1. Individual greed and selfishness have been the basis of modern society. Some people think we must return to the older and more traditional values of respect for the family and the local community to create a better world.
To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Social)
2. Some people think that teachers should be responsible for teaching students to judge what is right and wrong so that they can behave well. Others say that teachers should only teach students academic subjects.
Discuss both views and give your opinion. (Education)
3. We can get knowledge from news, but some people think we cannot trust journalist.
What do you think?
What qualities do you think a successful journalist should have? (Media)
4. Some people think that governments should only focus their spending on public services, and they claim that spending on arts is a waste of money.
To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Government)
5. We are surrounded by all kinds of advertising, which significantly influence our lives.
Do the positive effects of advertising outweigh its negative effects? (Advertising)
6. Many countries spend a lot of money preparing competitors to take part in major sports competitions such as the Olympics, football world cup etc. Some people think that it would be better to spend this money to encourage children to take part in sports in a young age.
To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Government)
7. Some people believe that everyone has the right to receive university education, so the government should make it free to all people regardless of their financial background.
To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Education)
8. Since money for postgraduate research is limited, some people think financial support from the government should be only provided for scientific research rather than research for less useful subjects.
To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Government)
9. In some countries, young people are not only richer but also safer and healthier than ever before. However, they are less happy.
What do you think are the causes of this?
What solutions can you suggest? (Society)
10. Some people think personal happiness is closely related to economic success, while others believe that it depends on other factors.
Discuss both views and give your opinion. (Society)
11. Many countries now have people from different cultures and ethnic groups.
What is the reason for this?
Is it a positive or negative development? (Culture)
12. People today can shop, work and communicate with others via the Internet instead of face-to-face communication.
Is it a positive or negative development? (Technology)
13. In some countries, many people choose to educate children at home by themselves instead of sending them to school.
Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? (Education)
14. Traffic and housing problems in major cities could be solved by moving large companies and factories and their employees to the countryside.
To what extent do you agree with this opinion?(Society)
15. Some people think that the arts (such as painting and music) do not directly improve quality of people’s life, so government should spend money on other areas.
Do you agree or disagree? (Culture)
16. In many countries, people like to eat a wide variety of food that can be grown in other areas. As a result, people eat more food produced in other regions than local food.
Do the advantages of this trend outweigh its disadvantages? (Healthy)
17. Children are experiencing increasing educational, social and commercial pressures.
What are the causes?
What measures do you think can be taken to reduce them? (Education)
18. Many people today prefer socializing online to spending time with friends in local community.
Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? (Society)
19. More and more people want to buy famous brands of clothes, cars and other items.
What are the reasons?
Do you think it is a positive or negative development? (Society)
20. The young people in the workforce are changing their jobs or careers every few years.
What do you think are the reasons? (Job)