1. What job areas have become the most important in the last 20 years?
  2. Will this affect your decision where you go to university and what you study?
  3. Will you continue to pursue only the subjects you like?
  4. What affects your choice of a future profession?
  1. Comment on the quote, “Don’t criticize what you can’t understand.” – Bob Dylan.
  • Do you think our world would be different if everyone followed this theory?
  • Doyouthinkfailurescancontributeto a person'ssuccess?
  • Canyouthinkofanyfamouspeoplewhoencounteredfailurebeforesuccess?
  1. Imagine you are a fortune-teller who is trying to predict the future of the Earth.
  • What is going to happen to technology and education in the next ten years?
  • Why do you think so?
  • What can people do to avert some possible disasters?
  1. How do you think other countries view Ukraine now?
  • What contributed to a positive or negative image of our country?
  • What can we do to boost the image of Ukraine?
  • How do Ukrainians view visitors?
  1. Do you think it is better to have regrets or make mistakes?
  • What is your biggest regret?
  • Do you think your opinion leads you to live your life in a different way than most people? In what way?
  • Whose advice do you rely on?
  1. Our world in the future. Make your predictions for the end of the 21st century.
  • Will we be able to make contact with an intelligent life from other planets or go on virtual type of holidays?
  • Will people use other environment-friendly types of energy in households and transport?
  • Will people become more/less sociable through the new technologies?
  1. Some people love eating good food while others do not care what they eat.
  • Is there any kind of food that you could eat every day? If yes, please explain.
  • Is there any kind of food that you cannot eat? Why?
  • Have you ever reluctantly tried something, but then loved it? What was it? Why didn't you want to try?
  1. There is a well-known quote by Heraclitus “There is nothing permanent except change”.
  • Do you fear change? Why?
  • Would you be happy in a world where nothing ever changed?
  • If you could go back in time and give yourself some advice, what would it be?
  1. As the saying goes, habit is the second nature. It is quite difficult to get rid of the way of thinking, actions and deeds that have become usual.
  • Do you have any unusual habits? Give details.
  • Do you think drinking coffee is a bad habit? Why/not?
  • Which habits are really destroying in your opinion?
  1. For the majority of us, dreams are an ongoing part of our lives. We remember some of them, some we do not.
  • Do you often have the same dream? How about dreams of the same genre?
  • Some people easily remember their dreams. How about you? Do your dreams remain fresh thirty minutes after you wake up? How about several hours later?
  • Do you believe that dreams are important? Why/not?
  1. “Cinema is universal, beyond flags and borders and passports” (Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu)
  • Do you agree with the statement? How does the process of globalization influence the sphere of movies, TV series, TV shows?
  • Have you watched any Ukrainian movie recently?
  • Which movie has impressed you the most? What genre of movies and TV shows do you tend to watch the most? How about the least?
  1. Albert Einstein said “I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction.” What did the scientist mean?
  • In what ways has technology helped and harmed society?
  • What would your life be like today without technology?
  • What do you think technology will be like in your future?
  1. It is often said: "You never get a second chance at making a first impression."
  2. What does this quote mean, and how important are first impressions?
  3. What things do you immediately decide about someone when you meet them?
  4. Tell a story about a time in your life when your first impression of someone was incorrect.
  1. Computer games in the life of teenagers.
  • Is it just a leisure-time activity or an addiction?
  • What are the positive and the negative effects of computer games?
  • What are the symptoms of internet computer addiction in teenagers?
  1. If you could change one thing about the past, what would it be?
  • What things did you do in the past that have made you who you are now?
  • Have you ever had a feeling of regret?
  • Can we change our past through mental time travel?
  1. A daily walk can add seven years to your life.
  • How do you get to and from school? What do you think of walking or biking to school?
  • What are the benefits of walking every day?
  • How would you prefer to get to your work in the future? How do people commute to school/ work in different parts of the world?
  1. I Don’t Have Enough Time syndrome.
  • How do you recognize and address a time problem?
  • What are the most common time wasters that keep us from getting important things done?
  • Do you have a lack of time problem?
  1. Body language.
  • What factors are the most important in communication?
  • How much information do we reveal through gestures, facial expressions and generally body language?
  • Can your body language give you away in some situations?
  1. The famous neurosurgeon Henry Marsh once said, “What are you if you’re not helping people? You’re nothing, nothing at all”.
  2. Tell a story about a time in your life when you volunteered, or when you helped someone who needed it.
  3. Do you feel a greater sense of importance when you are doing something that involves helping your community or someone in need?
  4. Could there be any disadvantages of being too helpful to people?
  1. If you were to win the lottery and decide to take a trip around the world, what would your itinerary be? Why?
  2. What would be your first and final destinations? Why?
  3. Would you prefer to travel alone or with another person?
  4. If you left Ukraine for a long time, what things from your country would you miss the most?
  1. Robert Collier says, "Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day-in and day-out."
  • Describe a time in your life when you experienced success.
  • What were the small efforts you made to achieve success?
  • Can success truly happen overnight?
  1. In what ways should parents support their children as they transition into adulthood?
  • In what ways do/don’t your parents support you?
  • What are the tradeoffs between parental support and independence?
  • Is there ever a point when you can become completely independent?
  1. Consider the two proverbs: “A man is defined by his actions,” and “It’s the thought that counts.”
  • Explain the differences between the two proverbs.
  • Which proverb do you agree with the most?
  • Describe an example from your life that supports your choice of proverb.
  1. How environmentally conscious are you?
  • What things do you do to help the environment? What else can be done?
  • What can raise public awareness of the importance of protecting the environment?
  • Who do you think is more responsible for the environment, individual people or the government?
  1. What in your opinion is the greatest human achievement?
  • What human achievements have been extremely beneficial for humanity?
  • How have these achievements affected the way we live today?
  • What new achievements do you think we will see in the future?
  1. What is your definition of responsibility?
  • Are people born responsible or do they become responsible?
  • Are you a responsible person?
  • What examples of irresponsible behaviour can you provide?
  1. What is your definition of a true friend?
  • Does the number of friends you have depend on how nice a person you are?
  • Why do you think some people have a problem making friends?
  • What advice would you give to those desperately trying to win/keep friends?
  1. Learning foreign languages: can everybody master them?
  • What is the best age to start learning a foreign language? Why?
  • What advice could you give to those who want to learn languages?
  • Are you learning any other foreign language? Are there any/many similarities with English?
  1. We live in a very special time for the history of Ukraine. Do you agree?
  • What makes this period special and historically significant?
  • Do you feel yourself a witness of great historical events?
  • How would tell your grandchildren of the Ukrainian Revolutions at the beginning of the XXIst century?
  1. Climate change: a myth or reality?
  • What are the causes of climate change? What damage does it do to the environment?
  • Is there any new recent evidence of global warming?
  • What should the governments and humanity in general do to prevent the escalation of climate-related problems?
  1. What do you like doing at your leisure? Do you have a lot of hobbies?
  • Is having some time just for yourself important to you?
  • Do you need company to feel entertained? How big? Do your parents need to approve of your friends?
  • How far are you ready to go to protect your right to privacy?

