1 Comment on the following proverbial statement: ‘Prosperity makes friends and adversity tries them’.

Give examples of true friendship. You may quote some books you have read or the films you have seen.

Enumerate the character traits of an ideal friend for you. What do you and your best friend have in common?

What personality trait do you respect in others and want to develop in yourself?

2 How has knowledge of the English language improved your life? What is your best piece of advice for anyone taking up English? What good and bad experiences have you had learning English? Do you think any particular countries “own” English, or can all

countries own it?

3 What’s a bigger threat to society, knowledge or ignorance? What is more important, knowledge or common sense? Do you think you’re likely to be involved in lifelong learning? How can you make sure learning is always fun?

4 If you could stop time and keep everything the same, would you? Why? What change in your life did you easily adjust to? What change did you resist? Did it work? Was resistance helpful? Have any of your basic ideas changed in the last five years? What?

5 Is multiculturalism good for world peace and understanding? Think of the reasons why many people are afraid of multiculturalism. Enumerate possible problematic issues of the multicultural society. Would you marry someone from another culture? How far can you

compromise?

6 How has your country made you the person you are today? What positive things can the world learn from Ukraine? What changes would you like to make to your country? Speak about the courageous people from your country who you honour.

7 Can art change the way you think or feel?

Do you think today’s artists are as good as those from hundreds of years ago?

In what ways were you encouraged to appreciate art at home and at school? What jobs in the art world would be suitable for you?

How far are you knowledgeable about other cultures? Which country would you visit to appreciate art?

8 In 1857 Gustave Flaubert said: "Read in order to live." What do you think of this?

Do you spend a long time browsing in bookshops? How do you choose? Do you ever read the last page of a book before you start reading it? If you could only have one book for the rest of your life, what would it

be and why?

9 “To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides.” (David Viscott) What do you think is more important, to love or be loved?

What is your idea of a great first date? If you could go on a date with anyone in the world, who would it be

with and why? Would you ever go on a blind date?

10 Would you like to be a celebrity? Speak about pros and cons of being a person in the public eye. What is the difference between a celebrity and a hero?

Who is your favourite celebrity? Any hero of yours? Imagine you have a chance to meet the person you admire. What would

you like to talk with him/her about? Speak about the media resources you use to come to know about

prominent people. Can you name someone who has been idolized, but is not a hero?

11 Why do you think people carry out acts of terrorism?

Is it ever right for political activists to break the law? Is there ever an excuse for a crime?

What stories in the news have recently impressed you the most?

12 Have you ever bought anything because it was fashionable? If so, what? Why? How often do you get dressed up? For what occasions?

Does the fashion industry exist mainly to persuade people to spend money on things they do not really need?

Is fashion selfish in the world where many people starve?

Some fashion models refuse to advertise products involving animal cruelty such as cosmetics and fur coats. Would you buy such products?

13 There should be strict censorship of films and news bulletins on television to prevent children from copying violent incidents. Do you agree?

Agree or disagree with the statement that cartoons such as ’Tom & Jerry’, ’The Simpsons’’ or ’Popeye’ teach kids the wrong lessons.

Television cameras should not record crowd disturbances during sporting events such as football matches. What do you think?

Which age-groups are worst affected by TV and on-line media in your country? Do you ever feel guilty about watching television? Why?

14 Can you recommend any movies worth watching? Give your reasons. How do you decide which movie to see: word of mouth? ads? awards? reviews?

What makes your favourite film special or memorable? Name a few movies you disliked. Why? Can you think of some books that have been adapted into movies? Did

the adaptations work?

15 Money – can it alone make a person happy? Why have people invented money in the first place? Which opportunities does a good financial status provide people with? Do you personally disapprove of any ways of making money?

16 Travelling is not affordable for everybody – do you agree? Are there any exceptions?

How to travel cheaper? How should one plan one’s trip, if at all? Which vehicles do you prefer for long-distance travelling?

17 You are what you eat – does it make sense? Can your habits or lifestyle determine your food and meal preferences? What food trends are becoming popular? Which cuisines are more widespread than others, if any?

