Your Subject (= your major)

• What subject(s) are you studying?

• Why did you choose to study that?

• Do you like your subject? (Why?)

• Is there anything about your subject you don’t like?

• Do many people in China choose to study this subject? (Why?)

• Is this a popular subject at your university? (= Do many students study this at your university?)

• For university students: What's the most interesting thing about your subject? (Why?)

• For high school students: Which of your subjects is the most interesting? (Why?)

• For university students: How do you think your subject is important? (If the words of the question are these, you can answer how the subject is important to you, not just important to society. Or, mention how it is important in both aspects, to you personally and to society.)

• For high school students: Which of your subjects do you think are the most important? (Why?)

Your Studies in General What's the best part of your studies?

Your Course

• Can you describe your course? (Not sure if the word here is 'subject', 'studies' or 'course'. The posting HERE [message # 26] seems to indicate that the word is 'course'. This is similar in meaning to your 'studies' - it includes all the classes you study, not just your main subject. An example of a 'course' is: 'A Bachelor of Civil Engineering course.')

• How long is your course? (How long do you have to spend studying before you graduate?)

• What part of your course do you like best?

• Which class do (did) you enjoy the most? (Why?)

• What is the most difficult part of your course?

Your University/School

• Where do you study? (What university/school and in what city?)

• Why did you choose to attend your university/school (instead of choosing another one)?

• Do you like your university/school? (Why?/ Why not?)

• What do you most like about your university/school? (Why?)

• (Similar to above) What part of your school/university do you like best? (Why?)

• Would you say your school/university is a good one? (Why?)

• Does your university/school specialize in any particular subject?

Help With Studies Is there anyone who helps (helped) you (with your studies) at university/school? (Who? In what way?) (Who gives you the most help?)

Friends at University/School

• Are you good friends with your classmates (schoolmates)?

• (Similar to above) Do you get along well with your classmates (schoolmates)?

• (Similar to above) How do you get along with your classmates (schoolmates)?

• Do you ever talk to students who are studying different subjects to you? (= students from different courses)

• Do you think you will continue to be friends with him/her/them after you graduate?

• How do you think you will maintain your friendship(s) after you graduate?

• (For graduates) Have you kept up (maintained) your friendships from university (school)?

• Are there any classmates/schoolmates who you dislike (disliked)? (Who? Why?)

• Do you often get together with ( = go out with = do things in your free time with ) your classmates after classes? (What do you do?)

Future Work

• What are your future work plans?

• Do you think it will be easy for you to get a job after you graduate?

• After you graduate, what effect do you think you will have on society?

• After you start working, do you think you will prefer that kind of life to being a student?

Further Studies If you were to pursue further studies, would you choose to continue studying this subject?

Holidays What holidays from university/school do you have during the year?

Liking Your Job

• Do you like/enjoy your job? (Why?/Why not?) = 'How do you like your job?' (= How do you feel about your job?)

• What part of your work do you like best?

• Is there anything you don’t like about your job?

• Do you prefer working to being a student? (Why?/Why not?)

Interest

• Would you say it's an interesting job? (Why?)

• (Similar to above) Are you very interested in your job? (How? or Why?/Why not?)

• (Similar to above) Is your work interesting? (How?/Why not?)

• Do you work more for interest (job satisfaction) or for the money?

• What is the most interesting part of your work?

• Do you meet many interesting people in your work? Or: Are there many interesting people at your workplace?

Holidays

• What holidays from work do you have during the year?

2. Your Home (Your Accommodation)

• What kind of housing/accommodation do you live in? [A house? A flat? (= an apartment) A dormitory?]

• (Similar to above) What sort of accommodation do you live in at the moment - a house or a flat? (If you live in a dormitory but the examiner only gives you the choice of flat or house, you can begin your answer by saying something such as, "Well, neither, actually. I live in a dormitory at my university.")

• Who do you live with?

• How long have you lived there?

• Do you like it? (Why?)

• Can you describe the place where you live? = Please describe your home a little. (Talk mostly about the place, not the people you live with.)

• What's the best thing about (or, the best part of) your home (= the place where you live)?

• What part of your home do you like the most?

• (Similar to above) What would you say is the best thing about your home?

• (Similar to above) What do you like most about your home?

• What do you least like (= like least) about your home?

• Which is your favourite room? (Why?)

• Which room does your family spend most of the time in?

