What do you think are the characteristics of a good speaker?

I think good speakers are confident and passionate about the subject of their speech. They need to be interesting and engaging. I think a speaker’s body language is also really important. A famous example of a great speaker is Barack Obama; he seems to be a naturally inspiring speaker, but I’m sure that practice and preparation are more important than natural talent.

Ideas and education

• Some people think that education should be about memorizing the important ideas of the past. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
• Should education encourage students to have their own new ideas? Why?
• How do you think teachers could help students to develop and share their own ideas?

Ideas in the workplace

• Should employers encourage their workers to have new ideas about improving the company? Why?
• Do you think people sometimes dislikes ideas just because they are news? Why?
• What is more difficult: having new ideas or putting them into practice? Which is more important for a successful company?

Why do you think people like watching films?

Do you think films have changed since you were a child?

No, I don’t think films have changed much since I was a child. When I was younger, I enjoyed watching action films, and the Hollywood formula for this type of film seems to be the same today. For example, I liked the original ‘Superman’ films, and superheroes are still a popular subject for film-makers.

As the technology for home viewing improves, do you think people will stop going to the cinema in future?

No, I don’t think that people will stop going to the cinema. People can already buy fantastic home viewing equipment, but it still feels more special to share the experience of watching a new film with a theatre full of people. I don’t think that technology will be able to replicate that cinema atmosphere.

* Pay attention to the verb tenses. When answering this type of questions, you should be aware that the examiner is expecting to hear some different verb tenses.

Why do some people buy lots of things for their home?

I think there could be a couple of different reasons for this. Some people like to surround themselves with beautiful objects and furnishings to brighten up their lives, while others buy lots of devices that are supposed to save time. In my own home we have examples of both types of object: we have things like ornaments and pictures because they look nice, and we have useful gadgets, like a small vacuum cleaner that we recently bought.

Do you think it is very expensive to make a home look nice?

No, definitely not. Basic furniture isn’t expensive these days, especially now that we have shops like Ikea. I know plenty of people who have furnished and decorated their homes really nicely without spending too much money. Personally I also like the minimalist look: some basic furniture, light colours and not too much clutter.

Why don’t some people care about how their home looks?

Maybe they just see their homes as a base – somewhere to eat and sleep – rather than a reflection of their tastes or personalities. And many people are just too busy with work and life outside the home to worry about furniture and decorations. A friend of mine, for example, doesn’t seem to care about the way his house looks, but this is because he’s almost never there; he travels for work and spends more time in hotel rooms than in his own house.

What do you think makes a good lesson?

I think a good lesson is one that is interesting and engaging. By ‘engaging’ I mean that the students should feel involved in the lesson; they should feel that they are learning something new that is relevant to them. In my opinion, a lot depends on how the teacher delivers the content of the lesson in a way that students like. My favourite teacher at university used to involve the students by making us teach some of the lessons ourselves.

Do you think it’s better to have a teacher or to teach yourself?

Well, there’s no substitute for a good teacher. I think you can teach yourself, but you can learn a lot more quickly with the guidance of a teacher. For example, when learning a language, you really need someone to correct your mistakes; you can get the grammar and vocabulary from books, but books can’t tell you where you’re going wrong.

Do you think the traditional classroom will disappear in the future?

I don’t think it will disappear, but it might become less common. I think more people will study independently, using different technologies rather than sitting in a classroom. Maybe students will attend a lesson just once a week, and spend the rest of their time following online courses or watching video lessons.

How much has technology improved how we communicate with each other?

I’d say that technology has made communication faster and easier, but I don’t think it has improved the quality of communication between people. I mean, it’s so easy to send a text message or write a comment on social media these days, but maybe you could say that our conversations are quite superficial compared to the way people communicated in the past. For example, I remember writing long, detailed letters to friends and family members when I was younger, but I tend to just send quick messages from my phone nowadays.

Do you agree that there are still many more major technological innovations to be made?

Of course! People are working on all sorts of new technologies as we speak, and I’m sure that there will be technological advances and breakthroughs for as long as human societies exist. Personally, I’m fascinated to see what happens with self-driving cars and other types of artificial intelligence over the next few decades.

Could you suggest some reasons why some people are deciding to reduce their use of technology?

