DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

STATE EXAM TASK 4

ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES

SPEAKING COLLECTION

Hi. My name is _________________. I’m your examiner today. Can you tell me your  full name please? What would you like me to call you? May I see your ID please? It’s  just a security precaution. Thank you. 

timer

set 1

part 1

  1. Do you work or are you a student?
  2. Is that a popular subject (to study) in your country?
  3. Do you think it’s important to choose a subject you are interested in? (Why?)
  4. What’s the most interesting part (or subject or class) of your course?
  5. What are your future work plans? 
  6. Do you think you will be able to easily find work in the future after studying?

part 2

Describe a leisure centre in your area.

You should say:

  • where it is
  • what it is like (or, what it looks like)
  • what people do there
  • and explain why (some) people like to go there.

part 3

  1. Do you think it’s good to have leisure centers in the community?
  2. How is it good for young people?
  3. What are the differences between recreational facilities in big cities and in the countryside (i.e., in villages and small towns)?

set 2

part 1

  1. Do you like paintings? 
  2. Do you have a favourite painting?
  3. What sort of painting would you like to paint?
  4. How could we get more young people interested in painting?

part 2

Describe your favourite photograph

You should say:

  • When it was taken
  • Why did you take it?
  • What is in it
  • And explain why it is your favourite

part 3

  1. How has photography changed in the last 50 years?
  2. Can you compare film photography and digital photography?
  3. What is the difference between abstract and normal photography?
  4. What changes do you foresee in photography in the future?

set 3

part 1

  1. What sort of area do you live in?
  2. Why did you choose that area?
  3. What do you think you would change about that area?
  4. What sort of entertainment is available in this area?

part 2

Describe a peaceful place that you like to go to.

You should say:

  • where it is
  • how often you go there
  • what you do there
  • and explain why you like this place.

part 3

  1. What are the sources of noise in (large) cities?
  2. How do you think noise in cities could be reduced? =How can we solve the problems?
  3. How do noises affect society? = What bad effects can noise bring to people?

set 4

part 1

  1. What do you think of the transport in your area?
  2. How would you improve it?
  3. How do vehicles affect the environment?
  4. How would you reduce the pollution in our cities?
  5. Would you prefer to live in the city or in the country? (Why?)
  6. Why do you think more people live in cities?

part 2

Describe a favourite fashion item

  You should say:

  • Where you bought it
  • When you wear it
  • Where you wear it

And explain why it is important to you.

part 3

  1. What percentage of a person’s income should be spent on fashionable items?
  2. Is fashion the same all over the world?
  3. Why do we change our fashion over time?
  4. Why do different age groups have different fashion styles?
  5.   Do you think fake fur is a good fashion accessory?
  6. Should we wear real animal fur to protect the environment from synthetics?
  7. What would you do to save endangered animals?
  8. What are the advantages and disadvantages of protecting animal rights?

set 5

part 1

  1. How do you prefer to travel?
  2. Which do you think is the best way to travel?
  3. Do you like long holidays or short holidays? Why?
  4. Is it good or bad working overseas?

part 2

Describe a place you would go to visit in the future.

You should say:

  • where it is
  • how would you go there
  • who would you go with
  • and explain why you would like to go to this place.

part 3

  1. What’s the influence of travel to the environment? How to prevent it?
  2. What are the differences between travelling alone and travelling in groups?
  3. What kind of characters people have are suitable to be travel pals?
  4. What is the most famous tourist attraction in Russia?
  5. What are the differences of people’s attitudes toward traveling between now and in the past? What’s the difference between travel in the past and now?
  6. What areas need to be improved for Russian tourism?
  7. How has communication changed in the last 20 years?
  8. Can you compare landline phones with mobile phones?
  9. What do you think mobile phones will be able to do in the future?
  10. What are the advantages and disadvantages of owning a mobile phone?

set 6

part 1

  1. Where do you come from?
  2. How long have you lived there?
  3. What are the advantages (or, benefits) of living in a big city/small place?
  4. Would you say your hometown is more suitable for young people to live in, or old people?
  5. Is your hometown famous for anything?
  6. What place(s) in your hometown do you go to in your leisure time?
  7. Do you spend enough time doing outdoor activities?

part 2

Describe a building in a school or university that you attended.

