Speaking Part 2 Sample Questions

This is only few sample question types you may encounter in the part 2 (cue card section) of the Speaking test Module.

Describe a teacher who has greatly influenced you in your education.

You should say:

Where you met them

What subject they taught

What was special about them

And explain why this person influenced you so much.

Describe a friend who has played an important part in your life.

You should say:

- How you met this person

- How long you have known them

- The kind of thing you do or did with them

And explain why they have been important in your life

Describe one of your relatives

You should say:

- What that person looks like

- What that person’s character is like

- What they are doing at the moment

And say which other relative of yours they are most similar to

Describe a friend that you often spend time with:

You should say:

- How often you see this friend

- Where you usually go together

- What things you do together

And say why you like spending time with this person

Describe a classmate, colleague or acquaintance

You should say:

- How well you know them

- When and how you first met them

- How long you have been working or studying together

And say whether you think you will get to k now that person better in the future

or not, and why

Describe a friend you have had or had for a long time

You should say:

- How you met

- What things you do or did together

- What things you have or had in common

And say why you think your friendship lasted a long time

Describe a classmate or colleague you often meet. You should say:

- Where you usually meet

- When you first met

- What topics you usually talk about

And say why you often meet

Describe a classmate you had at a previous school.

You should mention:

- What that person looked like

- What that person’s personality was like

- What things that person liked doing

And say how that person was different to you

Describe a sportsman you know or know about.

You should say:

- What that person is like

- What sport they play

- How they reached their present position in that sport

And say if you think there is something special about that sportsman, say why.

Describe someone you know who has an interesting or unusual job.

You should say:

- What that person is like

- What that person’s job

- What you think is interesting or unusual about that person’s job

And say if you think that person’s personality suits that job or not, and why

Describe someone you know or know about who has an unusual hobby.

You should mention:

- What the hobby is

- What is unusual about that hobby

- Why you think that person has that hobby

And say what kind of person you think would also like that hobby, and why

Describe a young child you know or know about.

You should say:

- What he or she looks like

- What he or she likes doing

- How that person has changed

And say what you think they might do in the future, and why

Describe someone who is well known in your town, area or country.

You should say:

- What they look like

- What they do

- Why they are well known

And say whether you would like to have this person’s life or not, and why

Describe a musician, singer or other artist you like or know about.

You should say:

- What kind of thing they make

- How long they have been working

- How they are different from other artists

And say whether you like this person’s work or not, and why

Describe a famous person you have met or know about

You should say:

- How famous that person is

- Why that person is famous

- What they are doing now

And say if you think they will become more or less famous in the future, say

why

Describe an historical figure who you know about

You should say:

- Why they are famous or important

- What they did

- When they lived

And say if you think they have a good reputation now or not, and why

Describe someone you know who is particularly skilful at something.

You should explain:

- What that person’s skill is

- What that person needs to be able to do to do that thing well

- How you think that person learnt that skill

And say if you think you could pick up the same skill or not, and why

Describe someone you know or know about who has a lot of responsibility.

You should say:

- What that person is like

- What kind of responsibility that person has

- How well that person deals with his or her responsibilities

And say if you would like to have the same responsibilities or not, and why

Describe someone who is your hero, or is a hero of many people.

You should mention:

- What that person is like

- Why that person is a hero

- How that person is different from other people

And say if you think that person likes being thought of as a hero or not, and why

Describe someone you used to play with when you were younger.

You should say:

- What that person was like

- What kind of games you used to play

- Where you used to play

And say if you are still in touch with that person or not, and why

Describe someone you know or know about who does his or her job well.

You should say:

- What job that person does

- Where they work

- Why you think they do their job well

And say whether you think you could do that job well or not, and why

Describe an old person you know or know about.

You should mention:

- What that person looks like

- What he or she likes doing

- How that person has changed since they were younger

And say if you think that person is happy to be that age or not, and why

Describe someone who looked after you when you were younger.

You should mention:

- What that person was like

- How old you were when they looked after you

- What things they used to do with you

And say if you would look after a child the same way or not, and why

Describe a classroom that you study or have studied in. You should say:

- What it looks like

- What the good things about it are

- What the bad things about it are

And explain how it compares to other classrooms you have studied in before.

Describe a room in the place you are living now

You should say:

- What it looks like

- What you usually use it for

- What things are in it

And say what you would change about that room if you could

Describe a place you have lived in or are living now

You should say:

- Where it is

- What are the good things about it

- What are the bad things about it

And say where you would like to live if you didn’t live there

Describe a city, town or village you know well

You should say:

- Where it is

- What it looks like

- What kind of people live there

And say if you think it is a good place to live or not, and why

Describe a building that has made an impression on you.

