SPEAKING

DISCUSS THE QUESTIONS WITH YOUR PARTNER

About Myself and My Family
1.     What features of your own character do you dislike and why?

2.     Tell several words about your plans for the near future.

3.     What are your household chores?

4.     What family traditions or holidays do you have?

5.     How do you spend your free time together with your friends and family?

6.     Why is it important to have understanding parents?

7.     Why does the father – and – son problem always exist?

8.     What it your idea of a good husband or wife?

9.     What does family happiness depend on?

10. What role does it play in each person’s life?

11. What will you ask your British friend about his/her family?

12. What can you advise people who want to have a close and happy family?

13. Why are there many one-parent families? How does the state help such families?

14. What is family for you?

15. Are there any things that you do with your parents together?

16. Nowadays an average family has one child. From your point of view, how many children should there be in a family?

17. They say that parents and children have difficulties understanding each other because of the generation gap. What do you think about this problem?

18. Let’s talk about your family. What role does it play in your life?

19. Are you on good terms with your parents and grandparents?

20. What can you advise people who want to get on well with their parents?

21. They say that parents and children have difficulties understanding each other because of the generation gap. What do you think about this problem?

Friends and Friendship

1.     Why is friendship important?

2.     What is real friendship in your opinion?

3.     Do you have many friends? Tell about the best one.

4.     How did you get acquainted with your friend?

5.     What qualities of your friend’s character do you appreciate and which of them do you dislike?

6.     What is your best friend good at? What is he going to be?

7.     What common interests do you have with your friend?

8.     Do you like to spend your free time together?

9.     What is your parents’ attitude to your friend?

10. What will you do if your friend tells you a life or betrays you?

11. What role do friends play in your life?

12. Can you rely on your best friend? Why (not)?

13. What questions do you usually ask when you want to get acquainted with someone?

14. What can you advise a teenager who has no friends?

15. They say: “A person has just one true friend”. What do you think about this?

16. What’s your best friend like?

17. Is it easier to make friends when you are an adult or a child? Why?

18. What can you advise a teenager who wants to make friends in a new school? .

19. They say: “If you haven’t learnt the meaning of friendship, you really haven’t learnt anything”. What do you think about this?

20. What questions can help you to understand if people are close friends or not?

21. What can you advise a teenager who doesn’t want to go to school because of bullying?

22. Nowadays teenagers have got up to 300 friends in Contact. What do you think about it?        

23. People say that friendship isn’t a big thing, it’s a million little things. What do you think about it?

24. Do you have a good friend among adults?

25. What can you advise a teenager who is moving to a new place?

26. Nowadays people prefer to have more money than many friends. What do you think about it?

My Future Career

1.        Why is it not easy to choose your future profession? What aspects should a person take into consideration?

2.        In what way can school help young people to make their choice?

3.        How can you imagine an ideal job?

4.        What education and qualities are required to become a good specialist?

5.        What do you think about your parents’ jobs? Would you like to follow in their steps?

6.        What is more important in the job: interest or money?

7.        What do you consider to be more necessary: a successful career or a happy family?

8.        What would you like to become?

9.        Does a person need to possess special qualities to become a good specialist in this or that particular field? Why?

10.     What questions will you ask your future employer at a job interview?

11.     Give me some advice on how to behave at a job interview to create a positive impression on the employer.

12.     Some people think that it is necessary to have a good command of a foreign language to get a good job. Do you agree with this?   

13.     What kind of job would you like to have in future?

14.     Do you want to have a part-time job, when you are a student? Why (not)?

15.     Give me some advice on what I need to think about when choosing a job.

16.     Some people think that it is necessary to have good communication skills in order to get a good job. Do you agree with this?

