1. Family..................................................................................................................

5
2. Work..................................................................................................................... 5
3. Education.............................................................................................................5
4. Studies.................................................................................................................. 6
5. Hometown............................................................................................................6
6. Weather................................................................................................................6
7. Home.................................................................................................................... 6
8. Wedding...............................................................................................................7
9. Travel...................................................................................................................7
10. Computers............................................................................................................7
11. Internet.................................................................................................................7
12. Email.................................................................................................................... 7
13. Friend...................................................................................................................8
14. Place..................................................................................................................... 8
15. Smoking...............................................................................................................8
16. Marriage...............................................................................................................8
17. Hobbies.................................................................................................................8
18. Films....................................................................................................................8
19. Shopping..............................................................................................................9
20. Sports.................................................................................................................... 9
21. Food..................................................................................................................... 9
22. Festival................................................................................................................. 9
23. Television...........................................................................................................10
24. Tourism..............................................................................................................10
25. Daily routine......................................................................................................10
26. Your country......................................................................................................10
27. Clothes................................................................................................................11
28. Going out............................................................................................................11
29. Games.................................................................................................................11
30. Colours...............................................................................................................11
31. Music..................................................................................................................11
32. Accidents at home..............................................................................................12
33. Adoption.............................................................................................................14
34. Adoption.............................................................................................................15
35. Advice................................................................................................................. 18
36. Age: youth & old age.........................................................................................19
37. Airplanes............................................................................................................21
38. Amusement parks...............................................................................................23
39. Anger..................................................................................................................24
40. Animals & pets...................................................................................................25
41. Annoying things.................................................................................................30
42. Arguing..............................................................................................................32
43. Art....................................................................................................................... 33
44. The art of conversation......................................................................................35
45. Bags and purses.................................................................................................38
46. Baseball..............................................................................................................38
47. Basketball...........................................................................................................39
48. Beach..................................................................................................................40
49. Beauty and physical attractiveness....................................................................42
50. Behavior.............................................................................................................44
51. Birthdays............................................................................................................47
52. Body language...................................................................................................48
53. Books and reading.............................................................................................49
54. Bullfighting........................................................................................................51
55. Business.............................................................................................................51
56. Cars and driving.................................................................................................52
57. Celebrities...........................................................................................................55
58. Change...............................................................................................................56
59. Charity................................................................................................................57
60. Cheating.............................................................................................................58
61. Childbirth...........................................................................................................59
62. Children.............................................................................................................59
63. Chores................................................................................................................61
64. Cities...................................................................................................................62
65. Classrooms.........................................................................................................64
66. Cloning...............................................................................................................65
67. Clothes & fashion..............................................................................................65
68. College................................................................................................................69
69. University...........................................................................................................71
70. Colors.................................................................................................................73
71. Comic books.......................................................................................................76
72. Community.........................................................................................................78
73. Computers..........................................................................................................79
74. Conflict...............................................................................................................83
75. Corruption..........................................................................................................84
76. Countries............................................................................................................85
77. Creativity............................................................................................................86
78. Crime.................................................................................................................. 87
79. Culture...............................................................................................................91
80. Commuting.........................................................................................................94
81. Complaining.......................................................................................................94
82. Cultural shock and adapting to canada.............................................................95
83. Dangers..............................................................................................................96
84. Dating.................................................................................................................98
85. Death & dying..................................................................................................101
86. Diets..................................................................................................................105
87. Disabilities and handicaps...............................................................................105
88. Disaster.............................................................................................................106
89. Disaster preparation.........................................................................................108
90. Dreams.............................................................................................................109
91. Discrimination.................................................................................................111
92. Dogs and cats...................................................................................................112
93. Do you wish...?.................................................................................................113
94. Dreams.............................................................................................................114
95. Drugs................................................................................................................116
96. Earthquakes.....................................................................................................118
97. Easter...............................................................................................................119
98. Education.........................................................................................................120
99. Encouragement................................................................................................125
100. English literature & books.............................................................................127
101. English study..................................................................................................128
102. Entertainment................................................................................................129
103. Environment & pollution...............................................................................131
104. Everyday questions........................................................................................133
105. Eye contact.....................................................................................................135
106. Facebook........................................................................................................136
107. Social networking..........................................................................................138
108. Fads and trends..............................................................................................138
109. Faith and faithlessness..................................................................................139
110. Family............................................................................................................140
111. Family and alternative lifestyles....................................................................144
112. Famous people...............................................................................................145
113. Fashion..........................................................................................................146
114. Favorites........................................................................................................147
115. Fears..............................................................................................................149
116. Feelings..........................................................................................................151
117. Films in your own language..........................................................................152
118. Fire safety......................................................................................................154
119. First dates.......................................................................................................154

1. FAMILY

 Describe your family?

 Do you have a large or small family?
 How much time do you spend with your family?
 What do you like to do together as a family?
 Do you get along well with your family?
 Are people in your country generally close to their families?

2. WORK

 What do you do?

 What are your responsibilities?
 How many hours do you work each day?
 Do you enjoy your work?
 Is there some other kind of work you would rather do?
 If you could change your job or profession, what would you do?
 Describe the process of getting a job in your country.
 Describe the company or organization you work for.
 What is your position?
 What do you like about your job?
 What do you dislike about your job?

3. EDUCATION

 Describe your education.

 What kind of school did you go to as a child?
 Did you go to a co-educational school?
 What was your favourite subject as a child?
 Who was your favourite teacher?
 What is the education system like in your country?
 Do you think your country has an effective education system?

4. STUDIES

 What are you studying now?

 What is your area of specialization?

5. HOMETOWN

 Describe your hometown.

 What’s special about it?
 Where is your hometown located?
 Is it easy to travel around your hometown?
 What is it known for?
 What do people in your town do?
 What are the main industries in your hometown?
 What problems face your hometown?
 What languages are spoken in your hometown?
 What are the advantages of living in your hometown?
 What are some problems faced by your hometown?
 Compare your hometown with another city.
 What are some environmental problems faced by your hometown?

6. WEATHER

 What’s the weather like in your country?

 Does the weather affect your mood?
 How do rainy days make you feel?
 What’s your favourite season of the year?
 What do you like to do when it’s hot?
 What do you usually do in the winter?
 How many seasons does your country have?

7. HOME

 Describe your home.

 What kind of building do you live in?
 How long have you lived there?
8. WEDDING

 Have you ever been to a wedding?

 Whose wedding was it?
 Where was it held?
 What clothes do people wear?
 Describe the wedding ceremony.
 What sort if gifts do people buy for the bridal couple?
 What kind of clothes did the bride and groom wear?

9. TRAVEL

 Do you like to travel?

 What kind of places have you visited in your life?
 Which place would you really like to visit? Why?
 What’s the best place you’ve ever visited?

10.COMPUTERS

 Do you think computers help society?

 Do you think computers are bad for health?
 How do you think computers have changed the world?

11.INTERNET

 Do you use the Internet much during the day?

 What do you usually do on the Internet?
 What are some advantages of the Internet?
 What are some disadvantages?
 Do people in your country use the Internet a lot?
 Do you do any shopping on the Internet?

12.EMAIL

 Do you send and receive email regularly?

 Who do you usually communicate with?
 How often do you check your email?
 Do you think writing email has strengthened or weakened people’s writing skills?
 What are some disadvantages of email?
13.FRIEND

 Describe a friend.
 How long have you known each other?
 What do usually do together?
 What do you like the most about him / her?
 How often do you see each other?

14.PLACE

 Describe a place you like to go.

 Why is this place special to you?
 When did you first visit this place?
 Where is this place located?
 What language is spoken here? Do you speak this language?

15.SMOKING

 What do you feel about smoking in public places?

 Do you think smoking should be banned in people’s homes?

16.MARRIAGE

 What is the attitude toward marriage in your country?

 Do most young people plan on getting married in your country?
 What are some of the advantages of marriage?
 What are some of the disadvantages?
 Is the divorce rate high in your country?
 Do you think people should be allowed to get divorced?

17.HOBBIES

 Do you have any hobbies?

 What are some of your hobbies?
 When did you first develop this hobby?
 What are some of the advantages of having a hobby?
 How much time do you spend on your hobby?

18.FILMS

 Do you enjoy watching movies?

 What’s your favourite film?
 Who are your favourite actors?
 How often do you watch films?

19.SHOPPING

 Do you enjoy shopping?

 How do you feel about shopping?
 Do you like shopping on the Internet?
 Do you have any favourite stores?
 What don’t you like about shopping?
 Which is the most popular place to shop in your hometown?

20.SPORTS

 Do you like sports?

 Do you enjoy watching sports?
 Do you enjoy participating in any sports?
 Which sports are most popular in your country?
 What’s your favourite sport/
 When did you first become interested in sports?
 How often do you participate in sports?
 What equipment do you need for your favourite sport?

21.FOOD

 What are some of your favourite foods?

 What foods are popular in your country?
 What are some of the famous dishes of your country?
 Do you enjoy cooking?

22.FESTIVAL

 What’s the most important festival in your country?

 How do people celebrate this festival?
 What special food is associated with this festival?
 What special activities are associated with this festival?
 What do you enjoy most about this festival?
 Do you think festivals are important for a society?

23.TELEVISION

 Do you watch television a lot?

 What do you usually watch on television?
 How many hours of television do you usually watch?
 What are the most popular shows in your country?
 What kind of shows do you like to watch?
 What are some advantages of television?
 What are someof the disadvantages of television?
 What did you last watch on television?
 Why do you think certain TV shows are so popular?

24.TOURISM

 Which places would you recommend to a visitor to your country?

 Do a lot of tourists visit your country?
 What do they usually do there?
 How has tourism changed your country?
 Is your country expensive for most tourists?
 What are some famous landmarks in your country?

25.DAILY ROUTINE

 Describe your daily routine.

 What do you usually do?
 What do you do on the weekend?
 What is you typical weekday like?
 Does your life change much from week to week?
 Do you have any free time during the week?

26.YOUR COUNTRY

 Which country are you from?

 Where is this country located?
 Which part of the country do most people live in?
 What are the main industries in your country?
 Is it easy to travel around your country?
27.CLOTHES

 What type of clothes do you like to wear?

 What kind of clothes do people in your country usually wear?
 How important is fashion to you?
 What kind of clothes do you dislike?
 Do you think people behave differently in different kinds of clothes?
 What kind of clothes do people wear to work in your country?
 Are clothes expensive in your country?

28.GOING OUT

 Do you like going out or staying at home?

 What do you like to do when you go out?
 How often do you go out?
 Do people in your country go out a lot?
 How and where do people in your country usually socialize?
 What kind of entertainment is popular in your country?

29.GAMES

 Do you enjoy playing any games?

 What kind of games do you play?
 Do you think adults should play games?
 What do children learn from games?
 What kind of games did you play when you were a child?
 What games are popular in your country today?
 What kind of games were popular when you were young?
 Do you think mental games like chess are good for you?

30.COLOURS

 Do you have a favourite colour?

 What are your country’s colours?
 Do you think colours affect our moods?
 Can you learn anything about a person from the colours he / she likes?
 Do you like the same colours now as you did when you were a child?

31.MUSIC

 Do you like music?

  What kind of music do you like?
 When do you usually listen to music?
 What kind of music did you like when you were younger?
 What kind of music is popular in your country?
 Do you play any musical instruments?
 Do you wish you could play any musical instruments?
 Which is your favourite instrument?

32.ACCIDENTS AT HOME

 What is the most dangerous thing in your home? How can your home be made less
dangerous?

 What is the most dangerous thing in your home for a child? How can it be made
less dangerous?
 What is the most dangerous thing in your home for an elderly person? How can it
be made less dangerous?
 What dangers can be found in the kitchen that can cause accidents?
 What can be done to prevent kitchen accidents?
 What can a parent do to childproof a kitchen?
 What dangers can be found in bathrooms that can cause accidents?
 What can be done to prevent bathroom accidents?
 What can a parent do to childproof a bathroom?
 What dangers can be found outside the home in the yard that can cause accidents?
 What can be done to prevent yard accidents?
 What can a parent do to childproof the yard?
 What other dangers can be found in a home in bedrooms, laundry rooms, garages,
and living areas?
 What can be done throughout the house to prevent accidents?
 What can a parent do to childproof the different rooms of the home?
 Where at home would you put your first aid kit?
 What would you have in it?
 Where are these items found in a house, why could they be dangerous, to whom
could they be dangerous, and what could someone do to lessen the danger they
present?
o hot pan/pot
 o hot curling iron
o knife
o window
o iron
o medicines
o gasoline
o pool
o insecticides
o natural gas
o balcony
o toilets
o staircase
o stove/oven
o stool/ladder
o yard tools
o fireplace
o cellar /attic
o bathtub
o bad dog
o tall pieces of furniture
o swing set / playground
o very clean glass sliding door
o electronic equipment
o cleaning supplies
o lake/retention pond
o loose carpet on slippery tile floor
o glass table or sharp edged table
o hairdryer
o bric-a-brac
 What do you need to do if...
 you cut your finger preparing food?
 you fall down and can not move a limb?
 your child drinks a poisonous liquid? (discuss syrup of ipecac)
 the toilet is flooding the bathroom?
 a pan on the stove is on fire?
 a neighbor's dog is growling at you?
 our child falls off a chair and is bleeding?
 What is the phone number for the police?
 How do you call an ambulance?
 What is the phone number for poison control?

33.ADOPTION

 What is adoption?
 Do you know anyone who was adopted as a child?
 Do you know anyone who has adopted a child?
 What are some of the reasons people choose to adopt?
 What is the difference between domestic and international adoption?
 What are the views of adoption in your country?
 How would someone interested in adopting a child go about doing so?
 Where do children available for adoption come from?
 What happens to children that are not adopted?
 How do you go about adopting a child?
 Would you want to adopt a boy or a girl? Why?
 Do you think brothers and sisters should be separated in adoptions?
 Are adoptions common in your country?
 What are some organizations that help with adoptions?
 Should you tell the child that he or she was adopted? If so at what age? Or when?
 Should adopted children have the right to know their biological parents?
 Should families with birth children also adopt?
 Is the real parent the birth parent or the adoptive parent?
 Should adoptions be between children and families of the same race and or
culture?
 How or should the adoptive parents maintain the adopted child's cultural identify?
 In your country are the legal rights of an adoptive child different from that of a
birth child?
 What are the legal consequences of adopting a child from a different race or
country?
 Why don't more people adopt children?
 What makes a family, genetics or environment?
 Do you support an open adoption policy where the birth parents can choose to be
involved in the child's life?
 Do you believe there is discrimination within the adoption organizations?
 Do you think a person should be able to adopt a child of a different race?
 Should a gay or lesbian couple be allowed to adopt a child?
 Should there be an age restriction for the adoptive parents?
 Should a single man or woman be able to adopt a child?
 If you were to find out that you were adopted and not really from the country
where you are a citizen, which nationality would you hope would be your true
mother country? Why?
 When is the right time for a child to be told that he/she was adopted?
 Do you think it is preferable to adopt or to use artificial reproduction technology?
 Would you agree to an open adoption or closed adoption? Why?
 What is an open adoption?
 Would you want to find your birth family? Why or why not?
 Should prospective parents in adoption cases be required to do a parenting
course?
 Are there any risks when adopting a child?
 Do you think biological parents should always have a right to keep their identity
secret from the children they give up for adoption? Why or why not?
 Do you think people who have been adopted should always have the right to find
out who their birth-parents are?
 How would you feel if a child you had adopted wanted to search for his or her
birth parents?
 Do you think that adopted children should feel especially loved and wanted?
 Should people be allowed to adopt children of a different race and/or culture?
 What are some good points and bad points of this kind of adoption?
How would you feel if you found out you were adopted?
 What would you do?
Do you it is preferable to adopt or to use artificial reproduction technology?
If you had a choice, would you want to be adopted?
Should people be allowed to adopt children of a different race and/or culture? What
are some good points and bad points of this kind of adoption?
How would you feel if you found out you were adopted? What would you do?

34.ADOPTION

What is the most shocking advertisement you have seen?

What is the funniest advertisement you have seen? Describe it.
What makes an ad memorable?
What are the different types of advertising? (Eg. TV)
What types of companies choose each type?
Do you buy products because of advertising?
Do you find advertising persuasive?
Why do you buy one product over another?
Should advertisers be allowed to advertise to children?
Should alcohol or tobacco companies be allowed to advertise? Why or why not?
What do you think of celebrity endorsements?
Which celebrities advertise which products?
Do favorite or annoying celebrities make you want or not want to buy a product?
Should there be advertisement-free zones?
Is there truth in advertising?
What kind of advertisements attract your attention?
Why is it necessary to advertise?
Do you think advertising should be allowed to interrupt TV or radio programs?
What are the alternatives?
What is the best way to advertise to children? Adults? Seniors? etc..
Do you think advertising is too expensive?
What are some effective adverts you have seen lately (on TV, newspaper, etc)?
What are some ineffective adverts you have seen lately?
Can you remember an advertising campaign that caught your attention?
What are the different methods of advertising?
What is the most popular way of advertising?
Do you think that the Internet and cable/satellite TV have become more important
than national TV for advertising products?
What do you think is the best way of discovering the tastes and interests of
teenage consumers?
Can TV advertising be a force for good?
How easy do you think it is to influence children with advertising?
Do you agree with anti-consumerism organizations that the child will have
watched 350,000 commercials by the time she graduates from high school?
Do you think the government has he right to ban advertising for junk food and
soda during children's TV programs. What do you think about this? Why do
you think they made this decision?
Do political parties in (country) use TV advertising? If so, should they?
When out walking or shopping in the city, do you accept advertising fliers or free
samples that are offered to you?
What forms of advertising are there?
What would make an advertisement more interesting?
Can you buy something and get something for free in your country?
Do people use coupons where you live?
What is the most advertised product in your country?
What is the best form of advertising?
What gets you interested in an advertisement?
Describe an advertisement that you have seen or heard on the TV or radio. What
was it about? How long did the commercial last? Did it make you want to buy
the product?
What is the funniest commercial that you have seen? Describe it.
What differences can you notice between commercials from 10 or 15 years ago
and commercials today?
Do you think ads influence the choices you make when you buy clothes?
Do you often buy a particular brand when you buy clothes?
Why do you buy this brand?
Does it give status to wear particular brands like Nike or Lacoste?
Do you sometimes want very expensive things which you or your parents can't
afford?
Do you think ads influence the choices you make when you or your parents buy
food?
What brand is the ketchup you or your parents buy?
Is it always the same brand? Why do you prefer this brand?
What brand is the toothpaste you or your parents buy?
Can you name three different ways of advertising? (For example, different media)
Do you think there are too many ads in television? Why/why not?
Do you know why some channels have ads and others not? If you do know
explain.
Do you think there are too many ads in magazines? Why/why not?
Do you think there are too many ads in newspapers? Why/why not?
Think of an ad you think is good or funny and tell about it.
What kinds of ads do you like and why? What makes a good ad?
Do you think children or young people are easier to influence through ads
compared to adults?
Do you think it's ok to show ads aimed at children on television? Why/ why not?
When you watch TV, how much attention do you pay to the advertisements?
Which advertisements do you like most and which least? Why?
 How would you advertise something you wanted to sell?
What are the harmful and the beneficial effects of advertising?
Do you think that ads create a desire for more and more material possessions?
Do you think that commercials on TV are annoying because they interrupt
programs or do you think that many ads are more amusing that the programs
on TV?
Do you think advertising is too expensive? What are the different methods of
advertising?

35.ADVICE

 I want to quit smoking. What should I do?

 I won 100,000 dollars and I don't know how to spend it. What should I do?
 I gained a lot of weight in last few years. I want to lose at least 10kg. What should
I do?
 I have just lost my job. I haven't told my husband/wife yet. How should I tell
him/her?
 I found a wallet which had 2,000 dollars in it. How should I spend it?
 My son doesn't want to go to school. He says that his teacher and all other
students hate him. What should I do?
 My child wakes up very often in the middle of the night. He sleeps usually during
the day. I haven't had any good sleep for weeks. What should I do?
 I have a headache. What should I do?
 I hate working. What should I do?
 I feel sad. What should I do?
 I want to protect the environment but I don't know how. What should I do?
 I am always late. What should I do?
 I keep losing my credit card. What should I do?
 I have a red nose. What should I do?
 I am new in this city. I would love to meet some people. What should I do?
 I want to get rich quickly. What should I do?
 I need a car but I don't have enough money. What should I do?
 I want to be a cool man. What should I do?
 My girlfriend left me. I feel depressed. What should I do?
 My husband doesn't help me with house chores. What should I do?
 Have you ever self-published something? What are some good ways to publish
your writing independently?
 If you have a lot of things to get done in one week, how do you manage? What
advice would you give someone who is very busy?
 My girlfriend/boyfriend is seeing another man/woman. I saw a message in his/her
mobile phone. What should I do?

36.AGE: YOUTH & OLD AGE

 Are young people generally more selfish than their parents and grandparents?
 Does age make you more aware of and caring for others?
Should adults try to teach young people lessons, such as the dangers of drinking too
much, taking drugs or catch the AIDS virus, or should they leave them alone to
find out about these things themselves?
 What are the advantages and disadvantages of both approaches?
What do you think is the best age to be?
 Explain your opinion.
Most countries give young people rights as they reach a certain age. For example,
British people can legally make love or fight for their country at the age of 16;
they can drink, vote and drive a car when they are 18.
 Do you think that any of the age limits need changing?
Some people think you should give something to society before you have the right to
join it.
 Should young people have to do some form of military or community service
by law?
Should people of between 50 and 55 be forced to retire from their jobs in order to
make way for younger workers?
If people are still able to (and want to) work, should they have to retire when the
reach a certain age?
 Explain your opinion.
In most countries the legal retirement age for men is five years older than for women,
even though women live longer than men on average.
 Why do you think this is?
 Is this fair, or should it be changed?
Are there many things that the old can teach the young or are they hopelessly out of
touch by the time they reach a certain age?
 What things were you taught by your older family members?
 How have they been useful to you in your life?
In most countries, compulsory education is targeted at five to sixteen year olds.
 Would it be better to offer it to pensioners who want to learn rather than
young people who prefer not to be in school? Explain your opinion.
In Russia, China and many other countries, there is a tradition of choosing leaders
who are quite advanced in years.
 Do you think that older people make better leaders? Explain your opinion.
One of Britain's best-ever leaders was William Pitt, who became Prime Minister
when he was 24 and remained in power for 18 years.
 Could this ever happen in your country? Why/why not?
Many elderly people have disabilities which limit their mobility.
 Do buses, shops and public buildings in your country provide easy access for
the disabled or are your towns and cities designed mainly for the young and
able-bodied? Why is this?
Should the elderly be expected to pay for residential care out of their own savings or
should appropriate accommodation and nursing be provided by the tax payer?
Explain your opinion.
Some people say that men age better than women, and remain attractive longer. Do
you agree? Explain your opinion.
Some people say that men never grow up, they just get bigger. Do you agree?
Explain your opinion.
Some people say that young women are usually two to three years more mature than
young men. Do you agree? Explain your opinion.
In most countries women live an average of five to six years longer than men. Why
do you think this is?
In some countries having children is considered a way of "investing in the future",
and young people are expected to give money to their parents when they get a
job, and then to care for them when they retire.
 What are the good points and what are the bad points about this system?
Many countries are facing the problem of an "aging population", i.e. there will soon
be more old people than young people.
 What problems will this cause?
 What can be done to prepare for them?
What do you think is the ideal age for each of these stages of your life: (Explain your
opinion.)
What age do you want to live to?
How do you feel about your parents growing older?
If your parents could no longer care for themselves, would you let them live with you
or put them in a nursing home?
Are you afraid of getting old?
What is your ideal old age to live to?
Do you prefer to live in the retirement home or live with young people?
Should parents continue to finance their children after the children are 18?
Where do you wish to live when you are old?
Where do you see yourself when you are 70 years old?
Should older people spend their money on themselves, or save it for their children to
have after they die?
Where do you wish to live when you are old?
What advice would you give to an older person who wants to feel young?
Some people say that youth is a state of mind, do you agree?

