esl essay topics intermediate

30 Writing Topics and Writing Prompts For ESL Students

When learning a new language like English, developing writing skills is essential. Many beginner ESL students find it difficult to write essays, especially if they have to come up with the essay topic themselves.

Providing ESL students with writing topics and writing prompts can help students to focus and start writing. As a teacher, it can be quite challenging to come up with many ESL writing topics, so we have put together this list of ESL writing topics and writing prompts to help you out.

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List Of ESL Writing Topics

Here is a list of ESL writing topics and writing prompts your students can write about.

• Describe your dream house. Where is it? And What’s inside?
• Talk about the best vacation you ever took.
• What do you like to do in your spare time?
• Write about three things you want to achieve this year.
• What’s your earliest memory as a child?
• What would you do if you had a million dollars?
• What are you good at? What would you like to be good at in the future?
• Write about the members of your family. What are they like? What do they do?
• Write about how to cook your favorite food, step by step.
• If you could meet anyone from history, who would you want to meet, and why?
• Describe everything you did last weekend in as much detail as possible.
• Write about something funny that happened to you this week.
• What were the last three things you bought? Where did you buy them from?
• Describe how you get ready for school every day.
• Describe a famous person in as much detail as possible.
• What is your favorite movie, and why?
• What three things would you take to a desert island, and why?
• Write about your happiest memory.
• What makes a good friend?
• If you could change anything about the world, what would it be?
• If you could travel back in time, when and where would you go?
• What’s your favorite game to play?
• What is something you have done that you regret?
• Describe what the world will be like in1000 years.
• Write an essay about what you did this week.
• Write about one of your memorable birthday celebrations.
• Write about your exercise routine.
• If you had three wishes, what would you wish for?
• Describe a person you look up to.
• What’s your opinion about social media?

Tips For Teaching ESL Writing

Error correction.

Writing in a foreign language is hard, especially for beginner ESL students. Students will likely make many mistakes in the beginning.

Although it is necessary to highlight and correct students’ errors, it can be quite demotivating for a student to only hear all the things they got wrong.

To ensure students stay motivated, be sure to praise them and tell them all the things they did well, as well as point out any grammatical mistakes.

After correcting errors, give students an opportunity to re-write their essays and correct their mistakes. Once students have completed their final draft, be sure to let them know what you liked about their essay, and you can even share this praise with other students, teachers, and even the student’s parents.

To master writing in English, students will need to write a lot of essays over time, and if students stay motivated, they are much more likely to succeed.

Ask About Students’ Interests

Another great way to keep students motivated while writing ESL essays is to encourage them to write about things that interest them.

A great way to encourage this is to ask about things students are interested in and then tailor the writing topic to them.

Students are much more likely to actively engage in a writing assignment if it is something they are interested in and passionate about.

Provide Enough Writing Prompts

ESL students often find it difficult to write long answers to essay questions. Ask an ESL student to write about their favorite restaurant, and they’ll likely give you a one-sentence answer.

To help students write longer essays, be sure to give them enough writing prompts to cover the different aspects they should cover in their writing.

For example, if students are to write about their favorite restaurant then you could give them several writing prompts such as ‘where is the restaurant’, ‘what kind of food do they serve’, ‘how much is a typical meal’, ‘what do you usually order’, etc.

Giving beginner ESL students plenty of writing prompts will help them to flesh out their essays and write longer answers.

Structure The Essay

To help ESL students become better at writing in English, teach them a particular structure you would like them to follow when writing their essays.

A typical writing structure with beginner ESL students would include an introduction, the main body of the text, and then a conclusion.

Providing students with an easy-to-follow structure will help them to plan out their essays and develop their writing skills over time.

Thanks for reading. I hope you found some useful ESL writing topics and writing prompts you can use in your next writing class. 

Before you go, don’t forget to check out our FREE resources for teaching English, including  Activity Videos ,  Board Games ,  Flashcards ,  PowerPoint Games , and  Lesson Plans .

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40 ESL Essay Writing Topics + Prompts

By VIPKid  |  April 20, 2018

Ready to start teaching English online?

Writing ESL essay writing is hard for most students and many will struggle at first before learning to write well.

However, writing skills are a crucial part of learning a new language . 

In this piece, we’ll share some ESL writing prompts and ESL essay topics for five different kinds of essays. They should help your students develop their grammar and vocabulary skills  while teaching them how to write coherently.

(While they work for all kinds of students, we’ve found these topics are especially handy for  teaching English to kids .) 

Writing practice should never be boring! When you’re done this article, check out the 10 most engaging writing activities here .

Descriptive ESL Writing Topics

• Describe your favorite place in as much detail as possible.
• Describe your favorite fictional character in as much detail as possible.
• Describe a famous person – e.g. a singer or athlete – that you admire. Focus on both their appearance and personality traits.
• Describe a family member or your best friend  as detailed as possible. Discuss how they look and their personality.  
• Choose a  hobby or favorite activity  and describe why and how you do it. 
• Describe your most memorable holiday or vacation spot in as much detail as possible.
• Describe a photo or work of art in as much detail as possible.
• Pick your favorite food . Describe what you taste, smell, and sense while eating or drinking it. 

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Explanatory ESL Essay Topics

• Give directions for getting from one point to another . For example, how to get from your home to your school. Describe the landmarks someone might see along the way.
• Explain how to cook your favorite meal . Provide a recipe and the step-by-step instructions.
• Explain your favorite computer game . What should a player do to win? What are some playing tips?
• Explain what you would do if your friends show up at your house unexpectedly . Say how you would entertain them. 
• Explain how to make a bed . This task is seemingly simple but allows you to write about everyday habits you might never think through in detail. 
• Explain how to make a paper airplane . Again, this task has many precise, technical details that that should be included in the essay. 
• Explain how to brush your teeth . Try to make your essay about a seemingly mundane task more interesting. 
• Explain how to pack a suitcase when going on a holiday. List out all the objects and pieces of clothing you would bring. 

ESL Essays Topics to Practice Verb Tenses

• Talk about a time in the past when you had to make a difficult decision . Explain what you did and why.
• Describe your dream place to live . Why would you want to live there? What would you do?
• Write about three specific goals  you want to achieve this year. Explain how you are going to achieve them.
• Write about something you regret having done . Point out what could have happened if you had not made that decision.
• Describe the world 100 years from now . Describe how people live, and new inventions and also the things that will not change.
• Talk about your earliest memory . What happened? How well do you remember the events?
• Write a short essay about how you prepared for class . Now “translate” that essay into future tense. In other words, the essay should say how you plan to prepare for class.  

Argumentative ESL Essay Topics

• Are smartphones good or bad? Give some arguments to support your position.
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of public schools and private schools ?
• What is your favorite book or movie ? Convince others, through your essay, to read or watch it. 
• Is it the case that the more people that have cars, the better? What are some advantages and disadvantages of public transit ? 
• Should money be spent on space exploration ? Give arguments to support your opinion.
• You’re the mayor of your town or city. Explain in an essay your recent decision to ban smoking . Then, from another person’s perspective, write a letter to the mayor protesting this new law. 
• Reading books vs. watching movies . Which do you prefer and why?
• What are the pros and cons of e-readers compared to paper books?

Hypothetical ESL Essay Topics

• What would you do if you were late for an important class?
• What would you do if your car got a flat tire on the highway?
• If you had the power to change one thing about your past, what would it be?
• If you had the power to alter  one major historical event , what would it be?
• If you could take any superhero’s powers , who would be your choice?
• How would you feel if, one day, you woke up 300 years in the past ?
• What would you do if you won the lottery ? Would your life change day-to-day?

Some General ESL Essay Tips

When checking ESL essays, pay attention to the following key points:

• Grammar. The ESL essay should be grammatically correct.
• Vocabulary. The more new vocabulary the essay contains, the more points it will get.
• Text flow. The text of the essay should flow logically and naturally. Pay attention to the use of connecting words and phrases. These include first of all , secondly , moreover , in addition , besides , finally , on the one hand, on the other hand , and as a result .
• Sticking to the topic. Some essay writers tend to deviate from ESL essay topics. However, a perfect ESL essay should stay as close to the point as possible.

A good essay typically has the following parts:

• An introduction . Here, the author gives some general information about the topic or lays out their argument. An effective intro entices readers to read further. 
• The body . In an argumentative essay, the body could be 2 to 3 paragraphs. Each should introduce their arguments and support them with examples. In other types of essays, the content may vary. For example, the body may include descriptions, explanations, or personal stories.
• Conclusion . The author should logically conclude or summarize their thoughts and arguments.

How Do You Teach Writing?

It doesn’t matter if you teach English online or if you’re a classroom teacher, we want to know about your  teaching styles.  Do you use writing prompts,  games and activities, or something else entirely?

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Interesting Writing Prompts For ESL Students

10 August 2021 Guest posts

Just like speaking, reading, and listening, writing is an essential element of learning a language. That’s why it’s so important that ESL students pay special attention to their writing skills while teachers assess their progress.

Unarguably, the best way to learn and improve these very writing skills is through practice. The more a student practices writing, the better their skills will get. Consequently, teachers need to provide their students with opportunities to practice their writing – and this can be done with the help of interesting writing prompts.