17.     What is your idea of an ideal job?

18.     Is there any profession you wouldn’t like to go into? Why (not)?

19.     Some people think that it is necessary to have computer skills to get a good job. Do you agree with this?    

Food

1. What do you usually have for breakfast/ lunch/dinner?

2. How many meals a day do you usually have?

3. At what time do you have your breakfast?

4. Do you have lunch at home?

5. What do you have for dinner?

6. Do you prefer tea or coffee, after dinner?

7. What is your favourite course?

8.  Do you like fish?

9.  How many courses do you have for dinner?

10. Are dinners in your canteen expensive or cheap?

11. How much time do you spend having your dinner in the canteen?

12. What is your opinion about our canteen?

13. What can you tell me about eating habits in your family?

14. Do you like cooking? Why (not)?

15. What questions will you ask a friend who has invited you to a pot-luck party?

16. Which national dishes can you recommend a tourist to taste in Belarus?

17. Scientists say that fast food is unhealthy but teenagers can’t stop eating it. What do you think about it?

18. What can you tell me about eating habits in Belarus?

19. Do you personally follow the rules of a healthy way of life? Why (not)?

20. What questions can you ask a British friend about their national cuisine?

21. Can you tell me how to cook one of your favourite dishes?

22. Most of the families want to have a big kitchen in the flat, but at the same time they have a meal together less and less often. What do you think about it?

23. Do you often invite guests to have a meal together?

24. What questions can you ask a British friend about their eating habits?

25. Which cafes would you recommend to visit in your place? Why?

26. What do people eat in Britain?

27. Do you know many recipes?

28. What questions can you ask a waiter when you are ordering a meal in a café?

29. A lot of pupils refuse to have meals at school. What do you think about it?

 Shopping

1.     Is shopping a daily routine or a pleasant pastime for you?

2.     What types of shops can be found in our town?

3.     What makes shopping pleasant or unpleasant?

4.     Why do many people prefer shopping in big supermarkets and department stores?

5.     What is you idea of a good shop?

6.     What do you think of the service in most shops?

7.     Will you describe your last visit to the shop?

8.     What do you know about the history of money?

9.     Do you like shopping? Why (not)?

10. What questions will you ask a shop assistant to help you to choose a purchase?

11. What can you advise a person who wants to buy many things (clothes, foodstuffs, etc.) but has little time?

12. Parents usually give pocket money to their children. How do you usually spend your pocket money?

13. Who does the shopping in your family?

14. Is Minsk a shopper’s paradise? Why (not)?

15. What questions will you ask your friend who has bought an expensive telephone?

16. What can you advise a teenager who wants to buy a birthday present for his/her friend?

17. Some teenagers think that parents should pay them for doing their household chores. Do you share their opinion?

18. Are you a shopaholic?

19. Are your parents happy about the way you spend your money? Why? Why not?

20. What questions can you ask your friend about the best shopping places in his/her native city/town?

21. Advise me on how to make my own budget.

22. Parents usually give pocket money to their children. But some people think they shouldn’t do it as teenagers don’t work. What do you think about it?

23. Is it easy to buy a good birthday present? Why? Why not?

24. Do you agree that if you have problems, money can help you to solve them? Why (not)? 

Hobby, Leisure Time

1.      Why is it important to have a bobby? What role does your hobby play in your life? 

2.      What are favourite leisure activities of Belarusian people? Do they differ much from those in Great Britain?

3.      What ways of spending pastime can you offer? Do you prefer active or passive ways?

4.      What is your idea of the best weekend? Does your weekend depend on the season of the year?

5.      Do you prefer to spend your free time with your friends or with your family?

6.      What places are there in your town for having a rest and entertainment?

7.      What do you like doing in your free time?

8.      Do you find it useful to go to the theatre or cinema? Why (not)?

9.      What questions can you ask a British friend about his/her free time?

10. Give me some advice on what to do in my free time.

11.     Many parents think that children should spend less time playing computer games, that they should play outside or do some sport instead. What do you think about this?