37.AIRPLANES

 How old were you when you went on your first flight?
 Where did you go?
 Do you like to travel by airplane?
 What was the longest flight you have ever taken?
 What seat do you prefer: window, center or aisle?
 What are three things you're supposed to do before the flight takes off?
 What do you like to do during the flight?
 Does the plane provide anything to do to pass the time?
 What are some movies you remember seeing on the plane?
 What do you do when you experience turbulence?
 Have you ever met anyone or established any relationships during a flight?
 What should be done with obese people who practically take up two seats?
 Can you sleep during the flight?
 Have you ever seen a female pilot?
 Why do you think that most pilots are men?
 Would you like to be a flight attendant?
 What are the benefits and /or downfalls?
 Are most flight attendants female?
 Is being a flight attendant considered a good job in your country?
What do you think are the qualifications?
 Are planes really safer than cars? ( A British study shows that flying is 176 times
safer than walking, 15 times safer than driving and 300 times safer than a
motorbike.)
 Would you rather have a younger, more beautiful/handsome flight attendant or an
older, more experienced one?
 What are the advantages of traveling by airplane?
 What are the disadvantages?
 Do you know someone who is afraid of flying in an airplane?
 What questions should you ask when buying airplane tickets?
 What is a group rate?
 What is a charter flight?
 What arrangements should you make for pick-up at the airport?
 What things can you see in an airport?
 What questions do they ask you when you check-in at the airport?
 What questions do they ask you when going through immigration and customs at
the airport?
 Have you ever seen an airplane crash?
 Have you ever seen terrorists on the plane?
 Have you ever met an annoying person during a flight?
 Have you ever had an accident during a flight?
 Have you ever work as a flight attendant?
 Do you only fly one airline?
 Do you think budget airlines are safe?
 Do you like to fly? Why or why not?
 What is the smallest airplane you have ever been on? How small was it?
 Do you prefer to fly in big planes or small planes? Why?
 Would you like to learn how to fly? Why or why not?
 Do you think being a pilot is a good job? Why or why not?
 Have you ever gone sky-diving? Why or why not?
 Have you or someone you know ever been in a plane crash?
 What would you do if you were on a plane that was crashing?
 Do you like to watch movies or TV about airplane crashes? Why or why not?
 Do you enjoy the foods on airplane?
 What arrangements should you make for pick-up at the airport?
 What things do you see in an airport?
 What questions do they ask when you check-in at the airport?
 What questions do they ask when going through immigration/customs at the
airport?
 How much baggage do you take with you?
 What items should not be included in your hand baggage?
 What documents do you need for international travel?
 What airline do you prefer using?
 How was the service on your last flight?
 Do you like airline food?
 Would you pay money for airline food?
 Do you enjoy talking with strangers on an airplane?
 Do you enjoy takeoff / landing?
 What are some airplane disaster movies?
 Why do you think they are popular?
 How do the pilot and the co-pilot navigate their planes?
 What is a boarding pass?
 When do you pay for airport tax?
 Where can you hang your coats after boarding an airplane? 5. What do you do
when you get blocked ears during take off / landing?
 What do you do before take off / landing?
 Where can you smoke while traveling by plane?
 What do you do when you need a flight attendant's assistance?
 How can passengers reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis?

38.AMUSEMENT PARKS

 Have you ever visited an amusement park?

 If so, what was it called?
 Where was it?
 What has been the best amusement park you have ever visited? Why?
 What was your favorite ride or activity? Why?
 What was your worst ride or activity? Why?
 Was it expensive?
 If you were to recommend an amusement park, which one would you recommend
and why?
 What rides or activities would you recommend?
 How regularly do you visit amusement parks?
 Can you think of an amusement park ride or activity that would be both enjoyable
and popular?
 Are you afraid of going on scary amusement park rides?
 Do you know of anybody who hurt themselves or died at an amusement park?
 Even though you may have been terrified by a particular ride, would you go on it
again?
 What are some famous amusement parks near where you live?
 Have you been to them?
 How much does it cost to enter?
 What rides is this amusement park famous for?
 Do you have any plans to go to an amusement park in the near future?

39.ANGER

.
 What causes anger?
 Are there different types of anger?
 What are various ways people respond to anger?
 Is anger ever justified? If so, how can we determine whether it is?
 Is anger ever a good thing? If so, when? Why?
 Is anger ever a bad thing? If so, when? Why?
 Are there better and worse ways to respond to one's own anger?
 How do you decide what to do when you get angry?
 Do you think men and women show their angry differently?
 What makes you angry?
 When was the last time you got angry?
 Tell us about it.
 What do you usually do when you get angry?
 What are the situations that make you angry?
 What are the physical effects of getting angry? (e.g blood pressure...)
 Is getting angry an effective way of dealing with problems?
 40.ANIMALS & PETS

 Do you have a pet?

 How old is it?
 Where did you get it from?
 Who takes care of it?
 What does it look like (color, breed, etc.)?
 What do you feed it?
 Do you play with it?
 What is it's name? How did you choose this name?
 Does it know any tricks or understand any words?
 If you don't have a pet, why not?
 Would you ever consider getting a pet?
 Did you grow up with pets in your home?
 What are the pros and cons of keeping a pet?
 What is the best pet to own?
 What are some animals that live in your country?
 Are there animal rights groups where you live?
 Are you afraid of snakes? What is the biggest snake you have seen? Are there any
poisonous snakes in your country?
 Are you frightened of spiders? What do you do if you see one?
 Can you name some endangered species?
 Have you ever ridden a horse?
 Are there birds or squirrels in your neighborhood?
 Do you know someone who owns an unusual pet?
 Do you think it is acceptable to test cosmetics on animals?
 How do you feel about the use of animals for medical research?
 Do you think it is okay to eat meat? Do you know any vegetarians?
 Is there any kind of meat you would not eat?
 What kind of meats have you eaten?
 Have you ever been to a zoo?
 Are there laws about hunting in your country?
 What do you think of hunting? Would you eat an animal that you killed yourself?
 Do you think it's okay to free animals that have been in captivity all their lives?
Why or why not?
 Do you think people should buy and wear fur coats?
 Do you think that animals dream?
 Have you ever been bitten by a dog? Have you been stung by a bee?
 Have you ever been to a farm? What animals did you see there?
 Have you ever been to a horse race?
 Have you ever eaten rabbit meat? Have you eaten octopus?
 Have you ever seen a dog that helps people, such as one to assist a blind person or
a policeman?
 If so, what did you notice about the dog?
 How do you think that dog was trained?
 What animals do you think are cute?
 What animals do you think are ugly?
 What can children learn by having a pet?
 What is the largest animal you have ever seen?
 Why do some people not like pets?
 What can people learn from animals?
 Does feeding an animal bring you happiness?
 If you saw a stranger drowning, and you also saw your pet drowning, and you
could only save one, who would you save? What would most people choose?
 Can people be too attached to their pets?
 Do you think animals have souls?

 Do you think it is right to keep wild animals in captivity all there life
 Is it morally right to spend a lot of money on pets, rather than helping people in
need?
 Why are pets, not people used for medical research?
 What is your favorite animal?
 Have you ever had a pet?
 What kind of pet would you like to have in the future?
 Have you ever been to the zoo? What animals did you see there?
 Have you ever been on a farm? What animals did you see there?
 Do you ever bird watch?
 Do you think people should wear fur coats?
 Should animals be kept in a zoo?
 Do you know any endangered species?
 Do you consider yourself an animal lover?
 Do bats help people?
 What animal is liked to be petted?
 Do you think the most important thing by which psychopaths can be recognized
is their attitude toward animals? Explain why.
 Do you think it is a good pattern in general to judge people by their attitude
toward animals? Explain why.
 What kind of animals do humans ride?
 Are you afraid of snakes?
 Are you frightened of spiders?
 Are your pet(s) healthy?
 Can you ride a horse?
 Do you ever go bird watching?
 Do you ever talk to your pet? If so, what do you say?
 Do you have a cat?
 Do you have a dog? If so, what's your dog's name?
 Do you have any pets?
 If not, would you like to have a pet?
 Have you ever had a pet?
 Do you know anyone who has a horse?
 Do you know anyone who keeps their dog in their house?
 Do you love your pet?
 Do you prefer dogs or cats?
 Do you talk to your pet sometimes?
 Do you think it is acceptable to test cosmetics on animals?
 How do you feel about the use of animals for medical research?
 Do you think it is okay to eat meat?
 Is there any kind of meat you would not eat?
 Do you think it is right to keep wild animals in a zoo?
 Do you think that animals dream?
 Do your pets have special behavior problems?
 How do you deal with those problems?
 Have you ever been bitten by a dog?
 Have you ever been bitten by a snake?
 Have you ever been to a farm?
 Have you ever been to a zoo? What animals did you see there?
 Have you ever eaten rabbit meat?
 Have you ever gambled on a horse race?
 Have you ever given your pet a bath?
 Have you ever had a pet? / Have you ever had any pets?
 Have you ever ridden a horse? How about a camel?
 Have you ever seen a bullfight?
 Have you ever seen a dog race?
 Have you ever seen a dog that helps people, such as one to help a blind person?
 If so, what did you notice about the dog?
 How do you think that dog was trained?
 Have you ever seen a "therapy dog?"
 How long do you think a dog can live without food?
 How many birds do you know that can't fly?
 How many legs does a spider have? How about a squid?
 How many national animal preserves do you have in your country?
 Are there any animal preserves around here?
 How many pets have you had?
 How many pets have you raised and what are they?
 How many zoos have you been to?
 How much does it cost to keep your pet?
 If you could be an animal, what would you (choose to) be? Why?
 If you don't keep pets, please explain why?
 Is is right to keep animals in a zoo?
 Is it harmful for a dog to travel in cabin on a airline under the seat where your
carry-on bags go?
 Pets are considered to be a burden to most of the city dwellers. To what extent do
you agree?
 Some people think that people shouldn't wear animal furs. Do you agree? Why or
why not?
 Think of some people you know. Which animals do they resemble?
 What animal do you think is the funniest?
 What animal do you think is the strangest-looking?
 What animal do you think makes the best pet? Why?
 What animal would you like to be? (Which animal...?)
 What animals are symbols of your country?
 What animals are you afraid of? (...scared of?)
 What animals do you think are cute?
 What animal do you think is the cutest?
 What animals do you think are scary?
 What animals do you think is the most dangerous?
 What are some popular pets?
 What are the most popular pets in your country?
 What are the pros and cons of keeping a pet?
 (Why are there so many people who are willing to sacrifice their time and money
to raise a pet?)
 What can children learn by having a pet?
 What are some things a child can learn by having a pet?
 What do you think of animals being raised in captivity?
 What is one of your favorite animals?
 Why do you like it?
 Do you have one for a pet?
 What is the difference between a pet and a wild animal?
 What is the most unusual pet you have ever seen?
 What is your favorite animal?
 Why is it your favorite animal?
 Would you like keep it as your pet, why or why not?
 What joy does your pet bring you?
 Are you the one who takes care of it every day?
 How do you take care of it? If you don't take care of it, who does?
 What kind of animal would you like to be?
 Do bats make good pets?
 What animals like to be petted?
 What kind of dog do you have?
 What kind of master would you like to have if you were a pet?
 What particular animals have become famous in your country for some special
skill or accomplishment?
 What wild animals can you see around here?
 When was the last time you went to a zoo?
 Where is the nearest zoo to your house?
 How often do you visit that zoo?
 When was the last time you went there?
 How much does it cost to get in?
 Why do people have pets? / Why do people keep pets?
 Would you recommend that others keep pets similar to yours?
 Should we feed our pets unhealthy but tasty treats?
 What's more important, their health or their happiness?
 In your opinion, why do some people like to have unusual pets?
 Do you think dogs should be banned or muzzled?
 Would you want to see aggressive dogs muzzled or banned?
 In your country, what kind of dog laws are there? If dogs are man's best friend, as
the saying goes, is banning dogs a friendly act?
 What is a safari?
 Would you go on a safari?
 Have you ever hurt an animal?
 Was it intentional or unintentional?
 Do you know of any websites for people that want to keep animals as pets?
 How about websites for people who are against animal rights?
 Do you think keeping an animal as a pet is a violation of that animal's rights?
 Do you know any animals that you think are being treated badly or unfairly?
 If so, how do you think you can help?
 What do you think would animals say about humans if they could make a
documentary movie about humans?
 What is a breed?
 What breeds can you name?
 What does AKC stand for?
 What is a standard for a dog breed?
 What is dog intelligence?
 Which dog breed do you think is the most intelligent and which the dumbest?
 What is the role of an Alpha dog in a pack?
 Do you think it is a good pattern in general to judge people by their attitude
toward animals? Explain why.
 Do bats help people?

41.ANNOYING THINGS


 What annoys you about living where you live now?
 What annoys you about taking trains to work?
 What annoys you about driving a car?
 What annoys you most about living at home with your family?
 Do you think you have habits that annoy other people?
 Does it annoy you when people kiss in public?
 Do you get annoyed when someone cuts in front of you when you are waiting in
line?
 What are some new pet peeves you have as a result of recent technology (i.e. cell
phone use)?
 What annoying habits does your best friend have?
 Does smoking bother you?
 Do you get annoyed when other people display bad manners? Give some
examples.
 What is the most annoying thing for you?
 What is the most annoying thing about your partner?
 Do you annoy people with some of your habits?
 What is something that your parents do that annoy you?
 Can annoying someone be a good thing?
 If something is annoying you, what do you usually do?
 What are some things that annoy you that don't annoy your best friend?
 How do you change annoying habits
 What are some things that car drivers do that annoy you?
 Can you think of some things children do that annoy adults around them?
 What does pet peeve mean?
 What is your pet peeve?
 Does it annoy you when people don't use the right punctuation?
 What kind of people annoy you?
 Who is the most annoying person you know? Why?
 How do you inform someone they are being annoying
 Do you think other people find you annoying? Why?
 Who is the most annoying celebrity? Why?
 Which is more annoying, being caught in the rain without an umbrella, or finding
out you don't have enough money to pay for something you really need?
 Is there anything about your teacher that annoys you? What will you do about it?
 Does it annoy you when people don't use the right punctuation?
 Do you think it is annoying if people can't or don't speak your language?
 Which is more annoying, being caught in the rain without an umbrella, or finding
out you don't have enough money to pay for something you really need?
 Why do people get annoyed?
 Do bandaids on ladies feet annoy you?
 What's the most annoying thing about your partner?
 What's the most annoying catchphrase or cliche you can think of?
 Is it worse to be ignorant or annoying?
 What annoys you about yourself?
 What do people do on the subway that annoys you?
 What do people do on the bus that annoys you?
 What do people do on the street that annoys you?
 Does it annoy you when people snore?

42.ARGUING

 Do you feel bad after you have an argument?

 What are some reason why people argue?
 What does your family argue about?
 How do you avoid arguments?
 Do you think it is best to argue or just walk away? Shy?
 Do you get along with argumentative people?
 Are you passionate about your beliefs?
 Do you ever try to impose your beliefs on others?
 Do you at times enjoy "playing the devil's advocate" (debating for the fun of it)?
 Do you get along argumentative people?
 Are you passionate about your beliefs?
 Would you describe yourself as an argumentative person?
 What other adjectives would you associate with an argumentative person?
 In your opinion is being argumentative a positive trait or a flaw?
 Are you easily persuaded in an argument?
 Do you ever try to impose your beliefs on others?
 Do you at times enjoy "playing the devil's advocate" (debating for the fun of it)?
 Have you ever taken part in a debate? Did you have to defend an opinion that
wasn't your own? If so, was it easy? Did it make you re-evaluate your own
views?
 How do you feel when someone disagrees with everything you have to say?
 Do have a "butinski"in your family? Do you tend to but in?
 At work do you often voice your opinions on controversial issues? If so, what
kind of reception do get?
 Do you steer clear of some touchy topics or do you get a kick out of provoking
others?
 How do you feel when you have a hunch someone's not paying attention to what
you have to say? Do you raise your voice? Do you get nasty?
 How do you grab someone's attention when you're making a point? What can you
do to lose it?
 Are hand gestures useful in an argument?
 Do you think it's disrespectful to argue with your elders?
 Do you often feel patronized in an argument?
 What do you say when someone is being condescending?

43.ART

 Are you a good painter?

 Can you draw pictures well?
 Do you believe what art critics say?
 Do you consider yourself a good artist?
 Do you enjoy your art class at school?
 Do you like modern art?
 Do you like paintings?
 Do you like sketching?
 Do you like to visit art museums?
 Do you like wood carving?
 Do you prefer using water colors or oil paint?
 Do you think it is proper to call nude paintings art?
 Do you think music and dancing are forms of art?
 Do you think of cartoons and comics as art?
 Do you visit museums when you go to another city?
 Have you ever been to any famous art museums?
 Have you ever visited an art museum?
 What art form do you like best?
 What art museums have you visited?
 Which did you like the best? Why?
 Which did you like the least? Why?
 What famous painters do you know? What are they famous for?
 What is art?
 What is the longest time that you have spend on a painting?
 What is your favorite art web site?
 What would life be like without art?
 When was the last time you went to an art museum?
 Who are some famous artists in your country?
 Who is a famous potter in your country?
 Who is the most famous artist in your country? What kind of art does he do?
 Who is your favorite painter?
 Do you enjoy taking photographs?
 What things do you like to photograph?
 Do you consider photography an art form?
 Why do artist like to draw women's figures?
 Why do you enjoy art?
 Why is art important?
 Why do people become professional artists?
 Have you ever participated in any art competitions?
 Have you ever been jealous of someone else's artwork?
 Do you find Picasso's work astonishing or weird?
 Do you have a favorite painting?
 If so, what is it?
 Why do you like it?
 Do other people ever compliment your artwork?
 Do you have a sketchbook?
 If so, how often do you use it?
 What kind of sketches do you make?
 Do you feel proud after finishing a work of art?
 Do you think graffiti is art?
 Do you agree with this statement? Graffiti is a form of art; a form of expressing
one's mind.
 Do you like to doodle?
 What kinds of doodles do you make?
 Where and when do you doodle?
 Have you ever gone to an exhibition?
 Do you know any art galleries? Are there any in the place where you live?
 Were you interested in art when you were young?
 In your opinion, is design an important part of culture?
 Can you tell me the name of a fashion designer you know?
 Is design a great importance in your daily life?
 The famous artist and designer William Morris said that you should not have
nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be
beautiful'. Discuss.
 Do you know any art gallery? Is there any in the place where you live?
 Were you interested in art some years ago? and now?
 Have you studied any pictorial movement?
 Has design a great importance in your daily life
 Is your work figurative or abstract?
 What is your medium of choice?
 What influences your work?
 If you could buy a great work of art, what would it be? (style, title, artist's
name...)
 Do you think performance art should be considered art?
 What do you think of shock art?
 Have you ever seen performance art?
 Have you ever seen shock art?
 Does art imitate life?
 Are movies a form of art?

44.THE ART OF CONVERSATION

 What makes it easy to talk to someone?

 What traits do you look for in a conversation partner?
 Tell about your favorite types of conversations to have?
 What do you talk about?
 How do you know the other person?
 Who is the best conversationalist that you have ever met?
 Why are they such a great conversationalist?
 Have you ever had a great conversation with a complete stranger?
 What made it so great?
 What did you talk about?
 Where were you?
 What is your role in a conversation?
 Do you dominate?
 Do you subordinate?
 What percent of a conversation do you spend talking?
 Have you ever tried to consciously change your conversational style?
 What did you change?
 What are some good habits you have in conversation?
 What are some bad traits you have in conversations?
 Who communicates better: men or women?
 What makes their style better?
 What makes it worse?
 Do you like to flirt?
 How do you flirt?
 What do you say?
 On a scale of 1-10, how do you rate your conversational skill with the opposite
sex? Explain.
 How do conversations between men and women differ?
 Do you like to argue?
 What do you like to argue about?
 Do you always want to be right?
 What types of arguments do you hate to lose?
 What topics should you avoid when talking to a stranger?
 To a Swiss person?
 To a Japanese?
 To an American?
 What topics are taboos for your culture?
 What topics are taboo for you personally?
 Why do people like to learn bad words in another language?
 What do people do that drives you crazy in a conversation?
 How do you feel about talking on the phone? Why?
 Do you think that some conversations are easier to have on the phone? <ul
 Face to face?</ul

 What types of conversations, and why?
  What are some topics that you can't stand to talk about? Why?
  Do you have better conversations when you are drinking?
 How do your conversations change after you have been drinking?
  Have you ever said something to someone that you wish you hadn't said?
  What was it? Explain.
  If you could relive any conversation of your life, what would it be? Why?
Explain.
  How do you feel about being frank? Explain.
  How do you feel about blunt people?
 Is there such a thing as being too honest? Explain.
  In your experience, which country's people are the easiest to talk to? Explain.
  Which country's people are difficult to talk to? Explain.
  If you could have the voice of any famous person, whose voice would you
want? Why?
  How do you feel about conversations with people older than yourself?
 Are there any older people who you have conversations with regularly?
 Who are they?
  Some people like to talk about things, and some people like to do things.
 What kind of person are you? Explain.
  If you could have a conversation with any famous living person, who would
you talk to?
 What would you talk about?
 Why would you want to talk about that? Explain.
  If you could have a conversation with a famous deceased person, who would
you talk to?
 What would you talk about, and why?
  Do you like to eavesdrop on other people's conversations?
 What kind of questions do you like to overhear? Where do you listen?
 Have you ever spied on anyone?
 Have you ever recorded a phone call or conversation? Why?
 Would you ever do it? Explain.
  If you had to choose, would you rather marry a partner who is
handsome/beautiful and sexy, but who is a terrible conversationalist, or a partner
who is a wonderful conversationalist, but who is less-attractive-than-average?
Explain.
  What was a difficult conversation you had to have in your life?
 How did it turn out?
 What made it hard? Explain.
  Would you like to be a salesman, a teacher, a reporter?
  Would you like to have a career that requires you to talk to a lot of people?
Why?
 Which career?
  How can you improve your conversation skills? Explain.

45.BAGS AND PURSES

 Do you always carry a bag or purse?

 What do you have in your bag or purse?
 How heavy is your bag or purse? Have you lost it before?
 Has it been stolen?
 What do you usually carry with you?
 What things do you use every day?
 What things are important to carry with you?
 Do you always carry a bank card?
 Do you always carry money?
 How much money do you usually carry on you?
 Do men carry billfolds in your country?
 Do women carry a purse or handbag in your country?
 Is it a custom in your country for men to carry or hold the woman's purse or bag?
 Will guys hold their wife's and/or girlfriend's purse or bag where you live?
 Do men carry bags or purses in your country
 What if you see a guy carrying a purse or woman's bag, would you think he is
gay?
 What do you think a president would carry on their person?
 What are essential (necessary) items to take with you when you leave the house?

46.BASEBALL

 Have you ever played baseball?

 Do you know the rules of baseball?
 Do you like baseball?
 Are you interested in baseball?
 How many players are on a baseball team?
 What position do you think is the most difficult?
 Who is your favorite baseball player? Why do you like him?
 Does baseball look like a fun game to you?
 What qualities do you think of baseball player needs to be good?
 Do they have professional baseball teams in your country?
 How much does it cost to watch a professional baseball game?
 Would you rather watch baseball at a stadium or on television?
 What is your favorite baseball team? Why?
 Do you follow professional baseball?
 Are there any baseball players from your country playing in the USA?
 Do you think baseball will ever be a worldwide sport like soccer?
 What are the differences between baseball in America and baseball in your
country?
 How much does it cost to attend a pro game in your country?
 What kinds of food are sold at baseball stadiums in your country?
 Does your country have a minor league?
 Do you think young players aspire to be a pro in their home country or make it to
the American Major Leagues?
 Are there recreational baseball teams in your country?
 Do children have easy access to baseball in your country?
 Do people play softball in your country?
 Are there women's baseball teams in your country?
 Do you consider baseball to be a slow game?
 Do you think the playoffs are more exciting than the regular season?
 Do you think baseball will ever be a worldwide sport like soccer?
 How does a kid make it to the pros?