Why Should You Use Writing Prompts?

Why exactly do you need to use writing prompts? In fact, do you need them at all? As mentioned earlier, writing can be improved through practice . If you decide to write about whatever comes to your mind, you can technically improve your writing. However, you will see better results if you write with more intention.

Using writing prompts poses a challenge to the students as these prompts make them think in a particular direction and try to phrase their thoughts in relation to the topic at hand. By choosing more and more complicated writing prompts every time, you (or your student, if you are a teacher) will gradually improve their writing skills.

Descriptive Writing Prompts

Instead of only using writing prompts of one type, it’s worth trying out a variety of writing prompts. Experts from the top rated research paper writing services explain, “Variety in the writing prompts you choose will help you develop different writing subskills. You should be able to describe as much as you should be able to argue your point.”

Hence, here are some descriptive writing prompts to start from:

• Describe your favorite place using as many details as possible. This can be anything from your childhood hideout to your writing desk to your family’s summer home.
• Pick and describe your favorite food. Focus on such characteristics as its taste, smell, look, and so on.
• Choose and describe your favorite activity, hobby, or passion. It could be anything from reading to swimming to going on picnics with friends.
• Write about your favorite fictional character or famous person. Describe their appearance, personality, accomplishments, and so on.
• Describe your most memorable holiday. It could be one you went on with friends or family or even alone.

Explanatory Writing Prompts

Another type of writing prompts you should try out are explanatory ones. While descriptive prompts only ask you to describe something, explanatory prompts urge you to go into more detail with your descriptions. Here are some explanatory prompts to try:

• Pick your favorite meal or food and explain how to make it by laying everything out in the form of step-by-step instructions.
• Think about your hometown, choose your favorite places around it, and give directions on how to get to each place.
• Explain how your favorite computer game works. Talk about the concept, the characters, the plot, the locations, the music, the functionality, and so on.
• Choose some kind of skill you have and explain how someone could learn to do it. For example, if you know how to create paper planes, explain how to do them.

Argumentative Writing Prompts

Experts from the best writing services reviews sites put it this way, “Descriptive and explanatory prompts ask you to be somewhat indifferent and take more of an objective stance on different topics. Argumentative prompts, on the other hand, ask you to take a subjective point of view and support your opinion with valid points.”

Here are some argumentative prompts to use:

• Choose your favorite book, movie, show, etc. and try to convince others to check it out by writing about it.
• Consider space exploration. Should money be spent on it? Write about your opinion on the matter and use relevant arguments to support it.
• What’s better: reading books or watching movies? Write about your opinion on the matter and use relevant arguments to support it.
• Should more people use public transport instead of cars or should more people get their own cars? Write about your opinion on the matter and use relevant arguments to support it.

Hypothetical Writing Prompts

Last but not least, there is one more type of prompts you will find useful – hypothetical. These prompts ask you to consider a particular situation and explore it through writing. Here are some hypothetical prompts to practice your writing:

• If you could change one thing about your own past, what would that thing be?
• If you could have any superpower, what would this superpower be and what would you do with it?
• If you could travel back in time, to which point in time would you travel and what would you do then?
• If you could meet any dead person, what would you do?
• If you one day won the lottery, how would you spend the money?
• If you had the power to solve one world issue (e.g. hunger, global warming), what would this be and how would the world change once the issue is solved?

Final Thoughts

All in all, writing prompts for ESL students are somewhat different from those native speakers get for practicing their writing skills. This is because ESL students are usually older when they study the same topics that native speakers study at a younger age.

That being said, by using the topics listed in this article, you will be able to provide ESL students with the most interesting writing prompts. Or, if you are a student, you will be able to practice your writing skills either on your own or with the guidance of your teacher. ESLstarter offers a wide variety of TEFL jobs so see where you can go with TEFL and put those skills into practice!

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22 Engaging ESL Essay Topics You Can Use to Improve Your Writing Skills

Text Version:

The only way to get better at anything is to do it—over and over again. In addition to practicing your English conversational skills, you should also practice your writing skills on a regular basis.

Here are twenty-two potential essay topics to get you started, but don’t be afraid to branch out and come up with your own topics, as well.

Descriptive topics

• Describe your favorite place in as much detail as possible.
• What do you do outside of school and work? Describe any hobbies you have, sports you participate in, or other activities you regularly enjoy.
• If you could invite five people to a dinner party, who would they be? What is each guest like?
• Describe your favorite fictional character in as much detail as possible.
• If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Describe it and explain why you’d choose it.

Instructions

• Give directions for getting from one point to another. Explain what landmarks someone might see along the way.
• Explain how to entertain guests who unexpectedly arrive at your home.

Verb tense practice

• What’s one thing you could never live without and why?
• Describe your ideal town or city, why you would want to live there, and what you would do there.
• Write about a time in the past when you had to make a difficult decision, and explain what you did.
• Talk about five specific goals you want to accomplish this year, and explain how you are going to accomplish them.
• Imagine you’re babysitting a child who breaks the kitchen table. Explain to the child how they could have avoided doing this if they had behaved differently.

Practical vocabulary practice

• Write a review of a new restaurant (either fictional or real) in your area.
• Describe the best party or large-scale event you’ve ever attended.
• If you could get one gift for everyone in your family, regardless of the cost, what would you get them and why?
• Choose a form of transportation (such as cars, trains, boats, planes, or subways) and explain how it has changed people’s lives.
• Write a pitch for a new blockbuster movie. Explain what will happen in the movie and why it will draw crowds to the theater.

Persuasive writing practice

• Do you think our society is too dependent on technology like smartphones? Why or why not?
• Imagine that a big new department store is being built in your hometown. Do you support this development or not?
• Do you think it’s better for students to have a long summer break or be in a year-round school system with more breaks throughout the year? Explain your position.
• Should employers set aside time during the day for their employees to exercise? What might be some of the advantages or disadvantages of this?
• What is your favorite book or movie, and why should people read or watch it?

What are some great ESL essay topics you've encountered? Let us know in the comments.

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Comments on this post (6 comments)

Eliakim balle says....

Here’s a topic:

write about what your ideal weekend would look like if you could do anything you want.

On April 01, 2019

Ndate Thabo says...

¨Write about when u took the risk to do the right thing.¨ Good prompt . . and something to live by.

El sari says...

Interesting question Jessica …according to me to find someone to teach you and guide you better than trying thanks by your own ..

On March 11, 2016

Jessica Bordelon says...

What is the best way to learn: by experiencing something on your own, or from someone explaining it to you? What brings the most happiness: buying things or having experiences?

On March 03, 2016

Bindi kanyal says...

Niceee…..

On December 08, 2015

dayo says...

Write about when u took the risk to do the right thing

On December 05, 2014

Leave a comment

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ESL Activities

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The Best ESL Writing Prompts and Topics for Beginners

Learning a different language is hard. Writing in a different language is even harder. But the only way to improve writing is to write more! One way to make writing less frustrating for your ESL students is to provide them with interesting writing prompts and topics.

Writing Prompts for ESL Beginners

Purpose of Writing Prompts

The main purpose of writing prompts is to encourage students’ interests and also encourage them to write about the topic. This doesn’t mean that you always want to limit what your students write. It is also encouraged for students to come up with a topic of their own. However, thinking of a topic every single time can also be stressful. So, for ESL beginners, writing prompts act more like a guide to starting the writing.

If you are teaching ESL beginners how to write, try to keep the writing assignment short to about like 100 words. Once they get used to describing the topic and writing in a creative way, you can increase the word limit. Go through the list of writing prompts and find the topics that will interest your ESL students.

ESL Writing Prompts and Topics

30 Writing Prompts for ESL Beginners

• Describe your favourite holiday.
• Describe your best friend.
• Talk about your best vacation memory.
• Write about your New Year’s resolutions.
• What would you do if you won the lottery?
• Write about your family members.
• Describe your favourite game.
• Write about your favourite movie.
• Who is your favourite celebrity, and why?
• What do you like to do during summer vacation?
• What is our earliest memory as a child?
• What are your strengths?
• What are your weaknesses?
• What is your favourite season, and why?
• Describe your happiest memory.
• What kind of superpower do you want, and why?
• Describe your favourite movie (or TV series, book) character.
• What are the three most recent things that you bought? Where did you buy it from?
• Describe a perfect day for you.
• Which country do you want to visit, and why?
• Describe what makes a good friend.
• What do you like to do in your free time?
• Do you prefer presents or money? Why?
• Would you rather live in a very cold country or a very hot country? Why?
• Describe your favourite restaurant.
• Describe your favourite drink besides water.
• Which superhero do you want to be friends with? Why?
• Do you prefer a rainy day or a snowy day? Why?
• Talk about your favourite animal.
• Would you rather go back in time or travel in the future? Why?

