IELTS Speaking Part 1 Questions

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Lch thc hnh cho lp IELTS Speaking One Kick

Section 1: Topic 1-10
Section 2: Topic 11- 20
Section 3: 21 - 33

1. Your Work or Your Studies

2. Your Hometown
3. Your Home (Your Accommodation)
4. Bicycles
5. Computers and The Internet
6. Dancing
7. Science
8. Parks
9. Your First School
10. Shopping
11. Hand-Made Things
12. Transportation
13. Evenings
14. Your Country
15. Music
16. Your Family
17. Birthdays
18. Films
19. Outdoor Games
20. Singing
21. Flowers
22. Sunny Days
23. Newspapers & Magazines
24. Walking
25. Art
26. Gifts
27. Hats
28. Saving money
29. Advertisements
30. Weekends
31. Communication
32. Swimming
33. Social Media Websites
Notes
1. Your Work or Your Studies
Do you work or are you a student?

1a) Your Work

What work do you do?
Why did you choose to do that type of work (or, that job)? 37
(Similar to above) What points attracted to that work (or, that job)?
What do you do in that job?
(Similar to above) What are your (main) responsibilities at work?
Is your work the same as what you imagined it would be before you started this job?
42
(Similar to above) Is your work the same as what you imagined it would be when you
chose this type of job?
Is that a popular job in your country?
What would you say is the most interesting part of your work?
How do you do your work?
What do you do in a typical day at work?
Is your work (or, your job) difficult?
(Similar to above) Is your work easy to do?
Do you enjoy your work?
What's the most enjoyable part of your work?
Do you prefer to work alone or work in a group (a team)? N
Do you prefer to work in the mornings or in the afternoons?
(Similar to above) When do you think you work more efficiently, in the mornings or
in the afternoons?
Do you plan to continue doing that work in the future? (or, that type of work / or, that
job)
(Similar to above) Would you like to continue doing that work in the future? (or, that
type of work / or, that job)
(Possibly the question above is this) Would you prefer to continue doing the same job,
or would you prefer to change your job? 16
Questions Possibly Still in Use
Do you feel your work is interesting?
Do you think your work (or, job) is important?
What would you say is the most important part of your job?
Do you think your work will be more important in the future?
Do you see any changes in your job in the future?
(Similar to above) Do you think there will be future changes in your field of work?
(Similar to above) Do you think your way of working or work culture will change in
future?
(Similar to above) Do you think your work pattern will change in the future? (Why?)
Do you think your job will still be relevant in the future?
Do you like the people you work with?
Does your job pay well?
Would you recommend it to others?
Which do you think is more important, the work you are doing or the people you work
with?
(Different to above) Which do you enjoy more, the work you are doing or people you
work with?
Do you feel your co-workers (or, colleagues) have confidence in you?
Do you feel comfortable in your job? (Possibly the real word used was "secure", not
"comfortable".)