You should say:

- What it looks like

- Where it is

- What it is used for

And say if you like that building or not and why

Describe a building, view or natural feature that impressed you.

You should say:

- What kind of place it is

- Where it is

- Why it impressed you

And say whether you think you will go there again or not, and why

Describe a workplace you have worked in or know about

You should say:

- What the building is like

- What facilities it has

- What things there are in the local area

And say if you think it is a good place to work or not, and why

Describe a school that you are studying or have studied in

You should say:

- Where it is

- What it looks like

- What facilities it has

And say if you think it is a good school building or not, and why

Describe a famous building you have seen or know about

You should say:

- What it looks like

- What it is used for

- Why it is famous

And say whether you would like to live in or near this building or not, and why

Describe a place you often go in your free time

You should say:

- Where it is

- Who you go with

- What you do there

And say how you feel when you are there and after you leave

Describe a place you often go. You should say:

- How often you go there

- Why you go there

- What you do there

And say if you enjoy going there or not, and why

Talk about a tourist destination in your town or country.

You should say:

- Why you think that place would be interesting or enjoyable

- What people can do there

- How long you would recommend staying there

And say whether many foreign tourists do visit that place or not, and why

Describe a place that you think is relaxing.

You should explain:

- What kind of place it is

- What you do there

- Why you think it is relaxing

And say whether you think most other people would think that place is relaxing

or not, and why

Describe a place which you think is beautiful. 

You should explain:

- What that place is like

- How you can get there from here

- What kind of people usually go there

And say why you think it is beautiful

Talk about a place you have stayed in on holiday.

You should say:

- How you chose that place

- How long you stayed there

- What the advantages and disadvantages of that place were

And say whether you would like to stay in a similar place in the future or not,

and why

Describe an historical place you have been to

You should say:

- What kind of place it is

- What it looks like

- Where it is

And explain something about the history of the place

Describe a famous natural feature that you have seen or know about:

You should say:

- Where it is

- What kind of place it is surrounded by

- What it looks like

And say why it is famous

Talk about a distant place you have been to on holiday.

You should say

-Where that place is

-Why it is a good place to go on holiday

- What things there are to do there

And say whether you think you will go there again in the near future or not, and

why

Talk about a foreign country you are interested in but have never been to.

You should say:

- What you would like to do there

- What you think that place will be like

- How you first became interested in that place

And say if that place is popular with tourists from your country or not, and why

Talk about a place in your country you have never been to but would like to

visit

You should say:

- Why you have never visited that place

- Why you would like to go there

- What you would like to do there

And say if you think most people would enjoy going to that place or not, and

why

Talk about a day trip you have been on from your hometown or the place you

are living now.

You should say:

- Where you went

- How you travelled

- How you had heard about that place

And say whether you would like to go to a similar place next weekend or not,

and why

Describe a store in your hometown or the place you are living now.

You should say:

- How to get there from your house or flat

- What things they stock

- What things most people buy there

And say whether that is one of the places you often go shopping or not, and why

Describe some countryside near your hometown or the place.

You should say:

- What it is like

- What people usually do there

- How you can get there from the place you are living

And say if you would like to visit that place soon or not, and why

Describe a park or other green space in your hometown or near where you live.

You should say:

- How to get there from your house or flat

- What it is like

- What you can do there

And say if many people go to that place or not, and why

Describe a long distance journey you have been on.

You should say

-Where you went

-What kind or kinds of transport you used

- What the good things and bad things about the journey were

And say whether you would like to go on the same journey again and why

Describe a place you want to go but have never been to

You should say:

- Why you want to go there

- What things you could do there

- How you first heard about it

And say if you think you will go there soon or not, and why

Describe a place you often went as a child

You should say:

- How often you went there

- Why you went there

- What you did there

And say if you go there less often nowadays, and why

Describe your perfect workplace.

You should say:

- What the interior would be look

- What facilities it would have

- What the local area would be like

And say if you think you will ever work in a place like that or not, and why

Describe the first place house or flat you remember living in.

You should say:

- How old you were when you remember being there

- What you remember best about the place

- What the good things and bad things about that place were

And say how that place compares to other places you have lived or stayed in

Describe a place that you have only been to once in your life.

You should say:

- Where it was

- Why you went there

- What you did there

And say if you think you will go there again someday or not, and why

Describe a place that your parents took you to.

