比如2008年9月6日的雅思A类写作题目Once children start school,teachers have more influence on their intellectual and social development than parents do. To what extent do you agree or disagree? 此问题的焦点集中在“谁对孩子的影响更大,老师还是家长”。一年多以后,2009年10月8日考了一道非常相似的雅思写作题目:A family has a great influence on children‘s development, but the outside of home plays a bigger part in children’s life。Do you agree or disagree? 这道题把家长parents换成了family, 把老师teachers换成了家庭以外的影响the outside influences。这样一来,论述的范围扩大了,写的文章当然也就不一样了。
再比如这道题目“Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of international tourism.”分析国际旅游的利弊,这是道典型的老题了。但在当今的形式之下,往往同样的话题不会这样考,而是这般出题:International tourism creates tension rather than understanding between people from different cultures. Do you agree or disagree? 此问题的焦点集中于“国际旅游给不同文化背景的人们带来了紧张还是理解?”,如果我们依然按照“国际旅游利弊”这样的思路来论述,必然跑题。
2006年9月16日:Some people think that the government should decide the subject for students to study in university. Others believe that students should be allowed to apply for the subject they prefer. Discuss both views and give your opinion.(学生在大学的专业选择应该有政府决定,还是学生根据自己的喜好决定?)。结果呢,类似的一道题目在2009年8月13日的雅思A类考试中出现了:The subjects and lesson contents are decided by the authorities such as the government. Some people argue that teachers should make the choice. Do you agree or disagree? (学生在大学的学习内容是否应该由老师决定),这道题虽然同上一道论述的中心大不相同。前者集中于分析“政府决定和学生决定”各自的利弊,而后者则需侧重“老师决定”的利弊。论据虽有重合或相似的地方,但不完全一样。