1 As the number of cars increases, more money has to be spent on the road systems. Some people think that the government should be responsible for the costs. Others, however, argue that car users should pay for the costs. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
2 Staying healthy by playing sports and eating well should be an individual’s duty to society rather than a habit for personal benefits. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
3 Nowadays the news media have greater influence on people’s ideas and opinions than in the past. Why is this the case? Is this a positive or negative development?
4 Some people think that the only purpose of prison is to punish criminals. Others, however, argue that it has other purposes as well. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
5 Some people think that today, children live under more pressure than children did in the past. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
6 Schools should only offer subjects that are beneficial to students’ future careers. Other subjects, such as music and sports, are not important. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
7 The unemployment rate is very high in many countries. Some people think that in these countries, young students only need to receive primary education. Secondary education should not be offered to those who will have little hope of finding a job. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
8 Team activities can teach children more life skills than activities that are done alone. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
9 Lectures were used in the past as a good way to teach a large number of students. As new technology is now available for education, some people suggest that there is no justification for lectures. Do you agree or disagree?
10 Young people today tend to find mobile phones and the Internet very helpful. However, it is not common for elderly people to use them. In what ways can mobile phones and the Internet be useful to elderly people? How can elderly people be encouraged to use them?
11 The older generations have traditional ideas about the correct ways of life, thinking and behaviour. Some people argue that these ideas are not helpful for the younger generation to prepare for modern life. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
12 Some people believe that there should be a single international language. Others, however, believe that would make it difficult to preserve cultural identities. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
13 International travel is cheaper than ever before, and more countries have opened their doors to tourists. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?
14 Some people think that men and women have different qualities. Some jobs are more suitable for men while other jobs are more suitable for women. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
15 Some people think that the developments in agriculture, such as factory farming and creations of new types of vegetables, have brought more benefits than problems. Do you agree or disagree?
16 Nowadays air transport is used to export a wide variety of food to countries where the food is out of season. Some people think this is a positive development. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
17 The consumption of natural resources on Earth has been increasing at an alarming rate and has reached a dangerous level. What are the causes of this? What should be done to address this problem?
18 We have entered a “throw-away society” and are filling the environment with plastic bags and rubbish that we cannot fully dispose of. What are the causes of this? Suggest some solutions to it.
19 Some people think that international co-operation has many benefits for environmental protection, while others argue that it has more benefits for international business. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
20 Some people think that the appearance of a building is more important than its function. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?