English Oral Questions

By

Philip Pound

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Advertising

Advice

Aliens

Anger & Annoyances

Appearance & Beauty

Art

Books

Business

Cars & Driving

Challenges

Charity

City & Country

Cloning & GM Food

Computers

Crime & Punishment

Culture & Customs

Drugs

Education

Entertainment

English Learning

The Environment

Ethics

Family

Fashion

Fear & Phobias

Food

The Future

Happiness

Health

Houses

The Internet

Love & Marriage

Money

Movies

News

Personality

Philosophy

Sport

Superstition

Television

Transportation

Travel & Tourism

Technology

Work

Advertising

Can you remember any good slogans from ads?

Do you think advertising persuades you to buy products? How?

Can you name different types of advertising?

Why do you choose one brand over another?

Do you have “brand loyalty” to any brands?

What do you understand about the term “celebrity endorsement?”

Can you think of any celebrity endorsements?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of celebrity endorsements?

What are product placements?

Is this an effective form of advertising?

Should adverts targeted at children be banned?

What are your views on the advertising of tobacco?

What are your views on fast food advertising?

What is your favourite advertisement?

Is advertising a good thing?

Should political parties be allowed to advertise? How?

Tell me about the funniest advertisement you have seen?

Why did you buy this brand?

How would you advertise something?

How is advertising changing?

What is the future of advertising?

What is the funniest advert you have seen? Describe it.

Can you think of any good headlines?

Why do people buy?

What do you think of using shock tactics in advertising?

Advice

I want to lose weight. What should I do?

I have $100,000 to invest. How should I invest it?

I’m looking for a new job. What is the best way to find one?

Can you give me advice on a job interview?

I think the bank has mistakenly put $1,000,000 in my account. What should I do?

My daughter doesn’t want to go to school. What should I do?

I have a headache. What should I do?

I have a sunburn. What should I do?

I have the flu. What should I do?

I’m unhappy. What should I do?

I’m very unpunctual. How can I learn to be on time?

I need money. What’s the best way to earn it?

What advice would you give to your Prime Minister/President?

Who is the best person to give you advice?

What should you do if there is an earthquake?

How can one make more friends?

I want to find a husband/wife. What’s the best way to go about this?

Tell me about some bad advice that you’ve received?

What’s the difference between advice and a suggestion?

What advice would you give to someone dealing with heartbreak?

What advice would you give to someone unsure about what to study in college?

How can I get upgraded to business class on a flight?

I can’t find my car, what can I do?

Aliens

Do you think there’s life on other planets?

Do you think there’s intelligent life on other planets?

What do you think aliens would look like?

Do you think aliens have visited earth?

What does UFO stand for?

How would our world change if we encountered aliens?

Do you think aliens would be hostile or friendly?

Who’s your favourite alien from a movie?

Tell me about some of your favourite sci-fi movies?

Why are we fascinated by aliens?

Do you think humans will ever live on other planets?

As the nearest star with possibly habitable planets is so far away, do you think it’s even possible that we’ll encounter aliens?

Have you heard of The Drake Equation? According to this equation, how many habitable planets do you think there are in our galaxy? The Universe?

What do you think of alien abductions?

What do you think of Area 51?

Anger & Annoyances

What is a pet peeve/hate?

What are some of your pet peeves?

What annoys you about commuting?

What annoys you about members of your family?

Do you have habits that annoy other people?

If someone is annoying you, what do you do?

Can annoying habits be changed? How?

What annoys you about driving?

Who’s the most annoying person you know?

What would you say to a person who cut in line?

What famous people are annoying? Why?

What annoys you about teachers?

What annoys you about yourself?

What do you consider rude?

Do you find salespeople annoying? Can you recall an annoying salesperson?

Does inequality annoy you?

How can we prevent ourselves from becoming annoyed?

What’s the most annoying song you can think of?

Do unpunctual people annoy you?

Do you get angry when people accuse you in the wrong?

What is the purpose of anger?

How can we control our anger?

Can anger be good?

Have you ever gotten angry with someone on social media?

Appearance & Beauty

Does appearance matter?

What is beauty?

What would you like to change about your appearance?

How do you maintain your appearance?

What do clothes say about people?

Do you compliment people on their appearance?

