FOCUS : Say what you know and think using supporting examples, be speculative, make comparisons what does your imaginary friend think, highlight some contrasts, go into the past, leap into the future, comment on today and give signposts for your listener [I'd like to look at the other side of this topic now / I'd like to finish up by saying].
THEMES
SHOW WHAT WE KNOW
SPEAKING TASK
SPEAKING TASK @ WIZER
UZDEVUMI TASKS
READ ABOUT IT
MONOLOGUE TASKS
INTERVIEW TASKS
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MOVIES
1. Do
you prefer to watch movies in the cinema o WHICH MEANS YOU NEED TO SUPPORT ITr in the comfort of your own home?
Why? 2. Do
you like horror movies? Why/why not? 3. Is
there a movie you could watch over and over again? Why? 4. Do
you think that movies from different countries can teach us about other
cultures? 5. Do
movies have more influence on us than books? |
SEASONS
1.
Which season are you most active in? 2.
What is the best thing to do on a cold winter day? 3. Do
you feel that seasons in Latvia are changing in any way? 4. Is
it better to live where there are four seasons or where one season takes up
most of the year? 5. How
can extreme weather conditions affect life in a country? |
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EDUCATION
1.
What subjects are you good at? Why? 2. Are
big or small schools better? Why? 3. Why
are student exchange programmes popular? 4. Is
technology always beneficial to the learning process? Why/why not? 5.
What do you think of this statement: There are always obstacles and mistakes.
But with hard work, there are no limits. |
FOOD 1. Do
you prefer local food or food from other countries? 2. If
you opened a restaurant, what kind of food would you serve? 3. Are
there any foods that bring back special memories for you? What are they? 4. How
does food bring people together? 5.
What do you think of this statement: You are what you eat. |
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BOOKS 1. Do
you like reading books? If yes, why/ if not, why not? 2. Do
you think people read more or less now than 50 years ago? 3. Has
seeing a film ever made you read the book it was based on? Why/why not? 4. Do
you think that the internet and television will eventually replace books?
Why/why not? 5. How
can literature help us to get familiar with different cultures? |
MOBILE
PHONES 1.
What do you use your mobile phone for? 2. Do
you frequently ignore your phone calls? Why? 3. Why
do many people want to have the latest mobile phone? 4.
When is it impolite to use your mobile phone? Why? 5.
What do you think of this statement: We live in a world where losing your
phone is more dramatic than losing your wallet. |
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MUSIC 1. Do
you like going to concerts? Why/why not? 2. Do you think you will like the
same music in 20 years’ time as you do today? Why/why not? 3. Are
a song’s lyrics as important to you as the music? 4. How
has technology changed the music industry? 5. How
does music unite or divide people? |
ROUTINE
/ HABITS 1.
What is the first thing that you think of in the morning? 2. If
there was an extra hour every day, what would you do with it? 3. How
can you develop a good habit? 4. How
can people surrounding us influence our habits? 5.
What do you think of this statement: It always seems impossible until it is
done |
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RELATIONSHIPS
1. Do
you prefer to have many friends or just a few close ones? Why? 2.
What is the first thing that you notice when meeting someone new? Why? 3. Is
it wise to tell everything to your best friend? Why/why not? 4. Is
it common to have friendships across different cultures? Why/why not? 5.
What do you think of this statement: True friendship means to understand and
to be understood. |
FUTURE
1.
What do you think your life will look like in 10 years? 2. How do you think
your town/village will change in the future? 4. Do
you think life will be more difficult or easier for future generations? In
what ways? 5.
What do you think of this statement: The future depends on what you do today. |
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SPORTS
1.
What sports do you like to watch? Why/why not? 2.
What sport do you think is the most dangerous? Why? 3. Are
team sports better than individual sports? Why/why not? 4. Do
you think everybody should practise sports? Why/why not? 5. Why
do you think sports are common across almost all countries in the world? |
INTERNET
1.
What are three websites that you visit daily? Why? 2.
