November 2017 IELTS Writing Task 2 Questions

Two-Part Expository: Causes and Solutions / Problems and Solutions

Nowadays, people living in cities do not have enough exercise. Why is this happening? What are

possible solutions to this problem? (4th Nov) (AC)

Nowadays, many young people have a negative attitude towards learning after they leave school.

What are the causes of this and what measures can be taken to bring a positive attitude towards

learning again? (4th Nov) (AC)

Nowadays, many people prefer using their own cars in commuting to utilizing buses and trains.

Why do you think this is happening? What can the government do to change this? (11th Nov)

(GT)

Two-Part Expository: Mixed

Nowadays, many individuals spend more time out of their hometown or country. Why is this

happening? What is the impact of this on the person and his or her family? (11th Nov) (AC)

Opinion

Many parents believe that children should play team sports like football and basketball instead of

individual sports such as swimming or running in school. Do you agree or disagree? (2nd Nov)

(GT)

Decades ago, the first man landed on the moon and it was said that it was mankind’s first step

towards great things. Some, however, argue that space travel made little difference in people’s

lives. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (11th Nov) (AC)

Many people believe that intelligence is the only important quality of a good leader. Do you

agree or disagree? (11th Nov) (GT)

Some people think that the most important things in life are free and cannot be bought. Do you

agree or disagree? (11th Nov) (GT)

In most countries, women are allowed to join the armed forces. However, some believe that only

men should be allowed to join it. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (25th Nov) (AC)

Discussion

Some people think politicians are the people with the most influence in the world, while others

consider scientists to be more influential. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

(2nd Nov) (AC)

Human activity has had adverse effects on plants and animals. Some people think that it is too

late to solve this issue, while others believe that necessary steps should be undertaken to

overcome this problem. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (2nd Nov) (AC)

Some people spend their free time with people of the same age while others find it better to

spend time with people from all age groups. Discuss both these views and give your own

opinion. (2nd Nov) (GT)

Some people think that children should learn about recycling materials from their

parents while others argue that children should learn such skills in their schools. Discuss both

these views and give your own opinion. (4th Nov) (AC)

Some people say that governments should build sport facilities for the training of professional

athletes. However, others believe that such facilities should be open to everyone. Discuss both

these views and give your own opinion. (11th Nov) (AC)

The increasing number of trade and cultural contacts among nations is perceived to be a positive

development. However, some say this has negative effects like losing someone’s own cultural

identity. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (25th Nov) (AC)

Some people support agricultural developments such as factory farming and scientific creation of

fruits and vegetables. Others, however, oppose these developments. Discuss both these views

and give your own opinion. (25th Nov) (AC)

Others: Two-Part Expository and Opinion

Some students and employees study and work harder than others. Why do you think this is

happening? Is this always a good thing? (4th Nov) (AC)

November 2017 IELTS Speaking Part 1-3 Questions

Speaking Part I

Work

• What do you do? • Do you get on well with you co-workers? • What was your first day of work like? • Is it important to have fixed work hours?

Why? • If people work more than the required

work hour/s, does that mean they’re productive?

Study

• Tell me about your secondary school experiences.

• How did you feel on your first day in secondary school?

• Do you still meet up with your secondary school mates now?

• How different was your life in secondary school from primary school?

• Are you studying anything at the moment?

Teenagers

• Do you spend time with teenagers? • Do you follow teenage trends? • What do teenagers do during leisure time

in your country? • Do you know many teenagers? • Where do teenagers often hangout in

your country?

Food/meals

• Do you eat with your family? • What types of meals do you eat? • When do you usually eat your meals

during the day? • Do you often eat takeaway/takeout

meals? • Have there been any changes in your food

habits from your childhood till now?

Newspapers

• Do you like reading newspapers? • Do you prefer getting news from the

internet or from a newspaper? Why? • What are some of the advantages of

internet news? • Do you usually discuss the news with your

friends or family? • Which do you find more interesting, local

or international news? Why?

Fashion trends

• Do you follow fashion trends? Why? • What clothing style/s do you prefer to

wear? • What do you think about fashion

nowadays in your country? • What are the benefits of following

fashion? • Do you think your fashion taste will be

the same when you’re older?

Time

• Do you worry about being late for appointments? Why?

• How do you normally manage your time? • Do you consider yourself a punctual

person? • How do you feel about people who arrive

late for a meeting or appointment? • How do people in your country value

time?

History

• Do you like history? • Can you name a historical person from

your country? • Is there any historical film that teaches

about your country’s history? • Who’s the most important historical figure

for you? • Why do you think he/she is important?