What do you find attractive in people?

What do you think of tattoos?

What do you think of piercings?

Would you ever have cosmetic surgery?

Who’s the most beautiful person you’ve ever seen?

What do you think of beauty pageants?

Does beauty affect success?

Do you think the media and magazines pressurise people to be beautiful?

Do you have any beauty tips?

How can a person stay beautiful into old age?

What makes a person beautiful in your country? Other countries?

Do you think different cultures perceive beauty differently?

What makes a person more attractive than another?

Should your partner be beautiful?

What does the saying “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” mean?

What are some beauty treatments you know about?

Should men wear makeup?

Art

Are you artistic?

What is art?

Do you often go to art galleries?

Name some different types of art?

Who is your favourite artist? Why?

What do you think of modern art?

Who is the most famous artist in your country?

Describe your favourite work of art.

Do you think your government should subsidise art?

Do you think art is taken seriously as a subject or as a career choice?

Do you think terrible people can make beautiful art?

Is sport art

Can people be taught to be artistic?

How important is art education in our schools?

What kind of art do you own?

Do you think art is a good investment?

What does the term “art for art’s sake” mean?

What do you understand by the term aesthetic?

What can art teach us about how to be human beings?

Where do artists get their artistic inspirations?

Do you think you need to “suffer for your art?”

Can you tell me about some exhibitions you’ve attended?

Which museums have you visited?

Books

What is your favourite book?

What's your favourite genre of book?

What genres can you name?

Do you prefer fiction or non-fiction?

Who’s your favourite character from fiction?

Who is your favourite author?

What do you know about book clubs?

How do you know what books to buy?

Can books change people? How?

Are some movies better than the book? Can you name one?

How important are book covers?

How important are book titles?

Why do writers sometimes use pseudonyms?

What books do you want to read?

Who is the most famous writer in your country?

Are there any underrated authors? Or overrated?

What is the value of reading?

Do you read paper books or eBooks?

What books have changed the world?

What’s the difference between a story and a novel?

What do you like to read on holidays?

Do you read books in English?

Business

What line of business are you in?

What makes a successful business?

Is the main objective of a business to make a profit?

Would you like to be an entrepreneur?

What are some challenges someone faces when they start a business?

Would you like to work for the same company all your life?

Why do some products fail?

What sector is your business aligned with?

What is the difference between a multinational business and a global business?

Is globalisation good?

What is your business’ USP?

How can employees be motivated?

What is your management style?

What are some growth industries in your country?

Can making counterfeit products be justified?

Is there too much or too little regulation in your country?

Are you a risk taker or risk averse?

Are there really any new ideas in business?

What is your business’ slogan?

How important is innovation in business?

Do businesses focus too much on growth?

What are some of the challenges of rapid growth?

What important business advice would you give?

What are your business’ core values?

How can a company retain good staff?

Cars & Driving

Can you drive?

Are you a good driver?

What’s your favourite make of car? Why?

What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of driving versus public transportation?

What do you think of the drivers in your country?

What do you think of driverless cars?

What will driving be like in the future?

What can we do about dangerous driving?

What is the fastest car you have ever driven?

What does the car you own say about you?

What driving rules would you like to change?

Are you a “backseat driver?”

What do you think the impact of driverless cars will be?

Would you like to try your hand at car racing?

Can you think of any good trucker movies?

Challenges

Tell me about some challenges you’ve faced?

How can challenges change people?

Do you have any role models?

What makes a hero?

What are some everyday challenges that people face?

Can you talk about some amazing challenges that you have overcome?

Do you think children are too protected nowadays?

Are challenges necessary?

What’s your next challenge?

What holds people back from fulfilling their dreams?

Do you believe we control our lives or do you believe in fate?

What’s on your bucket list?

What do people most regret?

How can we build resilience?

What challenges does the world face? How can we meet those challenges?

Tell me about some adventure stories that you like?

Do you know of any survival stories?

What would you do if you got stranded on a desert island?

What part does “grit” have to do with success?

How can courage be built?

Do men and women experience pain differently?

Charity

Have you ever worked for a charity?

Have you ever volunteered?

Do you donate to charities?

What are some good causes to donate to, in your opinion?

Name some well-known charities?