Yes, I think the main reasons are that people feel overwhelmed or that their use of technology is becoming unhealthy. Some people have realised that all the devices and applications that they use are making their lives more complicated and stressful than necessary. Others might see themselves becoming addicted to checking their phones, or wasting too much time on their social media pages. I try to limit my own use of my phone and laptop because I want to spend more of my time in the ‘real world’ than on the Internet.

Why is it important for people to save some of their money?

In the long term I think it’s important to save for retirement, but it’s also a good idea to have a certain amount of money saved so that you can deal with unexpected problems in the less distant future. For example, I’ve learnt to put some money aside for car repairs, and this came in useful recently when I needed to have my car’s brake pads changed. If I hadn’t had savings, the cost of getting my car repaired could have sent me into the red.

In your view, should children be taught how to manage money?

Not at school, no. I believe it’s the job of parents to gradually teach children that kind of thing, or perhaps there’s no need for anyone to teach children about money because they learn about it naturally as they grow up. For example, I remember being given money to buy sweets or an ice cream when I was a child, and I soon learnt what I could afford and what I couldn’t.

Do you think that girls are better at saving money than boys?

I’ve never thought about that before. I don’t see any reason why girls would be better savers than boys or vice versa. I suppose it depends more on the personality of each individual and what their interests are. For example, a child who likes cheap toys might not think about saving, whereas a child who wants to buy something expensive, like a bike or a games console, might summon the willpower to save up!

Will large shopping malls continue to be popular, despite the growth of internet shopping?

I can’t see shopping malls disappearing any time soon, so yes, I think they will definitely continue to attract shoppers. We already have internet shopping, with websites like Amazon now mainstream, but the large shopping centres in my city are still packed with people. The Trafford Centre near Manchester, for example, is hugely popular, and I think this is because it offers more than just shopping. It’s a place where families go for a day out, to have lunch or to visit attractions like Sea Life or Legoland, and naturally they will browse the shops and buy things there too.

Do you think that some businesses (e.g. banks and travel agents) will only operate online in future?

I’m sure they will, and I think this is already happening. I’m pretty sure that there are online-only savings accounts, and there are travel websites like Airbnb that have no physical presence on the high street. I imagine that more and more services will only be available online; this seems to be the way that things are going.

In your country, what possessions are considered “status symbols”?

The typical status symbols in my country are things like big houses, expensive luxury cars or sports cars, and anything made by certain brands. For example, a new Ferrari or a Rolls Royce or a Rolex watch would definitely be considered status symbols. I suppose the reason why these possessions are seen in this way is because you have to be very wealthy to buy them, so they show other people that their owner is rich and successful.

Do you think we place too much importance on possessions?

Probably, yes. Many people are obsessed with showing off their new mobile phone or wearing the latest fashions. I think it’s a problem for teenagers because there’s a lot of peer pressure to follow fashion or buy the latest gadget that their friends have got.

Do you think things were different 50 years ago?

Yes, maybe people were less materialistic, and I think they bought things that lasted longer. For example, my grandparents always talked about how they repaired things rather than throwing them away. Maybe brands and advertising weren’t as powerful as they are now.

What advantages does living in the countryside have, compared to living in a city?

I think there are some clear advantages to living in the countryside. First, with the clean air and lack of traffic or industry, countryside areas are much healthier places than the average city. Another benefit would be the sense of community that comes with living in a small village where everyone knows each other. Finally, it seems to me that the pace of life in the countryside is slower, and the people are more laid back and friendly, compared to the hustle and bustle and the stress of city life.

Have areas of countryside in your country changed since you were a child?

No, they haven’t changed very much where I live. The reason for this is that countryside areas close to Manchester tend to be protected, and so construction is not allowed. For example, I live quite close to an area called the Peak District, and nothing seems to have changed there since I was young; the hills, paths and woodland areas are just as they were.

Do you think that visits to the countryside should be something that schools offer to their children?

Yes, I think it’s a great idea for schools to take children on trips to the countryside, especially if those children live in a large town or city. A visit to the countryside can be both relaxing and educational; children can go for walks in the fresh air, and at the same time see animals and plants that they may never have seen before. If schools don’t offer this opportunity, some children will never see life outside the city.

Do you think people will watch less television in the future?

Yes, I do think people will watch less television in the future, although that doesn’t mean that they will watch fewer programmes or spend less time looking at screens. What I think will happen, and it’s already happening, is that people will watch things on the Internet, through websites like YouTube. To use a personal example, I used to watch TV in the evenings, but now I often choose to stream videos, films and TV series through my computer instead.

