2. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Parents are the
best teachers. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

4. It has been said, "Not everything that is learned is contained in
books." Compare and contrast knowledge gained from experience with
knowledge gained from books. In your opinion, which source is more
important? Why?

8. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Television has
destroyed communication among friends and family. Use specific reasons and
examples to support your opinion.

9. Some people prefer to live in a small town. Others prefer to live in a
big city. Which place would you prefer to live in? Use specific reasons and
details to support your answer.

12. Many people visit museums when they travel to new places. Why do you
think people visit museums? Use specific reasons and examples to support
your answer.

14. Some people believe that university students should be required to
attend classes. Others believe that going to classes should be optional for
students. Which point of view do you agree with? Use specific reasons and
details to explain your answer.

16. It has recently been announced that a new restaurant may be built in
your neighborhood. Do you support or oppose this plan? Why? Use specific
reasons and details to support your answer.

18. What are some important qualities of a good supervisor (boss)? Use
specific details and examples to explain why these qualities are important.

19. Should governments spend more money on improving roads and highways, or
should governments spend more money on improving public transportation
(buses, trains, subways)? Why? Use specific reasons and details to develop
your essay.

20. It is better for children to grow up in the countryside than in a big
city. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to
develop your essay.

21. In general, people are living longer now. Discuss the causes of this
phenomenon. Use specific reasons and details to develop your essay.

22. We all work or will work in our jobs with many different kinds of
people. In your opinion, what are some important characteristics of a co-
worker (someone you work closely with)? Use reasons and specific examples
to explain why these characteristics are important.

23. In some countries, teenagers have jobs while they are still students.
Do you think this is a good idea? Support your opinion by using specific
reasons and details.

24. A person you know is planning to move to your town or city. What do you
think this person would like and dislike about living in your town or city?
Why? Use specific reasons and details to develop your essay.

26. It has recently been announced that a new movie theater may be built in
your neighborhood. Do you support or oppose this plan? Why? Use specific
reasons and details to support your answer.

27. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People should
sometimes do things that they do not enjoy doing. Use specific reasons and
examples to support your answer.

28. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Television,
newspapers, magazines, and other media pay too much attention to the
personal lives of famous people such as public figures and celebrities. Use
specific reasons and details to explain your opinion.

29. Some people believe that the Earth is being harmed (damaged) by human
activity. Others feel that human activity makes the Earth a better place to
live. What is your opinion? Use specific reasons and examples to support
your answer.

30. It has recently been announced that a new high school may be built in
your community. Do you support or oppose this plan? Why? Use specific
reasons and details in your answer.

31. Some people spend their entire lives in one place. Others move a number
of times throughout their lives, looking for a better job, house,
community, or even climate. Which do you prefer: staying in one place or
moving in search of another place? Use reasons and specific examples to
support your opinion.

32. Is it better to enjoy your money when you earn it or is it better to
save your money for some time in the future? Use specific reasons and
examples to support your opinion.

33. You have received a gift of money. The money is enough to buy either a
piece of jewelry you like or tickets to a concert you want to attend. Which
would you buy? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

34. Businesses should hire employees for their entire lives. Do you agree
or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

35. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Attending a live
performance (for example, a play, concert, or sporting event) is more
enjoyable than watching the same event on television. Use specific reasons
and examples to support your opinion.
36. Choose one of the following transportation vehicles and explain why you
think it has changed people's lives. O automobiles O bicycles O airplanes
Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

37. Do you agree or disagree that progress is always good? Use specific
reasons and examples to support your answer.

38. Learning about the past has no value for those of us living in the
present. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to
support your answer.

39. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? With the help of
technology, students nowadays can learn more information and learn it more
quickly. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

40. The expression "Never, never give up" means to keep trying and never
stop working for your goals. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

41. Some people think that human needs for farmland, housing, and industry
are more important than saving land for endangered animals. Do you agree or
disagree with this point of view? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and
examples to support your answer.

42. What is a very important skill a person should learn in order to be
successful in the world today? Choose one skill and use specific reasons
and examples to support your choice.

43. Why do you think some people are attracted to dangerous sports or other
dangerous activities? Use specific reasons and examples to support your
answer.

44. Some people like to travel with a companion. Other people prefer to
travel alone. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to
support your choice.

45. Some people prefer to get up early in the morning and start the day's
work. Others prefer to get up later in the day and work until late at
night. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support
your choice.

46. What are the important qualities of a good son or daughter? Have these
qualities changed or remained the same over time in your culture? Use
specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

47. Some people prefer to work for a large company. Others prefer to work
for a small company. Which would you prefer? Use specific reasons and
details to support your choice.

48. People work because they need money to live. What are some other
reasons that people work? Discuss one or more of these reasons. Use
specific examples and details to support your answer.

49. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Face-to-face
communication is better than other types of communication, such as letters,
email, or telephone calls. Use specific reasons and details to support your
answer.

50. Some people like to do only what they already do well. Other people
prefer to try new things and take risks. Which do you prefer? Use specific
reasons and examples to support your choice.

51. Some people believe that success in life comes from taking risks or
chances. Others believe that success results from careful planning. In your
opinion, what does success come from? Use specific reasons and examples to
support your answer.

52. What change would make your hometown more appealing to people your age?
Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

53. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? The most
important aspect of a job is the money a person earns. Use specific reasons
and examples to support your answer.

54. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? One should never
judge a person by external appearances. Use specific reasons and details to
support your answer.

55. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? A person should
never make an important decision alone. Use specific reasons and examples
to support your answer.

56. A company is going to give some money either to support the arts or to
protect the environment. Which do you think the company should choose? Use
specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

57. Some movies are serious, designed to make the audience think. Other
movies are designed primarily to amuse and entertain. Which type of movie
do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

58. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Businesses
should do anything they can to make a profit. Use specific reasons and
examples to support your position.

59. Some people are always in a hurry to go places and get things done.
Other people prefer to take their time and live life at a slower pace.
Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your
answer.

60. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Games are as
important for adults as they are for children. Use specific reasons and
examples to support your answer.

61. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Parents or other
adult relatives should make important decisions for their older (15 to 18
year-old) teenage children. Use specific reasons and examples to support
your opinion.

62. What do you want most in a friend - someone who is intelligent, or
someone who has a sense of humor, or someone who is reliable? Which one of
these characteristics is most important to you? Use reasons and specific
examples to explain your choice.

63. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Most experiences
in our lives that seemed difficult at the time become valuable lessons for
the future. Use reasons and specific examples to support our answer.

64. Some people prefer to work for themselves or own a business. Others
prefer to work for an employer. Would you rather be self-employed, work for
someone else, or own a business? Use specific reasons to explain your
choice.

65. Should a city try to preserve its old, historic buildings or destroy
them and replace them with modern buildings? Use specific reasons and
examples to support your opinion.

66. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Classmates are a
more important influence than parents on a child's success in school. Use
specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

67. If you were an employer, which kind of worker would you prefer to hire:
an inexperienced worker at a lower salary or an experienced worker at a
higher salary? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

68. Many teachers assign homework to students every day. Do you think that
daily homework is necessary for students? Use specific reasons and details
to support your answer.

69. If you could study a subject that you have never had the opportunity to
study, what would you choose? Explain your choice, using specific reasons
and details.

70. Some people think that the automobile has improved modern life. Others
think that the automobile has caused serious problems. What is your
opinion? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

71. Which would you choose: a high-paying job with long hours that would
give you little time with family and friends or a lower-paying job with
shorter hours that would give you more time with family and friends?
Explain your choice, using specific reasons and details.

72. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Grades (marks)
encourage students to learn. Use specific reasons and examples to support
your opinion.

73. Some people say that computers have made life easier and more
convenient. Other people say that computers have made life more complex and
stressful. What is your opinion? Use specific reasons and examples to
support your answer.

74. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? The best way to
travel is in a group led by a tour guide. Use specific reasons and examples
to support your answer.

75. Some universities require students to take classes in many subjects.
Other universities require students to specialize in one subject. Which is
better? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

76. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Children should
begin learning a foreign language as soon as they start school. Use
specific reasons and examples to support your position.

77. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Boys and girls
should attend separate schools. Use specific reasons and examples to
support your answer.

78. Is it more important to be able to work with a group of people on a
team or to work independently? Use reasons and specific examples to support
your answer.

79. Your city has decided to build a statue or monument to honor a famous
person in your country. Who would you choose? Use reasons and specific
examples to support your choice.

80. Describe a custom from your country that you would like people from
other countries to adopt. Explain your choice, using specific reasons and
examples.

81. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Technology has
made the world a better place to live. Use specific reasons and examples to
support your opinion.

82. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Advertising can
tell you a lot about a country. Use specific reasons and examples to
support your answer.

83. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Modern
technology is creating a single world culture. Use specific reasons and
examples to support your opinion.

84. Some people say that the Internet provides people with a lot of
valuable information. Others think access to so much information creates
problems. Which view do you agree with? Use specific reasons and examples
to support your opinion.

85. A foreign visitor has only one day to spend in your country. Where
should this visitor go on that day? Why? Use specific reasons and details
to support your choice.

86. If you could go back to some time and place in the past, when and where
would you go? Why? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.

87. What discovery in the last 100 years has been most beneficial for
people in your country? Use specific reasons and examples to support your
choice.

88. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Telephones and
email have made communication between people less personal. Use specific
reasons and examples to support your opinion.

