Topic 1: WORK
1. Some people think that managers alone should make decisions in the company, while others think that employees should be involved in the decision-making process too.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
2. Nowadays more and more older people compete with younger people for the same jobs.
What can be the reason for this? What would you suggest as a solution?
3. Nowadays people tend to change a few careers during their life.
What are the reasons for this, in your opinion? Do you think it is good for the society as a whole?
4. Nowadays an increasing number of people change their career and place of residence several times during their life.
Is this a positive or a negative development?
Topic 2: TOURISM
1. Many people believe that international tourism has negative implications on their countries.
What is the reason for it? What can be done to change the negative attitude towards international tourism?
2. Nowadays scientists and tourists can travel to remote natural environments such as the South Pole.
What are the advantages and the disadvantages of this development?
3. Museums and historical sites are mainly visited by tourists, not by local people.
Why is this so? What could be done to encourage more local visitors? Please include relevant examples from your own knowledge and experience.
4. Some people believe that traveling is a valuable experience; others say it is a waste of time and money.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Topic 3: TRANSPORT
1. Some people believe that bicycles are the best mode of transport in the cities, while others disagree.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both views and give your opinion.
2. As countries develop, more and more people buy and use their own cars.
Does the advantage of this for individuals outweigh the disadvantage for the environment?
3. One of the best ways to solve environmental problems is to increase the cost of fuel for cars and other vehicles.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
4. In some cities, government has tried to tax the owners of the vehicles, for example to reduce the traffic congestion.
Do you think it is a positive or a negative impact?
Topic 4: TECHNOLOGY
1. The Internet contains a lot of information. However, sometimes this information is inaccurate or wrong.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
2. Internet contains a lot of information, however, sometimes this information is inaccurate or wrong.
Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
3. Nowadays online shopping becomes more popular than in-store shopping.
Is it a positive or a negative development?
4. Some people believe that cell phones should be for personal use only; others, however, feel cell phones should be used mostly for work.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Topic 5: SPORT & EXERCISE
1. Some people consider sports to be their career in the society. For others, it is mostly a workout to stay fit.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
2. Some people consider sport to be their career and role in the society. For others it is mostly a workout to keep fit.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
3. Some people believe that the use of mobile phones in public is as annoying as smoking and should be banned, similarly to smoking.
Give your opinion and examples from your own experience.
4. Some people think that dangerous sports should be banned, while others disagree.
Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge and experience.
Topic 6: SOCIETY
1. Some people feel unsafe either staying at home or going out.
What are the possible reasons for this? What can be done to address this issue?
2. Some people say the most important thing about being rich is that it gives you the opportunity to give back.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give reasons for your answer.
3. Some people think that they can make as much noise as they want, while others think that the amount of noise people make should be strictly controlled.
Discuss both views and include your own opinion and examples.
4. In the near future it is expected that the proportion of older people will be higher than that of young people in many developed countries.
What are the positive or negative effects of this development?
Topic 7: READING
1. The main purpose of public libraries should be to provide books. Public libraries should not spend their limited resources on computer software, videos or DVDs.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
2. Some people say that public libraries should be free; otherwise they are just a waste of money, especially because modern technologies and the Internet allow easy access to resources.
Discuss and give your point of view.
3. Some people say that with the development of modern technology printed books, newspapers and magazines lose their importance.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
4. More and more media coverage is on popular people who came from normal background who have gained success in cinema, fashion or sports industry.
Why do you think people are interested in knowing their lives?
Topic 8: MEDIA & ADVERTISING
1. The news media plays an important role in modern societies.
Why are they important? Do they have a positive or negative influence?
2. Some people say that having a lot of TV channels is good, while others argue that it reduces the quality of programs.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
3. At present the media affects people’s lives significantly.
What impact does this have on the society? Is it a negative or a positive development?
4. Advertising industry has a huge influence on the society.
Do you think positive effects of advertising outweigh negative effects?
Topic 9: HEALTH
1. Nowadays there is an increase in people with an unhealthy diet and not doing enough physical exercises.
What do you think might be the reason? What can be done to encourage people to have a healthier lifestyle?
2. More and more people are suffering from health problems cause 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?
3. Healthcare should not be provided for free regardless of a person’s income. The health of a person is in his or her own hands and they should, therefore, be held accountable for that.
Do you agree with this opinion?
4. People think that good health is a basic need so it should not be in hands of profit-oriented companies.
Are the advantages of profit-oriented companies overweight the disadvantages?
Topic 10: GOVERNMENT
1. Governments should focus their spending on public services rather than on art such as Music and Painting.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
2. People living in big cities face many problems today.
What are the problems? Should the government encourage people to live in regional towns?
3. Some people say that the government is responsible for aged care and financial support for the elderly; others argue that it’s the role of individuals.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
4. Some people believe that the government should help the unemployed or just laid off from work on a weekly basis.
Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give your own opinion.
Topic 11: EDUCATION
1. Giving lectures in auditoriums to large numbers of students is an old way of teaching. With the technology available today there is no justification for it, and everything should be done online.
To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give your own opinion.
2. Usually students have to study a range of different subjects. Some people believe that learning subjects without being interested in them won’t be beneficial.
Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
3. Some people say that the purpose of education for individuals is to be useful to the society, while others argue that the purpose is to fulfill personal ambitions of an individual. Discuss both views and give your opinion?
4. Handwriting skills (using a pencil, a pen or a brush) are on decline.
What can be the reasons for this? Is it a positive or a negative development?
Topic 12: CULTURE & LIFESTYLE
1. Some cultures value elderly people more, while other cultures value the youth more.
Discuss both approaches and give your own opinion.
2. Some cities do not restrict on how stylish and unique houses and offices that people construct can be.
Do you think the advantages of this approach outweigh the disadvantages?
3. Some people believe that young generation should follow traditions of their society; others, however, believe that young people should be free to make their own choice as individuals.
Discuss both views and your own opinion.
4. In some countries, more and more adults are living with their parents after graduating from college, university, or even after finding a job.
Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
