1) Rich world, poor world

 What kind of aid should the governments of rich countries give to poor countries? (money - food - medicine -
machinery/equipent - hospitals - schools - training ...)
 Do you think all citizens should be encouraged to do voluntary service overseas so as to understand the problems of
poorer countries?
 Are poor people poor because they lack opportunities or because they are lazy? What reasons can you think of?
 Is it right for rich countries to have strict immigration controls?

2) Violence in the world today

 Is the world more violent today?

 Are there different sorts of violence? (physical / mental /psychological / domestic …)
 What forms of violence have you noticed?
 Do people tend to be more violent when they group together? (gangs / mobs / crowds…)
 In what areas is there an increase in the level of violence? (football, politics, religion, environment …)
 What are the causes of violence? (jealousy, frustration, unemployment, poverty, conspiracy theories, fake news

3) Natural disasters

 What is a natural disaster? (fires, flooding, landslides, earthquakes ...)

 Has there ever been a natural disaster where you live?
 Have you ever been in a fire or witnessed one?
 If you had to leave your home quickly, what would you take with you?
 What are the worst consequences of a natural disaster?
 What would you do if you lost all your possessions?

4) Annoying things

 Do people have habits that annoy you?

 Do you annoy people with some of your habits?
 What does 'pet peeve' mean?
 Does it annoy you if someone cuts in front of you when you are waiting in line?
 Does smoking bother you?
 Does something that your parents or friends do annoy you?
 Do some people in your office/company do annoying things?
 Can you think of any celebrities that are annoying? Why?

5) Diseases

 What dangerous diseases are people scared of nowadays?

 Should we be better-informed about the dangers of these diseases?
 What is the best way to stop diseases from spreading?
 Do diseases have an effect on travel?
 Which disease is it urgent to find a cure for?
 6) Environment

 What are some of the most serious environmental problems today?

 Can you find ten things that each of us can do to help preserve our planet?
 What is your opinion on climate change?
 In what way will our children be affected by climate change?
 How can we make our homes more environmentally friendly?
 What can companies do to help preserve the environment?
 Which countries cause the most pollution?

7) Coronavirus
 What images come to mind when you hear the word ‘virus’?
 What do you know about the coronavirus?
 What does the word ‘outbreak’ make you think of?
 What is the difference between ‘outbreak’ and ‘pandemic’?
 What can governments do to stop a pandemic?
 Could or should governments have reacted differently at the beginning of the outbreak?
 Do you think the whole world can or should be vaccinated against the coronavirus?
 Do you think scientists will find a cure for the coronavirus?
 What questions would you like to ask a virologist?
 Do you agree with the Japanese authorities’ decision not to allow spectators at the Tokyo Olympic games?
 Did that decision prevent or limit the spread of the virus?
 Are rich countries better protected than under-developed countries?
 What are the advantages and disadvantages of vaccine passports?
 Imagine life in the future. In what way will we live differently?
- Work
- Education
- Everyday life (shopping, sports, travel, etc.)

8) Work

 Do human beings need to work to be happy?

 What motivates people to work long hours?
 Can perks (or fringe benefits) compensate for a boring job?
 What are the advantages/disadvantages of working from home?
 How do people find a balance between work and personal life?
 What would make you leave your job?
 In your opinion, which jobs are most prestigious? Why?

9) Honesty – Truthfulness

 Is there a difference between honesty and truthfulness?

 Can you think of occasions when people are sometimes dishonest?
 What professions are sometimes accused of giving misleading information or half-truths?
 Is dishonesty ever justifiable?
 Are there times when it might be better to give partial truth to someone?
 7) Consumerism (Short definition: spending money on things that we don't really need, for example:
- replacing a perfectly working mobile phone because a new model has come out
- buying more and more toys for children)

Positive effects: increased industrial production, more jobs, a greater selection of goods to choose from,
provides more comfort, makes us happier

Negative effects: destruction of our natural resources, increased pollution, low-quality products (...that
have to be replaced more often), lower working standards in countries where goods are manufactured

Did previous generations consume as much? Should people be encouraged to consume less? Why? How?

8) Physical Appearance

 What is the first thing you notice about a person ?

 Is it important how people dress ?
 Is weight/physical well-being/fitness important ?
 Which is the most important : clothes, shoes, hair, hygiene, fitness, style … ?
 Does a person’s appearance reveal their personality ?
 Is it wrong to judge people by their appearance ?
 Could you be intimidated by someone’s appearance ?
 What can people do to maintain or improve their appearance?
 Is it acceptable to tell someone that they need to improve their appearance?

12) Customs and Traditions

 Have you visited other countries (besides the country where you live now) ?
 What country/countries have you visited ?
 Did you discover any customs or traditions that were different from your home country’s customs ?
 Have you heard of any other strange foreign customs or traditions ?
 Can you tell us about some of the most important customs of your country?
 Is it necessary/advisable/recommended to follow other country’s customs ?
 How do people greet each other in your country ?
 Do you know of any particular wedding customs in other countries ?
 What about eating customs ? Are they the same in all countries ?
 Do you follow all of your country’s traditions and customs?