You should explain:

- What sort of place it was

- How you got there

- Why your parents took you there

And say whether you would take your own children to a place like that or not,

and why

Talk about your next trip abroad.

You should say:

- Where you are going or would like to go

- What you want to do there

- What souvenirs you would like to bring back

And say whether you think your next trip overseas will be as you would like it

to be or not, and why

Describe one thing that you have to do regularly in your work or studies.

You should say:

- How often you do it

- How good you are at this thing

- What you need to do in order to do this thing well

And say if you think most people would enjoy doing that thing or not, and why

Talk about a job you would like to do in the future.

You should say:

- What people have to do in that job

- Why you are interested in that job

- If there are any disadvantages or difficulties to doing that job

And say if you think you will be good at that job or not, and why

Talk about a subject you would like to study in the future.

You should say:

- What you need to study as part of that subject

- Where you can study it

- What you think the most difficult things about that subject would be

And say if you think studying that subject will be useful in your future life or

not, and why

Talk about a sport you did or were interested in when you were a child.

You should say:

- Why you liked it

- How you first became interested in it

- Why you became less interested in it

And say if you friends were interested in the same sport or not, and why

Describe a project you had to do in your studies or job.

You should say:

- Who asked you to do that project

- What the main aim of the project was

- Who helped you with it

And say if you think that project as a success or not, and why

Talk about a hobby you are interested in but have never tried.

You should mention:

- Why you are interested in that hobby

- Why you have never tried it before

- What things you would have to do before you could start doing that hobby

And say if you think most people would also like to try that hobby or not, and

why

Talk about one thing you are planning to do or might do next weekend.

You should mention:

- Where you can do that thing

- How you can get there

- Any equipment you need to do it

And say whether you are looking forward to doing that thing or not, and why

Talk about one thing you are planning to do after you pass this test.

You should mention:

- What you want to do

- Why you decided you wanted to do that thing

- How long you have had that plan

And say whether a good mark in IELTS will help you achieve that thing or not,

and if so how

Talk about another language you would like to learn.

You should say:

- Which countries or regions it is spoken in

- How it is different from your language and from English

- Why you are interested in that language

And say if you think it is more or less difficult to learn than English and your

language, and why

Talk about a foreign language apart from English that you are interested in

learning.

You should say:

- Where it is the main language

- How that language differs from your language and from English

- How you first became interested in that language

And say if you think that would be an easy language to learn for you or not, and

why

Talk about a sport you are interested in but have never played.

You should say:

- What equipment people use to play that sport

- How it is played

- What kinds of people usually play this sport

And say if you think you will do this sport in the future or not, and why

Talk about one method of learning English or another foreign language you

have used.

You should say:

- How you found out about this method

- What it consists of

- How it compares to other methods of learning a language

And say if you think that is the best way to learn a language or not, and why

Talk about a test in English or another foreign language you have taken at

school or elsewhere.

You should say:

- Where you took the test

- How long it was

- What skills and language knowledge was tested

And say if you think that was a good test of your language level or not, and why

Talk about a short term goal or ambition you have.

You should say:

- How you first decided on that goal or ambition

- Who you have told about it

- What your next step needs to be in order to achieve it

And say if you think it will be easy to achieve that goal or ambition or not, and

why

Talk about a long term goal or ambition you have.

You should say:

- Why you have that goal or ambition

- When you would like to achieve that by

- When you think you will achieve that by

And say what you will do if you can’t achieve that goal or ambition

Describe an   item that you have that is important to you:

You should say:

- What it is

- When, where and how you got it

- How it helps you in your life

And say what you would do if you didn’t have one of these

Describe an electronic item   that is important to you:

You should say:

- What it looks like

- What it can do

- How it helps you in your life

And say what you would do if you didn’t have one of these

Talk about something you use for your work or studies.

You should say:

- What it looks like

- What it is used for

- How often you use it

And say if you would be able to do you work or studies without this thing, and

if so how

Talk about a thing that is important to take with you when you go away on

holiday.

You should say:

- What it looks like

- How you use it

- When you first started using it

And say if you think this thing is important to everyone or not, and why

Describe a present that you have received

You should say:

- Who gave it to you

- Why they gave it to you

- If you liked it or not

And say what kind of person that present might be suitable for

Describe a present that you gave someone

You should say:

- Who you gage it to

- Why you gave them a present

- Why you chose that present

And say if you think they enjoyed that present or not, and why

Describe a famous food from your hometown or country.

