A Foreign Film

Describe a foreign film that you recently enjoyed watching.
You should say:

• what film it was
• who the actors were
• what the film was about

and explain why you enjoyed this film.

Film-watching Preferences in Your Country

• What kinds of films are most popular in your country?
• What kinds of films do young people (i.e., people aged 15 to 25) like to watch?
• What kinds of films do children (i.e., people aged 4 to 12) like to watch?
• What kinds of films do you prefer to watch?
• Do you think films have much influence on young people?
• What about children - what impact do films have on children?
• Do you think films that show violence can affect children?
• Do you think parents should supervise what films their children watch?
• Do you ever learn anything from watching a film?
• Do you think that you can learn about other (foreign) cultures from watching films?
• In what ways can a country's culture be represented in a film?
• To what extent do films influence a country's culture?
• How could a film enrich (or, strengthen) a country's culture?

The Film Industry

• In your opinion, what is a "good" film (and what is a "bad" film)?
• In your opinion, what is a "successful" film?
• Do you think it's necessary for film-makers to spend a lot of money in order to produce a successful (or, a good) film?
• Do you think we will continue to have cinemas in the future?
• In the future, do you think that cinemas will be replaced by DVD's (and/or films downloaded off the internet)?
• What do you think would be the result if everyone watched films on DVD (instead of going to the cinema)?

A Job that Would Make the World Better

Describe a job that you know about that makes the world a better place.
You should say:

• what job this is
• how you know about this job
• what types of people do this job (or, can do this job)

and explain why you think this job makes the world a better place.

Jobs

• In general, what kinds of jobs do people prefer to do (if possible)?
• Do you think the salary is important in a job?
• Can you think of any dangerous (or, unpleasant) jobs that some people do?
• Why do these people do those dangerous (or unpleasant) jobs?
• What jobs help ensure public safety?
• Are those jobs dangerous?
• If the jobs are meant to ensure public security, why are we told that we are in danger?
• Do you think people who do those jobs should be paid more than other people?
• In what ways do you feel that the world needs to be improved?
• Can you suggest and ways to bring about these improvements?

A Magazine or Newspaper

Describe an article you recently read in a newspaper or magazine.
You should say:

• what magazine or newspaper it was
• when you read it
• what the article was about

and explain why you remember this article.

Magazines and Newspapers in Your Country

• Which do you prefer to read, magazines or newspapers?
• In your opinion, why do people like reading magazines?
• What (types of) information can people get from magazines?
• Do you think the news in magazines is reliable?
• Is there much difference between newspaper articles and magazine articles?
• Do you think it's important to read newspapers?
• What sections of the newspaper do you (or, do people) prefer to read?
• What are some of the different types of magazines (and newspapers) that exist in your country?
• Is it easy to buy magazines in in your city?
• In China, do people from 'different walks of life' (different jobs) read the same magazines and newspapers?
• What types of magazines do you (or, do people) prefer to read?
• And what about different age groups in China – do everyone read the same (kinds of) newspapers and magazines?
• Who do you feel is more interested in reading magazines, men or women?
• What topics (or, subjects) do these magazines cover?
• Many girls spend a lot of time reading fashion magazines. What's your opinion about this?
• Do you think that (all) magazines are interesting (or suitable) for young people?
• What kinds of articles are you most interested in reading?
• What impact do magazines have on young people?
• Can you think of any positive and any negative things about magazines for young people?
• Do you think fashion magazines are beneficial?
• Do you think fashion magazines tend to make people all the same?
• What kinds of magazines do you think will be the most popular in the next 20 or 30 years?
• Why do many people prefer to read newspapers rather than magazines?
• What do you think of the future of newspapers?
• Do you think newspaper readership will change very much in the future?

News in Different Media

• How do most people (in China) get their news?
• Is there much difference between news articles in newspapers and the news on TV?
• Which information do you think is the easiest to understand, that in newspapers, magazines, on TV or the information on the internet?
• Which news stories do you think are more interesting, those on TV or those in magazines and newspapers?
• Which news articles make a deeper impression on you, those in newspapers or those in magazines?

An Advertisement

Describe an advertisement that you think is successful.
You should say:

• what is advertised
• what the advertisement contains
• what kinds of people would be (or, are) interested in

and explain why you think this advertisement works well.

The Nature of Advertising

• What are some examples of places where we often see advertisements?
• Why do you think many (most) advertisements use good-looking people (to promote the product or service)?