1b) Your Studies

What subject are you studying? ("What's your major?" in American English, for a
Bachelor's degree)
(Esp. for high school stds.) What subjects are you studying?
Why did you choose to study that subject? / Why did you choose to study those
subjects? ( and Note 37)
(Similar to above) What points attracted you to that subject?
What have you learned from (studying) that subject? 55
Do you like XXX (your subject)? 45
What's the most enjoyable part of your studies?
(Similar to above) What's your favourite subject?
(Similar to above) What subject (class) that you are studying is the most enjoyable for
you?
What's the most interesting thing about your subject(s)?
Is your subject the same as what you imagined (or, expected) it would be before you
started studying it? 42
(Similar to above) Is your subject the same as what you imagined it would be when
you chose it?
Is it very difficult (or, easy) to study that?
(Similar to above, referring to multiple subjects) Do you find them difficult to study?
45
Is that a very popular subject for university students in your country?
How do you study that subject?
What work are you planning to do (or, hope to do) after you finish your studies?
(Similar to above) Do you have any future plans involving your subject (= your
major)?
(Similar to above) What work do you plan to (or, want to) do after you finish your
education?
(Similar to above) What are your future career plans?
(Similar to above) What kind of work are you planning to do in the future?
Do you prefer to study in the mornings or in the afternoons?
(Similar to above) Do you study better in the mornings or in the afternoons?
Do you prefer to study in the daytime or in the evenings? N (Probably mistakenly
reported)
Do you prefer to study in a group, or study alone?
Do you attend classes every day?
Questions Possibly Still in Use
(Possibly) What are the differences between liberal arts students and science students?
32
What other subjects do you study? (Why?) 11
Where are you studying?
When did you start studying ____ (your subject)?
Which do you think is more important in the education process (or, in the classroom),
the teacher or the students?
Which is more important for you at school, the teachers or the other students? 39
Who gives you more help, your teachers or your classmates? 31
For you, where is the best place to study? (Why?)
Do you get annoyed when people disturb your study?
2. Your Hometown
Note: Sometimes the topic is specifically about the city or place that you are living in
now, regardless of whether it is your hometown or not.
Questions in Use Now
Where did you grow up? (= What is your hometown?)
Is that a big place or a small place?
Do you like your hometown?
What do you like most about your hometown?
Would you say your hometown is (or, was) a good place to grow up? 44
Would you like to return to your hometown when you retire?
Would you like to live in the countryside?
(Probably the question above is really this) Would you like to live in the countryside
when you retire?
(Similar to above) Would you like to live in the countryside when you are old?

Questions Possibly Still in Use

Where are you living at the moment? (= Where do you live?)
Where do your parents live?
Do you like living in _______ (your hometown, or where you are living now)?
What are the good points and the bad points about living here/there?
(Possibly) Is there anything you dislike about it?
Has it changed much since you were a child?
Can you suggest how it could be improved?
Would you say it has good facilities?
Does it have good educational facilities?
Is the public transport system in your hometown convenient to use?
Would you say it's a good place for (families with) children to live?
Would you say it's a suitable place for young people to live?
Do you have many neighbours?
Do you know your neighbours (or the local people) very well?
Would you like to change the place where you live?
Where would you take a visitor to your hometown? (Why?)
(Similar to above) What would you show a visitor to your hometown?
(Similar to above) What would you recommend a visitor to your hometown see and
do?
3. Your Home (Your Accommodation)
Do you live in a house, or a flat (= an apartment)? 6
Could you describe it a little?
What do you think are the advantages of living in a ______ ? (flat or house,
whichever you live in).
Who do you live with?
Do you like your home?
Would you say your home is a comfortable place to live?
Which part of your home do you like best?
(Similar to above) Which is your favourite room?
Would you like to change where you live? 61
(Similar to above) Would you like to make any changes to your home?
(Similar to above) Is there anything you would like to change about your home?
(Similar to above) Do you feel your home could be improved in any way?
Would you like to move to a different home?
What sort of home would you like to live in, in the future?
Would you prefer to live in a big house or a small one?
What is the living environment like around your home? N 8
(Possibly) Do you get along well with your neighbours? N
(Possibly) What types of shops are available in your area? N
(Possibly) What facilities are there in your neighbourhood (= near your home)? N
Did you live in a house / flat when you were a child? (The examiner might use the
word that represents what you are living in now.)
(Similar to above) What type of place did you live in when you were a child?
Did you like the place you lived in as a child?
What are the differences between the place you live in now and the one you lived in as
a child?
Will you move to (live in) a different flat / house? (Or: Will you be moving to (live in)
a different flat / house?) N

Questions Possibly Still in Use

Who do you live with?
Do you live with your family (your parents)?
Do you think it's good to live with one's family?
Do you enjoy living there?
What's the most enjoyable part of living there?
What are the differences between the place you live now and where you lived before?
Did you like the place you lived in as a child?
Are there many shops near your home?
In the future, what type of home would you like to live in? 17
How long have you lived (or, been living) there?
Has your family (or, have you) always lived there? 1
Do you plan to live (or, to continue living) there for a long time?