47.BASKETBALL

 Are you interested in basketball?

 How many players are on a basketball team?
 What are the positions on a basketball team?
 How long is a basketball game?
 Who is your favorite basketball player?
 Why are basketball player usually tall?
 Can short people be good basketball players?
 Have you ever played basketball? How was it?
 Do you follow professional basketball?
 Have you ever been to a professional basketball game?
 Are there any basketball players from your country in the NBA?
 Describe the abilities that a good basketball player must have.
 What is needed to play basketball with your friends?
 What basketball teams do you follow? What is interesting about this team to you?
 What are the skills of your favorite basketball players?
 What is the difference between a basketball team and a basketball league?
 Who is number one star player now in the NBA? Do you like his style of playing?
Why?
 Which parts of the body can players play the ball with?
 How many people can play in a game of basketball?
 When the ball goes out of bounds what happens?
 When the ball stuck between the ring and backboard, what happens?
 When a team scores a goal where is the ball placed for a restart?
 Which sports uses a court to play a game on?
 Which sports uses a field to play a game on?
 Who invented the indoor game which we call it basketball?
 In which years did James Naismith invent basketball?
 What nickname do Americans give to the ring of basketball?
 When the ball goes out of bounds, what should the referee do?
 When the violation occurs, what should a referee do?
 What is the height of the basket?
 Who was known as the greatest player in the world?
 In which city did the first basketball game play in 1891?

48.BEACH

 When was the last time you went to the beach? Where did you go?
 What do people do at the beach?
 Can you swim?
 When did you learn to swim?
 Who taught you to swim?
 What kind of swimming suit do you wear?
 Have you ever been night-swimming?
 Are there any problems with jellyfish, sharks or stonefish at your local beach?
 Have you ever played sports on the beach?
 Which sports have you played
 ? How are they different from non-beach versions of the sport?
 Have you ever collected seashells?
 Can you describe a shell that you have collected?
 What did you do with the shells that you collected?
 What sort of animals live at the beach?
 Have you ever been fishing on the beach?
 What did you catch?
 What did you use as bait?
 What is the "tide"?
 Why is there a tide?
 What is a "rip tide"?
 Have you ever been on a sail boat or a row boat?
 Have you ever used a surf board or body board?
 Do you like to suntan?
 Do you think sunblock is important?
 Have you ever been to a famous beach?
 What do you wear to the beach?
 How do you keep your wallet safe while you are swimming?
 Is erosion a problem at your local beach?
 Is pollution a problem at your local beach?
 Should people be able to own a beach or part of a beach?
 Why is beachfront land so expensive?
 Why do so many people want to live there?
 Would you like to live there?
 What are some dangers of living on beachfront property
 Do you prefer a calm sea or do you prefer big waves?
 Should dogs be allowed on the beach?
 Should dogs have to be kept on leashes at the beach?
 Should cars be allowed on the beach?
 What do you think of people who swim in the nude?
 Is there a nude beach near where you live?
 What do you think about nude beaches?
 Would you ever want to swim in the nude?
 Have you ever gone to a nude beach?
 What do you think of topless swimming?
 Which is your favorite beach?
 Are there life guards at the beaches in your country?
 Do you think that people should be allowed to drink beer or other drinks with
alcohol on the beach?

49.BEAUTY AND PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS

 Who do you think is the most beautiful person in your country?

 Who do you think is the most beautiful person alive today?
 Who was the most beautiful person in history?
 Who is the most attractive in your family?
 Does beauty affect one's success in life?
 Is it better to be physically attractive or intelligent?
 Is it better to be physically attractive or wealthy?
 Is beauty related to power?
 Can you think of anyone who is in a position of power that is not physically
attractive?
 Do people spend too much time and money on beauty?
 How much time should be spent on making yourself look better each day?
 Who would you say is beautiful that others maybe wouldn't?
 Do you think people should have cosmetic surgery to enhance their looks?
 If so what is the minimum age when someone should have plastic surgery?
 How popular is plastic surgery in your country?
 What is the most popular feature for cosmetic alteration?
 Do you think self-esteem affects beauty?
 Do you think beauty affects self-esteem?
 How important is beauty in your daily life?
 Have you ever noticed anyone ever feeling pressured to be more beautiful?
 What do you think of the proverb, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder?"
 Do you have any proverbs or idioms from your country that relate to beauty?
 What do you think "beauty is skin deep" means?
 What are some beauty tips that you could share?
 Do you think people with many tattoos can be beautiful?
 How many tattoos are too many?
 Would you ever get a tattoo?
 Do you have a tattoo?
 Do you think people with many piercings can be beautiful?
 What kind of body piercing, if any, do you feel are acceptable?
 What kind of piercing, if any, do you feel are unacceptable?
 What personality trait is the most important for inner beauty?
 How do you define beauty, using your own words?
 Would you ever date someone who was not conventionally attractive?
 What makes one person more attractive than another?
 Do you think people from different countries than you see attractive the same
way?
 Is there someone famous that is considered beautiful, that you think is not?
 Are beauty pageants good or bad?
 Should children be entered into beauty pageants?
 Do you think one gender or group worries more about beauty than another?
 Would you want your children to be beautiful or talented?
 What are some of the drawbacks of being beautiful?
 What do you think about plastic surgery?
 Would you ever have plastic surgery?
 If so, what would you change?
 What do you think of celebrities who get plastic surgery?
 Do you think it's necessary to have plastic surgery if you are famous in order to
be successful?
 Do you think skin color affects whether a person is regarded as beautiful or not?
 Do you think that fairer skin makes you more beautiful?
 What are some advantages of being beautiful?
 What makes someone beautiful in your country?
 What differs between that idea and the American idea of beauty?
 What do you think "beauty is skin deep" means?
 How many different adjectives can you think of to describe a beautiful woman or
a handsome man
 What do these English expressions mean?
  Pretty is as pretty does.
  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
  Beauty is only skin deep.
  What you see is what you get.
 50.BEHAVIOR


 What is good behavior? What is bad behavior?
 Were you well-behaved as a child?
 Why do some children seem naturally well-mannered, while others seem
difficult?
 Were you a well-behaved child?
 How do you raise well-behaved children?
 What influences you to make good choices?
 Have you ever not tolerated someone's behavior?
 Is there any behavior that you would not find acceptable?
 What are some examples of bad behavior?
 What is he worst behavior you have seen?
 Would you teach your child to "hit back" at school if somebody hit him?
 How can we teach our children good behavior? Are words or example more
important?
 Are you influenced by what you see on TV? Or by what you read?
 Do friends influence you?
 Can you influence your friends?
 Is it important to surround yourself with good people?
 How can friends have a bad influence on you?
 Can music influence your behavior?
 Is it important to only watch wholesome TV shows and only read good books?
 How has the media affected society? Has TV made society better or worse?
 How does religion influence people's behavior?
 Do you care what other people think of you?
 Do you care about the private behavior of a politician?
 Can you judge a politician by how he behaves toward his family?
 Do you give up your private life when you become a politician?
 Should people behave differently with friends than with family? Do you treat
people who are close to you better than strangers, or vice versa?
 Does the behavior of well-known people, such as celebrities and politicians,
affect how average people behave?
 Does economic status affect people's behavior? For example, are people more
generous if they have more money?
 Who do you admire? Do you try to be like this person (or people)?
 Are there historical figures you admire?
 Who is affected by your behavior?
 In what ways have the choices of others affected you?
 Does your happiness depend on the behavior of others?
 Should you always be on your best behavior?
 Will we be judged for our behavior? Do you believe in a God who punishes bad
people and rewards good people?
 Does it always pay to be good?
 How do you act when you are happy? Do you like being around happy people?
 Should people act on their feelings? If you are in a bad mood, can people around
you tell?
 Do you believe we have a moral obligation to act happy, even if we do not feel
happy?
 Is it possible to change one's behavior?
 Have you changed anything about your behavior?
 Have you started good habits?
 Have you broken bad habits?
 What are some ways to change your behavior?
 Do you set goals to improve yourself?
 What behaviors are expected from children towards their parents?
 Do the clothes you wear affect your behavior? Should school teachers wear
casual clothes?
 What behaviors are expected from university and college students?
 Should corporal punishment be illegal?
 Are bad people bad because of circumstances or choices? What about good
people?
 Do you think there is such a thing as an evil person, or just a sick person?
 Can bad behavior lead to crime?
 Should parents be held responsible for their children's behavior?
 What would you do if you saw somebody else's child behaving badly in public?
 Should some parent give medicine to their children to calm them down?
 Can you think of a behavior that is 'good' behavior in one culture and a 'bad'
behavior in another culture?
 How would you behave in a hospital?
 What is the strangest thing you have ever done?
 Should children be punished in public?
 What kind of punishment do you think is the most effective ?
 What does "misbehavior" mean?
 What can we do to prevent or discourage it
 Is there a behavior considered a 'good' behavior in one culture and a 'bad'
 behavior in another culture? If yes, give examples.
 Can we teach our children good behavior?
 How can we teach our children good behavior?
 How do children acquire good behavior?
 What would you do if your child behaves badly in public?
 What would you do if you saw somebody else's child behaves badly in public?
 Would you spank (To slap on the buttocks with a flat object or with the open
hand, as for punishment) your child for bad behavior?
 What would you do if you saw somebody spanking their child behaves for bad
behavior?
 What should you do with a child who has very bad behavior?
 Would you teach your child to "hit back" at school if somebody hits them?
 How should we punish children who commit crimes?
 What behavior is not acceptable among friends?
 How should movie stars behave in public?
 Is it OK to show negative types of behavior when you are angry?
 What behaviors make you feel good?
 What behaviors make you feel angry?
 Should children be encouraged to ask questions in class?
 How can teachers stop "bullying" at school?
 Have you ever got embarrassed by your friend's/girlfriend's/husband's
misbehavior?
 What is the right behavior to use in a job interview?
 How should you behave when you see someone you don't like?
 What is good behavior?
 What is the right behavior to use in a restaurant?
 At school?
 At a party?
 Can you think of a behavior that is 'good' behavior in one culture and a 'bad'
behavior in another culture?
 Can we teach our children good behavior?
 How can we teach our children good behavior?
 How do children acquire good behavior?
 Would you spank your child for bad behavior?
 What would you do if you saw somebody spanking their child for bad behavior?
 Is it acceptable for parents to spank their children?

51.BIRTHDAYS

 How are birthdays celebrated in your country?

 What are some birthday traditions you know of from other countries?
 How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
 What is your best birthday memory?
 What is your worst birthday memory?
 Have you ever had a surprise birthday party for yourself or someone else?
 What is the best birthday gift you have ever received?
 What is the worst birthday gift you have ever received?
 What are some things you like to do for your birthday?
 When is your birthday?
 Did your parents give you birthday parties when you were a child?
 In your opinion, What is the best time of year to have a birthday?
 How do people you know celebrate turning 40?
 Do you think getting older (40, 50, 60) is depressing for people, or a happy
occasion?
 What do you think is the best age?
 Do you like going to work on your birthday?
 Did you like going to school on your birthday when you were a child?
 Have you ever had a surprise party?
 Whose birthday do you always remember?
 Among your close friends and relatives, whose birthday is coming up next?
 About how many birthday gifts or cards do you send or give to people each year?
 Have you ever forgotten someone's birthday that you should have remembered?
 Do you know any famous people's birthdays? (Are any the same as yours?)
 Do you know of any big events that happened the year you were born?
 What is the best birthday gift you have ever received?
 What is the best birthday gift you have ever given?
 What is the worst birthday gift you have ever received?
 What is the worst birthday gift you have ever given?
 If you are in your teen years, tell how old you will be in twenty years time and
say whether you look forward to that age or does it scare you.
 If you could celebrate your own birthday the way you wanted, what would you
do?
 Where would you like to go?
 How many people would you invite?
 Would you rather celebrate your birthday with just your relatives or just your
friends?
 Do you remember what gifts you received on your last birthday?
 What would you like to get most for your birthday this year?
 Is the cost of a present important to you?
 What kind of gift do you usually prepare for your friend's birthday?
 Your mother's?
 What about for other family members?
 Which is a better present, a well-chosen gift or money?
 Are birthdays really important?
 How do you celebrate your birthday?

52.BODY LANGUAGE

 Why do you think body language is important?

 How do you use body language in your daily life?
 How does body language help you to communicate?
 How does your native culture use body language? What kind of body language do
you use at school? What are some examples of body language that boys use?
Women? Boys? Girls? Children?
 What actions are threatening?
 What actions are friendly?
 What actions are not allowed?
 What "new" body language have you seen since coming to your new country? did
those actions confuse you?
 How does eye contact differ from your native country to your new one?
 How can you misinterpret someone's body language?
 Do you try to use body language when you communicate in English?

53.BOOKS AND READING

 What is your favorite story?

 Who is your favorite author?
 Who is your favorite character?
 What is your favorite genre?
o Action
o Mystery
o Suspence
o Detective
o Science Fiction
o Children's books
o War
o Non-fiction
o Travel books
o Self-help books
o History
o Biography
o Autobiography
o Gothic
o Classic Literature
o Modern Literature
 What is the longest book you have ever read?
 How long did it take you to read it?
 Have you ever belonged to a book club?
 What books did you read?
 What is the funniest book you have ever read?
 The saddest?
 The strangest?
 How many books have you read in your life?
 Is there a time in your life when you read all the time?
 How many hours do you spend reading in a week?
 Have you ever been to a book signing or met an author?
 Do you have any ideas for a story for you to write?
 Do you read books based on recommendations?
 What are some of the books that were recommended to you?
 Were you ever given a bad recommendation?
 Did it change your opinion of the person who recommended the book?
 What books have you recommended for other people?
 How often do you go to the library?
 How many books do you check out at a time?
 How do you choose the books you are going to read?
 How important is the cover of the book.
 Do you watch the movie that came from a book?
 Most people say the book is better than the movie. Is this true for you?
 Did you enjoy reading books in school?
 What was your favorite book growing up?
 Is there a book that you have read more than once?
 What was the title?
 How many times did you read it?
 Is there a book you just couldn't finish?
 What was the title?
 What is your favorite time of day for reading?
 Where is your favorite place to read?
 Do you listen to music while you read?
 Do you often read book before go to bed?
 What factors are important to you when choosing a book to read?
 Reviews?
 A Recommendation from a friend?
 The front cover?
 What was the last book that you read?
 What is your favorite book of all time?
 Have you ever read a book and then watched the movie? Which was better?
Why?
 Who is the most famous writer from your country?
 Have you read any of their books?
 Do you think that they are overrated?
 What genre of book do you enjoy most?
 Have you ever tried to read a book in English?
 Do you think that it is more valuable to read a book than to watch television?
 Have you ever lent books to your friends and never got them back?
 Do you think that the internet and television will eventually make books
obsolete?

54.BULLFIGHTING

 Have you ever seen bullfighting?

 Which countries are famous for bullfighting?
 Can you explain what happens at a bullfight?
 Why do some people find bullfighting a wonderful spectacle?
 Why do some people call bullfighting cruel?
 What happens the bulls after they killed?
 Can women be bullfighters?
 If you don't want to ban bullfighting, would you impose restrictions on who
watches this kind of sport?
 Do you know anything about "bull-running" in Pamplona, Spain?- would you like
to take part in this? Why?/ Why not?
 Would you ban bullfighting in Spain?
 Do you think bullfights, cockfights, dogfights, fish fights and the likes should be
banned? Why?
 How do you gamble on bullfighting?

55.BUSINESS

 Could I ask you some questions about your business?

 When did you start your business?
 Are you only a service provider?
 Do you have any service expansion plan?
 Do you have international presence?
 Do you think recession is affecting your business?
 What is the strength of your employees?
 Do you have any challenge in manpower retention?
 Who is taking care of your human resources department?
 What is so special about your business?
 How do you motivate your employees?
 Do you provide transport facility to employees?
 Do you have any play ground / gym in your company?
 Do you take of everything personally?
 Do you have any program like employee of the month or employee of the year?
 How many branches do you have in overseas?
 What one quality in your people really affect your business?
 Will you give any special benefit to your employees?
 How often do you travel abroad?
 Do you really believe in innovation?
 Where from do you get inspiration for growth?
 Do you think every company should prepare budget for income and expenses?
 What is the governing principal of your business?
 Do you take any assistance for technology improvement?
 Do you think technology is must to grow your business?
 Do you invite outside consultants to train your people?
 What do you feel about growth of your company?
 Do you want to give any message to the people?
 What one thing can transform business to a higher level?

56.CARS AND DRIVING

 How old were you when you first learned to drive?

 Was there anything difficult about learning to drive?
 Can you drive a car?
 Can you drive a manual shift car?
 Do you have a car?
 If so, what kind of car do you have?
 Is it a standard (manual shift) or automatic shift?
 Which do you like best, a standard or automatic shift car?
 What are the advantages of owning a car?
 What are the disadvantages of owning a car?
 Are you a good driver?
 Have you ever been in a car accident?
 Have you ever been pulled over by the police?
 What happened?
 Have you ever driven a car in a foreign country?
 If yes, which side of the road did they drive on?
 Were the road signs different?
 Are the drivers in your area where you live good drivers?
 Do you know anything about repairing or maintaining a car?
 What do you know how to do?
 Where did you learn how to do this?
 Do you enjoy repairing cars?
 What are some things you do to maintain your car?
 Do you prefer driving or riding public transportation?
 What kind of car do you prefer?
 Do you like drive at night?
 Do you think cars should be banned from city centers?
 What side of the road do you drive in your country?
 Is drunk driving a problem in your country?
 What kind of laws does your country have about drunk driving?
 What is the penalty for drunk driving in your country?
 Have you ever been (or) do you know anyone who has been in an accident related
to drunk driving?
 Is jaywalking legal in your country?
 Do people often jaywalk in your country?
 Who taught you to drive?
 How long did it take you to learn to drive?
 What is the longest trip you have ever taken by car?
 Have you ever broken down and been stranded on the side of the road?
 Who helped you?
 How do American drivers compare to drivers in your country?
 What are the speed limits in your country?
 On what occasions do you honk your car horn?
 Is it acceptable to honk in your country
 Are men better drivers than women?
 Are women better drivers than men?
 At what age can you get a licence in your country?
 Do you think the age for driving should be raised or lowered?
 Do you think driving lessons should be provided by high schools?
 Should new drivers have a period of accompanied driving?
 Or some kind of trial period?
 Do you have a GPS (Global Position System)?
 What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a GPS?
 Does the type of car a person drives tell us about the person who drives it?
 What can we tell or imagine about a person by looking at the car they drive?
 What are the laws about seat belts in your country?
 How are they different to this country?
 Is your car air conditioned?
 What are the advantages and disadvantages of air conditioning?
 Do you have a GPS?
 If yes, when do you use it? If no, would you like one? Why or why not?
 What is the price of gasoline in your country?
 Is it cheaper or more expensive than in this country?
 Do you allow passengers to eat inside your car?
 What are the advantages/disadvantages of buying a second-hand car?
 Do you wash your car yourself or do you have it washed?
 Do you think that there is a relation between global warming and cars?
 Have you ever seen a "hybrid" car?
 What do you know about "hybrid" cars?
 Do you really think that car manufacturers are interested in global warming?
 How often do you need to get your car repaired?
 On what occasions do you honk your car horn?
 Is it acceptable to honk in your country?
 Do you like to drive or be driven?
 Have you ever bribed a policeman in your country after he pulled you over?
 Is it common for traffic cops to accept bribes?
 How are the traffic laws in your country?
 Are they strict or lax?
 Do most people follow the rules of the road?
 Is it easy to find parking?
 Is parking expensive?
 What should be done in order to prevent traffic congestion in your city?
 Is there any kind of rules to avoid traffic congestions?
 How do you feel about spending time in your car during rush hour?
 Is car theft a big problem in your country?
 Have you had your car stolen?
 Have you had your radio stolen?
 Is road side assistance common in your country?
 Can you change a flat tire?
 Do you know anything about fixing a car?
 Who taught you to drive?
 Was it pleasant or unpleasant?
 Have you ever broken down and been stuck on the side of the road?
 Who helped you?
 What do you think of international car-free days?
 Can you recall any memorable car drive in your life?
 What are the most frequent driving offenses?
 What factors are responsible for railway crossing accidents?
 According to insurance statistics women are better driver than men.
 Do you agree?
 What do you think of car pooling?

57.CELEBRITIES

 Have you ever seen a celebrity in person? What did you do?
 Which celebrity would you like to meet? What would you do if you could spend a
day with this person?
 Do you think famous people have the right to have a private life?
 Do you think it's moral to sell your private life to the media?
 Do you approve of people who become famous as a consequence of appearing
again and again in the media and not because of having an artistic career?
 What do you think of the paparazzi?
 Why do you think there is such a high demand for gossip magazines and gossip
TV programs?
 What are the pros and cons of being a celebrity?
 What do you think of fans and fan-clubs ?
 Did you have any heroes when you were a teenager?
 Why do you think adolescents need to have heroes?
 Do you think being a celebrity automatically means the person is intelligent?
 Do you think that there are times when the common man has an edge over a
celebrity?
 If you could influence people like a celebrity does, how would you use it for the
benefit of the planet?
 Which celebrity do you most admire and why ?
 Would you like to be famous ? Why or why not ?
 Do you think there is a relationship between beauty and celebrity ?
 Can you name some famous people?
 Do you know someone famous?
 Would you like to be famous? Why?
 Are famous people happy?
 Would you like to be a celebrity?
 Would you like to be a celebrity? Why would you be famous?
 If you were a celebrity, would you take advantage of it to date some fans?
 Should celebrities be role models?
 Do you think being a celebrity automatically means the person is intelligent?
Why? Why not?
 Do you think celebrities write their own music?
 Can you give some examples of when the common man has an edge over a
celebrity?
 What do you think of celebrities championing a cause? (e.g. - a cure for AIDS)
 Do you think that some celebrities earn much more money than they deserve
taking into consideration what they produce?

58.CHANGE

 Have you made any recent changes in your life?

 Do you think change is important?
 Do you ever get the urge to refurnish your whole house?
 Do you rearrange the furniture in your house often?
 Do you like to rearrange your room or living-room?
 Do you think change is important in people's life?
 Do you think it is possible for a cold hearted person to change?
 Do you think that it is easy to mend our old ways?
 Do you think it is easy to keep up with the times?
 If you could change anything in your life, what would it be?
 What is the most difficult change you have ever had to make?
 Have you ever decided to get a tattoo?
 Have you ever cut your hair really short?
 What was the craziest change in appearance you have ever made?
 What was the last major change you made in your life?
 Have you ever decided to change the group that you usually hang out (spend
time) with?
 What is one thing that you think you will never change about yourself?
 What is one thing you have tried to change, but couldn't?
 If you won a million dollars what things would you change about your life?
 What things would you keep the same?
 Has a friend of yours ever made any major changes that you were proud of?
 An alcoholic?
 An unmotivated person?
 A person who is stuck in their ways?)
 Have you ever converted (changed) over to a different religion?
 Have you ever changed over to a different political party.
 Have you ever dumped a boyfriend or girlfriend? Was the change difficult?
 Have you ever said no to a friend?
 Have you lost a pet, or has a person ever passed away on you?
 Have you ever quit your job?
 Have you ever became depressed and stay indoors for long periods? How did you
get out of your depression?
 Have you ever had to change the way you speak, or the way you act? Why?
 Have you ever decided to change the way you dress? If so, why?
 Have you ever decided to change the way you eat, or your form of exercise?