89. If you could travel back in time to meet a famous person from history,
what person would you like to meet? Use specific reasons and examples to
support your choice.

90. If you could meet a famous entertainer or athlete, who would that be,
and why? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

91. If you could ask a famous person one question, what would you ask? Why?
Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

92. Some people prefer to live in places that have the same weather or
climate all year long. Others like to live in areas where the weather
changes several times a year. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and
examples to support your choice.

93. Many students have to live with roommates while going to school or
university. What are some of the important qualities of a good roommate?
Use specific reasons and examples to explain why these qualities are
important.

94. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Dancing plays an
important role in a culture. Use specific reasons and examples to support
your answer.

95. Some people think governments should spend as much money as possible
exploring outer space (for example, traveling to the Moon and to other
planets). Other people disagree and think governments should spend this
money for our basic needs on Earth. Which of these two opinions do you
agree with? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

96. People have different ways of escaping the stress and difficulties of
modern life. Some read; some exercise; others work in their gardens. What
do you think are the best ways of reducing stress? Use specific details and
examples in your answer.

97. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Teachers should
be paid according to how much their students learn. Give specific reasons
and examples to support your opinion.

98. If you were asked to send one thing representing your country to an
international exhibition, what would you choose? Why? Use specific reasons
and details to explain your choice.

99. You have been told that dormitory rooms at your university must be
shared by two students. Would you rather have the university assign a
student to share a room with you, or would you rather choose your own
roommate? Use specific reasons and details to explain your answer.

103. In your opinion, what is the most important characteristic (for
example, honesty, intelligence, a sense of humor) that a person can have to
be successful in life? Use specific reasons and examples from your
experience to explain your answer. When you write your answer, you are not
limited to the examples listed in the question.
105. Students at universities often have a choice of places to live. They
may choose to live in university dormitories, or they may choose to live in
apartments in the community. Compare the advantages of living in university
housing with the advantages of living in an apartment in the community.
Where would you prefer to live? Give reasons for your preference.

106. You need to travel from your home to a place 40 miles (64 kilometers)
away. Compare the different kinds of transportation you could use. Tell
which method of travel you would choose. Give specific reasons for your
choice.

107. Some people believe that a college or university education should be
available to all students. Others believe that higher education should be
available only to good students. Discuss these views. Which view do you
agree with? Explain why.

110. Some people prefer to spend most of their time alone. Others like to
be with friends most of the time. Do you prefer to spend your time alone or
with friends? Use specific reasons to support your answer.

111. Some people prefer to spend time with one or two close friends. Others
choose to spend time with a large number of friends. Compare the advantages
of each choice. Which of these two ways of spending time do you prefer? Use
specific reasons to support your answer.

112. Some people think that children should begin their formal education at
a very early age and should spend most of their time on school studies.
Others believe that young children should spend most of their time playing.
Compare these two views. Which view do you agree with? Why?

113. The government has announced that it plans to build a new university.
Some people think that your community would be a good place to locate the
university. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of establishing a new
university in your community. Use specific details in your discussion.

115. Some people prefer to plan activities for their free time very
carefully. Others choose not to make any plans at all for their free time.
Compare the benefits of planning free-time activities with the benefits of
not making plans. Which do you prefer - planning or not planning for your
leisure time? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your choice.

116. People learn in different ways. Some people learn by doing things;
other people learn by reading about things; others learn by listening to
people talk about things. Which of these methods of learning is best for
you? Use specific examples to support your choice.

118. Some people enjoy change, and they look forward to new experiences.
Others like their lives to stay the same, and they do not change their
usual habits. Compare these two approaches to life. Which approach do you
prefer? Explain why.

119. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People behave
differently when they wear different clothes. Do you agree that different
clothes influence the way people behave? Use specific examples to support
your answer.

120. Decisions can be made quickly, or they can be made after careful
thought. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? The
decisions that people make quickly are always wrong. Use reasons and
specific examples to support your opinion.

123. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People should
read only those books that are about real events, real people, and
established facts. Use specific reasons and details to support your
opinion.

124. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? It is more
important for students to study history and literature than it is for them
to study science and mathematics. Use specific reasons and examples to
support your opinion.

125. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? All students
should be required to study art and music in secondary school. Use specific
reasons to support your answer.

126. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? There is
nothing that young people can teach older people. Use specific reasons and
examples to support your position.

127. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Reading fiction
(such as novels and short stories) is more enjoyable than watching movies.
Use specific reasons and examples to explain your position.

129. A university plans to develop a new research center in your country.
Some people want a center for business research. Other people want a center
for research in agriculture (farming). Which of these two kinds of research
centers do you recommend for your country? Use specific reasons in your
recommendation.

130. Some young children spend a great amount of their time practicing
sports. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this. Use specific
reasons and examples to support your answer.

131. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Only people who
earn a lot of money are successful. Use specific reasons and examples to
support your answer.

133. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? A person's
childhood years (the time from birth to twelve years of age) are the most
important years of a person's life. Use specific reasons and examples to
support your answer.

134. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Children should
be required to help with household tasks as soon as they are able to do so.
Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

135. Some high schools require all students to wear school uniforms. Other
high schools permit students to decide what to wear to school. Which of
these two school policies do you think is better? Use specific reasons and
examples to support your opinion.

137. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? High schools
should allow students to study the courses that students want to study. Use
specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

138. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? It is better to
be a member of a group than to be the leader of a group. Use specific
reasons and examples to support your answer.

139. What do you consider to be the most important room in a house? Why is
this room more important to you than any other room? Use specific reasons
and examples to support your opinion.

140. Some items (such as clothes or furniture) can be made by hand or by
machine. Which do you prefer - items made by hand or items made by machine?
Use reasons and specific examples to explain your choice.

141. If you could make one important change in a school that you attended,
what change would you make? Use reasons and specific examples to support
your answer.

142. A gift (such as a camera, a soccer ball, or an animal) can contribute
to a child's development. What gift would you give to help a child develop?
Why? Use reasons and specific examples to support your choice.

144. Would you prefer to live in a traditional house or in a modern
apartment building? Use specific reasons and details to support your
choice.

145. Some people say that advertising encourages us to buy things we really
do not need. Others say that advertisements tell us about new products that
may improve our lives. Which viewpoint do you agree with? Use specific
reasons and examples to support your answer.

146. Some people prefer to spend their free time outdoors. Other people
prefer to spend their leisure time indoors. Would you prefer to be outside
or would you prefer to be inside for your leisure activities? Use specific
reasons and examples to explain your choice.

147. Your school has received a gift of money. What do you think is the
best way for your school to spend this money? Use specific reasons and
details to support your choice.

149. Imagine that you have received some land to use as you wish. How would
you use this land? Use specific details to explain your answer.

150. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Watching
television is bad for children. Use specific details and examples to
support your answer.

151. What is the most important animal in your country? Why is the animal
important? Use reasons and specific details to explain your answer.

152. Many parts of the world are losing important natural resources, such
as forests, animals, or clean water. Choose one resource that is
disappearing and explain why it needs to be saved. Use specific reasons and
examples to support your opinion.

153. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? A zoo has no
useful purpose. Use specific reasons and examples to explain your answer.

154. In some countries, people are no longer allowed to smoke in many
public places and office buildings. Do you think this is a good rule or a
bad rule? Use specific reasons and details to support your position.

155. Plants can provide food, shelter, clothing, or medicine. What is one
kind of plant that is important to you or the people in your country? Use
specific reasons and details to explain your choice.

158. When famous people such as actors, athletes and rock stars give their
opinions, many people listen. Do you think we should pay attention to these
opinions? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

160. When people need to complain about a product or poor service, some
prefer to complain in writing and others prefer to complain in person.
Which way do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your
answer.

162. Some famous athletes and entertainers earn millions of dollars every
year. Do you think these people deserve such high salaries? Use specific
reasons and examples to support your opinion.

164. People do many different things to stay healthy. What do you do for
good health? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

165. You have decided to give several hours of your time each month to
improve the community where you live. What is one thing you will do to
improve your community? Why? Use specific reasons and details to explain
your choice.

169. People listen to music for different reasons and at different times.
Why is music important to many people? Use specific reasons and examples to
support your choice.

172. When students move to a new school, they sometimes face problems. How
can schools help these students with their problems? Use specific reasons
and examples to explain your answer.

174. Every generation of people is different in important ways. How is your
generation different from your parents' generation? Use specific reasons
and examples to explain your answer.

175. Some students like classes where teachers lecture (do all of the
talking) in class. Other students prefer classes where the students do some
of the talking. Which type of class do you prefer? Give specific reasons
and details to support your choice.

176. Holidays honor people or events. If you could create a new holiday,
what person or event would it honor and how would you want people to
celebrate it? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

178. The 21st century has begun. What changes do you think this new century
will bring? Use examples and details in your answer.

179. What are some of the qualities of a good parent? Use specific details
and examples to explain your answer.

180. Movies are popular all over the world. Explain why movies are so
popular. Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer.

181. In your country, is there more need for land to be left in its natural
condition or is there more need for land to be developed for housing and
industry? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

182. Many people have a close relationship with their pets. These people
treat their birds, cats, or other animals as members of their family. In
your opinion, are such relationships good? Why or why not? Use specific
reasons and examples to support your answer.

183. Films can tell us a lot about the country where they were made. What
have you learned about a country from watching its movies? Use specific
examples and details to support your response.

185. You have enough money to purchase either a house or a business. Which
would you choose to buy? Give specific reasons to explain your choice.

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