You should say:

- What it looks like

- What it tastes like

- When and how it is usually eaten

And say why you think it is famous

Describe an item of clothing that you often wear:

You should say:

- What it looks like

- When and how you got it

- When you wear it

And say how it compares to other clothes you have

Describe an item of clothing that you have had for a long time

You should say:

- What it looks like

- How long you have had it

- How you got it

And say why you have had never got rid of it

Describe a possession that you have had for a long time

You should say:

- What it looks like

- How long you have had it

- How you got it

And say why you have had never got rid of it

Talk about a pet you have or have had.

You should mention:

-What it looked like

-What its personality was like

-What you do or did with it

And say what kind of person a similar pet might be suitable for.

Talk about something that is in your bag or pocket now

You should say:

- What it looks like

- How and when you use it

- How and when you first got it

And say if you could live without it or not, and why

Talk about an English book you have read or used.

You should say:

- How you got that book

- Why you read or used it

- What you learnt from using it

And say if you would like to use a book like that again or not, and why

Talk about something you would particularly like to purchase.

You should mention:

- How much is costs

- Where it can be bought

- Why you want it

And say if you think you will be able buy it in the near future or not, and why

Describe the transport system for commuters in your city or country.

You should say

-What kind of transport is available

-Which kind of transport is the most popular

-What the good points and bad points of the transport system is

And say how you think it should be changed in the future.

Talk about a musical instrument you would like to be able to play but can’t.

You should say:

- What the instrument looks like

- How it is played

- What kinds of music people play  on it

And say if you think you would be able to learn to play that instrument well or

not, and why

Describe a wild animal in your country. You should say:

-What it looks like

-Where it lives

-What it does

And say if you would like to live near one of these animals or not, and why

Talk about a future festival or celebration in your family or your country.

You should say:

- If it will be an important celebration

- What will be celebrated

- What you will do on that day

And say if you think you will enjoy that day or not, and why

Talk about a time when you visited someone else’s house

You should say:

- When and how you were invited

- How you replied to the invitation

- If you took anything with you

- What you did in that person’s house

And say if you prefer socialising in people’s homes or in restaurants etc

Describe a party that you have been to:

You should say:

- Who gave the party

- Why you were invited

- Why the party was given

And say if you enjoyed the party or not, and why

Talk about an important day in your life.

You should say:

- When this day was

- If you were alone or with others

- Where you were and what happened

And explain why this day was important to you

Talk about a birthday you remember well.

You should say:

- What you did

- Who you spent the day with

- Why you remember that birthday so well

And say if you would like to have exactly the same kind of birthday again or

not, and why

Describe a holiday you have had:

You should say:

-How you travelled

- What activities you did on holiday

- Who you went with

And say if you would recommend that holiday to a friend or not, and why

Describe your typical day when you are not working or studying

You should say:

- What things you do

- How long you spend doing those things

- What the most enjoyable thing you do is

And say if those days are usually the same or vary

Describe a typical festival or celebration in your country:

You should say:

- When the celebration takes place

- Why people celebrate at that time

- What people do during this celebration

And say if that celebration is important to you or not, and why

Talk about your last or a recent family gathering.

You should say:

- Why you got together

- Where you got together

- What you did together

And say if everyone enjoyed themselves or not, and why

Describe an important historical event in your country:

You should say:

- When it happened

- What happened

- Who the most important people involved were

And say why it is important to the history of your country

Talk about your favourite day of the year

You should say:

- When that day is

- What you like about it

- What you usually do on that day

And say if most people your age in your country feel the same way about that

day

Talk about how your family usually celebrates the New Year.

You should say:

- Where people usually go

- Who they spend time with

- What they do to celebrate the New Year

And say if New Year is one your favourite festivals or not, and why

Talk about the next time you will go away on holiday.

You should say:

