6 social issues

6. SOCIAL ISSUES

1.
An increasing number of people are choosing to have cosmetic surgery in order to improve their
appearance.
Why do people have operations to change the way they look?
Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

2.
Some people believe that governments should make laws about people’s nutrition and food
choice while others argue that it is their choice.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.

3.
Today, many people do not know their neighbors.

● What problems does this cause?
● What can be done about this?
4.
Society is based on rules and laws. If individuals were free to do whatever they want to do, it
could not function.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the above statement?
5.
Some people believe that the care of elderly people should be a priority of government spending.
Others believe that government spending should focus more on young people, especially on their
education.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.

6.Nowadays, more and more women decide to have children later in their life? Why? advantage
or disadvantage?
7.

While people in developing countries are happier than in the past, people in developed countries
are less happy. Why? What can be learnt from this?
8.
Some people think young people should follow the traditions of their society. Others think that
they should be free to behave as individuals. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
9.
Many people think there is an increase in antisocial behavior and a lack of respect for others.
What do you think are the causes of this and how to improve the situation?

10.The tendency of human beings to copy one another is shown in the popularity of fashion
clothes and consumer goods. To What extent do you agree or disagree?
11.
In some countries, more and more adults continue to live with their parents even after they have
completed education and found jobs. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
12.
Many people are traveling to other countries. Why? Is it a positive or negative development?

WORK
1. In many countries, a small number of people earn extremely high salaries. Some people
believe that this is good for the country, but others think that governments should not allow
salaries above a certain level. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
2.
The most essential component of a person’s life is his or her time at the workplace, and life turns
meaningless once no job satisfaction is obtained. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
3.
In some countries people spend long hours at work. Why does this happen? Is it positive or
negative development?
4.
Today social skills are being more and more emphasized by employers. Some people believe that
social skills are important besides good qualifications for their job success.

5.

Some people argue job satisfaction is more important than job security. Others believe a
permanent job is more important. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Some think that people should not change their jobs while others think they should because it
brings advantages for themselves, company and society. Discuss and give opinion

6.
Some countries allow old people to work to any age that they want. Do the advantages outweigh
the disadvantages?
Some people believe that it is a good idea that older people continue to work if it is possible for
them to do. Do you agree or disagree?
7.

Some people say that individuals who make a lot of money are most successful. Others think that
those who contribute to society like scientists and teachers are most successful. Discuss both
views and give your opinion
8.
Many people are working longer hours. What are the reasons and effects?

9.
Some people believe that women should play an equal role as men in a country’s police force or
military force, while others think women are not suitable for these kinds of jobs. Discuss both
views and give your opinion.
10=7
11.

12.
In big organizations, directors are having higher salaries than ordinary workers. Some people say

this is necessary, while others say it is unfair. Discuss both views & give your opinion.
13.
Nowadays, more people move away from their friends and families for work. Do the advantages
outweigh the disadvantages?
14.(People in many countries spend more and more time far away from their families. Why does
this happen and what effects will it have on them and their families?)
15.
Fewer young people do farming work in rural areas. Why? Should young people be encouraged
to do farming work?
16.
Many people believe that good planning is the key factor to success in life, while others believe
that other factors like hard work or luck are important. Discuss both views and give your
opinion.
17.
People aim to achieve a balance between their work and personal life, but few people achieve it.
What are the causes of the problem? How to overcome it?
18.

Some people think that young people should be required to do unpaid work helping people in the
community. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
19.
Governments should support care vs finance for retired people. While they should save money
when they get older. Discuss both views and give your opinion?’
20.
In some countries, it is illegal for companies to reject job applicants for their age. Is this a
positive or negative development?
21.
Some people believe that the government should take care of old people and provide financial
support after they retire. Others say individuals should save during their working years to fund
their own retirement. What is your opinion? Give reasons for your answer and include examples

from your own experience.