Even More Writing Prompts for Beginners

When it comes to selecting writing topics for beginners, it’s important to choose subjects that are simple, relatable, and promote vocabulary and sentence structure development. Here are some ideas:

• My Family : Ask students to write about their family members, their names, ages, and occupations. They can describe their relationships and write a few sentences about each family member.
• My Hobbies : Have students write about their favorite hobbies or activities. They can describe why they enjoy them and how often they engage in these activities.
• My Daily Routine : Ask students to write about their daily routine, starting from when they wake up until they go to bed. They can describe their activities, such as getting ready, going to school or work, eating meals, and doing homework.
• My Favorite Food : Encourage students to write about their favorite food or dish. They can describe its taste, ingredients, and how it is prepared. Encourage them to use descriptive words to make their writing more interesting.
• My Favorite Season : Have students write about their preferred season of the year. They can describe the weather, activities, and events they associate with that season.
• A Memorable Holiday : Ask students to write about a holiday or vacation they remember. They can describe where they went, what they did, and why it was memorable.
• My Best Friend : Encourage students to write about their best friend. They can describe their friend’s appearance, personality, and what they like to do together.
• My Dream Job : Have students write about their dream job. They can explain what it is, why they are interested in it, and what skills or qualifications are necessary for that job.
• My Favorite Book/Movie : Ask students to write about their favorite book or movie. They can describe the plot, characters, and why they enjoy it.
• My Future Goals : Encourage students to write about their aspirations and goals for the future. They can write about what they want to be when they grow up or their plans for further education.

Tips for Teaching ESL Writing to Beginners

Before teaching your students an ESL writing lesson, check out these tips first.

Error Correction

Yes, you want to help students improve their writing. However, pointing out every single error in the writing can discourage students. Remember that your students are writing in a foreign language. Of course, they will make many mistakes as beginners.

However, it is still important to let them know where have made mistakes. The tip here is to praise a lot and let them know what’s good about their writing and then highlight the grammatical errors. This way, you will be able to make corrections without demotivating them.

writing prompts and topics

Student’s Interests

You want to encourage students and have them be interested in writing about the topic. To do so, you will have to choose topics related to what students are already interested in. You don’t necessarily have to use the exact writing prompts provided above. If you know what your students like, switch it up a bit to fit their interests. If there’s something your ESL students want to write about, let them do that too!

Provide Writing Structure

Teach your students how to structure the writing. Students will refer to that structure every time they are given a writing assignment. A structure to follow will lessen the stress of writing. Knowing how to begin an introduction, write the main point, and finish with a conclusion will help students worry less about how to structure and focus on being creative with their writing.

FAQs About English Writing Prompts for Beginners

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about writing prompts for ESL beginners.

What are some easy writing prompts?

List of easy writing prompts:

• What are your strengthes and weaknesses?

What are some fun writing prompts?

List of fun writing prompts:

• Would you rather become 10 years younger or 10 years older? Why?
• Which one is better and why? Being too short or too small.
• If you could be someone else for a day, who would you be?

Writing Prompts for ESL Beginners: Join the Conversation

What are your thoughts on these writing prompts for ESL beginners? Which one is your favourite? If there are other great writing prompts for English beginners, let us know in the comments! We’d love to hear from you.

About Jackie

Jackie Bolen has been teaching English for more than 15 years to students in South Korea and Canada. She's taught all ages, levels and kinds of TEFL classes. She holds an MA degree, along with the Celta and Delta English teaching certifications.

Jackie is the author of more than 60 books for English teachers and English learners, including Business English Vocabulary Builder and 39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities for Teenagers and Adults . She loves to share her ESL games, activities, teaching tips, and more with other teachers throughout the world.

You can find her on social media at: YouTube Facebook Pinterest TikTok LinkedIn Instagram

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20 English Essay Topics/Questions | B2 First (FCE)

The language of an English essay should be formal . Also, make sure that you justify all your ideas and that you use appropriate connectors to link your sentences and paragraphs .

How to write B2 First (FCE) essay?

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B2 First (FCE) Essay: Example Topics / Questions

Below is a sample list of academic essay writing topics/tasks for B2-level (intermediate) students. You can use them to practice writing English essays or to prepare for the Cambridge B2 First (FCE) exam

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 1 | First (FCE)

You have watched a documentary about young children in poor areas who leave school to work. Your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.

Write an essay using all the notes and give reasons for your point of view.

Teenagers are dropping out of school to find a job. How can we help them to continue their education?

Write about:

• family problems
• financial difficulties
• …………… (your own idea)

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 2 | First (FCE)

In your social studies course, you have watched a documentary on the potential effects of too much pollution on the air quality of city centres. Your professor has assigned you an essay to write.

Keeping the air quality in city centres at healthy levels for their residents is a concern for many places. How can we solve the problem of pollution in city centres?

• automobiles
• ………………  (your own idea)

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 3 | First (FCE)

In your education class, you have listened to a lecture on the importance of teaching foreign languages in school. Your teacher has asked you to write an essay.

Learning a foreign language helps students develop a set of important skills. Why should foreign languages be taught in schools?

• new cultures
•  employment
• …………. (your own idea)

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 4 | First (FCE)

You have listened to a radio programme about the problem of widespread starvation in many parts of Africa. Your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.

In many parts of Africa, people are dying of starvation and lack of freshwater. Can these problems be solved?

• lack of organised farming
• …….. …….. (your own idea)

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 5 | First (FCE)

You have watched a video on a non-profit organisation working to stop the use of animals for testing medicines used by human beings. Now, your professor has asked you to write an essay.

Testing on animals is a standard in scientific research. What is the best way to deal with this problem?

• animals suffer
• outdated form of research
• …… ……..  (your own idea)

Get Your (FCE) Essay Checked!

B2 - essay topic / question 6 | first (fce).

You have listened to a radio programme about deforestation, the cutting down of trees in many wild areas around the world. Now, your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.

Many forests around the world are being destroyed for agricultural, commercial, or housing use without allowing time for the forests to regenerate themselves. What can be done to improve the situation?

• what contributes to the greenhouse effect
• ………. (your own idea)

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 7 | First (FCE)

In your English class, you have been talking about endangered species, animals or plants that will likely become extinct. Your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.

Around the world, many wildlife species are in danger of extinction. How can we protect endangered animals?

• hunting wild animals
• ………..  (your own idea)

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 8 | First (FCE)

You have watched a Youtube video about the problem of computer game addiction in children. Your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.

More and more young people spend most of their time playing computer games. How can we help children to overcome this addiction?

• bad grades at school
• no social life
• ………… (your own idea)

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 9 | First (FCE)

You have listened to a radio programme about the impact of smoking on people’s health. Now, your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.

Smoking is responsible for many health problems throughout the world. Do you think it should be made illegal?

• lung cancer
•  passive smoking
• ……………… (your own idea)

FCE, CAE, CPE

More than practice tests, b2 - essay topic / question 10 | first (fce).

In your English class, you have been talking about the problem of obesity in young people. Now your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.

In Europe and the USA a lot of young people have an obesity problem. What can be done to solve this problem?

• (your own idea)

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 11 | First (FCE)

Has technology made a positive contribution to sport today?

• The use of technology to improve performance
• The use of technology in refereeing decisions

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 12 | First (FCE)

It is better to work at home than in an office. Do you agree?

• Contact with people
• Working hours

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 13 | First (FCE)

Life is harder for young people now than in the past. Do you agree?

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 14 | First (FCE)

Is it better to go shopping in small local businesses or large out-of-town shopping centres?

• Where things are cheaper
• Where service is better

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 15 | First (FCE)

Is it better to spend a summer holiday in the countryside or on the coast?

• Leisure options

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 16 | First (FCE)

Your teacher has asked you to write your response to the following statement taken from a recent newspaper article:

Do you agree that community service works better than fines?

• effort and time
• lesson learned
• ………………(your own idea)

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 17 | First (FCE)

Is it true that we help the environment when we plant a tree?

• clear the air
•  ………….( your own idea)

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 18 | First (FCE)

Nowadays children are suffering from obesity, that was once considered to be meant for adults only. What are its causes and what solutions can be offered?

• busy lifestyle

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 19 | First (FCE)

Is it better to be the oldest or the youngest in a family?

• role of older sibling

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 20 | First (FCE)

Modern lifestyles can seriously endanger our health.

Do you agree?

• physical activity
• …….. (your own choice)

B2 First (FCE) Essay: Download (PDF)

Download B2 First (FCE) Essay: Topics (PDF)

Practice Tests Online

B2 first (fce) essay: assessement criteria.

Your essay will be assessed according to these four criteria:

Would you pass B2 First (FCE)?

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An opinion essay.

Look at the essay and do the exercises to improve your writing skills.

Instructions

Do the preparation exercise first. Then do the other exercises.

Preparation

Check your understanding: multiple selection

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Are video games really a good way to keep fit? What do you think?

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200 Simple Essay Topics for Intermediate Writers

Are you searching for simple essay topics to write about? See our list and discover simple subjects to spark creativity and develop writing skills.

Simple essay topic ideas are concise and clear but require critical thinking and investigation. Writers can use simple essay topic prompts to help generate ideas and get into the flow state of writing. By using writing prompts, you can begin writing and practice your essay skills easily without also needing to come up with a topic. If you’re interested in essay writing topics, check our guide with argumentative essays .

Simple Narrative Essay Topics

Simple descriptive essay topics, simple persuasive essay topics, simple argumentative essay topics, simple expository essay topics, simple informative essay topics, simple compare and contrast essay topics, simple cause and effect essay topics, simple college (application) essay topics.