- Where you would like to go

- What you will be able to do in that place

- What preparations you have already made to go there

And say if you think that is a place you will go more than once in the future or

not, and why

Speaking Part 1 & 3 Sample questions

1. How has education changed in your country in the last 10 years?
2. What changes do you foresee in the next 50 years?
3. How do the expectations of today’s school leavers compare with those of the previous generation?
4. What role do you think extracurricular activities play in education?
5. What method of learning works best for you?
6. How beneficial do you think it is to group students according to their level of ability?
7. Do you think the cinema has increased or decreased in popularity in recent years?
8. In your opinion, will this trend continue into the future?
9. What are the advantages and disadvantages of making films of real-life events?
10. How important do you think it is for a film-maker to remain true to the original story?
11. Should films and television be censored or should we be free to choose what we see?
12. How do you think censorship laws will change in the next 20 years?
13. How important are ceremonies in our lives?
14. Do you see the role of private and public ceremonies changing in the future?
15. Have attitudes to marriage changed in recent years?
16. In what ways do men and women feel differently about marriage, in your opinion?
17. What sort of national events make headlines in your country?
18. Do the media in your country pay more attention to global or national events?
19. What kind of possessions shows status in your country?
20. Do you think it was different for your grandparents?
21. Modern society is often called ‘materialistic’. Why do you think this is?
22. Do you think consumerism is a positive or a negative development?
23. What is the role of advertising?
24. How do you think the Internet will affect buying patterns in the future?
25. How do people in your country feel about protecting historic buildings?
26. Do you think an area can benefit from having an interesting historic place locally? In what way?
27. What do you think will happen to historic places or buildings in the future? Why?
28. How were you taught history when you were at school?
29. Are there other ways people can learn about history, apart from the school? How?
30. Do you think history will still be a school subject in the future? Why?
31. Do you think having a hobby is good for people’s social life? In what way?
32. Are there any negative effects of a person spending too much time on their hobby? What are they?
33. Why do you think people need to have an interest or hobby?
34. In your country, how much time do people spend on work and how much time on leisure?
35. Is this a good balance, do you think?
36. Would you say the amount of free time has changed much in the last fifty years?
37. Do you think people will have more or less free time in the future? Why?
38. What do people enjoy doing when they visit rivers, lakes or the sea?
39. Why do you think these activities are popular?
40. What benefits do you think people get from the activities they enjoy in the water?
41. What are the different advantages of going to the sea or to a swimming pool to enjoy you? What do
you think the disadvantages are?
42. How does water transport, like boats and ships, compare with other kinds? Are there any
advantages/disadvantages of water transport?
43. How important is it for a town or city to be located near a river or the sea? Why?
44. 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?
45. What effect has the internet had on the way people generally communicate with each other?
46. Why do you think the internet is being used more and more for communication?
47. How reliable do you think information from the internet is? Why?
48. What about the news on the internet?
49. Why do you think some people use the internet for shopping?
50. Why doesn’t everyone use it in this way?
51. What kinds of things are easy to buy and sell online? Can you give some examples?
52. Do you think shopping on the internet will be more or less popular in the future? Why?
53. What kind of people become famous people these days?
54. Is this difficult from the kind of achievement that made people famous in the past? In what way?
55. How do you think people will become famous in the future?
56. What are the good things about being famous? Are there any disadvantages?
57. How do the media in your country treat famous people?
58. Why do you think ordinary people are interested in the lives of famous people?
59. What kinds of music are popular with young people in your culture?
60. What do you think influences a young person’s taste in music?
61. How has technology affected the kinds of music popular with young people?
62. Tell me about any traditional music in your culture.
63. How important is it for a culture to have musical traditions?
64. Why do you think countries have national anthems or songs?
65. What do you think are the most important qualities for friends to have?
66. Which are more important to people their family or their friends? Why?
67. What do you think causes friendships to break up?
68. What other types of relationship, apart from friends or family, are important in people’s lives today?
69. Have relationship with neighbours where you live changed in recent years? How?
70. How important do you think it is for a person to spend some time alone? Why/Why not?
71. Why do you think festivals are important events in the working years?
72. Would you agree that the original significance of festivals is often lost today? Is it good or bad, do you
think?
73. Do you think that new festivals will be introduced in the future? What kind?
74. What role do the media play in festivals, do you think?
75. Do you think it’s good or bad to watch festivals in TV? Why?
76. How may globalization affect different festivals around the world?
77. In what ways can people in a family be similar to each other?
78. Do you think that daughters are always more similar to mothers than to male relatives? What about
sons and fathers?
79. In terms of personality, are people more influenced by their family or by their friends? In what ways?