• What do you usually do in your house/flat/room?

• Do you think your home (or, the place where you live) needs any improvements?

• What kind of decorations does it (do the rooms/does your room) have?

• (Similar to above) How do you decorate (or, how have you decorated) your home? (or, your bedroom or your part of your dorm room)

• What kind of housing is most popular in China?

• In the future, what kind of place would you like to live in?

Moving Would you like to move to another place to live? (Why? Where?)

• Are you prepared to move? Have you (ever) thought of moving to a different place? (Why?/Why not?)

(If the words of the question are these, the meaning is 你(在任何时候)想过搬家吗?)

• Are you preparing to move to a different place soon? ( = Are you planning to move soon?) (Why?/Why not?)

• Are you planning to (= thinking about) moving to live in a different place? (Why? Where? /Why not?)

• (Similar to above) If you had the opportunity, would you move to a different place? (Why? Where? /Why not?)

Around Your Home (Your Neighbourhood)

• Are there many people living near you?

• Do you know all your neighbours?

• What kind of people are your neighbours?

• Do you spend much time socializing with your neighbours in your neighbours' homes? Would you say the place where you live is good for families with children? (Hint: Children need a place to play outside.)

• What public facilities are there near your home?

3. Your Hometown

• Whereabouts (=where) did you grow up? (Or, Where were you born?)

• (Similar to above) Where are you from?

• Is that a city or is it in the countryside?

• (Similar to above) Are you from a city or village (countryside)?

• Do you still live there?

• Does (do) your family still live there?

• Do you still visit your hometown?

• How do you visit your hometown? (=What kind of transport do you use to go there?)

• Who do you visit in your hometown?

• Where do you live now?

• Why do you live there/here?

• Do you like the city where you are living now?

• (Similar to above) Which place do you prefer, your hometown or the city where you are studying or working?

Description of Your Hometown

• What kind of place is your hometown? (= Describe your hometown)

• (Similar to above) Could you describe your hometown a little?

• Are the people in your hometown very friendly?

• (Similar to above) Is your hometown a friendly place?

• What's the most famous (= well-known) place in your hometown?

• What's the oldest part (the oldest area/section) of your hometown?

• (Similar to above) What's the oldest structure in your hometown? (= the oldest existing structure)

• How has your hometown changed in recent years? (E.g., the past 20 years or since you were a child)

Your Feelings about Your Hometown

• Would you say it's a good place to live/grow up?

• Would you say it's a good place for young people to live/grow up?

• (Similar to above) Would you say it's a good place for children to grow up?

• What do you like about your hometown?

• (Similar to above) What part of your hometown do you like best? (Why?) (= What's the best thing about your hometown? = What do you find most attractive about your hometown?)

• Would you retire there when you are old?

Visitors to Your Hometown

• Do many people visit your hometown (as tourists)?

• (Similar to above) Is your hometown a good place for visitors (tourists)?

• What do these visitors see or do when they go to your hometown?

• (Similar to above) Does your hometown have any special tourist attractions?

• What forms of transport do visitors use to come to your hometown?

• How could your hometown (be improved in order to) attract more visitors?

• Are you planning to travel anywhere? (Where? Why?)

• Why do you want to do the IELTS test?

4. Bicycles

• Are bicycles popular in your city? (Why?/Why not?) [Note: 'common' & 'popular' are not always the same. However, the word, 'common' might be used here because bicycles are both common & popular.]

• What kinds of people ride bicycles?

• Do you often ride a bicycle? (Why?/Why not? Where? When?)

• How long have you ridden a bicycle? (= How many years have you known how to ride a bicycle?)

• What do you think are the advantages (and disadvantages) of bicycles compared to cars?

• Would you say bicycles are suitable for people of all ages?

• Can you think of any people who are not suited to riding a bicycle? (Hint: very young, very old and disabled people)

• (As above) Who is most suitable for riding a bicycle and who is least suitable?

• Do you think bicycles are suitable for present society?

5. Birds

• How do you feel about birds? (Why do you feel that way?)

• How do Chinese people feel about birds?

• Are there many birds near your home?

• Have you seen many different kinds of birds? (near your home)?

• Do any birds have any particular significance in China? For

example, does China have a national bird?

• Do you think birds should be protected? (Why? / Why not? How can

they be protected?)

• Do Chinese people like raising (keeping) pet birds?

• Have you ever raised (kept) a pet bird?