Narrative essays encourage writers to be creative in telling a story. These stories are usually from personal experience and are often delivered in a way that elicits intense emotions for the writer and reader.

• The day I realized the importance of self-care.

Describe the circumstances that led to this realization and how you have incorporated self-care into your life.

• The moment I realized I wanted to pursue a certain career .

Describe the moment you knew what you wanted to do and what steps you took to achieve your goal.

• A time when I had to stand up for what was right.

Recount the situation and why you decided to stick to what you believed in, as well as the impact it had.

• A time when I learned a new skill.

Narrate why you wanted to learn the skill and describe how you learned it. Add how it has been helpful in your life.

• The instance I realized the importance of gratitude.

Walk the reader through the events that lead up to your realization and narrate the things that happened and went through your mind. Add how you have incorporated gratitude into your life.

• That time I tried to overcome my fear of heights.

Discuss your fear of heights and how it affected your life. Then, describe the times you’ve tried to overcome it and whether you succeeded or not. 

• A time when I helped someone in need.

Describe a time when you helped someone in need, and explain the situation. Tell the reader how you helped in detail and include how the person reacted.

• A time when I realized I was wrong.

For instance, you can recount your realization after an argument and then discuss your feelings following the event.

• A day in a life of…

Write a narrative essay about a day of someone or something interesting, like a doctor, musician, or maybe a pet.

• The best decision I’ve ever made.

Think of your many decisions and pick one that you think had the most positive impact on your life.

• A childhood memory I wish I could forget.

Narrate the childhood memory as you remember it and explain why you would rather not have it.

• An experience where technology has failed you.

Narrate a technology failure that you don’t want to happen again, such as the projector showing something else while you’re presenting in class, etc.

• The time I became a hero.

Retell the events of that instance and why you decided to become a hero. 

• The time I was a coward.

Contrary to the previous prompt, narrate a time when you refused to step up and explain your reason why.

• My most hurtful rejection.

Recount the events of that time and explain why it’s the most upsetting rejection for you.

• A life or death experience.

Narrate how the event took place and how it impacted your life.

• A time when I rebelled.

Recount your adventures when you were in a rebellious space and why you chose to act against the norm.

•  A made-up encounter with someone famous.

Tell your readers who you met, how you met them, and why you wanted to meet them.

• A moment when I felt proud of myself.

Talk about the event and describe the accomplishment, including why it was important to you.

• A time when I learned the importance of teamwork.

Think back to a time when working together helped the group achieve something, give details of the situation, the role you played in the team, and the lessons you learned.

• My first public speaking experience.

Give details of when and why it happened. Talk about what was running through your head and what you were feeling at the time.

• The worst news of my life.

Delve into what the news was and how it impacted your life.

• The one thing I can’t live without.

Identify the most special thing to you and explain why you hold it dear.

• My moral beliefs.

Pick the top moral beliefs you have and discuss and share how you use them to guide your life.

• A look at my nutrition.

Discuss the kind of food you eat regularly and narrate how you pick your foods. Look at your typical diet from a nutritional point of view and discuss your findings and thoughts.

• How I love myself.

Guide your readers to love themselves by sharing your journey on how you appreciate yourself through the years. You might also be wondering what is a synthesis essay ?

Descriptive essay topics aim to take the readers on a vivid journey through detailed descriptions of a person, event, or process. It’s a type of essay writing where the writer should show a comprehensive picture of the experience through words by appealing to the five senses.

• A day when everything went wrong.

Think of a day when everything you planned went down the drain. Remember to write in chronological order so the events that took place make sense for the readers.

• The legendary Napoleon Bonaparte.

Describe Napoleon’s achievements and reasons for going to war. 

• The top 10 most beautiful locations on Earth.

You can base your essay on a location show you watched on TV and describe the sites and what makes them exceptional.

•  A folk dance.

Detail the dancers’ costumes, the dance steps, and the atmosphere of the performance so the readers can imagine it as if they are watching the dance themselves.

• A family recipe.

Describe how the recipe is done and pay attention to the ingredients, the way of cooking, and the presentation of the food.

• How I imagine the Big Bang Theory.

Describe the Big Bang Theory and its specific details as if you witnessed this tremendous explosion.

• What is it like to be a Hollywood celebrity?

Present details on how an A-list celebrity lives by illustrating what their house, cars, and social circle look like.

• A day in the shoes of an Emergency Room doctor.

Explain how a doctor operates as an emergency responder. You can pull inspiration from medical dramas or interviews with real doctors.

• What it would be like to be the president of my country.

Imagine what it will be like if you are the leader of your country. Give specifics on material things, such as what your office looks like, or focus on describing your relationship with your constituents.

• A day with a just-married couple.

Describe how newlyweds act a day after they exchange vows. Describe their blushing faces, loud giggles, etc.

• A cozy, winter evening.

Point out what makes you cozy, whether it’s the lit fireplace, the piping hot cocoa, or the warm embrace of a lover.

• A pirate at sea.

Describe the life of a pirate, such as how they survive, plunder, and spend time at sea.

• The life of a pilot.

Describe what a pilot feels when entrusted to fly a plane. Describe the pilot’s expected actions, feelings, and thoughts.

• Going through the Drake Passage.

Detail your adventure through one of the roughest voyages by describing the currents, wind, and other factors that make the Drake Passage journey treacherous.

• The first time I discovered the internet.

Describe how it worked when you got a hold of it and include your thoughts during that first encounter.

• The pyramids of Egypt.

Present a detailed account of how they look in real life versus how they looked in photographs. Make it, so your readers feel like they’re in Egypt with you.

• The magic of Disneyland.

Describe what makes Disneyland a popular destination for children and adults. You can also include if the hype around Disneyland is worth it. 

• My favorite bookshop.

Describe what the bookshop looks like and why it’s your top pick. It can be because of the chill vibe, the cozy atmosphere, or the availability of many titles in the shop.

• An experience at a 5-star restaurant.

Take your readers to the top-rated restaurant and describe what’s in the place. Talk about the ambiance, the food, and the service.

• Mi Yue: The First Empress Dowager of China.

Describe the woman who became the first leader of China by becoming empress dowager and focus on her character and way of thinking. Write your essay as if you’re a close confidant of Mi Yue.

• Why New York is my favorite city.

Describe New York’s climate, population, and opportunities.

• My favorite band and their music.

Think of who you consider the best band and describe their music style, the member’s personalities, and their artistic involvement in creating music.

• Christmas traditions worldwide.

Investigate what people do during this holiday and describe each. Focus on the ones that are unusual compared to the American celebrations.

• Seven qualities of a great roommate.

Describe the perfect roommate who you want to share your place with.

• My first date.

Describe the details of the day, where you went, and how you and your date acted.

Persuasive writing applies analysis and research to make a case for the writer’s opinion on a topic. Essay writing topics that fall under this category aim to change the readers’ opinion.

• Cell phones are bad for you.

Present research on the negative effects of prolonged use of cell phones. 

• Teachers should prioritize their students’ mental health.

Use your essay to urge teachers to be more aware of their student’s well-being and discuss school-related factors that lead to poor mental health, such as neverending assignments on top of other coursework demands.

• Children should not have social media accounts.

Present social networking sites’ harmful effects on children’s perceptions, such as unrealistic beauty standards, and support your claims with research and studies.

• Euthanasia should be illegal.

Explain your position by discussing ethics and morality surrounding the subject.

• Procrastination is good for you.

Explain the benefits of healthy procrastination and why people can’t avoid procrastination.

• Healthy eating should be taught in school

Discuss the benefits of eating a balanced diet, and how learning this from a young age can be helpful for life.

• Exotic plants should not be inside your home.

Convince your readers by listing the dangers of unknown plant species. Add cases where exotic plants harmed their owners.

• Humans are intrinsically good.

Cite sources to prove that humans are inherently good and just became terrible because of the way they were brought up or the negative experiences they suffered. 

• Parents should not be strict with their kids.

Present the negative impacts of being overprotective parents, such as the child being socially inept and having low self-esteem.

• Today’s celebrities are bad role models.

For instance, discuss the adverse effects of celebrities lying on their social media pages claiming they only post natural pics that aren’t edited. 

• Everyone should learn to play an instrument.

Encourage your readers to start their musical journey by expounding on the benefits of knowing how to play a musical instrument.

• Animal testing is necessary.

Work around the premise that animal testing leads to a better understanding of the human body and effective medications.

• Zoos should be abolished.

Talk about the reality that zoos keep animals away from their natural habitats for human appreciation.

• School breaks should be extended.

Persuade the readers that students deserve longer summer vacations by citing the positive impacts of the break on their well-being. 

• Winter is the best season.

Convince your audience that winter stands out among the rest for you. It can be because of fresh mornings, the holidays, etc.

• Smoking is bad for you.

Explain why an individual should avoid starting to smoke and convince a smoker to stop by presenting the adverse impacts of smoking on health.

• The internet should be free for all.

Highlight the importance of the internet and how it’s integrated into daily life. For instance, government offices require online registrations, and having free internet makes transactions easier and faster.

• Homework should be banned.

List the benefits of keeping schoolwork at school. Discuss how crucial children’s school-life balance is so they can function optimally and excel in their academics.

• Kids should have pocket money.