What would you do if you could not use the internet for a month? 3. Do
you think that people should ask their friends’ permission before putting
photos of them onto the internet? Why/why not? 4. Do
you think that working at home using the internet is a good idea? Why/why
not? 5. Can
we believe all the information that is published on the internet? Why? |
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SPORT 1.
What do you do to keep fit? 2.
What is the most popular sport among young people in Latvia? Why? 3.
Which sport would you not let your child play? Why? 4. How
much does physical fitness matter in today’s society? 5. How
can sport bring people from different countries closer together? |
TRANSPORT
1.
Have you ever missed a train or a bus? Why/why not? 2. How
do most people travel long distances in Latvia? 3.
What are the most convenient means of transport in your opinion? 4. Is
it necessary to create eco-friendly transport? Why/why not? 5. How
could towns in Latvia become more bike-friendly? |
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TEENAGERS
1. Who
are the most popular role models for teenagers nowadays? Why? 2.
What role does music play in young people’s lives? 3. Are
teenagers today too concerned with their looks? Give reasons for your answer.
4.
When should parents let teens make their own decisions? 5.
What do you think young people will be most influenced by in the future? |
COMMUNICATION
1.
What kind of people do you like talking to and why? 2.
What do people do that drives you crazy during a conversation? 3.
Would you like to have a career that requires you to talk to a lot of people?
Why/why not? 4.
What do you do if you suspect that someone is lying to you? 5.
What do you think of this statement: The best way to solve problems is
through dialogue. |
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TOURISM 1. Which city in Latvia or in the world
would you like to visit again? Why? 2.
Would you like to live for some time in another country? Why/why not? 3. How
can a country benefit from attracting many tourists? 4. Is
it important to know the customs and traditions of the country you are going
to visit? Why/why not? 5.
What do you think of this statement: When you travel you begin to truly
appreciate your own country. |
TECHNOLOGY 1. Do you use all the functions on your
phone? Why/why not? 2.
What devices do you most often use to make your life easier? 3.
What would you do without electricity for a week? 4. How
have technologies changed the world of employment? 5.
What do you think of this statement: Progress is made by lazy people trying
to find easier ways to do something. |
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MONEY 1.
What do you spend most of your money on? 2. Do you compare prices at
different stores when you shop? Why/why not? 3. Is
it important to save money? Why/why not? 4. Why do people often want more
money, no matter how much they already have? 5.
What do you think of this statement: Money doesn’t grow on trees. Give
reasons for your answer. |
HUMOUR 1. What makes you smile? Why? 2.
What type of programmes or shows do you find funny? 3. How
can you explain the popularity of cat-videos on Youtube? 4. Do
you think it is important to have a sense of humour? Why/why not? 5.
What do you think of this statement about films: It is much easier to make
people cry than laugh. |
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CHARACTER
AND PERSONALITY 1. Do
you think of yourself as an adult or a child? Why? 2.
Would your friends and your family describe you differently? Give reasons for
your answer. 3. How
important is it what others think of you? Why/why not? 4. If
you were famous what would you be famous for? Give reasons for your answer. 5.
What do you think of this statement: If you fall down seven times, then stand
up the eighth. |
POLITICS
/ SOCIETY 1. Are you interested in politics? Why/why
not? 2. Why do many people have no interest in voting? 3. If
you were the mayor of your town/city, what would you change? 4.
Would you vote for a politician without a higher education? Why/why not? 5.
What do you think of this statement: Don’t complain about politicians, become
one yourself. |
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COLOURS
/ DESIGN 1.
Which colour do you like? Why? 2.
When buying something, is the colour important for you? Why/why not? 3. If
you were a designer how would you redecorate your classroom? 4.
Imagine a world of only black and white. What would it be like? How would you
feel? 5. How
are colours used in our society to create different moods? |
WEATHER
/ CLIMATE 1.