4. Bicycles
Do you know how to ride a bicycle?
Do you like riding bicycles?
How often do you ride a bicycle?
What are the advantages (or, benefits) of riding bicycles?
Is it convenient to ride a bike in your country?
Would you say it's safe to ride bicycles in your hometown?
Would you say it's safe for children to ride bicycles in your hometown?
Where are the safe places to ride a bicycle in your hometown?
Did you ride a bicycle when you were a child?
Do you think children should be taught cycling at school. as an extra-curriculum
subject?
In your country, are bicycles used more today than there were in the past?
Do you think it's important for children to learn how to ride a bicycle (a bike)?
What benefits do you think children get from riding a bicycle?

5. Computers and The Internet

How often do you use a computer?
What do you usually do on a computer? N
In what ways do people use computers in your country?
Which websites do you most often visit?
(Unconfirmed question) How 'computer literate' are you?
Do you think it's important to learn to use a computer? N
How much have computers changed your life?
Do you like using computers?
Would you like to learn more computer skills?
(Similar to above) Is there any particular computer skill that you would like to learn?
(Why?)
Do you think there are any disadvantages (or, downsides) from using (or, working on)
computers?

6. Dancing
Do you like to dance? (Why?/Why not?)
Have you ever learned to dance?
(Similar to above) Did you learn to dance when you were a child?
(Possibly) Would you have liked to attend dance classes when you were a child?
(Possibly) Why didn't you attend dance classes when you were a child?
When was the last time you danced?
What kind of dancing do people in your country like (to do)? 50
When do people in your country dance?
Do people in your country dance during traditional festivals?
Do you think there are any benefits for young people to go dancing?
Do you appreciate dancing when other people do it?
(Similar to above) Do you like watching (or, seeing) other people dancing?
Would you like to take (or, attend) dancing classes in the future?

7. Science
Most of these questions are about science in general, not just about the science
subjects you studied in school. However, you can refer to your school subjects in
some of your answers.
Do you like science? (How much? Why or why not?)
Does / did your high school offer any science-related classes? N
What science do (did) you learn at school?
Did you enjoy your science classes at school? N
What do you find most interesting about science?
What scientific fields are most popular in your country?
Is there anything about science that you don't like?
Do you like watching television (documentary) programs about science?
Can you suggest why people like to watch science fiction programs? N
Are science museums very popular in your country?
(Similar to above) Do people in your country often visit science museums?
Have you ever visited a science museum?
What future scientific developments do you think we will see?
Do you think science is important?
Is there any scientific topic that you would like to learn more about?

8. Parks
Do you like parks?
Are there many parks or public gardens near where you live?
Do people in your hometown like to go to a park?
Do you often go to a park?
(Similar to above) How often do you go to a park?
What do you do when you go to a park (or a public garden)?
Do you do the same things in parks that you did when you were a child?
Did you go to parks when you were a child more often than you do now?
Will you continue to go to parks in the future?
What types of people go to parks?
Do you think parks and public gardens are important in a city?
What do you think are the advantages of walking in a park?
Does your home have a garden?

9. Your First School

What can you remember about your first school? N
Can you describe your primary school? 51
(Similar to above) Can you describe the first school you attended?
Did you like it?
Was it far from your home?
How did you go to your primary school?
Do you remember the first day at your primary school?
Do you think that your primary school is (or, was) special?
Would you say it was a good school?
If you could, how would you change your primary school?
(Similar to above) If you could, what's one thing you would change about your
primary school?

10. Shopping
When do you usually go shopping?
Where do you usually go shopping?
When did you last go shopping?
Do you ever buy things you see on television? N
What time of day do you prefer to go shopping?
Do you prefer to buy things in big shops, or in small shops?
Is there any kind of shopping that you dont like?
Do you prefer to go shopping alone, or with friends?

11. Hand-Made Things

In your country, what sorts of things are made by hand?
Are these things very popular? (Or: Is making things by hand very popular in your
country?)
Did you make anything by hand when you were a child?
Did that have any influence on your future?
Do you think schools should teach handicrafts to school children?
(Similar to above) What benefits do you think children gain from making things by
hand?
What are the advantages of doing (or, learning) handicrafts?
(Possibly) What handicrafts do you think children should learn (or, will be learning) in
the future?
Is there anything that you would like to learn to make by hand?

