Similar to above) What sorts of leisure activities do old people like to do? FQx2

• Do elderly men and elderly women like to do the same things? FQ

• Do you think old people today do different activities than old people did in the past? FQ

• If you were an old person, what would you do with your time?

• Do old people like to go on long trips?

• What sorts of outdoor activities do old people like to do?

• Do they like to do outdoor exercise (or sports)?

• Do they use any particular exercise equipment?

• Do they prefer to watch films at home, or in a cinema?

• How would you compare the lives of old people in your country with the lives of old
people in other countries?
• Would you say that old people today have better lives (e.g. better living conditions; happier
lives) than old people had in the past? FQx2
• Do you think old people in the past were more optimistic than old people are today?

• In what ways do you think the lives of old people today could be improved?

• How do you think young people could help old people?

• In many parts of the world, people are living longer than they did in the past. Can you
suggest why that is happening?
• Would you say modern technology has improved the lives of old people, compared to the
past?
• Do you think old people need to know how to use modern technology?

• In your country, how are the medical costs of old people paid?

• In your country, is there much media coverage of elderly people?

• In general, what is the attitude towards old people expressed in the media?

• Do you think there are benefits for some old people to delay retirement?

• Many old people talk about the "good old days". What do you think they mean? *

• Do you think old people only remember the good things from their past? FQ

• (Similar to above) Many old people feel their life was better when they were younger. Why
do you think they feel that way? FQ
• (Similar to above) Why do you think (old) people tend to remember the good things
from the past and tend to forget what was not so good? FQx2
• When old people talk about their past to their grandchildren, do you think they always speak
accurately?
 5. Describe a television program that you like to
watch. Or an Interesting Story on TV
Version A

Describe an interesting story you saw on television.

You should say:

what program it was on *

what the story was about *

what happened in this story *

and explain why you think it was interesting *

Version B

Describe a television program that you like to watch.

You should say:

what program it is

what the program is about

how often you watch it* (or, when you watch it *)

and explain why you like watching this program.

Part 3

Television in General (in your country)

• How often do you watch TV?

• Do you think you will be watching more TV in the future than you do now, or less?

• Do you think people watch too much TV? *

• What kinds of TV programs are popular in your country? FQ

• Have people's preferences in TV programs changed much in the past few decades?

• Can you suggest (or, explain) why people like to watch television? FQ

• Can you suggest why some people choose not to watch TV?

• Can you think of anything about (watching) television that's not good? FQ

• Do people generally watch TV alone, or with others?

• What effects do you think television has on family relations? FQ

 • How important do you think it is for a family to watch TV together? FQ

• How does that benefit a family?

• Do you think a family watching television together leads to stronger family ties?

• Which is better for a family to watch together, TV on the internet, or TV on a traditional TV

set?,
• What about watching a debate on TV? Do you think that always promotes harmony in a
family?
• Do you think it's good for a family to watch TV while they are having a meal together?

• What do people generally do at home when they are not watching TV?

• What did people in families do before the age of television?

• Do young people today spend more time watching TV, or using the internet?

• Please compare watching television on a device such as a smart-phone and watching it on a

traditional TV set.
• In the future, do you think television will continue to exist as it is now, or will we see
some changes? FQ
Television and Education

• Which do you think is more fun, watching TV or reading?

• (Most likely the question above is really this) Which do you think is more
interesting, watching TV or reading?
• Which do you think has more educational value, watching TV or reading?

• Which do you think has more educational value for children, using a computer, or watching
TV?
• Do school children learn about (or, learn to use) computers in school?

• What relationship do you think television and education have with each other? *

• Do you think school children should watch TV in the classroom (or, at school)? FQ

• Do you think TV could be used as an educational tool? *

• Do teachers in your country ever use television in the classroom?

• Which do you think is better as an educational tool in a classroom, a television, or a

computer (+ projection screen)?
• In the future, what role do you think multimedia (including television) will play in education?

• Do you think these multimedia will one day replace the books that are used for
education today (i.e., textbooks)?
Television and Children

• What types of TV programs do children like to watch?

 • In your opinion, do children get more benefits than harm from watching TV, (or more
harm than good)?
• Do you think it's good for school children to watch TV at home?

• What influence do you think (watching) TV has on a child's education? FQ

• Do you think children watch too much TV?

6. Describe one of your best (one of your close, or good) friends.

You should say:

who this person is

who long you have known them ( him or her)

Or, how you first met what you do together

and explain why you think this person is a good friend

Part 3

Friendship in General

• How do people in your country make friends these days?

• Do you think you can trust friends who you make on the internet?

• Do you think it's easy to become friends with someone?

• Can you suggest why some people find it hard to maintain (or, keep) friendships?

• Would you say some people have more ability to make friends than other people?

• What kinds of personality do people have who can make friends easily?

• Which do you think is better, to have many friends or just one to two close friends? FQ

• Which is more important (to you), friends or family? FQx2

• What do you think are the differences between a friendship and a family relationship? FQ

• Which do you think is more important, (a friendship with) your neighbours or (with) your
relatives?
• How do people choose who to be friends with?

• Which do you think is more important (or, better), a friend who is useful to you, or a friend
who you simply enjoy being with? FQ
 • Would you prefer to make friends with someone who is similar to you, or someone who
is quite different to you?
• What do you think are the advantages of having a close friend (a good friend)?

• What are the advantages for students, or for working people, in having friends at their study
places or at work?
• What would you say are the qualities (or characteristics) of a good friend? FQ

• Do you think co-operation is important in a friendship?

• Do you think it's important for mothers of babies or young children to have friends?

• In what ways do you think having an outgoing personality helps people in their studies, or at
work? FQ
• In general, how do you think a person could get along with someone who they don't like, for
example, in the workplace?
Friendship and Gender

• Do you think friendships between males are generally the same as friendships between
females? FQx2
• (Similar to above) would you say there is much difference between men’s friendships and
that of women? FQx2
• Which group, males or females, tend to have longer-lasting friendships?

• Do males generally make friends with other males the same way that females make
friends with other females? FQ
• What do you think are the differences between a male friend and a female friend?

• What do you think are the differences between a non-romantic friendship with a member
of the opposite sex, and a romantic relationship?
Friendships Between Unequals

• Do you think it's necessary (or, important) for people to become friends with the people
they work with?
• Do you think it's possible for an employee and his or her supervisor (or, manager or boss)
at work to become friends? FQx2
• Do you think it's possible for a student and his or her teacher to become friends? FQ

• Do you think such friendships could have both negative and positive results?

Friendships Between Nations

• Do you think modern methods of communication are influencing international relations?

• How do you think sporting and cultural relations between countries can promote friendship
between these countries?
 • What are the benefits for nations from holding or attending an event such as the Olympic
Games? FQ
• (Similar to above) What affects do international events such as the Olympic Games have on
people? FQ

7. Describe a family (not your own family) that you like.

You should say:

where this family lives

who the members of the family are

how you know them

what each person in this family does in life (student/work/retired

etc.) and explain why you like this family.

Part 3

Families in Your Country

• What do you understand the word, "family" to mean?

• (Similar to above) What does the word, "family" mean?

• In your country, what family members typically live together in one home?

• Is it common for an extended family to live under one roof in your country?

• What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?

• In your country, do most people usually live in the same city as their family members?

• In your country, what is the traditional model of a family?

• In your country, what people most commonly live together as a family today?

• Do you think the number of children in a family should be limited, for example, limited to
two children?
• In your country, who is usually the most important member of a family?

• Who is usually the head (the leader) of the family? FQx2

• Do you think this will stay the same in the future?

• Would you say that, in most families, there is gender equality between the mother
and father (or, wife and husband)?
• Would you say the status of men in your country today is different to the way it was in
the past?
 • In a traditional family in your country, does every family member have an equal right to
speak?
• (Similar to above) In a traditional family in your country, is the opinion of every family
member given equal weight?
• Do you think this will change in the future?

• What do you think are the advantages (and possible disadvantages) of having close family
ties?
• Do you think the popular media has changed the way people think about family?

• In what way do digital devices influence family relationships?

Grandparents

• What role do grandparents traditionally have in families?

• In your country, do most children grow up with their grandparents living in the same house?
FQ

• (Similar to above) Do grandparents usually live with their grandchildren? FQ

• Are grandparents today considered to be important family members in your country? FQ

• What role do grandparents play in family life in your country?

• Are grandparents (or, old people) today given the same respect (or, enjoy the same status)
as they used to be given, or has it changed? FQ
• What are the advantages (and possible disadvantages) of grandparents living with
the family?
• Can (or, do) grandparents help with bringing up their grandchildren? FQ

Parents

• In your country, what are the roles of the mother and the father in a family? FQ

• (Similar to above) In your country, what are the different responsibilities of the mother and
the father in a family? FQx2
• Would you say that most parents in your country are good parents?

• What makes a good parent? FQx2

• (Similar to above) What personal qualities do parents need to have? FQ

• How can a person learn to become a good parent?

• Do you think it's easier today to raise children than it was in the past?

• Would you say that parents in your country have different attitudes towards their sons, and
towards their daughters?
• What do you suggest parents should (or, could) do in order to avoid having their child
grow up to be selfish (or spoiled)?
 8. Describe a sport that you would like to learn.

Version A

Describe a sport that you would like to try for the first time.

You should say:

what sport it is

how you would learn it

how difficult you think it would be

and explain why you would like to try this sport.

Version B

Describe a sport that you would like to learn. *

You should say:

what sport it is

how you would learn it

how difficult you think it would be to learn

and explain why you would like to learn this sport.

Part 3

Sport and Exercise in Your Country

• What sports are most popular in your country? FQx2

• (Similar to above) What sport is most popular in your country? FQx2

• Do you think media plays an important role in the popularity of sports?

• (For Chinese candidates) Can you explain why table tennis (or, ping pong) is so popular in
China?
• Is there any sports in your country that was the most popular years ago but isn't the
most popular today?
• Do boys and girls like the same sports?

• Who plays these sports?

 • Can you explain why some people like to play a sport?

• Would you say sport is important?

• Which do you think is better

, as a spectator, to attend an outdoor sports match or to attend a match held in an indoor

stadium (or a gym)?
• Do you like to go to sports matches that have very large crowds of spectators?

• Which do you think is better

, to play a sport outdoors or to play a sport in an indoor stadium (or gym)?

• Which do you think is more important, study or sport?

• What do you think are the benefits of playing a sport?

• What do you think are the differences (or advantages and disadvantages) of team sports
as opposed to individual sports? FQ
• What do you think are the differences (or advantages and disadvantages) of competitive
sports as opposed to non-competitive sports? FQ
• What do you think are the benefits of doing exercise? FQ

• Do you think exercise is important for good health? FQ

• What forms of exercise do you think are best for losing weight?