How important is customer service for you?

Customer service is really important for me because I like to feel welcome and valued as a customer. If companies want us to use their products or services, I believe they should treat us well and therefore encourage us to return. For example, I have a favourite cafe where I like to go, and the friendly staff are the main reason that I’ve become a loyal customer.

What can companies do to improve their customer service?

I think managers need to train their employees to deliver great customer service. There are lots of things that staff members can do, such as ensuring that customers are greeted in the right way, their problems are handled quickly, and they are asked for feedback. For example, the staff in my favourite cafe greet customers as soon as they come through the door, and they always check that we are happy before we leave.

Why do you think employees sometimes don’t provide good customer service?

When employees’ treatment of customers isn’t good, I think it’s usually because they are unhappy doing their jobs. This might be because they are treated badly by their managers, or because they haven’t been encouraged to take pride in their work. I remember in my first ever job, for example, I didn’t like the work that I was given, and so I probably wasn’t as thoughtful or attentive as I should have been when I had to speak to customers.

Are there any occasions when reading at speed is a useful skill?

Personally, if I’m reading something interesting, I don’t like reading too quickly because I feel that I don’t properly absorb the information. However, it can be useful to skim through things when you don’t really want to read them, or when you just need to find one particular piece of information. For example, I read at speed when I’m checking a household bill or a letter from the bank.

Are there any jobs where people need to read a lot? What are they?

Well, researchers obviously need to read a lot, and I suppose that politicians, journalists and other professionals who need to know about current affairs read a lot too. Having said that, I think most workers read hundreds of emails every week. In my previous job, for example, I had to check internal staff emails at least twice a day.

Do you think that reading novels is more interesting than reading factual books? Why is that?

Both types of books can be equally interesting in my opinion. A good novel can transport you to another world where the characters in the book become almost real. On the other hand, factual books can give you fascinating insights into anything from psychology to ancient history.

How easy is it to find a place to live in your country?

Well, it depends on how much money you are able to spend and where exactly you want to live. Of course, if you have the money, it’s very easy to find a place to live. However, house prices have been on the rise in recent years, and it is becoming difficult for young adults to buy their first homes, or even to pay rental prices in some areas, particularly in central London.

Do you think it’s better to rent or to buy a place to live in?

I think it’s better to buy your own home if you can afford to do that. Buying your own home is a better investment in the long term, because you can sell the home and perhaps even make a profit on it. The alternative is to pay rent to a landlord who can ask you to leave at any moment.

Do you agree that there is a right age for young adults to stop living with their parents?

I’m not sure what the ‘right’ age would be, but I do agree with the principle that young adults should try to live alone if they can. For some people, the right age is when they get their first full-time jobs and can afford to pay rent, and for others it’s when they start university and move into a hall of residence with other students. This was what happened in my case; I moved out of the family home at age 18 when I started university.

Do you think there are too many game shows on TV nowadays? Why?

(answer) Yes, there are far too many game shows on TV for my liking. (explain) I suppose the channels show these programmes because they are popular, and they must be very profitable. (example) A good example is ‘Who wants to be a millionaire?’, which has been sold to TV channels across the world. (alternative) Personally, I’m not a fan of game shows, and I’d much rather watch a film or an original drama series.

Do you think that people pay attention to adverts on TV? Why?

(answer) Yes, I think we are all influenced to some extent by TV adverts, otherwise companies wouldn’t pay so much to have them shown. (explain) Advertisers are very good at making us believe that their products or services will improve our lives in some way. (example) For example, if you see an advert for a new phone, it plants a seed in your mind, and you start to wonder about upgrading your old phone.

Do you think most people watch TV for education or for entertainment?

I think people watch TV primarily for entertainment. There are far more entertainment programmes than educational ones, and in my experience most people treat television as a form of relaxation in the evening. If I think about the most popular TV programmes in the UK, such as talent shows like ‘X Factor’ or soap operas like ‘Eastenders’, the focus is definitely on entertainment rather than education.

Should TV play a role in educating children? How?

Yes, it definitely should play a role in my opinion. Good children’s TV programmes should tell stories that contain some kind of lesson about how to behave or what is morally right and wrong. Many of the traditional fairy tales, such as ‘Cinderella’, have been made into TV programmes, and there is always a positive message in those stories.

How do you think TV viewing habits change as people get older?