Do you approve of the large marketing and administration costs of charities?

Do you approve of the large salaries of charity CEOs?

Do you approve of the advertising tactics of charities?

What do you think of chuggers?

Do you give money to the homeless?

Have you ever bought The Big Issue?

Who needs charity?

Are some charities scams?

What does “charity begins at home” mean?

How is technology affecting charities?

Have you heard of “microfinancing?”

What are some good causes to donate to?

Do you think charities are doing a good job?

Can you think of an idea for a good charity money-raising event?

Do you think it’s possible for charities to be politically impartial?

City & Country

Where would you prefer to live, the city or the country?

What are some advantages to living in the city versus the country?

What are some of the best cities in the world? What makes them so good?

What city would you like to visit?

What are some problems that cities face?

What are some problems those living in the countryside face?

What do you understand by the term “urban-rural divide?”

How can we tackle rural depopulation?

How will cities change in the future?

How do people from the city and people from the country differ?

What are some changes you’d like to make to your city?

Where would you like to retire to?

How does being from the city or the countryside affect your relationship to people?

What should urban regeneration be focused on?

Do you think there are enough green spaces in your city?

What are some suggestions you have for tackling crime in the inner city?

Have you ever thought about being a farmer?

How are city people and country people different?

What are some challenges country people face?

Cloning & GM Food

What do you understand about cloning?

What are some of the advantages/disadvantages of cloning?

How could cloning affect our lives?

Would you eat the meat of a cloned animal?

What are the ethical issues around cloning?

Do you think scientists should clone people?

What problems could cloning solve?

Would you like to have a clone of yourself?

If you could clone a famous person from the past, who would you clone?

Are you in support of cloning?

Would you like to clone dinosaurs like Jurassic Park?

What do you think of GM food?

Would you spend extra money to eat organic food?

Do you think GM is necessary? What are the alternatives?

What would happen if you cloned yourself?

Do you think it is ethical to clone people in order to harvest organs?

Should clones and humans be allowed to marry?

Would you clone your pet if it died?

Computers

Tell me a little about the history of the computer?

Do you think we are slaves to our computers and smartphones?

Tell me about your first computer

How have computers changed in your lifetime?

Do you play computer games? Which is your favourite?

Do you think computers will become self-aware someday? What would be the consequence?

Should children be allowed to use computers or tablets from an early age?

Are you concerned about cyber-security?

What do you know about phishing?

Name some other internet scams you know about?

Have you ever been the victim of a scam?

Could you go without using a computer or smartphone for a year?

Have you ever learned to code?

What computer games have you played? Recommend?

What difficulties do you think older people have in learning how to use a computer?

What are some useful software programs you use?

Which do you prefer, Mac or PC?

What makes you angry about using a computer?

What are some things we take for granted with computers?

What changes will “the internet of things” bring?

Crime & Punishment

Have you ever witnessed a crime?

Do you think that there’s ever an occasion when committing a crime is the right thing?

Do you support capital punishment?

Which is more effective, the death penalty or life in prison?

What is your position on your country’s drugs policy?

Does your country have a jury system? Do you know anyone who’s ever served in a jury?

What is the purpose of prison?

How can the crime rate be lowered?

What causes crime?

How do you feel about the issue of gun control?

What are the roots of terrorism? What could be done about terrorism?

Do you consider piracy to be a crime?

Do you think criminals can change?

What should be the punishment for criminals?

Have you heard or restorative justice? Do you think it can help?

Should people be allowed to carry weapons?

Would you commit a crime to feed your family?

How safe is your country?

Tell me about organised crime in your country?

Is corruption widespread in your country? What can be done about it?

If your best friend committed a crime, what would you do?

Are criminals born or made?

Culture & Customs

Which foreign countries have you travelled to?

Which of your country’s customs do you think foreigners find unusual?

What foreign customs do you find unusual?

Tell me about dating and marriage customs in your country.

What cultural taboos exist in your country?

How would you describe the level of formality in your country?

Which cultures are informal?

Which cultures are formal?

Have you ever committed a cultural faux pas?

What problems might international marriages face?

Do you think some cultures find it more difficult to integrate into your society?

What is “high culture?”

Have you ever experienced culture shock?

What do you know about American customs?

What do you know about Christmas customs?

