SPEAKING TOPICS B1

Television and mass media

Programmes: reality shows, gossip programes, documentaries, soap

operas, cartoons, the news, weather forecast, sports programmes, music
programmes, talk shows, dramas, sitcoms, series, serials, etc.)

Advertising. Impact on people and children

Newspapers (tabloid vs broadsheets, magazines, daily newspapers, etc.)

Online newspapers

Children and television. Violence and impact on children

Positive aspects vs negative aspects

Educational programmes on TV

Holidays

Different kinds of holidays: package holiday, camping, guided tours, cruises

Favourite means of tranport for holidays: own car, plane, train, etc.

People to go with: alone, family, friends, partner, etc.

Your last holiday

Your future holiday

Rural tourism (relaxing, nature, sports) vs urban tourism (sightseeing,

monuments, museums)

Education

Private education vs state education

Past education vs todays education

Your school days: favourite subjets, teachers, school, uniform, etc.

Technology in class: positive and negative aspects?

Lack of money for grants?

 Sports

Sports you do and how often?

Children and sports. Sedentary life? Present and past, difference?

Your opinion on risky sports

Footballers: do they earn too much money?

The Olympic Games

Jobs

Describe your job. How long have you been doing it? What do you like about
it?

Your ideal job.

Retirement age: the ideal age?

Dangerous jobs.

Your opinion on civil servants in Spain.

Technology

How has technology changed the world?

Past and present: comparison

I couldnt live without my mobile. Do you agree with this statement?

E-books. Do you have one? Why (not)?

Technology in education. Positive and negative aspects?

Do children have too many gadgets?

Money

Social difference: rich and poor people?

The economic crisis. How is it affecting society?

What do you spend your money on?

Todays salaries. Is it possible to save money?

Charities. Do you give money to them? Why (not)?

 Shopping. Do you like it? Where do you like shopping?

Money corrupts people. Do you agree?

Music and books

Music you like and your favourite singer/ band

Your opinion on going to concerts

Do you like reading? What do you normally read?

Is reading good for children? Why (not)?

The best book youve ever read

A book you would never recommend

Books made into films. Which do you prefer, the book or the film?

Eating habits

You are what you eat. Do you agree with this statement?

Your favourite food.

Do you like fast food? How often do you have it?

Eating out, do you like it?

Children and obesity.

Organic food, too expensive?

The environment

What do you do to help the environment?

Recycling. Do you recycle? What and how?

Temperatures are rising more and more. Whats the cause?

What can you do at home to save energy?

1. To what extent is the use of animals in scientific research acceptable?

2. Zoos are sometimes seen as necessary but not poor alternatives to a

natural environment. Discuss some of the arguments for and/or against
keeping animals in zoos.

3. Education is the single most important factor in the development of a

country. Do you agree?

4. Children should never be educated at home by their parents. Do you agree

or disagree?

5. In Britain, when someone gets old, they often go to live in a home with other
old people where there are nurses to look after them. Sometimes the
government has to pay for this care. Who should be responsible for our old
people? Give reasons.

6. In some countries the average worker is obliged to retire at the age of 50,
while in others people can work until they are 65 or 70. Until what age do
you think people should be encouraged to remain in paid employment? Give
reasons for your answer.

7. To what extent has the traditional male role changed in the last 20 years?

8. TV: could you be without it? Discuss.

9. Tourism is becoming increasingly important as a source of revenue to many

countries but its disadvantages should not be overlooked. What are some of
the problems of tourism?

10. Should children be taught sex education in schools?

11. Most high level jobs are done by men. Should the government encourage a
certain percentage of these jobs to be reserved for women?

12. Are famous people treated unfairly by the media? Should they be given
more privacy, or is the price of their fame an invasion into their private lives?

13. Will modern technology, such as the internet ever replace the book or the
written word as the main source of information?

14. Should criminals be punished with lengthy jail terms or re-educated and
rehabituated, using community service programs for instance, before being
reintroduced to society?

15. Recycling Is Necessary. Do you agree or disagree?