12. Transportation
What forms of transport are there in your hometown (or, where you live)? N
Is transport convenient near you home? N
Which do you prefer to use (or most often use), a bus or a taxi?
(Similar to above) Which is more convenient to use where you live, a bus or a taxi?
How often do you take a bus?
Are buses convenient to use where you live?
Do you think it's important to have public transport available?
What form of transport do you prefer for long-distance trips?
Have you ever taken a long bus trip?

13. Evenings
What do you usually do in the evenings?
Do you often go out with your friends in the evening?
Do you prefer to go out, or stay at home in your spare time? N
Is there anything you don't like to do in the evenings? 62
What do you usually do before you go to bed?
Do you usually do the same things on week nights and on weekend evenings?
What do you usually do on Saturday night?
What did you generally do in the evenings when you were a child?

14. Your Country

This topic is being used as a normal topic, not as the first Part 1 topic. In other words,
it is possible to get either the Work/Studies topic, the Hometown topic or the Home
topic as the first topic, as well as this topic.
Do you like your country?
Please describe your country a little.
Which part(s) of your country do most people live in?
What part of your country are you from?
What do you like the most about your part of the country?
Have you visited other parts of your country? (Why did you go there?)
What's your favorite part of your country?
How much do you feel that these places have (or, your country has) changed over the
past few decades? 48
How much do you think your country will change in the future?

15. Music
However, it is unusual to have both the topic of Music and the topic of Songs in Part 1
at the same time.
What kinds of music do you like?
What kind of music did you like most when you were a child?
(Similar to above) Is the music that you listen to now different to the music you
listened to when you were a child?

16. Your Family

The examiner will probably ask you if it's OK to ask you questions about your family.
You can say "No" if you prefer not to talk about your family and the examiner will
choose a different topic.
Which is more important to you, your friends or your family?
Is the amount of time you spend with your family now the same as it was before?

17. Birthdays
Do you think birthdays are important?
How do you usually celebrate your birthday?
Do you prefer to spend (or celebrate) your birthday with your friends, or with your
parents?
What did you do on your birthdays when you were a child?
What do kids in your country generally do on their birthdays?
18. 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?

19. 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?

20. Singing
It is unusual to have both the topic of Music and the topic of Songs in Part 1 at the
same time.
Do you like singing?
Have you ever attended a singing class?
(Similar to above) Have you (ever) learned to sing?
What (sorts of) songs did you sing when you were a child?
Would you say people in your country like to sing?
Do you have a favourite singer?
21. Flowers
It is "give flowers", not "send flowers" unless you use a delivery service to deliver the
flowers to someone.
Do you like flowers?
What kinds of flowers do you like the most?
When do people in your country normally give flowers to others?
When was the last time you gave flowers to someone?
Are there any flowers that have special meaning to people in your country?
Have you ever grown any flowers?

22. Sunny Days

The following questions were used in 2013 for this topic.
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 (or, when you go outside)?
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?

23. Newspapers & Magazines

Do you like reading magazines and newspapers?
Which do you prefer reading, magazines or newspapers?
What kinds of (types of) magazines (or newspapers) do you usually read?
(Similar to above) What kinds of news (= what topics or what kinds of
information) do you find most interesting?
What parts of a newspaper do you prefer to read?
 (Similar to above) What parts of a newspaper do you read first?
What kinds of articles do you like to read?
Have you ever read a foreign newspaper (or magazine)?
(Similar to above) Do you ever read any newspapers or magazines in a
foreign language?
Do you think reading magazines and newspapers in a foreign language is
useful?
Do you think reading foreign magazines and newspapers can help you
learn a new language?

24. 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?

25. Art
Do you like art?
What forms of art do you like?
Would you like to study art, or work in the arts? (unclear question)
Do you ever look at art in books? 2
26. Gifts
It is "give a gift", not "send a gift" unless you use a delivery service to deliver the gift
to someone.
Do you often give gifts to people?
Do you prefer giving gifts or receiving gifts?
How do you choose what gifts to give?
On what occasions do people give gifts to others in your country?
Do you think that parents should give gifts to their children as a reward?