What can you tell me about your country’s New Year customs?

Drugs

Should marijuana be legalised?

Do you think current drug laws are effective in dealing with the problems of drugs?

Is alcohol a drug?

Is alcohol worse than illegal drugs?

What is alcoholism? What causes it?

How can alcoholism be treated?

What are the characteristics of drunk people?

What’s the best cure for a hangover?

What’s your opinion of smoking?

Do you think smoking should be banned in public places?

What is your opinion of vaping?

Can you think of any legitimate medical uses for illegal drugs?

If drugs were legal would there be less crime?

What other kinds of addictions can people have?

What causes addiction?

How can drug addiction be treated?

Have you ever taken traditional or alternative medicines?

Tell me about some home remedies you know of.

Would you take part in a clinical trial?

Education

Should university education be free, in your opinion?

Do you have any funny school stories?

Are teachers paid enough in your country?

Tell me a little about your school.

How could the education system in your country be improved?

Who was your favourite teacher in school? Why was he/she your favourite?

What Subjects did you like in school?

What subjects did you not like?

Do you think schools should be single sex or mixed?

Tell me about your major in university.

Did you study abroad? Where?

What makes a good university?

Are you an advocate of “lifelong learning?”

What is your opinion on home schooling?

Did you ever hear of cheating in your school?

What should be the punishment for cheating?

What makes a good student?

What is your opinion of school uniforms?

What’s the best way to raise a bilingual child?

How has technology changed learning?

What’s the best way to handle bullying?

What is your opinion of “affirmative action?”

Entertainment

What is your favourite movie? Why is it your favourite?

What is your favourite TV show?

Can you recommend any good YouTube channels? Videos?

Tell me about some websites you visit.

What phone apps would you recommend?

What kind of music do you like?

What’s your favourite band?

Do you like to attend live concerts?

Have you ever been to the theatre?

Have you ever gambled?

What kind of books do you like to read?

Who’s your favourite writer?

What magazines do you like to read?

What book are you currently reading?

What’s your idea of entertainment?

What kind of comedy do you like?

What makes you laugh?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of being famous?

Do you like drinking? What do you like to drink?

English Learning

How long have you been studying English?

Do you think English will be replaced as a “lingua franca” worldwide?

What are some tips you’d give to someone studying English?

What’s the best way to learn listening/speaking/writing/reading?

What do you find most difficult about studying English?

Tell me about a funny misunderstanding you’ve had in English?

Why are you learning English?

Tell me about some smartphone apps you’d recommend for learning English?

How can English help you to further your career?

Are there sounds or words you have difficulty saying?

How useful is learning grammar?

How do you think English should be taught in school?

Do you think machines or computers will replace English teachers?

What mistakes do you make?

How do you stay motivated to self-study?

What other languages do you want to learn, besides English?

Do you think some people are naturally better at learning languages?

What are some funny mistakes people make in English?

Have you ever taken TOEFL, IELTS, etc.?

What do you think are the strong and weak points of those exams?

The Environment

Name some kinds of pollution.

Name some kinds of alternative energy.

What is your opinion on climate change?

What are some things we can do to help the environment?

What do you think are the most viable alternatives to fossil fuels?

Is climate change happening?

What causes climate change?

What will the world be like in 100 years?

Are you in favour of nuclear energy? Why/Why not?

What do you think are the most urgent pollution problems we’re facing?

What do you recycle?

What should be done with the trash after it’s collected?

How is climate change affecting political stability throughout the world?

Does your country have a carbon tax? What are the advantages or disadvantages of such a tax?

Have you heard of freegans? Dumpster divers?

Tell me about the smoking laws in your country

Do you think smoking should be banned in certain places? Where?

What can your government do to increase awareness of environmental issues?

Do you save water?

If the sea levels rise, how will it affect the world’s political stability?

How has climate change affected the history of the world?

Ethics

Do you consider yourself an ethical person?

Tell me about some ethical dilemmas you’ve faced?

Is it ever right to commit a crime? When?

Are wars ever justified? When?

What is some unethical behaviour you can think of?

Should begging be a crime?

What would you do if you saw someone shoplifting?

What would you do if you saw your friend cheating in an exam?

What is a white lie? When is it a good time to tell one?