You should say:

  • where it is
  • what it looks like
  • what it is used for
  • and explain what facilities it has.

part 3

  1. How is the environment in schools for young children (i.e., primary schools)
  2. different to the environment in schools for teenagers (i.e., high schools)?
  3. Should small children and teenagers have different buildings?
  4. How do you think university buildings could be improved?
  5. Is it necessary for high school and middle school to build dorms? Any benefits?
  6. What are the differences between international schools and general schools?
  7. What’s the difference between going to a local college and college in another city?
  8. What will universities be like in the future?

set 7

part 1

Do you have any trees near where you live? 

Is there any nature near your home? 

Would you like more trees in your area?   

When was the last time you were sick? 

How long were you ill for? 

Did you visit a doctor? 

What did you do to make yourself feel better?   

What are doctors like, in your country? 

How easy is it to see a doctor in your country? 

Do you have any friends or relatives who are doctors? 

Are nurses just as good as doctors? 

part 2

Describe a friend who you haven’t seen in years 

You should say 

Where you first met them 

Why you were friends with them 

What you think they’re doing now 

And explain why you haven’t seen them recently 

part 3

Compare hospitals in your country with those here 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of hospitals? 

Would you like to work in a hospital? 

How important is English in a western hospital?   

Compare antibiotics and herbal medicine. 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of antibiotics? 

Why do you think Western doctors are more reticent to prescribe medicines than  their Asian counterparts? 

Do you feel that doctors are paid enough for what they do? 

set 8

part 1

Do you live in a house or a flat? 

Why did you choose a house/flat? 

What do you like about your house/flat?   

What chores around your home do you really hate doing? 

What can be done to make cleaning easier? 

Does it bother you if something is dusty or dirty? 

How often do you clean your place?   

Would you like to have a maid or butler? 

What would you get a maid or butler to do? 

Do you think maids and butlers get paid too much? 

Would you ever consider becoming a maid/butler? 

part 2

Describe a job you would like to do 

You should say: 

Where this job is 

What sort of job is it 

How much you would earn 

And explain why you would like to do this job 

part 3

What do robots do in society these days? 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of owning a robot? 

What sort of jobs do you think robots will be doing in the future? 

Compare robots now with those of twenty years ago.   

How could robots affect the employment levels of countries? 

Are there any jobs that humans should not do? 

Do you think a robot is more efficient than a human? 

Do you think robots will one day take over the world? 

set 9

part 1

What are your hobbies or interests? 

When did you start your hobby/interest? 

How often do you ___________?   

Do you play a sport? 

Why is sport so important these days? 

Do you prefer team sports or individual sports? 

Is there too much sport on TV?   

What sports do your friends like to play? 

Are there any sports that anyone can play? 

Should watching a sport be free? 

Will you watch the next Olympics when it is on? 

part 2

Describe a sport you chose to watch recently 

You should say 

What kind of sport it is 

When it was on 

How long it lasted for 

And why you wanted to watch it 

part 3

Do you think sport has become to commercialised? 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a country having the Olympics? 

Do you believe international sport brings countries together? 

What role does sport play in society?   

How has sport changed in the last 50 years? 

What do you expect to see happen in sport in the next 50 years? 

Do you think sportspeople are paid too much for what they do? 

How does having national sports tournaments help the economy? 

set 10

part 1

What have you done since you arrived in this city? 

Have you enjoyed being here so far?   

Do you like gardens? 

If you owned your own property would you have a garden? 

What sort of things would you put in your garden? 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of owning a garden?   

Do you like flowers?  What’s your favourite flower? 

Do flowers have different meanings in your country? 

When was the last time you picked or bought flowers? 

part 2

Describe a plant that you know 

You should say: 

When first discovered this plant 

Where this plant usually grows 

What the plant is used for 

And why you like this plant 

part 3

Do you believe that nature reserves are important for everyone? 

Can you compare people’s interest in the environment today with that of 50 years  ago? 

How can we get more young people to be concerned about the environment? 

Should governments use tax payer’s money to preserve parklands?   

Does your hometown suffer from pollution problems? (Why?) 

How does the environment help control pollution? 

Is pollution today as bad as it was 50 years ago? 

Should corporations be made to pay for any damage they cause to the envi-  ronment? 

set 11

part 1

So, are you working or are you studying? 

What sort of job / what course are you doing?   