• Do you do much exercise?

• Which do you think is better

, to exercise outdoors or to exercise in a gym?

• Is it expensive to use a gym?

• Do you think elderly people also need to do regular exercise?

• Do you think governments (local and / or national) should invest more in sports?

• Can you suggest why some people spend a lot of money on sport?

Children and Sport

• Did you do (or, play) any sports when you were a child?

• Did you enjoy it?

• Do you think children today do enough exercise? FQx2

• (Similar to above) Do you think children should play more sport than they do now?

• (Similar to above) Do you think school students today spend enough time on sport
and exercise?
• Are there any significant benefits to playing sports?
 • (Possibly) Do you think children need to play sport, or would it be good enough for them
just to do exercise? *
• Can you suggest how students could be encouraged to play more sport?

• Do you think children should be taught sports in schools?

• Do you think small children should play sport?

• Which do you think is better for children, individual sports or team sports? FQ

• Which sports are the best for children, indoor or outdoor ones?

• If you had children, what sport would you like your them to do?

• Do you think children should be encouraged to be competitive?

• Do you think that a child who is a member of a sports team that never wins can be
negatively affected by that?

9. Describe a photo of yourself that you had taken

You should say:

when the photo was taken

how this photograph was

taken where the photo was

taken who took the photo

and explain why the photo was taken or why you think it is a good photo

Part 3

Personal Photography

• Do you like to take photos?

• Do people in your country like taking photos? FQx2

• Why do people take (or, like taking) photographs? FQx2

• On what occasions do people take photographs?

• What do young people like to photograph?

• What would you say are the main differences between taking photos today, and
taking photos in the past? FQ
• Are people today taking more photos than they did in the past? FQ
 • (Different to above) Are more people today taking photos than in the past?

• In your country, what do people usually take photos of (= take pictures of)?

• Who do you think likes taking photos more, men or women?

• Do you prefer to take photos of natural scenery, or photos of people? FQ

• On what occasions do people take photos of their family or friends?

• Do you prefer to take photos of natural scenery, or photos of yourself?

• If you want to be in a photo, do you prefer to ask someone to take the photo, or to use
a self-timer?
• Do you often take a photo of yourself?

• Do you think taking photos is important?

• What are the benefits of having photographs?

• Do you think photographs can ever be used to harm people?

• Do you think (some) people today are spending too much time taking photographs? FQ

• (Similar to above) Do you think people today are overly dependant on photos (as a way
to record their lives)? FQ
• Some tourists spend most of their time taking photos when they visit places, with the result
that they spend less time actually enjoying and exploring these places. Which do you
prefer, to take many photos when you are a tourist, or to take fewer photos and spend
more time experiencing these places?
• How do people save their photos (when they use a camera)? FQ

• Why do people store (keep) their photographs? FQ

• Why do people store (keep) some photographs and delete other photos? FQx2

• Can you suggest why some people save some photos that are not good quality?

• How do you keep (or save) your photographs?

• Some people don't like taking photos. Can you suggest why? FQ

• Some people don't like to have their photo taken (= to be in a photo). Can you suggest why?

• Do you think photos (or, taking photos) can help students (with their study)? FQ

• Do you think people need to learn how to take a photograph from a book? FQ

• (Similar to above) What role do you think books play in teaching people about photography
(or, teaching people how to take good photos)? FQ
• Some people post their photos online for others to see. Do you think they should post ugly
photos online?
The Uses of Photographs
 • Do you think photography is important? FQ

• What are the different purposes (uses) of photographs?

• What types of photos make the strongest impression on you?

• Can you suggest why photographs are often used in advertising?

• Why do you think the news media often shows powerful photographs of events?

Photographic Technology

• What are the differences between how people take photos today and how it was done
in the past? FQ
• What has been the effect of these differences?

• Do you think it's easier to take photos today than it was in the past?

• Why do many people like to use their cell phone for taking photos?

• Can you suggest why some people prefer to use traditional cameras to take photos?
• Which do you prefer, taking pictures with a camera or taking pictures with a mobile phone?
FQ

• (Similar to above) How (what method) do you prefer for taking photographs?

• Which do you think is more convenient to use for taking pictures, a cell phone or a
digital camera?
• Is it always necessary to print photos in order to view them?

• Do you ever use software to change your photos?

10. Describe one of your childhood toys that was special to you.
You should say:

what it was

who gave it to you

how you played with it

and explain why it was special for you.

Part 3

Children and Toys in Your Country

• What kinds of toys do kids in your country usually play with (or, have)? FQ

• (Similar to above) What kinds of toys do kids in your country like to play with today? FQx2

• Do you think preferences for toys change with age?

 • What are the differences between children's toys today and those of the past? FQ

• Do you think toys were better in the past than they are today, (or are the toys today better)?

• Do you think toys are just for play or do they also have educational value? FQx2

• (Similar to above) Which do you think are better, toys that provide fun for children, or
educational toys? FQ
• Would you say a toy gun is educational?

• How do you compare children playing with toys, and children playing games on an ipad or a
similar electronic device?
• What are the benefits of parents playing with toys along with their children?

• What can children learn by playing with toys with their parents?

• Some parents don't spend much time with their child but, instead buy the child a toy as
a way to show their love. Do you think this is good enough?
• Can you explain why children often have a favourite toy?

• Do you think children learn any good habits from playing with toys?

• How do children play with their toys when they are with other kids?

• What benefits do you think children can gain by playing with their toys with other kids, for
example, kids from other families?
• Do boys and girls generally play with the same types of toys? FQ

• Can you explain why boys usually prefer toys such as toy cars or toy weapons while
girls prefer dolls or toy household items?
• Are there any toys that young people (such as teenagers) like to play with?

• Do you think the topic of "toys" is an important topic?

• If you were going to give a toy to a child, what toy would you choose to give them?

• What sorts of toys do you think will be most popular in the future? FQ

Collecting Toys

• Do you think it's good for children to collect toys?

• Can you suggest why children like to collect toys? FQ

• What (types of) toys do some children like to collect? FQ

• How do some companies encourage children to collect these toys? FQx2

• (A bit different to above) Why do some companies encourage children to collect these toys?

• Can you suggest why some adults collect certain toys?

The Marketing of Toys

• Can you suggest what attracts a child to a toy?

 • How does the media attract children towards a certain toy?

• Do parents in your country prefer to buy expensive toys, or cheap ones? FQ

• Do you think it's good for parents to buy expensive toys for their children? FQ

• Do you think some parents spend too much money on toys for their children (or child)? FQ

• How can a parent decide what is a suitable amount of money to spend on a toy?

11. Describe a time when you saw an interesting animal.

You should say:

what animal it was

where you saw it

what happened when you saw

it how you felt when you saw it

and explain why you thought it was interesting.

Part 3

Animals in Your Country

• Do you like animals?

• What species of animal do people in your country like the most?

• (Similar to above) Is there one animal that is a favourite animal among people in your
country?
• Do people in your country like birds?

• What animals are most common around where you live? FQx2

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

• Do you think animals today are more important for (or, to) people than they were in the
past? FQx2
• (Slightly different to above) Do you think animals today are more important in human
society than they were in the past? FQx2
• Would you say animals are more important in the countryside than in the cities?

• Do you think cities are suitable places for raising animals?

• What would you say are the purposes of animals in daily life?

• Would you say that raising (or, keeping) animals today is different to the way it was in the
past?
 • What animals are raised on farms?

• What animals do some people use as work animals? FQ

• Are animals today used for work as much as they were in the past? FQ

• Can you think of any examples of work animals being replaced by technology?

• In the future, do you think most work animals will have been replaced by technology?

• Are animals still used much in your country for transportation?

• Besides strong animals, are any other animals used in society to help people?

• What are the various roles that dogs play in society? FQ

• (Similar to above) What are some examples of working dogs? FQ

• In your country, how much do you think people's attitudes about animals have changed in
the past few decades?
Animals in General (The Welfare of Animals)

• Do you think it's important that some animals become extinct?

• What do you think could be done to prevent an animal from becoming extinct?

• What are the results of an animal becoming extinct?

• Sometimes people at beaches get killed by sharks. Do you think sharks should be protected?

• What's your opinion about animal testing? ? FQ

• (Similar to above) Do you agree with using animals in medical experimentation? FQ

• What do you think are the pros and cons of keeping animals in zoos?

• Can you suggest why some people become vegetarians?

Pets

• What animals do people in your country most commonly keep as pets? FQ

• Do people in your country generally prefer to have a pet dog, or a pet cat? FQx2

• Why do some people not want to have a pet?

• What do you think are the pros and cons of having a pet? FQ

• (Similar to above) What are the benefits of having a pet? FQ

• Do you think there are benefits for elderly people to have a pet?

• What problems are involved with having a pet? FQx2

• How should a person keep a pet?

• Do you think it's suitable to have a pet if you live in a big city?

• Do you think it's suitable to have a pet if you live in an apartment?

 • Do you think cities are suitable places for having a large pet?

• Which would you prefer to have, an electronic pet or a real pet?

12. Describe a meal you had your friends or family (in someone's home or in a
restaurant).
You should say:

who organized this

meal where you had it

what you talked about during the meal

what you ate and drank

and explain why you had this meal with your friends.

Part 3

Who People Eat With

• Do you eat with your friends regularly?

• Do you often eat with older people?

• (Similar to above) Do you like to have dinner with older people?

• How important do you think it is for members of a family to eat together? FQx2

• (Similar to above) What do you think are the benefits of having a family eat together? FQx2

• (Similar to above) Are family meals important to you?

• What do you think are the benefits of having three generations of a family eating
together? FQ
• If your child was with you at the dinner party, do you think he/she would bother you?

• What do you think are the benefits of having different types of people eating together?

• Why do some people not always eat with their family? FQx2

• (Similar to above) Can you suggest why people today are eating less with their families
than they did in the past? FQx2
• What do you think are (or, will be) the results of this? *

• Do school students in your country usually eat with their fellow students?

• Who do you prefer to eat with, your friends or your parents?

 • How often do people in your country eat with their (work) colleagues or with their fellow
students?
• Do you think people today are eating meals with non-family members more often than
in the past? FQ
• What do you think has caused this change? FQ

• Are there any special times in your country when people eat together?

Where People Eat Their Meals

• Do you (or, do people in your country) generally prefer to eat at home or eat out?

• How often do people in your country eat out?

