FASHION
1. Have you ever bought something because it was fashionable? If so, what?
2. Does the fashion industry exist mainly to persuade people to spend money on things they do not really need?
3. Is fashion selfish in a world where many people have not got what they need?
4. Do you think fashion models should be used to sell products such as cars?
5. Some fashion models refuse to advertise products involving animal cruelty
such as cosmetics and fur coats. Would you buy such products?
6. Would you like to be a fashion model if you were offered the opportunity?
7. Is your country famous for any fashion products? Which ones? How are they marketed?
8. Which countries have the best and worst fashions in clothes?
9. Which products advertised on TV in Britain/USA/Australia and in your country represent (a) women’s fashion (b) men’s fashion ?
FOOD
1. "The government should make it more expensive for farmers to use
pesticides and more profitable for them to grow organic food."
2. Which age-group in your country eats most fast and convenience food?
What could be done to encourage these people to eat more fresh food?
3. Should the law limit the number of fast food restaurants in our towns?
4. Should suppliers be permitted to irradiate fruit and vegetables to make
them stay greener for longer on the shop shelves?
5. Do you think you can get all the nourishment you need from a vegetarian
diet? Would you be happy to eat a vegetarian diet for a week?
6. The Hay diet encourages you to separate protein from carbohydrate,
while the Chinese "Ying & Yang" diet encourages balanced eating.
Can you describe any special diets which are followed in your country?
7. Should countries try to grow all their own food or is it better to depend
on trade to meet your food needs?
8. Many people in Britain eat too much sugar, butter and salt. How healthy
are eating habits (a) generally in your country (b) in your own family?
9. Are you for or against genetically modified food?
HEALTH
1. "Governments should provide a first class National Health Service for
everybody so that nobody would want to pay for private treatment."
2. "Most nurses are overworked and underpaid." Do you agree?
3. "People who have damaged their health through smoking or drinking
should be at the back of the queue for expensive treatments."
4. Do people have the right to smoke when children in the same house
or colleagues in the same office have to inhale the smoke?
5. "Everybody should be compulsorily tested for HIV to allow the
authorities to monitor and counter the spread of AIDS."
6. "Alternative therapies should be recognised and licenced under the NHS
to include (a) acupuncture (b) homeopathy (c) aromatherapy & massage
(d) meditation (e) yoga (f) hypnosis and (g) faith healing."
7. "Western doctors prescribe drugs and medicines too freely since they
do not have time to treat patients as individuals." Do you agree?
Do you think other systems such as Chinese Medicine are any better?
HOLIDAYS
1. Do you prefer to book holidays through travel agents or to make your
own arrangements? Describe your best and worst holidays?
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of TWO of the following
forms of holiday accommodation:
(a) five star hotel (b) budget hotel (c) guest house
(d) bed & breakfast (e) self-catering villa (f) farmyard cottage
(g) ocean liner (h) student family (i) youth hostel
(j) caravan (k) tent (l) canal boat ?
3. Which form of accommodation did you have on your last holiday?
Were you satisfied with it?
4. Which form of accommodation would you prefer for your next holiday
and how many people would you like to accompany you?
5. What are your favourite holiday activities?
6. Has your country been spoilt by tourist developments?
7. A friend wants to get to know your country and is planning a tour.
What advice would you give about places to visit, travel, accommodation,
eating out, shopping, sightseeing, things to bring and souvenirs to buy?
LANGUAGE LEARNING
1. Describe "the good language learner" according to the following criteria:
woman or man
old or young
extrovert or introvert
other characteristics
habits
abilities ( including study skills )
motivation and interests
2. In what ways are you a good or bad language learner?
3. How many languages can you speak and how well can you speak them?
4. "Fluency in a language is more important than accuracy". Do you agree?
5. Are you satisfied with the way languages are taught in your country?
6. Do tourists often try to speak your language when they visit your country?
7. "Every child should learn to speak a second language." Do you agree?
8. Which should be the official world language - English or Esperanto?
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