What weather do you like – rainy, snowy or sunny? Why? 2. Do
you think that weather forecasts are helpful? Why/why not? 3. Do
you think that in recent years the seasons are all becoming more similar? 4.
Does the climate and the area people live in influence their character? 5.
What do you think of this statement: There is no such thing as bad weather,
only inappropriate clothing. |
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ART 1. Are
you interested in art? Why/Why not? 2. Can
art change the way you feel? Please explain. 3. Do
you think anyone can be an artist? Why/Why not? 4.
Should art belong only in museums and galleries? Why/Why not? 5.
Some say that art always sends a message to the viewer. What is your opinion?
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FOOD 1.
What food should always be in your fridge? Why? 2. Do
you think young people in Latvia have healthy eating habits? Why/Why not? 3. Are
you always ready to try new or unusual dishes? If yes, in what way? If not,
why not? 4. Do
you think cooking is an important life skill? Why/Why not? 5. Why
do people share pictures of their food via social media? |
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WORKING
HABITS 1.
What kind of work would you like to do in the future? Why? 2.
Which jobs would be boring for you? Please explain. 3. Are
you the kind of person who can multitask? Please explain. 4.
What factors motivate people to work hard? Please explain. 5. Is
it best for people to make decisions on their own or ask others for advice?
Why/Why not? |
SOCIETY 1. How
has technology changed society recently? 2.
What do you like most about modern society? Why? 3. How
can teenagers contribute to society? 4.
What do you consider important for a meaningful life? Why? 5. In
your opinion, what responsibilities do people have towards society? Why?
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TRAVELLING 1.
What is the best place for a vacation in Latvia? Why is it good? 2.
What forms of transportation are the best for travelling? Why? 3. Are
there too many tourists in the world? Please explain. 4.
What should each traveller be aware of when going somewhere? Why? 5. Do
you agree that travelling helps you to get to know yourself? Why/Why not? |
POLLUTION
1. How
clean is your neighbourhood? 2.
What kind of pollution bothers you most on a day-to-day basis? Why? 3.
What can be done to stop people from dropping litter on the streets? 4. How
can people be encouraged to be more environmentally friendly? 5. Why
do human societies still pollute the environment? |
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ARCHITECTURE
AND DESIGN 1.
What is your ideal home? 2. Are
you interested in architecture and interior design? Why/Why not? 3. Why
is it necessary to protect old buildings? 4. Do
you agree that architecture can affect people’s mood? Why/Why not? 5. Do
you agree that design is more important than function? Why/Why not? |
EATING
HABITS 1. Do
you usually eat healthy food? Why/Why not? 2.
What should people eat more of? Why? 3. Do
you think that organic food is much better than regular food? Why/Why not? 4. Do
you think people have become more health conscious in recent years? Please
explain. 5. Who
benefits from promoting healthier lifestyle options? How? |
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SPORT 1.
What everyday activities can help you stay fit? How? 2. Can
playing video games be considered a sport? Why/Why not? 3.
What can someone’s choice of sport say about them? 4.
What life skills can be developed by doing sports? 5.
Should famous athletes be role-models for young people? Why/Why not? |
TRANSPORT
1.
What kind of transportation do you use most often? Why? 2. Do
you think people should be encouraged to use more public transportation?
Why/Why not? 3. How
has technology changed the way we travel? 4.
Should cars be banned from city centres in favour of public transport?
Why/Why not? 5. Do
you agree that people should travel less in order to protect the environment?
Why/Why not? |
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HISTORY 1. Do
you like reading about history? Why/Why not? 2.
What is the best historical film you have ever watched? Why? 3.
What historical figure would you most like to meet? Why? 4. What
recent events can be called historic? Why? 5.
What can we learn from history? |
FRIENDSHIP
1.
Which social activities do you enjoy doing? Why? 2.
What makes some people connect immediately? 3.
Does a person’s personality matter in a friendship? Why/Why not? 4. Are
friendship networks important for a career? Why/Why not? 5.
What is true friendship, in your opinion? |