27. 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? 3
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)

28. 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?
29. Advertisements
Do you like (watching) advertisements on TV?
Have you ever bought anything after seeing it in an advertisement?
Do you think advertisements online are useful?/

30. Weekends
What do you usually 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?

31. Communication
How do you communicate with your friends?
Do you ever write letters or send cards to your friends?
When did you start using a mobile phone?
How do you usually communicate with your friends (and family)? 54
What do you usually communicate with them about?
When did you start using a mobile phone?
(Similar to above) When did you get your first mobile phone?
In what situations do you use your mobile phone?
When is NOT a good time to use a mobile phone?
(Similar to above) In what situations do you think people should not use a mobile
phone?
Have you ever sent a postcard to your friends or family?
When was the last time you sent a postcard?
Do you prefer to write letters, or emails? 52
When do you write emails, and when do you write letters?
Do you prefer to write handwritten letters, or to type letters (and emails) on a
computer?
On what occasions (or, in what situations) do you write handwritten things?
Does your job involve a lot of writing?
What kinds(s) of letter, email or message do you think is the most difficult to write?
Throughout their whole lives, do you think most people will do more typing, or more
handwriting?
Do you think handwriting is an important skill?
Is attractive handwriting important to you?
How important do you think good hand writing is?
Do you think (the use of) computers will replace handwriting in the future?

32. Swimming
Can you swim? (= Do you know how to swim?)
Do you like swimming?
Where do you swim?
How often do you swim?
Do you prefer to swim in the ocean or in a swimming pool? ( 21)
What do you think are the advantages of swimming? (= or, knowing how to swim)
Did you learn to swim when you were young?
Do you think it's hard to learn to swim?
Is swimming a very popular activity in your country?
Do you think it's important (for children) to learn how to swim? ( 20)
Do you think it is better to learn to swim as a child or as an adult?
How do most people in your country (those who learn to swim) learn to swim?
Should it be a compulsory for children to learn to swim when they are at school?
What do you think are the benefits of swimming for children?
Would you like to teach children how to swim? ( 19)
If you had a child, would you teach him or her to swim?

33. Social Media Websites

Possibly the words used are "social networking websites"
Do you (often) use social media websites?
When did you first use one of these websites?
(Possibly the question above is this) How did you first find out about social media
websites?
Is social media (or, are social media websites) very popular in your country?
Do you think social media will become more popular in the future?
In the future, do you think you will use social media more than you do now, or less?
Do you feel social media is more a positive thing, or more negative thing?
(Similar to above) What do you think are the advantages and the disadvantages of
(using) social media websites?
Do you like to use Facebook?

34. Sounds
The examiner might call this topic, "Noises" or "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 mind noises? (Do any noises bother you? / Are you ever bothered by noise? )
What type of noise do you come across in your daily life?
Are there any sounds that you like?
Where can you (= one) hear loud noise?
Do you think there's too much noise in modern society?
Are cities becoming noisier?
Do you think there is more noise in people's lives today than in the past?
(Similar to above) Do you think there is more noise in cities today than there was in the
past?
Do you think that cities will become noisier in the future?
What are some of the advantages of quiet places?
Would you like to work in a noisy place? (Why?/Why not?)
----------------------------
Do you prefer a quiet environment or an environment with some sounds?
(Similar to above) Do you prefer a quiet environment or a noisy environment?
(Similar to above) Do you prefer to study in a quiet environment or a noisy environment?
(Similar to above) Would you prefer to study (or work ) in a quiet environment or an
environment with some noise (or, sounds)?
What natural sound(s) do you like (the most)? (Why?)
Are you ever bothered by noise?
What sounds do you dislike? (Why?)
(Similar to above) Are there any particular sounds that you like or dislike?
(Similar to above) Are there any sounds you dislike?
What sounds do you like?
What sounds remind you of your childhood?
What (kinds of) music do you like the most?
(Unconfirmed question) How do you feel when you hear your national anthem?
Where can you hear loud noise?
(Similar to above) Where are some noisy places that you have been to? (Unclear)
(Similar to above) Do you think there's too much noise in modern society?
 (Possibly the question above is this) What noisy places are there in your hometown (or,
where you are living)?
Do you think that cities will become noisier in the future?