• What did you feed it?

6. Clothes

• What kinds/styles of clothes do you like to wear? (Why?)

• (Similar to above) What kind of clothes do you like best? (Why?)

• Do you prefer informal (= casual) or formal clothes? (Why?)

• Do you feel comfortable when wearing formal clothes? (Why?/Why not?)

• Do your friends have the same tastes in clothes as you? (= Do your friends wear the same kinds of clothes as you? Or: Do the people around you wear the same kinds of clothes as you?)

• Do you think you will still be wearing the same kinds of clothes when you are old? (You could include what you think you will be or won't be wearing when you are old.)

• Is the brand of clothes important to you? (Why?/Why not?)

• What clothes materials do you like best? (Why?)

• What can you learn about a person from the clothes they wear?

• How (much) is traditional Chinese culture being affected by foreign clothes styles?

• Do you think employees in a company should wear a uniform?

• Are you (would you be) willing to wear a uniform at work?

• (Similar to above) How do you feel about wearing a uniform?

• Do students and working people wear the same kinds of clothes?

• What do you think of modern fashions?

• Do you like the latest fashions? (Why?/Why not?)

• What's your favourite clothes colour? (Why?)

• How important to you is the color of (your) clothes?

• When you buy clothes, how do you choose the colour?

• Do any colours have special meaning in your culture?

• How often do you go shopping for clothes?

• Do you like shopping (for clothes)? (Why?/Why not?)

• Do you like window-shopping for clothes? (Why?/Why not?)

• Why do some people frequently go shopping (for clothes)?

• Do you think some people pay too much attention to clothes?

• Do you think some people spend too much time/money on shopping (for clothes)?

• Do men and women have the same ideas (feelings) about clothes?

• Do you think the clothes a person wears are important?

• How does the clothes a person wears represent that person?

• Do you like buying clothes on the internet?

7. Collecting Do you collect anything?

• Why do you collect ....(that/those things)?

• Is collecting a popular pastime in China?

• What items are considered collectibles in your country?

• Does anyone in your home collect anything?

• Do a lot of people in China collect things and what do they collect?

• What are the benefits of collecting? (= Why do people like collecting?)

8. Computers

• Do you use computers very much?

• When was the first time you used a computer?

• What do you use computers for?

• Have computers changed (= influenced) your life in any way? (If yes, how?)

• Do you think computers are useful (or important) in everyday life? (How?)

• (Similar to above) What role do computers play in modern life?

• (Similar to above) Do you think computers are important in everyday life?

• Computers are now used a lot in education. What do you think of this?

• (Similar to above) In China, when do children at school use a computer?

• (Similar to above) Computers are now used a lot in the education of children. What do you think are the advantages of

this? (Similar to above) Do you think computers are good or bad for children?

• 9. Daily Routine

• Tell me something about your daily routine.

• (Similar to above) Please describe your typical daily routine. (Summarize your typical day - morning, afternoon & evening. Avoid using 'will' - use the present tense. Of course, the question refers to your typical Monday to Friday day.)

• (If you do not work) For you, what's the best time of day for studying?

• (If you work) For you, what's the best time of day (or, day of the week) for working?

• What part of the (= your) day do you like best? (Why?) (= What part of your daily routine makes you the happiest? Or = What part of the day are you most efficient?)

• (Similar to above) What's your favourite time of the day? (Why? What do you do at that time?)

• If you could make one change to your daily routine, what would it be?

• (Similar to above) Would you like to change anything about your daily routine right now (or, about your life)? (If yes, what?/Why?)

• If you had more free time, what would you do?

• Do you get together with your fellow students/work colleagues (=classmates/workmates) after classes/work? (What do you do?) [This question is possibly in the Work/Studies topic.]

• Do you like to plan what you will do each day? (Why?/Why not?)

• What do you usually do at this time of day? (= What are you usually doing at this time of day?)

• Do you usually do the same things at the same time each day?

• How do you plan (organize) your study time?

• Do you ever (or, do you often) change these plans?

• Can you think of any improvements to your daily routine?

• What do you usually do on Saturdays and Sundays?

• (Similar to above) What do you usually do for leisure or entertainment in your free time?

10. Dance

• Do you like to dance? (Why?/Why not?)

• What kind of dancing do Chinese people like? (Unsure if the question meaning is, ‘like to watch’ or ‘like to perform’ or both.)