Add the benefits of letting children handle money at a young age. This includes teaching kids to budget and be financially literate.

• Physical education classes should not be required.

Highlight the usual problems of the subject, such as having too many students in one class, limited funding, etc.

• Every class should have a class pet.

Point out how having a class pet teaches children of responsibility and values by caring for another living being.

• You should grow your own food.

List the benefits of planting your own food, such as having fewer expenses and being healthier.

• It’s bad to have too much money.

Talk about the bad behavior people develop once they get their hands on a huge sum of cash.

• Bullies’ parents should be penalized.

Relate the subject to bad parenting, and penalizing parents can push them to educate their children to be better members of society.

• Pets should be allowed in school.

Some students find comfort in having their furry friends with them. Include any research on how being with their pets help students destress and learn better.

• Teachers deserve more pay.

Discuss the responsibilities of teachers and point out how mismatched their salaries are for their daily obligations.

Argumentative essay topics require research and analysis to present more information on the essay subject. These interesting essay topics investigate an idea, evaluate evidence, and showcase your stance. 

• Does reality TV depict real life?

Include how scripted reality shows are to get audience engagement, but also mention that they are the closest to reality compared to dramas, etc.

• Do video games make children violent?

Add research supporting or debunking the claim, plus tips to assist parents in guiding their kids to separate games from real life.

• Do boys and girls face the same societal pressure?

Weigh society’s expectations of children based on their gender.

• Are schools currently handling bullying cases effectively?

Present the standard guidelines schools follow and point out the parts that work and don’t. Add your recommendation on how these flaws can be resolved.

• Do celebrities deserve more pay than the average person?

Present your evidence-based arguments on why there is a huge gap between TV personalities and office workers.

• Is capitalism ethical?

While some explain capitalism is inherently unethical, explain why it’s the dominant political and economic system in most Western countries.

• Should parents monitor their kids’ internet history?

Include reasons parents do this and offer tips on how to better connect with their children.

• Is climate change real?

Present factual evidence explaining this phenomenon, such as the greenhouse effect and its effects on the Earth.

• Should children have strict screen time?

Support your stance on the matter by linking to professionals’ opinions. Include any recommendations from qualified individuals and add the benefits of limited screen time on children’s development.

• Should the government do more to stop ‘”fake news”?

List the drastic impacts of spreading fake information online and how the government should handle these unverified particulars from supposed news outlets.

• Should the consequences of cyberbullying be more severe?

Offer cases where students feel powerless against their online bullies and the repercussions these offenders got, if any.

• Is healthcare a fundamental human right?

Argue whether healthcare should be infested with businesses looking for the most profits. Then, suggest changes to make healthcare more accessible for everyone. 

• Should cigarettes be illegal?

It’s common knowledge that smoking cigarettes have adverse effects on the body, so explain why it’s not entirely banned. Ensure to add relevant research or professional answers.

• Do celebrities deserve to have the same privacy as common people?

Argue whether they do or if they forfeited the right to privacy when they choose to step into the spotlight. 

• Should schools require uniforms?

Consider whether school uniforms are necessary for the education system.

• Should people be allowed to keep wild animals as pets?

Submit examples where humans successfully domesticated a wild animal but also mention instances when wild animals retaliated against their human carer, such as in the case of  Travis the Chimp .

•  Should misbehaving students be expelled?

Discuss if students who misbehave should be expelled or not. Think about helping the kid rather than expelling them, and the pros and cons of this approach.

• Do chats and text messages deteriorate in-person communication skills?

Dive into how limiting communication to texts harms a person’s interpersonal skills. 

• Should AI for art be banned?

Include how AIs hurt artists’ livelihood, including how the new technology hijacks awards that should be reserved for humans. Provide compromise for AI users, such as creating a different category for AI works.

• Should video games be considered a sport?

Present both sides of the argument on whether video games should have a spot next to chess or basketball. Take your side and defend it by considering the players’ skills, training, and strategies. 

• Is graffiti art?

Define what falls under graffiti and mull over its overlap with the definition of art. Include how graffiti’s reputation in the art community has changed.

• Do we still need libraries?

Since most books can be accessed online today, the expense of libraries is now becoming an issue. To support your argument, highlight the other benefits of libraries, such as providing a safe place for students, etc.

• Should classrooms have surveillance cameras installed?

Add the benefits of having a camera to monitor students’ and teachers’ behaviors, but also include the possible abuse of power that comes with it.

Expository writing informs, describes, or explains a subject matter. Expository essay topics also include clarifying a point of view, belief, or process.

• The importance of time management.

Talk about the importance of managing time effectively and add tips to develop the readers’ time management skills.

• The rise of veganism.

Describe the trend of veganism and discuss its growing popularity, including reasons why people choose to adopt this lifestyle.

• The role of music in our lives.

Point out the benefits music offers and explore the different ways it can influence our moods and emotions.

• The importance of self-care.

Delve into why taking care of oneself physically and mentally is critical. Then provide examples of different self-care practices that people can engage in.

• The history of the Olympic Games.

Trace the history of the Olympic Games from ancient Greece to the present day, highlighting key events and changes that have occurred over time.

• The benefits of using a bike.

Pin down the advantages one can get when preferring riding a bike over other modes of transportation. 

• The benefits of travel.

Talk about why we should travel, including exposure to different cultures, personal growth, and new experiences. Mention examples of different types of travel that an individual or group should try.

• The role of art in society.

Examine the importance of art in society and how it can reflect and influence cultural values and beliefs.

• The effects of social isolation.

In relation to the 2020 pandemic, dive into the impacts of social isolation on mental health and consider strategies for coping with loneliness and deteriorated communication skills.

• The effects of sleep deprivation.

Connect sleep deprivation to physical and mental health issues. You can also add ways how can improve their sleep schedule.

• The importance of financial literacy.

Discuss the importance of knowing how to manage money and offer tips for developing better financial management skills.

• The role of sports in society.

Explain why sports are a constant in communities and cite which sports usually influence social values and bring people together.

• The impact of social justice movements.

Define social justice movements and their importance in societal changes. Add any progress that has been made through these movements and add the challenges that remain.

• The importance of going to school.

Determine the benefits of staying in school and how it helps the student in the future.

• The impact of globalization on culture.

Describe how globalization has impacted culture worldwide, including both positive and negative effects.

• The benefits of a healthy diet.

Describe what we can gain from a healthy diet and provide the reader with ways to incorporate healthy foods into meals. 

• The history of capital punishment.

Talk about how the death penalty started and the cases that led to its abolishment in some states in the US.

• The reason why students drop out of college.

Identify the common reasons why students stop attending classes, such as pressure to achieve high grades, poor mental health, and social challenges.

• The reason you can eat too much candy.

Present the harmful effects of too much sugar in the body.

• Why I believe my dad is a hero.

Explain your point of view and mention your father’s special characteristics that you think are worthy of calling him a hero.

• Why kids should learn math.

Mention the benefits of learning math early on and how math meshes with every aspect of human life.

• Why World War I happened.

Identify the events that sparked the first World War.

• Why rules are important.

Present why rules are made and how they keep the peace or organize things. 

• The history of the English language.

Talk about the invasions that affected the language’s creation and how it became how we know it today.

• Why I enjoy swimming.

Explain the process you follow when swimming and share why you relax through swimming.

• Why I believe in destiny.

Incorporate your religion or just your individual faith, like karma, etc., to explain why destiny makes sense to you.

Informative essay topics are factual and are delivered to add to the readers’ knowledge. In writing informative essay topics, it’s best to let the audience discover the information as quickly and efficiently as possible. 

• Global changes brought on by the 2020 pandemic.

Talk about the noticeable changes the world adapted to continue living despite the COVID-19 pandemic. This may include more online work and virtual classes. 

• How to use social media responsibly.

Offer tips on how one can navigate toxic social networking sites and filter social media posts

• How to do CPR.

Teach your readers how to respond properly to an emergency. Only get your information from a credible source.

• How to make a budget.

Present an easy way to budget finances.

• How to stop a bad habit.

Recommend common but effective ways to kick a bad habit out of one’s life. 

• How to wrap a gift.

Create a step-by-step process that’s easy to follow.

• Women and their role in the workplace over the years.

Offer significant information and key changes women enjoyed throughout history involving their workplace responsibilities. 

• How Victorian women dressed.

Talk about an interesting stage in fashion and explain how women in the 19th century choose what to wear. 

• Explain how the American judicial system works.

Be careful not to go into too much detail. Explain the process in the simplest way possible.

• Explain the life cycle of a butterfly.

Add the wonders of nature and other interesting facts about the butterfly and its metamorphosis.

• The reason leaves change color in autumn.

Share this interesting process with the readers with the least scientific terms possible. For instance, instead of saying “chlorophyll,” you can refer to it as the “pigment that makes plants green.”

• The life of Michael Jackson.

Go through the key moments of the life of someone famous to get your reader’s attention and deliver facts.

• The process of making a movie.

Explain how movies come to life. It’s best to choose one movie and focus on its production.

• How to cook a traditional recipe.

Guide the readers by creating a step-by-step process of making the meal. Choose something you’re familiar with because it’s a part of your culture.

• What is noise pollution?