• In what ways would you say eating at home and eating in restaurants are different? FQ

• (Similar to above) What do you think are the advantages and the disadvantages of eating at
home, compared to eating in restaurants? FQx2
• Do you think people today are eating in restaurant more often than they did in the past? FQ

• What do you think has caused this change? FQ

• When people are celebrating a traditional holiday or a personal celebration, do they

usually eat at home, or in a restaurant?
Food

• Do you think the food that people are eating today is different to the food that people
were eating several decades ago?
• Can you suggest why some people continue to eat unhealthy foods even when they know
these foods are unhealthy?
• Do young people and old(er) people in your country have different eating (or, food) habits?
FQ

• How does the food that children eat influence them (their development)?

• Do you think the food is an important part of the culture of a country?

• Can you explain why people eating together is usually an important part of celebrating
a special event?
• Do people (in your country) usually eat any special or different foods when they have a
party or celebration?
• Do people in your country eat certain foods during traditional holidays?

• On special occasions such as weddings, people spend a lot of money on food. Why do you
think they do that?
• Do you think some people spend too much money on food for these occasions?
 13. Describe an item of clothing that someone (recently) gave to you.
You should say:

what it was

who gave it to you

what it looked like why

they gave it to you

and explain how you felt about this gift.

Part 3

Types of Clothing and Clothing for Different Occasions (especially formal vrs casual clothing)

• Can you explain why people wear different types of clothes at different times (or,
on different occasions)? FQx2
• What are the different types of clothes that people wear for different types of
occasions (and at different types of places)? FQx2
• (Similar to above) Do people generally wear the same clothes at home as they do at work?
FQx2

• Why do people change their clothes (e.g., after work)? FQ

• (Similar to above) Why do people not wear the same clothes at home and at work? FQx2

• Do you think it is good to wear the same clothes at home as you do at work?

• (Possibly) Do you think it would be good to wear the same clothes at home and at work? *

• In your country, people in what jobs generally wear a suit to work?

• What would you say are the advantages and disadvantages of wearing these different types
of clothes?
• What would you say are the benefits of "dressing up"?

• On what occasions do people generally wear formal clothes?

Judging Others by Their Clothes

• Do you think people pay attention to the clothes that others are wearing? FQ

• Do you think people tend to judge others by the clothes they wear? FQ

• How would others react if someone wore unsuitable clothes?

• What would you think if you saw someone wearing dirty clothes?

• Would you say that the clothes someone wears shows (reflects) their personality?

• What types of people generally choose to wear sportswear as their leisure clothing?
 Fashion

• What types of people tend to be most fashion-conscious in their choice of clothes?

• What fashions in clothes are popular (or trendy) at the moment in your country? *

• What's your opinion of the fashion in clothes in your country at the moment?

• Where do people in your country buy their clothes?

• Who do you think mostly buys designer clothes?

• Do you think it depends on the age of the person?

• Who mostly wears trendy clothes, young people or older people? FQ

• Why do you you think older people are less interested in (following) fashion? FQ

• Do you think the internet is important in the clothing industry today?

• What do you think is the "fashion centre" of the world?

• (Similar to above, for Asian people) Where do you think the fashion centre of Asia is?

• What do you think are the benefits to a country of having its own clothing industry?

Clothes for School and Work

School

• Do you (or, did you) like to wear a uniform at school?

• Would you say (older) school students like wearing a school uniform? FQx2

• Do you think school uniforms look good (are attractive)?

• Do you think schoolchildren should wear a uniform at school?

• (Similar to above) What do you think are the advantages and the disadvantages of wearing a
uniform at school? FQx2
Work

• In what ways do work clothes differ from typical leisure wear?

• Can you suggest why some people wear casual clothes at work?

• Do certain clothes represent certain jobs (or types of work)?

• For example, what does a policeman's uniform represent?

• Why do some big companies require their workers, such as factory workers, to wear a
uniform at work? FQx2
• Do you think this is a good idea?

• (Similar to above) What do you think are the advantages and the disadvantages of wearing a
uniform at work? FQx2
 • Would you like to wear a uniform at work?

• Do you think wearing overalls at work is a good idea? *

• What kinds of workers wear overalls? *

Clothes in Different Parts of the World / Traditional Clothes

• Why do people in different countries sometimes wear distinctive types of clothing? FQx2

• (Similar to above) Can you suggest why people in different countries wear different styles
of clothes? FQx2
• What does the traditional clothing in your country look like? *

• Do you think the traditional dress (= clothing) of people in your country is beautiful?

• Do people in your country wear traditional clothes very often?

• When do they wear traditional clothes?

• Why don't they wear traditional clothes all the time?

• Do you think all the people of the world might one day be wearing the same kinds of
clothes? FQ
• With globalization, people today have more choices but some people continue to wear the
traditional clothes of their country. Can you suggest why?
• Why do people in different parts of some countries (e.g., north and south) often wear
different types of clothes?
• Is there any type of clothing that people in your country would feel strange wearing?

14. Describe a time when the weather caused you to change your plans.
You should say:

what your plan was (or, plans were)

what weather you were hoping for (or

expecting) what happened

and explain how you felt when you had to change your plans.

Part 3

Attitudes and Feelings About the Weather

• How do you feel about the weather? FQ

• (Similar to above) Do you care much about the weather and the seasons? FQ

• How do people in your country generally feel about the weather?

 • What kind of weather do people in your country prefer? FQx2

• Do people in your country talk about the weather very much?

• (Similar to above) Do people in your country care much about the weather? FQ

• (Similar to above) In general, do people in your country keep an eye on the weather? FQ

• How do people cope with different types of weather?

• How can people know what the weather will be like tomorrow?

• In general, do people in your country pay attention to the weather forecasts? FQx2

• Which people (or, what types of people) do you think pay more attention to the weather
forecasts than other people? FQx2
• How do people get the weather forecasts? FQx2

• Are weather forecasts in your country usually accurate? FQ

• Do you think it's difficult for scientists (meteorologists) to forecast the weather?

• Do you think young people have the same feelings (or, attitudes, or ideas, or knowledge)
about the weather and the seasons as old(er) people?
• Would you say that "climate change" has affected your country?

"Climate Change"

• Do you think your government needs to do more about "climate change"?

The Weather and the Seasons in Your Country

• What's the weather usually like in your hometown?

• Is the weather generally the same in the north and the south (or, in different parts) of your
country? FQ
• How do you think weather influences people's lifestyles?

• Do people generally do the same kinds of things in different seasons? FQ

• (Similar to above) What different activities do people do in different seasons? FQx2

• Do people do different sports in different seasons? FQ

• Do people change their activities as a result of changes in the weather?

The Influence of the Weather & Seasons on Work

• In general, how does (or, how can) the weather influence the activities of people?

• Who do you think is generally more interested in the weather forecasts, city people
or people in the countryside?
• Can you think of some examples of how the weather can have an impact on people
doing certain jobs? FQx2
 • (Similar to above) What are some types of work in which workers especially pay attention
to (changes in) the weather? FQx2

15. Describe a goal that you hope to achieve in the future.

You should say:

what the goal is

when you first began to have this goal

how you would achieve the first step of your goal *

how easy or difficult you think it will be to reach this goal and explain why you have this goal.

Part 3

Goals / Dreams

• (Referring to your Part 2 answer) Do you think people in others countries also have that
goal?
• Do you think it's important for people to have dreams/goals? FQ

• (Similar to above) Do you think young people should have a goal (or, goals)? FQ

• (Similar to above) Why do people set goals for themselves? FQ

• What are some typical goals that young people in your country have? FQx2

• Do you think people should talk to others about their goals?

• Which do you think is more important, the process of working hard towards a goal, or the
achievement of the goal? FQx2
• (Similar to above) Which do you think is more rewarding, working towards a goal,
or achieving it? FQ
• In your country, what goals do young people generally have?

• In general. what are the differences between the goals that males have and those that
females have?
• At what age do you think is the most suitable time for people to set their major goals for
their life?
• Do you think people's goals change as they grow older, for example, when they are in their
thirties or forties? FQ
• For those people who don't have any goals, where could they get some suggestions for
goals to have?
• Do you think parents have a lot of influence on the goals that their children have?
 • For young people. which do you think is a better source of suggestions for goals,
their friends, their parents or their teachers? FQ
• Who do you think helps (or, can help) young people more to set a goal, their parents or their
teachers?
• Why do you think many young people do not listen to the advice of their parents?

• When did you start having goals for yourself?

• What kinds of problems do people have in achieving their goals?

• Can you suggest how they could overcome these problems?

• What (or, how) would you feel if you couldn’t achieve a goal?

Dreams

• Do you think it’s important to have realistic goals?

• What kinds of goals are not realistic?

• Would you say there's much difference between a "goal" and a "dream"? *

• (Similar to above) What would you say is the difference between a "dream" and a realistic
goal? FQ
• Do you think it's good to have a dream, or is it bad?

• What sorts of dreams do young people in your country have?

• Do you think everyone should have a dream? FQ

• Do you think (young) people should have a dream? FQ

• If one's dream is to difficult to achieve, what do you suggest they should do?

• Would you agree that some young people just have dreams because it gives them pleasure?

• Do you think there are any disadvantages in having dreams? FQ

• Do you think many people continue striving to reach a goal even after they realize it is
unrealistic?
• How do you think a dream can be turned into reality?

Ambition

• Do you think a person needs to have self-confidence in order to be ambitious?

• Do you think ambitious people are born with self-confidence, or confident because they are
ambitious?
• Would you say everyone is ambitious?

• Would society be better if there were fewer ambitious people? FQ

• (Similar to above) Do you think our society needs ambitious people or is it better without
them? FQ
 • What do you think is the relationship between society’s growth and ambition?

Children and Goals

• Do you think it's good for parents to set (or, choose) goals for their children? FQ

• At what age do you think a person is first capable of formulating their own goals for
their future? FQ
• Do boys and girls usually have the same gaols, or different goals?

16. Describe a time when someone apologized to you.

You should say:

who apologised to you

why they apologised

where it happened

and explain how you felt (or what you said) after this person apologised.

Part 3

Apologizing in Your Country

• Do people in your country often apologise? FQx2

• In what situations do they apologise? FQ

• (Similar to above) What are some examples of things that people apologise for? FQ

• How do people apologize?

• Do you think it's important to say sorry?

• In what situations should people apologize immediately?

• Who apologises more, young people or old (or older) people?

• What is the purpose of apologizing? FQ

• Are there different ways to apologize?

• Do you think giving a gift along with an apology makes the apology more sincere?

• Have you ever found it hard to accept an apology from someone?

• Do you think some people are insincere when they apologize?

• Some people think that insincere apologies are selfish. What do you think they mean?

• Do you think people's actions are more important than what they say?