59.CHARITY
 Have you ever worked for a charity?
 How long did you work there?
 Was it a well run charity?
 Did you enjoy this work?
 Do you give money to registered charities? (e.g. Red Cross, World Wildlife Fund,
Green Peace)
 Can you name some other registered charities?
 Do you think having large charity organizations is a good idea? Why or why not?
o What are some of the good points?
o What are some of the bad points?
 Do you think that locally run charity organizations are more effective?
 Are there any charities in (your town/city)?
o How about in (your country)?
o What are they?

60.CHEATING

 What is your definition of cheating?

 Have you ever cheated?
 Why do you think that people cheat?
 Have you ever cheated in an exam?
 Have you ever been caught cheating on an exam?
 If you had a chance to cheat now, would you take it?
 In what situations do people usually cheat?
 Have you ever been cheated on by somebody else?
 Describe a time when you cheated and it helped you.
 Do you think if people stopped cheating the world would be a better place?
 What do you think of people who cheat in their relationships?
 What do you think can be done to prevent cheating?
 What are some things you can do to prevent cheating?
 What would you do it you saw someone cheating at something.
 61.CHILDBIRTH

 Have you ever had children?

 Where were your children born?
 How long were you in labor?
 How much did your first child weigh?
 Can you tell us about your pregnancy?
 Were there any complications during delivery? What were they?
 How much maternity leave did you take from work?
 Was your husband in the delivery room during childbirth?
 Did your husband take maternity leave from work? How long?
 Do pregnant women in your country work?
 Do women in your country give birth in a hospital or at home?
 What is more common, natural birth or C-sections?
 Who helps a new mother with the baby?
 Do women in your country breastfeed their babies?
 Do you think it is OK to breast feed in public?
 Did you breast feed your children in public?
 Were you breast fed as a child?

62.CHILDREN

 Were there many children in your family?

 How many children do you have. How many would you like to have.
 Do you enjoy being around children?
 When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
 What are the positive or negative things about being a child?
 Do you think that children are different today from the time when you were
child? Or from 50 years ago? 100 years ago?
 What is most annoying or amazing thing about children?
 What is the most important thing that we need to teach children?
 Do you think that children are naturally good? Why or why not?
 What were some important experiences that you had when you were child which
shaped you as a person?
 Why do you think children commit violent crimes?
 Do you think children are more violent today than they used to be? Why?
 What was your favorite game when you were a child?
 Do we have to answer children's questions even if they are inappropriate ones?
 Is it better to err on the side of strictness or leniency with children?
 Who should be primarily responsible for taking care of children? Wife?
Husband? Grandparents? Relatives? Day-care center?
 What are the most important lessons to teach young children at home? Older
children?
 Is childhood the best time of life?
 Who raised you? Your parents or grandparents or another family member?
 Are you close to your parents? Do you get along well with your parents?
 What did your family like to do together when you were a child?
 What are your fondest childhood memories?
 What are your earliest childhood memories?
 What were your favorite games as a child?
 How did you play as a child?
 Who was your best childhood friend?
 What was the most important lesson your parents taught you?
 Should children be paid for household chores?
 Can you remember doing anything that got you into trouble? What was it? How
were you punished?
 Should children be spanked? Why or why not?
 What was your favorite toy?
 What was your favorite toy as a child?
 Do you think children today are under more pressure?
 Do you think parents today have less time for their children?
 Do you think video games are a bad influence on children?
 Do you think children watch too much television?
 Do we have a responsibility to correct children when their parents aren't around
and they are misbehaving?
 Do you think it is important for children to learn English and their family's native
language? Why?
 How do you think children can learn through play ?
 What are basic children's rights?
 At what age should discipline be introduced to children?
 Can you tell when a child is being honest or trying to get away from something?
How?
 Did you have any accidents at home as a child? If yes, what happened?
 What's something children do that you'd like to be able to do it too?
 What's the cutest thing you think children do?
 What's a bad thing you think children do?
 What kind of games do you like to play these days with children?
 Do you agree that children nowadays are smarter then the children from some
decades ago used to be?
 What are you never going to allow, or have never allowed, your children to do?
 Is there a best time to have children?
 If yes, when do you think that is?
 When is it OK for little girls to wear makeup?
 What do children use their cellphones for?
o Will you give one to your children?
o After what age?

63.CHORES

 How does your family decide who does various chores around the house?
 Can you name some chores that need to be done everyday?
 What chores are your responsibility?
 Which chores do you not like to do.
 How do you decide on your children's chores?
 Do you get paid for doing chores?
 What is something you hate doing when you get home?
 Do you like to clean up your room?
 Do you wash the dishes in your house?
 Do you wash clothes for your family?
 Do you do the ironing the clothes?
 What are some chores you do outside your house?
 Can you think of some dangerous chores that you can't do?
 If you could buy only one of this two things, would you choose a dishwasher or a
washing machine?
 How long do you think you could live without a maid or someone to help you in
the house?
 Do you like to go to the supermarket?
 Have you ever had an empty fridge for a long time only because you were too
lazy to go grocery shopping?
 What kind of products does your family buy on the Internet?
 If you could have a robot to do all your chores, what would you choose for it to
do?
 What chores do you do that your parents didn't have to do when they were
growing up?
 What are some chores that your parents have to do around the house?
 Do your grandparents help with chores?

64.CITIES

 Why do you like living in the city?

 What are some of the advantages of living in a city?
 What are some of the disadvantages of living in a city?
 Do you know the neighbors who live near you?
 What's your favorite city? Why?
 What city do you live in?
 What part of this city do you like the best?
 Can you describe the city?
 What aspects of life in the city would you complain about?
 What do you think should be done to improve living condition in cities?
 What are some differences between living in the city and living in the country?
 What size city is best to live in? Why?
 What are the names of two big cities in Europe?
 What are the names of two small cities in Europe?
 Would you prefer to live in a really old historical city, or a really new modern
city?
 If you had grown up in a different city, how would your life have been different?
 Did you grow up in the city or in the country?
 Would you enjoy designing a new city ?
 Do you walk alone at night in your home city?
 Would you want to be the mayor of your city?
 What would you do?
 How would you change things?
 Do you think you could make big changes in your city?
 Would you want to be a member of the city council of your city?
 What monuments of your city do you consider the most impressive? Why?
 Do you like modern cosmopolitan architecture?
 How would you describe the architecture of your city?
 Which cities do you feel safe in?
 Which cities have the best bus services/taxis/metro?
 How can we make our cities safer places to live?
 Do you think that each city should have their own laws or could all cities share
the same general laws?
 What would you do if you were in charge of a city? How would you improve it?
 Do you know if your city has a disaster plan for earthquakes, fires, tsunamis, etc?
 If so, what is the plan?
 In your opinion, is it a good/sufficient plan?
 What changes would you make?
 Do all the cities in your country or the U.S. have the same educational system?
 Can you suggest some good tourist sites to visit in your city?
 Does your city have a professional or semi-professional sports team?
 How many teams are there?
 What are sports?
 What are the team's names?
 Do you go and watch some of these sports? How much does it cost?
 Do some of these teams win championships?
 What are you doing to reduce the amount of pollution in your city?
 Does your city have any laws about dealing with pollution?
 Do you follow them?
 How do you sort garbage in your city?
 Do you recycle on a regular basis?
 If you had grown up in a different city, how would your life have been different?
 Would you enjoy designing a new city?
 Can you name two cities in twenty different countries around the world?
 Do you think some cities are becoming too large? Why?
 What are some tourist attractions in your city?
 What are some historical places in your city? Have you visited them?
 What's the most prestigious university in your city?
 What are the major problems in your city?
 What are some long term problems?
 What are some recent problems?
 What is your city doing to solve these problems?
 What do you think should be done to solve them ?
 What are you doing to help solve these problems?
 Where's the trendiest area in your city? Do you enjoy going there?
 who are some famous personalities from your city?
 What would you do to improve some aspects of your city?
 Which city's sports team do you cheer for?
 Is your city very cosmopolitan?
 What are some cosmopolitan cities around the world
 What is the most important part of a city?
 Who is the local government head in your city?
 Which cities would you like to visit in your home country?
 Which cities would you like to visit around the world?

65.CLASSROOMS

 What do you like about your classroom?

 Do you think the teacher should assign seats to students?
 What kind of classroom setting is the best for you?
 What are five things you like about your classroom?
 What are five things you don't like about your classroom?
 What are five things you would like to change in your classroom?
 What equipment for teaching is in your classroom?
 Do you like classroom with fixed desks or movable desks? Why?
 How much time a day do you spend in a classroom?
 How much time a day do you spend in a classroom looking out the window?
 Do you enjoy changing classrooms for different classes?
 What is the ideal seating plan or arrangement in a classroom?
 Is there any air conditioning in your classroom?
 Is your classroom a nice place to study?
 Do you like the location of your desk in your classroom?
 Do you think that smart students always sit down in front?
 Is it good to have only one teacher?

66.CLONING

 .
 What is cloning?
 What are the advantages of cloning?
 What are the disadvantages of cloning?
 Do you think animals should be cloned?
 Do you think vegetables should be modified?
 What are the ethical concerns about cloning?
 Are you against or in favor of cloning? Why?
 How does cloning affect our lives?
 Can you name some animals that have been cloned?
 What do you think about eating the meat from cloned animals?

67.CLOTHES & FASHION

 About how much money do you spend on clothes a year?

 Do you like shopping for new clothes?
 Do you often buy new clothes?
 Do you prefer to go shopping or just browse? Why?
 Do you think men should be allowed to wear skirts?
 What piece of clothing do you spend your money on the most? Why?
 Do you read fashion magazines?
 Do you sometimes wear a hat?
 Do you think it is important to wear fashionable clothes?
 Do you think it is important to be in fashion?
 Do you wear jewelry?
 If so, what kind of jewelry do you wear?
 How often do you wear jewelry?
 What is your most valuable piece of jewelry?
 Do you wear the same color clothes now that you wore ten years ago?
 Do you wear the same size clothes this year as you wore last year?
 Do you think people feel different when they wear different clothes?
 Have you ever made your own clothes?
 If so, what did you make?
 Do you often make your own clothes?
 How many pairs of gloves do you have?
 What are some of the strangest fashions you have seen?
 What colors do you think look good on you?
 What colors do you think look good on your mother?
 What did you wear yesterday?
 What do you think of body piercing?
 Do you have pierced ears?
 Do you know anyone with a pierced nose?
 Would you ever pierce your tongue?
 What do you think of people who dye their hair green?
 What do you think of women who wear high heel shoes?
 Do you think high heel shoes are bad for a person's health?
 What fashions that you see today do you think will be out of fashion within two
years?
 What is your shoe size?
 What kind of clothes are in fashion now?
 What kind of clothes do you usually wear?
 What's the most expensive piece of clothing you have ever bought?
 What's your favorite color for shoes?
 When was the last time you got dressed up?
 Why?
 How often do you get dressed up?
 Do you like to get dressed up?
 Where are some good stores to buy clothes in this area?
 Where do you usually buy clothes?
 Would you like to be a fashion model?
 Questions on Styles, Clothing and Fashion-based Stereotypes
 What would you think of a women who cut off all her hair and went around bald
as a fashion statement?
 What do you think of a man who is bald for fashion's sake?
 What do you think of women who wear short mini-skirts?
 Do you think that the clothes we wear reflect what is inside us ?
 What do you think of people who always and only wear black?
 What do you think of people with tattoos?
 Do you have a tattoo?
 Do you know someone with a tattoo?
 What do you think of people with body piercing?
 Do you have pierced ears?
 Would you pierce other parts of your body?
 What would you think of a high school student who always wore very
conservative clothes?
 What type of clothing do you wear when you are angry and you want to express
yourself?
 What colors do you choose to wear when you are happy?
 Would you dress the same as you do in your country if you went to America for a
visit?
 Do you dress the same when you are depressed as you do when you are very
happy?
 In what ways do you dress differently?
 If you went out with a group of high school friends, would you dress differently
then if you went out with your grandmother and her friends?
 In what ways does your Grandmother dress differently then you?
 When you get old do you think you will dress like your grandmother or
grandfather?
 Would you ever wear dreadlocks?
 What do you think of the people who wear them?
 Have you ever worn your hair braided in small braids.
 Did anyone look at you differently because of it?
 Would you ever wear contacts to change your eye color?
 What is the difference in the people who choose to wear contacts and the people
who choose to were glasses?
 What do you think about women who don't wear earrings?
 What do you think about men who wear earrings?
 What do you think of women who do?
 Is it possible for women to wear too much make-up?
 When is a person wearing to much make-up?
 What do you think of men who wear make-up?
 Is it possible to be beautiful without wearing any make-up, earrings or other
accessories?
 Do fashionable clothes really change the way a person looks?
 What differences have you noticed in the fashions here and in your country?
 What do you think of men who where tights?
 What do you think about secondhand clothes?
 Why do you think people buy secondhand clothes?
 Have you ever been to a store that sells secondhand clothes?
 Have you ever bought secondhand clothes?
 Would you buy secondhand clothes?
 When and where did you buy an article of clothing you're wearing right now?
Why did you choose it?
 What would you think if the mother of the groom wore black at a wedding?
 What would you think if a bride wore red?
 Should a bride's dress be long or do you think it could be the length of a regular
skirt?
 What items of clothing do you consider provocative in this country?
 What types of clothing are provocative in your country?
 Do you ever dress this way?
 What do you think of men wearing high heels?
 What do you think of women wearing high heels?
 Why is it acceptable for women to wear men's clothing, but not for men to dress
in women's clothing?
 Is there a stigma attached to people who buy no-name (no brand) clothing?
 Are some people more fashion conscious than others? What types/groups of
people?
 Have you ever bought imitation brand clothing?
 What traditional clothes do people from your country wear?
 When do you wear them?
 Are they comfortable?
 In your country do children have to wear school uniform?
 Did you wear a school uniform?
 Do you think wearing uniforms is a good idea?
 What would you do or feel if you were refused entry to somewhere because of
what you are wearing?
 Do you think dress codes should be adhered to if requested on an invitation?
 What would you wear to meet royalty or the President of your country?
 Would you go to a fancy dress party? Why or why not?
 How much do you spend getting ready to go to school? Work? Out with friends?
To a party?
 Do the times vary much?
 What traditional clothes do people from your country wear?
 When do you wear them?
 Are they comfortable?
 Do you think there's a difference between" fashion " and "style" ?
 How often do you go clothes shopping?
 Where do you like to go?
 Who do you like to go with?
 How much money do you usually spend?
 Would you bring your husband/boyfriend with you when you go clothes
shopping?
 What do you like to shop for the most?
 Where is your favorite shopping centre?
 What is your favorite brand?
 Are you a shopaholic?
 Do you go to many shops before buying one particular item or do you just buy the
first one you find?
 Do you spend a lot of money on clothes your clothes?
 Which type of clothes do you "collect"?
 What's your favorite piece of clothing?
 How much did it cost?
 Where did you buy your favorite piece of clothing?
 Have you ever felt uncomfortable with what you wear?
 Did your parents ever make you wear something you didn't like?
 Do you like to go shopping during the sales?

68.COLLEGE
 What is the name of your college or university?
 How many students go to your college?
 Is your college coed?
 How many subject are you taking this semester?
 Who is your favorite teacher?
 How did you decide which college to attend?
 What is your typical day at college like?
 What are three big differences between your college life so far and your high
school days?
 What is your major? Why did you choose your major? Do you have any regrets?
 What is the most difficult class you have taken so far?
 Have you ever pulled an all nighter? What was the situation?
 Have you participated in a college festival?
 Talk about your experience.
 Do you think this style of festival is held in Western countries? Why or why not?
 Are you a member of any student groups? Which ones? What do you do? Are you
satisfied with what's happening with your group(s)?
 Are there some professors that you can learn from more easily than others?
 What are the qualities that make you want to study for a certain professor?
 What are the top three changes you would like to see happen at your university?
 What do you think of student government?
 Are you now or have you ever been part of it?
 Do you think it's worthwhile?
 Does participation in student government bring any benefits to the participants?
What?
 What are the top three things you hope to get out of (get as a result of) your
university days?
 In the West, one of the most valued parts of college life is independence.
 Are you more independent from your parents now than you were in high school?
 Name some things you can do now that you weren't allowed to do in high school.
 Are you as independent now as you would like to be?
 Talk about relations between upperclassmen and freshmen.
 What kinds of things do freshmen have to do for "initiation?"
 What other things do upperclassmen do to freshmen?
 Were you a victim of "hazing" by upperclassmen? Talk about it.
 What's the most difficult class you have taken so far?
 Are you a member of any student groups (circles or club)?
 Which ones?
 Are you satisfied with what's happening with your group(s)?
 Are there some professors that you can learn from more easily than others?
 What are the qualities that make you want to study for a certain professor?
 Perhaps is it just a matter of class rules and homework demanded?
 What do you think of student government?
 Are you now or have you ever been part of it?
 Do you think it's worthwhile?
 Does student government do anything important?
 Does participation in student government bring any benefits to the participants?
What?
 For Students who have Graduated from College.
 What is your fondest memory of your college experience?
 What is your worst memory of your college experience?
 Were there any subjects that you just couldn't seem to master?
 Were you a good student or did you slack off and procrastinate?
 Did you have any college romances?
 What was the hardest thing about going to college?
 If you could have done something different with your college life, what would
you have done differently?
 Where did you get the money to attend college?
 Do you feel it is necessary for young people to attend college these days?
 What happens to people who just stop after high school or even quit high school?
 Do you wish your college had a better sports program?

69.UNIVERSITY

 Describe a mistake or something you should not have done since being in
university.
 Can you explain the process of registering for a class/course?
 What celebrations/festivals/events do you enjoy the most? Why?
 What's the best advice you would tell a brother/sister or friend who is now
entering college?
 What's the best excuse you've heard or given for missing a class?
 How has your life changed since beginning college?
 How much note taking do you do in most of your classes?
 How often do you reread or organize your notes from a professor's lecture?
 What are some advantages in studying with sophomore/junior/senior
students/friends or with older students?
 If you wanted to, when could you fit in more study time?
 What do you fear most about next semester's classes?
 What was your biggest fear before you began your freshman year of college?
 How much of the course material is covered by the professors in your classes?
 During classes, do you like working in student groups or working alone? Why?
 What are some advantages of studying alone? Disadvantages?
 What are some advantages of studying in groups? Disadvantages?
 Do you prefer to study with friends/classmates or to study alone?
 Do you have easy access to your professors outside of class?
 How often do you read ahead for your classes?
 What can/do you do if you fall behind in your classes?
 What do you plan to do during the summer vacation?
 What's your biggest motivation for your university life?
 What can you do if you don't like your roommates?
 Are the counselors at school helpful?
 What's your favorite spot on campus?
 What's your favorite way to take a 'short' break from studying at night?
 What do you miss most about your home and your hometown?
 What's your best memory? What's your worst memory?
 Are you a member of any student organization?
 What extracurricular activities are you involved in?
 If you were not attending college now, what would you be doing? Where? Why?
 What are some qualities of a good student?
 What are some qualities of a good teacher?
 How do you travel to your classes everyday?
 What advantages are there to home schooling?
 How can classes or classrooms be improved?
 What would be the effect?
 If you became president of your university, what changes would you make?
Why?
 If you became president of your university, which rule would you abolish
(cancel)?
 What is the biggest difficulty in being a college student?
 Why is a college education important?
 What does a college education provide?
 How much is tuition do you pay?
 What kinds of scholarships are there for students at your school?
 What must you do to receive a college diploma?
 Where is the best place for you to study? Why?
 How many hours do you spend on homework or studying each night?
 What do you do on campus when you're not studying?
 Which class or subject is most important for your future job?
 What is your favorite class or subject? Why?
 How can a student receive a scholarship?
 How many back-to-back classes do you have?
 What is a disadvantage of back-to-back classes?
 Why are you attending college?
 After your grade point average (GPA), what is the 2nd most important thing in
college?
 Do most of your professors or instructors take attendance? Why?
 How often do your professors let class out early?
 Which do you prefer more, morning or afternoon classes? Why?
 What time does your first class begin tomorrow?
 The cost of university education is becoming very expensive in many countries.
 How can we make the cost of education more affordable to the general public?

70.COLORS

 What's your favorite color?

 Has your favorite color changed as you've grown older?
Do you have a color that you hate?
 If so, what is it?
 Why do you hate it?
Do you think colors affect your mood?
 How does red make you feel?
 How does green make you feel?
 How does blue make you feel?
 How does purple make you feel?
 How does black make you feel?
  How does white make you feel?
 How does yellow make you feel?
 How does brown make you feel?
 How does grey make you feel?
 What do you think of orange?
Do you think different cultures have different meanings for colors?
 What do the different colors mean in your culture?
Do you associate any colors with specific items, numbers, or letters not usually
associated with color?
Can you think of different idioms or expressions involving color?
 What's a "black and white" matter.
 What does it mean to "see red"?
 What does it mean to "feel blue"?
 What does it mean to "be yellow"?
 What's a "black tie affair"?
 What does it mean to be "blacklisted"?
 What does it mean to be "the black sheep in the family"?
How many colors are in the rainbow? What are they?
What colors are on your national flag?
What's the best color for a car?
 What's the best color for a house?
 What do you think is the best color for lens in sunglasses?
What's the color for passion?
 What's the color for hatred?
 What's the color for happiness?
 What's the color for sadness?
 What's the color for anger?
 What's the color for death?
 What's the color for jealousy?
 What is the color of envy ?
 What's the color for cowardice?
What color is money in your country?
Do you know anyone who is color blind?
 What colors do most color blind people not see?
Do you think animals can see color?
What does black-sheep of the family mean?
Do you dream in color?
How would you compare the feeling you get watching a movie in black and white to
watching it in color?
What color clothes do you like to wear?
 What colors do you think look good on you?
 What color shoes do you like to wear?
What do you think is the strangest color for a car?
 How about a house?
 How about clothing?
 How about hair color?
Do you know anyone who has dyed their hair a strange color? (... an unnatural hair
color such as blue or multiple shades?)
Have you ever seen a pet dog or cat with dyed fur?
Do you think different colors have different meanings? If so, what do different colors
mean?
Do the color blind dream in color?
 Do you think people who are color blind can dream in color?
What color ink do you like using the most?
 What is the meaning of writing with black ink?
 What is the meaning of writing with green ink?
 What is the meaning of writing with red ink?
 What is the meaning of writing with blue ink?
What color of paper you like most if you want to write a letter to your friends or
loved ones?
What is the color of the bedspread on your bed?
What is your least favorite color?
What color toothbrush do you have?
 Does everyone in your family use a different color toothbrush?
What color towels do you use?
What color are the curtains in your bedroom?
What does it mean when someone says he's feeling blue?
What does it means when someone says they are green with envy?
w\What does it means when someone says "you look green at the gills"?
What does it mean when someone says "I was so mad I was seeing red"?
What does it mean when someone says "he was black as an ace of spades"?
What is pink eye?
We are not sure what this means, but it was submitted.
 What does it mean when you see the color of a rainbow in your eyes?
What would you think of life without colors?
 What do you think life would be like without colors?
 How would life change?
 What things wouldn't change?
 Are color blind people completely blind to all colors?
Do you think a person's favorite color will always be his/her favorite color?
 Do favorite colors change throughout life?
Have you ever tried to invent a new color?
 Try it right now: try to think of a color that doesn't exist, one you'd like to
see.
 What does it look like?
 (Note: It is physically impossible to conceive of a color that isn't a shade of a
color that already exists, but students will enjoy trying for a few minutes and
the impossibility of it makes for good conversation.)
What does the black sheep of the family mean?
Do you like light or dark colors better?
Which colors do you have to mix to get green? Orange? Purple? Black? Gray?
What expressions include colors when discussing illness? (ex., white or pale, pink
eye, black and blue for bruises, yellow fever)
What expressions include colors and feelings? (ex. I feel blue, Green with envy, Red
with rage, Turning red, Black circles under the eyes, You are turning blue (with
the cold))
What do the colors in your home country's flag represent?
What is the most memorable in advertisements or commercials for you? (ex. the
music, colors, movement, message)
What does "a picture is worth a thousand words mean"?
This word is used when traveling: I bought a ticket on the red eye flight. What might
this mean?