Have you ever found a wallet? What did you do?

Do you consider downloading pirated material from the internet to be unethical?

What causes people to be unethical?

What do you think are some unethical jobs? Why?

Has your boss or colleague ever asked you to do anything unethical?

Are people born bad?

What part does peer pressure have to play in unethical choices?

What part does “the madness of crowds” have in irrational behaviour?

What causes “crimes of passion”?

Do you agree with the statement “the evil man does what all men dream”?

Family

Who is the head of your family?

Are you familiar with the phrase “blood is thicker than water?” Do you agree with this saying?

How close are you to your extended family?

How did your mother and father meet?

How do you think families in your country differ from other countries?

What are some pressures that modern families face?

What are some differences between modern families and those in the past?

What’s the difference between a house and a home?

What do you think of gay marriage?

What’s the best age to leave home and live by yourself?

What’s the best way to discipline children?

What are some good attributes for a parent to have?

Tell me about your ancestors?

Do you have children?

How did you get your name?

Do you agree “schooldays are the best days of your life?”

Tell me about your mother’s and father’s jobs?

Does your family have a black sheep?

What’s the best thing you’ve learned from your parents?

Who’s the breadwinner in your family?

Fashion

What are the latest fashion trends?

Are you interested in fashion?

How would you describe your style?

Where do you like to shop for clothes?

Do you wear a uniform at school/work? Describe it

Are you loyal to any brands?

Is fashion important? Why?

What’s the most expensive item of clothing you’ve ever bought?

Have you ever worn a tuxedo or evening gown?

Do you think the fashion industry has a positive effect on people’s lives?

What do you think the life of a fashion model is like?

Name some famous fashion designers

Can you name some celebrity endorsements of famous fashion brands?

Are you brand aware?

What’s the difference between style and fashion?

What would you imagine the life of a fashion model to be like?

Fear & Phobias

Do you have any phobias?

What’s the best way to overcome fear?

Sometimes it is said that giving a speech in public is the biggest fear, do you agree?

What are people afraid of?

Do you like horror movies? If so, which?

What’s the scariest movie you’ve ever seen?

What’s the most frightened you’ve ever been?

Give me some words to describe fear?

Do you know any fear idioms?

Do you fear death?

What numbers are people superstitious about in your country?

What’s the difference between fear and anxiety?

Have you ever overcome a fear?

What facial expressions do people show when they’re fearful?

Are you afraid of speaking English?

What do we have to be afraid of?

What disease are you most afraid of?

Tell me about some physical expressions of fear?

Can you name some of the most common phobias?

Food

What’s your favourite food?

Tell me about some food you don’t like.

What food would you never eat?

Have you ever had food poisoning?

What’s the worst food you’ve ever eaten?

What are some strange foods you’ve heard about?

What do you like to cook?

Describe your favourite recipe for me.

Which country has the best cuisine?

Name some cooking utensils for me.

Name some verbs associated with cooking.

What do you think of GMO?

Tell me about some cooking traditions in your country that foreigners may be unaware of.

Do you know any idioms associated with cooking?

Do you eat junk food?

What’s the best way to prevent being overweight?

Do you buy organic food?

Have you ever thought about being a farmer?

Do you drink bottled water or tap water?

Do you tip? How much?

Would you eat a bowl of cockroaches for $50,000?

Future

How will cities look in the future?

What is disruptive technology? Can you give an example?

Do you think the future will be a dystopia or utopia?

What will happen when we run out of oil?

Where do you picture yourself ten years from now?

What are you going to do this weekend?

Do you like science fiction movies? Which?

Which sci-fi movie is the most accurate, in your opinion?

What will medical care be like in the future?

Can fortune tellers predict the future?

How will technology predict the future?

How will the world order change in the future?

Are you optimistic about the future?

Do you think robots will ever become self-aware?

How long do you want to live?

What kinds of new energy do you think we’ll discover?

Do you have an idea for an invention?

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

What traditions are important for us to keep?

Happiness

Would you describe yourself as a happy person?

Can you make your own happiness?

Is happiness within you or caused by outer events?

What is happiness?

What was the happiest day of your life?

Does money bring happiness?

Do you ever feel down? If so, how do you get yourself out of the rut?