18 Love what you do, do what you love. Speak on the fulfillment of the person enjoying his/ her work or leisure.

How much does the choice of profession and hobbies determine one’s

happiness? Can one work from home and have a flexible schedule? Does one’s job need to be well-paid?

19 Ukrainian music: which kinds of genres does it embrace? Are traditional folk songs the best we can offer to the world’s music

heritage? Do you follow any singer’s or group’s music career very intently? What music are your peers listening to?

20 Governing the country: democracy or rather kinds of ruling are most expedient at the beginning of the XXI century?

How much should the Government interfere into the lives of citizens? Can you think of advantages and disadvantages of monarchies? Which form of ruling suits Ukraine best?

21 Christmas is the time for celebrating Jesus’ birthday and for family reunions. Do people tend to neglect any of these?

Are there any differences in celebrating Christmas in Great Britain/ the USA and in Ukraine?

Is Christmas becoming commercialized? Do Christmas trees present any problem for the environment?

22 Electronic devices: can you imagine modern life without them?

Which devices can help people in their education? Can a person be still successful and knowledgeable without any of the

electronic gadgets in his/her possession? Are there cases when electronic devices are more of a curse than a

blessing?

23 Travel broadens the mind – what is usually implied by this? Are there any destinations especially fruitful for self-development? What kinds of trips are most conducive to opening new horizons? Speak on pluses and minuses of travelling alone, with one’s family or

together with friends – how does this affect broadening the mind?

24 Education: what is usually included in that notion? Do schools need to have uniforms for pupils, a lot of subjects, a strict

curriculum, tests/ exams? What to do upon leaving school? Is it necessary to go on studying? Should education aim at students’ open-mindedness and tolerance

besides their abilities, experience and knowledge?

25 Is reading all that important in the new epoch? Which do you prefer: a paper book or an e-book? What would you rather choose or in which sequence: a book or a film? Should young people rather try themselves in different activities and

take up practical hobbies than spend their time over a book?

26 Speak on the variety of ways people do sports nowadays.

Do we need any special equipment to keep fit? Are any kinds of sports more spectacular than others? Is there any financial component to the sports issue?

27 Romantic love – is it the most cherished part of human life? How does romantic love differ from love within a family, from

affection etc.? Do you believe in love at first sight? Do you approve of arranged

marriages? Why do people have mixed feelings about St Valentine’s Day?

28 An Ideal Job: which ingredients should it contain? Is there a high rate of unemployment in Ukraine? Do people seek work

abroad? Are there any bad consequences of the latter? Which jobs are considered remunerative/ creative/ prestigious? Do colleagues/teams play an important part in the job issue?

29 Celebrating Birthdays: does it ever become a burden? Are there any alternatives to birthday parties at home? What is considered a good birthday present for your peers? Have electronic devices facilitated the way you can greet your friends

all over the world?

30 Stress is pervasive in the life of modern adults. Does it pertain to teenagers as well?

What spheres of one’s life bring about stressful situations? Are there any good ways to avoid or combat stress? Life without stress – wouldn’t that be devoid of challenge?

31

Shopping has changed tremendously in the last decade – have you noticed?

Do you remember any other ways of buying goods than loading

products into supermarket trolleys or do you need your parents to tell you that?

Which are the most modern ways of shopping and paying – unthinkable of a decade ago in Ukraine? Any disadvantages, though?

Shopping for clothes – a waste of time or tuning into fashion?

32 If you were to tell us of one special thing you did in your life – which would it be?

Is it important to do something exceptional in one’s life or one may opt to keep a low profile? How brave should you be? Which other features does it take to perform something big?

Does it have to be something for somebody’s benefit or for your own pleasure for you to consider your action as your personal achievement?

33 Having a nice dwelling place is a dream of many people. Where would your ideal flat/ house be situated? Tell us what it would be like.

How would you decorate your own house? Would you do it yourself? What makes a place a merry and a happy one for living in? What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in a huge house?