• Can you suggest why some people find it difficult to say sorry? FQ
 • (Similar to above) Can you suggest why some people dislike saying sorry? FQ

• Do you think fewer people apologize today than in the past?

• What environment can influence how much a person apologizes (or, how important
people think it is to apologize)?
• Which situation is more common in your country, subordinate people apologizing to their
superiors, or the reverse?
• (For non-Western candidates) In your country, is the way that people apologise the same
as in the West? FQ
Children and Apologizing

• Can you suggest why very young children rarely or never apologise?

• Why are (some) children selfish?

• Why should children be taught to be considerate of others?

• Whose responsibility do you think it is to teach children about apologising, the parents or
school teachers?
Caring About the Feelings of Others

• Do you think people should take care not to hurt the feelings of others?

• In general, who do you think is more considerate of the feelings of others, makes or
females?
• Do you think some people are born with more compassion than other people?

• What are some examples of things that people should pay attention to if they want to avoid
hurting the feelings of others?
• Some people are always worried about whether their behaviour (including their words)
might affect others. What's your view on this?
• (Similar to above) Some people are always watching what they say, especially their
opinions, because they worry about offending (or hurting) others. What's your view on this?

17. Describe a story or novel you have (recently) read that you found to be particularly
interesting.
You should say:

what the plot of the story or novel was who wrote

it why you read it

how much time it took to read it

and explain why you thought it was interesting.

Part 3
Reading (especially reading fiction) in Your Country

• How often do people in your country read a novel?

• In what ways does reading (or, reading novels) affect society? FQ

• In your country, what types of books are the most famous?

• What kinds of novels (or fiction) do people in your country like to read? FQx2

• Do you think men and women like to read the same kinds of fiction?

• Can you suggest why some people like reading novels (as opposed to other types
of books)? FQ
• For you, what qualities define a novel as "a good novel"?

• Do people in your country often read foreign novels?

• Are mystery novels very popular in your country?

• Can you suggest why some people like to read mystery (or, detective) novels? FQx2

• Which do you think is better, a mystery novel, or a mystery film (or TV program

• What kinds of novels do old people like to read?

• What kinds of novels do young people in your country like to read? FQ

• (Possibly the question above is this) What are the reading habits of young people in your
country?
• What kinds of novels (or, fiction) do you think are the most relaxing to read?

• In your country, do parents often express an opinion about what novels their children
should or should not read?
• What influence do (or can) novels have on society?

• Would you say there are differences between novels written in your country and
those written in the West?
Films Based on Novels Frequent sub-topic

• Do you think that the novels (or, books) that people read and the films that they watch
are similar? (similar in type, or topic, or as forms of entertainment) FQ
• What sorts of novels are most often made into films? FQx2

• (Similar to above) In your opinion. what kinds of novels are most suited to being adapted
into a film? FQ
• In what ways do you think reading a novel is different to watching a film based in
that novel? FQ
• Do you think most people watch a film based on a novel for the same reason that people
read the novel?
• Which do you think is more interesting, a novel or a film adaptation of the same novel?
 • In what ways do you think films based on novels are different to the novels? FQ

• How do you imagine a novel can be adapted into a film?

• Can you suggest why films based on a novel are popular?

• Can you suggest why detective (or mystery) films are so popular? FQ

• What makes a successful film, in your opinion?

How People Read

• Do you prefer to read books (or, novels) on paper, or in an electronic form (e-books,
e.g., Kindle)? FQx2
• (Similar to above) What are the differences between reading a book on paper and reading it
in an electronic form? FQx2
• Which of those do you prefer?

• What kinds of people are most likely to read e-books?

Stories

• What kinds of stories do children like?

• What do you think are the benefits for children of listening to or reading stories?

• Would you say you are a good storyteller?

18. Describe some local news that people in your locality interested in.
You should say:

what the news

how you know about this news

who involved in this news

and explain why it interesting to people.

Part 3

Local News

• Are there many local newspapers in your city (or town)?

• Do you (or people in your country) generally prefer local news, or international news? FQx2

• (Similar to above) Which do you think is more important, local news or international
(= world) news? FQx2
• (Different to above) Which news are people in your country more interested in, local
news or national news? FQx2
 • Do you think people in one locality, such as a city, are interested in the local news from
another locality or city?
• Do people get local news from the internet?

• How do you think a community benefits from local news? FQ

• Do you think local news can help people keep a sense of local identity?

• If you wanted to be in the local news, how would you do it?

Ways of Getting News

• How do people in your country get the news? FQ

• Which way of getting the news is best, in your opinion?

• (Similar to above) Which do you think is better for getting the news, newspapers or the
internet? FQ
• How do people in your country get local news?

• Has there been any changes in the past few decades in how people get the news?
• In your community, do people generally get their local news from TV or from newspapers?

• In your community, do people generally get their local news from newspapers or from the
internet?
• Is it easy (or convenient) for people in your country to get the news on the internet?

• How often do people in your country buy a newspaper these days?

• Do you think newspapers will disappear one day?

• Do you (or, do people in your country) prefer to watch the news on domestic (= national
or local) TV channels, or on international news TV channels (such as CNN & the BBC)?
• Are children very interested in the news?

• (The question above might really be this) Are young people very interested in the news?

Communities (frequent sub-topic)

• Can you suggest why some people are interested in doing community work?

• And why do some people not like doing that kind of work?

• Who do you think tends to do community work more, old people or young people?

• What do you think motivates people to engage in community work?

• Would you say there are more groups doing community work than there were 20 or
30 years ago, or fewer of these groups?
• Would you say people in local communities today are closer to each other than before, or
not? FQx2
 • (Similar to above) Would you say local communities today are stronger than before, or
not? FQ
• Would you say that the use of mobile phones tends to cause people to be estranged from
each other?
• Can you suggest why some people want to be a part of a community, and why other
people do not care about that?

19. Describe the first time you used a foreign language to communicate.
You should say:

who you communicated with

what the situation was * what you said (or wrote)

and explain how you felt during this experience.

Part 3

Studying a Foreign Language in Your Country

• Do many people in your country learn a foreign language?

• Besides English, what other foreign languages do some people in your country study? FQ

• Which people in your country learn (or, study) a foreign language?

• Can you explain why people learn foreign languages? FQx2

• Why did you start to learn English?

• Do you think it's really useful (or, important) to study a foreign language? FQ

• (Similar to above) What would you say are the benefits of learning a foreign language? FQx2

• It what situations is it an advantage to have studied (or, to know) a foreign language?

• Do you think learning a second language has benefits for a person's brain?

• Would you say that knowing (or, studying) another language is more likely to help your
use of your mother tongue, or to harm you use of it?
• Do you think more people are learning languages well (= learning them to a high level)
today than in the past?
• Do you think learning a foreign language in your home country is the same as learning
it abroad?
• Would you say it's easy to learn a foreign language?

• What are the main difficulties that people have when they learn a language?

• How important would you say it is to be interested in the language one is studying?
 • Which do you think is more important, learning to speak a language or learning to write
it? FQx2
• (Different to above) Which do you think is more difficult, learning to speak a language or
learning to write it? FQx2
• Which is easier (or more useful), learning to speak a language or learning to write it?

• What do you think are the differences between learning to read a foreign language, and
learning to write it?
• Some people only learn to speak a foreign language without learning how to read and
write it. Do you think that's a good idea?
• Can you suggest why some people learn a language faster than other people?

• Do you think it is better to learn a language as an adult or to learn it as a child?

• What age do you think is best for a person to begin to learn a new language? FQx2

• Some people say that primary school is the best time to start learning a new language. Do
you agree?
Methods of Teaching Foreign Languages

• How are foreign languages taught (at school) in your country?

• Do you think this is the best way to teach a language?

• Can you suggest any modern methods of teaching a language that you think should
be included in schools in your country?
• Why do some school students find their language classes to be boring?

• How do you think teachers could make language classes at school more successful (or, more
interesting)? FQx2
• (Similar to above) How do you think language classes at school could be improved? FQx2

• How do you think teaching a language to little kids is different to teaching a foreign
language to teenagers or adults?
• What difficulties can children face when studying a foreign language?

• Would you say it's a good idea for children to play games using a foreign language
in language classes?
Foreign Languages & International Relations

• In the English-speaking countries, most people never learn a foreign language. Do you think
that's a bad thing?
• Do you think promoting the study of foreign languages is important in
international relations?
• What do you think is the most appropriate foreign language for people in your country
to learn today?
 • Do you think it's important that minority languages be preserved (or, saved)? FQ

20. Describe an occasion when you helped someone.

You should say:

who you helped

how you helped them

where it happened

why you helped them

and explain how this person reacted to your help or

and explain how you felt after helping this person.

Part 3

Helping in General

• Do you like helping others?

• Has anyone ever given help to you?

• Can you explain why people like to help others? FQ

• Would you say that people in your country are generally willing to help others?

• Do you think children should be taught to help others?

• How do people in your country help each other?

• Are people in your country generally willing to lend money?

• How would you describe people who like to, or frequently help others?

• Who do you think are more likely to help others, men or women?

• Are there any people in your country who do volunteer work? (What work? Why?)

Helping Within the Family

• In general. how do family members help each other? FQ

• (Similar to above) What can family members do to help other members of the family (or, the
family as a whole)? FQ
• In your country, in what ways do parents help their children? FQx2

• How would you compare that to the way friends help each other? FQ

• Do you think parents should help their children?

• How do you think parents are affected by the need to help their children?
 • (Similar to above) How do you imagine parents feel about helping their children?

• Do you think parents helping their children can sometimes not be a good thing? FQ

• Do you think some parents do too much to help their children?

• What effect might it have on the children if the parents give them too much help?

• Do you give much help to other members of your family?

• (Probable, unreported question) Which do you think is more important, helping members of
one's family or helping others, such as one's friends? *
The Helping Professions

• What are some examples of jobs in which people help others? FQ

• (Similar to above) What are some examples of jobs which help the community? FQ

• What are some examples of people who are helped by those doing these jobs?

• (Similar to above) What kinds of people are helped by people doing these jobs?

• Would you say that all public servants (civil servants) help people in the community?

• Why do you think there are more females than males in the helping professions,
for example, more female teachers than male teachers? FQ
• Would you say that, in general, people who help others as a job are well-paid?

• Do you think they should be paid more than what they are paid today?

• Do you think the salary of civil servants is reasonable?

• (Similar to above) Would you say that public servants are well-paid?

• (Possible question) Do you think public servants should be well-paid?) *

• Are there any people in your country who help others in their community, even without
pay?
• Why do you think some people would do this work for free?

