Animals and The Environment

The spread of urban areas has led to deforestation and has caused many animal
species to become endangered. Environmental groups are urging governments to
protect these animals. What are the benefits of protecting animals? What can
governments do to protect animals?

Zoos around the world provide people with the opportunity to enjoy and learn about
animals that they do not usually have the chance to see. However, despite these
benefits, it is unkind to keep animals in zoos. Do you agree?

During the last century, the phenomenal popularity of cars has meant that the world’s
environment is now at risk. Some scientists, for example, claim that motor vehicles
have been responsible for the temperature of the world rising by several degrees
during the last few decades. What motivates people to buy cars and what can we do
to stop people from buying them?

The world is consuming natural resources faster than they can be renewed.
Therefore, it is important that products are made to last. Governments should
discourage people from constantly buying up-to-date or fashionable products. To
what extent do you agree or disagree?

Health and Exercise

Compared to our parent’s generation, life has become much more stressful. As a
result, stress-related illnesses are on the increase around the world. Why is stress
such a problem in the modern world and what do you think can be done to overcome
the problems caused by stress?

Traditional medicine, such as acupuncture and herbal remedies, is very popular in

some countries. Those who practise traditional medicine claim that it is better than
modern medicine in maintaining and improving health. Do you agree or disagree with
this point of view?

More children are becoming overweight. Therefore, daily physical education classes
should be compulsory in primary and secondary schools. To what extent do you
agree?

Many people eat fast food regularly. Why is this the case?

Some people think that going to the gym is one of the most important factors in
achieving good health. Do you think that people can be healthy without going to the
gym? What other factors contribute towards good health?

Some people argue that it is better to exercise alone. Do you agree or disagree with
this statement?

Education
Online courses have been welcomed as a great opportunity by many students, other
students see these courses as a poor substitute for classroom teaching. What are
the advantages and disadvantages of studying an online course?

Universities are becoming increasingly expensive to operate. In some countries,

money from taxation has met these costs. However, this is not always enough to
maintain the quality of universities. What problems can occur when universities do
not have enough money? Suggest alternative ways that universities can be funded.

Increasingly large numbers of students are undertaking their higher education in

other countries. Despite problems such as the financial cost and the difficulty of
studying in a foreign language, the benefits of studying overseas are often thought to
be greater than the difficulties. To what extent do you agree?

Government and Society

People are living much longer than before, and this creates enormous pressure on
government services. What are some of the effects of a much larger, older
population and what can governments do to deal with this problem?

Some governments provide financial assistance for retired, unemployed and

disabled citizens. In other countries, families provide support for these people.
Discuss both systems and give your own opinion.

Law and Order

Teenage offenders should be treated in the same way as adult criminals.

Do you agree?

Many governments have laws that ban the sale and use of hard drugs like heroin
and cocaine, yet they allow people to freely buy other more socially acceptable drugs
like tobacco and alcohol. Laws that prohibit the sale and consumption of ‘hard’ drugs
should be applied to other more widely tolerated drugs such as tobacco and alcohol.
What is your opinion?

Transport

Public transport should be free. To what extent do you agree?

Science and Technology

Some people say that the Internet is responsible for destroying social skills of
teenagers and young adults. Why do you think the Internet is seen as dangerous in
this way and what can we do to ensure that it does not harm the social development
of teenagers and young adults?

The benefits of computers in modern society far outweigh the disadvantages. What
is your opinion?
Soon it may be scientifically possible to clone humans. What are the advantages and
disadvantages of this?

Travel, Tourism, and Migration

Over the past few decades, international travel has become more affordable and
many people now choose overseas holidays. As a result, tourism is becoming a
profitable industry in many countries. However, despite the benefits, tourism can also
create problems. What are the advantages and disadvantages of tourism?

Many people choose to have a holiday in their own country rather than going
overseas. What are the advantages and disadvantages of holidaying in your own
country?

Every year large numbers of people migrate from one country to another for different
reasons. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of migration for the individual
and for society as a whole.

Globalisation

Due to the influence of world-wide media such as television and computers, the gap
between cultures is narrowing. The introduction of this global culture is of great
benefit to the world. To what extent do you agree with this point of view?

Citizens of all developed countries should be forced to give a percentage of their

income to citizens of poorer countries in order to assist them with basic needs. To
what extent do you agree with this statement?

Language and Culture

It is inevitable that as technology develops traditional cultures must be lost.

Technology and tradition are incompatible – you cannot have both together. To what
extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Art

Governments spend large amounts of money on art that not all people enjoy. This
money could be better spent on things that benefit the majority of the population. Do
you agree?

Business and Money

Some people think that success is mainly measured by how much money a person
has. To what extent do you agree?

Sport
Many people argue that the Olympic Games have significant benefits for the host
country while others believe they are a waste of money. Discuss both sides and give
your opinion.

TV, Music, and Media

Children are now watching more television than they have ever done before. What
are the possible risks and the benefits of this?

Family and Relationships

In many traditional societies, caring for the children is only the mother’s
responsibility. More recently, some people have argued that the father’s role should
be as important as the mother’s role. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

In some parts of the world, the popularity of taking a personal DNA test is increasing.
Why do some people want to do this? Is this development positive or negative? Give
reasons for your answer.

Communication

Some people say that the Internet is bringing people together by making the world
smaller. Do you agree that the Internet is making it easier for people to communicate
with one another?

Urban Areas

Across the world, cities are growing rapidly. What are the main problems associated
with crowded cities?

Every year, many people move to large cities to live and work. This is one of the
biggest problems in the world today. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Most major cities around the world continue to grow at a phenomenal rate due to the
massive increase in population. This has led to a general decline in the quality of life
in city areas as the environment becomes more crowded and polluted. Give some
reasons why this growth has occurred and suggest some practical solutions to this
problem.