TV viewing habits obviously change a lot as we get older. While toddlers might watch programmes about talking animals, teenagers prefer action and adventure or sports, and as adults we start taking an interest in news and politics. My own preferences, for example, have changed over the years – I would never have watched news programmes when I was younger. I think it would be very strange if our viewing habits didn’t mature!

Do you think that it’s important for people to go on holiday?

(Your answer) …

You can use this structure: Firstly, secondly, finally

Start with the direct answer, then explain it by giving two or three reasons, and maybe an example too.

Why do you think some people prefer not to go abroad on holiday?

(Your answer) …

Qualities of friends

• What do you think are the most important qualities for friends to have?
• Which are more important to people, their family or their friends? Why?
• What do you think causes friendship to break up?

Other relationships

• What other types of relationship, apart from friends and family, are important in people’s lives today?
• Have relationships with neighbours where you live changed in recent years? How?

How important do you think it is for a person to spend some time alone? Why/Why

What disagreements do teenagers often have with their parents? Why?

Teenagers disagree with their parents about all sorts of things, like the clothes they want to wear, whether they can go out with their friends, doing homework, and how much help they give their parents around the house. I think the teenage years are when we develop a sense of identity, and we want to make our own decisions rather than follow other people’s instructions. I remember having disagreements with my own parents, usually about simple things like getting up early in the morning, tidying my room, or doing the washing up!

Family parties

• What are the main reasons why people organize family parties in your country?
• In some places people spend a lot of money on parties that celebrate special family events. Is this ever true in your country? Do you think this is a good trend or bad trend?
• Are there many differences between family parties and parties given by friends? Why do you think this is?

National celebrations

• What kinds of national celebration do you have in your country?
• Who tends to enjoy national celebrations more: young people or old people? Why?
• Why do you think some people think that national celebrations are a waste of government money? Would you agree or disagree with this view? Why?

Important choices

• What are the typical choices people make at different stages of their lives?
• Should important choices be made by parents rather than by young adults?
• Why do some people like to discuss choices with other people?

Choices in everyday life

• What kind of choices do people have to make in their everyday life?
• Why do some people choose to do the same things every day? Are there any disadvantages in this?
• Do you think that people today have more choices to make today than in the past?

Children‘s games

• How have games changed from the time when you were a child?
• Do you think this has been a positive change? Why?
• Why do think children like playing games?

Games and competition

• Do you think competitive games are good or bad for children? In what ways?
• How can games sometimes help to unite people?
• Why is competition often seen as important in today’s society?

Keeping fit and healthy

• What do most people do to keep fit in their free time?
• How important is it for people to do some regular physical exercise?

Health and modern lifestyles

• Why do some people think that modern lifestyles are not healthy?
• Why do some people choose to lead unhealthy lives?
• Should individuals or governments be responsible for making people’s lifestyle healthy?
• What could be done to encourage people to live in a healthy way?

Family similarities

• In what ways can people in a family be similar to each other?
• Do you think that daughters are always similar to mothers than to male relatives? What about sons and fathers?
• In terms of personality, are people more influenced by their family or by their friends? In what ways?

Genetic research

• Where can people in your country get information about genetic research?
• How do people in your country feel about genetic research?
• Should this research be funded by governments or private companies? Why?

Purposes of festivals and celebrations

• Why do you think festivals are important events in the working year?
• Would you agree that the original significance of festivals if often lost today? Is it good or bad today, do you think?
• Do you think that new festivals will be introduced in the future? What kind?

Festivals and the media

• What role does the media play in festivals, do you think?
• Do you think it’s good or bad to watch festivals on TV? Why?
• How many globalisation affect different festivals around the world?

Music and young people

• What kinds of music are popular with young people in your culture?
• What do you think influences a young person’s taste in music?
• How has technology affected the kinds of music popular with young people?

Music and society

• Tell me about any traditional music in your culture.
• How important is it for a culture to have musical traditions?
• Why do you think countries have national anthems or songs?

Do you think that it’s important to be polite?

(Your answer) …

Famous people in your country

• What kind of people become famous people these days?
• Is this different from the kind of achievement that made people famous in the past? In what way?
• How do you think people will become famous in the future?

Being in the public eye

• What are the good things about being famous? Are there any disadvantages?
• How does the media in your country treat famous people?
• Why do you think ordinary people are interested in the lives of famous people?

