1.

Some people think that young people should spend free time with families instead of

outside entertainment, others disagree. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

2. Reading for pleasure can develop imagination and language skills better than

watching TV. To what extent you agree or disagree?

3. Some people think the manufacturers or shopping malls should sell less packaged

products and others argue that people have the responsibility to buy products with less

packaging. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

4. Some people think that governments should spend money for faster public

transportation, others think that there are other important priorities (e.g. cost,

environment). Discuss both views and give your opinion.

5. The availability of entertainment such as playing electronic games on portable

devices will be harmful to individuals in the society they live in. To what extent do you

agree or disagree?

6. Some people think that there could be more benefits to society if more people study

business than history. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

7. Some people think that the increasing use of computers and mobile phones for

communication has a negative effect on young people's reading and writing skills. To

what extent do you agree or disagree?

8. With the increasing demand for energy sources of oil and gas, people should look for

sources of oil and gas in remote and untouched places. Do the advantages outweigh

the disadvantages of damaging such areas?

9. Some people think that the main purpose of school is to turn children into good

citizens and workers, rather to benefit them as individuals. To what extent do you agree

or disagree?

10. It is more important for school children to learn about their local history than the

world history. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

11. Today more people put personal and private information online to do everyday

activities such as banking, shopping, and socializing. Is this a positive or negative

development?

12. Students can easily access information online, so libraries are no longer necessary.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

13. Some people think that the best way to be successful in life is to get a university

education. Others disagree and say that nowadays, this is no longer true. Discuss both

views and give your own opinions.

14. A recent survey shows that in many countries across the world people are generally

living longer. But an increased life expectancy has many implications for the aging

individuals and for the society as a whole. What are the possible effects of a longer life

expectancy on individuals and the society?

15. Music has always been and continues to be the universal language of mankind. To

what extent do you agree or disagree?

16. Young people do not spend their holidays and weekends doing outdoor activities

such as hiking and climbing in nature. Why is this? And how can we encourage them to

go out?
17. Some people think that the best way to improve road safety is to have drivers tested

every year. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

18. Education of young people is highly prioritized in many countries. However

educating adults who cannot write or read is even more important and governments

should spend more money on this. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

19. Many people use social media every day to get in touch with others and news

events. Do you think the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

20. People who damage public property, such as buildings or statues should be

required to do community service (such as cleaning parks) as a punishment rather than

other forms of punishment (such as paying a fine or going to prison). To what extent do

you agree or disagree?

1. Topic Health

1. It is more important to spend public money on promoting a healthy lifestyle in

order to prevent illness than to spend it on treatment of people who are already ill.

To what extent do you agree or disagree? >> Sample

2. The number of people who are at risk of serious health problems due to being

overweight is increasing.

What is the reason for the growth of overweight people in society? How can this

problem be solved?

3. More and more people are suffering from health problems caused by a modern

lifestyle which cannot be treated with modern medicines. Some people think that a

return to traditional medicine should be encouraged.

To what extent do you agree?

4. Some people think that public health in a country can be improved by the

government making laws regarding nutritious food. Others, however, think that

health is a matter of personal choice and responsibility.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

5. Walking is known to be beneficial for health and yet fewer and fewer people are

walking these days.

What are the reasons for this? What can be done to tackle this problem?

6. Healthcare should not be provided for free regardless of a person’s income.

The health of a person is in their own hands and they should, therefore, be held

accountable for that. Do you agree with this opinion?

2. Topic Education

1. Some people think that children should begin their education at a very early

age. Some think they should begin at least 7 years old.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

2. Some people think that sending criminals to prison is not effective. Education

and job training should be used instead.

Do you agree or disagree?

3. Students should be taught academic knowledge so that they can pass exams,

and skills such as cooking or dressing should not be taught.

To what extent do you agree/disagree?

4. Some people think movies should only be for entertainment. Others think that

they should also have educational values.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

5. The best way to ensure the growth of children is to make parents take parenting

courses.

Do you agree or disagree?

6. For centuries, important parts of education have remained such as reading,

writing and Math. With the advent of computers, some people think that computer

skills will be made fourth on the list.

To what extent do you agree?

3. Topic Environment
 1. Nowadays, people have little awareness of the importance of the natural world.

What are the reasons and how can people learn more about the natural world?

2. The increase in the production of consumer goods results in damage to the

natural environment.

What are the causes of this? What can be done to solve this problem? >> Sample

3. Some people think that zoos are all cruel and should be closed down. Others

however believe that zoos can be useful in protecting wild animals. Discussboth

opinions and give your own opinion.

4. Human activities have negative effects on plant and animal species. Some

people think it is too late to do anything about this problem. Others believethat

effective measures can be taken to improve this situation. Discuss both views and

give your opinion.

5. It is often said that governments spend too much money to protect wildlife,

while there are other problems that are more important.