71.COMIC BOOKS

 Do you like comics?

  Do you like American comic books?
 Do you like comics from other countries?
 Do you like fantasy comics?
 Do you like funny comics?
 Do you like realistic comics?
 What do you like about comics?
 What comics do you like?
 What comics do you love?
 What comics do you hate?
Do you play any video games based on comic books?
Have you watched any anime?
 Have you read any Japanese manga?
Have you read any comics in English?
How are comics different from one country to another?
 How are comic books different in this country from those in your country?
How have comics changed over time?
How many comics do you read a week?
 How much time do you spend reading comics?
How often do you read comics?
 How often do you read comics in English?
Should comics have a rating system like the movies (G, PG, R)?
What comics have you read in English?
What can you learn from comics?
What is more important to you, the story or the pictures?
What is the best comic book you've ever read?
What type of comic appeals to girls?
 What types appeal to boys?
 What types appeal to adults?
What was the last comic book you read?
Can you remember the first comic book you read?
Where do you usually read comic books?
Who do you think reads comic books?
Do you think boys read more comic books than girls?
 Why do you think more ___ (boys) read comics than ___ (girls)?
Do you think people in this country read more comic books than in your country?
Who has better comics DC or Marvel? (Or ask about two other comic book
publishers.)
Why are comics so popular?
Why do people like to read comics?
Why do you think Hollywood makes so many movies from comic books?
Why don't more people read comic books?
Are comic books better than (regular) books?
At what age is a person too old to read comics?
Do violent comics make people think more about violence?
Cost
 About how much do you spend on comics in a month?
 How much do you spend on comic books?
 How much should a comic book cost?
 Is collecting comics a good investment?
Who is the worst comic book character?
When you read comics, who is more interesting the hero or the villain?
Who is your favorite villain?
Who would your arch enemy be?
Super heroes
 Who would win a fight between Batman or Superman?
 Which super hero is most like you?
 What qualities do you need to be a super hero?
 Who is the the most popular super hero in your country?
 What super hero should have a movie made about him/her?
 Who is the most popular comic book hero in your country?
 What real life person could be a super hero?
 If you could make your own super hero what would his or her name be?
 What would his superpower be?
 Do we need more super heroes?
If you could have one superpower what would it be?
What is the best superpower to have?
What are some complaints that some parents have about comic books?
Why do people like to read comic books?

72.COMMUNITY

 What do you like about your community?

 How did you decide on your community?
 What do you think should be changed in your community?
 How can you help your community?
 How many of your neighbors do you know?
 Are there old people living in your community? Tell me about them.
 Are there little children in your community? Tell me about them.
 What do the people in your community do for recreation?
 What do you think is the most important thing about community?
 Does your community have special days to get together?
 Does your community have meetings?
 Is there a neighborhood watch program in your community?
 Would you like to raise your children in a community like yours? If yes, tell me
why. If no, tell me why?
 Is your community afraid of strangers?
 How can you live in a community and maintain your privacy?
 Does your community welcome strangers?
 Have you ever helped a neighbor?

73.COMPUTERS

 Are you computer literate?

 Are you connected to the Internet?
 Do you access the Internet with your computer?
 Can you access the Internet from your home?
 What is your favorite "news" site?
 What Internet sites do you visit regularly?
Can your mother and father use a computer?
Do you have a computer?
 Do you have a computer at work and at home?
 Do you have a laptop or a desktop computer? Do you have both?
 Do you use your computer when you do homework for school?
 Have you ever studied English using your computer?
 How many times have you upgraded your computer?
 How powerful is your computer?
 What company made your computer?
 What kind of computer do you have?
 What size is your computer screen?
 What do you think is the best size to have?
 Where do you use your computer?
 Where in your room is your computer?
 Why did you buy your computer?
Do you have a digital camera?
 Do you send photos by email?
 What kind of pictures do you take with your digital camera?
Do you have a scanner?
 What kind of scanner do you have?
Do you have a web page?
 What's the URL?
 When did you start it?
 How much time did it take to make?
 How much time do you spend keeping it updated?
Do you know any computer programming languages?
 How many computer programming languages do you know?
 Which languages do you know?
 Which language do you use the most often?
Do you read computer magazines?
 Which computer magazines do you read?
Do you use a computer?
 Are you good at using a computer?
 Are you still using your first computer?
 Did you learn to use a computer in high school?
 Do you know how to type well?
 How often do you use a computer?
 What are some of your favorite computer games?
 What do you use a computer for?
 What operating system do you use?
 What software do you use the most often?
 When did you first start using a computer?
 Who taught you to use a computer?
Do you use chat rooms? If so, what chat rooms do you use and who do you talk to?
Do you use e mail?
 Do you use e mail every day?
 Do you write e mail in English?
 Have you ever sent an e mail to your teacher?
 How many e-mails do you get a day?
 How many e mails do you send a day?
 How many times a day do you access your e mail?
 What's your e mail address?
  How many e mail addresses do you have?
Do you have a Facebook account?
 How often do you access it?
 How often do you update it.
 How many friends do you have?
 How many hours a day do you spend looking at it?
Do you want a more powerful computer? If so, what computer do you want?
Does your family have a computer?
How fast can you type?
Have you ever taken a course at school where you used a computer?
Have you tried Mac-OS, Windows and Linux?
How do you study English with your computer?
How does email work?
How many people in your family can use a computer?
How much did your first computer cost? How much did you last computer cost?
How much does it cost by buy a computer?
 What's the least expensive computer?
 What's the most expensive computer?
How much does your Internet service provider cost?
 Which ISP do you use?
If you could buy a new computer, what would you like to buy?
If you had lots of money, what kind of computer system would you like to buy?
What is the difference between software and hardware?
Which do you like better, a laptop computer or a desktop computer?
What is your favorite website?
Do you ever visit English websites?
Do you think our lives have been improved by computer technology?
 Think of a few examples of how computers have an educational or an
entertainment value.
 Could you do without them?
What is multimedia?
 What are the components and the element of multimedia?
When did you first get a computer?
 What kind of computer was it?
 About how much did it cost?
 Do you still have it?
 Do you still use it?
Do you remember the first time you used a computer or the Internet?
 What did you think about it?
How long have there been personal computers in your country?
 When did the average person start using a computer?
Can your parents operate a computer?
 How do they use their computer?
 Do you chat with your parents?
 What kind of computer do they use?
 Do they enjoy using their computer?
Can your children use a computer?
Do you think a computer can bring us happiness?
Do you have a computer?
Do you know any computer languages like C or C++?
What is configuration of your PC?
How often do you perform a backup?
 What kind of backup method do you use?
 What kind of backup media do you use?
What are some good things about having a computer?
What are some bad things about having a computer?
Does having a computer make life more complicated or less complicated?
What computer games have you played?
Which are your favorites?
 Which do you think are not so interesting?
Do you use chat rooms and instant messaging?
 Which ones do you use?
 Why do you use them?
 What are some things to think about when using them?
 Why can these be dangerous for you and your kids?
What do you do when your computer doesn't work properly?
 Do you have more than one computer?
 Can you do everything you need to do when your computer is broken?
Do you have a webpage?
 Did you make your own webpage?
 What is on this webpage?
 Why do you think people have web pages?
 What would you like to add to your webpage?
Do you know what a blog is?
  Do you have one? Why/ why not?
 Why do people have blogs?
What do you think about file sharing?
On the Internet, you can say whatever you want. Is that true?
 Is it a good or a bad thing? Why?
 What is artificial intelligence?

74.CONFLICT

 What is conflict?
 When you see the word "conflict", what do you think of?
 What causes conflict?
 Is conflict inevitable?
 Is conflict always negative?
 How can conflicts be resolved?
 What would you consider to be a constructive approach to conflict?
 What would you consider to be a destructive approach to conflict?
 Does there have to be a winner and a loser of a conflict?
 What happens to people who are involved in conflicts?
 What conflicts are going on around the world?
 What conflicts exist in your life?
 How do you deal with conflicts?
 Can violent conflicts be solved with violence?
 How can the world be peaceful when other countries are not trying to bring
peace?
 Can conflicts at work place affect the efficiency of one's work?
 Is it possible to avoid conflicts?
 Does it solve anything?
 Have you ever used third-party mediation?
 If so, did you use a professional, or a friend?
What was the experience like?
Did it help resolve the conflict?
Would you recommend this approach to others?
Are there any kind of conflicts in the family?
What kind of conflicts occur in a family?
Is there any conflict in your family?
Did you experience any kind of conflict in your family?
How can conflicts in the family be solved?
What strategies do you know to solve conflicts in the family?
What kind of conflicts appear at school?
 Why are there conflicts at school?
What should teachers, parents and pupils do to avoid and solve such conflicts?
What conflicts could happen in a neighborhood?
Why are there conflicts among neighbors?
What should neighbors do to avoid and solve conflicts?
Should a conflict be solved straightaway or when we calm down?

75.CORRUPTION

 What kinds of corruption are there?

 Has corruption affected your life?
 Why do you think people are corrupt.
 Can corruption be a good thing?
 How do you reduce corruption?
 Which countries have a lot of corruption?
 What can you do about corruption in your country?
 How do you remove corrupt workers from their jobs?
 What is the largest bribe you have paid?
 Can corruption be a good thing in some societies?
 What would you do if your boss tells you that at Christmas it is usual to receive
small presents from local companies?
 Would you accept a free ticket for a football match, a free drink by virtue of your
position?
 What would you do if you receive a complaint from a citizen of an attempted
bribery from a police officer?
 Do you think corrupt police officers are natural-born criminals?
 Do you know a corruption case?
 Do you think discipline is fair within the police?
 How are you going to prevent corruption and misconduct in the group that you
command ?
 Is corruption within the police a result of low pay?
 Have you ever heard of a drug-related corruption case?
 Do you think police unions play a good role in the prevention of corruption?
 Is corruption ever justifiable?
 Have you ever received a bribe?
 Have you ever bribed someone?
 Do you know someone who has been bribed?
 Is bribery a big problem in the country where you live?
 Will you accept a dinner invitation from an important businessman of your city?
(He has good connections in the council and you nephew is unemployed.)
 Would you revert to bribery if your life was at stake? If your child's or one of
your family members' life was threatened?
 Is there a sum of money that might persuade you to "look the other way"?

76.COUNTRIES

 What country would you like to visit?

 What country would you like to live in and why?
 What country would you like to work in?
 What country has the most interesting customs?
 What country would be fun to work in?
 Would you like to work in a tropical country?
 Would you like to work in Antarctica?
 Would you like to live where there is always snow?
 Would you like to live where there is desert and hot weather?
 What countries in Europe have you visited?
 What countries would you not like to visit and why?
 What country in Asia would be a great place to live?
 Is your country the best place for you to live?
 What is special about your country?
 What festivals and feasts does your country have?
 Would you like to go and live in another country?
 What countries would you like to travel to for a vacation?
 How would you travel to see your country?
 How would you travel the world?
 What countries would you travel to if you were to do a world trip?
 Which country gets the most snowfall and why?
 What country/ countries neighbor (neighbor) your country?
 What are some similarities and differences between your neighboring country and
your country?

77.CREATIVITY

 What is creativity?
 Do you consider yourself a creative person? Why?
 What is something creative that you have done?
 Is creativity a good thing? Why or why not?
 What are some ways that a person can be creative?
 Is taking a risk part of creativity?
 Do you like to take risks? Give an example
Do you often ask question the way things work?
Do you like to improve things?
What are some creative ways to entertain children?
Can you think of a device that would make people's life easier?
How does self-confidence affect a person's creativity?
Can someone who initially seems to lack any ability for a certain form of art develop
his creativity and finally come to master it?
 Have you heard of any such case?
 Do you know anyone who is personally an example of this?
How does early exposure to diverse stimuli, and his involvement in creative activities
affect a child's future creativity?
Do you believe that natural genetical features in a human being are absolutely
determinant to their future creativity, or is interaction and engagement into self-
expression and interaction with the world more influential than this?
How does a person's standard of living, involving such things as diet, exposure to
chemical or other forms of pollution, active versus sedentary living, different
 forms of addiction, or any other aspects you may think of, affect them
biologically regarding their creative capacities?
Does the education system in your country encourage creativity? How?
Do you think creativity comes with time and thought or you are born with creative
talent?
What creative activities did you do as a child?
What are some incentives for creative people in the workplace?
What is a creative business that you would like to start?
Who are some of history's most creative people?
In which professional field do you think people are most creative? e.g science
Do you often answer questions by explaining how things work?
Can you think of devices that would make people's life easier?

78.CRIME

 Are some parts of this city considered more dangerous than others? Which parts?
 Are there any places you are afraid to visit because of the high crime rate? If so,
where?
 Are there problems with drugs where you live?
 Are you apprehensive about walking outside after dark?
 Do you always lock your house? How about your car?
 Do you believe that public executions would deter crime? If so, how?
 Do you drink and drive?
 Do you know anyone who has been mugged?
 Do you know someone who has been a victim of a violent crime?
 Do you think abortion is a crime?
 Do you think gun control is a good idea? Explain.
 Do you think people who use illegal drugs should be put in jail?
 Do you think police TV dramas are realistic?
 Do you think policeman should be allowed to carry guns?
 Do you think that capital punishment is a good idea? Why or why not?
 Do you think that punishment for violent crimes should be the same for juveniles
and adults? Why/why not?
 Do you think that the death penalty would prevent crime in your country? Why or
why not?
 Do you think that the legalization of narcotics would decrease the crime rate?
 Do you think there are any legal drugs that should be illegal?
 Do you think there is a link between drugs and crime?
 Do you think prostitution is a crime?
 Do you think there will be more or less crime in the future?
 Do you think your country is a safe place to live? Why or why not?
 Do you walk alone at night in your home city?
 Does prison help rehabilitate criminals? Should it?
 Have you ever been the victim of a crime? How about others in your family?
 Have you ever done anything illegal? If so, what did you do?
 Have you ever had anything stolen?
 Have you ever seen a crime?
 Have you ever witnessed a crime?
Have you ever stolen anything?
How can you prevent things from being stolen?
 How can you avoid having things stolen from you?
If a person steals a loaf of bread because he needs to feed his starving family, should
he be punished?
Is child abuse a problem in your country?
Is drunk driving a crime where you live? If so, what is the punishment?
Is it ever O.K. to break the law? If so, when?
Is prison an effective punishment? Why or why not?
Is there a problem with organized crime and/or gangs where you live?
Is your hometown considered safe?
Under what situations would you think of committing a crime?
What are some things people can do to protect themselves from crime?
What are some things that are legal that you personally think should be illegal?
What crimes do you think will decrease in the future?
What crimes do you think will increase in the future?
What crimes have you heard about recently in the news?
What do you think is the worst crime a person could commit? Why?
What do you think of the death penalty?
What is a gang?
 What gangs exist in this country and in your home country?
 What are the characteristics of these gangs?
What is the punishment for murder in your country?
What is the punishment for stealing in your country?
What kinds of crime are most common in your country? What are the penalties for
these crimes?
What kinds of crimes are increasing?
What kinds of crimes do you think can be prevented? How?
What makes some people become criminals? Is it poverty, upbringing, lack of
education, unemployment or something else?
What weapons do police carry in this country? How about your home country?
What would you do if you heard a burglar in your house?
What's your opinion about the death penalty?
Why do you think crime is more prevalent in some societies than in others?
 Why is there more crime in some countries?
Why do you think people steal things?
Do you think corporal punishment is necessary?
Who decides what is and isn't a crime?
Do you think that "corporate criminals" are sufficiently punished for their crimes?
Do you think that police dramas can teach people how serious certain actions can be?
Is a person born as a blank page or does he have some things predetermined like
vulnerability to crime?
Should adultery be considered a crime?
Why do people commit crimes?
What can be done about gun/knife violence?
Do you think your city is a dangerous place to live in?
 Do you see a lot of crime happening around you?
 What kind of crime is it? Shoplifting? pickpocketing? Etc?
Have you ever witnessed a crime? If "yes" tell us about it.
Have you ever witnessed acts of vandalism?
 What do you think is the main cause of vandalism?
 How can we fight vandalism
?
Do you think graffiti is vandalism or art?
Have you ever been robbed?
 How did it happen?
 Did you report to the police?
 Did they help you?
Do you agree that terrorism is the evil of the 21st century?
  What are the roots of terrorism?
 What act of terrorism terrifies you most of all?
Is bribery a crime?
 What spheres are corrupted most of all in your country? Police? Education?
Medicine?
 What is the best way to fight corruption?
What is your attitude to the death penalty?
 Is there a death penalty in your country?
 If you think it should exist, what kind of criminals should be sentenced to
death?
Which punishment is more severe, the death penalty or life imprisonment?
What do you think is an adequate punishment for an adolescent who has committed a
serious crime? Murder? Burglary? Car theft? Rape?
Is piracy a great problem in your country?
 Do you consider piracy to be a crime?
 Is it possible to get rid of piracy?
What is intellectual property?
 Can you think of some examples of stealing intellectual property.
 Do you think it is a serious crime?
What do you know about the mafia?
 How does the mafia affect your life?
 How does the mafia make money?
Have you ever noticed someone stealing in a store?
 What were your actions?
If your friend has committed a serious crime, how would you act?
 Would you report to the police or not?
Do you agree that everything that is not prohibited by law is allowed?
Is downloading music or videos a crime?
What's the difference between copyright infringement and theft?
What is the difference between crime and sin?

79.CULTURE

 What are some things that define a culture? For example, music, language, ...
 What do you think is interesting about your culture?
 Do you know much about your own culture?
 When people from other countries think about your culture, what do they usually
think of?
 In your culture is it polite to be straightforward and direct when you talk to
someone?
 To whom is it OK and to whom is it not OK?
What has surprised you when you've met people from other countries?
Have you looked at Internet pages from a different culture? If so, how were they
different from those of your own culture?
What do you like about your culture?
What don't you like about your culture?
How do young people in your culture behave differently from older people?
How do young people in your culture behave differently from people in this culture?
Are there many people of different cultures in your country? Are you friends with
any?
Have you ever felt confused by the actions of someone from another culture?
 If so, tell me about it.
How are your language teachers who are not from your country different from your
other teachers?
 How are they the same?
Who in your culture do you admire most?
What your culture are you most proud about?
Why do you think culture is important?
If you could change one thing about your culture, what would it be?
Would you ever consider marrying or dating someone from another culture?
Would you ever consider living permanently in a country other than your home
country? Why or why not?
What does it mean to be polite in your culture?
What is considered rude in your culture?
 Is there anything in this culture that is considered rude that may not be
considered rude in your culture?
If a group of people just came to your country from overseas, what advice would you
give them?
What other cultures have you met people from?
What do you think is important when visiting another culture?
Do you think "when in Rome, do as the Romans do" is always good advice? Why or
why not?
Have you ever been in a situation where you felt you had to "do as the Romans do"?
What culture besides your own do you admire and why?
If aliens visited your country, what might surprise them?
Do you pray before each meal?
How do you feel when you leave your home culture and enter into a completely new
culture?
What is the best/most important thing your culture has given to the world?
What is the best/most important thing your culture/country has adopted from another
culture?
If you could choose three aspects of your culture to put in a "time box" for the future,
what would you put in it?
What is culture shock?
Have you ever experienced culture shock?
What is reverse, or re-entry, culture shock?
Have you ever experienced reverse culture shock?
On what occasions do you exchange flowers in your country?
On what occasions do you exchange flowers in your country?
What are some things that define a culture? For example, music, language, ...
Do you know much about your own culture?
What do you think is interesting about your own culture?
What do you like most about your own culture?
What do you like least about your culture?
What does it mean to be polite in your culture?
What is considered rude in your culture? Is there anything in Canadian culture that is
considered rude in your culture?
In your culture is it polite to be straightforward and direct when you talk to someone?
To whom is it OK and to whom is it not OK?
What has surprised you when you've met people from other countries?
How do young people in your culture behave differently from older people?
How do young people in your culture behave differently from people in Canada?
Are there people of different cultures in your country? Are you friends with any of
them?
What other cultures have you met people from?
Have you ever felt confused by the actions of someone from another culture? If so,
tell me about it.
How are your language teachers different from your teachers in your culture? How
are they the same?
What are the five most important values of your culture? (For example, Family)
What in your culture are you most proud about?
If you could change one thing about your culture, what would it be?
Would you ever consider marrying or dating someone from another culture?
Would you ever consider living permanently in a country other than your home
country? Why or why not?
Do you think "when in Rome, do as the Romans do" is always good advice? Why or
why not? Have you ever been in a situation where you felt you had to "do as the
Romans do"?
What do you think is important when visiting another culture?
If a group of people just came to your country from overseas, what advice would you
give them?
What culture besides your own do you admire? Why?
If aliens visited your country, what might surprise them?
What is the best/most important thing your culture has given to the world?
What is the best/most important thing your culture/country has adopted from another
culture?
What are some things that define a culture? For example, music, language, ...

Customs

 What customs do you practice?

 What are your favorite customs?
 What customs do you think should be revised?
 What customs do you think should no longer be practice?
 What customs (from elsewhere) do you think should be included in our culture?

80.COMMUTING

 How do you commute to your school or your place of work?

 How far do you travel and how long does it take you?
 How do you travel? Is it expensive? Is it tiring?
 What are some of the reasons why people commute?
 Would you rather work in a nearer place?
 If you work far from your house, why have you chosen to commute a long way to
work?
 Would you ever travel between countries or states in order to keep a better job?
Why or why not?
 In your viewpoint, what are the advantages and disadvantages of commuting?
 If you didn't have any relatives or wife/husband, would you travel abroad for
work? Why or why not?
 Would you like to live abroad? Why or why not?
 If you moved to another country, what things would you miss about where you
live now? Which ones would you be glad to get away from?
 Are there certain professions which require commuting?
 Would you give up your job if you had to commute frequently?
 Would you accept a job that requires commuting two hours a day one way?

81.COMPLAINING

 Is it always necessary to complain?

 When is it appropriate to complain in a restaurant?
 What do you think of the saying, "The customer is always right."?
 What do you say to someone to complain about bad service in a store or
restaurant?
 Have you ever gotten angry at a worker in a store or a restaurant?
 What are some reasons why we might need to complain in a store or restaurant?
 What are some reasons why you would not complain about bad service?
 Do you prefer to make a complaint over the telephone or in person?
 When is it necessary to write a letter of complaint?
 Is it common in your country to complain about bad service?

82.CULTURAL SHOCK AND ADAPTING TO CANADA

 Have you ever been in a situation where you felt you had to "do as the Romans
do"?
 What is culture shock?
 Have you ever experienced culture shock?
 What is reverse, or re-entry, culture shock?
 Have you ever experienced reverse culture shock?
 What is the best/most important thing your culture has given to the world?
 What is the best/most important thing your culture/country has adopted from
another culture?
 If you could choose three aspects of your culture to put in a "time box" for the
future, what would you put in it?
 On what occasions do you exchange flowers in your country?
 What are some things that define a culture? For example, music, language, ...
 Do you know much about your own culture?
 What do you think is interesting about your own culture?
 When people from other countries think about your culture, what do they usually
think of?
 What do you like most about your own culture?
 What do you like least about your culture?
 What does it mean to be polite in your culture?
 What is considered rude in your culture? Is there anything in Canadian culture
that is considered rude in your culture?
 In your culture is it polite to be straightforward and direct when you talk to
someone? To whom is it OK and to whom is it not OK?
 What has surprised you when you've met people from other countries?
 How do young people in your culture behave differently from older people?
 How do young people in your culture behave differently from people in Canada?
 Are there people of different cultures in your country? Are you friends with any
of them?
 What other cultures have you met people from?
 Have you ever felt confused by the actions of someone from another culture? If
so, tell me about it.
 How are your language teachers different from your teachers in your culture?
How are they the same?
 Who in your culture do you admire most?
 What are the five most important values of your culture? (For example, Family)
 What in your culture are you most proud about?
 If you could change one thing about your culture, what would it be?
 Would you ever consider marrying or dating someone from another culture?
 Would you ever consider living permanently in a country other than your home
country? Why or why not?
 Do you think "when in Rome, do as the Romans do" is always good advice? Why
or why not? Have you ever been in a situation where you felt you had to "do as
the Romans do"?
 What do you think is important when visiting another culture?
 If a group of people just came to your country from overseas, what advice would
you give them?
 What culture besides your own do you admire? Why?
 If aliens visited your country, what might surprise them?
 What is the best/most important thing your culture has given to the world?
 What is the best/most important thing your culture/country has adopted from
another culture?
 What are some things that define a culture? For example, music, language, ...