The influence of advertisements

• What are the different kinds of advertising?
• What kind of advertising is most common in China?
• What are the ways in which advertisements catch the attention of viewers?
• Is advertising on the internet very influential?
• How do advertisements attract the attention of people?
• What is the purpose (= the function) of advertising? = Why do companies spend money on advertising?
• What kinds of advertisements are most attractive to children (or, young people)?
• Do you think advertisements are a good or bad influence on children?
• Do you think advertisements actually influence people to buy things (perhaps things they don't really need)?
• Do overseas advertisements used in, or adapted for use in China affect Chinese culture and values?

Controls on Advertisements

• Does the Chinese government control advertisements in any way?
• What should happen to those people or companies who engage in false advertising?
• Do you think there should be controls on (= laws concerning) advertising,for example cigarette and alcohol advertising?

A Success You Would Like to Achieve

Describe something that you would like to succeed in doing.
You should say:

• what it is
• how difficult you think it would be
• what you should do to prepare for this

and explain why you want to succeed in doing this.

Success

• What's your understanding of the word, "success"?
• Do you think having lots of money equals success?
• At what age do you think people are most eager to be successful? (Why?)
• Who do you think works harder (at trying to be successful), old people or young people? (Possibly the word is "older".)
• Do you think it's important for everyone to feel that they have had some successes in life?
• Do you think it's a good idea to reward children after they achieve a significant success (such as high grades in a test)?
• What do Chinese parents mean when they say their son or daughter is "successful"?
• What are the benefits of success?
• Are there any negative results of success? (Hint: The envy of others.)
• Has the great financial success of some famous people ever made you feel envious? (Who? Why?)
• How should parents reward their children for success, for example, for doing very well in exams at school?
• Do you think this kind of reward is very effective?
• Do you think rewards such as that are important ( = necessary)?
• How do teachers in China reward students for doing well? (What do you think is the best way for teachers to reward students?)
• Do you think teachers should praise children when the children do well in school?
• How would you ( = how do you) define a successful teacher?
• Who has the greater influence on children, teachers or parents?
• How do bosses in China reward employees for a job well done?
• Do you think financial rewards at work are the only or the best way for companies to reward employees?

A Type of Weather

Describe a type of weather or disaster.
You should say:

• what kind of weather it is
• when this weather usually occurs
• what you usually do during this weather

and explain how this weather affects you (your feelings).

The Weather In China

• What's the weather usually like in your hometown?
• How does weather (or the climate of a place) affect people's moods?
• Why are people interested in the weather?
• What different types of people are interested in the weather?
• How does weather (or the climate of a place) affect the kinds of buildings that this place has?
• Compare the types of buildings (or houses) in hot, tropical parts of the world (or China) with those in cold parts of the world (or China).
• How does weather (or the climate of a place) affect the kinds of activities that people do? (E.g., different kinds of sport)
• How do the sports that people do change with the different seasons?

An Interesting Animal

Describe a time when you saw an interesting animal.
You should say:

• what animal it was
• where you saw it
• what happened when you saw it

and explain why you thought it was interesting.

Zoos

• Do you think zoos are good or bad?
• Do you think it's cruel to keep wild animals in zoos?
• Why do you think so many cities have zoos?
• In your opinion, what features should a good zoo have?
• Do you think zoos might disappear in the future?
• What future developments do you think we will see concerning zoos?

The Protection of Wild Animals

• Why do you think wild animals should be protected?
• In what ways does human activity result in the extinction (or near extinction) of some animal species?
• At present, many animals are already facing extinction. How do you think average citizens could (help) protect wild animals?
• Why do you think films or books for children so often include animals?

Your Future Work Plans

Describe a job you would like to have in the future.
You should say:

• what this job would involve (= what the job is, in some detail)
• what study you would need to do to prepare for this work
• why you would like to have this job

and explain what skills you would need for this work.

Changing Jobs

• Why do people need to work?
• Do most people work for job satisfaction or just for money?
• Do people in China change their jobs very often?
• Do you think it is good to change your job frequently?
• How often do you think people should change their jobs?
• In China, how do most people feel about people who often change their job?
• Do you think that people who often change their jobs have more job satisfaction and better incomes than other people?
• If you had a well paid job but didn't like your work, what would you do?

A Gift You Would Like To Give

Describe a gift you would like to give to one of your friends.
You should say:

• who you would like to give this gift to
• what the gift would be
• how much it would cost

and explain why you would like to give this gift to this person.

Gift Giving

• Why do people give gifts to others?
• When do people in your country give gifts?
• What should people consider when choosing a gift?
• Do you think some parents give too many things to their children?
• Can you suggest any ways to improve that situation?