12.     What questions can you ask a British friend about his/her hobbies?

13.     Can you recommend me to watch one of the films you have seen recently?

14.     Many parents complain that children don’t read books. Why do you think children are not interested in reading?

15.     What are your hobbies?

16.     Do you find it useful to read books? Why (not)?

17.     What questions will you ask a British teenager to find out what kind of reader he/ she is?

18.      Many parents don’t like the music their children listen to. They often argue about it. What can you advise them to do to get along with each other?

19.      Do you think it is possible to enjoy yourself without spending much money?

20.      What hobbies do modern teenagers have?

21.      Do you consider some creative person very special? Why?

22.      What questions would you like to ask a celebrity?

23.      Give me some advice on what book to buy for my teenage neighbour.

24.      Many parents often complain that teenagers don’t want to spend their free time with them. What do you think about this?

The Joy of Reading

1. What kinds of literature are popular with readers and why?

1. Are you fond of serious or humorous reading?
2. What writers are called classics? What authors make the pride of the world classical literature?
3. Why don’t young people read much nowadays?
4. What kind of books will you take with you on a long journey?
5. Does reading develop people’s minds and souls? Prove it.
6. What is your opinion of poetry?
7. What literature can be called scientific? Why do people read it?
8. What book would you publish if you were a writer?

  Mass Media

1.        What are the most influential mass media nowadays?

2.        What can you tell about the role of the press today?

3.        Will you describe one of the most popular newspapers published in Belarus?

4.        Why is TV considered to be a serious means of moulding public opinion?

5.        Do mass media bring only good or also harm?

6.        Why is the Internet widely used at present?

7.        What role do modern mass media play in the world?

8.        Is there any means of communication you can’t live without? Why (not)?

9.        What questions will you ask the participants of a TV reality show?

10.     I’d like to watch an interesting programme on TV. What can you advise me?

11.     Many people say that newspapers and radio are not as popular as TV and very soon they will lose their importance. What is your point of view?

12.     Are all means of mass media popular among your schoolmates? Why?

13.     What questions will you ask a newsreader about his/her work?

14.     Unfortunately, I don’t have enough time to surf the net, but I’d like to do it. Which sites would you recommend visiting?

15.     Can the internet replace all the other means of mass media? What is your point of view?

16.     Do you think all means of communication will exist in the future? Why (not)?

17.     What questions will you ask people who live without a TV set, computer or radio?

18.     My cousin spends a lot of time chatting in Contact and it makes all the family angry. What can you advise him and the family to do in this situation?

19.     Nowadays many people don’t write letters as often as in the past. Do you think it’s true?

20.     Do you consider all means of communication very effective? Why?

The United Kingdom of Great Britain 
and Northern Ireland

1.     What can you say about the geographical position of Great Britain?

2.     What is the official name of the country?

3.     Is the scenery and the landscape of Great Britain diverse?

4.     Describe  the climate in Great Britain. Why is weather a frequent topic of conversation in the country?

5.     What can you say about the industry and agriculture of Great Britain?

6.     What do you know about the political system of the country?

7.     What are the oldest educational centers in Great Britain?

8.     What outstanding British writers, scientists, and film stars do you remember?

9.     What are the most popular sports in Great Britain?

10. What are the national symbols of the country?

11. What places would you like to see when you get to Britain for the first time?

12. What are the main problems of the country?

13. What do you know about Britain?

14. Would you like to visit Britain? Why (not)?

15. What would you ask a British teenager about national holidays in Britain?

16. Give me a piece of advice on what sights to seе in London.

17. Do the British differ greatly from Belarusian people in character? Why?

18. What are the state symbols of Great Britain?

19. They say it’s important for a person to speak English nowadays because it is popular all over the world. What is your opinion?