80. Where can people in your country get information about genetic research?
81. How do people in your country feel about genetic research?
82. Should this research be funded by governments or private companies? Why?
83. What do most people do to keep fit in your country?
84. How important is it for people to do some regular physical exercise?
85. Why do some people think that modern lifestyles are not healthy?
86. Why do some people choose to lead unhealthy lives?
87. Should individuals or governments be responsible for making people’s lifestyle healthy?
88. What could be done to encourage people to live in a healthy way?
89. How have games changed from the time when you were a child?
90. Do you think this has been a positive change? Why?
91. Why do you think children like playing games?
92. Do you think competitive games are good or bad for children? In what ways?
93. How can games sometimes help to unite people?
94. Why is competition often seen as important in today’s society?
95. What are the typical choices people make at different stages of their lives?
96. Should important choices be made by parents rather than by young adults?
97. Why do some people like to discuss choices with other people?
98. What kind of choices do people have to make in their everyday life?
99. Why so some people choose to do the same things every day?
100. Are there any disadvantages in this?
101. Do you think that people today have more choices to make today than in the past?
102. What are the main reasons why people organize family parties in your country?
103. Do people spend lot money on parties that celebrate special family events?
104. Do you think this is a good trend or a bad trend?
105. Are there many differences between family parties and parties given by friends?
106. Why do you think this is?
107. What kinds of national celebration do you have in your country?
108. Who tends to enjoy national celebrations more: young people or old people? Why?
109. Are national celebrations a waste of government money?  Why?
110. Do you think that education should be about memorizing the important ideas of the past? Why?
111. Should education encourage students to have their own new ideas? Why?
112. How do you think teachers could help students to develop and share their own ideas?
113. Should employers encourage their workers to have new ideas about improving the company? Why?
114. Do you think people sometimes dislike ideas because they are new? Why?
115. What is more difficult: having new ideas or putting them into practice?
116. Which is more important for a successful company?
117. Why do you think some school teachers use competitions as class activities?
118. Do you think it is a good thing to give prizes to children who do well at school? Why?
119. Have schools for young children become more or less competitive since you were that age? Why?
120. What are advantages and disadvantages of intensive training for young sportspeople?
121. Some people think that competitions lead to a better performance from sports stars. Others think it
just makes players feel insecure. What is your opinion?
122. Do you think that it is possible to become too competitive in sport? In what way?
123. What kinds of machine are used for housework in modern homes in your country?
124. How have these machines benefited people?
125. Are there any negative effects of using them?
126. Do you think all new homes will be equipped with household machines in the future? Why?
127. What kinds of equipment do most workers need to use in offices today?
128. How have developments in technology affected employment in your country?
129. Has technology brought more stress than benefits to employed people nowadays? Why?
130. Do young people and old people have different attitudes to routines where you live?
131. What are the benefits and drawbacks of having a daily routine?
132. What factors influence most people’s daily routine?
133. Do you think people get enough choice in their daily routines? Why/why not?
134. How are work or study schedules today different from those in the past? Why?
135. Is this a positive or negative development? Why?
136. How do you think people’s routines and schedules will change in the future?
137. Why do you think people want to visit other countries?
138. What makes some places very attractive to tourists?
139. Do people travel abroad more or less than they did in the past? Why/why not?
140. Will international tourism increase or decrease in the future? Why?
141. How can tourism benefit local people and places?
142. Are there any drawbacks of tourism?
143. Does tourism help to promote international understanding? Why/why not?
144. How reliable is tourism as an industry?
145. How do people usually meet new friends where you live?
146. Is it easier for adults or children to make new friends? Why?
147. How are relationships with friends different from relationships at work/college?
148. Is it possible for people to be close friends with their boss or teacher? Why/why not?
149. Some people think that friends can never be as important as family. Do you agree?
150. How are responsibilities towards friends and family different?
151. Will the relative importance of friends and family change in future societies?
152. Are there more goods available in shops now than in the past? Why/why not?
153. Do people generally prefer to bur products from their own or from other countries?
154. What kinds of products are most affected by fashions from other countries?
155. Will overseas trends and fashions have more or less impact on what people buy in the future?
156. What kind of techniques do advertisers use to persuade people to buy more?
157. Who should be responsible for the quality of products: producers, shops or customers?
158. How could governments protect the rights of consumers?
159. What type of special occasions is generally celebrated in your country?
160. How important is it for families to celebrate occasions together? Why?
161. Are family occasions as important today as they were for former generations?
162. How has the role of elderly people in the family changed in recent times?
163. Who has more power and influence in the family today, young people or grandparents?