21. Describe what you think would be the perfect job (or "dream job") for you.

Version A

Describe your work plans for the

future. You should say:

what job you would like to do (or, plan to do)

what qualities are required for this work

 what you should learn to get this job

and explain why you want to do this work.

Version B

Describe a job you would like to have (or,

do). You should say:

what job it is

what qualities are required for this work

what you would need to learn to do this job

and explain why you would like to do this work.

Part 3

Work in Your Country

• What jobs are most popular (among young people) in your country today? FQx2

• (Not really the same as above) What jobs are most in demand in your country right now?

• What jobs do you think are the least popular choice in your country?

• Can you explain why people work? FQ

• (Similar to above) What do you think are the motivations for people to (go to) work? FQ

• Do you think work is equally important for both men and women? *

• (Related to above) Which is more important for (or, to) a woman, marriage or work?

• Do you think people tend to become more interested in their work as they become older?

• What do you think are the differences between work in your country and work in the West?

• What jobs do you think are most suitable for older people? (e.g., 45 and older)

• What would you say are the advantages and disadvantages of doing shift work (working
in shifts)?
• What do you think are the advantages of flexitime?

• How do you think work will (or might) change in the future? *

• Do you think there will be new types of jobs in the future?

• Do you think more people will be working from home in the future? FQ

• What do you think are the pros and cons of working from home? FQ
 • Would you like to work abroad?

Choosing a Career

• What factors do people consider when choosing a career (or a job)?

• Do you think people's ideas about the ideal job for themselves have changed in
recent years?
• In general, how important is (money) the pay when people choose what job to do (or what
career to have)? FQx2
• (Similar to above) Many people think money is the most important reason for choosing a
particular job (or career). What's your opinion? FQx2
• Besides the need to get money, what other reasons are there for people choosing to do
a particular job (or, choosing a particular career)? FQ
• What do you think are the differences between a good co-worker and a bad co-worker?

• In your opinion, which is more important in a job, the pay, or one's interest in the job (or
"job satisfaction")? FQ
• Do you think people tend to become more interested in their work as they become older?

• Do you think it is better for young people to choose their own careers, or is it better for their
parents to make this choice?
• Would you prefer to choose a challenging job or an easy one?

• Do you think most people make a realistic choice of career?

Changing Jobs

• Why do some people change their job / career? FQ

• Why do some young people change their job / career frequently?

• Why do you think many new (types of) jobs are appearing in society?

Children's Ideas About their Future Work

"Children" = people under the age of 12 or 13

• Do you think little kids ever think about work (their future work)?

• What future jobs do children in your country dream about doing when they grow up? FQ

• Do you think that the types of work that kids imagine themselves doing in the future today
are the same as what kids imagined in the past?
• Do boys and girls generally have the same ideas about their future "dream job"?

• Why do they have these dreams? (Or, How do they get these ideas?)

• When these children grow up, do they usually have the same career goals?

• Do you think those childhood dreams were realistic?

 • How do you think setting goals in childhood and setting goals as an adult are different?

22. Describe a magazine or newspaper that you like to read.

Version A

Describe a magazine or newspaper article that you recently read.

* You should say:

when and where you read it

what the magazine or newspaper it was *

what the article was about

and explain what you thought of (= your opinion of) this article.

* or

and explain how you felt after reading this article. *

Version B

Describe a magazine or newspaper that you like to

read. You should say:

what magazine or newspaper it is

what the magazine or newspaper is

about how often you read it

what kinds of people generally read this magazine or newspaper

and explain why you like to read it.

Part 3

Magazines

• What did you do with that article? Did you cut it out and save it?

• Do you prefer to read magazines, or newspapers?

• What different kinds of magazines do people in your country read? FQ

• Can you explain why people like reading magazines? FQ

• What kinds of people read magazines?

• Do you think different types of people like to read different types of magazines? FQ

• Do you think people of different age groups prefer to read different magazines? FQ
 • (Similar to above) Do young people and old(er) people like to read the same kinds of
magazines? FQ
• In what ways would you say magazines are different to, and the same as newspapers? FQ

• How do you imagine magazines will (or, might) change in the future?

• Do you think paper magazines will one day be replaced by electronic forms of magazines?
FQ

• Can you explain why some people prefer to read paper magazines instead of reading the
same magazine, if it exists on the internet? FQ
• In what ways are advertisements in magazines different to those on TV?

Teenage Magazines

• What kinds of magazines do teenagers like to read? FQ

• (Similar to above) What (kinds of) magazines do your\friends read?

• Would you say there are both good points and bad points about teenage magazines? FQx2

• (Similar to above) Would you say reading magazine has more a positive influence
on teenagers, or more of a negative influence? FQx2
• (Similar to above) Do you think that some magazines have a negative effect on young
people? FQx2
• What harm do you think teenage magazines could possibly cause?

• Do you think it's good for teenage girls to read fashion magazines?

The News

• How do people in your country get their news?

• Is there any difference between a news article published in a newspaper, and a television
program about the same issue?
• Do you prefer to get your news from TV or from newspapers? FQ

• What do you think are the differences between the news on TV and the news in
(news) magazines?
• Which do you think is more informative, the news on TV or the news in newspapers?

• Which do you think is the more influential, the news on TV or the news in newspapers?

• Do you remember better the news you have seen on TV, or the news you have read in
the newspaper?
• What do you think are the benefits of showing news on television?

• Why do you think fewer and fewer people are reading newspapers nowadays?

• Do many people get their news from the internet?

• Do you prefer to get your news from TV or from the internet?

 • Do you think paper news magazines have the same news content that is available in other
forms of media?
• How do you think the news on the internet is different to the news in other media?

• Do you think that the news that people read on social media is always true, or accurate?

• Do many people still listen to the news on the radio? FQ

Journalists

• Do you think journalists (or, reporters) have an important role to play in society?

• What influence do journalists have on society?

• Would you say journalists are doing their job well?

• Would you like to live the life of a reporter? *

Magazines and Children

• Do you think (all) magazines are suitable for children to read?

• (Similar to above) Should children (be allowed by their parents) to read magazines?

• Are there any magazines that you think are not good for children to read? *

• Are there any magazines that some parents don't allow their children to read (or see)? *

• Do you think children are mature enough to make judgments about the contents of
magazines? *

23. Describe a happy family event from your childhood.

You should say:

what the event was

where it happened what you saw and did *

and explain why you remember this event so well.

Part 3

Childhood Happiness

• How important would you say it is for people to have a happy childhood? *

• Do you think parents really understand what makes a child happy?

Recalling Personal Memories

• Can you explain why people sometimes recall memories from their childhood?

• What sorts of memories do people recall?

• Do you think these memories are always accurate?

• Can you suggest why some people forget things from their childhood?
 • Can you still remember some of the toys that you happily played with in your childhood?

• What can help (or what helps) people keep happy childhood events in their memory? FQ

• Do people in your country usually keep things from their childhood? FQ

• Do you think recalling memories of one's past is (or can be) useful?

• Should (old) people be encouraged to recall their memories of the past? FQ

• How could they be encouraged to do that?

Preserving One's Culture and History

• Do you think it is important to preserve one's traditions and cultural (or, historical) heritage?
FQ

• (Similar to above) How important do you think it is for people to preserve their culture? FQ

• Do you think it's important for children to be taught the history (& culture) of their country
(or, their people)? FQ
• Can you suggest why some people seem to reject old, traditional objects and their
traditional culture?
• What traditional festivals do you have in your country?

• How important do you think it is for people to celebrate traditional events in their culture?

• Can you suggest why some people don't bother about celebrating these traditional events?

• Why do you think many young people pay little attention to traditions?

• What can be done to help preserve one's culture / traditions?

• Who do you think should be responsible keeping traditions alive?

• Do you think we should preserve our traditions without any changes?

24. Describe a place with a lot of water (such as a river, a lake or the ocean) that you
enjoyed visiting.
You should say:

where this place was

what people were doing at this place (Or, what you did there)

why you went there

who you went there with

and explain why you liked this place.

Part 3
Enjoying Places with Water

• In general, why do you think people like going to places that have water? FQ

• Do you think more people than before are moving to live in places that are near water?

• Do you think there is anything unique about the air at the beach?

• How do people in your country pass the time when they have a holiday?

• Do people in your country like to go to the beach for recreation? FQ

• (Similar to above) Are holidays (vacations) to places with lots of water very popular in your
country? FQ
• Can you explain why people enjoy spending leisure time at a place such as a beach
or river? FQx2
• Do you think spending time near water can help relieve the pressure of modern life?

• What activities do (or can) people do on (or, in) the water at these places? FQx2

• Do children and adults generally do the same things when they visit these places?

• Why do children like to dig in the sand at a beach and build sand castles?

• What water sports do they do in these places? FQx2

• Is boating a very popular activity in your country?

• Do you think government should invest money in developing facilities for water sports (or,
recreational activities on the water)?
Children Learning to Swim

• Can you explain why children enjoy playing in water?

• How do children benefit from activities in or on the water?

• Do you think it's important that children know (or learn) how to swim? FQx2

• Do you think they should learn how to swim at school? FQx2

Water Usage / Water Conservation

• In what ways do people use water?

• (Similar to above) In what ways is water used in society?

• (Similar to above) Besides using water in the home, in what other ways is water used in
society?
• Do you think the way people in your country use water today has changed, compared to the
past? FQx2
• Do you think people today are using more water, or less water than they used to?

• What measures should governments, and individual take in order to conserve water? FQ

• (Similar to above) Can you suggest any water saving measures?

 • In your opinion, should the personal use of water be controlled (or, restricted)?

• What causes water shortages in some places?

• What are some ways that water is wasted (= not used or not used for good reasons)

• Do you think raising the price of water would encourage people not to waste it?

• What are the causes of water pollution?

• How can (or, how are) water resources protected? FQ

• Can you suggest how waste water should be treated?

25. Describe a new skill you would like to learn.

You should say:

what skill (what you would like to learn to do)

where you would learn it (or, where you think would be the

best place to learn it)

how difficult you think it would be

and explain why you would like to learn this skill.

Part 3

Skills Today Or, "Practical" and "Academic" Skills

• In general, how do people get (learn) new skills?

• What skills do you think are most useful in everyday life today? FQ

• Do mean and women generally have (or need) the same skills?

• What skills do you think are most useful in the workplace?

• What roles do you think different skills play in people's lives?

• Do you think everyone is able to communicate well?

• Do you think a person's communication skills are mainly innate, or mainly learned? FQx2

• Would you say it's a skill that one can learn?

