TOPIC 8: TECHNOLOGY

1. Question: Some people believe that technology causes more

problems for modern society than it solves. To what extent do you
agree or disagree?
2. Question: More and more people no longer read newspapers or
watch TV programs to get news. They get news about the world
through the Internet. Is this a positive or negative development?
3. Question: Some people think the increasing use of technology in the
workplace is good for young people's prospects of gaining a job and
harder for old people. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
4. Question: Today, advanced science and technology have made
great changes to people’s lives, but artists are still highly valued such
as musicians, painters and writers. What can the arts tell us about life
that science and technology cannot? (Focus)
5. Question: Online shopping is replacing shopping in stores. Do you
think it is a positive or negative development?
6. Question: Some people think that with the increasing use of mobile
phones and computers, people lose the ability to communicate face to
face. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Question: The rapid
advancement of technology has significantly altered the way we interact and communicate
with each other. While some people argue that this has brought people closer together, others
believe it has led to a decline in the quality of social relationships. To what extent do you agree
or disagree with this statement?)

TOPIC 9: SOCIAL ISSUES

2. Question: In many nations, people in huge cities either live alone or
in small family units, instead of in large, extended family groups. Is this
a positive or negative trend? (Question: Many modern societies have seen a
significant rise in the number of people living alone, particularly in urban areas. Some argue that
this trend reflects greater personal freedom and independence, while others believe it signals a
breakdown of social cohesion. Discuss both views and provide your opinion on whether this
trend is positive or negative.)
3. Question: The use of mobile phones is as antisocial as smoking.
Smoking is banned in certain places so mobile phones should be
banned like smoking. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
(Focus)
4. Question: Most people have forgotten the meaning behind
traditional and religious festivals; during festival periods, people
nowadays only want to enjoy themselves. To what extent do you agree
or disagree with this opinion? (Focus)
5. Question: Many countries aim to improve their living standard by
economic development, but some important social values are lost as a
result. Do you think the advantages of economic development
outweigh the disadvantages?(Question: Economic progress is often used to
measure a country’s success. However, some people believe that other factors are
more important. What other factors should also be considered when measuring a
country’s success? Do you think one factor is more important than others)
6. Question: Some people say economic growth is the only way to end
world poverty and hunger, while others say economic growth is
damaging the environment and must stop. Discuss both views and give
your own opinion.

TOPIC 10: GOVERNMENT(Focus full)

1. Question: Some people feel that there is too much emphasis on
getting an education, and that the government should spend money on
leisure time activities for young people too. To what extent do you
agree or disagree?
2. Question: A government has a responsibility to its citizens to ensure
their safety. Therefore, some people think that the government should
increase spending on defense but spend less on social benefits. To
what extent do you agree?
3. Question: Some people think that the government should give
money to creative people, such as artists and musicians. To what
extent do you agree?
4. Question: Some people think the government should pay for health
care and education, but there is no agreement about whether it is the
government’s responsibility. What is your opinion?
5. Question: Accommodation and transport problems are increasing in
many large cities. Businesses are encouraged to move to rural areas.
Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

TOPIC 11: ADVERTISING

1. Question: Nowadays there are many television advertisements
aimed at children. What effects do they have on children? Should TV
advertising be controlled? ( Question: Some people say that what
children watch on TV influences their behaviour while others say the
amount of time children they spend watching Tv influences their
behavior. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.) (Focus)
2. Question: People are surrounded by many kinds of advertising which
can influence their life. Do the positive effects of this trend outweigh
negative effects?

3. Question: Many companies sponsor sports as a way to advertise

themselves. Some people think this is good for the world of sports,
while others think there are disadvantages of this. Discuss both sides
and give your opinion. (Focus)
TOPIC 12: DIFFICULT QUESTIONS(Focus
full)
1. Question: Scientists believe that by studying the behaviour of 3-
year-old children, people can predict if that child can become criminals
in the future. To what extent is crime a product of human nature? Is it
possible to stop children from growing to be a criminal?
2. Question: Some feel that schools should be mixed with both girls
and boys attending. Others feel the genders ought to be separated.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
4. Question: Research into new types of medicines and treatments are
essential for improving health and dealing with diseases. Who do you
think should fund these
researches: private companies, individuals or governments?
TOPIC 1: EDUCATION(Focus full)
1. Question: Some people think that children should begin their
education at a very
early age. Some think they should begin at least 7 years old.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
2. Question: Some people think that sending criminals to prison is not
effective.
Education and job training should be used instead.
Do you agree or disagree?
3. Question: Some people think movies should only be for
entertainment. Others think
that they should also have educational values.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
4. Some people say that art subjects such as painting or drawing
should not be made
compulsory for high school students. To what extent do you agree or
disagree?
5. Education of young people is highly prioritized in many countries.
However,
educating adults who cannot write or read is even more important and
governments
should spend more money on this. To what extent do you agree or
disagree?

