Suggested interviewer questions

It is important to ensure that groups who perform their role-play after the other groups do not have the advantage of knowing what the interviewer’s questions will be. While the first question to each student can be the same, other questions should be varied.

Questions for the animal rights fighter

Common question

You obviously do not believe that circuses should be permitted to have performing animals. Can you give us one reason why you hold this point of view?

Alternative questions

1.  Instead of stopping circuses from using performing animals, do you think that perhaps you should be trying to get laws passed to make circuses treat their animals better? For example, you could try to get a law passed to make certain that animals cannot be trained by trainers using whips or sticks.

2.  I have a young child who is very excited about going to the circus. He loves to see the animals performing their tricks. Why do you want to take away his enjoyment?

3.  Is it really true that circuses are so bad for animals? Doesn’t research show that animals in circuses live longer than animals in zoos and that they are generally quite healthy?

Questions for the circus owner

Common question

You obviously feel that the council has been unfair in denying you permission to use their oval, but don’t you think that most residents here would agree that they’ve done the right thing?

Alternative questions

1.  What do you have to say to XX here, the animal rights fighter? How would you reply to XXX’s argument that circuses are cruel to animals?

2.  Why do you think it is important for circuses to continue to use animals as performers?

3.  Tell us about some of the steps you have taken to make sure that your animals are well treated.

Questions for the local councillor

Common question

Councillor XX, why has your council taken the step of denying the circus use of council land?

Alternative questions

1.  Are you concerned that if the circus is not allowed to use council land it may end up using private land that is less satisfactory and which may in fact cause more harm and distress to the animals?

2.  Do you think that residents of XX would agree with the council’s decision?

3.  Perhaps a better idea would have been for the council to allow the circus to use the land but to establish a set of conditions for that use which made certain the animals were well treated. Would that have been possible?

Questions for the parent of a young child

Common question

Would you take your child to a circus? Why? Why not?

Alternative questions

1.  Do you think that watching wildlife programs on television can give children a better understanding of animals than seeing them live in the circus?

2.  Do you think that the council is right to deny the circus use of council land?

3.  How do you think you can educate your child about the intelligence and abilities of animals?

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