20. What can the British be proud of?

21. What part of Great Britain would you like to visit? Why?

22. What would you ask a person who works at Buckingham Palace about the Royal family?

23. What British festivals would you advise your friends to visit?

24. Do British traditions and customs differ from Belarusian ones?

     London

1. Why does London attract crowds of visitors from Britain and abroad?
2. What parts are there in London?
3. What attractions does London offer to a lover of art?
4. What makes the Tower of London one of the most famous historic buildings?
5. What is Westminster Abbey famous for?
6. What can you tell about the royal residence in London?
7. What museums are there in London?
8. What are the chief means of public transport in London? How can you travel about London?
9. What places of interest would you like to see if you had a chance to visit the city?

Holidays in the UK and Belarus

1.     What two types of holidays are celebrated in the UK and Belarus?

2.     Why is it necessary to keep traditions and customs?

3.     What can you tell about several British holidays?

4.     Will you describe Belarusian holidays  in a few words?

5.     What is your favourite holiday and why is it so?

6.     What family traditions do you have?

7.     What emotions do holidays bring into our life?

8.     What can you tell me about your favourite holiday?

9.     Do you find some British holidays and traditions special? Why (not)?

10. What questions can you ask a British teenager about his/her birthday celebration?

11. Which holiday celebration in Belarus will you recommend your British friend?

12. Do you think it is important to follow our grandparents’ traditions? Why?

13. Would you like to take part in a British holiday celebration? Why?

14. What questions can you ask a British teenager about his/her best school celebration?

15. What good manners will you recommend a British tourist to follow in Belarus?

16. Do you think it is easy to organize a good party? What mistakes do people sometimes make?

17. Are you proud of our national holidays and traditions?

18. What questions can you ask a British teenager about good manners in their country?

19. What national souvenirs will you recommend a British tourist to buy?

Nowadays more and more people are getting interested in customs and traditions of different countries. What do you think about it? 

    

   The Republic of Belarus

1.     What do you think are the advantages of the geographical position of Belarus?

2.     How can you characterize the landscape and climate of the country?

3.     Why do people say that Belarus has lived through many hardships?

4.     What are the biggest industrial centres of the country?

5.     What problems does the country face nowadays?

6.     What ancient cultural and historic places survived on the territory of Belarus?

7.     Characterize the political system of the country.

8.     What features of character can describe Belarusian people?

9.     What can you tell me about our Motherland?

10.  What parts of Belarus have you visited?

11. What questions about Belarus do you expect to hear from a British teenager?

12. What Belarusian sights would you advise a foreigner to visit?

13.  They say that Belarus is at the crossroads of Europe. Explain why.

14.  What do you know about the history of our country?

15.  Do you know any symbols of our country?

16. What questions will you ask a zoologist who works in the Belavezhskaya Pushcha?

17.  What Belarusian festivals would you advise a foreigner to attend?

18. They say that the Belarusian language is losing popularity. Do you agree with this? Why (not)?

19.  Do you know any places that belong to our cultural heritage?

20.  What can you advise teachers to do to promote Belarusian culture?

21. What do you know about the activities of our country on the international arena?

Minsk, the Capital of the Country

1.     Give a historic representation of the capital of Belarus.

2.     What places of interest in Minsk give a good idea of the past of the city?

3.     What possibilities for entertainment does Minsk offer to its visitors?

4.     How can the citizens or tourists of the capital travel about Minsk in the most convenient way?

5.     What museums would you advise to visit in Minsk and why?

6.     What educational possibilities does the capital represent?

7.     What problems does Minsk share with other big cities?

8.     How can you characterize the capital of our country in a few words?

9.     Would you like to live the capital or in a provincial town? Explain.

Sport in Our Life

1.     Why is sport important nowadays? What role does sport play in your life?

2.     What sports facilities are there in our town?

3.     Do you prefer to watch sport competitions or to participate in them? What kinds of sport do you prefer?

4.     Are you interested in results or do you go in for sport for your health or pleasure? Have you ever taken part in any sport competitions?