• When do Chinese people like to dance?

• Does China have any traditional dances?

• Is traditional dance still popular today in China? (Why?/Why not?)

• Is there much difference between traditional dancing and modern dancing? (What?)

• What kinds of dancing are popular with young people in China?

• Do old people in China like the same kind of dancing as young people? (Why?/Why not?)

• What do you think is the influence of dance on society?

11. Drawing or Painting

• Have you ever learned to draw (or paint)?

• Do you like drawing (or painting)?

• Did you like drawing (or painting) when you were a child? (Why?/Why not?)

• Do you draw (or paint) now? (Why?)

• How often do you draw (or paint) something?

• Do you think drawing (or painting) is difficult?

• Do you think a person can teach him or herself how to draw (or paint)?

• Do adults draw (or paint) very often?

• What do you think about adults drawing (or painting)?

• What do you think are some of the benefits of drawing (or painting), for both children and adults?

• (Similar to above) What are the benefits of drawing (or painting)?

• To draw (or paint) well, what factors do you think are important?

12. Family Life

• Is family very important to you? (Why?)

• How much time do you spend with your family?

• If you were married, how many children would you choose to have?

(Why?)

13. Films

• How often do you go to the cinema?

• Are most of the people in the cinema usually children or adults?

• How much time does it take to watch one film?

• How much time do you spend watching films?

• Who do you usually watch films with?

• Do you prefer to watch films in a cinema or at home? (Why?)

• What kind of films do you like to watch? (Why?)

Is there any kind of film that you don't like to watch? (Why?)

14. Flowers

• Do you like flowers? (Why?)

• Which/What is your favorite flower?

• What are the occasions when people send or receive flowers?

• (Similar to above) When do Chinese people give flowers to other people?

• When was the last time you gave (sent) flowers to someone?

• What meaning do flowers (= does giving flowers) have for Chinese people?

• What flowers have special meaning in China?

• Do people in China like growing flowers?

• Does anyone in your family like growing flowers?

15. Food/Cooking

• Is food important to you? (Why?)

• What kinds of food do you particularly like?

• Is there any food you don’t like? (Why?)

• What kinds of food are most popular in China? or, What kinds of

food do Chinese people (like to) eat?

• Do you like cooking? (Why?/Why not?)

• Who usually does the cooking in your home?

• Do you prefer to eat at home or in restaurants? (Why?) (What

are the advantages of home cooking?)

• Who do most Chinese people usually eat with? (Why?)

• Do you often eat with your family? or, Do Chinese people (or you) prefer to eat with family or with friends? (Why?)

• Do you think it's important for people to eat with their family? (Why?)

16. Friends

• Is friendship (= are friends) important to you? (Why?/Why not?)

• Do you prefer to spend time with friends or spend time alone? (Why?)

• What kind of people do you like to have as friends?

• Do you like to spend time with friends? (Why?)

• What do you and your friends do together?

• What do your friends think of you? (Do your friends think that you are a good friend? Why?)

• Are friends more important than family? (Why?)

• How do Chinese people make friends? (= where, in what situations, e.g. at school & at work.)

• Do adults and children make friends in the same way?

• Do you like meeting new people?

• (Similar to above) Do you like talking to strangers?

• How do people get to know (get to meet) new people?

• Do you think it's easy to form new friendships?

• How long does it take to get to know a person?

• When was the last occasion you met someone new?

• Can you remember your first (or, your earliest) friends? (Who were they?)

17. Games

• Do you often play games? (Include examples such as: hopscotch; hide-and-seek; chess; majiang, weiqi, card games, word games, drinking games, computer games etc. Don't choose sports games such as basketball, ping-pong etc.)

• (Similar to above) Do you like to play games? (Why? What games?)

• (Similar to above) What games do you like to play?

• Can you play this game with friends?

• How do people learn to play this game?

• Can you get information about this game on the internet?

• Are there other ways to get information about this game?

• What benefits do you get from playing this game?

• (Similar to above) What benefits do people get from playing games?

• Do different age groups of people like to play different games? (Give examples - What games?)

• What's the most popular game in China?

• (Similar to above) What games are popular in China?

• How have computers influenced the games people play?

• Do you know of any games that are studied in university? (Hint: Games Theory)

18. Housework

Note: "Housework" and "homework" are two different things!

• Do you like to do housework? (Why?/Why not?)