Could you describe the suburb where you’re living? 

Do you like living in that suburb? (Why/Why Not) 

If you could live anywhere, where would you like to live?   

Do you have any pets? 

What’s a popular pet in your country? 

What’s your favourite animal and why? 

Are there any advantages or disadvantages to having a pet? 

part 2

Describe the pollution in your area 

You should say 

Where the pollution comes from 

What effect it has on the people in the area 

What should be done to reduce it 

And explain why this is important 

part 3

Do people in your country prefer to rent or own a house? 

What sort of technology do people like to put in their houses? 

Do you think houses will change dramatically in the next 50 years? 

How popular is renovating a house in your country?   

Do you have any heritage listed buildings in your city? 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in a big city? 

Can you compare the money spent on security in a city with that in country areas? 

Do you think cities should have a large police force or do you believe that city  councils should spend more on technology to keep the streets secure? 

set 12

part 1

So, are you working or are you studying? 

What sort of job / what course are you doing?   

Could you describe the place you’re living in? 

Do you like living in your unit/house? (Why?) 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in your area?   

Do you have a car? 

What’s a popular car in your country? 

What’s your favourite car and why? 

Are there any advantages or disadvantages to having a car? 

part 2

Describe a park you like 

You should say 

Where the park is located 

What the park is used for 

What could be done to improve the park 

And explain why you like it 

part 3

Do people in your country look after the environment? 

What sort of environmental problems do people try and prevent? 

Do you think pollution problems will change dramatically in the next 50 years? 

Is being environmentally conscious popular in your country?   

Do you have any big industries in your city? 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of economic development? 

Can you compare money spent in first world countries with money spent in third  world countries? 

Do you think first world countries have a responsibility to share their wealth with  third world countries? 

set 13

part 1

Do you work or do you study?

Do you enjoy your work/study? 

What would you change about it if you could? 

What would you prefer to be doing?   

Do you save money? 

Is it important to save money? 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of keeping money in a bank? 

Should everyone have a financial advisor?   

Have you ever invested in the stock market? 

Do you, or do you know anyone who owns shares? 

Is buying shares a form of gambling? 

Would you invest in property? 

part 2

Describe a house that you like 

You should say 

When you last visited it 

Where it is 

How much you think it is worth 

And explain why you like it so much 

part 3

What are the advantages and disadvantages buying property? 

Why does the price of property continue to increase? 

What could be done to reduce the cost of property? 

Would you be interested in owning your own house one day?   

Should banks give loans to people who are unable to pay their debts? 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a loan? 

Do you feel that too much emphasis is put on owning a home? 

How has home ownership changed in the last 50 years? 

set 14

part 1

Where are you working/studying at the moment? 

Do you enjoy working/studying there? 

Are the people there friendly?   

Do you like using the internet? 

When was the last time you used the internet? 

Have you ever used an internet café? 

Do you have the internet on at home?   

Do you think internet companies charge too much for their services? 

Is the internet fast enough for you? 

What would you like to see available on the internet? 

If you could, is there anything about the internet you would change? 

part 2

Describe a piece of technology that you used recently 

You should say: 

Where you bought it 

Why you chose it 

What you use it for 

And why this piece of technology is important to you 

part 3

Do you think computers are taking over the world? 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using computers? 

What would you like to see a computer do? 

How have computers changed over the past 50 years?   

What sort of computer software would you like to see in the future? 

Why do you think computer software is so expensive? 

Do you think one day we won’t need to worry about learning how to use a com-  puter? 

What would happen if all the computers in the world suddenly crashed? 

set 15

part 1

Do you live in a house or a flat? 

Why did you choose a house/flat? 

What do you like about your house/flat?   

What chores around your home do you really hate doing? 

What can be done to make cleaning easier? 

Does it bother you if something is dusty or dirty? 

How often do you clean your place?   

Would you like to have a maid or butler? 

What would you get a maid or butler to do? 

Do you think maids and butlers get paid too much? 

Would you ever consider becoming a maid/butler? 

part 2

Describe a job you would like to do 

You should say: 

Where this job is 

What sort of job is it 

How much you would earn 

And explain why you would like to do this job 

part 3

What do robots do in society these days? 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of owning a robot? 

What sort of jobs do you think robots will be doing in the future? 