5.     What team games can you play?

6.     What famous Belarusian sportsmen do you know? What are your favourite sportsmen?

7.     What qualities are needed to become a good sportsman?

8.     What do you do at your P.E. lessons at school?

9.     What is your attitude to violence in sport?

10. What do you do to keep fit?

11. Do you agree that bad habits, like smoking, can be dangerous? Why (not)?

12. What questions will you ask a professional sportsman?

13. What can you advise a person who wants to lose weight?

14. What is the best way to promote a healthy way of life among young people? Why is it important to stay healthy?

15. What influences a person’s health?

16. Is home-made food better than junk food? Why?

17. What questions will you ask a fitness coach?

18. What activities can you advise a person who wants to have a healthy way of life?

19. Why is a balanced diet important for your health?

20. What questions will you ask a person who keeps to a slimming diet?

21. What can you advise a person who doesn’t know what kind of sport to take up?

22. What health problems does fast food lead to? What should you do to avoid them?

23. What questions will you ask a dietitian?

24. What can you advise a person who cannot give up a bad habit?

25. If you had an opportunity to open a health centre what would it be like? What would you offer to the visitors?

Holidays in the UK and Belarus

1.     What two types of holidays are celebrated in the UK and Belarus?

2.     Why is it necessary to keep traditions and customs?

3.     What can you tell about several British holidays?

4.     Will you describe Belarusian holidays  in a few words?

5.     What is your favourite holiday and why is it so?

6.     What family traditions do you have?

7.     What emotions do holidays bring into our life?

8.     What can you tell me about your favourite holiday?

9.     Do you find some British holidays and traditions special? Why (not)?

10. What questions can you ask a British teenager about his/her birthday celebration?

11. Which holiday celebration in Belarus will you recommend your British friend?

12. Do you think it is important to follow our grandparents’ traditions? Why?

13. Would you like to take part in a British holiday celebration? Why?

14. What questions can you ask a British teenager about his/her best school celebration?

15. What good manners will you recommend a British tourist to follow in Belarus?

16. Do you think it is easy to organize a good party? What mistakes do people sometimes make?

17. Are you proud of our national holidays and traditions?

18. What questions can you ask a British teenager about good manners in their country?

19. What national souvenirs will you recommend a British tourist to buy?

20. Nowadays more and more people are getting interested in customs and traditions of different countries. What do you think about it?

The United Kingdom of Great Britain 

and Northern Ireland

1.     What can you say about the geographical position of Great Britain?

2.     What is the official name of the country?

3.     Is the scenery and the landscape of Great Britain diverse?

4.     Describe  the climate in Great Britain. Why is weather a frequent topic of conversation in the country?

5.     What can you say about the industry and agriculture of Great Britain?

6.     What do you know about the political system of the country?

7.     What are the oldest educational centers in Great Britain?

8.     What outstanding British writers, scientists, and film stars do you remember?

9.     What are the most popular sports in Great Britain?

10. What are the national symbols of the country?

11. What places would you like to see when you get to Britain for the first time?

12. What are the main problems of the country?

13. What do you know about Britain?

14. Would you like to visit Britain? Why (not)?

15. What would you ask a British teenager about national holidays in Britain?

16. Give me a piece of advice on what sights to seе in London.

17. Do the British differ greatly from Belarusian people in character? Why?

18. What are the state symbols of Great Britain?

19. They say it’s important for a person to speak English nowadays because it is popular all over the world. What is your opinion?

20. What can the British be proud of?

21. What part of Great Britain would you like to visit? Why?

22. What would you ask a person who works at Buckingham Palace about the Royal family?

23. What British festivals would you advise your friends to visit?

24. Do British traditions and customs differ from Belarusian ones?

Travelling

1.     Why do people travel a lot these days?

2.     What means of travelling do you prefer? What is the most convenient way of travelling in your opinion?

3.     What is the best season for travelling?

4.     Will you describe your last trip? Did you enjoy it? Was it comfortable?

5.     What are the main tourist attractions in Belarus? What sights would you recommend a tourist to visit?

6.     Have you ever travelled abroad? Share your impressions.

7.     What places would you like to visit?

8.     What makes a journey pleasant and exiting?

9.     Do you like travelling? Why?

10. What means of transport do you prefer and why?

11. What questions would you ask a tour guide on a tour of London?

12. You’ve visited some foreign countries. Which of them did you like most and would recommend your friend to visit?

13. Today people are tired of exotic countries and prefer to spend holidays in the countryside in Belarus. What can attract people to it?

