COMMUNICATIVE SITUATIONS FOR DISCUSSING VARIOUS TOPICS

Коледа С. М., учитель английского языка квалификационной категории

«учитель-методист»
ГУО «Средняя школа №6 г. Жодино»

1.

Compare the pictures and say what impresses you in these pictures most of all. What
contrast can you notice in the pictures?

1. Why do people spend so much time in front of their computers?

2. What advice would you like to give to people who are glued to computer screens for
many hours a day?
3. Can computers replace real communication in the nearest future?
2.

Compare the pictures and identify the importance of progress in our fast moving world.

1. How did people communicate many years ago? Can we use the same means of
communication nowadays?
2. Have you ever heard of book crossing? Is it a good idea to be introduced in many
countries? Can it help change the situation with reading?
3. How did modern means of communication simplify the process of communication?
3.

Compare the pictures. Which is the best way to deepen knowledge in your opinion?

1. Can you explain to role of computers in education?

2. Why is reading books becoming less and less popular with young people nowadays?

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 3. Is it important to use interactive exercises while studying? How often do your
teachers involve you in different activities at the lessons?
4.

You are planning activities for the Environment Day. Speak about various things you can
do to celebrate the day and then decide which activities are the most suitable. Compare the
pictures and say which activity is the most important.

1. What other environmental activities did you take part in / organize at your school?
2. Why is it important to pay much attention to ecological problems at school?
3. What solutions to ecological problems can you suggest? Will they be very effective
in your opinion?
5.

A friend of yours wants to know what to do to make his house safer. Speak about the
advantages and disadvantages of ideas offered in the pictures. Which one do you find the
most effective?

1. Is it necessary to use any security systems to say that my home is my castle?

2. Can you tell the difference between the words home and house?
3. What is your idea of a perfect home / a dream house?
6.

You are planning to organize a party to celebrate the end of the school year. Speak about
the things you need for the party. Decide which things your guests will enjoy most.
Explain your choice.

1. Why do people say that school is not only learning?

2. What activities should you be involved into to say that your school years are the best
ones?
3. Can after-school activities strengthen the relationships with your friends and
teachers?

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7.

Compare different hobbies shown in the pictures pointing out their role in our life. Do you
share the opinion that hobbies are different like tastes?

1. Why are people interested in different hobbies? What does their choice depend on?
2. Can you give any examples of unusual hobbies?
3. Can you prove that your life is becoming dull and monotonous if you have no
hobby?
8.

Compare and contrast the ways of communication shown in the pictures.

1. Which method of communication do you prefer and why?

2. What other means of communication do people use these days? How effective are
they?
3. How important is it to write letters or is this just a thing of the past?
9.

Compare and contrast the different hobbies shown in the pictures.

1. Which would you prefer to do and why?

2. How important is it for us to have leisure activities in our life?
3. Do you believe that the hobbies we choose to do are a reflection of our character?
10.

Compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of living in the buildings shown in
the pictures.

1. Which place would you prefer to live in? Why? Why not?
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 2. What changes need to be made in large cities in order to improve the lives of the
people living in them?
3. Would you ever consider living in another country? Why? Why not?
11.

Compare and contrast the settings shown in the pictures. People of what professions will
choose them? Give reasons for and against.

1. In which place would you prefer to spend a holiday? Why?

2. What activities would you be able to do in these places?
3. What factors make an enjoyable holiday?
12.

Compare and contrast these ways of travelling pointing out their advantages and
disadvantages.

1. Which one would you prefer / would never choose if you were going to make a
journey around the world? Why? Why not?
2. How do you suppose people will travel in 100 years’ time?
3. Should so much money be spent on space exploration?
13.

Compare and contrast the jobs shown in the pictures. What does a person’s choice of his
future profession depend on?

1. What qualities does a person need for these jobs?

2. Would you like to do either of these jobs? Why? Why not?
3. Why do some people choose to do dangerous jobs?

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14.

Compare and contrast the places of entertainment shown in the pictures.

1. What are the differences in these forms of entertainment?

2. Which one would you prefer to attend? Why? Why not?
3. Do you believe that children are too easily influenced by the films they watch?
15.

Compare and contrast the situations shown in the pictures. Can people study nature
without interfering in it?

1. What is the most suitable environment for an animal to live in?

2. How cruel is it to keep a pet at home / to keep animals in cages?
3. What can we do to help endangered species of animals?
16.

These pictures show people eating or about to eat in different places. Compare and contrast
them.

1. How often do people eat out nowadays? What are the reasons for it?
2. What is your idea of healthy eating?
3. Have you ever kept to any special diet? Why? Why not?
17.

These pictures show people working in different places. Talk about a job you would like to
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 do and a job you wouldn’t like to do. Give reasons for your choice.

1. What factors should be taken into consideration while choosing a job?

2. Is it very important to get education nowadays? How can education change a
person’s future life?
3. If you had an opportunity to get education abroad, what university would you
choose? Give reasons for your choice.
18.

Compare and contrast these paintings. How do you understand the statement – life is short,
art lives forever?

1. Is going to art galleries popular with young people nowadays?

2. What is your attitude to modern forms of art?
3. Why do people sometimes say that beauty will save the world?
19.

Which scientific fields do these inventions belong to? Can you figure out their importance
to the development of science?

1. Do you believe that electric cars are biologically friendly? Can they help solve
environmental problems?
2. Which invention shown in the pictures will skyrocket in the nearest future? Explain
your choice.
3. Which field of science should be developed more than others? Why? Why not?
20.

Compare and contrast the food shown in the pictures. Do you agree or disagree with this
statement: you are what you eat?

1. Nowadays fast food is becoming more and more popular. Can you explain why?
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 2. What is your understanding of a balanced diet?
3. What should people do to live a long and healthy life? Is eating the right food
enough to be fit?
21.

Compare and contrast the pictures. Do you agree or disagree with the statement that
friendship has no boarders, nationalities and age?

1. Why do people say that real friendship grows with years?

2. What is your understanding of true friendship?
3. Is it possible to have many true friends?
22.

Compare and contrast the natural disasters shown in the pictures. Which one is the most
dangerous? Explain your choice.

1. What in your opinion are the causes of natural disasters?

2. What problems can people face in the nearest future if they don’t start solving
environmental problems right now?
3. What problems require our immediate interference? Why? Give your reasons.
23.

Compare and contrast the families shown in the pictures. Do you agree or disagree that all
happy families are alike?

1. Why do families tend to have only one child nowadays? Are you for big or small
families?
2. What advice can you give to people who want to be in good relationships with all
the members of their families?
3. Do you believe that family is the most important unit of our society?