Do you agree or disagree?

6. The best way to solve the world’s environmental problems is to increasethe cost

of fuel for cars and other vehicles.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

4. Topic Business

1. Some people think that big companies should provide sports and social facilities

for the local community. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

 2. The expansion of multinational companies and increase in globalization

produce positive effects for everyone.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

3. In some countries, small town-centre shops are going out of business because

people tend to drive to large out-of-town stores. As a result, people without cars

have limited access to out-of-town stores, and it may result in an increase in the

use of cars.

Do you think the disadvantages of this change outweigh its advantages?

>> Sample

4. The increase in the production of consumer goods results in damage to the

natural environment.

What are the causes of this? What can be done to solve this problem?

5. Many employers find that their new employees lack sufficient interpersonal

skills such as lack of ability to work with colleagues as a team.

What are the causes? Can you suggest some possible solutions?

6. Large businesses have big budgets for marketing and promotion and as a

result, people gravitate towards buying their products.

What problems does this cause? What could be done to encourage people to buy

local products?

5. Topic Work

1. Many employers find that their new employees lack sufficient interpersonal

skills such as lack of ability to work with colleagues as a team.

What are the causes? Can you suggest some possible solutions?
 2. The world of work is rapidly changing and employees cannot depend on having

the same job or the same working conditions for life.

Why is it the case? Can you suggest some ways to prepare people to work in the

future?

3. In most successful companies, some people think that communication between

employers and workers is the most important factor, other people say that other

factors are more important.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

4. Some people want to be able to contact their staff at all times, even on

holidays.

Does this development have more advantages than disadvantages?

5. More and more people are now moving away from an agricultural background

to cities for work.

What will be the consequences of this? What solution can you offer?

6. Many people find it hard to balance their work with other parts of their lives.

What are the reasons for this? How can this problem be overcome?

6. Topic Entertaiment

1. Many people are now spending more and more time traveling to work or school.

Some people believe that this is a negative development while others think there

are some benefits.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

 2. These days, a great number of children prefer spending time on computer

games rather than on sports.

Why is it? Is it a positive or negative development?

3. Pop stars earn much more than classical music performers. Some people think

this is fully justified while others think it is unfair.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

4. The availability of entertainment such as video games on handheld devices is

harmful to individuals and to the society they live in.

To what extent do you agree and disagree?

5. Some think that all entertainment TV programmes should educate people about

the importance of social issues.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

6. Films were produced by big companies in the past, but today people are able to

make a film.

Is this a negative or positive development?

7. Topic Sport

1. Today, TV channels show more men’s sports than women’s sports.

Why is this the case? Should TV channels give equal time to women’s sports and

men’s sports?

2. Some people think that hosting international sports events is good for the

country, while some people think it is bad.

Discuss both views and state your opinion. >> Sample

 3. Some people believe that sport has an important role in society. Others,

however, think that it is nothing more than a leisure activity for some people.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

4. Large companies use sports events to promote their products. Some people

think it has a negative impact on sports.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

5. Some people believe that success in sports depends on physical ability. But

some people believe there are many factors that contribute to success at sports.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

6. Some countries achieve international success by building specialized facilities

to train top athletes instead of providing sports facilities that everyone can use.

Is it a positive or negative development?

8. Topic Language

1. A few languages are increasingly spoken in different countries, while the use of

others is rapidly declining.

Is it a positive or negative development?

2. The development of tourism contributed to English becoming the most

prominent language in the world. Some people think this will lead to English

becoming the only language to be spoken legally.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of learning one language in the

world?
 3. As computers translate quickly and accurately, learning foreign languages is a

waste of time.

To what extent do you agree?

9. Topic Technology

1. Scientists believe that computers will become more intelligent than human

beings. Some people find it is positive while others think it is a negative

development. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

2. Some people believe that technology causes more problems for modern society

than it solves.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

3. More and more people no longer read newspapers or watch TV programs to get

news. They get news about the world through the Internet.

Is this a positive or negative development? >> Sample

10. Topic social issue

1. In many countries, imprisonment is the most common solution to crimes.

However, some people believe that better education will be a more effective

solution.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

2. Nowadays, there is a trend that media reports focus on problems and

emergencies rather than positive development. Some people think it is harmful to

individuals and to society.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

3. In many nations, people in huge cities either live alone or in small family units,

instead of in large, extended family groups.

Is this a positive or negative trend?

4. The use of mobile phones is as antisocial as smoking. Smoking is banned in

certain places so mobile phones should be banned like smoking.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

5. Most people have forgotten the meaning behind traditional and religious

festivals; during festival periods, people nowadays only want to enjoy themselves.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

6. Many countries aim to improve their living standard by economic development,

but some important social values are lost as a result.

Do you think the advantages of economic development outweigh the

disadvantages?