Notes
Note 1

The wording is unclear but I think the question is something like that. It might be, "Has
your family lived in many other apartments/houses?" or, "Has your family moved often
to different living places?" In that question, "family" means your parents & siblings but it
could possibly include earlier generations of your family living in the same house, for
example, 150 years ago.

Note that the examiner is most likely to use the British form, "have your family", not the
American form, "has your family". The British consider family as "them" or plural while
Americans consider it as one group, "it". When you speak or write, both are correct.

Note 2

Do you ever look at art in books?

Comic books or books of cartoons are a form of art!

Note 3

"Young people" = teenagers and people in their twenties.

Some young men and teenage males like to wear baseball caps. For example, those
guys you see in public places riding skateboards.

Note 4

To "go for a walk" or, "to go walking" means to go walking just for exercise, or to think, or
to look at the scenery etc. Those phrases are not used when we are describing walking
to get a particular destination, such as walking to school or to work.

Note 5
So far (as of May 14), it is not clear which questions refer to advertisements in general
and which only refer to advertisements (commercials) on TV, the radio & the internet.
See some vocabulary here.

Note 6

If you are living in a dormitory at the moment, it is perfectly suitable to say that.

Note 7

You need to have a clear understanding of the difference between a "game" and a
"sport". Although most, but not all, sports are also games, only a minority of games are
also sports. In other words, the majority of games are not sports.

Although most children's outdoor games involve physical activity, such as running, that
does not mean they are "sports". For example, a common kids' game that is played
outdoors is "Hide and Seek". It is (usually) played outdoors and the kids run away
quickly and hide. Another common kids' outdoor game is "Tag', which is a kind of
"chasing game".

Boys play marbles on the ground outside (although it could also be played indoors) but
this game requires skill more than physical exercise.

Girls play several physical and skill-based outdoor games, such as Hopscotch and
various games involving a long skipping rope.

Can you include in your answer a sport that is also a game? Certainly. For example,
many children play soccer and some play tennis. But I doubt if basketball is a good
choice. People usually only start playing basketball when they are teenagers and, don't
forget, a teenager is no longer a child.

Some primary school children have to engage in relay races (or competitions) in their
Physical Education (PE) class. These are team competitions but it is not very suitable to
call such an activity a "sport". It is also not very suitable to call a relay competition a
"game".

See also Games and Sports Facilities

Note 8

That question might be, "What's your neighbourhood like?" Your "neighbourhood is the
area around your home, perhaps to a radius of 1 km.
Note 11

This is probably mostly for high school students but it is possible university students will
also be asked about other subjects.

Note 16

"Would you like to change your job?"

There are several things to understand about this question.

1) If you had just said that you enjoy your job (or, your work) then this question is
unlikely to be asked, but it is still possible.

2) The most important point is this someone has reported the question as, "Would you
like to change your job in the future". This meaning is slightly different to the question,
"Would you like to change your job?" That is, when "in the future" is added, the
questions is similar to, "Do you want to change your job in the future?" or, "Do you plan
to / hope to change your job in the future?" But when the words, "in the future" are not
included, it means something like, "Would you be happier if you had a different job
(now)?" or, "Do you wish you had a different job (now)?"

To repeat: The question, "Would you like to change your job?" most commonly means,
change it NOW. It means the same as, "Would you be happier if you had a different job
(now)?", "Would you prefer to have a different job (now)?", "Would you change your job
(now), if you could?", "Do you wish you had a different job (now)?" etc.

The vast majority of times when a native English speaker says, "I would like to ...",
without adding "in the future", he or she means that he or she would be happier if the
present situation (now) were different. For example, "I would like to be younger". It
would be nonsensical to talk about being younger and add the words, "in the future"! "I
would like to be younger" means the same as, "I wish I were younger ".

Some learners of English (in Vietnam, at least) mistakenly assume that, "Would you like
...?" is always (and only) referring to the future, when this is not true.

3) On the other hand, it is possible that the question, "Would you like to change your job
in the future?" is really being used. That question is similar to, "Do you want to change
your job in the future?", and also similar to, "Do you plan to change your job in the
future?", "Do you intend to change your job in the future?" or, "Do you hope to change
your job in the future?"