14. What role does travelling play in your life?

15. What can you advise a person who doesn’t know where to spend his/her holiday?

16. What difficulties can you have when visiting a foreign country? Is it possible to avoid them?

Living In The Country Vs Living In The City 

Types Of Houses

My Home Is My Castle

1.     What are advantages and disadvantages of living in town (in the country)?

2.     Are you satisfied with your housing conditions? What would you like to change?

3.     What is your idea of the best housing conditions for your family?

4.     Are there housing problems in our country?

5.     What is more important: a comfortable house or a relaxing friendly atmosphere?

6.     Why do you like to spend much time at home? Do you find your flat a comfortable place?

7.     Tell me about the house/flat you live in.

8.     Where would you like to live: in a city or in the country? Why (not)?

9.     What questions will you ask your parents about the flat/house your family is going to move into?

10. Your friend wants to decorate his/her room. Give him/her some advice on how to furnish it.

11. They say that the room in which you live reflects your character and personality. What do you think about this idea?

12. Ask me what my flat/house looks like.

13. Your friend doesn’t know what to choose: to live in a city or in the country. Give" him/her some advice.

14. How do you see an ideal house/flat?

15. Tell me about your dream house.

16. Do you find your city/town/village a comfortable place for living?

17. What type of house would you prefer to live in? Why?

18. Your relative wants to decorate his/her flat. Give him/her some advice on how to furnish it.

19. They say that living in the country is better than living in a city. What do you think about this?

Polotsk

1.   Where is your native town situated?

2.   When was it founded?

3.   What places is it famous for?

4.   What can you say about its cultural life?

5.   What outstanding citizens can Polotsk be proud of?

6.   What places in the town will you show your guests?

7.   Can you tell about any traditions and customs of your native town?

8.   What problems does your native town face?

9.   Where would you prefer to live? What are advantages and disadvantages of living in your native town?

Art

1.     What is the role of art in our life?

2.     Some people say that theatre has lost its prominent position. What is your point of view?

3.     What kind of art does future belong to?

4.     What are the most popular attractions today?

5.     What kind of pastimes would you prefer if you had to choose? Are you fond of  theatre, TV, cinema, video or something else?

