Society/people
Mother Theresa said, “What I do, you cannot do; but what you do, I cannot do. The needs are great and none of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can all do small things with great love; and together we can do something wonderful.” Do you agree or disagree with it? Give your reasons.
1) Do you ever judge people by their look? Why/why not?
2) What qualities can make a person attractive to you?
3) Do you lead your life according to your own rules? If yes – what are they?
4) What is your attitude to homeless people?
5) Why are people homeless?
6) To what extent should children be responsible for looking after their parents when they get older?
CE 2006
2) What qualities can make a person attractive to you?
3) Do you lead your life according to your own rules? If yes – what are they?
4) What is your attitude to homeless people?
5) Why are people homeless?
6) To what extent should children be responsible for looking after their parents when they get older?
CE 2006
Look at the statement: “Whether you are talking to one person or a million, the rules are the same.” (Larry King, TV talk show host)
Do you agree or disagree with it? Give your reasons.
1) How do you feel – comfortable or awkward – in social situations? Why?Do you agree or disagree with it? Give your reasons.
2) Do you find it difficult to start a conversation with a stranger in the street? Why/why not?
3) What are the advantages of “small talk” from your point of view?
4) Can everyone become a successful communicator? Why/why not?
5) How did you enjoy the role-play activities practiced during the language lessons at school?
6) Are you able to carry on a conversation entirely in the English language? Why/why not?
CE 2007
An English proverb says, “Appearances are deceitful.” What do you think?
1) Do you judge people by appearance? Why/why not?
2) You meet somebody for the first time. What can you say about him/her at once?
3) Do you dress for yourself or for other people? Why?
4) How do you decide what to put on?
5) Do you prefer smart or casual clothes at school? Why?
6) Should uniforms be worn at school? Why/why not?
CE 2004
2) You meet somebody for the first time. What can you say about him/her at once?
3) Do you dress for yourself or for other people? Why?
4) How do you decide what to put on?
5) Do you prefer smart or casual clothes at school? Why?
6) Should uniforms be worn at school? Why/why not?
CE 2004
It is a common belief that people in Latvia are not socially active.
What is your opinion?
What is your opinion?
2) Should school children participate in organizing the social life at school? Why? / Why not?
3) Would you like to take part in the social life of your community? Why? / Why not?
4) Why do you think people in general are so reluctant to participate in the political life of the country?
5) Would you like to work in the public sector? Why? / Why not?
6) What ethical principles should be observed by everyone working in the public sector? Why?
CE 2008
There is a saying in English ‘Half a loaf is better than no bread’.
1) Do you agree with it?2) Have you ever been in a situation when you cannot get everything you want?
3) What would you do if you happened to be in such a situation?
4) Do you think schoolchildren should be given pocket money? Why? / Why not?
5) Should every child have a mobile phone? Why? / Why not?
6) Do you agree that it is better to do at least some homework and then submit it than no homework at all when you have little time? Why? / Why not?
7) What is your attitude to people who usually realise only part of their plans?
CE 2008
Recently newspapers in Latvia have started to support the opinion that we are gradually turning into a consumer society.
1) Do you consider it a potential or an already existing problem? Give reasons why / why not.
2) How would you describe your shopping habits?
3) Why are so many supermarkets and even hypermarkets being opened now?
4) What do you think about having everything in one hypermarket: shops, cinemas, hairdressers, laundromats?
5) Would you support the introduction of laundromats in cafés and restaurants? Why? / Why not?
6) What would be an ideal way of spending a weekend? Why?
7) How can local communities improve leisure activities?
CE 2008
2) How would you describe your shopping habits?
3) Why are so many supermarkets and even hypermarkets being opened now?
4) What do you think about having everything in one hypermarket: shops, cinemas, hairdressers, laundromats?
5) Would you support the introduction of laundromats in cafés and restaurants? Why? / Why not?
6) What would be an ideal way of spending a weekend? Why?
7) How can local communities improve leisure activities?
CE 2008
A proverb says "The time always goes slowly when you're waiting. A watched pot never boils". What is your comment?
2) How would you describe yourself? Why?
3) What makes you believe in stereotypes?
4) Describe a person you know and like?
5) Who could be the most interesting person to meet?
"Happiness does make people selfish and so does sorrow". What can you say about it?
1) What kind of person you are?
2) How do people change physically over the years?
3) When do people become selfish?
4) Describe a very beautiful and, at the same time, poor woman.
George Mikes, a Hungarian writer, has said: "An Englishman, even if he lives alone, forms an orderly queue of one". What is your comment?
1) Who can people talk to about their problems?
2) When do you suffer from stress? What causes stress?
3) What activities do you find very relaxing?
4) What kind of person you are?
5) Describe your daily routine.
5) Describe your daily routine.
6) What changes have you experienced in your life? Mention them.