The internet and communication

• What effect has the internet had on the way people generally communicate with each other?
• Why do you think the internet is being used more and more for communication?
• How reliable do you think information from the internet? Why? What about the news in the internet?

The internet and shopping

• Why do you think some people use the internet for shopping? Why doesn’t everyone use it in this way?
• What kinds of things are easy to buy and sell online? Can you give me some examples?
• Do you think shopping on the internet will be more or less popular in the future? Why?

Water-based leisure activities

• What do people enjoy doing when they visit rivers, lakes or the seas? Why do you think these activities are popular?
• What benefits do you think people get from the activities they enjoy in the water?
• What are the different advantages of going to the sea or to a swimming pool to enjoy yourself? What do you think the disadvantages are?

The economic importance of rivers, lakes and the sea

• How does water transport, like boats and ships, compare with other kinds? Are there any advantages/ disadvantages of water transport?
• How important is it for a town or city to be located near a river or the sea? Why?
• Have there been any changes in the number of jobs available in fishing and water transport industries, do you think? Why do you think this is?

The social benefits of hobbies

• Do you think having a hobby is good for people’s social life? In what ways?
• Are there any negative effects of a person spending too much time on their hobby? What are they?
• Why do you think people need to have a interest or hobby?

Leisure time

• In your country, how much time do people spend on work and how much time on leisure? Is this a good balance, do you think?
• Would you say the amount of free time has changed much in the last fifty years?
• Do you think people will have more or less free time in the future? Why?

Looking after historic places

• How do people in your country feel about protecting historic buildings?
• Do you think an area can benefit from having an interesting historic place locally? In what way?
• What do you think will happen to historic places or buildings in the future? Why?

The teaching of history at school

• How were you taught history when you were at school?
• Are there other ways people can learn about history, apart from at school? How?
• Do you think history will still be a school subject in the future? Why?

Do you like giving presentations?

Why do some people feel nervous about giving presentations?

What do you think people should do before giving a presentation?

How can visual aids help in a presentation?

(Your answer…)

Will large shopping malls continue to be popular, despite the growth of internet shopping?

I can’t see shopping malls disappearing any time soon, so yes, I think they will definitely continue to attract shoppers. We already have internet shopping, with websites like Amazon now mainstream, but the large shopping centres in my city are still packed with people. The Trafford Centre near Manchester, for example, is hugely popular, and I think this is because it offers more than just shopping. It’s a place where families go for a day out, to have lunch or to visit attractions like Sea Life or Legoland, and naturally they will browse the shops and buy things there too.

Do you think that some businesses (e.g. banks and travel agents) will only operate online in future?

I’m sure they will, and I think this is already happening. I’m pretty sure that there are online-only savings accounts, and there are travel websites like Airbnb that have no physical presence on the high street. I imagine that more and more services will only be available online; this seems to be the way that things are going.

Vocabulary review

Let’s look at some of the useful vocabulary from the above answers.

• I can’t see shopping malls disappearing*
• (I can’t see… happening = I don’t think… will happen)
• any time soon
• attract shoppers
• mainstream = popular / used or done by most people
• packed with people*
• hugely popular
• it offers more than just…
• and naturally they will
• browse the shops
• I’m pretty sure that…*
• no physical presence on the high street
• the way that things are going*

Note:
The phrases with a star (*) are great for the speaking test, but a little too informal for a written essay.

What technology or equipment is used in most workplaces nowadays?

Tip: give a list of different technologies, then talk about one in detail

In most workplaces people use equipment such as computers, phones, printers, fax machines and photocopiers. I think the computer is probably the most essential piece of equipment because we rely on it for almost everything: communicating by email, writing reports, organising data, and finding information on the Internet.

Does technology help workers or make their lives more difficult?

Tip: talk about the positives AND the negatives

Technology definitely helps workers because it makes many tasks so much easier. For example, email is such a useful tool for communication between employees in different offices, or even in different countries. On the other hand, technology can make life more difficult, especially when it goes wrong. It causes a lot of stress when the Internet is down or a computer crashes.

What effect does new technology have on employment?

Tip: give the good effects AND the bad effects:

I think technology is often responsible for people losing their jobs. Machines have replaced people in areas like manufacturing and agriculture, and whenever a new technology is introduced, there are redundancies. At the same time, jobs might be created thanks to a new technology; for example, there would be no computer programmers if the computer hadn’t been invented.