What causes depression? How can it be treated?

Who’s the happiest person you know?

What do you think of the idea of “Gross National Happiness?”

Finland has many times been cited as the happiest country in the world. Why do you think this is?

Do you think happiness can change depending on the season?

How does happiness affect our health?

Do you believe that schooldays are the happiest days of your life?

Are people in your country happy?

What do you do to relieve stress?

Are we happier now than in the past or vice versa?

How is mental health issues treated in your country?

Is the idea of happiness different around the world?

What would make you happier?

Health

Would you describe yourself as healthy?

What’s important to live a long life?

What’s the best way to lose weight?

Are there any diseases running in your family?

What food is best avoided in order to stay healthy?

Are you a hypochondriac?

What is “cyberchondria?”

Do you have any allergies?

Do you think having a vegan or vegetarian diet is beneficial?

How is the healthcare system in your country?

Do you have any traditional family remedies?

What’s your opinion of alternative medicine?

Do you know any first aid?

What’s the best cure for a hangover?

What’s your opinion of organ donation?

Would you like to live forever?

Do you think you get enough sleep?

Do you trust your doctor to give good advice?

What advances can you foresee in medical technology?

Have you ever had an operation?

Would you ever have cosmetic surgery?

Houses

Would you describe yourself as a tidy person?

Describe your dream home.

How many rooms does your house have? Describe them.

If you had $10,000 to spend on your home what would you do or buy?

Do you know your neighbours?

Can you name and describe some forms of architecture?

Would you prefer to rent or buy your home? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

How much is your rent?

Give me some reasons people become homeless?

Where is the best place to live in your city or country?

How safe are the neighbourhoods in your country?

Outline some ways to keep your house safe from burglars?

What can be done to help homeless people?

How many different places have you lived in? Describe the houses for me.

How would you go about buying a house in your country?

Do you think property is a good investment?

Do you have any pets?

Have you ever done any DIY?

Are you interested in home renovation programmes?

Have you ever been homesick?

Name some home appliances for me.

The Internet

How much time do you spend on the internet each day?

Do you think children should be allowed to use the internet?

How has the internet changed the world?

Can you talk about some dangers of the internet?

What sites do you visit the most?

How do you feel about internet piracy?

Are you interested in video games?

Are you worried about your data on the internet?

Have you ever been scammed?

Can you talk about some of the most common scams on the internet?

Do you think the internet is a good place to find a future spouse?

How has the internet affected traditional industries?

Do you buy products online? Where? What?

Have you ever done a MOOC?

Do you think the internet will replace regular universities?

Do you trust the news you get from the internet?

Have you heard of trolling? How should one deal with internet trolls?

Has the internet helped you to learn English?

Have you ever heard of “the dark web?”

Do you use social media?

Love & Marriage

Do you believe in love at first sight?

What do you normally do on Valentine’s Day?

How does your country feel about public displays of affection?

What traits do you find attractive in a potential mate?

What do you think of arranged marriage?

Why is the divorce rate higher in some countries than others?

What causes divorce?

How did your mother and father meet?

What’s the secret to a happy marriage?

How is dating and courtship different in your country?

Tell me about weddings in your country?

Do you think polygamy is a good idea?

Have you ever been on a bad date?

Would you marry someone from a different culture to yours?

Do you believe in “the one?”

Should men pay for dates?

What is the best age to get married?

What is your opinion of same-sex marriage?

Have you ever had a crush on someone?

Where is a good place to go on honeymoon?

Have you ever had your heart broken?

Have you ever done online dating?

Have you ever been on a blind date?

Money

Are you a spender or a saver?

What are some good ways to invest money?

What is the exchange rate in your country?

Name as many ways as possible of getting money?

Shakespeare said “Neither a borrower nor a lender be” Do you agree?

What’s the most expensive thing you’ve ever bought?

What would you do if you won the lottery?

Are you a bargain hunter?

What’s the best bargain you’ve ever got?

Do you feel comfortable with haggling?

Do you ever donate to charity?

Have you ever gambled?

Have you ever been in debt?

How do you track your spending?

What do you “splash out” on?

Do you have a pension or a plan for retirement?

Do you think there is a large income disparity in your country?

Do you believe in a “guaranteed basic income?”