Overall, I am not sure what the real wording is for this question. It's quite possible that
two different questions are being used, one referring to now and one referring to the
future. (I think two or three different sets of "Your Work" questions are being used.)

3) If you are doing the IELTS test with the intention or hope of migrating, for example to
Australia, then almost certainly you will "change your job", meaning you will change
your employer but you might not necessarily change your occupation, such as computer
programmer. In this situation, it is somewhat unsuitable to talk about "liking to" or
"wanting to" to change your job or your occupation in the future because you will have
little choice.

Note 17

Although I wrote in Note 16 that the majority of the time, native English speakers don't
say, "Would like to" when referring to the future, sometimes they do. The question, "In
the future, what type of home would you like to live in?" (= "What type of home would
you like to live in, in the future?) has a similar meaning to, "What type of home do you
want to live in, in the future?"

So why would, "Would like to" be used instead of, "want to"? Firstly, "want to" is more
emphatic and similar to "plan to" but most people simply have "hopes" about where they
will live. Secondly, "would like to" is used because it sounds gentler i.e., it is less
emphatic or less aggressive sounding it is more "genteel" or more "polite" sounding.

Note 19

Would you like to teach children how to swim?

Possibly that question is worded as, "Would you be willing to teach children how to
swim? This has a slightly different meaning to the first question.

Note 20

Do you think it's important to learn how to swim? = Do you think it's important to know
how to swim? = Do you think it's important to be able to swim?

Note 21

the sea = the ocean

Note 31

If the question is worded that way, without specifying "help with your studies", then it is
possible to say that your classmates give you more help concerning your personal life,
lending you money etc. but your teachers give you more help concerning your studies.

Note 32

This question was reported by one candidate so it might not be in the examiners'
question book. (Examiners only use questions from the question book in Part 1.)

Note 37

This is an important question and you have a 50% chance of getting this question. See
some important notes here, on the website. Those notes are about the question, "Why
did you choose to study that?" The question, "Why did you choose that type of work (or,
that job)?" is grammatically the same.

Note 39

Which is more important for you at school, the teachers or the other students?

Possibly the question is asked in general terms like that. Alternatively, the question
might emphasize your study, i.e., "In your studies, which is more important for you, the
teachers or the other students?" The first question could possibly be answered in terms
of your social life, your friends at school.

Note 42

Possibly the word, "hoped" is used instead of "imagined".

Note 43

The word, "handicrafts" might be used, or the words, "hand-made things" might be
used, or possibly both are used, in different questions. This is not clear yet. In fact, a
"hand-made thing" and a "handicraft" are very close in meaning. The meaning of a,
"hand-made thing" is something like, "made by a person, not made in a factory". The
meaning of a, "handicraft" is focusing more on the creative or artistic aspect of making
this thing, or the idea that it requires skills to make this thing.
The word, "handicraft" is sometimes used to mean the thing that is made by hand.
However, the most common usage of the word is, "a handicraft" = an activity or a skill;
the activity of making something by hand that requires some skill and/or artistic ability,
such as needlework or making pottery by hand.

Note 44

Obviously, you need to talk about what people need and want when they are growing
up, (People stop growing at about the age of 18, or earlier.) The question is not the
same as, "Would you say it's a good place to live?", which refers to people of any age.
Therefore, it is not suitable to talk about the infrastructure in your hometown such as
roads and bridges.

Note 45

For high school students, the examiner might choose to ask this question about one of
the subjects that you said you are studying (or studied). For example, "Is physics very
difficult to study?" [Or, "Do you like physics?" for the question, "Do you like ...?"]

Note 48

This question and the one following it might be worded as "How has it changed?", not
"How much has it changed?"

Note 50

If the words, "to do" are not included, it is possible to talk about what kinds of dancing
people like to watch, not do. But you still should not ignore the point about what forms of
dancing people like to do.

Note 51

It is possible that the examiners are not using the words, "primary school" and, instead,
are asking, "Can you describe your first school?" or, "Can you describe the first school
you attended?" If this is the case, "my primary school" is the correct name for it but the
examiners are testing to see if you know that name for it. "Elementary school" is the
American style of "primary school" and is not wrong but in the IELTS test, using the
British English style is best. Don't say your first school was a kindergarten because
Westerners don't consider kindergartens to be schools.