Different types of TV programmes

• What are the most popular kinds of TV programmes in your country? Why is this?
• Do you think there are too many games shows on TV nowadays? Why?
• Do you think TV is the main way for people to get the news in your country? What other ways are there?

TV advertising

• What types of products are advertised most often on TV?
• Do you think that people pay attention to adverts on TV? Why do you think that is?
• How important are regulations on TV advertising?

Arriving early

• In what kinds of situations should people always arrive early?
• How important it is to arrive early in your country?
• How can modern technology help people to arrive early?

Being patient

• What kinds of jobs require the most patience?
• Is it always better to be patient in work (or studies)?
• Do you agree or disagree that the older people are, the more patient they are?

Restaurants

• Why do you think people go to restaurants when they want to celebration something?
• Which are more popular in your country: fast food restaurants or traditional restaurants? Why do you think that is?
• Some people say that food in an expensive restaurant is always better than food in a cheap restaurant. Would you agree?

Producing food

• Do you think there will be a greater choice of food available in shops in the future, or will there be less choice?
• What effects has modern technology had on the way food is produced?
• How important is it for a country to be able to grow all the food it needs, without importing any from other countries?

Going to meetings

• what are the different types of meeting that people often go to?
• Some people say that no one likes to go to meetings – what do you think?
• Why can it sometimes be important to go to meetings?

International meetings

• Why do you think world leaders often have meeting together?
• What possible difficulties might be involved in organizing meetings between world leaders?
• Do you think that meetings between international leaders will become more frequent in the future? Or will there be less need for world leaders to meet?

Friendship

• What do you think makes someone a good friend to a whole family?
• Do you think we meet different kinds of friends at different stages of our lives? In what ways are these types of friends different?
• How easy is it to make friends with people from a different age group?

Influence of friends

• Do you think it is possible to be friends with someone if you never meet them in person? Is this real friendship?
• What kind of influence can friends have on our lives?
• How important would you say it is to have friends from different countries?

Shopping at markets

• Do people in in your country enjoy going to open-air markets that sell things like food or clothes or old objects? Which types of market is more popular? Why?
• Do you think markets are more suitable places for selling certain types of things? Which ones? Why do you think it is?
• Do you think people feel the same about shopping at markets as older people? Why is that?

Shopping in general

• What do you think are the advantages of buying things from shop rather than markets?
• How does advertising influence what people choose to buy? Is this true for everyone?
• Do you think that any recent changes in the way people live have effected general shopping habits? Why is this?

Doing new things

• Why do you think some people like doing new things?
• What problems can people have when they try new activities for the first time?
• Do you think it’s best to do new things on your own or with other people? Why?

Learning new things

• What kinds of things do children learn to do when they are very young? How important are these things?
• Do you think children and adults learn to do new things in the same way? How is their learning style different?
• Some people say that it is more important to be able to learn new things now than it was in the past. Do you agree or disagree with that? Why?

Reasons for daily travel

• Why do people need to travel every day?
• What problems can people have when they are on their daily journey, for example to work or school? Why is this?
• Some people say that daily journeys like these will not be so common in the future? Do you agree or disagree? Why?

Benefits of international travel

• What do you think people can learn from travelling to other countries? Why?
• Can travel make a positive difference to economy of a country? How?
• Do you think a society can benefit if its members have experience of travelling to other countries? In what ways?

Helping other people in the community

• What are some of the ways people can help others in the community? Which is most important?
• Why do you think some people like to help other people?
• Some people say that people help others in the community more now than they did in the past. Do you agree or disagree? Why?

Community services

• What types of services, such as libraries or health centers, are available to the people who live in your area? Do you think there are enough of them?
• Which groups of people generally need most support in a community? Why?
• Who do you think should pay for the services that are available to the people in a community? Should it be the government or individual people?

Skills and abilities

• What skills and abilities do people most want to have today? Why?
• Which skills should children learn at school? Are there any skills which they should learn at home? What are they?
• Which skills do you think will be important in the future? Why?

Salaries for skilled people

• Which kinds of jobs have the highest salaries in your country? Why is this?
• Are there any other jobs that you think should have high salaries? Why do you think that?
• Some people say it would be better for society if everyone got the same salary. What do you think about that? Why?

Local business

• What types of local business are there in your neighborhood? Are there any restaurants, shops, or dentists, for example?
• Do you think local businesses are important for a neighborhood? In what ways?
• How do large shopping malls and commercial centers affect small local businesses? What do you think that is?

