Speaking Questions

 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.’


No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.