Note 52
The question, "Do you prefer to write letters, or emails?" is really asking which you
prefer in general, not just when communicating with your friends. However, if the
examiner announces at the beginning of this topic that the topic is, "Communicating with
friends" and not simply, "Communication" then you could assume that the question is
specifically asking about writing letters or emails to your friends. Always pay attention to
the exact wording when the examiner announces the name of the topic.

Note 54

If the question does not include the words, "besides chatting face-to-face" (or similar
words) then most people should include that in the answer. But you also should include
other methods such as talking on your phone, texting on your phone (= sending text
messages), sending text messages on an app such as Skype or Wechat, sending
emails or letters, and using online video chatting services such as Skype and Wechat

Note 55

If you have already completed your studies (either high school or university), this
question will probably be, "What did you learn from studying that subject?" For high
school students, the examiner will probably choose one of the several subjects that you
say you are studying or studied, if you have finished high school. Basically, the
examiner wants a summary of what you learned or the contents of the subject, possibly
with a few specific examples of what you learned.

Note 56

Below is a copy of an email I sent to someone about the topic of "computers".

Question:

I've seen a question in the IELTS question pool, which is in the topic of 'computer'. It is
like 'In what ways do people use computers in Vietnam?' I'm not sure whether this refers
to how people use computers (e.g. use computers to watch TV or documents' editing) or
it means how to make computers work ( e.g. Connect to wifi)

My Reply

On the topic of Computers (plural) in Part 1, that sort of question is referring to the
various purposes of using computers, not the various technical ways of using
computers. Anyway, there are not many different technical ways of using a computer
most computers work the same way.

Your question also seems to indicate that you are confusing the two different words,
"computers" and "the internet". These are two distinctly different things, although they
are connected in some but not all cases. For example, people today can connect to the
internet by using a mobile phone, which is not classified as a "computer".

If the question is, "In what ways do people use the internet?" then, again, the question is
USUALLY referring to the purpose of using the internet rather than the variety of
technical ways of using it, especially if it is a Part 1 question. If the question is about the
different ways of connecting to the internet, then the word "connect" or "go onto" would
most likely be used, not just the word, "use".

Different purposes i.e., usages of the internet are: 1) Entertainment especially viewing
entertainment videos, listening to music audio files, connecting to real-time TV and radio
broadcasts, reading entertainment articles such as gossip articles, and playing online
games etc. 2) Personal Communication such as using emails, text message exchange
services, direct streaming audio-video services such as Wechat, and expressing
personal opinions on message boards 3) Getting information such as the news, which
includes using non-entertainment audio-visual files & by reading webpages 4) Studying,
either private study by researching information on the internet or more formal study
such as taking an online university course, which might involve sending assignments by
email or face-to-face discussion with a tutor via a service such as Wechat 5) Making
financial or business transactions such as internet banking, buying & selling shares on
the stock market, online shopping, making online hotel or airline reservations etc. 6)
Exchanging computer files and data with others, including photos, audio-visual files,
software, e-books, and data (such as my Updates service) etc. The internet is also used
by governments & companies for sending and receiving real-time data such as the
direct streaming of the data from surveillance cameras.

Of course, computers themselves can be used for various purposes without being
connected to the internet. One of the most common uses of computers is to write
documents, including letters that are printed out and mailed by regular mail ("snail
mail"). Other common usages are the printing-out of documents or previously
downloaded webpages, and using a scanner to photocopy a document, a page from a
book or a photograph.

Your question was a good one, especially since it illustrates the confusion that some
people have between the two words, "computer" and "internet", I will copy it and my
reply to my Updates notes.
Note 61

The wording, "Would you like to change where you live?" can have two different
meanings: a) "Would you like to make some changes to the place that you are living
in?" or, b) "Would you like to change your address?" = "Would you like to move to a
different place?" Meaning a) is the meaning that most people report.

Note 62

Your answer could possibly include what you are afraid of doing in the evenings.