Compare robots now with those of twenty years ago.   

How could robots affect the employment levels of countries? 

Are there any jobs that humans should not do? 

Do you think a robot is more efficient than a human? 

Do you think robots will one day take over the world? 

set 16

part 1

What’s the most enjoyable part of being a student?

Do you enjoy studying that (your subject)? ‐‐What’s the most enjoyable
thing about it?

(In a class,) who do you think is more important, the students or the teacher?

Should children tell their parents when they face difficulties in their studies?

Do you think it’s good for teachers to praise the students when they do
something good and point it out when they do something wrong?

part 2

Describe a building in a school or university that you attended.
You should say:
where it is
what it looks like
what it is used for
and explain what facilities it has.
or
and explain how you feel (or feel) about this building.

part 3

What are some differences between schools in the countryside and cities?=
What’re the advantages of high school in countryside and in the city?

Do you think it’s good to live at a school?

How do you think schools could be improved (not just the buildings)?

Should sport facilities open to students after school?

What will schools be like in the future?

Is it necessary for high school and middle school to build dorms? Any benefits?

Should teenagers and children be put together in schooling?

set 17

part 1

What types of schools have you been to?

Which school did you like the most? Will you send your children to that
school?

What attract you most about your major?

Who are more helpful, teachers or classmates?

Is it difficult to learn your major?

part 2

Describe a historic place that you enjoyed visiting.
You should say:
where it was
when you went there
what it was like
and explain why you liked it.

part 3

Do you like visiting historic sites? Why?= Why do people visit these historic
buildings?

What places would you recommend people to visit if they want to know the
history of your city? What can people learn when they visit these places?

How to make historic sites more attractive?=How to encourage people to visit historic sites?

How do you think about the admission fee for historic sites?

Why do these buildings need repairing?

Who should pay for the maintenance cost of old buildings?

Why should people visit historic buildings?

Do children like visiting historic buildings?

set 18

part 1

Do you know much about the history of your hometown? = Is your
hometown a historical city?

What form of transport do you prefer to use in your hometown?

What place(s) in your hometown do you go to in your leisure time?

How often do you go outside every week?

What activities do you usually do when you go outside?

Do you spend enough time doing outdoor activities?

part 2

Describe the ideal home (flat or house) that you would like to live in.
You should say:
where it would be
what type of house it would be
how you would decorate it (or, how you would furnish it)
who you would like to live with
and explain why you would like to live in this kind of home.

part 3

In your country, what type of home do most people live in?

How are traditional houses different to modern houses?

What do you think people’s houses will be like in the future?

What do you think is the biggest difference between urban and rural areas?

How are the lifestyles different between the big cities and the countryside?

How do you think cities will change in the future?

What problems do you think such large cities would bring?

In the future, do you think rural areas will become more attractive as places for people to live in?

What’s the difference between houses now and in the past? What about in the future?

What kind of people should live in the countryside? == What kind of people
choose to live in the countryside?

What’s your definition of good quality of life?

What are the benefits and drawbacks to live in flats?

What’re the features of houses in the rural areas?

Do you think the quality of life in the countryside is higher than in the city?

set 19

part 1

What do you like (most or, best) about (living in) your hometown (or, about
living where you are living now)?

Is there anything in your hometown that (you think) needs to be improved?

Where are you living now? Do you like this place? Why?

What interesting things can we do in big cities?

Tell me something about your family members?

Should young people live with the old?

Do your parents often call their parents? What do they usually talk about?

What’s the difference between children raised in a single‐parent family and a two‐parent family?

Do you think it’s good to raise a child in the city?

part 2

Describe a room in your home where you spent a lot of time when you were a child.
You should say:
what it looked like
what was in the room
what you did in that room
and explain why you liked that room.
or
and explain why you spent most of your time in that room.

part 3

Would you like sharing a bedroom with others? ==Why do many people feel a need to have their own room (bedroom)? ==Do you think it is important for people to have their own room?

set 20

part 1

Do you prefer to read newspapers or watch TV to get your news?

What kinds of news are you most interested in?

What do you usually do when you have holidays?

What did you do in your last holidays?

Which public holidays do you like the most? What’s your favorite festival?

Do you prefer doing things indoors or outdoors on a holiday? = Do you like
spending your holidays alone or going out with friends?

part 2

part 3