• What housework do you usually do in your home?

• What housework do you least like doing? (Why?)

• Who usually does the housework in your home?

• When you were a child, did you ever do any housework?

• Do you think it's important for children to do some housework?

19. Gifts

• What was the last gift you received?

• What was the last gift you gave someone?

• Do you like giving presents to other people? (Why?/Why not?)

• (Similar to above) Do you often give presents to other people? (Why?/Why not?)

• When do people in China give gifts? (On what occasions?)

• (Similar to above) What are some of the gift-giving customs in China?

• In China, is it necessary to bring a gift when you visit someone?

• In China, is it necessary to bring gifts when you return home after traveling to another place (such as overseas or a different part of China)?

20. Languages

• What languages do you speak?

• Besides English, have you studied any other languages?

• When did you start to study that?

• What do you think of your level in that language? (= Can you speak it well?)

• If you had the opportunity to study another foreign language, which one would you choose? (Why?)

• Is it difficult to learn a foreign language? (Why?/Why not?)

• What is the most difficult part about studying a foreign language?

• What is the value of knowing a foreign language?

• What do you think is the most effective way to learn a foreign language?

• Why do people learn a second or third language?

• Do you think it's important to learn foreign languages? (Why?/Why not?)

• Why did you choose to study English?

21. Leisure Time & Relaxing

• When do you have free time?

• How do you like to relax? (What’s your favourite way to relax?)

• How do Chinese people like to relax?

• How does that (the way Chinese people like to relax) compare with western countries?

• Do you think it's important to have leisure time?

• How could we (or one, or you) find more time for leisure?

• How do you think people will relax in the future?

• Compare the way people in China relax today and the way they used to relax many years ago.

• In your leisure time, what do you usually do with friends or family? (= Do you do things in your leisure time with friends or

family? What?)

• Do you think it's important to spend your leisure time with your family? Why?

• Do your friends ever come to your home in their free time? What do you usually do together?

• Do you think it's important for people to spend some time relaxing? Why?

• Do you have any hobbies or interests? (= What are your hobbies or interests?)

• What do you do in your holidays (= vacations)? (= How do you spend your holidays?) Or: How do people in China spend their

holidays?

• Are holidays important (to people/to you)? (Why?) Or: Do you think holidays are necessary? (Why?) Or: Why do we need to have holidays?

• What are some of the public holidays that China has?

• What changes can one make to one's life in order to be more relaxed?

• Besides relaxing people, does watching television bring any other benefits to people?

• What do people in your hometown do to relax?

• Does your hometown have many facilities for entertainment?

• Can you think of any hi-tech products that play an important role in the leisure/entertainment industry?

22. Letters & Emails

• Do you often write letters? (Or: How often do you write letters?)

• Who do you usually write to and what do you write about?

• What (do you think) is the most difficult kind of letter (or email) to write? (Why?)

• Do you prefer to write letters or emails? (Why?)

• What role do emails (or letters) play in your life? ( = Why do you write these emails or letters?)

• How do you feel when you receive letters?

• How often do you write letters?

• How often do you write emails?

• What kinds of emails (or letters) do you most like receiving? (Why?) (= What kinds of emails/letters make you happy?)

• What are the differences between handwritten letters and emails?

• Do you think it is a good thing that some companies send out letters/spam emails for the purpose of advertising?

• Do you like writing letters to your relatives and friends? (Why?/Why not?)

• Do you and your friends keep in touch by (handwritten) letter?

• How do you keep in touch with (= keep in contact with) your friends and relatives? (... by email, letter, by phone or some other way?)

• Do you usually write letters to people or do you usually use a cell-phone or email?

• (Similar to above) When you communicate with people, do you prefer to write a letter, write an email or call on your cell-phone? (Why?)

• (Similar to above) How do you communicate with others at work – by email or is it more convenient to communicate face-to-face?

• What kinds of emails do you send and receive? (Business emails? Personal emails?)

• Compare emails and (handwritten) letters.

23. Meals

• Which meal do you prefer, lunch or dinner (supper)? (Why?)

• What do you usually eat for lunch?

• What do you usually eat for your evening meal?

• Do you prefer to eat three full meals a day or do you prefer to eat many snacks throughout the day?

• (Similar to above) Do you think it is better to eat one big meal a day or is it better to eat several smaller meals each day?

• Which meal of the day do you think is the most important? (Why?)