34 Learning foreign languages is a must for a successful career – does it pertain to everybody?

Can learning foreign languages be an aim in itself? Which jobs and professions profit by a person’s command of foreign

languages? Which languages are especially useful in the world of business/

science and education/ youth camps/ sports events etc? Which language is most widespread? Which is turning global?

35 The medical sphere in our country: the problems and the progress. Do you feel like our system of health care urgently needs reforms? Could medical insurance help people take proper care of their health? Which illnesses are the most problematic and widespread? Which are

incurable? Which have become curable over the last decades?

36

Some people say that scientists have begun to play God. What do you make of this statement? What interesting news about science and technology have you seen or heard recently? Do you think there is still a lot to invent? Why/not?

37J.

K. Rowling once said in her commencement address, “It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all – in which case, you fail by default.” Do you agree with this statement? Why/ why not? Do you take a lot of risks? How would you define "risk"? How about "danger?" Is there any difference between the two words?

38History is written by the victors. Can we learn lessons from history? Would you want to meet any famous people from history? Why/ not?

Would you want to be a maker of history? In other words, would you want to be in history books of the future? Why/not?

39 Some people say that global warming is just a myth to scare people. Please share your thoughts on this view. How real is climate change? What challenges does it pose for humanity?

Should the government or the people bear the brunt of environmental problems?

What causes climate change in general?

40 “Retirement kills more people than hard work ever did.” Malcolm Forbes How far do you agree with this statement? When you retire, will you definitely have the time to travel, relax, and do everything that you have always wanted to do? Why/ why not?

Do you think retirement is a real possibility when you turn 60 years old?

41 “The chains of habit are too weak to be felt until they are too strong to be broken.” Samuel Johnson What do you think this means? Which age could it concern most? Can you think of any good and bad habits? Do you think bad habits lead to personal and professional problems?

42 “It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time.” Winston S. Churchill Please comment on this statement. Are you the kind of person who tries to plan out your future (life,

vacation, or schoolwork, for example) in great detail? Why/ why not? If your life goes as planned, where will you be in 5 years? 10 years?

43 Mahatma Gandhi once said, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." What do you think this means? Do you agree or disagree? Do you fear change? Why/ why not? If you could go back in time and give yourself some advice, what would it be? Why?

44 Some sports are extremely dangerous but many people still like them very much. 

Which sports are considered dangerous and what’s the danger behind them?

Why do people take part in dangerous sports? Why do people enjoy watching them? What makes sports spectacular?

How can we encourage young people to stay healthy?

45 A person’s worth nowadays seems to be judged according to social status and material possessions – is this the case?

Has it always been the same or were some other possessions thought of as valuable in the past?

What kinds of possessions give status to people in your country? Why do you think people need to show their status in society?

 

46 Consumers are faced with an increasing number of advertisements from competing companies – have you experienced that?

Do you think advertising influences what people buy? Do advertisements give correct information, or do they encourage

people to buy things that they may not need? Do you think people take notice of advertisements on the internet?

47 With an increase in the number of privately owned vehicles, roads are becoming more congested – does this present a problem?

What measures could both government and individuals take to deal with this situation?

Do you think that transport problems are worse in urban or rural areas? Are there any problems with the public transport system in your town/city (please do not name it)?

Do you agree that governments should do more to encourage greener methods of transport?

48 Every city has its own character: Why do people have a very strong bond with their hometown? In what way would you represent your home town (without naming

it)? What places are worth visiting here? What events in the history of your city/town are worth mentioning?

What makes you be proud of it, if anything?

49 Clothing can tell a lot about a person: does this hold true? When do people wear traditional clothing? Why do some companies ask their staff to wear uniforms? How has clothes fashion changed in your country over the last few

decades?

50 A recent study suggests that half of Europe’s teenagers use the internet without parental supervision – is this becoming a problem?

Do you believe that teenagers should be able to use the internet without permission from their parents?

What are the potential problems with unsupervised internet use? What measures should teenagers themselves and their parents take

to protect themselves against these threats? 

Complied by:N.O. Dyachuk (1-14)O.L. Ladnytska (15-35)M.R. Fedyna (36-43)N.H. Krupska (44-50)