What do you think the best economic path is for your country?

Are you left or right wing regarding economics?

Have you ever had “buyer’s remorse?”

What do you want to buy next?

Have you ever used Bitcoin?

Movies

What kind of movies do you like?

Name your five favourite movies.

What’s the scariest movie you’ve ever seen?

Do you usually rent movies or go to the cinema?

Who’s your favourite movie star?

Name a movie that’s highly rated, but you dislike?

Do you cry during movies?

Can you think of a good idea for a movie?

What makes a good movie?

What’s the worst movie you’ve ever seen?

Can you explain the plot of a famous movie?

Do you agree that sequels are always worse than the original?

Can you name a movie you like that others might not be familiar with?

Who’s your favourite director?

What kinds of movie can you not stand?

Who would you get to play you in a movie?

Can you name the different jobs involved in making a movie?

News

Where do you get your news?

Do you believe the news?

Have you ever been interested in working in the media?

How could news reporting be changed?

What is your opinion of tabloid newspapers?

How does media censorship affect a country?

What are the political positions of the respective newspapers in your country?

What purpose does news serve in a democracy?

What is the future of newspapers?

Should the news be unbiased? Can it be?

What news story sticks out in your memory?

How does the news influence people?

Do you read the newspaper in English?

What are the different section of a newspaper?

Have you ever been in the newspaper?

If you have a chance to interview someone famous, who would it be?

What would you ask them?

What’s the funniest story you’ve heard on the news?

Do you read or subscribe to any magazines?

Can you think of any good ideas for magazine features?

Are we addicted to news?

Personality

Describe your personality for me?

What are some desirable and undesirable personality traits that you possess?

What is the difference between “character” and “personality?”

Are you outgoing or shy?

What are some personality traits you find attractive?

Do you feel you need to work on any aspects of your personality?

Have you ever done an aptitude test?

Do you feel you’re suited to your job?

In what ways has your personality changed over the years?

What makes you angry? How do you deal with it?

Are you a jealous person? How can you overcome jealousy?

What are the personality traits needed to become a doctor/police officer/accountant/car salesperson?

What makes an attractive personality?

What is charisma? How can it be developed?

How are colours used to describe personality?

How important is birth order to personality?

Do countries have personalities?

Is it good to be different?

How do you handle stress? Are you good under pressure?

What personality traits do you need to be a successful businessperson?

What makes a champion different?

Philosophy

Do you believe that we have free will?

Tell me about some different philosophers you know?

Is there such a thing as objective truth?

What is beauty?

Why does evil exist?

Do you believe in karma?

What is the meaning of life?

Do we take life too seriously?

If people knew for certain that there were no consequences to their actions that they’d act ethically?

Should we treat animals the same as humans?

Is there such a thing as a “just war”?

Are humans fundamentally good or bad?

Would you kill one person in order to save the lives of many others?

Do you believe in fate?

How can we be sure that we’re not living in a computer program?

What is your philosophy of life?

How are eastern and western philosophies different, in your opinion?

Do you believe in an afterlife?

What is it to live a good life?

What are some ethical principles you live by?

Sport

Tell me about some sports you like to watch or play

Can you explain the rules of your favourite sport?

What sports do you not like?

Tell me about an inspiring sporting moment you know about?

Do you think sports stars are paid too much?

What are the benefits of sports?

Tell me about your exercise regime?

What makes a successful team?

Do you think some sports are too violent?

What is the most expensive sport?

Do you follow any sports teams?

Name some extreme sports. Would you try any of them?

Have you ever gambled on a sports event?

Do you like to play any card games?

Explain the rules of a card game for me

Do you think the Olympics is good for peace in the world?

Do you think it’s hard for sports people to adjust to life after retirement?

Who is your team’s favourite player?

How will your team fare this year?

Are there any sporting rules you’d like to see changed?

Superstition

Have you ever seen a ghost? Do you believe in them?

Would you spend the night in a haunted house?

Do you have any superstitions?

What is considered unlucky in your country?

What is considered lucky in other countries?

Do you carry any amulets?

Do you know any ghost stories?

What is taboo in your country?

What’s the scariest movie you’ve ever seen?

Do you believe mediums can speak to the dead?

Have you ever been to a fortune teller?