83.DANGERS

 Have you been in the midst of danger before?

 What do you do when you feel someone might be following you?
 If you are in danger, what should you do?
 If your life was in danger, who would you call and why?
 Can you explain the 'fight or flight' complex?
 What makes you suspicious of someone?
 What makes you suspicious of a place?
 Have you tried doing anything dangerous that could risk your life?
 Why are there still people who love to do dangerous sports?
 Why are there people who still live in a dangerous society?
 Do you think your neighborhood is dangerous?
 Have you caused any danger to other people before?
 What was the most dangerous thing that you have done?
 Why are the rich facing a lot more danger than the poor or average people?
 What time is the most dangerous time to go out?
 Do you think there are dangers in your house?
 What do you do when you see someone in danger?
 What do you do when you see the back label of a product with a danger sign on
it?
 What do you do when you feel that something might happen to you?
 Is there an emergency number you can call when you are in danger?
 Can we stay away from danger?
 Are you a person that worries about nothing or everything? Give an example of
something that you worry (or don't worry) about.
 What dangers exist when you drive? When you fly? When you take a train?
 What dangers exist for babies? For children? For university students? For the
elderly?
 When can a government be a danger to its own people?
 What kinds of people in your community have occupations related to danger?
 What country do you consider the most dangerous in the world and why?
 Which city in your country do you consider the most dangerous and why?
 Do you think that media (TV, movies, music) can be dangerous? Why?
 Have you been in a midst of danger before?
 Has your put your life been put in danger before for a stranger?
 Has your life been put in danger before for a stranger?

84.DATING

 Describe a perfect date.

 Describe the appearance of the person you would like to date?
 Describe the character of the person you would like to date?
 Do you "go Dutch" when dating?
 Do you know what it means to 'go Dutch'?
 Is it usual for people in your country to 'go Dutch' if you go out together?
 Do older girls/boys have a problem dating younger girls/boys?
 Do younger girls/boys have a problem dating older girls/boys?
Do you believe in love at first sight?
  Do you think some people know that they will fall in love with someone the
first time they meet?
Do you know what a 'blind date' is?
Have you ever been on a blind date?
Did you ever arrange a blind date?
Do you drive or take the train when dating?
Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?
 Where did you meet your him/her?
 What does he/she look like?
Do you think fairy tales influence our choice of a partner?
Have you ever had a crush on someone?
Have you ever hated loving someone?
Have your parents ever disapproved of any of your relationships?
How often would you like to go out on dates?
How old were you when you had your first boyfriend or girlfriend?
How old were you when you went on your first date?
 Where did you go?
 What did you do?
 Who did you go with?
Is going out on dates important for you?
Is there a such thing as a perfect relationship for you?
If you could go out with anyone, who would it be?
If you are a man, and a woman asks you for a date, do you feel you should pay, or
that the woman should pay?
What are some popular places to go on a date?
What characteristics do you look for in a girlfriend or boyfriend?
What do you consider cheating in a dating relationship?
What do you like to talk about when on a date?
What do you look for in a girlfriend or a boyfriend?
What do you think most people talk about when dating?
What kind of clothes do you wear on a date?
What qualities are important to you in a boyfriend or girlfriend?
What was the most boring date you've ever been on?
What was the most interesting date you've ever been on?
What would you consider "the perfect date" for you?
Where is a good pace to go on a date in this town?
Where would you like to go on a date?
Would you mind if your boyfriend/girlfriend went out to party without you?
Would you prefer to go out with a quiet or a talkative person?
At what age do you think that dating should begin?
 Do you think there is any age when a person is too old to date?
Does your first love still hold a special place in your heart? Do you believe that he or
she will always have a special place in your heart?
What is your definition of love?
Would you wait on a person you were dating for a long time if they joined the army?
 How about if they went to prison?
What do you think about dating a friend's ex-girlfriend or ex-boyfriend?
Are there any superstitions on making someone fall in love with you?
 Have you heard of any successful "love potions?"
Can you control your partner by playing games?
When should you introduce your boyfriend/girlfriend to your parents? (when you
begin dating, after you have been together for a while, only when the relationship
is serious) Why?
Do you like to have boy friend or girl friend in your school or in your classes?
Do you think it is right to continue seeing a person if he has not introduced you to his
family yet?
How long does it take for dating to become a relationship?
Is it important to be punctual in your first date? Why?
Would you dress up for a first date? What clothes would you wear?
What kind of place do you think is the ideal for a first date? Why do you think so?
Do you think that age difference is important when dating?
Would you date someone much older or younger than you? Why or why not?
Would your parents have a problem if you married someone much older or younger
than you? Would it make a difference if that person were rich?
Do you like to flirt? If so, what do you usually do? Where? With whom? Why?
Do you ever set your friends up on blind dates? If so, have you had much success?
Do you think blind dates are a good way to meet someone special? Why or why not?
What is an intimate relationship for you?
How do you know you are in a relationship?
Do you have any expectations for your partner?
What is a perfect date for you?
Do younger girls/boys have a problem dating older girls/boys?
Do you think some people know that they will fall in love with someone the first
time they meet?
Where did you meet your him/her?
What does he/she look like?
How old were you when you went on your first date? Where did you go?What did
you do? Who did you go with?
What kind of boy/girl do you like?
Do you think there is any age when a person is too old to date?
Does your first love still hold a special place in your heart?
 Are you still in contact?
 Would you like to see your first love again?
 Do you believe that he or she will always have a special place in your heart?
 How about if they went to prison?
Have you heard of any successful "love potions?"
Have you ever returned a gift to your boyfriend or girlfriend and later find out that he
has given it to his/her new mate?
When should you introduce your boyfriend/girlfriend to your parents?
 When you begin dating.
 After you have been together for a while.
 Only when the relationship is serious?
 Why?
What kind of place do you think is the ideal for a first date? Why do you think so?
Do you think that age difference is important when dating?
Do you consider withholding information from your significant other lying?
Should you sleep with your friends?
Do you like to have boyfriend or girlfriend in your school or in your classes?
What do you think about internet dating?
Do you know anybody who does internet dating?
Have you heard of any successful relationships through internet dating?
 Would you consider trying it yourself?
Have you ever met the man/woman of your dreams when you were on vacation?

85.DEATH & DYING

Maybe too sensitive for some groups, but many are extremely interested in how
different cultures deal with death.
 What causes death?
 Are "Living Wills" available where you live?
 Are there special rites or ceremonies performed when a person dies?
 Are you afraid of death?
 Do you believe in life after death?
 Do you often think of death?
 Do you think that there is anything worth dying for?
 Do you want to know the date of your death? Why or why not?
 How do you cope with the death of someone special?
 Is organ donation or transplants an option where you live?
 Is physician assisted suicide an option in your country?
 Would you consider physician assisted suicide if you were suffering a painful
dying experience?
 Is the death of a loved one considered a joyful or a sorrowful occasion?
 Is there any person you would die for in order to save? Who is it?
 What are some ways which you can help a family which has just experienced the
death of a family member.
 What should you say to someone who has lost a loved one?
 What are your beliefs pertaining to a person's soul once they have died?
 What do you think of suicide?
 What do you think would happen if there were no death for human beings?
 What do you think would happen if people never died?
What happens to a person's remains after death? Cremation? Burial? Etc.
What is the mourning process?
 What is the mourning process?
Where do we go when we die?
Would you want your cremated remains to be part of a fireworks show?
Who do you think would mourn for you after your death?
If you were on death row, what would you request for your last meal?
 Who would you want to watch you be executed?
If you could choose how you were going to die, what would you choose your death
to be?
What do you think of cryogenics?
 Would you like to have your body frozen, so that you could be thawed out
and brought back to life sometime in the future?
 Do you think it will ever be possible?
If you had the option of freezing your body in hopes that science would some day be
able to bring you back to life, would you do it?
Why are so many people afraid of death, when it is unavoidable?
What would happen if you died?
On account of your beliefs or some other reason, do you look forward to dying?
Have you ever had to put a pet to sleep?
Do you believe that you will be born again?
Why is facing death a difficult experience?
How does a person cope with death of a friend or loved one?
What are some reactions to death of a friend?
How do your national customs surrounding death reflect the values of your country?
What should you say or not say to a friend who is facing death?
 What should you say or not say to a friend who has lost a friend?

What are funerals like in your country?

 What are some funeral customs in your country?
What is the suicide hotline in your community?
Is there a suicide hotline in the area where you live?
Do you know someone who has died from a traffic accident?
Do you know someone who has died from a from disease?
 What was your reaction?
 How did you feel?
When have you visited a hospital? Who did you visit?
 What sights, smells, sounds did you notice when you visited the hospital?
 How did you feel about your visit?
 How can you help someone who is dying?
 How do you tell someone that someone they know has died?
 What are some useful euphemisms for telling someone that someone they know
has died?
 What are some other words for death? An example is "passed away".
 Do you believe in God?
 Do you think people should be cremated or buried?
 Has anyone close to you ever passed away?
 What is grief?
 Do you think the grieving process is different for different ages?
 Have you known someone who had an extended sickness before death?
 Have you ever lost someone close to you?
 Have known anyone who has committed suicide?
 What would be your reaction?
 What would you say to that person's friends?
 What is hospice?
 Do you have hospice services in your country?
 How quickly is someone buried or cremated after death?
 What expenses are involved in burying or cremating someone?
 What measures are taken in your country to ensure that no stigma is associated
with the burial of poor people?
 Are coffins displayed on the street entrance to funeral parlors in your country?
 Is it appropriate for funeral directors to advertise their services?
 How can this be done?
 If you were given the chance to have someone die with you, who would that
person be?
 How would you want to die?
 Have you ever thought you'd like to die?
 How does it feel when your loved one dies and you were unable to see them for
the last time?
 Have you ever been to a funeral where a family member of the deceased sung a
song, read a letter or read a poem?
 Have you ever done something like that at someone's funeral?
 Would you want to know if you were dying and if so, would you want to know
how long you had to live?
 Would you want to know the exact day of your death?
 If there were five of your friends drowning, which one would you save first?
 If you are married or have a life partner would you expect them to move on after
you die.
 If so how long should they wait?
 Do you have hospice services in your country?
 Do you know anyone who died for a few seconds or minutes but came to life
again?
 What do you think about the stories these people tell?
 Who has died that you know?
 Have you had a pet die?
 What is the worst way of dying?
 What is the ideal way to die?
 Do you believe in out-of-body experiences?
 Are you afraid of losing one of your relatives all of a sudden?
 Would you like it if someone sung you a song or read a poem about you, or a letter
to you, at your funeral?
 What kind of funeral arrangements would you make for yourself if you knew you
were dying?
 How long do you expect you spouse or life partner to wait before they move on
after your death?
 Do you have a bucket list?
 What happens when is embalmed?

Perhaps not a useful question, but it was submitted.

 Would you like to die?

86.DIETS

 Have you ever been on a diet?

 How do you know if you are fat?
 What is the best way to diet?
 Do you think dieting can be dangerous?
 Do you think fiber is important in your diet?
 What kind of fiber is the best when you are trying to loose weight?
 Do you think protein is important in a balanced diet?
 What is a good source of protein?
 Do you think people who are fat can be happy?
 Do you think people are in general are gaining weight or loosing weight?
 What kind of diet would you recommend to your friend?
 What kind of diet would recommended for an older person(40's) and a younger
person(teens)?
 What is the difference between diet and a healthy diet?
 Is there a difference between being thin and being healthy? Which one is better?
 Do you think being slim equals beautiful?
 Do you think there is more pressure now for teens to look slimmer?
 In what way can diet influence our appearance and personality?
 87.DISABILITIES AND HANDICAPS

 Do you have a handicap?

 Do you know anyone with a handicap?
 What are some handicaps that people have?
 Have you ever parked in the handicapped parking area?
 How are handicapped people treated in your country?
 What do you feel when you see a handicapped person?
 What can you do to help handicapped people?
 Does your country have special training facilities for handicapped people?
 What are some types of disabilities?
 Did you ever know someone with a disability?
 What was it like to work/talk/play with them?
 Were they smarter or less smart than yourself?
 How would you feel to find out your best friend was _______? (going blind,
going deaf, losing their legs, etc)
 How would you feel to find out you were _______? (going blind, going deaf,
losing their legs, etc)
 Do disabled people have anything of value to add to society?
 If you see or meet a disabled person, what actions should you take?
 What are ways that disabled people can compensate for their weakness?
 How did you feel starting the walk?
 Did you trust your partner?
 How do you feel now? How do you feel about your partner? (closer/more
trusting...fearful)
 What did you learn about disabled people?
 What are things you had to do because you were blind?
 88. DISASTER

Assistance

 Do you know someone who has done any volunteer work?

 What was it?
 Did he or she enjoy it?
How can you help after a natural disaster?
If you could volunteer to help after a natural disaster, what could you do?
Have you ever volunteered to help in a disaster?
 What did you do?
 Did you enjoy it?
Do you think the Internet can be helpful in a disaster?
Could the Internet be used for bad purposes in a disaster?

Financial

 Have you ever given money to a charity?

 How do you decide what charity to give to?
 Are you willing to donate money to help victims of a natural disaster in your
country? How much?
 Are you willing to donate money to help victims of a natural disaster in other
countries? How much?
 How much money should your government give to help victims of natural
disasters in your country and how much to help people living in other countries?

Disaster

 What is a disaster?
 Have you ever been in a disaster?
 What are some different kinds of disasters?
 What kind of disasters are common in your country?
 What is the difference between a typhoon and a hurricane?
 What is the difference between a tornado and a hurricane?
 What is disaster insurance?
 Do most people have it?
Are there ways we can prepare ourselves in advance to cope with disasters?
What is PTSD?
How are businesses affected by disasters?
How are families affected by disasters?
How are the problems solved after a disaster?
If you had the power to stop a natural disaster that has happened in the past, which
would you choose? Why?
What is the difference between natural disasters and manmade disasters?
 Can you name a few of each type?
 Where do these usually often occur?
Do some natural disasters occur repeatedly in the same area?
Do many people live in these areas?

What are examples of manmade disasters?

What examples are there of natural disasters?
 What kind of damage can occur in each case?
 Have you ever been in a natural disaster?
 Do you know anyone who has been in a natural disaster?
 Can you find someone in the class who has been in a natural disaster?
 What natural disasters occur in your country?

Personal

 Are you prepared for a disaster?

 What can you do to prepare for a disaster?
 Do you know someone who has been in a disaster?
 How do you think you would react in a disaster?
 How can we help children who are victims of disasters?
 Does your family have a plan for what to do in the event of an earthquake?
 Have you ever been injured?
 Have you ever had a broken leg?
 Can you find the story of anyone who lived through a disaster?
 What would you do if you knew there would soon be a serious natural disaster
and this could be your last day on earth?

89.DISASTER PREPARATION
Preparations for a Disaster

 What can you do to prepare in advance for a disaster?

 How much warning time do people normally have to prepare for typhoons,
hurricanes, and earthquakes?
 How much warning time do people normally have for tsunamis?
 What sorts of preparations would you make if a typhoon was going to hit your
area?
 Why do people leave when a typhoon is coming?
 What has your family done in the past to prepare for a disaster?
 Do you have extra food and water in your house?
 Do you have an electric generator in your house?
 What are some essential things you would need in your house in order to be
prepared for a disaster?
 Do you have food and water in your car?
 How can you help your pet prepare for a disaster?
 Do you know where the evacuation area is in your area?
 What should you do if you receive a tornado warning?

During a Disaster

 What happens during an earthquake? How long does an earthquake usually last?
 What happens during a tsunami?
 What happens during a typhoon?
 How can you prevent injury?
 Where are some dangerous places to be in your house?
 Where are some safe places to be in your house?
 What could you say to someone who is frightened?

Following a Disaster

 What are some problems people have right after a natural disaster?
 What are some things you should do as soon as possible? For example,listen to
the radio, watch television, check gas and water.
 How can you get food, water, and ice if the power in your area is off?
 How can you travel without electricity or gasoline?
 What are some short-term problems people might have after a disaster?
 What are some long-term problems people might have after a disaster?
 What are some health problems that might arise after a disaster?
 Who should you contact to let them know you are safe?

90.DREAMS

 Do you usually remember your dreams? Why or why not? Describe some of
them.
 What was your nicest dream that you can remember?
 Talk about the most recent dream you can remember that you have had in the
past.
 Talk about a recurring dream that you have had in the past.
 How do you interpret a dream? Do you use your intuition/imagination to
understand it?
 Do you usually read books on dream interpretation? What is your opinion on it?
 Do you generally have pleasant dreams or nightmares?
 Have you ever had nightmares? What were they like?
 What's the worst nightmare you've ever had?
 What is "prophecy"?
 Have you ever had or heard of a dream that foretold the future?
 Did you know that Abraham Lincoln supposedly foresaw his own assassination in
a dream? What do you think about it?
 Have you ever dreamed about dead people? Is it a good signal? Why/Why not?
 Have you ever dreamt about dead friends or relatives? How was it? How did you
feel?
 There is a movie called "The Cell" with Jenifer Lopez - It is about dreams - Have
you ever watched this film? Would you like to see it? Why/Why not?
 Are dream messages sent from our unconscious, predictions of the future, or the
brain's way of cleaning out information?
 Some people say that dreaming about losing money means that you will receive
it. Have you ever heard this? What other sayings about dreams do you know?
 Do your dreams ever affect your moods? Explain.
 Do you usually dream in black and white or in color?
 What language do you dream in? Have you ever dreamt in a language that you
don't speak?
 Have you ever woken up from a dream "in a cold sweat"?
 Do you believe that dreams can sometimes predict the future?
 Has anyone told you if you have walked or talked in your sleep?
 Here is a list of dream images. What might they represent?
o a road
o the sky
o snow
o a garden
o an open door
o a light
o sand
o fire
o falling
o darkness
o being chased
o speaking with a dead relative
o flying
When you were a child, what was your dream for the future? Has it changed?
Do you remember what you dream about in your sleep?
What is your dream for the future?
Have your dreams for your future changed?
Do you tell people about your dreams?
Do you think you can achieve your dreams?
If you had lots of money what would you do with it?
Do you think that having a lot of money can make you happy?
Do you think that having dreams and aspirations is a waste of time?
Do you believe in deja vu?
What is a daydream?
What is the difference between our daydreams and our dreams at night?
Are some kinds of thoughts and dreams similar?
What's the difference between our everyday life and dreaming while we are sleeping?
Do you agree with the idea that "Life is like a dream"?
What language do you dream in? Have you ever dreamt in a language that
Do you agree with the idea that "Life is like a dream"?
 91.DISCRIMINATION

 What are some forms of discrimination?

 Have you ever been discriminated against?
 How do people fight discrimination?
 Why do you think discrimination exists?
 Have you ever discriminated against some race?
 What could you do to reduce discrimination?
 Do some countries discriminate against race more than other countries?
 Have you ever discriminated against the caucasian english-speaking population of
your school?
 What would you do to cope with discrimination?
 Has the discrimination level changed for you, after you moved to another
country?
 Have your close friends or family ever been discriminated against?
 If so, did you do anything to stop it?
Have you ever been discriminated against because of your sex?
Have you ever been discriminated against because of your education level?
Why do people discriminate?
Is discriminating against a certain group of people ever justified?
Have you ever experienced discrimination?
What should be done to stop discrimination?
Do you think males and females are equal?
Do you know anybody who has fought for equal rights?
Are you a member of any humanitarian organization?
What will happen in the future?
Would you let your child marry a person with a different skin color?
Would you let your child marry a person with a different religion?
Why do men earn more than women?
Do you have any prejudices?
Would you adopt a child from a different culture?
Why do we treat people differently?
Should it be illegal to publish racial information?
Are women better or worse managers than men?
Would you work for a woman?
Would you vote for a woman?
Is discriminating against a certain group of people ever justified? (e.g. pedophiles)
Why is it that when children are small,they discriminate against other people that are
not the same size and color as they are?
Has the discrimination level changed for you, after you moved to America?
Have your close friends or family ever been discriminated against? If so, did you do
anything to stop it? If so, what?

92.DOGS AND CATS

 Have you ever had a dog or cat for a pet?

 Which do you like best, dogs or cats?
 What are some good names for dogs or cats?
 Why would you keep a dog instead of a cat?
 What can cats do that dogs can't?
 Can you think of some reason why people don't keep dogs or cats?
 What is a breed?
 How many breeds of dogs can you name?
 How many breeds of cats can you name?
 What does AKC stand for?
 What is a standard?
 Which dog breed do you think is the most intelligent and which the dumbest?
 What is the role of an Alpha Dog in a pack?
 How do you build a dog house?
 Can you name some countries that eat dogs or cats?

93.DO YOU WISH...?

 Do you wish you lived in another country? Why?

 Do you wish you didn't have any brothers? Why?
 Do you wish you were taller? Why?
 Do you wish you were thinner? Why?
 Do you wish you studied in a different university? Why?
 Do you wish you worked in a different company? Why?
 Do you wish you went to a different school? Why?
 Do you wish you were younger? Why?
 Do you wish you were older? Why?
 Do you wish you were the opposite sex? Why?
 Do you wish you could cook better? Why?
 Do you wish you were thinner? Why?
 Do you wish you were more fashionable? Why?
 Do you wish you your brother would come to visit? Why?
 Do you wish you could go back to your native country? Why?

94.DREAMS

 Do you usually remember your dreams? Why or why not? Describe some of
them.
 What was your nicest dream that you can remember?
 Talk about the most recent dream you can remember that you have had in the
past.
 Talk about a recurring dream that you have had in the past.
 How do you interpret a dream? Do you use your intuition/imagination to
understand it?
 Do you usually read books on dream interpretation? What is your opinion on it?
 Do you generally have pleasant dreams or nightmares?
 Have you ever had nightmares? What were they like?
 What's the worst nightmare you've ever had?
 What is "prophecy"?
 Have you ever had or heard of a dream that foretold the future?
 Did you know that Abraham Lincoln supposedly foresaw his own assassination in
a dream? What do you think about it?
 Have you ever dreamed about dead people? Is it a good signal? Why/Why not?
 Have you ever dreamt about dead friends or relatives? How was it? How did you
feel?
 There is a movie called "The Cell" with Jenifer Lopez - It is about dreams - Have
you ever watched this film? Would you like to see it? Why/Why not?
 Are dream messages sent from our unconscious, predictions of the future, or the
brain's way of cleaning out information?
 Some people say that dreaming about losing money means that you will receive
it. Have you ever heard this? What other sayings about dreams do you know?
 Do your dreams ever affect your moods? Explain.
 Do you usually dream in black and white or in color?
 What language do you dream in? Have you ever dreamt in a language that you
don't speak?
 Have you ever woken up from a dream "in a cold sweat"?
 Do you believe that dreams can sometimes predict the future?
 Has anyone told you if you have walked or talked in your sleep?
 Here is a list of dream images. What might they represent?
o a road
o the sky
o snow
o a garden
o an open door
o a light
o sand
o fire
o falling
o darkness
o being chased
o speaking with a dead relative
o flying
When you were a child, what was your dream for the future? Has it changed?
Do you remember what you dream about in your sleep?
What is your dream for the future?
Have your dreams for your future changed?
Do you tell people about your dreams?
Do you think you can achieve your dreams?
If you had lots of money what would you do with it?
Do you think that having a lot of money can make you happy?
Do you think that having dreams and aspirations is a waste of time?
Do you believe in deja vu?
What is a daydream?
What is the difference between our daydreams and our dreams at night?
Are some kinds of thoughts and dreams similar?
What's the difference between our everyday life and dreaming while we are sleeping?
Do you agree with the idea that "Life is like a dream"?
What language do you dream in? Have you ever dreamt in a language that
Do you agree with the idea that "Life is like a dream"?

