10 клас говоріння

Speaking Comprehension Test for 10^th Form Students

1. Academic cheating is a major issue in all levels of education. What is your opinion of cheating? Why?

* How do you think it is possible to solve or, at least, minimize the problem?

* When cheating occurs, it is difficult to give fair grades. How can teachers evaluate their students’ abilities accurately in an environment rife with cheating?

* If cheating is condoned or, at least, quietly tolerated, what is the long term effect on society?

2. Imagine that tomorrow is the last day before the end of the world. What would you see or do on this last day? Why?

* Do you think it would be better to try and correct your past mistakes, or just to enjoy your last day instead? Why?

* How do you think people would react to the news of the impending apocalypse?

* Some people argue that laws are only obeyed due to the fear of punishment. If there were no tomorrow and, therefore, no consequences, do you think laws would still be obeyed? Why or why not?

3. Studies show that too much choice, having too many options, can prevent people from making a decision. If they do decide, they may be less happy with the result, because they second-guess themselves. Have you ever felt you had too many choices?

* Describe a choice that you have made which you wish you could take back and change. If you were able to take back this choice, what would you do differently?

* Does knowing that you can change a decision later on make it easier? Why or why not?

* Think about important life decisions, like choosing a career. Today, students have many choices of fields of study. What can help you make such a big decision?

 4. William Shakespeare wrote plays in England about 400 years ago, but his writing is still read all around the world today. Which contemporary writer do you think will still be famous 400 years from now? Why?

* What form do you think literature will take in future?

* Do you think people will still read Shakespeare’s plays 400 years from now? Why or why not?

* What do you think makes a writer’s work timeless?

5.  Standardized tests, such as the IQ test, have been used to measure individual’s intelligence. Do you think such tests can ever accurately measure all of the aspects of an individual’s intelligence? Why or why not?

* If you had a chance to take a test that would assign you a numerical representation of your intellect, would you take it? Why or why not?

* In your opinion, what qualities constitute intelligence?

* Do you think that intelligence is the most important quality in an individual? Why or why not?

* Which other qualities may or may not be equal to or more important than intelligence?

6. Some people believe it is important to share wisdom with future generations so that they avoid making the same mistakes. Imagine that you are speaking to your future granddaughter or grandson about lessons you have learned so far in your life.                                                                                                                               * What life lessons would you like to share?                                                                                                                * What traditions do you hope he or she will carry on in the future?                                                                                         * What wisdom would you pass to him or her from your grandparents?   

                             

7. The Internet and television have made the world a much smaller place, as virtually everyone is aware of pop culture icons like David Beckham and Lady Gaga.                                                                                           * Is it important to keep up with pop culture? Why or why not?                                                                                     * If you stopped paying attention to pop culture, would you be able to participate in the same kinds of conversations with your friends?                                                                                                                                  * Does pop culture create similar interests in people throughout the world, regardless of culture?                                 

8. Many people are distrustful of modern medicine. They believe that natural medicines from herbs and plants work much better.                                                                                                                                                * If you were sick, would you go to a regular doctor or a doctor who uses herbs and plants as medicine?                 

 * Some argue that laughter makes a person feel better than any medicine can. Do you agree?                                                                                                                                                                              * Have your parents ever treated you with medical remedies? Were they effective?

9. There is a popular quote by George Orwell that says “at 50, everyone has the face he deserves”. What do you think this quote means?

* Do you agree with this quote? Why or why not?

* What kind of face do you hope to have at 50? Why?

* People generally associate facial characteristics with personality characteristics. Do you think it is fair and accurate to draw conclusions about a person’s character based on their face? Why or why not?

10 .Both men and women spend a lot of time and money on fashion in an attempt to keep up with the latest trends.                                                                                                                                                                  * Does beauty affect one’s success in life?                                                                                                                   * Do you think the standard of beauty is the same in Ukraine as in America?                                                                    * Is there more pressure on women than on men to be beautiful?                                                                               

11. Leo Tolstoy wrote. “Art is a human activity which has as its purpose the transmission to others the highest and best feelings to which men have risen.”                                                                                                      * How can art reflect our personal ideals?                                                                                                                    * Tell about a painting, play, book or song that reflects your beliefs.                                                                         * Do you think we can learn from different forms of art?                                                                                       

12. There are many different ways to be a leader.                                                                                                 * How have you been a leader at school, among your friends or in other ways?                                                                  * What are some necessary characteristics of a good leader? Can anyone be a leader?                                               * Why is being or having a leader important?                                                                                                           

13. You will soon graduate from school and become an adult. What are your thoughts about childhood?               

 *  What do you think are the best parts of being a child?                                                                                            * What do you think the main differences are between childhood and adulthood?                                                       * What about your own children? Do you want their childhood to be different from or similar to your own? How do you see the lives of children in the future?                                                                                           

14. Imagine that you are a newspaper reporter and have the opportunity to interview any living person in the world.                                                                                                                                                                         * Who would you choose to interview, and why?                                                                                                            * How has this person influenced your life and the lives of others?                                                                                  * What is the goal of your article, and how will you make it newsworthy? 

15. Imagine you have become stranded on a desert island.                                                                                                            * Without a computer, phone or television, how would you spend your time?                                                                          * What do you know about survival skills, like planting food, building houses, or making clothes?                                

 * If you could choose two people to be stranded with you, who would they be and why?

16 .Imagine, you have a magic mirror that allows you to see anything in the world.                                                            * What would you choose to see?                                                                                                                                                  * What would you do with this information?                                                                                                                           * What could be dangerous about someone having access to such a powerful tool?                                                                                                             

17.Social networking sites like vKontakte and Facebook are seemingly all over the place. Do you see this as a good thing or bad thing? Why?                                                                                                                               * If all social networking sites were shut down forever, how would your life be affected?                                                 * Apart from socializing with friends, what other uses do social networking sites have?                                                * How can social networking sites be used as an agent of social change in Ukraine?                                                    

18. You are going on a trip to another country for two weeks. How would you plan your trip?                                                

 * Where would you go? With whom would you go? Why?                                                                                                  * Would you travel more for adventure, to learn, or to see historical sites?                                                                             * What kind of preparations would you make?  Describe one day in your itinerary?                                      

19. Do you think the “traditional” roles of men and women are changing in Ukraine?                                                     

* How have men’s roles changed? What new roles do they have?                                                                              * How about women? What’s changed with them?                                                                                                       * Do you think these roles should change to meet the needs of present times? Why?                                     

20. Home phones, mobile phones, Internet chatting and e-mail have revolutionized the world and changed a lot about how people communicate. Describe what form of modern communication you use.                            

 * In what ways have these modern forms of communication helped us?                                                              * What negative impacts has the loss of face-to-face communication had on everyone?                                         * What will the communication of the future be like?