Opinion Essay

“Prevention is better than cure”. Researching and treating diseases is too costly so it would be better to
invest in preventative measures. To what extent do you agree.

With the increased global demand in oil and gas, undiscovered areas of the world should be opened up
to access more resources. To what extent do you agree?

We live in a world of technology these days. While the internet brings with it clear advantages, the
problems in terms of control and security of information outweighs the advantages. To what extent do
you agree?

In many countries today, parents are able to choose to send their children to single-sex schools or co-
educational schools. Some people think that children going to single-sex schools have disadvantages
later in life. To what extent do you agree?

Scientists and technology experts seem to be more valued by modern society than musicians and artists.
To what extent do you agree?

Some people think that success is the best measure for intelligence, while others think that intelligence
can be measured in other ways. What is your opinion?

Some people believe that men and women are equal and so women should be able to do any job they
want. Others feel that men and women are not equal and therefore there are certain jobs which are not
suitable for women. What is your opinion?

Some people think that more money should be spent on protecting endangered species while others
think it is a waste of valuable money. What is your opinion?

Discussion Essay

Some people think that environmental problems should be solved on a global scale while others believe
it is better to deal with them nationally. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

All parents want the best opportunities for their children. There are some people who think that schools
should teach children skills but others think having a range of subjects is better for a children’s future.
Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
There seems to be an increasing number of serious crimes committed each year. While some think the
best way is to use the death penalty as a deterrent, many people believe that other measures will be
needed. Discuss both sides.

Some people think that getting a degree from university is the best way to guarantee a good job, others
believe that it would be better to go straight into work and get experience instead. Discuss both sides
and give your opinion.

Some people think that exercise is the key to health while others feel that having a balanced diet is more
important. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

It is thought by some that its is better to live in a city while others believe that life is better in the
countryside. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

Some people think that the internet has brought people closer together while others think that people
and communities are become more isolated. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

Solution Essay

In many developing countries, there is a problem with declining quality of air and water from both
industry and construction. What measures could be taken to prevent this?

With the development of social media, more and more youngsters are being allowed unsupervised
access to the internet in order to meet and chat with friends which can lead to potentially dangerous
situations. What solutions can you suggest to deal with this problem?

Overpopulation in many major urban centers around the world is a major problem. What are the causes
of this? How can this problem be solved?

More and more wild animals are on the verge of extinction and others are on the endangered list. What
are the reasons for this? What can be done to solve this problem?

Many small, local shops are closing as they are unable to compete with large supermarkets in the area.
How does this effect local communities? How could this situation be improved?
An increasing number of professionals, such as doctors and teachers, are leaving their own poorer
countries to work in developed countries. What problems does this cause? What solutions can you
suggest to deal with this situation?

Direct Questions

News plays an important part of most people’s lives. Why is news so important to people? Why is so
much news dedicated to bad news? Should the news focus on good news instead?

Most people agree that money cannot be happiness. Why is happiness difficult to define? How can
people achieve happiness?

Success is often measured by wealth and material belongings. Do you think wealth is the best measure
of success? What makes a successful person?

The internet is a great course of information and has opened up opportunities for people to learn all
over the world. Is all information reliable on the internet? What could be done to control information
online?

Art and music are considered some of the fundamental elements of all societies. Do you think art and
music still have a place in today’s modern world of technology? Should children spend more time
learning art and music at school?

It is often said “when is Rome, do as the Romans do”. Do you think people should adapt and accept the
culture of the country they are visit? Do you think it is possible to learn a culture without learning the
language?

Advantage / Disadvantage Essay

It is becoming increasingly popular to have a year off between finishing school and going to university.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of this? Some people think that it would be better for large
companies and industry to move to regional areas outside large urban centers. Do you think the
advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

With the rise of e-books comes the decline in paper books. Some people see this as a good step forward
while others do not. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?
The rise of convenience foods has helped people keep up with the speed of the modern life style. What
are the advantages of this trend? Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

There seems to be an increasing trend towards assessing students through exams rather than continual
assessment. What are the advantages and disadvantages of exams as a form of assessment?

Space exploration costs tax payers an exorbitant amount of money each year. What are the advantages
and disadvantage of spending money on space exploration?

Many elderly people are no long looked after by their families but are put in care homes or nursing
homes. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?

It is often considered that change is more beneficial to people than trying to avoid it and have
everything remain the same. Do you think the advantages of change outweigh the disadvantages?