• Do you think breakfast is important? (Why?/Why not?)

• What do you usually eat for breakfast?

• Would you like to try any new food? (If yes, give an example &/or say why.)

• Do you like cooking (or, preparing your own meals)? (Why?/Why not?)

• 24. Music

• Do you like music? (Why? What kind?/Why not?)

• (Similar to above) Is music important to you? (Why?/Why not?)

• (Similar to above) How important is music to you? (Why?)

• When do you listen to music?

• What kinds of music do you like to listen to?

• What kinds of music are (most) popular in China?

• Have you ever learned to play a musical instrument?

• (Similar to above) Do you play any musical instruments?

• (Similar to above) What musical instrument would you like to learn to play?

• (Similar to above) If you had the opportunity to learn a musical instrument, what instrument would you learn? (Why?) [If the examiner asks " ...what instrument would you learn?" you should answer, "I would learn the violin." or some similar answer. If the examiner asks you, " ...what instrument would you like to learn?" then you should begin your answer with "I'd like to learn the violin". See HERE for more on this grammar point.]

• Which instrument do you think would be better to study - the piano or the violin?

• What musical instrument do you most enjoy listening to ( = enjoy listening to most)? (Why?)

• Have you ever listened to someone play this instrument? (Who?)

• Is music an important subject at school in China?

• When do children in China start to study music in school?

• What benefits do children gain by studying music (learning a musical instrument) (in school)?

• Do you think it's important for children to learn (to play) a musical instrument?

• In what ways does music affect people?

• Compare the music that young people like and the music that old(er) people like.

• Why do many old people dislike pop music?

25. Newspapers

• Do you often read newspapers?

• How old were you when you first started to read newspapers?

• What kinds of news do Chinese people read in newspapers?

• Do you prefer to read about domestic (or local) news or international news? (Why?)

• What different types of newspaper are there in China?

• Do you care about the news?

• Is the news important (to you)?

• What are some methods that newspapers use to attract readers?

26. Noise

• Do you mind noises? (Do any noises bother you?)

• What type of noise do you come across in your daily life?

• Are there any sounds that you like?

• Are cities becoming noisier?

• What are some of the advantages of quiet places?

• Would you like to work in a noisy place? (Why?/Why not?)

27. Outdoor Activities

• What do you do in your spare time?

• What outdoor sports do you like? (Why?)

• How much time do you spend outdoors every week?

• How often do you do outdoor activities?

• What are some examples of outdoor sports that are popular in China?

• Do you think people in China spend enough time outdoors? (Why?/Why not?)

• (As above) Do you think it's important to spend some time outdoors? (Why?/Why not?)[Possibly the question above is worded as, "Is taking part in outdoor activities important to you?" (Why?)]

• Can children play sport at school in China?

28. Parks and Public Gardens

• Are there many parks or public gardens where you live (or, in your hometown)?

• Do you think parks and public gardens are important to a city? (Why?/Why not?)

• (Similar to above) Do you think every city and town should have parks and public gardens? (Why?/Why not?)

• Do you ever go to any of these places?

• How often do you go to any of these places?

• What do you like to do when you go to a park or public garden?

• What do other people do in these places?

• When do other people go there?

29. People's Ages

• What do you think is the most important age in a person's life? (Why?)

• (Similar to above) In China, what's the most important age in people's lives?

• Are birthdays important in Chinese culture?

• (Similar to above) Do people in China celebrate birthdays?

• What birthday is most important in Chinese culture?

• What age do you think is the happiest in people's lives?

• What age in life is the most difficult? (Why?)

• (Similar to above) Which age is the most tiring for people?

• Do you like your present age? (Why?/Why not?) (= Would you prefer to be a different age to the age you are now?)

• What age do you think will be the best (happiest?) in your future?

30. Photography

• Do you like to take photographs? (Why?)

• (Similar to above) Do you like photography (= taking photographs/taking pictures)? (Why?/Why not?) (When you 'take a photograph' you are the person using a camera, that is, standing behind the camera, not the person standing in front of the camera!)

• How long have you liked taking photographs? (Include 'since' or 'for' in your answer. E.g., '... since I was about ten years old' or '... for about 5 years'.)

• How (why) did you become interested in photography?

• What is the value of taking photographs?

• Why do (you think) some people do not like taking photographs?

• (Similar to above) What types of people don't like taking photographs?