Determine the sources of noise pollution, like loud music, horns, etc., and why they are considered such.

• How were the pyramids in Egypt made?

Help the readers understand how the pyramids became a great symbol for Egypt and explain the process enslaved people followed to make them sturdy and mighty.

• How to prepare for a campsite.

Add the benefits of being in nature and tips camp-goers should keep in mind.

• How to tie a necktie.

Go over the steps an individual should follow when dealing with a necktie. These steps should be described in the simplest way possible.

• How fashion evolved throughout history.

Consider the elements that affected people’s choice of fashion during different time periods.

• How to plan a party.

Guide your readers on how they can successfully have a party. Offer checklist party organizers should know.

• Describe an element in the periodic table.

If you’re a fan of science, pick your element and explain its makeup and common uses.

• The character development of Prince Zuko in  The Legend of Aang .

If you have a series you’re fond of, write an essay on your favorite character and how the showrunners demonstrated his growth.

• The process of making a song.

Go to your favorite band’s online account, and they may have videos detailing their music process.

Compare and contrast essay topics can be about two or more subjects and their similarities and differences. Good essay topics under this category point out the distinctions and resemblances of the subjects.

• National Parks and Zoos.

Explain the difference between the two and which is better for the animals regarding their safety and quality of life.

• Summer Vacation: Stay in or Get out?

Include the pros and cons of each and point out if they have anything in common.

• Netflix or YouTube?

Discuss which one has more value for its users.

• Books or Tablets?

Consider the situations a user might prefer one over the other.

• Private Schools vs. Public Schools.

Discuss the different aspects of private schools and public schools. This can include the expenses, and quality of learning.

• Letter Grades or Number Grades.

After pointing out the similarities between the two grading systems, choose one and explain why it’s better for you. For example, number grades should be recommended because it shows the exact percentage of the student’s class standing.

• Rescue or Buy a Pet?

Weigh which is better with respect to various factors such as the adopter’s wants and capacity for caring for a rescue. 

• Coke or Pepsi?

Here’s a fun one – compare and contrast the taste of these two similar soft drinks and share why one is more popular.

• First day vs. Last Day of School.

Go through each day’s events and compare and contrast your thoughts and feelings during each time. Add any realizations and changes you went through.

• Parents and Grandparents.

Point out the same things your parents and grandparents do, then dive into their distinct behaviors, and moral beliefs. 

• Anxiety and Depression.

Most people often use these terms interchangeably. In your essay, clearly state the definitions of the two and point out where they overlap.

• Owning a Car vs. Using Public Transport

Add the pros and cons of each and the best time to use one over the other.

• iPhone vs. Android

Join the hot debate on this discourse. Be careful to get insights from both parties and verify your sources.

• Basketball vs. Volleyball

Succinctly explain the rules of each game and then discuss what makes these two sports popular.

• Vegetarian vs. Vegan

Many mistakes these two terms as having the same meaning, so start your essay by identifying what sets them apart. Then, delve into their similarities and distinctions in a more detailed manner.

• Gen X and Gen Z

Explore the beliefs the two generations support or despise, then tackle their main differences.

• Equality vs. Equity

Another pair of confusing terms that’s a great topic for a compare-and-contrast essay.

• Phone calls vs. Texting

Include the situations where one fits better than the other.

• Online shopping vs. Brick and mortar stores

Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of online shopping and shopping in-store. Such as being able to try on clothes in stores, and the convenience of ordering clothes online at home.

Cause and effect essay topics put the thesis statement in the introduction, focusing on the relationships between conditions and their consequences. It can also discuss the events between the causes and effects.

• Social media and productivity.

Analyze how time spent on social networking sites, such as LinkedIn , can positively impact a person’s job efficiency.

• Cell phones and sleep.

Discuss how cell phones disrupt a person’s sleep cycle.

• Texting and driving.

Include cases where drivers were punished.

• America’s independence.

Retell history and briefly narrate US’ liberation from the UK. Ensure to relay the events that instigated the US’s call for freedom.

• Social media and adolescent development.

Criticize the negative results of unrealistic standards that social media sells to naive teenagers.

• Privilege and financial success.

Use this essay to discuss nepotism and how the kids of rich people will be financially successful despite not having to work.

• Peer pressure and decision-making.

Impressionable children are easily influenced by their peers. Include ways children can resist negative peer pressure in your essay.

• Youth sports and kid’s development.

Point out how kids’ development is affected by these sports events. These impacts can be good or bad.

• The attack of Pearl Harbor.

Look back on history and recount the causes that led to the bombing.

• Childhood trauma and development.

Research how childhood trauma manifests in an adult’s life.

• Stress and work performance.

You can talk about the stress of work and how it can negatively impact performance.

• Fast food and obesity rates.

Analyze how fast food consumption contributes to obesity and offer ways to encourage healthier eating habits.

• COVID-19 and mental health.

Discuss how the 2020 pandemic affected most people’s mental health. 

• Poverty and education.

Concentrate on how poverty affects access to education. Present potential solutions to address this education gap.

• Social media and plastic surgery.

Tackle how social media hype plastic surgery and how it distorts reality for young individuals like middle school and high school students.

• Technology and privacy.

Explore how technology twisted our sense of privacy and add any solutions to protect our security better. 

• Sleep deprivation and academic performance.

Sleep habits are critical to performing well in class. Guide your readers on how to have better sleep habits.

• Plastic pollution and oceans.

Raise awareness of the continuous pollution of the ocean and add any organized effort to combat it.

• Religion and society.

Identify the significant effects of religious groups on how society works.

• Substance abuse and the youth.

Pinpoint the specific causes of this crucial social issue, like chaotic home life or trauma, and provide ways to mitigate these causes.

• Homeschooling and child development.

Expose how homeschooling impacts kids’ growth compared to if they are enrolled in the classroom.

• Business and global warming.

Recognize the major business’ contribution to the planet warming up.

College essays let incoming college students introduce themselves to their university. In these applications, the writers must demonstrate their intellectual skills and explain why they want to be a part of the institution.

• A meaningful experience that changed my outlook on life.

Reflect on an experience that significantly impacted your worldview or perspective. Describe the event, how it made you feel, and how it altered your outlook on life.

• A moment of personal triumph.

Think about when you overcame a challenge or accomplished something you were proud of. Explain why this experience was meaningful to you and how it shaped your character or outlook. 

• My biggest fear and how I overcame it.

Talk about what you fear the most and how you pushed yourself to face it.

• A difficult decision I had to make.

Describe the decision, how you weighed the pros and cons, and what you ultimately decided.

• Why I believe in diversity in higher education.

Showcase your beliefs on important matters and add how your diverse background can contribute to the university.

• A time when I demonstrated my leadership skills.

These roles can be in your previous school, community organizations, etc.

• Why education is critical to reaching my personal and career goals.

Share these goals and write about how a college education will help you achieve them. Add any skills or knowledge you want to gain at the university.

• Overcoming my greatest obstacle.

Discuss how you tackled adversity by working to overcome an obstacle. This could be a disability, challenging home circumstances, grief, experiencing discrimination, or even moving city.

• Challenging a belief.

Focus your essay on a time when you challenged someone’s beliefs that you perceived as harmful to society. Discuss your stance on the issue and how you highlighted these concerns in your argument.

• My personal growth journey.

Use this prompt to highlight an achievement that furthered your personal growth. This could be a small moment of realization that changed your perspective or something greater that shook your world.

Maria Caballero is a freelance writer who has been writing since high school. She believes that to be a writer doesn't only refer to excellent syntax and semantics but also knowing how to weave words together to communicate to any reader effectively.

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365 essays for english learners.

1 America: Land of Opportunity

2 The Fourth of July

3 The U.S. Federal Government

4 Christmas: A Holiday of Traditions

5 New Year's Day: A Holiday of New Beginnings

6 Martin Luther King Jr Day: To Remember a Civil Rights Leader

7 Valentine's Day: A Holiday of Love and Friendship

8 St. Patrick's Day: A Holiday to Celebrate the Irish

9 Passover: A Jewish Holiday of Remembering

10 Easter: An Important Christian Holiday

11 Mother's Day: A Holiday to Honor Motherhood

12 Father's Day: A Holiday to Honor Fatherhood

13 Memorial Day: A Holiday to Remember Fallen Soldiers

14 Labor Day: A Holiday to Honor Workers

15 Columbus Day: A Holiday to Remember an Explorer

16 Halloween: A Holiday for Costumes and Candy

17 Veterans Day: A Holiday Honoring All Soldiers

18 Chanukah: A Holiday of Lights

19 Thanksgiving: Families Coming Together

20 Lottery: A Chance at Millions

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29 ESL Conversation Topics for Adult Students

One key goal almost every adult ESL student shares is  gaining the ability to speak English with others.

What better way to learn to speak English than to speak about the very same things that you speak about on a daily basis ?

ESL speaking activities work even better when someone speaks about their own personal recollections, thoughts and ideas on these topics.

Use these topics and questions to get conversations started!

8. Television

11. first dates, 13. motivation, 19. restaurants, 20. cooking, 22. shopping, 26. learning, 28. computers, 29. problems.