• Do you think a person's skills are more innate, or more learned? FQ

• What are some examples of (everyday) skills that many people learn today but which
were not common a few decades ago? FQ
• Do you think there are any skills that people used to have that are not very useful in
the modern world?
• Do you think the elderly should learn some new skills?
 • Do you think the government should provide help for elderly people to learn these skills?

• Which do you think are more important, academic skills or practical skills? FQx2

• What skills do you think students need to have? FQ

• How important would you say computer skills are today?

• How important would you say it is for students to learn how to learn? *

• Which do you think are more important in the workplace, academic skills or practical skills?
FQ

• How important do you think language skills are? (not necessarily foreign language skills)

• How are the skills that people learn today different to what they used to learn in the past?

• How important do you think it is for people to learn to use new technologies?

• What (new) skills do you imagine will be most important for people to learn in the future?

Skills that Children (and young people) Need to Learn

Possibly the wording, "young people" (people aged 13 to 25) is used for some of these questions.

• What (essential) skills do you think children need to learn? FQx2

• (Similar to above) What (essential) practical skills (or, "life skills") do you think children need
to learn? FQx2
• (Similar to above) Do you think it's necessary for children to learn skills such as
cooking? FQx2
• How could (or, how do) children learn these essential skills?

• What skills do you think are most likely to help a child achieve success in later years?

• Do schools in your country place much importance on teaching practical skills, or do

they focus only on academic skills?
• What skills do children learn in primary school?

• Are the skills that children learn at school today the same as the skills that children learned
at school in the past?
• Do children need to learn the same skills that adults learn?

• What are the differences between the skills that females (or, girls) learn and those that
males (or, boys) learn?
• Do you think boys and girls should both learn the same skills? FQx2

• (Similar to above) Do you think schools should have classes that teach the same skills to both
boys and girls? FQ
• Do you think junior high school students should have cooking classes at school?

• Do you think people should learn the skills they need for work while they at high school?
 • Are there any differences between the skills that school children learn today, and those that
they learned in the past? FQx2
• Are there any differences between the skills that school children learn today at school, and
the skills that they learned in the past? FQx2
• Which do you think are more important, the skills that children learn at school or the skills
they learn at home? FQ
• Do you think academic skills are more important for children to learn than social skills?

Work Skills

• Which do you think is more important in the workplace, one's educational qualifications or
one's work skills?
• What skills are necessary to be a good employee? FQ

• (Similar to above) What work skills do you think working people need to have? FQ

• What kinds of work skills are most valuable in your country at the moment?

• Do you think schools should give information to their students about useful work skills?

• (Not exactly the same as above) Do you think schools should teach their students
useful work skills?
• Do you think men and women (or, males and females) should both learn the same
work skills? FQ
• Do you think vocational high schools should be given more importance than what they have
now? *
• Do you think there should be more vocational high schools in your country?

• What kinds of skills do people need when they participate in group work?

• How important do you think teamwork is in the workplace?

26. Describe a short holiday (vacation) that was special for you.
You should say:

where you went

who you spent time

with what you did

and explain why it was special for you.

Part 3

Personal Holidays (Vacations)

• Besides traveling, what do people in your country like to do when they have a
holiday (vacation) from work or study?
• Would you agree that different types of people choose different holiday activities?

• Which do you think is better, to spend a holiday at home or to travel during the holiday?

• Do people generally spend holidays with their family, or with their friends? FQx2

• (Similar to above) Do you generally spend holidays with your family, or with your friends?
FQx2

• (Similar to above) Do young people generally prefer to spend holidays with their family,
or with their friends? FQx2
• (Similar to above) What do you think are the differences between spending a holiday with
family and spending it with friends? FQx2
• Would you like to spend a holiday with your boss?

• What are the differences between holidays (or, having a holiday) at different times of the
year? FQ
• (Similar to above) What are the differences between having a holiday in winter and having
a holiday in summer?
• What holiday is most popular in your country?

• What do students do during their Summer and Winter holidays? FQ

• What do you think are the benefits of having a holiday (a vacation)? FQ

• Can you think of any advantages in having short holidays? FQx2

• And can you think of any disadvantages in having long holidays?? FQx2

• Which do you think are better, several short holidays or just a few long holidays
(vacations) during the year? FQx2
• (Similar to above) Which do you prefer, several short holidays or just a few long holidays
(vacations) during the year? FQx2
• (Similar to above) Which do people in your country prefer, several short holidays or just a
few long holidays (vacations) during the year? FQx2
• Do you think there are both advantages and disadvantages for students to have long
holidays?
• What do people usually do during short holidays?

• Can you explain how people benefit from having a holiday from work or study? FQ

• Is it easy for working people in your country to take a holiday? FQ

• (Similar to above) Is it easy for working people in your country to take time off from work?
FQ

• Do many people in your country receive paid leave from their employer?
 • Do you think people should be paid when they take a holiday (= take leave)? *

Travelling During a Vacation

• Do people in your country like to travel away from home when they have a holiday
(vacation)? FQ
• Can you explain why some people like to travel away from home?

• Why do some people not travel away from home when they have a holiday (vacation)?

• At what time of the year are people most likely to go traveling (for pleasure, not on
business)?
• Which do you think is better, to spend a holiday at home or to travel during the holiday?

• Is it easy for young people to travel in their holidays?

• Are there any differences between traveling at different times of the year?

• Do people tend to go to different places for a holiday in different seasons? FQ

• Why do many people choose to travel to a warm place in winter?

• Do you think people will ever be taking holidays in outer space?

• How do you think space travel might affect the environment here on earth?

Working

•Can you explain why people go to work?

•Do you think people today are working more (hours per week) than people did in the past?

•(For candidates from non-Western countries) Would you say that people in your country
work more than people in Western countries?
•Do you think an increase in people's leisure time might improve their working efficiency?

•In general., who do you think spends more time working, men or women?

27. Describe a leader who you admire.

You should say:

who this person is this person

what this person does (as a leader)

how he or she became a leader

how you know about this person (or, how you personally know

and explain why you admire this leader (explain how (or why) this leader's qualities impress you)
Part 3

• In your country, what kinds of people become leaders?

• What kinds of children become leaders?

• When do you think these children start to develop into leaders?

• Do you want / would you like to be (or become) a leader?

• Do you think it would be (or, is) good to be a leader?

• How much power do you think a leader can have (or, has) and still be a good leader (or good
person)?
• Do you think think leaders should be (or, should set) an example the rest of the people?

• Compared to several decades ago, have there been any changes in the characteristics that
people need to have in order to become a leader?
• Are there more women in leadership positions today than there were before? *

• (Similar to above) Many women are earning more money today than they did in the past.
Does this also mean that more women are becoming leaders today?

28. Describe an interesting public place in your hometown, or where you are living
now, that you like to go to

Version A

Describe a (public) place in your hometown, or where you are living now, that you like.

* You should say:

where it is *

how often you go there

* what you do there *

and explain why you like this place. *

Version B

Describe a public place in your country.

You should say:

why people go there

 who usually goes there

........

and explain what is so interesting about this place.

Part 3

Living in Cities and Towns

• What's the (regional) environment like around your home?

• Would you (or, do you) prefer to live in an urban area, or a rural area? FQ

• (Similar to above) What are the differences between living in an urban area and living in
a rural area? FQx2
• (Similar to above) What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in an urban
area, compared to in a rural area? FQx2
• Where would you like to live?

• Why do many people move from rural areas to urban areas?

• And why do some people move from an urban area to live in a rural area?

• Which do you think is a better place for elderly people to live, an urban area or a rural area?

• Why do many people choose to live in the suburbs (or, on the outskirts of a city) rather
than in the city centre?
• Why do many people like to drive from their homes on the outskirts of a city to their work
in the city?
• In the future, do you think more people will be moving from rural areas to city areas, or will
they be moving in the opposite direction?
• Do you think it's better to have living and working areas separated, or have them
mixed together?
• What are some typical public places that exist in cities and towns in your country?

• Is there much difference between public places in cities and in rural environments, such as
in villages?
• What do you think are the differences between shopping in urban areas, compared to rural
areas?
• What do you think are the differences between recreational facilities in urban areas
as opposed to rural areas?
• Do you think public facilities such as parks should be free (free of cost) for people to use?

• Why do you think the government charges fees for entry to public swimming pools
and other public places?
• In your country, do you think there should be more open space for sports and other
outdoor activities (than there is at the moment)? FQ
 • Are there places in your country where the development of recreational activities is
especially encouraged?
Public Places, including Public Buildings

• In general, how do you think people should behave in public places (and not behave)?

• Should there be rules for people's behaviour in public places?

• Would you say people generally prefer to go to a noisy public place, or to a quiet place?

• What measures should be taken when there is too much noise in a public place?

• Can you explain what the purpose of having public places (or, buildings) is?

• Do you think some public buildings are a waste of money? (Or, Do you think there are some
cases of too much money being spent on a public building?)
• What do you think would happen if a city or town had no public places?

Leisure Time Activities

• What do people in your country (like to) do in their free time?

• Are there any particular places that people like to visit in their free time, such as on
weekends?

29. Describe a wedding that you have attended.

You should say:

whose wedding it was

who was there

what happened and explain how you felt.

Part 3

Weddings

• Do people in your country like attending weddings and other celebrations?

• Are there any differences between weddings in your country and in Western countries?

• Do people in your country prefer to have big wedding celebrations, or small ones?

• What sorts of wedding gifts do people in your country give to the newly
married couple? FQx2
Marriage

• What do people in your country have to do in order to become legally married?

• What is the (minimum) legal marriage age in your country? FQx2

• Have those always been the legal ages for marriage in your country?
 • Do you think that age is a suitable (minimum) age for marriage?

• What do you think is the ideal age to get married?

• Do you think more women nowadays (compared to the past) are choosing to remain single?

• (Similar to above) In general, do you think women today are choosing to wait longer before
getting married than they did in the past?

30. Describe a time when you tried a new food for the first time.
You should say:

what food it was

where you ate it

what it tasted like

and explain whether or not you liked this food

Part 3

Diet

• In your country, what are the most common (or, popular) foods that people eat? FQx2

• Do you think elderly people and young people have the same attitudes towards food? FQ

• (Similar to above) Do you think adults and children have the same attitudes towards
food? FQx2
• Do you think the food we see presented on TV influences what we eat?

• Do you think it's important for adults to teach (or set an example for) children concerning
the food we eat?
Eating New Foods

• In general, would you say people in your country are willing to try new foods? FQ

• Who do you think is more willing to try a new food, children or adults? FQ

• What would you say are the differences between the food in your country and foreign food?

• What kinds of foreign food are most common (or, most popular) in your country?

Eating Out

• Do people in your country generally prefer to eat at home or eat in restaurants?