6.     What facts from the history of the UK can you mention?

7.     What theatrical performances, TV programmes do you watch more often?

8.     What is your favourite film or performance? Tell about it.

9.     What art do you enjoy most? Why?

10. Can our country be proud of our creative people? Why?

11. What questions will you ask a British teenager about the latest trends in British art?

12. Give me some advice on what exhibition to visit (play/film to sec).

13. A lot of people don’t understand modern art. Do you?

14. Are Belarusian artists, composers and musicians well-known in the world?

15. Ask me some questions about a theatre performance I have seen recently.

16. Give me some advice on how to use creative skills in everyday life.

17. Do you want to see more graffiti around town? Why (not)?

18. Are you good at painting, dancing or singing?

19. My niece is very good at drawing. Can you give her a piece of advice on what career to choose?

20. Are you proud of any photos you’ve taken? What makes a good photograph?

Outstanding People

1.     What outstanding people who made contribution to the culture, science, sport of Belarus, The UK do you know?

2.     What qualities do we admire people for? What traits of character help to realize one’s talent?

3.     What famous citizens of your native town can you be proud of?

4.     What prominent person do you admire most of all and why?

5.     What influence does his (her) life make on you?

6.     What is done in our country to commemorate the names of the outstanding people of Belarus?

7.     Do you agree that fame and popularity cane have negative aspects?

8.     With what names are the greatest inventions and discoveries of the 20^th century associated?

Environmental Concerns. Weather And Climate

1.     What are the most serious ecological problems?

2.     What leads to the phenomenon called “The greenhouse effect”?

3.     What can cause the destruction of life on the planet?

4.     In what way was the ecological state of Belarus affected by the disaster in Chernobyl?

5.     What must we do to protect the environment?

6.     What can you tell about international organizations that contribute to nature protection?

7.     People say that our planet is in danger. Do you share this opinion?

8.     What do you think people should do to protect the environment?

9.     What would you like to ask your British friend about measures that are taken to protect the environment in Britain?

10. A friend of yours wants to develop a programme to protect the city where he lives. Give him a piece of advice.

11. Green School of the Year contest is held in the country and you want your school to enter it. Give ideas for some ‘green events’.

12. What is happening to weather and climate nowadays?

13. Are you weather dependent?

14. What questions would you ask a meteorologist?

15. What can you advise a person who wants to become a meteorologist?

16. They say there’s no bad weather, there are bad clothes. What do you think about it?

Foreign Languages

1.  Why is learning foreign languages a real necessity of time?

2.  Why is English considered to be a global language nowadays?

3.  In what spheres is English used at present?

4.  What ways of learning foreign languages are the most effective ones?

5.  What do you usually do at your English classes?

6.  What is more important in learning foreign languages: personal abilities or hard work? Explain.

7.  What should you do to master your English?

8.  What other foreign languages besides English are widely spread nowadays?

Science and Technology

1.     In what way has science changed our life?

2.     What are the most essential scientific inventions and discoveries you can recollect?

3.     Why are high techs necessary in daily life?

4.     What outstanding names in the history of the world’s science do you know?

5.     Is science useful or harmful?

6.     What scientific achievements do you find very important?

7.     Would you like to be a scientist? Why (not)?

8.     Give me some of advice on how to become a good scientist.

9.     What would you like to know about a new gadget — iPad?

10. Parents think that the internet influences negatively the development of teenagers’ thinking skills. Children, on the contrary, believe that it’s impossible to imagine our modern world without the internet. What is your point of view?

11. What science are you interested in? What makes it special for you?

12. Would you like to be a scientist? Why (not)?

13. What questions would you ask an outstanding scientist?

14. Give me a piece of advice on how to convince my parents of the necessity of a mobile phone for every teenager.

15. Why do you think cloning was banned in some countries?

16. What is the role of science in our fast-moving world?

17. Do you use many gadgets and devices at home? Why (not)?

18. My niece is not very good at science at school. Tell her how to achieve better results.

19. People are becoming more dependent on high-tech devices. Is it good or bad?

Education

1.     In what way are the systems of education arranged in the USA, Great Britain and Belarus?

2.     What school subjects and exams are there in our country and the UK?

3.     What types of schools provide education in Belarus and Great Britain?

4.     Why is necessary to get a good education nowadays?

5.     What are the most prestigious educational establishments of the UK and Belarus?

6.     Why do a lot of British parents prefer expensive public schools to state educational establishments?

7.     What would you change in the educational system of our country?

8.     What can you tell me about your school?

9.     Do you agree that Belarusian secondary school provides a person with good knowledge? Why (not)?

10. What ideas from Belarusian school can you advise a teacher from Great Britain to use in British school?

11. Today some young people think that having a good education is not very important. Do you agree with them?

12. Do you agree that our school gives a person a good start in life? Why (not)?

13. Ask me what kind of pupil I was at school.

14. Which school club would you advise your classmate to join?

15. Today some young people think that having a good education is very important. Do you agree with them?

16. What can you tell me about the system of education in Belarus?

17. Does your school differ from any other school you know?

18. Ask me what problems I had when I was a student.

19. You are talking with a British student. What would you advise him/her to do to prepare for an exam well?

20. Today some young people want to study abroad because they believe that the level of education is higher there. Would you do the same?

