SPEAKING FOR THE STATE EXAM IN ENGLISH 2022

1. Conspiracy theories and the role of social media in promoting them.

2. The saying goes that truth is the first casualty of war. How relevant is it to the situation that is playing out
in the media space today?
3. Children brought up on an early diet of television, video, and computer games are reluctant readers. Do
you agree?
4. Social media and disinformation. How are manipulation and spin amplified by social media?
5. How far do you agree with some environmental scientists that global warming has passed the tipping
point and catastrophe is inevitable? Explain your position.
6. Reflect on the following quote: ‘A nation that won’t feed its own Army will soon feed a foreign one.’
(Napoleon)
7. Why, in your view, do most analysts believe that the fate of democracy (if not civilization itself) now
hinges on the outcome of the war in Ukraine?
8. Russia’s war on Ukraine has been premised on a number of false narratives. What are they? (What false
narratives has Russia been peddling to make its case for war?)
9. Would you agree that Russia’s war on Ukraine might accelerate a global transition towards renewables
by pushing the world to wean itself off petrochemicals within a shorter timeframe?
10.How do you see Ukraine twenty years down the road? (you can let your imagination run away with you!)
11.How far do you agree with the view that the examination system is intrinsically flawed and arbitrary?
What form of assessment is more efficient and reliable: exams or continuous assessment of the students’
knowledge? What do you think about independent testing for secondary school graduates?
12.The pros and cons of written and oral examinations. Should the examination system be improved or
abolished altogether? Do standardized tests facilitate or stifle creativity?
13.The pros and cons of online education and home schooling. Think about socialization, quality of
education, parent-child relationship, and financial aspects.
14.Technology has advanced in leaps and bounds over the last few decades, but has it really made our lives
easier? It is generally believed that it is equally capable of enhancing or endangering social progress. Discuss
the downside of the technological revolution.
15.Entertainment is something that distracts us from the routine of daily life. It makes us for the time being
forget our cares. Sir Herbert Read, British poet and critic
16.Journalism can never be silent: that is its greatest virtue and its greatest fault. Henry Grunwald, US writer
and diplomat
17.The cult of celebrity in modern society. The downside of fame. How do you feel about the paparazzi? Do
you think that being a celebrity means that your life must be constantly under scrutiny? Why do many
believe that the idea of responsibility is central to being a celebrity?
18.Glass ceiling – reality or myth? Are there jobs intrinsically unsuitable for women? Discuss the concept of
gender equality at work. How has the world changed in terms of gender equality (inequality)?
19. How do movies and television influence people’s values and beliefs? Since certain media messages are
believed to be harmful, would you agree that the mass media and TV, in particular, might have an adverse
effect on moral standards? Do violence, pornography, etc. in the media affect the behavior of people?
20. The four pillars of wisdom that support journalistic endeavors are: lies, stupidity, money-grubbing, and
ethical irresponsibility. Marlon Brando
21. Punishment is always a two-edged sword.
22. How real is climate change? Is skepticism justified? What challenges does it pose for humanity?
23. The fundamental dilemma remains – in a tolerant society, should we tolerate intolerance? It is natural to
develop prejudices. It is noble to rise above them.
24. There are two types of education. One should teach us how to make a living, and the other how to live.
Does having a degree not have its perks?
25. The more elaborate our means of communication, the less we communicate. (Joseph Priestley, British
political theorist)
26. Advertising shamelessly exploits people’s gullibility and promotes excessive consumerism. How far do
you agree with it?
27. Classical music and popular music: the genuine and the spurious. Does classical music still matter?
28. People are destroying various ecosystems, totally oblivious to the impact of their behavior. Why has the
protection of the environment proved to be an uphill struggle?
29. The very essence of romance is uncertainty. Oscar Wilde
30. The role of royalty in the life of the British Society.
31. Sports do not build character. They reveal it. (Heywood Hale Brown)
32. Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. (Martin
Luther King)
33. What constitutes quality leisure time, in your view? What is your preferred way of ‘letting your hair
down’?
34. School bullying and peer harassment. The growing epidemic of online bullying. Suggest possible ways of
tackling the problem.
35. Does traveling always expand people’s horizons? In what ways can it help a person develop? When does
it fail to do so?
36. Knowledge can be communicated, but not wisdom.
37. Many of us go through life with an array of uncompleted tasks, nibbling at our conscience. How serious,
in your opinion, is the problem of procrastination? To what extent can it adversely impact your academic
performance? How important do you think discipline is in your daily life?
38. The problem of terrorism. How can humanity combat terrorism effectively?
39. Starting your own business can be an intimidating prospect, but it’s certainly worth the effort. How far
do you agree with this view? How important is a good business climate /environment? Is Ukraine an easy
place to do business in? Why /Why not?
40. Are you well-versed in current events and world politics? Do you think it is important for a modern
individual to keep abreast of what’s going on?
41. One can only give an unbiased opinion about things that do not interest one, which is no doubt the
reason why an unbiased opinion is always valueless. The man who sees both sides of a question is a man
who sees absolutely nothing. (Oscar Wilde).
42. Do you think Ukraine will overcome the problems that plague it today? What has to happen for the
country to start a gradual renewal process and set off on the road to peace and prosperity?
43. From rags to riches. There is a million ways to make money and a billion ways to lose it. Share examples
of business successes/tragedies. Why are some people driven to make more money than they could ever
use?
44.Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. Nobody
pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed it has been said that democracy is the worst form of
Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.… Sir Winston Churchill
45. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: Parents are the best teachers. Use specific
reasons and examples to support your answer.
46. “When people succeed, it is because of hard work. Luck has nothing to do with success”. How far do you
agree with this view?
