FILE 1. WE ARE FAMILY / A JOB FOR LIFE
DIALOGUE
1 What kind of work would give you job satisfaction? Why?
2 Are you a planner or would you say you’re more spontaneous? Give examples.
3 What activities or experiences would you put on your bucket list? Why?
4 Do you have any particular talents or skills? What? / Why?
5 Have you inherited any family traits? If so, what? If not, which three adjectives best describe your personality?
6 Which person has inspired you the most?
7 When you argue with friends or family, what do you argue about?
8 Why is it important to do the things you enjoy regularly?
9 Which three adjectives best describe your personality?
10 What kind of work would give you job satisfaction?
MONOLOGUE. PARTNER A
1 ‘It’s more important to have job satisfaction than a high salary.’
2 ‘It is not possible to be both successful and happy.’
3 ‘Most people’s personalities do not change as they get older.’
MONOLOGUE. PARTNER B
1 ‘It’s OK to tell a white lie now and then.’
2 ‘You can easily tell someone’s personality type just by looking at their social media profiles.’
3 ‘Your social status and wealth are the best indicators of your personal success.’
FILE 2. DO YOU REMEMBER…? / ON THE TIP OF MY TONGUE
DIALOGUE
1 How do you think you’ll use English in future?
2 Why is it important to let children enjoy being children?
3 What’s your favourite memory of your childhood?
4 Do you have a favourite word, phrase, or idiom in English? Which? Why?
5 Did you have a favourite book or author when you were a child? Which? Who? Why?
6 What do you remember about the holidays you had when you were a child?
7 Why do you think native English speakers often don’t learn new languages?
8 How important is it to read in childhood? Explain.
9 What can you remember about the teachers you had when you were a child?
10 Why is it important for children to play?
MONOLOGUE. PARTNER A
1 ‘Physical (paper) books will soon be a thing of the past.’
2 ‘The English language will not be as important in the future as it is now.’
3 ‘I remember many stories from my childhood.’
MONOLOGUE. PARTNER B
1 ‘When learning a language, you should always try to sound exactly like a native speaker.’
2 ‘Children today have too much freedom.’
3 ‘It’s important to keep the culture of traditional storytelling alive.’
FILE 3. A LOVE-HATE RELATIONSHIP / DRAMATIC LICENCE
DIALOGUE
1 What is the best way to resolve a conflict between friends or family members?
2 Do you have any aversions? If so, to what? Why?
3 What historical event would you make a movie about if you could?
4 Do you think dating apps which show what others hate would be effective? Why / Why not?
5 Is it ever justified to take revenge on someone?
6 Which historical movies have you seen and enjoyed?
7 How do you usually relax?
8 Why do you think directors change historical facts when they make films?
9 What is the best way to end a toxic friendship?
10 When did you last get someone a present? What did you get? Why?
MONOLOGUE. PARTNER A
1 ‘It’s important to date someone who is interested in the same things as you.’
2 ‘It does not matter if a historical film, drama series, or novel is factually inaccurate.’
3 ‘There is never a good way of ending a relationship.’
MONOLOGUE. PARTNER B
1 ‘Online dating is a good way of meeting new people.’
2 ‘Conflict can always be avoided if there is good communication between those involved.’
3 ‘Historical films and TV drama series should always be factually accurate.’
FILE 4. AN OPEN BOOK / THE SOUND OF SILENCE
DIALOGUE
1 Which noises do you find most annoying? Why?
2 Would you flick to the end of a book to check the ending? Why / Why not?
3 What is your view on the value of silence?
4 Do you spend much time reading? Why / Why not?
5 What challenges might there be when translating a book? Why?
6 What kind of books interest you the most?
7 Are there any sounds you particularly like? Why?
8 In what situations would you talk to strangers?
9 If you wrote a book, what kind of book would it be?
10 What do you do to get some peace and quiet?
MONOLOGUE. PARTNER A
1 ‘Translators should try to exactly reproduce what the original author has written.’
2 ‘It is best to read reviews of a book before buying it.’
3 ‘In modern life, it is very hard to get to know new people.’
MONOLOGUE. PARTNER B
1 ‘You should stop reading a book if you don’t enjoy the first chapter.’
2 ‘Silence is essential for a healthy mind.’
3 ‘Watching a foreign film with subtitles is less enjoyable than watching a film in your own language.’
FILE 5. NO TIME FOR ANYTHING / NOT FOR PROFIT?
DIALOGUE
1 What would you most like to be able to buy?
2 Which modern gadget do you find the most useful? Why?
3 Would you say your life is too busy? Why / Why not?
4 Amongst your friends, what is considered to be most important: money, social status, family, environment, or something else? Give reasons and examples.
5 What do you wish you had or hadn’t done in the last five years?
6 Do you support any small or local businesses? Why / Why not?
7 Why is it important to keep a budget?
8 Is there anything about modern life that you can’t accept? Why?
9 What kind of multitasking do you do? How easy do you find it?
10 What is the general attitude towards money in your country?
MONOLOGUE. PARTNER A
1 ‘In future, everyone will live an anti-capitalist lifestyle.’
2 ‘It’s better to be busy than have too much time to kill.’
3 ‘It’s important for me to save money for my retirement.’
MONOLOGUE. PARTNER B
1 ‘In order to have an exciting life you should be prepared to live beyond your means.’
2 ‘Today, young people are encouraged to be too materialistic.’
3 ‘Technology has had a negative effect on communication between people.’