21. Does your school have any traditions?

22. What can you advise a student who is not very good at languages to do to achieve better results?

23. Nowadays some young people complain that they have lots of problems at school. Do you agree with them?

My School and My Studies

1. How can school subjects be useful in future?
2. What subject are your favourite ones? Why?
3. Is school only a place to study or does it give other possibilities?
4. What problems do you have at school?
5. What subjects require most your time and energy? Why is it so?
6. What kind of teachers do you prefer to deal with and why?
7. What do you like about your school most of all?
8. Will you describe the school building and equipment in a few words?

Youth Problems

1.     What attitudes to the modern world do young people represent?

2.     What are the main youth problems?

3.     Why has there always been such a problem as a generation gap?

4.     What can you tell about your own problems?

5.     What youth organizations contribute to the development of our society?

6.     What categories of people in need would you help if you had a chance or money?

7.     Are youth problems similar or different to social problems?

8.     Today young people take an active part in the social life of the country. What youth organizations do you know?

9.     Have you ever joined a youth organization? Why (not)?

10. What questions would you like to ask a person who has joined a new international organization?

11. What issues would you recommend to discuss at a monthly meeting of a debate club?

12. A lot of young people in Europe work in hospitals and kindergartens as volunteers. What do you think attracts them to this kind of work?

13. There are many ways for young people to be involved in social life. Tell me about some of them.

14. What questions can you ask about the campaign Education Free for Everybody!

15. A lot of young people think that there is nothing better than having money. Do you agree with them?

16. Today many young people take an active part in social life. What issues are important for them?

17. Have you ever taken part in an interesting international event? Why (not)?

18. What would you like to learn about the activities of cheerleaders in Minsk?

19. Which youth organization would you recommend to join and why?

20. If you had a chance to start a campaign, what kind of campaign will it be? What would you campaign for?

21. What questions can you ask about the recent event organised by the BRSM?

22. What campaign would you recommend to start? Why?

23. Not all young people in Belarus have joined youth organizations. What stops them?

Appearance And Character, National Character

1.     What kind of appearance appeals to you?

2.     What traits of character do you value most of all? Why?

3.     What questions will you ask about the specific qualities of the British national character?

4.     Your friend has got acquainted with a girl/boy and wants to know her/his character better. Give him/her a piece of advice on how he/she can do it.

5.     What stereotypes connected with the British do you know? What do you think about them?

6.     Do you find some type of appearance especially attractive? Why?

7.     What questions will you ask about the specific qualities of the Belarusian national character?

8.     A girl/a boy wants to change something about the way she/he looks like. Give her/him a piece of advice on how she/he can do it.

9.     You have to write a short article about Belarusian people for a foreign newspaper. How would you describe our people?

10. What traits of character do you dislike in people? Why?

11. Ask a British teenager what British people are like.

12. Foreign people usually admit that Belarusian people seldom smile. Do you share this point of view?

Clothes, Fashion

1.     What style in clothes do you prefer and why?

2.     Do you follow the latest fashion trends? Why (not)?

3.     What questions would you ask a fashion designer?

4.     What can you advise a person who wants to change something about his/her style but doesn’t know how to do it?

5.     They say that young people pay a lot of attention to their style and want to be fashionable. What do you think about it?

6.     What clothes do you prefer to wear in different situations?

7.     Do you try on clothes before buying them? Why (not)?

8.     What questions would you ask a fashion show organiser?

9.     What can you advise a person who wants to pay a compliment to his/her friend but doesn’t know how to do it?

10. A famous person once said: “Fashions come and go, style is forever.” What do you think about it?

11. What role does fashion play in your life?

12. Do you prefer fashionable clothes to comfortable ones? Why (not)?

13. What questions can you ask a shop assistant in a big shop?

14. What would you advise your friend who wants to buy some new clothes?

15. A famous person once said: “Style is knowing who you are and what you want to say.” Do you agree with this? Why (not)?