164. In the future, what kind of units or groups will people live in, do you think?
165. What impact have modern lifestyles had on neighbourhood communities? Why?
166. In your country, which do people prefer: watching TV or listening to radio? Why?
167. What kind or programmes are most popular?
168. Do men and women tend to like the same kind or programmes? Why/why not?
169. Some people think that watching TV can be a negative influence. Would you agree?
170. What benefits can TV bring people?
171. What priorities do you think TV stations should have?
172. What kind of ‘interactive’ programmes are there in your country?
173. Are these a good or a bad development? Why?
174. What kind of programmes will there be in the future, do you think?
175. Do you like cities generally?
176. Do you like to stay in a city that you have mentioned?
177. What are the advantages of living in a big city?
178. What are the negative aspects of crowded cities?
179. What are the architectural designs in a city that you have visited?
180. What are the services that you have paid in that city?
181. What are the transport systems of that city?
182. Do you enjoy entering competitions?
183. Have you entered any other competitions?
184. What are the competitions at a young age?
185. What are the competitions held at schools?
186. What are the values of international competitions?
187. What is the psychology of competing?
188. What do you understand by competitive spirit?
189. Do you value the experience you had in a job you had?
190. Would you consider doing the same type of job again?
191. What are the advantages of young people working?
192. What are the types of part-time work available in your country?
193. How do people in your country choose a career?
194. What motivates people to work?
195. Having a job security or having more than one career is better? Why?
196. Do you like museums/art galleries?
197. Would you recommend the museum/art gallery that you have visited to other people?
198. What is the need for museums and art galleries in our society?
199. How museums can be made more interesting?
200. Which is better: museum art or popular art?
201. Is graffiti* an art or vandalism?   [*drawings made with spray paint in public spaces]
202. What is the role of public artworks, e.g. statues and buildings in a country?
203. Did you enjoy your time at school?
204. Would you recommend your school to others?
205. What are the advantages and disadvantages of single sex and co-educational schools?
206. What is the importance of school uniforms?
207. Should the teacher be an authority or a friend?
208. What is the role of the teacher in the language classroom?
209. Which is better: education or training?
210. As well as lending books to borrowers, what other services are provided by a good library?
211. Does a library serve any other function the community?
212. How has access to information changed over the last hundred years or so?
213. What are the advantages of using the Internet over visiting a library?
214. Are there any advantages of using a library in preference to searching the Internet?
215. Do you think that the Internet disadvantages some people over others? In what way?
216. Many people cannot read or write will in their own language. How can this be solved?
217. People are reading less and less these days; why do you think this is?
218. How can people be encouraged to read more?
219. What about electronic books – do they have a future?
220. How do you think people’s attitudes to life have changed over the last hundred years or so?
221. How is your behavior different to your parents’ behavior?
222. What do you think has caused these changes – why have people changed so much?
223. How is modern life better that in the past? In what ways?
224. Describe the main problems that people face living in the modern world?
225. Are there any solutions to these problems?
226. Do you think the way we live will continue to change in the future? In what way?
227. What do you think will be the greatest influence on young people in the future?
228. What are the greatest dangers that young people will face in the future?
229. Who are the best role models for young people these days?
230. How has the ceremony changed over time?
231. Whether you expect the ceremony to survive in the modern world, and why, or why not?
232. What changes you might expect the ceremony to undergo in the future.
233. What is the ceremony’s importance in your culture now and in the future?
234. Who might support the ceremony, and how might be happy to let it die away?
235. What role do traditional ceremonies play in the social life of people in your country?
236. What traditions were important for your grandparents, say 50 years ago?
237. Which traditions will continue to be celebrated in the future?
238. How would you describe young peoples’ attitudes towards tradition?
239. Are customs and traditions changing these days? Why do you think this is happening?
240. Do you think traditions and customs are affected by advertising?
241. Do some countries celebrate traditions more than others?
242. Are films popular where you come from?
243. Are people going to the cinema more these days compared with 25 years ago?
244. What films are popular with young people?
245. Do people’s taste in films change as they grow older?
246. Has technology made a difference to the quality of modern films?
247. How will technology be used to improve films in the future?
248. Why have the forms of popular entertainment changed over the years?
249. Will people still go to the cinema in the future?
250. Are people taking more holidays and traveling far away these days?
251. Where did people go for holidays in your grandparents’ time – say 50 years ago?
252. Where do people usually like to go for a holiday away these days?
253. Why do people want to travel, to go away, for a holiday?
254. Is tourism having an effect on the environment?
255. How important is the tourist dollar for the economy?
256. Will the tourist industry grow in the next 10-20 years? Why?
257. What do you think of tourism designed not to damage the environment?
258. What makes a person famous?
259. What kinds of people were famous in your grandparents’ time?
260. In your opinion, is being well-known easy to live with?
