Give reasons and examples to support your answers and opinions: B2 SPEAKING EXAM PREPARATION

 … . The reason I say this is because, … .

 Let me explain, …
 I think that because …
 I came to that conclusion because …

Try to give balanced answers:

 Most people say …, however I personally believe … .
 On the one hand …, on the other hand … .
 It is commonly believed that … , although in my opinion … .

LIFESTYLES
If you could change anything about your life, what would you change?
Many people say life’s too busy these days. Why do you think people say this?
Many people seem to want to become famous nowadays. Why do you think this is?
Is it important to enjoy a job or do you think it’s enough to be paid well? Why?
How important is it to go on holiday every year? Why?/Why not?
Some people say we don’t spend enough time talking to each other these days. What do you think?

TELEVISION
Is watching TV the best way for people to spend their free time? Why?/Why not?
What kind of TV programmes do you like best? Why?
Some people have more than one TV in their home. Do you think this is a good idea? Why?/Why not?
Do you think children generally watch too much television in Spain? Why?/Why not?
Is television the best way of following the news in the world? Why?/Why not?
Do you think watching TV is a good way to learn a language? Why?/Why not?

SPAIN
What is good about living in cities in Spain? Why?
Which is the best city for people to visit in Spain? Why?
If you could choose to visit a city you’ve never been to, which one would you choose? Why?
Would you prefer to live in a modern city or a city with lots of history?
Are there advantages to living in a small town rather than a big city?
Do you think it is better for children to grow up in the city or in the countryside? Why?

EATING HABITS
Do you like to eat in restaurants? Why?/Why not?
What differences are there between what young people and older people like to eat?
Do you think we should try to eat food that is produced locally? Why?/ Why not?
Which food of drinks do you think are unhealthy?
Some people say we eat too much these days. What do you think?
Which of your country’s meals would you miss most if you were abroad? Why?

TRAVELLING AND HOLIDAYS

What do young people gain from the experience of going on adventure holidays?
Why do some people enjoy going camping in the countryside?
Do you think that visitors to the countryside damage the environment? Why?/ Why not?
At what age should young people be allowed to go on holiday without their parents? Why do you think so?
What are the biggest dangers if you are walking in the mountains?
Should people who take unnecessary risks in the countryside have to pay if they need to be rescued?

SHOPPING
When is the best time to go shopping?
Is it better to go shopping alone or with friends? Why?
Do you think online shopping will eventually replace going to the shops? Why?/ Why not?
Which items do you think are best to but second-hand? Why?
Some people say we too often buy things we don’t really need. What do you think?
Do you think people should borrow money to buy things they want?
HOBBIES
Why do you think people have hobbies?
Which hobby would you like to take up? Why?
Which are the most popular hobbies in your country? Why do you think that is the case?
Why do you think some people like to collect items?
Some people say that nowadays we don’t have enough time for hobbies. What do you think?
Do you think today’s young people have different hobbies from those of older generations? Why?/ Why not?

TECHNOLOGY AND GADGETS

What do you think is the most useful device that has been invented in the last 20 years? Why?
Do you think that modern technology reduces or increases stress? Why?
Which jobs do you think might be replaced by robots in the future?
How have advances in technology changed the way people communicate with each other?
Some people say that certain computer games are too violent. What do you think?
What changes would you like to see science or technology make to the world?

MARKETING AND ADVERTISING

Some people say advertising encourages us to buy things we don’t really need. What do you think?
Is it more enjoyable to watch a TV programme with advertising breaks, or without them? Why?
Do you think people are more likely to buy a product if a celebrity recommends it? Why?/Why not?
Which is the best advert you have ever seen? Why was it so good?
Should firms be allowed to advertise to children? Why?/Why not?
In your country, which types of product are advertised the most? Why do you think that is?

CHANGE
Some people say that we spend too much time checking for updates on social networking websites. Do you agree?
Do you think the best way to keep up to date with changes in the world it to watch television? Why?/Why not?
Some people say the world is changing so fast that we can’t keep up to date with everything. Do you agree? Why?/Why not?
How important is it for people to have change in their lives?
Some people don’t like it when things change. Why do you think that is?
Do you think people these days are only interested in new things and ignore history and tradition?

FREE TIME
Should schools and colleges organise free time activities for students at weekends? Why?/Why not?
Do you think it’s true that you will always enjoy yourself if you’re with other people? Why?/Why not?
Some people say that it is important to entertain yourself rather than expect other people to do it all the time. What do you
think?
Is it a good idea to have a lot of different interests of just one or two? Why?/Why not?
Do you think it is important to be busy all the time? Why?/Why not?
Some people say we don’t have enough free time these days. What do you think?

OTHER CULTURES
Are you interested in the cultures of other countries, for example their music or food? Why?/Why not?
Can we learn a lot about the culture of a country when we are on holiday there? Why?/Why not?
Should students spend more time learning about other cultures when they are at school? Why?/Why not?
Some students have the opportunity to study in another country. Is this a good thing to do? Why?/Why not?
Some people say that these days there aren’t many big cultural differences between countries. Do you agree? Why?/Why not?

FRIENDS
Some people say that we always want to have the same things as our friends. What do you think?
Do you think we can be friends with people who have very different ideas and opinions from us?
Do you think it’s better to have only one or two close friends of have a big group of friends? Why?
How important do you think it is for parents to like their children’s friends?
Some people think that the media influence us much more than our friends. Do you agree?
Are we too easily influenced by people we have never met, such as sports stars or other famous people?