Do you believe in UFOs and aliens?

Do you think aliens have visited the Earth?

Have you ever experienced synchronicity?

How do you explain déjà vu?

Do you know of any mysteries that remain unexplained?

Have you ever had an OOBE?

Do you believe in reincarnation?

What’s the most frightening thing to happen to you?

Do you believe in the occult?

What do you know about witchcraft?

Television

How many hours of TV do you watch every day?

What TV programmes do you like?

What TV programmes do you not like?

Have you any good ideas for TV programmes?

What’s the best TV moment you can remember?

Do you think TV is in decline with the advent of YouTube and Netflix?

Can you think of any good TV ads you have seen?

Do TV ads influence you?

Are you a couch potato?

Can TV influence or affect your behaviour?

Who is your favourite TV personality?

Have you ever been embarrassed watching TV with your parents?

How would you change TV?

Do you watch reality TV?

Tell me something interesting you’ve learned from TV

Is TV better now than in the past?

What TV shows did you watch as a kid?

Transportation

Do you have a driver’s license?

Have you ever got a parking ticket?

How do you feel about the transport system in your city?

What’s the strangest means of transport that you’ve taken?

How do you get to work every day?

What is the safest and most dangerous forms of transport?

Tell me about some transport you’ve experienced in other countries?

What do you usually do when on the train or bus?

Have you ever been on a cruise ship?

Have you ever been on a horse?

How do you commute to work/school?

How do you think we can alleviate traffic congestion?

What is the future of automobiles?

What steps do you have to take to pass a driving test in your country?

What make of car do you own? What would you like to own?

How can governments encourage public transport use?

How would you change the public transportation system in your country?

How do you feel about Uber? Have you used it?

Have you ever driven on the opposite side of the road?

What are drivers like in your country?

Travel & Tourism

What kinds of travel can we have?

Where do you want to go on holiday next?

What’s the difference between a holiday and a vacation?

Do you have any funny holiday experiences to relate?

Have you ever been the victim of crime on holiday?

Where would you like to go on a round-the-world trip?

Have you ever travelled alone?

What do you think of tourists to your country?

What are some traditions in your country that are useful for people to know before they visit?

What are the best places to visit in your country?

Tell me about your high school trip

What’s the best way to travel?

Do you write an itinerary or not before you take a trip?

Have you ever hitchhiked?

Which countries would you not like to visit? Why?

Do you learn the local language before taking a trip abroad?

What’s the best/worst accommodation you’ve ever experienced?

Do you prefer independent travel or package tours? Why?

Why do people travel?

What are the benefits of travel?

Do you think tourism is harmful?

Would you like to work in the tourism industry?

Technology

What piece of technology is indispensable to you?

What’s the difference between innovation and invention?

Can you tell me about the invention of any products?

Do you know any technophobes?

Are you an analog or digital person?

What will robots be used for in the future?

Do you fear automation? Could it put you out of a job?

Do you think computers will ever become self-aware?

Are you scared about how much technology companies know about you?

What is the greatest technological achievement?

How do you feel about cloning?

Do you agree with human cloning?

Have you ever eaten organic food?

Are we too dependent on technology?

Would you consider doing a “digital detox?”

Which do you prefer, PC or Mac?

Are you interested in science?

Do you agree with being able to design the baby you’d like?

What are your favourite science fiction movies?

Have you ever used a cryptocurrency?

What software can you use?

Where did you learn to use a computer?

What are the potential dangers of scientific advances?

Work

How do you find a job?

What makes a good employee?

Would you like to be an entrepreneur or be an employee?

What tips would you give to someone taking a job interview?

What kinds of job interview questions are there?

What are good answers to these questions?

How should someone dress for a job interview?

How many jobs have you had? Tell me about them

What are the advantages/disadvantages of working for a big company/small company?

Can you name some dangerous/stressful jobs?

What is your dream job?

What job did you want to do when you were young?

What is the secret to success in your job?

What is the biggest motivator for hard work?

What’s the most important thing in choosing a job?

What are your plans for retirement?

What are some good attributes of a boss?

What industries would you encourage a graduate to enter?

What CSR programs can you think of?

What kind of job would you never do?

Do you think you’re getting paid fairly?

What causes workaholism?