HEALTH
1.Many people think that every individual is responsible for their own healthy lifestyle. Others
believe that governments should take care of it. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
3.
During holidays or weekends, young people spend less time on outdoor activities in the natural
environment, such as hiking and mountain climbing. Why? What can be done to encourage them
to go out?
4.
In most countries, fast food is becoming cheaper and more available. Do you think the
advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?
5.

People are having more and more sugar-based drinks. What are the reasons? What are the
solutions to make people drink less?
6.
Many people believe that it is easier to have a healthy lifestyle in the countryside. Others believe
that there are health benefits of living in cities. Discuss both views and give your opinions
7.
The government should spend more money on medical research to protect citizens’ health rather
than on protecting the environment. Do you agree or disagree?
8.
More and more people are choosing to eat healthy food and exercise regularly. Why and what
can we do to encourage this?
9.
It is more important to spend public money on promoting a healthy lifestyle in order to prevent
illness than to spend it on treatment of people who are already ill. To what extent do you agree or
disagree?
10.

Nowadays , women as well as men work full time. Therefore, women and men should share
household tasks equally. (eg cleaning and looking after children ). To what extent do you agree
or disagree?
11.

Nowadays, international tourism is the biggest industry in the world. Unfortunately, international
tourism creates tension rather than understanding between people from different cultures. To
what extent do you agree or disagree?
12.

Nowadays, people spend more and more time away from their family. Why? What effect will it
have on themselves and their family?
13.
Today family members do not eat meals together. Is this a positive or negative trend?
14.
Today parents spend little free time with their children. Why is it the case? Who are more
affected: parents or children?
15.
Some people think that some individuals are naturally good leaders while others think
individuals can learn leadership skills. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
●
●

CRIME
1.
Some people argue that parents of children who break the law should be punished in some way,
because they are responsible for their children’s actions. To what extent do you agree or
disagree?
2.

Report research suggests that the majority of criminals who were sent to prison would commit
crimes when they are set free. What do you think of this case? What can be done to solve this
problem?
3.
Some think most crime is the result of circumstances e.g. poverty and other social problems.
Others believe that most crime is caused by people who are bad by nature. Discuss both views
and give your own opinion
4.Many criminals re-offend after they have been punished. Why do some people continue to
commit crimes after they have been punished, and what measures can be taken to tackle this
problem?:
5.
Individuals should not be allowed to carry guns as it increases crime and violence in society. To
what extent do you agree or disagree?
6.

Major cities in the world are growing fast, as well as their problems. What are the problems that
young people living in those cities are facing? Suggest some solutions.
7.
Some people believe that certain old buildings should be preserved more than others. What types
of old buildings should be preserved? Do you think the advantages of preserving old buildings
outweigh the disadvantages?

8.
Government should support old building restoration or invest in the construction of new houses,
offices and roads. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
9.
Some people think that certain old buildings are more worth preserving than the other ones.
Which types of old buildings should be preserved? Do you think that the advantages of
preserving these old buildings outweigh the disadvantages?
10.

Some cities create housing areas by providing taller buildings. Others create housing by building
houses on a wider area of land. Which solution is better?
11.
Some people think the newly built houses should be the same as the old house style in local
areas. Others argue that local authorities should allow people to build houses in their own styles.
Discuss both views and give your opinion
12.
Some people think that the best way to increase road safety is to increase the minimum legal age
for driving cars or riding motorbikes.
13.
Cyclists and car drivers sharing the same road might cause some problems. What are the
problems? What could be done to solve those problems?

BUSINESSES + SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
1.
Companies use different ways to increase sales. What different ways do companies use to
increase sales? What is the most effective?
2.
(Businesses always aim to make more sales. What are some of the methods to do this? Which
one is the best method?)
3.
As well as making money, businesses also have social responsibilities. To what extent do you
agree or disagree?
4.
Some people think that big companies should provide sports and social facilities for the local
community. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
5.

As transport and accommodation problems are increasing in many cities, some governments are
encouraging businesses to move to rural areas. Do you think the advantages outweigh the

disadvantages?

7.
In some parts of the world it is increasingly popular to research the history of one’s own family.
Why do people want to do this? Is it a positive or negative development?
8.