47. In general people are living longer now. Discuss the causes of the ongoing increase in life expectancy.
What are the effects of longer life spans?
48. Comment on the statement “Better pass boldly into that other world, in the full glory of some passion,
than fade and wither dismally with age”(as based on "The Dead" by James Joyce).
49. Comment on the statement “More than half of modern culture depends on what one shouldn’t read”
(Oscar Wilde).
50. What is a very important skill a person should learn in order to be successful in the world today? Choose
one skill and use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
51. Learning about the past has no value for those of us living in the present. Do you agree or disagree? Use
specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
52. People have different ways of escaping the stress and difficulties of modern life. What do you think are
the best ways of reducing stress?
53. Famous discoveries and inventions that changed the world. Which of them do you think are overrated?
And which can never be overestimated?
54. Specify the role media technologies and the Internet play in modern language education.
55. Tapping the potential of TED talks: Ideas and language used by TED presenters as a powerful teaching
resource.
56. Comment on the statement “What seem to us bitter trials are often blessings in disguise” (Oscar Wilde).
57. Comment on the statement “Ignorance is like a delicate exotic fruit; touch it and the bloom is gone”
(Oscar Wilde). How important is it to be always knowledgeable? What are the adverse effects of ignorance
on society?
58. The problem of the generations gap has been raised many a time in the world literatures, for example
in “The Road from Colonus” by E.M.Forster. What do you think about its social significance? Are there any
bridges that one can think of?
59.“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” John Dewey What is your opinion of this
statement? Do you agree or disagree? In order for our children and our children's children to become
professionally successful, they require significantly more education than our generation. Which holds greater
importance in the grand scheme of things, life experience or education? Why do you think so?
60.Some people say that global warming is just a myth to scare people. Please share your thoughts on this
view. How real is climate change? What challenges does it pose for humanity? Should the government or the
people bear the brunt of environmental problems?
61.“Retirement kills more people than hard work ever did.” Malcolm Forbes How far do you agree with this
statement? When you retire, will you definitely have the time to travel, relax, and do everything that you
have always wanted to do? Why/not? Do you think retirement is a real possibility when you turn 60 years
old? Why/not?
62.The TV has been called the "idiot box" and the "boob tube." What are your thoughts on the subject? Do
you think it is a fair idiom? What are the advantages and disadvantages of watching TV? Why do you think
so? Should TV be primarily used for entertainment or for education? Why do you think so?
63.The famous neurosurgeon, Henry Marsh, once said, “What are you if you’re not helping people? You’re
nothing, nothing at all.” Tell a story about a time in your life when you have volunteered, or when you have
helped someone who needed it. Do you feel a greater sense of importance when you’re doing something
that involves helping your community? What benefits do you, as a volunteer, get from volunteering?
64.You are a famous author and you have been asked to write a new book. What genre of fiction or non-
fiction would your book be? Who would be your target audience? Why? Summarize the plot of your new
book.
65.It is often said: "You never get a second chance at making a first impression."
What does this quote mean, and how important are first impressions? What things do you immediately
decide about someone when you meet them? Tell a story about a time in your life when your first
impression of someone was incorrect.
66.Nowadays, the Internet allows new musicians and artists to post their work on websites like YouTube,
Facebook, Twitter, and DeviantArt. Some people believe that these amateur artists have caused a decrease
in the overall quality of art, while others believe these websites make it easier for truly talented artists to
find an audience. Which side of this argument do you agree with? When you want to find new music or art,
where do you look? What do you think makes art "worthy" of a museum?
67.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?
68. 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.
69.“It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time.”
Winston S. Churchill Please comment on this statement. Are you the kind of person who tries to plan out
your future (life, vacation, or schoolwork, for example) in great detail? Why/not? If your life goes as planned,
where will you be in 5 years? 10 years?
70. Mahatma Gandhi once said, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world."
What do you think this means? Do you agree or disagree? Do you fear change? Why/not? If you could go
back in time and give yourself some advice, what would it be? Why?
71.J.K. Rowling once said in her commencent address, “It is impossible to live without failing at something,
unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all – in which case, you fail by default.”
Do you agree with this statement? Why/not? Do you take a lot of risks? Why/not? How would you define "
risk"? How about "danger?" Is there any difference between the two words?
72.Eating healthily takes top priority, even if it means eating food that doesn't taste very good. Please
comment on the statement. Do you think that genetically modified food is unhealthy? How about
dangerous? Should it be banned? Why/not? Do you think the food we eat affects our physical and mental
health? Why/not?
73.The Internet is the most important invention of the past fifty years. How far do you agree with the
statement? What are some positive/negative things about the Internet? Why do you think so? How will the
Internet and instant access to information affect the lives of our children?
74.History is written by the victors. Please comment on this statement. Would you want to meet any
famous people from history? Why/not?
75.More and more young people are moving abroad to study. Would you agree that such programs are a
great learning experience and not only in terms of education? What are the advantages and disadvantages
of studying abroad? Why do some people who have been through programs like this find them to have been
a stressful experience? How do educational systems in the West compare to ours?
76.Social media (Facebook, Twitter, Google+ etc.) are believed to have affected many aspects of our lives.
How much time on average do you spend on social media sites daily? How useful do you find them in your
everyday activities? What do you believe are the negative effects of social media?
77.There is no denying that there are people in politics who genuinely wish to make their country a better
place and actually put considerable effort into making this happen. Are there or have there been politicians
– in this country or elsewhere in the world – that are like that? Can you name a politician (politicians) that
has / have inspired you? What is it that they have done that has brought about a positive change /positive
changes