• Is it expensive to eat in restaurants?

31. Describe a useful app or computer program for a smart phone, computer or tablet
that you have used.
You should say:

what the app is

how long/how often you have used it (or, been using

it) what you use it for

and explain why you think it is useful.

Part 3

Smartphone Apps

• Do you have any apps on your cellphone (or, smartphone)?

• (If yes, to the above question) What kinds of apps do you have?

• Do you think there are any drawbacks from using apps?

• How much time do you spend using these apps?

• Do you often look for new apps, or are you content to use the ones that you already have?

• Do you prefer free apps, or ones that you have to pay for?

• Would you say there is much difference between the app usage of young people, and that
of old(er) people?
• Would you say the privacy of app users is protected?

• Do you think parents should control the amount of time their children spend on the
internet?

32. Describe an activity you do for your health or fitness.

You should say:

what you do

how often you do it

where you do it

and explain how you think this activity helps you stay healthy or fit.

Part 3

• What sports (or forms of exercise) are popular for young people in your country to do? FQ

• What do elderly people in your country do to keep healthy (or fit)?

• Is there any difference between what young people, and what elderly people do to
stay healthy (and / or fit)? FQ
 • What facilities are there in your hometown (or, where you live) that people can use
for exercise?
• Do you think the government should do more to encourage people to exercise?

• Do you think school children should do more exercise than they do now?

• Do you think it's necessary for them to do exercise at school?

• How could parents encourage their children to exercise more (or, to play more sport)?

• Besides exercise, what else can people do in order to maintain their health?

• Do people in your country like to go to parks?

• What do most people in your country do when they go to a park?

• Would you say school children today need to do more exercise?

33. Describe an antique or some other old thing that your family has kept for a
long time.
You should

say: what it is

how (or when) your family first got this thing

how long your family has kept it

and explain why this thing is important to your family.

Part 3

Keeping Things

• Do you like to keep things for a long time?

• In your country, are people concerned about spending money to buy new things?

• Do you think this is good?

• In general, which do you think are better, old things or new things?

• What sorts of things do people in your country like to keep for a long time? FQx2

• What is the value (or, the importance, the significance) of keeping some things in a family
for a long time?
• Most people keep old photographs. Do you think photos can help people strengthen
their family ties?
• What sorts of things do people like to pass down from generation to generation?

• Do you think young people and older people keep the same sorts of things? FQ
History

• Do you think it's important to recall the past (or, to not forget history)?

Museums

• What do you think is the purpose of keeping old things in museums?

• (Possible question) What do you think is the value (or, importance) of keeping old things
in museums? *
• Do you think there should be more museums?

• Do you think we will see more museums in the future and, if so, what forces will be driving
this trend?
• How do you think museums in the future will be different to those of today?

34. Describe a time when you made a mistake.

You should say:

where you were what

you were doing

what mistake you made

and explain what was the result of your mistake.

Part 3

Making Mistakes, in General

• Would you say that people generally learn from their mistakes?

• Do you think the mistakes that people make can help them become successful?

• What can someone do to help avoid making mistakes?

• When someone makes a mistake, do you think others should tell that person that he or
she has made a mistake?
Children Making Mistakes

• Would you say that children often make mistakes?

• What are some examples of mistakes that children make? FQ

• Should children be punished for their mistakes?

• How do you think parents should treat their children when the children make a mistake?

• What sorts of mistakes do school children make at school?

• Do you think teachers should treat the children harshly when they make these mistakes?

• What do you think teachers should do when their students make mistakes?
 • Do you think using a calculator in mathematics class can help students make
fewer mistakes? FQ
Mistakes at Work

• What sorts of mistakes do people make at work?

• How should the manager deal with these mistakes?

• Would you agree that some mistakes in the workplace are much more important
than others? *

35. Describe a big company that you would like to work in.
Or Describe a big company that you are interested in working for*
You should say:

the name of this company

what this company does

where this company is

and explain why you would like to work in this company.

Part 3

Big and Small Companies

• Are there many big companies in your country? FQ

• What types of companies are they?

• What are some well-known big companies in your country? FQ

• What industries (or activities) do big and small companies tend to concentrate on? *

• Which do you think provides better services and products, big companies or small ones?

• How can (or, how does) a small company become a big company?

• What does a company have to pay attention to, in order to be successful?

• What are the advantages and the disadvantages of working in a big company, compared
to working in a small one? FQ
Big Companies as Part of Society

• Do you think big companies have a social responsibility to donate money to worthy causes in
society, for example, donating money to charity?
• Do you think big companies are punished enough when they break the law?

Foreign Investment in Your Country

• Is there much foreign investment in companies in your country? *

 • What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of foreign investment in your
country? *

36. Describe something that you have shared with others (or another person)
You should say:

what you shared

who you shared it with

why you shared it

and explain how you felt about sharing it

Part 3

Sharing in Society

• Besides your example from Part 2, what are some other things that people commonly share?

• Do you prefer to share public transport with others, or do you prefer to use private
transport?
• (Similar to above) Do people in your country generally prefer to share public transport
with others, or do they prefer to use private transport?
• Do you think it's good to share a dorm room with others?

• (Similar to above) Do people in your country generally prefer to live alone, or do they prefer
to share accommodation with others (non-family members)?
• Would you ever share your food with someone?

Children and Sharing

• Should parents teach their children to share?

• How can parents and teachers teach young children to share? FQ

• (Similar to above) How can parents and teachers teach young children not to be selfish? FQ

Internet Privacy (Unconfirmed sub-topic)

• Have you ever shared personal information on the internet?

• What do you know about data privacy?

• Do you think sharing information on the internet is a good idea?

• Why do researchers share information online?

 37. Describe a creative person who you admire (e.g., a scientist, an inventor)
You should say:

who this person is

what area of creativity they work in

how you know about this person

and explain what work they have created that you particularly admire.

Part 3

Creative People

• Besides your example from Part 2, in what other ways are people creative? *

• What do you think are the characteristics (or, the qualities) of creative people? *

• Why do some people prefer to copy the ideas (or creations) of other people (rather
than generate their own ideas or creations)?
• Do you think creative people are born that way or did they develop their creativity in
childhood? *
• Do you think engaging in artistic activities can make a person more creative?

Creativity in Childhood

• What's the most creative thing that you have ever done or made?

• Would you say you were more creative when you were a child than you are now?

• Can you suggest some ways in which creativity can be developed in a child? *

• What can schools do in order to nurture (or, encourage) the development of creativity
in children?
• Do you think it helps a child's creativity for him or her to engage in art, such as painting and
drawing?
• Do you think it helps a child's creativity for him or her to engage in science, such as
doing experiments with insects or plants?
• Do you think learning to play a musical instrument can help a child develop creativity? FQ

• Would you say that developing one's powers of analysis can increase one's creativity?

• Would you say using a computer can help a child's develop creativity?

• Would you say playing computer games can help a child's develop creativity, or not?

38. Describe a course you would like to study (or, do).

You should say:

what course it is (or, would be)

where you would do it

what you would learn in that course

and explain why you would like to do this course.

Part 3

University Courses

• What are the most popular university degree courses that students in your country
choose to study? FQ
• Do you think some university courses are more useful than others?

• Do you think what people learn in university courses and what they actually do after they
graduate are the same?
• Do you think people choose these course more because they want to work in that area, or
more because they are interested in learning about those subjects?
• Which do you think is more important, the studies that a person does (e.g., at university), or
their work experience?
• In your country, do young people themselves choose what to study at university, or do their
parents usually make that choice?
• Can you suggest why some people choose to study to become a maths teacher instead of a
physical education teacher?
• What university courses do you think will be most useful in the future?

High School Subjects (classes)

• What would you say are the most popular high school subjects (or, high school classes) in
your country?
• Can you suggest why some students dislike studying (= learning) at school?

• Can you explain why schools have such theoretical subjects as history and mathematics?

• What school subjects do you think are best (or, most beneficial) for school students?

• Do you think high schools should have more practical subjects than they do now?

• Do you think schools should teach both science-based subjects as well as non-
science subjects (the humanities)?
• Do you think schools should also teach forms of art?

39. Describe a positive change that you made to your life.

You should say:

when it happened

where it happened

what the change was

and explain how you have benefited from this change ( or, explain how you feel about this change)

Part 3

Changes in Society

• Have there been many changes in your country over the past few decades?

• Do you think the pace of life has increased?

Technological Change

• What technological changes have we seen in the past few years?

• What can smartphones be used for?

• What impact do you think technological change will have on people, (in the future)?

Changes to Work

• In what ways do you think the way people work has changed in the past several decades?

• In general, do you think young people today work he same way that their parents did at
the same age?
• If someone has not finished their work at the end of the workday, do they usually take
the work home with them?
• How has modern technology changed the ways people work? FQ

• Do you think there will be many more changes to the way people work in the future as a
result of changes in technology?
• Since many people use computers in their work, can you explain why they can't do this work
at home?
Robots

• How do you think we should treat the topic of robots taking the place of workers,
for example, in factories?
• Do you think the usage of robots in the future will be widespread?

40. Describe a situation that made you a little angry.

You should say:

what it was that made you angry

where you were when this

happened what you were doing at

the time who you were with

and explain how you handled this situation or and explain why you felt angry.

Part 3

Mood / Anger

• Can you suggest why some people get angry more easily than other people?

• What factors influence people's moods?

• Do you think it's good to hide one's mood (or, feelings)?

• Do you think it's important to be calm?

• What would you suggest angry people do in order to manage their anger?

• How do you control your anger?

• What would you do if you had made someone angry at you?

Expressing Emotions

• Would you say that people in your country .... ?

• How do people express their emotions?

• Do you think it is right to express anger?

• Do people in your country (or, do you) think it is appropriate to express your emotions in a
public place?
• Is there any difference between expressing emotions in public and in private, such as in the
family home?
• (Different to above) Do people (in your country) express their emotions in the same way
to both their family members, and to people who are not part of their family?
• Do you think that viewing foreigners, such as Americans, in films or TV programs has
influenced the way people in your country think about expressing emotions?
• Do you think men and women express their feelings differently?

• Some people say that women are better at "reading the minds" of other people than
men. What do you think?

41. Describe your favourite season or time of the year.

You should say:

what season (or time of the year) it is

what the weather is like at this time

what people usually do at this time

and explain why you enjoy that season or time of the year or

and explain why you enjoy that season or time of the year more than other seasons or times of the
year.

42. Describe a person who you like to spend time with.

You should say:

what relationship the two of you

have how often you are together

what you usually do together

and explain why you like to spend time with this

person. How do you usually spend your spare time?

Part 3

Spending Time with Others

• How do you usually spend your free time?