FILE 6. HELP, I NEED SOMEBODY! / CAN’T GIVE IT UP
DIALOGUE
1 How many hours do you spend on social media per day? What do you do?
2 If you had to have a long-distance relationship, do you think it would last? Why?
3 What makes you cringe? Why?
4 What causes you stress, and how do you deal with it?
5 Have you ever read a self-help book? If so, what about? If not, why not?
6 What, in your opinion, are the main causes of stress in modern society?
7 Which aspect of your life would you like to improve? Why?
8 Do you do any extra-curricular activities? If so, what / why? If not, why?
9 If you could only keep one personal possession, what would it be? Why?
10 What are the main problems caused by our dependence on technology?
MONOLOGUE. PARTNER A
1 ‘Addictions are the greatest problem in society today.’
2 ‘Exams are the best way of measuring a student’s progress.’
3 ‘It is better to keep your problems to yourself rather than share them with friends and family.’
MONOLOGUE. PARTNER B
1 ‘Long-distance friendships and romantic relationships are destined to fail’
2 ‘Self-help guides are a waste of time and money.’
3 ‘It is better to keep your problems to yourself rather than share them with friends and family.’
FILE 7. AS A MATTER OF FACT… / A MASTERPIECE?
DIALOGUE
1 Can you describe an artwork or artist you admire? Say why you like it / them.
2 Which law would you most like to abolish?
3 On holiday would you rather visit a natural landscape or a city attraction? Why?
4 What’s your favourite food like in terms of looks, taste, and texture? Do you make it or buy it?
5 Have you ever taken part in a quiz? If so, how did you do? If not, would you like to? Why / Why not?
6 What rules do you have: at school/college, at home? Do you agree with them?
7 Describe your most recent experience of art. Where was it? What did you think of it?
8 Can you describe a traditional dish (from any country). What is it like in terms of looks, taste and texture?
9 Is there anything you think that cannot be considered art?
10 Do you think most people live within the laws, or break them?
MONOLOGUE. PARTNER A
1 ‘Public money should not be spent on public art when there are many more important causes which need funding.’
2 ‘People don’t need lots of laws in order to behave well.’
3 ‘Everyone ought to spend time in a museum or art gallery at least once a month.’
MONOLOGUE. PARTNER B
1 ‘Attendance at school should be voluntary rather than compulsory.’
2 ‘Laws are more about government control than keeping the public safe.’
3 ‘People who can’t appreciate art are missing something very important in life.’
FILE 8. THE BEST MEDICINE? / A ‘MUST-SEE’ ATTRACTION
DIALOGUE
1 Which part of the world would you most like to visit? Why?
2 Which place in your own country would you most recommend to visitors?
3 What are the benefits of vaccinating children?
4 Would you consider trying something like aromatherapy, hypnotherapy, or acupuncture? Why / not?
5 Have you ever been delayed at the airport? If so, for how long? Why?
6 Which part of the world would you most like to visit?
7 Can you describe a local tourist attraction? Why is it popular?
8 Have you ever used alternative medicine? If so, how effective was it? If not, would you consider using it?
9 How healthy is your lifestyle? Could you improve it?
10 Have you ever had problems with transport or connection on a journey? What happened? Why?
MONOLOGUE. PARTNER A
1 ‘Social prescribing is just a way for doctors to reduce their own workloads.’
2 ‘Tourist numbers at famous attractions should be restricted in order to ensure buildings, monuments, and natural landscape are not damaged by crowds.’
3 ‘It is very hard to have a healthy lifestyle in the modern world.’
MONOLOGUE. PARTNER B
1 ‘It’s as interesting to travel in your own country as it is to travel abroad.’
2 ‘I would use alternative medicine if modern medicine didn’t work.’
3 ‘Tourism does more harm than good to communities and the environment.’
FILE 9. PET HATES / HOW TO COOK, HOW TO EAT
DIALOGUE
1 What is your ideal meal at a restaurant? Why?
2 What type of diet do you have? Why?
3 What are the most common dishes in your country?
4 Have you ever had a pet? If so, what? If not, would you like one?
5 Why is it important to learn about animals and their behaviour?
6 How good are you at cooking?
7 How do you prepare your favourite food?
8 How would you describe your diet? Would you consider changing it? Why/why not?
9 Which animal frightens you the most?
10 What do you think of animal rights in your country?
MONOLOGUE. PARTNER A
1 ‘Shopping locally is the only way to ensure food security and sustainability.’
2 ‘Animals should not be bred in captivity.’
3 ‘Growing and cooking food should be an important part of the curriculum in all schools.’
MONOLOGUE. PARTNER B
1 ‘Frozen and convenience foods have been a terrible invention.’
2 ‘Too many animals are kept in unsatisfactory conditions for our entertainment (i.e. zoos, aquariums, pets).’
3 ‘Cooking is not something that I enjoy doing.’
FILE 10. ON YOUR MARKS, SET, GO! / NO DIRECTION HOME
DIALOGUE
1 If you went to live in another country, what would you miss most?
2 Is there anything you have loved or hated after returning home from another place? What? Why?
3 Can you describe in detail how to play a sport or game or do an exercise activity?
4 Would you fancy living abroad or travelling long-term? If so why / where? If not, why not?
5 Do you enjoy watching sports? Why / Why not?
6 What reasons might people have for leaving their native country?
7 What do you like most about professional sports?
8 Which sports are the most popular in your country? Why?
9 Which sport would you most like to be good at?
10 What is your idea of a good workout? Why?
MONOLOGUE. PARTNER A
1 ’Paying for intensive exercise classes is a waste of time and money.’
2 ‘Money has a negative effect on competitive sports.’
3 ‘Immigrants bring many benefits to the countries they immigrate to.’
MONOLOGUE. PARTNER B
1 ‘There’s no reason to travel abroad when you can spend time exploring your own country.’
2 ‘Sport and/or outdoor activities are an essential part of my life.’
3 ‘I feel I would have better life opportunities if I immigrated to another country.’