95.DRUGS

 Do you think alcohol is a drug?

 What is alcoholism?
 Do you know of any alcoholics?
 How do you stop being an alcoholic?
 Do you know how much alcohol is in beer?
 Do you know how much alcohol is in whiskey?
 What are some of the characteristics of drunk people?
 Is alcohol addictive? What about tea, coffee, and chocolate?
 Should marijuana be illegal?
 Do you think marijuana should be legal or illegal? Support your opinion with
facts.
 Why do you think marijuana is illegal?
 Is marijuana grown in your country?
 What are some ways drug users use marijuana?
 Do you think tobacco companies would like to sell marijuana?
 Why do you think that tobacco is a legal drug?
 Are any of your friends addicted to tobacco?
 What are the different ways to use tobacco?
 Do you know anyone who smokes a pipe?
 What is the difference between pipe tobacco and cigarette tobacco?
 What do you think about chewing tobacco?
 Is there any difference between "soft" drugs such as marijuana and "hard" drugs
like crack, heroin, cocaine etc?
 Is ecstasy a soft or a hard drug?
 Should there be punishments for dealing drugs?
 Should there be punishments for using drugs?
 Should drug dealers get the death penalty?
 If heroin were legal, would there be less crime? For example, burglary and
robbery.
 Are some people more easily addicted to drugs than others?
 Do some people have addictive personalities?
 If you are addicted to drugs, what should you do?
 What else can people become addicted to?
 Why are some drugs more addicting than others?
 Why do some people get addicted when others do not?
 What happens in the brain of a person that causes addiction?
 Do you know how much illegal drugs cost?
 Do you think it is easy to buy illegal drugs where you live?
 Which is worse, a peaceful drug addict or a violent non-addict?
 Should pregnant women be arrested for child abuse if they use drugs when they
are pregnant which may affect the baby?
 Should women be prevented legally from drinking any alcohol or smoking when
pregnant?
 Do you think it is a good idea to have safe, legal injecting rooms for intravenous
drug users, where they can use clean equipment and sterile water?
 Cancer patients find that marijuana stops their pain. Should it be legal for them?
 Do you think experimenting with alcohol and cigarettes leads to experimenting
with harder drugs?
 Do you think ecstasy is dangerous?
 At what age should it be legal to drink and smoke?
 Do we use too many prescription drugs?
 What are natural remedies?
 Are natural remedies like homeopathy and herbal medicine drugs too?
 Do we give too many prescribed drugs to children?
 Why is the cost of prescription drugs so high?
 Have you ever used a prescription drug without a prescription?
 What do you think society ought to do about people who spend most of their time
and money getting high on illegal drugs? Why?
 Should employers be allowed to "drug test" their employees?
 Why do you think people start using drugs?
 What should happen to babies who are born addicted to drugs?
 What would you do if someone in your family were addicted to drugs?
 What do you know about drugs?
 What are some dangerous drugs?
 What drugs do you think are useful?
 What drugs are addicting?
Do you think that marijuana should be legal for medical uses with a prescription
from a doctor?
What does crack cocaine do to your body?
 What does it do to your mind?
 What will happen if you keep on using?
 How do you stop yourself from using it? / How does an addict quit using it?
What kind of drugs are the most popular in your country?
 What kind of "legal" drugs are the most popular?
Are we as a society addicted to legal drugs?
In your culture, what are some home remedies for:
stomachaches

96.EARTHQUAKES

 Have you ever experienced an earthquake?

 When was the last earthquake that you remember?
 Has your house been damaged by an earthquake?
 What preparations should you make before the earthquake hits?
 What happens during an earthquake?
 Were you frightened the first time you experience an earthquake?
 What areas of the world have many earthquakes?
 What preparations should you make before the earthquake hits?
 What kind of injuries are caused by earthquakes?
  How do you treat these injuries?
What frightens people most after an earthquake?
How can you prepare for a possible earthquake?
How can you deal with post traumatic stress resulting from an earthquake?
Where is the best place to go during an earthquake?
Is it possible to know in advance that an earthquake is coming?
What kind of strange phenomenon occurred just prior to the Great Hanshin
earthquake in Kobe, Japan?
Is an earthquake always followed by a tsunami?
What causes a tsunami after an earthquake?
How do you measure earthquakes?
Is your home built to withstand earthquakes?
 Where in your house would you hide if there were an earthquake?
What causes aftershocks?
Do you live in an area that has earthquakes?
 Are you afraid to be living in an earthquake prone place?
 Have you thought about moving?

97.EASTER

 Why do we celebrate Easter?

 Do you celebrate Easter in your country?
 How do you celebrate Easter in your country?
 Do you have any special family traditions?
 Did the original meaning of Easter get lost?
 Do you know the meaning of Easter?
 Do you celebrate Easter?
 What do you do to celebrate it?
 Do you consider it an important holiday? Why or why not?
 Do you think it used to be more important than it is today? Why or why not?
 What are the 40 days before Easter called?
 What special activities or events happen in those 40 days?
 Do you observe these 40 days?
What is the Sunday before Easter called?
 What is it remembering?
What is the Friday before Easter called?
 What is it remembering?
Do you think most people consider Easter time a religious celebration? Why or why
not?
How do you think the Easter bunny and hiding colored eggs came to be part of the
celebration of Easter?
Do you think it is wrong to associate religious holidays with other types of things,
like Easter and the bunny?
 Christmas and Santa Claus?

98.EDUCATION

 Where did you go to kindergarten?

 Where did you go to elementary school?
 Where did you go to junior high school?
 Where did you go to high school?
 Did you go to college or university?
 Where did you go?
 What did you study?
 How many years did you go?
 Did you work while you went there?
Did you enjoy going to elementary school?
Does your country have middle schools?
 What is the age that children begin school?
 How old are students they when they graduate?
Did you go to a good high school?
What do you remember about your teachers?
 Who was your favorite teacher?
 What teacher impressed you the most?
 Do you still stay in touch with your teachers?
 Did you have any teachers you didn't like?
How many students were in your high school?
Describe the students who attended your high school.
 Did they have a good influence on you?
 Did they make your childhood and teenage years harder or easier?
Were there cliques in your high school? Were there gangs?
Did you make friends in high school that you still keep in touch with?
What subjects were you good at?
What subjects were you bad at?
Did you study a foreign language in school? Was it taught well?
Do you know anyone who attended a private school? Do private schools offer higher
quality education or are they just prestigious?
Did you attend college?
If you did, what made you decide to go to the college you did?
Was it a good school?
How many students attended it?
How many students were in your biggest class? How many in your smallest class?
Did you prefer small classes or big classes?
Was it harder to study in college than in high school? How does college compare to
high school? What advice would you give a high school student who is about to
go to college?
What did you major in? Why did you choose the major you did?
Did you live in a dormitory while you went to college? Who were your roommates?
Does your country provide a good public school system?
Does your country have good public universities? If not, why do you think there is a
lack of funding for education in your country?
What realistic changes would you make to your country's attitude toward education?
What role do you think human capital plays in the development of countries?
How many years did you attend college?
Did you study abroad?
Do the elite in your country attend one or two universities?
Do elite universities help or harm your country?
Where do we learn the skills necessary to become a good student - in elementary,
middle or high school?
What are the skills that separate good students from bad students?
Were good grades important to you?
Did teachers grade students fairly? Did you ever feel like you should have gotten a
better grade then you did in a class?
Did you procrastinate studying? Did you ever pull an all nighter?
Did you study with other students?
Did classmates talk to each other much before or after class?
Did you skip class very often?
Do college professors give students syllabuses at the beginning of term? Were you
clear on what professors expected of you?
Are college tuitions reasonable in your country? Is it easy to get scholarships or
government grants?
Are there good colleges in your country?
Do many people in your country study abroad?
Are there any subjects you wanted to study but they weren't available at your school?
Are women encouraged to pursue education?
Are straight-A students smarter than others or just better at memorizing things? Did
you really learn in school or did you just memorize information and pass tests?
Do you know anyone who does not know how to read or write?
Do you think teachers are paid enough? Do you think teachers are well educated?
Do you think your teachers gave too much homework? How much homework should
teachers assign students?
Did you ride a bus or walk to school?
Was school ever canceled for a day when you were a child?
Do you think it is easier to learn as a child or as an adult?
Is it difficult for people without a college education to get good jobs where you live?
Does education guarantee a good job?
What are the qualities of a good student?
What are the qualities of a good teacher?
Why do you think people become teachers?
How much free time does a high school student in your country have?
Do parents home-school their children in your country?
What do you think of home schooling?
Do you know anyone who was home schooled?
Do you wish you had been home schooled?
Are teachers the only ones qualified to teach children? What makes someone
qualified to teach children?
Can parents influence their children's schools? What can a parent do if he or she
disapproves of a teacher's decision?
Do children have a right to an education? Should education be free?
Does your country provide a good public school system?
What improvements does the school system need?
Do you think your country should spend more money on schools?
If a school gets more money, will the quality of education always improve?
What would happen if public schools were abolished? Could children still get an
education?
Once you graduate from a university should you stop learning?
What are some ways a person can continue to learn?
Are college graduates smarter than people who did not go to college?
Would you ever vote for a politician who did not attend college?
Do the elite in your country attend only one or two universities? Do elite universities
help or harm your country?
What realistic changes would you make to your country's attitude toward education?
Why do students cheat during tests and exams? How do they cheat?
What is your attitude towards cheating? How should parents react? How should
teachers react?
Where do we learn the skills necessary to become a good student - in elementary,
middle or high school?
Should people go straight from school to a university, or do something different?
What is a "genius"?
Do teachers sometimes teach things that are not important?
Are there things your school does not teach that you think it should?
Are school uniforms good to have? Why or why not?
Would you ever want to learn a third language?
How important is curiosity in a student?
Can you teach someone who has no desire to learn?
What do you think about a gap year, is this something you would consider?
Should people go straight from school to University, or do something different?
Do you think it is necessary that there are windows in the classroom to provide for a
proper learning atmosphere?
What do you wish your teachers understood about you?
Do you think a person can become a genius, or are they just born that way?
What do you consider to be a "smart" or "slow" person?
Are things your school teaches that you think are not important?
Are school uniforms good to have? Why/why not?
Do prefer school uniforms or casuals better?
Would you ever want to learn a third language? [To be "trilingual"]
What do you consider "hardworking" or 'lazy"?
What is the role of schools in society?
Do you enjoy going to school? If so, why if not why?
What does your education mean to you?
What do you think the advantages and disadvantages of state and private schools are?
What would you do if you saw someone with a gun at school?
Are college tuitions reasonable?
Are foreign languages part of the curriculum? If so, which languages?
Are most schools coeducational in your country?
Are there any subjects/classes you wanted to study but they weren't available at your
school/college?
Do you have difficulty with school work?
Do you think teachers are paid enough?
Do you think your school is a good one? Why/why not?
Do you think your teachers give too much homework?
Do you think public speaking can improve your english?
How can we improve our classroom?
Why English is hard to learn at university level?
How do you travel to school?
How long must you go to college to get a degree?
How much is too much homework? How should the homework load be managed?
If you have not attended college, do you plan on doing so?
What are some good ways to learn English?
What are some important factors in determining which college to attend?
What classes would you take?
What do you study? What's your major?
What is the average age of a high school graduate?
What is your favorite class?
What was (or is) your favorite subject? Why do you like it?
Who selects the college you will attend -- you or your parents?
Why are you studying a foreign language?
Why is it helpful to learn a Second language ?
Why is it sometimes very difficult to speak another language?
Would you consider studying abroad?
Do parents home-school their children in your country?
 What do you think of home-schooling?
 Do you know anyone who was home-schooled?
Do you think that most parents influence what university their child will attend?
Once you graduate from a university should you stop learning?
  What are some ways a person can continue to learn?
Which is more important, the essential skills in life you've learned to develop on your
own or the artificial structure in college about the "real" life?
Which high schools and colleges are the best in your country?
Which high schools and colleges are not so good in your country?
We should not just prepare for life, but live it. Do you agree?
What kind of world do you think this would be if people never went to school?
Should education be free?
Do the elite in your country attend only one or two universities?
Do your children attend US schools? If so, how do their schools differ from those
your children attended back home?
Does your country have good public universities? If not, why do you think there is a
lack of funding for education in your country?
Why do students cheat during tests and exams?
How do they cheat?
What is your attitude towards cheating?
What are the dangers of cheating?
How should parents react?
How should teachers react?
What is the role of school and decision makers?
What skills separate good students from bad students?
Should people go straight from school to university, or do something different?
Do you think a person can become a genius, or are they just born that way?
Are things that your school teaches you that you think are not important?
Do prefer school uniforms or casuals clothes better?

99.ENCOURAGEMENT

 What do you do to encourage yourself when going through hard times? Does it
work?
 Who do you talk to for encouragement and inspiration?
 What books offer encouragement and inspiration?
 Which of your family members encourage you most? How?
 How can discouragement help us to grow?
 What do you do when you feel depressed?
 What could someone do to encourage you when you feel depressed?
 What are some saying in your country that bring encouragement?
 What's the most encouraging book you've ever read?
 Which is better a word of encouragement or a letter of encouragement? Why?
 Is time a weapon to fight discouragement with? Why? How?
 How can you motivate others our yourself to have hope when there seems like
there's no hope?
 Should people just accept whatever comes there way?
 What are some ways you feel you can make a difference in this world.
 How can you make this world a better place?
 How would you encourage a homeless bun who had no friends or relatives?
 If you suddenly became handicapped, how would you encourage yourself and
others?
 What song encourages you most?
 Who's music encourages you most?
 What television show encourages you most?
 What person has inspired you the most? How?
 What celebrity has inspired you most? How
 What's your favorite encouraging saying?
 Do you encourage others when you see them crying? How?
 What would you want someone to do for you if you were crying publicly because
you were deeply hurt inside?
 How can you fight discouraging thoughts about yourself?
 When should you see a counselor or psychologist?
 Can church, temples, mosque or other religious places help bring someone
encouragement or inspiration?
 What religious books do people turn to for encouragement and inspiration.
 How can you make yourself believe more in yourself.

100. ENGLISH LITERATURE & BOOKS

 How many English authors can you name?
 How many of Shakespeare's plays can you name?
 Have you read a translation of any English books in your language?
 Have you ever read an English translation of a book originally written in your
language?
 What sort of books do you enjoy reading?
 Do you prefer fiction or non-fiction?
 What is your favorite book?
 Who is your favorite writer?
 Have you ever read a book and then seen a film of that book?
 Did you read books when you were a child?
 Do you like science-fiction books?
 Do you like love stories?
 Do you like historical stories?
 Has seeing a film ever made you read the book it was based on?
 Do you know any American writers?
 How many books by Charles Dickens can you name?
 Who are the most famous writers in your country?
 How many books do you read per year?
 What makes a 'classic' book?
 How do you believe literature can help you to get familiar with a culture?
 Do you think that books are a thing of the past?
 What are some of the main differences between a novel and a short story?
 How many books do you read per week?
 About how many books do you have in your house?
 Do you have a library card?
 Are you a member of any public library?
Do you prefer reading books or short stories?
Who is your favorite character from literature?
Do you like to write your own short stories?
 Do you keep a journal?
What sort of books do you enjoy reading?
Which book have you read recently?
Do you give books to your friends as a present?
 If so, what was the last book you gave?
 Why did you choose that book?
Some people say that "books are best friends". Is that true for you?
Do you have your own library? If so, does that mean you like books?
Some people don't read books or read very rarely, Why?
Are book prices too high to buy in your hometown?
What about authors? Are you selective about authors?
Who is your favorite author?
What is your favorite "quote"?
What literature course did you like best in college?
Why is literature important in our lives?
What kinds of literature do you enjoy?
Do you like literature from other countries as well? If so, what kind?
Do you like authors from other countries as well? If so, who?
Do you like titles from other countries as well? If so, which ones?
What kinds of books or which authors don't you like?
Tell us a little about a book you have read recently?
 Did you enjoy it?
 How long did it take to read?
 Briefly, what was the story about?

101. ENGLISH STUDY

 Do you think English is a difficult language to learn?

 Have you ever spoken English on the phone?
 How often do you practice your English?
 What is your favorite way to practice your English? (UK spelling = favorite)
 What is the most difficult thing about English?
 Why are you learning English?
 What do you think you will be able to do in English in the future?
 Do you think that English will completely dominate all the other languages in the
future? If yes, how will it affect the world?
 How much time do you spend looking out of the window during class?
 If you are really absorbed in lessons, do the classroom arrangement matter?
 How do you use the Internet to learn English?
 What search engine do you use most often when you study? Why?
 Do you think English is a difficult language to
 learn?
 What is your favorite way to practice your English?
 What do you think you will be able to do in English
 in the future?
 How can English language help you advance in your career?
 Which country is the best place to study English?
 Are you willing to get a tutor just to further learn English?
 What is the best way to teach vocabulary at the upper intermediate level EFL?
 What kind of dormitory room would you like to stay in?
 In your own teaching environment what forms of pronunciation of English are
learners likely to encounter?
 How can I listen to conversations and improve my pronunciation?
 What do you like about your classroom?
 Who cooks Thanksgiving dinner in your home?
 How do you cook the turkey?
 When do you eat?
 Why do you think people celebrate Thanksgiving Day?

102. ENTERTAINMENT

 What is the most popular drama/comedy/game show in your country, and what is
the story-line (drama) or format (game show)?
 Do you like to watch cartoons?
 What did you watch on TV yesterday?
 What is one of your favorite TV shows?
 Why do you like it?
 When is it on?
 Does you father like it, too?
Do you listen to classical music? Why or why not?
Have you ever been to a play? If so, when was the last time?
Have you ever been to Disneyland?
Have you ever been to the theater?
Have you ever hosted a party?
Have you ever tried water skiing?
Have you ever used a slot machine?
How far in advance do you begin planning a vacation?
How often do you go to parties?
How often do you read comic books?
How often do you visit museums? When was the last time?
Is gambling legal where you live?
Should books be censored?
Do you often go drinking? Where? Who with? How often?
Should movies be rated? Explain.
What are some forms of gambling people do in your country?
What are some games that you don't like to play? Why?
What are some good books that you have read?
 What is the best book you have ever read?
What are some of the good movies you have seen?
What are some of the most popular amusement parks in your country?
What are some things you can do without spending a cent?
What computer games have you played?
Which are your favorites?
 Which do you think are not so interesting?
What do you do in your spare time?
What do you like to do on a night out?
What do you think of soccer? (baseball, hang gliding, ...)
What games are popular in your country? Why are they popular?
What is your favorite game? Why?
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
What kind of music do you like?
What kind of things do you like to read?
What singer would you most like to meet?
What was the last book you read?
What's the most popular holiday in your country?
 When is it?
 How is it celebrated?
What's your favorite magazine? (What are some of your favorite magazines?)
When do you usually listen to the radio?
Where do you usually read?
Who are some of the famous actors and musicians in your country?
Who are some of your favorite actors and actresses?
Who do you think is the funniest comedian?
Who is the most popular entertainer in your country?
Who is your favorite author?
Who is your favorite comedian?
Who is your favorite musician?
 Who is your favorite female singer?
 Who is your favorite male singer?
 Who is your favorite guitarist?
Who is your favorite writer? (author)
Why do some people gamble?
Would you rather go to a bar or a nightclub?
What do you do for fun?

103. ENVIRONMENT & POLLUTION

 Are there litter laws where you live? If so, what is the penalty for littering?
 Do you think cars should be banned from city centers?
 Do you think people should recycle newspapers? Why or why not?
 Do you think there are lessons to learn from nature?
 How has the world changed since you were a child? (technology, values,
environment, health)
 How often is garbage collected in your neighborhood?
 If humans are really intelligent and not simply manipulated by their genes like
any other animal, why can't they do anything about overpopulation?
 What are some things that can be recycled?
 What are some things that your community is doing to help the?
 What are some things which you recycle?
 What are some types of pollution?
 What are some ways that you can reduce pollution in this country?
 What can you do to help prevent pollution?
 What can you do to make this world a better place?
 What do you think of people who smoke cigarettes indoors?
 Which is more important, increasing people's standard of living, or protecting the
environment?
 Think of a situation in your area involving this issue.
 Which side would you choose?
Who do you think is more responsible for pollution, individual people or the
government? Explain.
What is the most important issue facing the environment today?
Do you know about any anti-pollution programs in your community?
 What about programs in your native country?
Do you usually drink bottled water? Why or Why not?
If you could choose one alternative energy source to develop which one would you
choose? Why?
Are companies more or less environmentally responsible now than they were in the
past? Why do you think that is?
Do you think recycling is an important community service?
 Do you recycle?
Who should pay for the costs associated with renewable energy?
Should we make the development of renewable energy sources an economic priority?
What are some ways energy is wasted?
What types of energy are popular in your native country?
What is the main problem with renewable energy sources?
What can large cities do to improve their air quality?
How can we protect the environment and at the same time improve people's standard
of living?
Do you think overpopulation is an important environmental issue? Why or why not?
Should an environmental levy be imposed on SUVs not used in the farming
community?
 How would this help the environment?
Should gas for motorists be more expensive?
 What would be the advantages and disadvantages of this?
Do think global warming is real?
 Do you think this is an effect of pollution?
Are worried about global warming?
If you live on an island or on the coast does this increase the danger from global
warming? Why?
What's happening to forests in the world?
What happens when we remove forests?
What can we do to protect forests?
Why should we recycle?
Does your local government make it easy or hard for citizens to recycle?
Are there people in your country who make their living from picking-up other
people's garbage?
How is pollution effecting the environment of the United States today?
 How about your own country?
Does your country have a smoking ban law in place?
What are the benefits/ disadvantages of a smoking ban?
How do individual decisions about number of children affect overall population
numbers?
What is global warming?
Do you think nuclear power safe? Who should be allowed it and why? Who should
police it?
In what ways can we save more water? Please tell your experiences.
What should we do to increase the awareness about environmental pollution?
Do you have any ideas on how to minimize the use of plastic bags and Styrofoam
boxes?
Does your local government make it easy or hard for citizens to recycle?

104. EVERYDAY QUESTIONS

Are You

 Are you looking for anything in particular?

 Are you lost?
 Are you open after eight?
 Are you out of your head/mind?
 Are you paying attentions?
 Are you pulling my leg?
 Are you ready to go?
 Are you a sober (serious and calm) driver?
 Are you still eating that chocolate?
 Are you having dinner with us this evening?
 Are you hurt?
 Are you just going to stand there whole day?

Is There

 Is there any parking in this area?

 Is there anything I can get for you?
 Is there any restaurant available?
 Is there anything else I can help you with?
 Is there anyone who can get me a glass of water?
 Is there any prepayment penalty?

Do You

 Do you smell something?

 Do you speak French?
 Do you serve meals?
 Do you stock any fashion magazine?
 Do you require a security deposit?
 Do you sell household appliances here?
 Do you think he has forgotten?
 Do you accept credit cards?

Do You Have

 Do you have car?

 Do you have any friend in this area?
 Do you have any question?
 Do you have any recommendation?
 Do you have any new idea?
 Do you have any imported item?
 Do you have branded goods?

Did You

 Did you say anything?