TOPIC 2: WORK
1. Question: Many employers find that their new employees lack
sufficient
interpersonal skills such as lack of ability to work with colleagues as a
team.
What are the causes? Can you suggest some possible solutions?
(Focus)
2. Question: The world of work is rapidly changing and employees
cannot depend on
having the same job or the same working conditions for life.
Why is it the case? Can you suggest some ways to prepare people to
work in the future?(Focus)
3. Question: In most successful companies, some people think that
communication
between employers and workers is the most important factor, other
people say that
other factors are more important.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
4. Question: More and more people are now moving away from an
agricultural
background to cities for work.
What will be the consequences of this? What solution can you offer?
5. Question: Many people find it hard to balance their work with other
parts of their
lives.
What are the reasons for this? How can this problem be overcome?
(focus)

TOPIC 3: HEALTH
2. Question: The number of people who are at risk of serious health
problems due to
being overweight is increasing.
What is the reason for the growth of overweight people in society?
How can this problem be solved?
3. Question: Some people think that public health in a country can be
improved by the
government making laws regarding nutritious food. Others, however,
think that
health is a matter of personal choice and responsibility.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.(Focus)
4. Question: Healthcare should not be provided for free regardless of a
person’s
income. The health of a person is in their own hands and they should,
therefore, be
held accountable for that.
Do you agree with this opinion?
5. Question: The increase in food production owes much to fertilizers
and better
machinery. Some people think that it has a negative impact on human
health and
community. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

TOPIC 4: ENVIRONMENT
2. Question: The increase in the production of consumer goods results
in damage to
the natural environment.
What are the causes of this? What can be done to solve this problem?
3. Question: Some people think that zoos are all cruel and should be
closed down.
Others however believe that zoos can be useful in protecting wild
animals. Discuss
both opinions and give your own opinion.(Focus)
4. Question: Human activities have negative effects on plant and
animal species. Some
people think it is too late to do anything about this problem. Others
believe that
effective measures can be taken to improve this situation.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
5. Question: It is often said that governments spend too much money
to protect
wildlife, while there are other problems that are more important.
Do you agree or disagree?
6. Question: The best way to solve the world’s environmental problems
is to increase
the cost of fuel for cars and other vehicles.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

TOPIC 5: BUSINESS
1. Question: Some people think that big companies should provide
sports and social
facilities for the local community. To what extent do you agree or
disagree?(Focus)
2. Question: The expansion of multinational companies and increase in
globalization
produce positive effects for everyone.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
3. Question: In some countries, small town-centre shops are going out
of business
because people tend to drive to large out-of-town stores. As a result,
people without
cars have limited access to out-of-town stores, and it may result in an
increase in the
use of cars.
Do you think the disadvantages of this change outweigh its
advantages?(Focus)
5. Question: Large businesses have big budgets for marketing and
promotion and as a
result, people gravitate towards buying their products.
What problems does this cause? What could be done to encourage
people to buy local products?(Focus)

TOPIC 6: ENTERTAINMENT
2. Question: Pop stars earn much more than classical music
performers. Some people
think this is fully justified while others think it is unfair.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.(focus)
3. Question: Films were produced by big companies in the past, but
today people are
able to make a film.
Is this a negative or positive development?(focus)
4. Question: Some people think sports games are important for society,
while others
believe they should be taken as leisure activities. Discuss both views
and give your
opinion.(focus)
TOPIC 7: LANGUAGE
1. Question: A few languages are increasingly spoken in different
countries, while the use of others is rapidly declining. Is it a positive or
negative development?
2. Question: The development of tourism contributed to English
becoming the most prominent language in the world. Some people
think this will lead to English becoming the only language to be spoken
legally. What are the advantages and disadvantages of learning one
language in the world?
3. Question: As computers translate quickly and accurately, learning
foreign languages is a waste of time. To what extent do you agree?
4. Question: Some people think governments should spend money on
measures to save languages with few speakers from dying out
completely. Others think this is a waste of financial resources. Discuss
both views and give your opinion.(Focus)