Environment

• Do you think pollution is a big problem nowadays?

• What do you do to prevent our environment from pollution?

• Have you ever participated in any environmental events?

• Which environmental laws are the most effective in your country?

• Which environmental laws are the least popular?

Travel/Holidays

• Do you like travelling? • What is your favorite type of holiday? • What do you do on holidays? • How do people normally spend their

holidays in your country? • Are there many tourists visiting your

country?

Speaking Part II and III

Science

Part II

A science subject that you took up in high school.

Part III

• Why is it important to learn science in your country? • How can schools help attract children to study science? • How can the television help in educating children about science? • Are girls and boys equally interested in science? • Are there more boys than girls who choose science as their major in the university, or

vice versa?

TV series/dramas

Part II

A TV drama/series that you enjoyed watching.

Part III

• Would you recommend that show to your friends? • What types of drama/series do people watch in your country? • Do you think TV series/dramas have changed in your country in recent years? Why? • Do you think stories can affect someone’s life? Why? • Do you prefer to follow stories on television or read them from a book? Why?

Free items/services

Part II

An item or service that you received free of charge.

Part III

• What gifts do companies in general provide to customers? • Why do you think companies offer “Buy one, get one!” promos? • What services should the government offer free of charge? • What services should be given for free for the elderly people? • Should public transportation be free of charge? Why?

Decisions

Part II

A person whom you know who made a smart decision recently.

Part III

• Do you make your own decisions? • What should be the right age for children to make their own decisions? Why? • What’s the smartest decision you made recently? • Are people’s decisions influenced by the current situation they’re in? • Should managers let their employees participate in making an important decision? Why?

Houses/Apartments

Part II

A house or an apartment that you would like to live in.

Part III

• Do you think houses in the past were different from now? How? • How do houses nowadays look like in your country? • Do you think houses should be practical? Why? • Do you think people should have the liberty to get any property that they would like

acquire? • How is the real estate business doing in your country?

Chatting/Social media

Part II

An interesting conversation you had with someone.

Part III

• Would you like to meet him/her again? Why? • What’s your take on social media? • How useful is social media in our lives? • What kind of help can someone get from chatting? • Do you think women are into chatting more than men? Why? • Why are the elderly people less interactive on social media?

Letters

Part II

A time when you received a letter.

Part III

• How do you send letters nowadays? • Are handwritten letters still common nowadays? • Should letters follow a certain language or style? Why? • What is the importance of business letters? • Which is better, sending letters or using the telephone? Why? • Is there any disadvantage to using emails? What is that?

Rules/Obeying rules

Part II

A rule which was enforced in your school/company recently.

Part III

• What kind of office rules should be strictly followed by everyone? • Do you think these rules should be in place to increase productivity? • Why do offices mandate a dress code? Do you agree with it? • How have family rules changed over time? • Why do you think adolescents tend to disobey rules?

Seaside activities/Global warming

Part II

A leisure activity that you would like to do by the sea.

Part III

• Why do some people like to spend leisure time by the sea? • What are some benefits of seaside activities? • Who enjoys seaside activities more, children or adults? Why? • How does global warming affect marine life? • How can global warming be controlled? • What do you think about deep sea research and exploration?

Someone you admire/Business

Part II

A business person you admire.

Part III

• How would you differentiate the hardworking from the halfhearted? • How has the internet impacted the way we do business nowadays? • What advantages does the internet offer to employees? • What are some of the long-term benefits of having good employees in a business

organization? • What is the importance of a good reputation to the success of a business?

Interested To Know More About Jonathan’s IELTS Classes?

Call me: 9768 1054 (Don’t be shy! Ask anything about my classes!)

Website: www.IELTSUniversity.com (input your email at the top of the page to get my latest

Class Schedule)

More information about the classes can also be found here:

http://www.IELTSUniversity.com/schedule

Video about my teaching: http://www.IELTSUniversity.com/my-classes/

170+ Student Testimonials: http://www.IELTSUniversity.com/testimonials

Class Feedback on my teaching: http://www.IELTSUniversity.com/class-feedback/

Do you want more FREE resources on Writing? I have a free 4-Video series on Getting 7.0 for

IELTS Writing. Please message me on Facebook Messenger at my Facebook Page

http://www.facebook.com/ieltssingapore (you can also go to m.me/ieltssingapore) and let me

know you want the 4-part video series ☺

Lastly, I believe a teacher is only as good as the results he or she produces. On the next few

pages are a selection of testimonials from students who passed their IELTS exam:

You can get a full list of 170+ student testimonials here:

http://www.IELTSUniversity.com/testimonials