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Everybody has hobbies, and everybody loves talking about them. Hobbies could be passions too, you know. Some simple questions to ask include:

• What are your hobbies?
• Why do you like your hobbies so much?
• How often do you do these hobbies?
• How long have you been doing these hobbies, and how did you get started?
• What hobbies did you used to have, but now do not?
• Is it important to have hobbies? Why/why not?

Lots of people work and have lots to say about it. I mean, if you’re spending about a third of your waking hours at work, you may have lots to say.

Some good questions are:

• What work do/did you do?
• Do/did like your job? Why or why not?
• What is your dream job?
• What work is common in your city/area/country?
• What is your general view about work? Why?

Food is possibly the most universal topic of them all and everyone loves to discuss what they eat. Food-themed ESL activities are always a hit with students.

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This is also an ideal topic for beginners because the vocabulary is usually pretty simple. You could use questions like:

• What is your favorite food? Why?
• What food do you eat a lot?
• What food comes from your country?
• How do you feel when you eat food?
• What foods do you dislike? Why?
• Where do you usually get food from?

This is a topic that many people get very excited about. If someone is passionate or emotional about a topic, they can be more motivated to speak and understand things related to it.

A few good example questions are:

• Do you like sports? Why/why not?
• How often do you exercise/play sports?
• Did you play any sports as a child?
• What sport/physical activity is popular in your country?
• What is your opinion on professional sports?

As people get older, their perceived value of time increases, so it’s a practical topic that everyone has something to say about.

You could ask questions like:

• How much free time do you usually have?
• How important is time to you?
• If you had more free time, what would you do?
• “Time is money.” Do you agree or disagree? Why?
• How do you feel about time that is wasted?

As people get older, they start to appreciate a good night’s sleep more and more. This topic is often a favorite.

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Some example questions are:

• How much sleep do you usually get?
• Why do some people sleep well while other people do not sleep well?
• What do you do when you have trouble sleeping?
• What time do you usually go to sleep? What time do you usually get up?
• Have you ever slept in a strange place that was not a bed?

Everybody loves music and most people feel very strong emotions toward it—especially when it comes to the music that they love (or hate) most. Some simple questions to ask could be:

• What types of music do you like/dislike?
• How do certain kinds of music make you feel?
• What types of music come from your country?
• What’s your favorite song/album/artist?
• What music is popular in your country right now?

Listening to music with English lyrics can be fun and engaging activity that can also start conversations.

Watching music videos with subtitles will help students remember the vocabulary they hear in a song.

Television is one of those topics that everyone has an opinion about.

TV will enable you to showcase native English forms and provide some great context before diving into discussion questions. Good questions include:

• How often do you watch TV?
• Should everyone have a television in their home?
• What is the best way to watch television: On a television set, computer, tablet or phone?
• What television programs are popular in your country?
• What do you think will be the future of television?
• What is your opinion on television?
• If you had your own TV show, what would it be like?

If your students enjoy learning from TV and other native content, you can try a media-focused resource like FluentU .

• Learn words in the context of sentences
• Swipe left or right to see more examples from other videos
• Go beyond just a superficial understanding

This website and app teaches English with authentic videos, including clips from TV shows, news segments and commercials.

The video dictionary also links to other videos that use the word for additional context. Students can also take quizzes based on the videos and their flashcard learning.

The pop-culture content on FluentU is more interesting to students than more traditional materials, and it increases the motivation to understand the dialogue.

Authentic media lets students hear English the way native speakers use it and helps them recall the meanings of words better by creating memorable associations with stories and characters.

The FluentU program is available both for schools and for individual learners .

Like television, movies are a popular conversation topic. I mean, who doesn’t watch movies? A few good questions to be asked could be:

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• What was the last movie you saw? How was it?
• What is your favorite movie? Why?
• How are the movies in your country? What are the best ones?
• How often do you watch movies in English?
• If there were a movie about your life, what kind of movie would it be? Why?

Travel can be a great discussion topic – it encourages storytelling in the past tense and inspires students to talk about culture and similar topics.

Here are some possible questions:

• Where have you traveled?
• What countries have you been to?
• Where would you like to travel to in the future?
• When you travel, what safety precautions do you take?
• Do you like to prepare a lot before you travel, or just wing it?
• What are some cultural issues that you have experienced while traveling? Do you have any funny or embarrassing stories?

Talking about first dates gets everybody interested. We’ve all been there.

• How many first dates have you had?
• How do you feel about first dates?
• What is a common first date like in your country?
• What is the best/worst first date experience you’ve ever had?
• What makes a good first date in your opinion?

Everyone feels a certain way about risk. Some are risk-oriented, others are risk-averse. Talking about risks seems to generate some good conversation. You could ask questions like:

• What is your definition of risk?
• Are you a risk taker? Why/why not?
• What are the advantages/disadvantages of taking risks?
• What risks do you come across in your work/life?
• What risks have you taken in your life?

Whether or not the students are a motivated bunch, motivation is a good topic to discuss in order to inspire your students.

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• How motivated are you in general?
• What motivates you to do things?
• What is the best motivator to succeed?
• What do you do when you feel unmotivated?
• What is a good way to motivate others?

Anyone can appreciate beauty in all its forms, and anyone can recognize the importance of the concept of beauty in our cultures, societies and behaviors.

This makes it a good topic to discuss to get some opinions and various views within a group.

• What is “beauty”?
• What/who do you consider beautiful?
• What does “inner beauty” mean to you?
• Do you consider artificial beauty (cosmetic surgery) to still be beauty? Why/why not?
• How do you feel about the emphasis that people put on beauty these days?
• What would you tell your children about beauty?

Crime may not be on the top of people’s lists of favorite topics but it’s something that’s talked about.

Depending on someone’s life experiences, it may be something that has affected their lives. Learning to discuss it could help in the long run.

Good discussion questions are:

• Is crime a big problem in your city/country?
• Have you ever been a victim of crime?
• What crime is common in your city/country?
• What would you do if you noticed a crime being committed?
• How is the law enforcement in your city/country?

Most people have had some firsthand experience with love that they’d like to talk about. It’s another one of those universal topics that gets the conversation going.

Even if it’s not about romantic love and heartbreak, students can talk about familial love with their parents and children, as well as love between friends.

Questions like these are good:

• What is love?
• Who/what do you love?
• What good/bad experiences have you had with love?
• Can you be too young to be in love? Why/why not?
• How do you feel about love?

We all have goals and talking about them actually gets us more encouraged to do something about them. Sharing goals is also a good way to help get them achieved.

A good set of questions is:

• What are your current goals in life?
• How do you plan to reach your goals?
• How often do you set goals for yourself?
• What goals have you set and achieved in the past?
• How do you feel when you reach your goals?

We all have dreams, sometimes on a nightly basis, and they can make for a great discussion topic as it inspires students to be creative and even whimsical.

Great questions for this topic include:

• What kinds of dreams do you have?
• What do you think dreams mean?
• How much of your dreams do you remember? Why?
• What is your opinion on premonitions? Are they real?
• What are examples of memorable dreams you have had?

Along with eating, people love talking about their favorite eateries and restaurants. Some students might even relate to each other with their choices and views.

Good questions include:

• How often do you go to restaurants?
• What is your favorite restaurant? Why?
• What do you usually order at a restaurant?
• What is the restaurant experience like in your country?
• Have you ever worked in a restaurant?
• If you owned a restaurant, what kinds of food would you serve?

Cooking is another topic that may allow for some good conversation. Most people in most countries do a good amount of cooking.

A few good questions could be:

• In your home, who usually cooks?
• How often do you cook?
• How well do you cook? What can you cook well?
• What are the advantages/disadvantages of cooking?
• What food would you like to learn how to cook?

Recipes can be a fun way to introduce students to assorted cooking vocabulary and phrases. And in addition to written recipes, there are tons of recipe videos on the web if you want to work on listening comprehension as well.

FluentU has lots of videos about food and cuisine, as well as several captioned recipe videos.

If there is one topic that affects everyone, it has to be money. People love talking about money.

Well, they may not if they’re broke—but even then it’s a relatable topic that gets conversations going.

Great questions include:

• How well do you manage your money?
• Why do some people have money problems?
• What are some good ways to make money?
• What would you do if I gave you $20/$2,000/$2,000,000?
• How often do you save money? Why?

This one is a personal favorite for many. Shopping just brings out the zest in some people.

Others feel strongly the other way—very few people are completely neutral on this topic.

A few good questions are:

• Do you enjoy shopping? Why/why not?
• What is your favorite shop? Why?
• In your city, where is a good place to go shopping?
• How do you feel about online shopping?
• What do you think shopping will be like in the future?

Everybody makes plans and discussing them could even influence the class to start making plans of their own! A few example questions include:

• How often do you plan things? Why?
• What are your plans for (________)?
• What are your plans for your English?
• What do you think of this quote? “Having no plan is a plan to fail.”
• Do you have any back-up plans?

Books make for a good conversation topic because most people enjoy a good book.

When you read, your mind is filled with new images, feelings, ideas and thoughts. It can be immensely satisfying for someone to share how they feel about reading.

Some questions to ask are:

• Do you like books/reading? Why/why not?
• What kind of books do/did you like?
• What is your favorite book? Why?
• What was the last book you read?
• Do you believe reading books/literature is more important than reading stuff online? Why/why not?

