August 2017 IELTS Writing Task 2 Questions

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

In many countries, the number of animal and plant species is decreasing. What is causing this

problem? What could be done to solve this problem? (3rd Aug) (AC)

Disposing waste in the streets of the country side and cities has been an increasing problem these

days. What do you think is causing this problem? What can be done to tackle this issue? (3rd

Aug) (GT)

The cost of public transportation has been increasing rapidly. Why is this happening? What

measures can be taken to solve this problem? (19th Aug) (AC)

Opinion

Solving environmental problems should be the responsibility of international organizations rather

than the responsibility of each country’s national government. To what extent do you agree or

disagree with this opinion? (12 Aug) (AC)

It is believed that students in schools and universities can learn more by using technology and the

internet, rather than learning from their teachers. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (19th

Aug) (AC)

Crime is a problem all over the world and there is nothing that can be done to prevent it. To what

extent do you agree or disagree? (19th Aug) (AC)

Nowadays, a lot of the household chores are being done by machines rather than manually. Is

this a positive or negative development? (19th Aug) (GT)

Some people think that young people are influenced more by their friends than by their parents

or teachers. Do you agree or disagree? (19th Aug) (GT)

It is more important for school children to learn about their local history instead of learning

world history. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (26th Aug) (AC)

Nowadays, the number of overweight children is increasing. Some believe that it is the

government’s responsibility to tackle this issue. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (26th

Aug) (AC)

Discussion

Some people think that traveling is necessary to learn about other countries while others feel that

the TV and internet are sufficient to get all the information you need. Discuss both these views

and give your own opinion. (12th Aug) (AC)

Some scientists think that there are intelligent life forms in other planets and that messages

should be sent to contact them. Other scientists, however, think that it is a bad idea and would be

dangerous too. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (12th Aug) (AC)

Some claim that schools should educate children about the effects of junk food on their health

but others believe that education should start at home. Discuss both these views and give your

own opinion. (12th Aug) (AC)

Some people believe that money is the most important factor in achieving happiness. However,

others believe that happiness has nothing to do with money. Discuss both these views and give

your own opinion. (19th Aug) (GT)

Some people argue that making new friends through social networking sites or chatting through

the internet is good whereas others say meeting friends face-to-face is better. Discuss both these

views and give your own opinion. (19th Aug) (GT)

August 2017 IELTS Speaking Part 1-3 Questions

Speaking Part I

Work

• In the future, do you plan to continue

doing the same job and why?

• Why did you choose to work in this field?

• Do you find your work stressful? And

why?

• Do you sometimes feel like you have to

work really hard? Why?

• Would you say people in your profession

are under a lot of pressure? Why?

Study

• Do you sometimes think you study too

hard? Why?

• What did you like about your elementary

school?

• What subjects are you studying?

• What are you studying? What do you like

about this field?

• What is your favorite subject and why is it

your favorite?

Music/Musical Instruments

• Between adults and children, who do you

think will find it hard to learn how to play

a musical instrument? Why?

• What musical instrument do you like and

why do you like it?

• Should children have music lessons in

school? Why?

• Do you prefer live or recorded music?

Why?

• How difficult is it to learn music?

Friends/Making friends

• How do often do you keep in touch with

your friends?

• Do you prefer having a best friend or a lot

of friends? Why?

• What do you like to do with your friends?

• Is it normal for friends to have

fights/arguments?

• Do you think you’ll have more friends in

the future?

Fruits

• What kind of fruits do you like and why

do you like it/them?

• Do you eat fruits on a daily basis? Why?

• Do you think school children should eat a

lot of fruits? Why?

• Have you used fruits in cooking?

• What do you like about fruits?

Advertisements

• What do you think about advertisements

nowadays?

• Do you think advertisements have an

influence on your choices in shopping?

Why?

• Have you ever bought something because

of an ad? What was it?

• How do you feel when ads pop up while

browsing online?

• Who do you think ads attract more, the

younger or older people? Why?

Housework/Household Chores

• What household chores did you have to

do at home?

• Is there any household chore that you

don’t like doing? Why?

• Why is it important to teach children to

do housework?

• What household chore do you do on a

daily basis?

• What do think is easiest household chore?

Why?

TV/Television

• What shows did you like as a child?

• How often do you watch TV?