32. Do you agree or disagree with the statement "When people succeed, it is because of hard work; luck has nothing to do with success"?

  • What is success for you? Is there any formula for success? If so,think of top 3 key success ingredients. In your opinion, is self-confidence an important key to success?
  • Do you believe that ethnic background, social status and/or gender may affect a person’s success in life?
  • Many young people have role models they admire. Who do you think is a good role model for young people in our country? Why?

33. Today, our world is confronted with many challenges: war conflicts, poverty, hunger, disease, environmental changes and many others. In your opinion, what are the 3 most serious problems that society faces today?

  • What has caused these problems?
  • Do you think that they can be solved? In what way? What measures can world leaders, international organisations, governments and individuals take to tackle global issues?
  • President John F. Kennedy in his 1961 inaugural speech famously invoked: "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." What can each of us do for our country?

34. Social networking sites, online journals and blogs are becoming increasingly popular. Often, people who publish online diaries write about personal events and feelings, and allow anyone on the Internet to read them. In your opinion, why do people keep them?

  • Do you keep a diary/ livejournal? Have you ever had a blog or Facebook account? Would you like to? Which format appeals to you more, and why?
  • What are the possible consequences of publishing personal thoughts online instead of writing about them in a private diary?

35. Many aspects of life have changed over the last years. Comment on some of the areas that have changed and say whether you think these changes are positive or negative.

  • In your opinion, which aspects of modern living would a person from the previous century find most difficult to get used to? Why?
  • Would you prefer to live in the past, today or in the future? Why (not)?
  • What’s your vision of life in the 22nd century? Do you feel optimistic or pessimistic about the future?

36. Are you a fashion-conscious person?

  • Should people be judged on the clothes they wear? What sorts of clothes create a good/bad impression?
  • Do you agree with the statement “Clothes make the man”?
  • What would be in your ideal wardrobe?

37. If you could travel back in time, what period of history would you choose and why? What would you do there?

  • Which famous person from the past would you like to meet?

What would you ask this person? How would you spend the time with this person?

  • Would you attempt to change the course of history?

If you were given a chance to change one historic event, what would that be? What would the immediate/ long-term effects be?

  • If you could take one thing for the people from the past, what would it be?

38. “My home is my Castle”

  • Describe the place you live in (location, furniture, decoration, gadgetry etc.)
  • If you could change three things about your house, what would they be?
  • What factors should be considered when buying or renting accommodation?

39. Many aspects of life have changed over the last years. These include schooling. Are these changes positive or negative?

  • How has technology helped to improve the educational system?
  • Express your opinion on on-line education and home schooling. Think about socialization, equality of education, parent-child relationships and financial aspects.
  • Do you think learning will ever take place without teachers? classrooms? schools in general? What three changes would you like to see in the future and why?
  • Do you agree that children need more playtime in order to develop into healthy adults?

40. A number of people believe that pocket money and credit cards teach teenagers to be responsible, while others say that teenagers are too young to deal with money. What is your attitude towards this?

  • Do your parents give you pocket-money? Is it enough for you? What do you usually spend it on?
  • How much pocket money should parents give teenagers and for what should it be enough?
  • Do you save money? In what way do you plan to spend it?