Life discussions go on in all languages and English is no exception.

Life is a good topic since everyone has their own views and thoughts on this universal subject.

You could bring up questions like:

• What is the meaning of life?
• How is your life going up to this point?
• What do you think happens after death?
• What important life lessons have you learned?
•  If tomorrow was your last day to live, what would you do?

Learning is like nature—it’s all around us, even on a subconscious level. Our brains are built to absorb, filter and store information.

A conversation about learning could actually stimulate some English learning!

A few questions that are suitable are:

• How important is learning? Why?
• Besides English, what are you currently learning?
• What things are you good/bad at learning? Why?
• What would you most like to learn?
• What is the most difficult part of learning? Why?

Games are fun and everybody enjoys fun, no?

But in all seriousness, talking about games tends to gear the conversation more toward past tense, which can bring students a fond sense of nostalgia.

Some simple questions could be:

• What is your favorite game ever?
• What games did you play as a kid?
• What games are popular/came from your country?
• How competitive are you when it comes to games?
• What games do you still play now? Why?

It’s hard to go a day without talking about computers. This universal topic could have students discussing quite a few things, much of which could relate to real life too!

Great questions on this could be:

• Describe your computer at home/work.
• What do you usually use a computer for?
• Do you like computers? Why/why not?
• What was the first computer you ever had like?
• What do you think will be the future of computers?

Even though nobody likes to talk about problems per se, everybody still talks about their problems to other people!

Problems are actually a good topic for discussion since they could help others relate to each other and even present solutions too.

A few fine examples of questions are:

• How do you deal with your problems?
• What problems do you come across in your work or life?
• Do you feel that problems are opportunities? Why or why not?
• What was the last problem you solved and how did you do it?
• “Problems don’t matter. Solutions do.” Do you agree or disagree?

Discussion questions like the ones above—questions about everyday things—work well because they really get the brain thinking.

These topics relate directly to students on a familiar level and can even spark some fascinating discussions.

You could even mix up the example questions any way you’d like.

These topics may even inspire you to come up with some of your own, as you begin to understand what works and what doesn’t.

Happy discussing!

For more tips, check out this post next: 

Wondering how to teach ESL to adults? While your lessons might be a bit less chaotic than with younger students, they don’t have to be dull or boring. Everyone enjoys…

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10 English Speaking Topics For Intermediate Students

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For every ESL student, speaking with native English speakers is like a dream come true. To get to a decent conversational level to be able to talk to native speakers, you have many things to learn and many words and phrases to remember.

And while we are talking about words and phrases, have you been thinking about some English-speaking topics?

There are plenty of entertaining topics you can chit-chat about. The following topics are suitable for intermediate students, so keep reading and see which ones you find most entertaining or which ones are your favorites.

15 Different English Speaking Topics For ESL Intermediate Students

You don’t know what to talk about with native English speakers?

Don’t worry because, in the following lines, you can find 15 different discussion topics ideal for English intermediate students.

Everyone likes to travel. Visiting other places, learning about other cultures, and meeting new people is always fun. Besides, it is one more experience and opportunity to practice the language.

What country would you like to visit?

Which country you would never visit again?

Which country did you visit more than once?

What do you like to visit in a foreign country?

Do you like traveling in summer or winter?

Food And Cooking

Food is also one of the favorites topics because everyone likes talking about food and delicious dishes.

It is mainly one of the topics suitable for beginners because of the related vocabulary, but you can expand and ask for more details for a more advanced level.

What is your favorite food? And why?

Which country, according to your opinion, has the best dishes?

What is the worst thing you’ve ever tasted?

Do you like to cook?

What do you like to cook?

How often do you cook?

What are the advantages or disadvantages of cooking?

Where do you get ingredients for cooking?

What do you think about organic food?

Do you eat only organic food?

Hobbies are something we enjoy doing in our spare time, so, naturally, everyone loves talking about their hobbies.

Do you have any hobbies?

How often do you do your hobbies?

How did you start these hobbies?

What do you think about (not) having hobbies?

What hobbies did you used to have and which ones you would like to do?

Work is a very important part of our lives. Most of us have jobs and work, so we always have to say something about that. Talking about work is one of the topics that can get people together.

Here are some suggestions when talking about work.

What work do you do?

Do you like your job?

Is your job demanding?

What is your opinion about work in general?

What is your dream job and why?

Environment

Topics about the environment are always inspiring and can lead to many other, even different, topics.

So, it is good to talk about the environment, as long as the conversation remains polite and without arguing.

What are serious environmental problems?

How can people help the environment? 

What is your opinion about climate change?

What do you think about pollution?

What should the government do to help the environment?

Television And Social Networks

Talking about television and social networks is entertaining and it gathers people together.

There are plenty of things you can chit-chat about television and media and here are some of them.

What is your opinion about television?

Do you watch television?

How often do you watch television?

Which tv programs do you watch?

Is watching television good for kids and if not, why?

Why are social networks so popular?

What do you think about social networks?

Do you use social networks?

Do people use social networks for bad purposes?

Which social networks do you use?

Don’t think that only men like talking about sports. You would be surprised to hear that many women actually like talking about this topic. Therefore, don’t divide people by gender. If you like talking about sports, ask your speaker about the opinion, no matter if it is a woman.

Do you like sports?

What is your favorite sport?

Do you watch sports?

Did you play any sport while you were in school?

Do you play sports now?

How often do you play sports?

Animals And Pets

These living beings that are part of our lives and our best friends are the topic everyone would gladly talk about. That’s why in the following lines, you can find some questions about animals and pets.

Do you like animals?

Do you have any pets?

Which is better to have as a pet, a dog or a cat?

What is your favorite animal?

What do you think about using animals for various types of testing?

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What do you think about killing animals for food?

Are people responsible for the extinction of some of the animals?

Do you help animal shelters in your town?

What is your opinion about the zoos and animals there?

Do animals suffer in zoos?

Making Plans And Goals

Making plans and goals has always been one of the favorite topics people like to discuss. Why then it wouldn’t be one of the English-speaking topics you can talk about with native English speakers?

What are your plans for…?

What are your plans for learning English?

What are your goals in life in general?

How do you plan to reach your goals?

How do you feel when you reach your goals?

Books And Reading

With so many amazing books, this topic is always the right one to discuss with others.

This is an especially favorite topic about book lovers. They could talk about books for days.

Here are some of the questions about reading and books in general.

Do you like reading? If not, why?

What type of books do you usually read?

Do you have a favorite book?

Do you have a favorite writer?

Have you read something currently?

What was the last book you’ve read?

What do you think of e-books?

Do you read books online?

What are (dis)advantages of reading books online?

Do you usually buy or borrow books?

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20 English Essay Questions (Intermediate)

Writing essays in English

Many of our students use our writing correction service to correct their CVs, application letters or work related emails or reports. However, if you would like to improve your English writing skills for general purposes, we recommend writing a selection of essays from the below questions.

We correct your essays, giving you valuable feedback on your mistakes, and advice on how to improve your written expression in English.

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Intermediate Essay Questions

• Nowadays, food has become easier to prepare. Has this change improved the way people live? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.   
• How do movies or television influence people's behaviour? Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer.  Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.   
• Neighbours are the people who live near us. In your opinion, what are the qualities of a good neighbour? Use specific details and examples in your answer.   
• It is better for children to grow up in the countryside than in a big city. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to develop your essay.   
• In some countries, teenagers have jobs while they are still students. Do you think this is a good idea? Support your opinion by using specific reasons and details.   
• A person you know is planning to move to your town or city. What do you think this person would like and dislike about living in your town or city? Why? Use specific reasons and details to develop your essay.   
• Is it better to enjoy your money when you earn it or is it better to save your money for some time in the future? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.   
• Some people like to travel with a companion. Other people prefer to travel alone. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.   
• Some people prefer to work for a large company. Others prefer to work for a small company. Which do you prefer and why? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.   
• Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? You should never judge a person by external appearances. Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.   
• Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Most experiences in our lives that seemed difficult at the time become valuable lessons for the future. Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer.   
• Which would you choose: a high-paying job with long hours that would give you little time with family and friends or a lower-paying job with shorter hours that would give you more time with family and friends? Explain your choice, using specific reasons and details.   
• Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Technology has made the world a better place to live. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.  
• A foreign visitor has only one day to spend in your country. Where should this visitor go on that day? Why? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.   
• Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Only people who earn a lot of money are successful. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.   
• You have the opportunity to visit a foreign country for two weeks. Which country would you like to visit? Use specific reasons and details to explain your choice.   
• Many students choose to attend schools or universities outside their home countries. Why do some students study abroad? Use specific reasons and details to explain your answer.   
• Every generation of people is different in important ways. How is your generation different from your parents' generation? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your answer.   
• What changes do you think the 21st century will bring? Use examples and details in your answer.   
• You have enough money to purchase either a house or a business. Which would you choose to buy? Give specific reasons to explain your choice. 

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Gregory Stephen Pioli

Owner of OLA Online Language Academy

★Degree in French (University of Kent at Canterbury) ★DELE Superior (Spanish) (Instituto Cervantes, Leeds) ★TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) (i-to-i.com)

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