People and business

• Why do some people want to start their own business?
• Are there any disadvantages to running a business? Which is the most serious?
• What are the most important qualities that a good business person needs? Why is that?

Relationships between children and parents

• How much time do children spend with their parents in your country? Do you that is enough?
• How important do you think spending time together is for the relationships between children and parents? Why?
• Have relationships between parents and children changed in recent years? Why do you think that is?

Children’s free time activities

• What are the most popular free time activities with children today?
• Do you think the free time activities children do today are good for their health? Why is that?
• How do you think children’s activities will change in the future? Will this be a positive change?

Owning things

• What types of things do young people in your country most want to own today? Why is this?
• Why do some people feel they need to own things?
• Do you think that owning lots of things makes people happy? Why?

Possessions

• Do you think television and films can make people want to get new possessions? Why do they have this effect?
• Are there any benefits to society of people wanting to get new possessions? Why do you think this is?
• Do you think people will consider that having lots of possessions is a sign of success in the future? Why?

Different types of home

• What kinds of home are most popular in your country? Why is this?
• What do you think are the advantages of living in a house rather than an apartment?
• Do you think that everyone would like to live in a large home? Why is that?

Finding a place to live

• How easy is it to find a place to live in your country?
• Do you think it’s better to rent or to buy a place to live in? why?
• Do you agree that there is a right age for young adults to stop living with their parents?? Why is that?

Reading and children

• What kinds of book are most popular with children in your country? Why do you think that is?
• Why do you think some children do not read books very often?
• How do you think children can be encouraged to read more?

Reading for different purposes

• Are there any occasions when reading at speed is a useful skill to have? What are they?
• Are there any jobs where people need to read a lot? What are they?
• Do you think that reading novels is more interesting than reading factual books? Why is that?

Types of weather

• What types of weather do people in your country dislike most? Why is that?
• What jobs can be affected by different weather conditions? Why?
• Are there any important festivals in your country that celebrate a season or type of weather?

Weather forecast

• How important do you think it is for everyone to check what the next day’s weather will be? Why?
• What is the best way to get accurate information about the weather?
• How easy or difficult is it to predict the weather in your country? Why is that?

Technology and housework

• What kinds of machine are used for housework in modern homes in your country?
• How have these machines benefited people? Are there any negative effects of using them?
• Do you think all new homes will be equipped with household machines in the future? Why?

Technology in the workplace

• What kinds of equipment do most workers need to use in offices today?
• How have developments in technology affected employment in your country?
• Some people think that technology has brought more stress than benefits to employed people nowadays. Would you agree or disagree? Why?

Competitions in school

• Why do you think some school teachers use competitions as class activities?
• Do you think it is a good thing to give prizes to children who do well at school? Why?
• Would you say that schools for young children have become more or less competitive since you were that age? Why?

Sporting competitions

• What are the advantages and disadvantages of intensive training for young sportspeople?
• Some people think that competition leads to a better performance from sports stars. Others think it just makes players feels insecure. What is your opinion?
• Do you think that it is possible to become too competitive in sport? In what ways?

Creating a nice home

• Why do some people buy lots of thing for their home?
• Do you think it is very expensive to make a home look nice?
• Why don’t some people care about how their home looks?

Different types of home

• In what ways is living an a flat/apartment better than living in a house?
• Do you think homes will look different in the future?
• Do you agree that the kinds of homes people prefer change as they get older?

Asking questions

• What kinds of organization want to find out about people’s opinions?
• Do you think that questionnaires or surveys are good ways of finding out people’s opinions?
• What reasons might people have for not wanting to give their opinions?

Questionnaires in school

• Do you think it would be a good idea for school to ask student their opinions about their lessons?
• What would the advantages for school be if they asked students their opinions?
• Would there be any disadvantages in asking students’ opinions?

Famous people today

• What kinds of people are most famous in your country today?
• Why are there so many stories about famous people in the news?
• Do you agree or disagree that many young people today want to be famous?

Advantages of being famous

• Do you think it is easy for famous people to earn a lot of money?
• Why might famous people enjoys having fans?
• In what ways could famous people use their influence to do good things in the world?

Shopping online

• What kinds of things do people in your country often buy from online shops?
• Why do you think online shopping has become so popular nowadays?
• What are some possible disadvantages of buying things from online shops?