261. What kinds of people will be famous in the future?
262. What responsibilities to society do famous people have?
263. Do you think the children of famous people have an easy time?
264. Would you like to be famous? Would being famous change you?
265. Should the media be able to invade the privacy of famous people?
266. What are the qualities of a good teacher?
267. What differences in teaching styles have you experienced with different teachers?
268. Should teachers use discipline in the classroom?
269. Can students learn from computers?
270. Can you describe the education system in your country?
271. When should children start formal schooling?
272. Has education changed since your parents’ day – in the last 25 years?
273. Should education be free?
274. Is sport popular in your country?
275. What is your favourite sport?
276. Do you prefer to watch or play sport?
277. Do you prefer to play an individual or group sport?
278. Do any of the sports teams in your country compete internationally?
279. Can people get too emotional or excited about their favourite team?
280. Based on present performance and past history, will Brazil win the next World Cup?
281. Do more people watch sport than play it in your country?
282. Why do people enjoy watching others play competitive sport?
283. Which is more dangerous – football or basketball?
284. Give some examples of dangerous sports.
285. Why are exercise and a good diet important?
286. Do you think playing sport can make people become too competitive?
287. Why do you think people like travelling?
288. Why do you think so many people want to visit China?
289. Do you think tourism is a well-developed industry in China?
290. Which is better – travel alone or with a group of friends?
291. Which do you prefer – backpacking or travelling first class?
292. Tell me about a recent short holiday you took.
293. Describe the most beautiful place you visited.
294. Do you live in a house or an apartment?
295. Do you like where you live?
296. Are you sharing or living alone?
297. What are some of the problems with sharing?
298. Can you describe your accommodation?
299. Which is your favourite room?
300. Do you plan to live there for a long time? Why? Why not?
301. Is it important for young people to visit different places before they go to university or college?
302. What sort of challenges do you think you would have, going on a gap year as a student?
303. Do you think it’s useful to work, for other reasons as well, besides money?
304. What sort of jobs do you think would be the best sort of jobs to do?
305. What sort of preparation should a student make before they go on a gap year, do you think?
306. What sort of advantages are there to reading about a country before you visit it?
307. Do you think there are any disadvantages?
308. Do you choose to have a guide, when you go to a very unfamiliar place?
309. Do you think that improves the quality of travel experience?
310. Do you think you learn more from visiting important sites or from meeting local people?
311. What kind of food do you like to eat?
312. What kind of new food would you like to try? Why?
313. Do you like cooking? Why? Why not?
314. Why do you think people go to restaurants?
315. Do you prefer home-cooked food or food from restaurant? Why?
316. Discuss the role of movies in society today.
317. Discuss the role of advertising in modern culture.
318. Discuss how important tourism is in your country these days.
319. Discuss the importance of role models for the youth of today.
320. Discuss whether you think books are too expensive to buy.
321. Discuss what you think makes a good school.
322. Compare movies made in your country with movies made in America.
323. Compare products made in your country with those made overseas.
324. Compare travel in the past, say a hundred years ago, with travel today.
325. Compare the differences between students in your own country and those from overseas.
326. Compare the differences between reading a book in your language and in English.
327. Compare the education system in your own country with that of your host country.
328. How often and where do you go to the movies? Describe the cinema you usually go to.
329. How do products made these days compare with those made in the past?
330. How might the tourist industry in your country change in the future?
331. How can students improve their performance at school?
332. How useful are books translated from English or from other languages into your language?
333. How have schools changed in the last hundred years?
334. What are the advantages of being a movie star or director?
335. What are some of the advantages of advertising?
336. What are some of the advantages of travel?
337. Are there any advantages of being popular at school?
338. What are the advantages of a book compared with a movie version of a book?
339. What are some of the advantages of doing well at school?
340. What are the disadvantages of being a movie star or director?
341. Are there any disadvantages of seeing advertisements everywhere?
342. What are the disadvantages of in the increased popularity of tourism?
343. What are the disadvantages of being unpopular at school?
344. Are there disadvantages of making books out of paper? Are there any alternatives?
345. In what ways does a bad teacher disadvantage students?
346. Do you think television has helped to make the world a better place to live in?
347. Do you think banning advertisements for alcohol and smoking is worthwhile? Why?
348. What do you think is the best way to plan a holiday? Why?
349. Do you think it is harder to study when you are young or when you are older? Why?
350. In what ways do you think being a writer might be an interesting job?
351. What sort of equipment do you think is useful in a language school? Why?
352. Explain what you think movies might be like in a hundred years from now.
353. Explain some of the differences between a consumer society and a primitive society.
354. Explain what we can do to protect nature in the future.
355. Explain the most effective methods of punishment for bad students.
356. Explain why you cannot learn English only from a book.
357. Explain how schools might look in the future.