 Did you say anything to my friend?
 Did you see any lion?
 Did you see the show last night?
 Did you take any picture?
 Did you save the time?
 Did you appear for exam?
 Did you attend the seminar?

Can

 Can I smoke during the lecture?

 Can we talk?
 Can you believe your eyes?
 Can you take our orders now?
 Can you please check where my luggage is?
 Can you just introduce yourself to other guests?
 Can you describe the person who attacked you?
 Can you do something about this?
 Can you forgive me?
 Can you fix this zipper?
 Can I tell my friend about this matter?
 Can we continue this session later?

105. EYE CONTACT

 Do you make eye contact while you are speaking English?

 Why is making eye contact important?
 Is making eye contact important in your culture?
 What can you learn about a person by making eye contact?
 Can you think of some situations where eye contact should not be made?
 What is the difference between staring and making eye contact?
 Why is making eye contact important in a job interview?
 The eyes have been called "the window to the soul". What do you think that
means?
 In USA culture we have many 'rules' about eye contact. These are unspoken and
most North Americans are not aware that we have rules.
 What is appropriate in your culture?
 What is appropriate in this culture?
When you are telling some one something that you feel is important, what should
your eye contact be.
Is it OK if they look at something else while you are talking?
Are there different rules for eye contact when you are addressing a person of higher
status? Like the President or an elder?
If you do not make eye contact what does that mean?
If you make too much eye contact what does that mean?
If you were in love what kind of eye contact would you make?
If you were ashamed, what kind of eye contact would you make?
If you were lying, or not telling the whole truth, what would your eye contact be
like?
If you were giving a speech or talking with a crowd what would your eye contact be
like?
If you are talking with a child and you think they are lying, do you think you could
tell by looking at their eyes?
How about an adult that you think is not telling the truth, could you tell by their
eyes?
What are the rules for males and females talking to each other?
If a woman looks directly at a man is she being too forward or sexually aggressive?

106. FACEBOOK

 Do you have a Facebook account?

 How often do you check your Facebook account?
 How many friends do you have on Facebook?
 What do you do on Facebook?
 What's the best thing about Facebook?
 Do you have your boy/girlfriend on Facebook?
 What's something you don't like about Facebook?
 Have you ever had a problem on Facebook?
 Are you well known on Facebook?
 Do you chat on Facebook?
 Do you know any story about a problem because of Facebook?
 Do you accept any friend request?
 Do you have any private album that none of your friends can see?
 How do you protect your album privacy on Facebook?
 Do you have a Facebook account?
 How often do you check your Facebook account?
 How many friends do you have on Facebook?
 What do you do on Facebook?
 What's the best thing about Facebook?
 Do you have your boy/girlfriend on Facebook?
 What's something you don't like about Facebook?
 Have you ever had a problem on Facebook?
 Do you have any celebrity on Facebook?
 Do you chat on Facebook?
 Do you know any story about a problem because of Facebook?
 Do you accept any friend request?
 Do you have any private album that none of your friends can see?
 How do you protect your album privacy on Facebook?
 Do you have a Facebook account?
 How often do you check your Facebook account?
 How many friends do you have on Facebook?
 What do you do on Facebook?
 What's the best thing about Facebook?
 Do you have your boy/girlfriend on Facebook?
 What's something you don't like about Facebook?
 Have you ever had a problem on Facebook?
 Do you have any celebrity on Facebook?
 Do you chat on Facebook?
 Do you know any story about a problem because of Facebook?
 Do you accept any friend request?
 Do you have any private album that none of your friends can see?
 How do you protect your album privacy on Facebook?
 What are some privacy concerns when using Facebook?

107. SOCIAL NETWORKING

 What social networking sites do you use?
 What are some good points about social networking?
 What are some bad points about social networking?
 Do you have a Facebook page?
 Do you use Twitter?
 What information do you have on your webpage?
 What kind of information are you comfortable releasing to the public?
 Do your parents use social networking sites?
 What type of information should you put on social networking sites?

108. FADS AND TRENDS

 What is a fad?
 Do you pay attention to fads?
 What were some fads when you were in high school?
 What were some fads when you were in college?
 What are some fads now?
 Are fads the same as popular culture?
 What are some of the fads in your home country? Are they the same as where you
are living now?
 Why do you think people pay attention to fads?
 What fad influence your life the most?
 What portion of the general population do you think creates or follows fads?
 How do fads start and who starts them? Today? In the past?
 What media influences how fads evolve?
 If you wanted to start a trend, how would you go about it?
 How long does it take for a fad to die out?
 What are the current trends in fashion?
 What are the current trends in electronics?
 What are the current trends in music, books, or movies?
 What are the current trends in dating/relationships?
 How do you learn about the current trends?
 Are there any current trends you don't like?
 Are there any trends from the past you hope come back?
 Are there any trends from the past you hope never come back?
 What sorts of trends do you think will develop in the near future?
 Name a trend that you followed.
 What is a fad diet? Can you name any?
 What is a yo-yo diet?
 Have you ever tried a fad diet?
 Do you count calories? Do you think counting calories is a good way to lose
weight?
 Do you ever eat or drink "diet" products, such as diet coke?
 Have you ever tried a weight loss program?
 Was it successful?
Do your parents talk about fads "in their day"?
What fads or trends do you remember from the 80's, 90's or any other time period?

109. FAITH AND FAITHLESSNESS

 What is faith?
 What it faithfulness?
 Is there a difference?
 What do you have faith in? (i.e., religion, money, government)
 How does faith affect your life?
 How do you live faithfully or with faithfulness?
 Do you think that celebrities/the media displays good faithfulness?
 If you didn't have faith, where would you be?
 Do you think society needs faith? Is it beneficial or harmful?
 Is faithfulness harder to have than faith?
 If you already believe something, is it possible to grow in faith?
 In what area do you feel the most faithful?
 Can you have faithfulness without faith?

110. FAMILY
 Are friends more important than family? What do you think?
 Are chores assigned to children in your family?
 Are you married?
 Are you pressured by your family to act in a certain way?
 Are you the oldest among your brothers and sisters?
 Are your parents strict?
 Did you ever meet any of your great grandparents?
 Do you get along well with your family?
 Do you get along well with your brothers and sisters?
 Do you get along well with your in-laws?
 Do you have any brothers or sisters? If so, how old are they?
 Do you have any children? If yes, what are their names and ages?
 Do you have to clean your own room?
 Does your mother make you clean your room?
 Do you like your family? Why or why not?
 Do you live with any of your grandparents?
 Do you live with your parents?
 Do you look more like your mother or your father?
 Do you often argue with your mother or father? What about?
 Do you often visit your grandparents?
 Do you think people should adopt children from other countries?
 Do you usually have any influence on family matters?
 Do your parents let you stay out late?
 What time do you have to be home?
 Do you have a curfew?
 How did you get your name?
 For whom are you named?
 Who are you named after?
 How big is your family?
 How many (first) cousins do you have?
 How many aunts and uncles do you have?
 How many brothers and sisters do you have?
 How many children do you have?
 How many members do you have in your family altogether?
 How many people are in your (immediate) family?
 How many people are in your family?
 How often do you see your cousins?
 How often do you see your grandparents?
 How often is your entire family together?
 How old are your brothers and sisters?
 How old are your children?
 How old are your grandparents?
 How old are your parents?
 Is spanking a good way to discipline children?
 Should people follow the religion of their parents, or should they have the liberty
to choose another?
 What are some of your fondest memories of childhood?
 What are your parents like?
 What do you and your family like to do together?
 What do you think of married couples who decide not to have any child?
 What do your mother and father look like? How about your grandparents?
 What do your parents do in their free time?
 What are the occupations of your family members?
 What does your father do? What's his job?
 What does your mother do?
 What is the best memory you have of your family doing something together?
 What kind of things do you do with your family?
 What will you teach your children? (what values, beliefs, hobbies, skills, etc.)
 What would you change about your childhood?
 Where do your grandparents live?
 Where does your father's father live?
 Where does your mother's mother live?
 Who do you get along better with, your mother or your father?
 Who is the black sheep (odd ball) in your family?
 Would you get involved in your in-laws' family problems?
 Would you live with your parents after you get married?
 Should children help with the housework?
 How much or how often should they help?
 What kinds of housework is not appropriate for children to do?
 Do you live in a nuclear family or an extended family?
 What are the advantages and disadvantages of these types of family?
 What impact has divorce and/or modern day living had on the family?
 Is the nanny and/or the day-care centre the third parent?
 Where is the best place to raise a family?
 Where do you think the best place to raise a family is? Why?
 What can make you happy in the long term/ short term? Consider the following:
job satisfaction, a loving family, good health, plenty of money, strong religious
believes, ...
 What do you think of your mother and your father?
 Which do you think is more important: following the dreams your parents want
for you or following your own dreams?
 What's the hardest thing you ever had to do?
 What was the most important thing your parents taught you?
 What's the best thing about your mom?
 If you could have a different number of siblings, what would it be?
 Who should take care of old people?
 What is the perfect number of children to have?
 What's the best thing about your grandparents?
 Should parents give their children an allowance?
 How often does your family eat dinner together?
 How should parents discipline their children?
 After you're married, should your parents make decisions for you?
 What's the best thing about your dad?
 Who is the breadwinner in your family
 How is nudity regarded in your family?
 Describe the perfect family.
 Do your parents get along with each other?
 If you are a mother or father, would you allow your son or daughter to listen
heavy metal music?
 What was the saddest time in your family?
 Why do people get married
 What to look for in a life long mate
 What makes a person a good friend, a friend for life ,, a life mate
 What makes a person a bad, traits that irritate and confuse you
 What do you think of the budget, what is a budget and how do you make one
work?
 How do you feel about your parents growing older? If they could no longer care
for themselves, would you let them live with you or put them in a nursing home?
 Did you help your mother at home?
 What household chores do you do?
 Can you think of examples of countries that have different cultural values
regarding the importance of family?
 Do you get along well with your family?
 Do you get along well with your brothers and sisters?
 Do you get along well with your in-laws?
 Do you have to clean your own room?
 Does your mother make you clean your room?
 Do your parents let you stay out late?
 What time do you have to be home?
 Do you have a curfew?
 How did you get your name?
 For whom are you named?
 Who are you named after?
 What are the occupations of your family members?
 What does your father do? What's his job?
 What does your mother do?
 Should children help with the housework?
 How much or how often should they help?
 What kinds of housework is not appropriate for children to do?
 Do you live in a nuclear family or an extended family?
 What are the advantages and disadvantages of these types of family?
 Where is the best place to raise a family?
 Where do you think the best place to raise a family is? Why?
 Do you think your parents understand you? Why or why not?
 Who does the household work, your father or your mother or both of them?
 Have you ever seen your mother (or father) cry? When was that and why?
 Who is the breadwinner in your family?
 Do your parents trust you?
 If you were offered an excellent job opportunity abroad, would you consider
leaving your family for an indefinite period of time?
 Describe a typical family unit and the importance of family in your country.

111. FAMILY AND ALTERNATIVE LIFESTYLES

 Can you describe a typical family in your country?
 Who is the head of the household in a typical family in your country?
 Do many wives work in your country?
 What kinds of jobs do they have?
 If parents are both working, does this cause more or less stress in a family?
 If a wife works outside the home, should the husband help with the housework
inside the home? Why or why not?
 Are there many divorces in your country?
 What impact does divorce have on a family in your country?
 What happens to the divorced people?
 What happens to their children?
 Are there many single-parent families in your country?
 Are they usually headed by men or women?
 What do you think of married couples who decide not to have any children?
 Do single women in your country ever decide to have a baby and raise the child
by themselves? What do you think about this kind of decision?
 Where do grandparents live in your country?
 Do grandparents help to look after their grandchildren?
 Who should take care of old people?
 Do unmarried couples live together in your country these days?
 What do people in your society think about this kind of arrangement?
 Do people in your country ever decide to remain single and not create a family?
 If so, what does the rest of your society think?
 Is it necessary to get married to have a good life?
 Do people who are not related by blood ever live communally in your country?
 Is polygamy allowed in your culture?
 Is it OK to have more than one spouse?
 Would you like this life style?
 What countries allow this?
 What religions allow it?
 What do you think of people who get married many times?
 Do children in your country ask for their parents' approval before they get
married? Why or why not?
 Does the whole family discuss important decisions?
 When do children leave their parents' home in your country?
 When do parents' stop giving financial support to their children?
 Who in your family would you turn to if you had an emotional problem? Why?
 If you had a financial problem, would you expect your family to help?
 What is a perfect family or alternative lifestyle for you?

112. FAMOUS PEOPLE

 How do you become a famous person?

 Do you know someone famous?
 Are you a famous person?
 What are you famous for?
 Are you locally famous?
 What are you famous for?
 Would you like to be famous? Why?
 Are famous people happy?
 Why do you think famous people are always going into rehab?
 Who is a famous person in your country?
 Who is the most famous person you know?
 Who are some famous people in this country?
 Who are some famous people in your country?
 What would your life be like if you were famous?
 How do people invade the privacy of famous people?
 What makes a person famous?
 What are some famous musicians from your country?
 Would you ever marry someone famous?

113. FASHION

 Are you a fashionable person?

 What is fashion?
 Who is fashionable that you know?
 Do you read fashion magazines?
 Which season is it the easiest to be fashionable?
 Can you be fashionable without spending money?
 Who is the most fashionable in your family?
 Why do you think so?
 Where is a fashionable city in your country?
 Do you think your friends are fashionable?
 Are you dressed fashionably today?
 Why do some people ignore fashion?
 Who is the most fashionable teacher you know?
 How much do you spend getting ready to go to school?
 College
 Work
 Out with friends
 To a party
 Do the times vary much?
 When and where did you buy an article of clothing you're wearing right now?
Why did you choose it?
 Have you ever gotten an item of clothing tailored?
 When?
 What was it for?
 In your country do children have to wear school uniform?
 Do you think it is a good idea or not?
 What would you do or feel if you were refused entry to somewhere because of
what you are wearing?
 Do you think dress codes should be adhered to if requested on an invitation?
 What would you wear to meet royalty or the President of your country?
 Would you go to a fancy dress party? Why or why not?
 What would you wear to a disco?
 What wouldn't you wear to a wedding?
 What clothes do you wear that require you to shave your hair?
 What is your favorite article of clothing?
 What's your favorite color for clothes? Why?
 What two things you wouldn't wear together?
 What fabrics do you like?
 What is the longest you've ever worn your hair?
 Do you like to wear a school uniform? Why or why not?
 What fabrics do you think are beautiful
 What color would you wear on a first date
 What clothes would you wear on a first date
 What would you wear to a romanic meal
 What is a relaxing color
 What is the most useful article of clothing in your wardrobe
 Who is your favorite designer why
 What would you wear to a formal dinner
 Do you prefer brand name clothes? Why
 What style hat would you wear?
 What accessories do men wear/carry?
 What style would a trendy young woman wear?
 What fashion groups are there in your culture? For example skater style
 What would you never wear to a wedding
 What material is uncomfortable in summer?
 Describe the most expensive thing you own
 What item of clothing is most uncomfortable material in summer?
 What items of clothing are uncomfortable?
 What is a major fashion faux pas?
 Who is the best dressed person you can see now?
 What clothes or hairstyles are from the 70s or 80s
 What items of clothing do people not wear anymore?
 What clothing do only children wear?

114. FAVORITES

 What is your best friend's name?

 What is your favorite animal?
 What is your favorite city in the United States?
 What is your favorite color?
 What is your favorite country? And why?
 What is your favorite day of the week? Why?
 What is your favorite drink in the summer?
 What is your favorite food?
 What is your favorite holiday? Why?
 What is your favorite kind of book?
 What is your favorite kind of ethnic food?
 What is your favorite kind of movie?
 What is your favorite kind of music?
 What is your favorite kind of pizza?
 What is your favorite magazine?
 What is your favorite memory of childhood?
 What is your favorite movie?
 What is your favorite pastime?
 What is your favorite proverb?
 What is your favorite radio station?
 What is your favorite season? Why?
 What is your favorite sport?
 What is your favorite television program?
 What is your favorite time of day?
 What is your favorite TV program?
 What is your favorite type of sushi?
 What is your favorite vegetable? Why
 fruit, meat, salad dressing, etc.)
 What is your favorite Web site?
 What was your favorite subject in school?
 ...in high school?
 ...in junior high school?
 ...in elementary school?
 What's your favorite smell?
 What's your favorite word in English? Why do you like it?
 Who is your favorite actor?
 Who is your favorite actress?
 Who is your favorite athlete?
 Who is your favorite baseball player?
 Who is your favorite soccer player?
 Who is your favorite author?
 Who is your favorite character from literature?
 Who is your favorite composer?
 Who is your favorite musician?
 Who is your favorite singer?
 Who is your favorite super-hero? Explain why.
 Who is your favorite TV star?
 Who was your favorite singer when you were younger? How about now?
 In place of singer: actor, actress, baseball player, athlete, ...
 Who was your favorite teacher? Why?
 ...in high school?
 ...in junior high school?
 ...in elementary school?
 Note: Many of the above questions can be changed from "What is" to "What
was."

115. FEARS

 Are there any parts of the city where you live which you are afraid to visit after
dark? Where? Why?
 Are there certain weather conditions that scare people? What are they? Why do
people become scared?
 Are you afraid of flying?
 Are you afraid of ghosts?
 Are you afraid of giving a speech in public?
 Are you afraid of going to the dentist?
 Are you afraid of heights?
 Are you afraid of scary movies?
 Are you afraid of the dark?
 Are you afraid to die? Why?
 Are you afraid of getting old? Why?
 Are there any numbers that people are afraid of in your culture?
 Do you fear certain insects or animals? Why?
 Do you know anyone with a phobia?
 Do you like horror movies?
 Do you think young children should be allowed to watch horror movies?
 How do you react when you see something frightening?
 Is there any person you are afraid of?
 Were you afraid of the dark as a child?
 Were you afraid on your first day of school here in the United States? How do
you feel now?
 What animal do you think is the most scary?
 What are some things which many people are afraid of? Why are they afraid of
them?
 What is the scariest movie you have ever seen?
 What is your biggest fear in life? Are you afraid that it might come true?
 What kinds of things make you nervous?
 What was the most frightening experience you've had?
 When you were a child, what things were you afraid of?
 Do you ever have nightmares (bad dreams)?
 What are they about?
 How often do you have nightmares?
 Have you ever seen any reality TV shows where people face their fears for
money?
 Would you ever face one of your fears for money?
 Do you find this kind of show interesting to watch?
 What is your biggest fear?
 Have you overcome any of your fears?
 Are you afraid of being ill? What disease are you most afraid of? Why?
 Do you believe people can be cured of phobias by hypnosis?
 Are you afraid to fly?
 -Are you afraid to ride a motorcycle?
 -Are you afraid of death, of dying?
 How do you cope with your fears?
 Are you afraid of being ill? What disease are you most afraid of? Why?
 What is your biggest fear for yourself?
 What is your biggest fear for the world?
 How often do you feel afraid?
 How would you help someone to get over their fear?
 Do you have any form of phobia or paranoia?
 What were you afraid of as a child?
 What facial expressions accompany fear?
 If you 'put the fear of God into someone,' how do you think that person feels?
 Are you afraid you might get sick?
 Are you afraid of speaking English?
 A foreign language?
 In front of many people?
 At official functions?
 Are you afraid of germs?

116. FEELINGS

 Are you annoyed when your partner, husband, or wife flirts with someone else ?
 Do bad mannered people upset you?
 Do you get angry when politicians make promises they can't keep?
 Do you get angry when you watch the news on TV and see all the terrible things
happening in the world?
 Does it annoy you when shop assistants try to sell you things you don't need?
 Does it annoy you when someone interrupts you when you are speaking?
 Does it annoy you when someone knows everything better than you and says so?
 Does it annoy you when you are waiting in a long queue and someone pushes in
front of you?
 Does it annoy you when your teacher speaks too quickly?
 Does it drive you crazy to always see the same faces and read about the same
celebrities in the gossip columns?
 Does it drive you crazy when waiters ignore you?
 Does it drive you crazy when you have invited people to dinner and they come
late and the meal is spoiled?
 Does it make you angry when motorists drive too closely behind you?
 Does it make you angry when people make nasty comments about you ?
 Does it make you angry when you have made an appointment to see the doctor at
a certain time and he/she keeps you waiting for ages ?
 Does it upset or annoy you when a beggar asks you for money?
 Does it upset you when have to say "No" when someone asks you for help?
 Does it upset you when you see homeless people?
 Does it upset you when you see people hitting children or animals?
 Does it upset you when you see pictures of famines in India, Africa or other
countries?
 117. FILMS IN YOUR OWN LANGUAGE

 Do you have a film industry in your country?

 What is your general impression of it?
 If you do not have a film industry in your country, where are most of the movies
that you watch made?
 Do any other countries make films in your language? If so, name them.
 Which country is the main producer of movies in your language?
 Are you aware of the location of any major film festivals for films in your
language?
 Is there an independent film industry producing movies in your language? If you
know about it, please describe it.
 What are the names of some of the most famous directors of movies in your
language?
 What films have they made?
 Who are some of the most famous male actors in movies in your language?
 Can you name at least three?
 Do you like them?
 What are they famous for?
 What kinds of people like them?
 Does anyone not care for them?
 Who are some of the most famous female actors, or actresses, in films in your
language?
 Can you name at least three?
 Do you like them?
 What are they famous for?
 What kinds of people like them? Does anyone dislike them?
 Please name some of the best films made in your language. Describe their plots
and tell why you liked them.
 Has the film industry that makes films in your language produced films that
became popular around the world? If so, name some.
 Are animated films being originally produced in your language?
 Do you like them?
 Describe some of them.
 Have they become popular outside your country or culture?
 Are romantic films produced in your language?
  How do they differ from romantic movies made in Hollywood?
 Describe some comedy films made in your language.
 How are they different from Hollywood comedies?
 Are horror films produced in your language?
 How do they differ from scary movies made in Hollywood?
 What about action films?
 Are they different in some ways from Hollywood films?
 Do films made in your language have the same kinds of special effects as
Hollywood films?
 Are there good documentaries made in your language? If so, describe some topics
they deal with.
 What positive effects do foreign films have on the people and culture of your
country?
 What possible negative effects do foreign films have on the people and culture of
your country?
 For example, do you feel that what is shown in foreign films conflicts with or
distorts the values of your own culture?
 For example, do people in your country get the wrong kind of information
from foreign films?
 In an ideal world, what would you like to see the future be of the film industry in
your language?
 What kinds of films would you like your children to watch when they are young?
 When they are teenagers?
 When they become adults?
 Are movies originally produced in your language the most popular films in your
country, or are films with subtitles or dubbing from studios in other countries, for
example, from Hollywood in the United States, more popular in your country
than those made in your language?

118. FIRE SAFETY

 Do you have a smoke alarm? How often do you check the batteries?
 Do you have a fire escape plan? Does everybody in your family know where to
go in case of fire?
 Do you have a smoker in the house?
 Have you got a fire blanket?
 Have you ever escaped from a fire?
 How do you put out a fire when you have no water?
 What are some types of fires in the house?
 Where are fires likely to break out?
 What do you need to do for burn victims of a fire?
 What is the phone number for the fire department where you live?
 What is the fire department's phone number in your country?
 What equipment do fire fighters need?
 How would you escape from your house if it caught on fire?

119. FIRST DATES

 Can you tell us about your first date?

 What are some places you could go on a first date?
 Is it important to be punctual in your first date? Why?
 Is the first impression important?
 Would you dress up for a first date? What clothes would you wear?
 Is it important to give your partner a present? What for example?
 Is the place important? Why?
 What kind of place do you think is the ideal for a first date? Why do you think
so?
 What things would you talk about on your first date?
 Would you share the bill? Or is it the man's role? Why?
 Would you behave formally or in these days it isn't necessary? Make your point.
 What type of restaurant would you rather go to?
 How are first dates different from later dates?