• How often do you take photographs? (You should include an approximate time, such as 'about once every 2 or 3 months.')

• When (on what occasions) do you take photos?

• What kind of photos do you like to take? (Why?)

• Do you prefer to take photos yourself or to have other people take photos? (Why?)

• Do you prefer to take pictures (= take photos) of people or of scenery? (Why?)

• How do you keep your photos?

• Do you keep your photographs on your computer?

• Are there any photos on the walls of your home?

• Do you frame (or have you framed) any of your photos? (If yes, which? & why?)

• Is photography a popular hobby in China?

• Why do you think some people like taking photographs when they visit another place?

• Do you prefer to send postcards to people or to send photos that you took yourself? (Why?) (Or: As a souvenir of a place that you visit, do you prefer to buy a postcard or take a photograph yourself?)

• Do Chinese people like to visit photograph exhibitions? What kind of photos do they like to look at?

• Do you think being a photographer would be a good job? (Why?/Why not?)

• Why do (you think) some people do not like having their photo taken?

• (Similar to above) Why do some people dislike having themselves photographed?

• What factors make a good photograph?

31. Rain

• Does it rain much in China? (Where? When?)

• Do you like rainy days? (= How do you feel on rainy days? = Do you feel sad on rainy days?) How does rain affect different people’s moods? (Or: How does rain effect people's lives?)

• What do you do on rainy days (or, on a rainy day)?

• Do you think rain is good? (Why?)

• Is there any part of China where it doesn't rain much? (Where?) (or: Is there an even distribution of rain throughout China?)

• What effects can a shortage of rain (a drought) have on people's lives?

• When (in what month/season) does it rain most in your hometown?

• What about the other parts of China? (In which season does it rain most in other parts of China?)

• Can you remember any time when it rained particularly heavily in your hometown? (When?)

• Does rain ever affect transportation in your hometown? (How?)

• Do you think the seasons have changed in recent years, compared to the past? (Why? How?)

32. Reading

• What kinds of things do you like reading?

• What types of book do you dislike reading?

• (Similar to above) Are there any types of book you dislike reading?

• What reading materials do different kinds of people like?

• What reading materials do young people (e.g. aged 15 to 25) like to read?

• What types of people like reading?

• Why do some people dislike reading?

• Do you think reading is important? (Why?/Why not?)

• What is the function of (the purpose of) reading?

33. Restaurants

• Do you usually go out to eat or do you usually eat at home?

• How often do you go to a restaurant (to eat)? (Do you often go to restaurants (to eat)? How often?)

• Why do you (or, why do people) go to restaurants?

• What kind of restaurants do you like? (prefer) (Why?) (Or, How do you choose which restaurant to go to?)

• What kind of restaurants do young people in China prefer? (Why?)

• What do you usually do there?

• What kind of foods do you (or Chinese people) like to eat in restaurants?

• How (do you think) restaurants have changed, over the past few years? (=How are restaurants today different to those of before?)

• How do you think they will (might) change in the future?

• What skills do people need to work in a restaurant?

• What are the qualities of a good restaurant?

34. Shopping

• Are there many shops near your home? (What kind?)

• Do you like shopping? (Why?/Why not?)

• (Similar to above) How do you feel about going shopping?

• (Similar to above) Do you like to go shopping? (Why?/Why not?)

• What do you think is the most difficult (or, unpleasant) part about shopping?

• (Similar to above) What don't you like about shopping?

• (Similar to above) Is there anything you don't like about shopping?

• Who usually does the shopping in your home?

• (Similar to above) Who does most of the shopping in your family?

• Where do you like to shop?

• How often do you buy something (in a shop)?

• Do you have a regular time to go shopping?

• What do you usually buy when you go shopping?

• Do you prefer shopping in small shops or big supermarkets and department stores? (Why?)

• Do you like to go window-shopping? (Why?/Why not?)

• How do you think shopping has changed in China since you were born?

• Do you think people spend too much time shopping?

• Do you like shopping for clothes or other goods on the internet?

35. Sport/Exercise

• What sports do you like? (Why?)

• What sports are most popular in China?

• Are boys and girls good at the same sports?

• What sports do children prefer?

• Do you like to do daily exercise? (Why?/Why not?)

• What are the advantages of doing regular exercise?

• Where do people in China usually exercise?

• What forms of exercise are most popular in China?

• Why do you think people like (to participate in) sport?