The culture of consumerism

• Why do many people today keep buying things which they do not need?
• Do you believe the benefits of a consumer society outweigh the disadvantages?
• How possible is it to avoid the culture of consumerism?

Staying in hotels

• What things are important when people are choosing a hotel?
• Why do some people not like staying in hotels?
• Do you think staying in a luxury hotel is waste of money?

Working in a hotel

• Do you think hotel work is a good career for life?
• How does working in a big hotel compare with working in a small hotel?
• What skills are needed to be a successful hotel manager?

Shopping online

• What kinds of things do people in your country often buy from online shops?
• Why has online shopping become so popular in many countries?
• What are some possible advantages of buying things from online shops?

Online retails businesses

• Do you agree that the prices of all good should be lower on internet shopping sites than in shop?
• Will large shopping malls continue to be popular, despite the growth of internet shopping?
• Do you think that some businesses (e.g. bank and travel agents) will only operate online in the future?

Difficult jobs

• What are the most difficult jobs that people do?
• Why do you think some people choose to do difficult jobs?
• Do you agree or disagree that all jobs are difficult sometimes?

Personal and career success

• How important is it for everyone to have a goal in their personal life?
• Is it always necessary to work hard in order to achieve career success?
• Do you think that successful people are always happy people?

Children and reading

• What are the most popular types of children’s books in your country?
• What are the benefits of parents reading books to their children?
• Should parents always let children choose the book they read?

Electronic books

• How popular are electronic books in your country?
• What are the advantages of parents reading electronic books (compared to printed books)?
• Will electronic books ever completely replace printed books in the future?

Watching movies/ films

• What are the most popular types of films in your country?
• What is the difference between watching a film in the cinema and watching a film at home?
• Do you think cinemas will close in the future?

Theater

• How important is the theater in your country’s history?
• How strong a tradition is it today in your country to go to the theater?
• Do you think the theater should be run as a business or as a public service?

The internet

• Why do some people find the internet addictive?
• What would the world be like without the internet?
• Do you think that the way people use the internet may change in the future?

Social media websites

• What are the ways that social media can be used for positive purposes?
• Why do some individuals post highly negative comments about other people on social media?

Do you think that companies’ main form of advertising will be via social media in the future?

Discussing problems with others

• Why is it good to discuss problems with other people?
• Do you think that it’s better to talk to friends and not family about problems?
• Is it always a good idea to tell lots of people about problem?

Communication skills at work

• Which communication skills are most important when taking part in meeting with colleagues?
• What are the possible effects of poor written communication skills at work?
• What do you think will be the future impact of technology on communication in the workplace?

Technology and education

• What is the best age for children to start computer lessons?
• Do you think that schools should use more technology to help children learn?
• Do you agree or disagree that computers will replace teachers one day?

Technology and society

• How much has technology improved how we communicate with each other?
• Do you agree that there are still many more major technological innovations to be made?
• Could you suggest some reasons why some people are deciding to reduce their use of technology?

Choosing work

• What kinds of jobs do young people not want to do in your country?
• Who is best at advising young people about choosing a job: teachers or parents?
• Is money always the most important thing when choosing a job?

Work – life balance

• Do you agree that many people nowadays are under pressure to work longer hours and take less holiday?
• What is the impact on society of people having a poor work – life balance?
• Could you recommend some effective strategies for governments and employers to ensure people have a good work – life balance?

Different kinds of workplaces

• What things make an office comfortable to work in?
• Why do some people prefer to work outdoors?
• Do you agree that the building people work in is more important than the colleagues they work with?

The importance of work

• What would life be like if people didn’t have to work?
• Are all jobs of equal importance?
• Why do some people become workaholics?

Money and young people

• Why do some parents give their children money to spend each week?
• Do you agree that schools should teach children how to manage money?
• Do you think it is a good idea for students to earn money while studying?

Money and society

• Do you think it is true that in today’s society money cannot buy happiness?
• What disadvantages are there in a society where the gap between rich and poor is very large?
• Do you think richer countries have a responsibility to help poorer countries?

Science and the public

• How interested are most people in your country in science?
• Why do you think children today might be better at science than their parents?
• How do you suggest the public can learn more about scientific developments?

Scientific discoveries

• What do you think are the most important scientific discoveries in the last 100 years?
• Do you agree or disagree that there are no more major scientific discoveries left to make?
• Who should pay for scientific research – governments or private companies?