• Do you think you watch too much TV?

Why?

• What types of shows do you like and why

do you like them?

• Do you watch TV alone or with

somebody?

Watch/Wristwatches

• How important are watches in your

profession?

• Why do you think people like to buy

expensive watches?

• Did you ever wear a watch as child?

• Has anyone given you a watch as a gift?

• Would you consider a watch an

accessory/jewelry or a necessity? Why?

Shoes

• Do you prefer wearing comfortable shoes

or high-heeled shoes? Why?

• Have you ever bought shoes online? How

was it?

• Why do you think women/ladies love

shoes so much?

• Do you think that the shoes you’re

wearing should match the occasion?

Why?

• How many pairs of shoes do you have?

Speaking Part II and III

Childhood/Memories

Part II

A happy experience from your childhood that you remember.

Part III

• At what age do you think children develop memories?

• Are there ways people can remember events from their childhood?

• Why is remembering history important?

• Are memories a good thing? Why?

• What triggers you to remember childhood memories?

• Why do you think people remember childhood memories?

Politeness/Respect

Part II

The most polite person you have come across in your life.

Part III

• Do you think you’re a polite person?

• Should respect be demanded or commanded? Why?

• Do you think there is a difference in the way you pay your respects to your elders

between your country and other foreign countries?

• Why is respecting others important?

• Who do you think is responsible when it comes to teaching kids respect, their parents or

the school? Why?

Goals/Aims

Part II

Something that you wanted to do for a long time but you haven’t done yet.

Part III

• What goals and aims do people have nowadays?

• What motivates you to obtain your goals?

• Should parents help in achieving your aims/goals in life? Why?

• Do goals of adults change over time? Why?

• Does maturity have anything to do with one’s goals/aims in life? Why?

• Some people say money is important and should be one’s sole aim in life? Do you

agree? Why?

Customer Service

Part II

An instance wherein you received good service from a hotel or restaurant.

Part III

• What should customers do when they receive bad service?

• What should managers do in order to provide good service?

• What are the differences in services provided between a big and small shop?

• Do you prefer shopping in big or small shops? Why?

• Why is it important to provide good customer service?

• What particular jobs should provide good customer service?

Planning/Future plans

Part II

A future plan that you have, unrelated to work or study.

Part III

• Why is it important to have plans for the future?

• Is it important for children to have dreams or future plans? Why?

• What was your greatest dream as a child? Why did you have that dream?

• Why do some people not plan their day ahead?

• Do you think one can do their task if they don’t plan it? Why?

• Have you shared your plans with someone? Why?

Inventions

Part II

An invention that changed people’s lives/the world for the better.

Part III

• What invention is used the most at home in your opinion?

• Do you think that the invention of the wheel was very important? Why?

• What do you think leads a person to invent something?

• Do you think that the most useful and important inventions of the world have already

been made? Why? Can you give examples?

• What kind of new inventions do you want to see in the future?

• Do you think new inventions like the washing machine make people lazy? Why?

Houses/Apartments

Part II

An interesting house/apartment that you have visited.

Part III

• What are the common types of houses in your city?

• Why do you think they are so popular these days?

• Do people prefer living in the city or in the countryside these days? Why?

• What is the best part of living in the countryside? How about in the city?

• What other types of accommodation can be found in your area/city?

Language

Part II

An English lesson/language lesson you enjoyed.

Part III

• Is grammar important in learning a new language? Why?

• Do you think being able to speak another language is advantageous? Why?

• Why do you think people strive to learn a new/foreign language?

• Some kids are good at learning a new language while some are not. Why do you think

this is so?

• What’s your opinion on having a global/universal language? Is that important? Why?

History/Museums

Part II

An important historical event in your country.

Part III

• Are museums an important source of history? Why?

• Why do you think some people show less interest in visiting museums?

• What is the importance of museums and historical buildings to youngsters?

• Do you think more people will visit museums if there is no entrance fee? Why?

• Do you find history/museums fascinating? Why?

Good news/Sharing good news

Part II

A good news that you have heard recently.

Part III

• What role does social media play in sharing/spreading news or information?

• Do you think this is a positive or negative development? Why?

• Why do you think some people dislike sharing good news with others?

• What kind of good news should we share with our neighbors?

• How do families in your community celebrate good news?

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