• Do you think primary school children should have sports classes at school? (Why?/Why not?) 36. Sports Teams

• Do you like sport? (Why?/Why not?)

• Why do some people enjoy (watching) sports events?

• What are the most popular sports in China? (Or: What's the most popular sport in China?)

• Does China have any good sports teams? ( = What are some of the best sports teams in China?) (China has many world class teams - you don't have to restrict your answer to world champion teams. Avoid table tennis because some people think a pair of table tennis players is not called a 'team' but instead, a 'pair'.)

• (Similar to above) Which Chinese sports teams are most popular?

• (Similar to above) Which Chinese sports team is most popular?

• Which is your favourite Chinese sports team?

• Have you watched this team compete?

• Has this sports team been successful recently?

• Is there any team you don't like? (If yes, include why you dislike it.)

• Do you think teamwork is important? (Why?) 37. Telephones

• Do you often make phone calls?

• When do you make these phone calls?

• Who do you call?

• For what purposes do you make or receive phone calls?

• Are cellphones very popular in China? (Why?)

• Which do you prefer to use, a cellphone or a normal house phone (= 'an older-style telephone'; a 'land line phone')? (Why?)

• What are the differences between cell phones and typical house phones?

• Which is better, a face-to-face conversation or a phone call? (why?)

38. Television and Radio

• What kind of entertainment do you prefer, TV or radio? (Why?)

• How are radio programs and television programs different?

• What programs do you like to watch/listen to?

• When do you watch TV/listen to the radio?

• In China, has television/radio changed much in the past few years? (How?)

• How do you think TV/radio broadcasts in China could be improved?

• Do you prefer TV news or news on the radio? (Why?)

39. Transport

• How did you get to the test today? (What form of transportation did you use?)

• What kinds of transport do you usually use?

• (Similar to above) What type of transportation do you usually (or, most often) use?

• (Similar to above) What’s your favourite form of transport? (Why?)

• For you, what are the benefits (advantages) of using that form of transportation?

• What do you think of the transport conditions in your hometown?

• (Similar to above) What’s the traffic like in your hometown?

• How do you think the transport system could be improved?

• Do you think transportation costs (gasoline, subway, bus & taxi fares, etc) are expensive in your hometown?

• In China, is transportation in the big cities the same as transportation in small towns and villages?

40. Travel

• Do you like to travel (in your holidays or free time)? (Why?)

• Do you think it's important to travel during your holidays? (Why?/Why not?)

• Do you think it's necessary to travel in order to enjoy your holidays? (Why?/Why not?)

• Where do you like to go? (If you say you like to travel or do, in fact travel in your holidays.)

41. Weather

• What kind of weather do you like (best)? (Why?)

• What is the typical weather in China like? (Hint: There is no typical weather because China is so big and different parts of the country have different kinds of weather. For example ...)

• Can you give any examples of unusual weather?

• Which city in China (or, which part of China) has the best weather?

• Which city in China (or, which part of China) has the worst weather?

• How does the weather affect people (or, you)?

• Do you always (often/usually) pay attention to the weather forecast? Why?/Why not? 42. Weekends

• Are Saturdays and Sundays (= weekends) important to you?

• How do you (usually) spend the weekend?

• Which do you prefer, Saturday or Sunday? (Why?)

• Should people be working or resting on Saturdays and Sundays?

• Should people be paid overtime for working at the weekend?

• Do you know anyone who works at the weekend?

43. Your Primary School

• How old were you when you started school?

• Where did you go to school?

• How did you get to school each day?

• Tell me something about the school. (= Can you describe it?)

• Did you enjoy it? (Why?/Why not?)

• What were some of the most popular activities (in the playground?) at primary school?

• Have you ever returned to see your old school again?

• Are you still in contact with any of the friends you had in primary school?

44. Your Secondary School

Note: It is possible for you to be asked this topic even if you are a university student or are working now.

• What subjects did you study in secondary school (= high school)?

• What was your favourite subject ( = class) in secondary school? (= high school)

• And which class (= subject) did you like the least? (Why?)

• Which secondary school subject do you think is most useful for people in adult life?

• What part of your secondary school education did you enjoy most? Or: Did (do) you like your secondary school life?

• How do you feel about your high school (secondary school)?

• Why did you choose to attend (= to go to) that particular school?

• Which class did (do) you enjoy the most? (Why?)

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