• Do you prefer to spend time with your family, or with your friends?

• What do you do when you are with your friends?

• Can you explain why many young people dislike spending time with (or living with) old
people?
Communication

• What are the various ways that people communicate with others? *

• Who do they usually communicate with?

• What are the benefits of communicating with others?

• Do you think people spend enough time communicating with others?

• (Possibly the question above is this) Do you think people today have enough time
to communicate with others?
• Do you think people need to spend time on maintaining their friendships?

• Would you say that mobile phones help people to maintain their friendships, or do they
tend to do the opposite? FQ
 • (Different question to above!) Would you say that mobile phones help people
to communicate, or do they tend to do the opposite? FQ
Teamwork

• What do you think are the benefits and the downsides of studying in a group?

• What do you think are the benefits and the downsides of teamwork in the workplace?

43. Describe a skill you learned when you were a child.

You should say:

what skill it was

who taught you this skill

how you learned it

and explain why you learned this skill.

Part 3

Learning Skills

• What are some differences between the skills that children learn and the skills that
adults learn?
• What do you think are some of the differences between an adult learning a new skill and
a child learning a new skill?
• Who do you think learns new skills faster, children or adults?

• Which age do you think is better for learning a new skill, 5 or 20 years old?

• Is there an age when it is difficult to learn a new skill?

The Education of Children

• Who do you think has (or should have) the responsibility for the education of a child, the
parents or the teachers?
• Who do you think is most suitable for teaching a new skill to a child, the child's parents, the
child's teachers or the child's friends?
• Do you think it's important for someone teaching a child to show enthusiasm for (or
interest in) what they are teaching?
• Do you think it's important to allow (or encourage) children to take the initiative in their own
learning (to allow children to explore, to follow their curiosity or their interest)?
• What do you think is the difference between a child learning a skill because he or she has to,
rather than learning a skill because they are interested in learning it?
• Do you think language learning is important for children?
 44. Describe someone you know who recently moved to new accommodation.
You should say:

who he or she is

what kind of accommodation they moved to

and explain why they moved.

Part 3

• Do many young people in your country live away from their parents?

• In your country, at what age do most young people move out of their parents' home?

• What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of living separate from one's
parents? FQ
• What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of living alone? FQ

• What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of having a roommate /
housemate?
• How do you think parents can help teach (or, help) their kids to live independently?

• Do you think young adults should live alone?

• Would you prefer to live with someone your own age or someone older?

• What advantage are there from living with an older person?

• Which do you think is better for children, to be brought up by their parents, or to be

brought up by their grandparents?
• What do you think young people need to learn in order to be good futures parents?

45. Describe a good part of your personality or character.

You should

say: what it is

what this part of your personality or character is like

how it affects your life or work

and explain why you think it is good.

Part 3

Personality

• What kinds of personality are most common in society?

• What sort of personality should a school teacher have?

 • Which do you think is better, to marry someone with a similar personality, or someone with
an opposite (or, complementary) personality? FQ
• Would you like to change any aspect of your own personality?

• Do you think someone's personality is determined by the personality of their parents?

46. Describe a short trip that you frequently make (or, take) but dislike.
You should say:

where you travel from and

to how often you make this

trip why you make this trip

and explain why you dislike this trip.

Part 3

• Can you explain why many people in big cities choose to live in the suburbs?

• Do people from your country like to travel abroad?

• Can you suggest why some people go abroad to work?

• How can big cities deal with the problem of having many people crowded into the
same place?
• What are some of the problems that people might experience when they go on a trip
and what can/could the traveller do to resolve (or, avoid) these problems? FQx2
Travelling in the City

• What kind(s) transport would you recommend for people who want to travel around in
your hometown? FQ
• Does your hometown have any problems connected to transportation?

• How do you suggest these problems could be addressed (or, solved)?

• Is cycling very popular (or, very common) in your city?

• What are the differences between traveling by car and traveling by bicycle in a city?

• What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of cycling in the city? FQx2

• How do you think the government could encourage more people to use bicycles in the city?

• What do you think are the benefits of having a good public transportation system in a city?

• How do you think transportation in cities will change in the future? FQ

Traffic Congestion in Cities
 • Why do we often have traffic congestion in (big) cities?

• (Similar to above) What causes traffic problems in (big) cities?

• What can the government do to ease this problem? FQx2

• Do you use public transport?

• How do you imagine public transport might change in the future?

Long-Distance Travel

• What are some of the various reasons why people travel long distances? FQ
• Do you think people are traveling long distances more today than in the past? (Why?) FQ

• (Similar to above) Is it easier to travel long distances today than in the past? (Why?) FQ

• How is long-distance travel today different to in the past (e.g., 50 years ago)? FQ

• Do people in your country generally prefer to go on long trips or short trips? (Why?)

• What effects does long-distance travel have on people?

• Can long-distance travel ever create problems for people?

• Does long-distance traveling have any effect on the environment? FQx2

• How do you think long-distance travel might change in the future?

• How would you feel if you had the chance to travel in space? FQ

• (Similar to above) What do you think it would be like to travel in space? FQ

47. Describe an occasion when you got up very early.

You should say:

when it happened

why you got up early

who you were with

and explain how you felt about getting up early.

Part 3

Getting Up Early

• Why do some people get up early?

• Can you suggest why some people dislike getting up early? FQ

• Do you like to get up late on weekends?

Punctuality
 • Would you say punctuality is important?

• Can you suggest why some people think it's not so important?

• What are the benefits of knowing in advance if someone else is going to be late?

• What are the benefits of being early for an appointment?

• Are there any occasions when it is not suitable to be early?

Deadlines

• Do you think deadlines serve a useful purpose?

• What are some examples of occasions when (not losing) time is very important?

48. Describe a garden or park you enjoyed visiting.

You should say:

where it was what

it looked like

what you did there or, what people did there and explain why you liked it.

49. Describe a free-time activity that you like to do after you have finished your study
or work.
You should say:

what you do

where you do it

when you do it

who you do it with

and explain why you like to do this activity.

Part 3

Activities at School

• What kinds of classroom activities are popular in your country?

• Do you think schools should organize more group activities?

• What kinds of activities are good for children's health?

Indoor Recreational Activities

• (Possibly) What are the differences between indoor and outdoor recreational activities? *

Risky Activities / Extreme Sports

• Do you think young people should or engage in dangerous activities? FQx2

• Do you think young people should play dangerous sports? FQx2

• Do people in your country like to engage in extreme sports?

• (Similar to above) Do people in your country like to engage in adventurous activities?

• Do women like adventure?

• Don't you think the parents are worried when their sons or daughters engage in
adventurous activities?
• Do you think children should engage in extreme sports?

50. Describe a time when you forgot something important.

You should say:

when it happened what you forgot

what was the result of your forgetting

and explain why it was important.

Part 3

The Importance of Memory

• In everyday life (e.g., at home, not in academia), what sorts of things do people
generally need to remember? FQx2
• What sorts of things do people want to (or need to) recall?

• Do you think memory is important?

• Do you think memory is important for language learning? FQ

• What kinds of jobs require having a good memory?

• Do you agree that, when people recall things from the past, they tend to only remember the
good things?
• Do you also agree that these people tend to romanticize their memories?

Forgetting

• In everyday life (e.g., at home, not in academia), what sorts of things do people most often
forget? FQx2
• What do you think are the easiest things to forget?
 • When are people most likely to forget to do something?

• Why do people forget these often small things? FQx2

• What can be the consequences of forgetting these things?

• Have you ever forgotten your parents’ birthdays?

• What sorts of people are most likely to forget things? FQ

• Why do elderly people forget things easily? FQ

• Why do people sometimes forget someone's name? FQ

• What can be the result if someone forgets another person's name? FQ

• If a boy and girl were going out together (dating) and, on their second meeting, one of
them forgot the name of the other, do you think that would be very a serious situation?
• Do you have any suggestions on how to avoid forgetting people's names? FQx2

Avoiding Forgetfulness / Enhancing Memory

This sub-topic probably includes both remembering everyday things, and remembering things
studied at school / university.
• Can you suggest why some people have a stronger memory (= ability to recall; ability
to memorize) than others?
• Do you think people can improve their memory? (If yes, how?)

• (Similar to above) Do you think people can do things to enhance their memory? (If
yes, how?)
• What kinds of things can people do to avoid forgetting things?

• What do (or, can) people do to help them remember things? FQx2

• (Similar to above) What are some examples of methods that people use to
remind themselves to do something? FQ
• What methods do you use to help you avoid forgetting things? FQ

• How does keeping a notebook help people to remember things?

• Do you think people will be forgetting more things in the future, or fewer things?

• Do you think one can use their mobile phone to help them remember (remind them
of) things?
• (Similar to above) How can modern technology be used to help people not forget things (=
to remind people of things)? FQ
• How could a person remind themselves of something without using their mobile phone?

• Do you think the use of such technology might create problems in the future? FQ

• (Similar to above) Do you think people are (or, could become) overly dependant on these
technologies? FQ
 • What would you suggest elderly people do if they want to avoid forgetfulness?

• Do you think being organized can help a person avoid forgetting (to do) things? FQ

51. Describe something you do to save money.

You should say:

what you do

when you started doing it

what gave you this idea *

and explain how it saves money. *

Part 3

Saving Money

• What ways do people use to save money?

• Do you think it's easy for people to save money?

Consumption

• What kinds of things do people (like to) buy in your country?

Children & Teenagers Managing Their Money

• Do you think it's important for children to save money?

• What can parents do to teach their children to save money?

• What can parents do to teach their children to spend their money wisely (= to manage their
money)?
• How do parents give pocket money to their children in your country?

• Do you think young people, such as teenagers, tend to waste money?

• Can you suggest why young people tend to waste money?

• Do you think it's important for teenagers to learn to manage money?

• Do schools in your country teach anything about managing money?

52. Describe a piece of good news that you received.

You should say:

what the news was

 where you were when you received this news [Or: What you were doing when you received
this news]
who gave you this news

and explain why you felt this was good news.

Part 3

Good News

• What are some examples of good news that people receive?

• What are some examples of good news that people most like receiving?

• Besides what you just described (in Part 2), what other kinds of good news have you
received in your life?
News

• Who publishes the news in your country?

• How do they publish it?

• What about advertisements?

• Which do you think is better for presenting (good) news in the media, text or pictures?

• Do you think organizations should tell the public about what they (the organizations) are
doing?
Communication

• In general, how do people share or communicate (good) news with others?

• Which do you think is better for communicating (good) news, telling someone face-to-face
or telling them on the telephone?
• How has modern technology affected the way people share information with others?