1. Some people think that illegal Internet downloads are having a
negative effect on the music industry. Others feel that they have
little or no impact on artists. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
2. Some people think that exams are a good way of assessing
a student’s level. Other people believe that they put unnecessary
pressure on young learners and tell us very little about their actual
ability. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
3. Successful sportsmen can earn a great deal more than people in
other important professions. Some people think
this is fully justified while others think it is unfair. Discuss both
sides and give your own opinion.
4. Some people feel that there should be a fixed
punishment for each type of crime. Others feel that the circumstances of an
offence should be taken into account when deciding on a
punishment. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
5. Some people believe that all children should learn a foreign
language from the time they start school, while others believe it is
better to wait until a child is at secondary school. Discuss both sides
and give your own opinion.
6. Some people believe that in the near future there will be no borders
between countries, while others feel that national borders will always
remain. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
7. Some people feel that the cost of space
exploration is far too high for the benefits it brings while
others argue that we space programmes should continue no matter what the
cost. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
8. Some people believe that advertising has a strong effect on a
person’s decision-making process. Others feel that it has little or no real
impact. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
9. Some people believe that every human can create art. Other
people think that art can only be created by people with special
talents. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
10. Some people feel that the media has the strongest impact on
people’s lives. Others feel that it is politicians who have the most
control over the way people lives. Discuss both sides and give your own
opinion.
11. Some people feel that the primary function of a university
should be to prepare students for the working world. Others argue that the
purpose of a university education is to provide knowledge for knowledge’s sake.
Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
12. Some people thing that the teenage years are the happiest times
of most people’s lives. Others think that adult life brings more
happiness in spite of greater responsibilities. Discuss both sides and
give your own opinion.
13. Some people prefer to spend their lives doing the same things and
avoiding change. Others, however, prefer to take risks and think that change is
a positive thing. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
14. Some people think that boys and girls should attend school
together. Others feel that they should be educated separately. Discuss
both sides and give your own opinion.
15. Some people feel that global warming should be
dealt with by governments. Others feel that it is the responsibility of
individuals in society to solve the problem. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
16. Some people think that all university students should study
whatever they like. Others believe that they should only be allowed to
study subjects that will be useful in the future, such as those related to science
and technology. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
17. Some people think that a sense of competition should be
encouraged in children. Others believe that children who are taught to
cooperate rather than compete become more useful adults. Discuss both
sides and give your own opinion.
18. Some people think that economic development is the only
way to end poverty while others believe that it is causing damage to
the environment and so should be stopped. Discuss both views and give your
opinion.
19. Some people think that new houses should be built in the same
style as the older houses in an area. Others believe that the
government should allow people to build houses in the style they
want. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
20. Some people like to spend their leisure time with their
colleagues while others prefer to keep their private life separate
from their work life. Discuss both views and give your opinion.