Apps

1. What apps have you recently used?
2. What apps don’t you use anymore?
3. What kind of apps do you spend money on?
4. What kinds of apps are you usually interesed in?
5. How do you find out different apps?
6. Do you have many apps on your phone?
7. Which do you prefer (to use), an information app or a chat app?
8.  (Similar to above) Do you often use apps on your phone or computer?
9. What kind of apps do you use the most?
10. What apps don’t you use anymore?
11. What kind of apps do spend money on?
12. Do you like to chat with your classmates online?
13. Do you think computer and mobile phone apps are helpful (or, useful)?
14. What are some popular apps in your country?
15. What kinds of apss would you like to use/have in the future?
16. Would you like to create (your own) a mobile phone app one day?

Social Media

• When did you start using social media?
• Do you or your friends like using using social media?
• Do you think you or your friends use too much social media?
• Do you like to work in social media?
• Do you think you spend too much time on social media? 
• What’s the most popular social media in your country?
• Do your friends use social media?
• What do people often do on social media?

Social Media Websites

• Which do you prefer (to use), an information app or a chat app?
• Do you (often) use social media websites?
• When did you first use one of these websites?
• (Possibly the question above is this) How did you first find out about social media websites?
• Is social media (or, are social media websites) very popular in your country?
• Do you think social media will become more popular in the future?
• In the future, do you think you will use social media more than you do now, or less?
• Do you feel social media is more a positive thing, or more negative thing?
• (Similar to above) What do you think are the advantages and the disadvantages of (using) social media websites?
• Do you like to use Facebook?

Some useful vocabulary:

• to maintain contact with friends / to keep in contact with friends / to communicate quickly with others
• to broaden one’s range of social contacts / to broaden one’s social network (either in real-life or one’s “virtual” [= online] social network)
• face-to-face communication
• a substitute for real (real-life) relationships with others
• better than feeling alone; to help overcome loneliness / to help overcome of sense of isolation
• a sense of connectedness (to others/to the world)
• sharing photographs
• voice/ text messages
• sending/receiving computer files
• an avenue for expressing opinions / for exchanging information
• to bring an issue to the attention of a wide audience
• to spread the word
• a marketing tool
• If or when you name a particular social media platform, slow down a little and pronounce it especially clearly.

1. Are you busier now than when you were a child?
2. When was the last time you were busy?
3. Have you been very busy recently?
4. When was the last time you were busy?
5. Do you like having a busy life?
6. (Similar to above) Do you prefer to be busy or to have free time? (Why?)
7. (Similar to above) Do you prefer to be busy or to have nothing to do?
8. Do you think you will be busy in the next few years?
9. (Similar to above, but different) Do you think you will be busier in the future than you are now?
10. (If a student) For you, what is the best time (of the day) to study?
11. (If working) What is the most productive part of the day for you?
12. Has there ever been a time when you felt stressed out (or, under pressure) because of a busy schedule?
13. Have you experienced stress at work?
14. How do you handle stress?

New Questions :

1. Did you have a bike when you were young?
2. Did you ride a bike when you were a child?
3. Do you have a bike now?
4. Do you often ride a bike now?
5.  Are bikes popular in Your country?

Questions from the past :

Bicycles and You

• Do you know how to ride a bicycle?
• (Similar to above) Do you ever ride a bicycle?
• (Similar to above) Do you often ride a bicycle? (Why?/Why not? Where? When?)
• How often do you ride a bicycle?
• Do you like riding a bicycle?
• What do you use a bicycle for?
• Did you ride a bicycle when you were a child?
• How old were you when you first learned to ride a bicycle?
• (Similar to above) How long have you ridden a bicycle? (= How many years have you known how to ride a bicycle?)
• Would you say it’s difficult to learn to ride a bicycle?

Bicycles and People in Your Country

• Are bicycles popular in your country?
• (Similar to above) Are bicycles popular in your city? (Why?/Why not?) [Note: ‘common’ & ‘popular’ are not always the same.]
• What are the reasons why people ride bicycles?
• What are the advantages (or, benefits) of riding a bicycle?
• (Similar to above) What benefits do you think children get from riding a bicycle?
• Do you think it’s important for children to learn how to ride a bicycle (a bike)?
• Do you think children should be taught cycling at school. as an extra-curriculum subject?
• What kinds of people ride bicycles?
• Do children also ride bicycles in your country?
• Why do children enjoy riding bicycles?
• Would you say bicycles are suitable for people of all ages?
• Can you think of any people who are not suited to riding a bicycle? (Hint: very young, very old and disabled people)
• (As above) Who is most suitable for riding a bicycle and who is least suitable?

Bicycles in Society

• Do you think there are more bicycles in your country today than there were in the past?
• Has the number of bicycle riders in your country changed much in the past few years?
• Do you think the number of people using bicycles (in your hometown/country) will change in the future?
• Would you say it’s still suitable to ride a bicycle in today’s society?
• (Similar to above) Do you think bicycles are suitable for present society?
• What do you think are the advantages (or, benefits) of riding a bicycle?
• What do you think are the advantages (and disadvantages) of bicycles compared to cars?
• Is it convenient to ride a bike in your country?

Safety

• Would you say it’s safe to ride bicycles in your hometown?
• (Similar to above) Would you say it’s safe to ride a bicycle in the city (or, in your country)?
• Would you say it’s safe for children to ride bicycles in your hometown?
• Where are the safe places to ride a bicycle in your hometown?

1. What do you usually do on your birthday? Or
2. How do you usually celebrate your birthday? Or
3. What did you do on your last birthday?
4. What did you do on your birthday when you were young?
5. Do you think it is important for you to celebrate your birthday?
6. Whose birthday do you think is the most important to celebrate in Iran?
7. Do you think birthdays are important? Why or why not?
8. How do children celebrate birthdays in your country?
9. What kinds of birthday gifts do you like to receive?
10. Is there a difference between the way you celebrated birthdays in the past and now?
11. Do you think people spend too much money on birthday celebrations?
12. Whose birthday do you think is the most important to celebrate?
13. Do you prefer celebrating birthdays with family or friends? Why?
14. Have you ever attended a surprise birthday party? How was it?

1. Have you ever borrowed money from someone else?
2. Would you lend money to someone else?
3. Do you like to lend things to others?
4. How do you feel about others borrowing things from you?
5. How do you feel when people don’t return things they borrowed from you?
6. Have you ever lent a book to others?
7. Have you ever borrowed a book from others?

Vocabulary:

• To borrow from someone; a loan
• To lend to someone; a loan
• To hire, to rent (borrowing but paying for it)
• To return s’thing borrowed; to pay back (money)
• To owe money to someone
• An IOU; a spoken word commitment to return the borrowed item
• Short-term borrowing (e.g. borrow an eraser in a classroom)
• To share (Does not mean the same as “to borrow”)
• A credit card
• A debt, to be in debt (the b is not pronounced)
• Bankrupt
• To be “over one’s head in debt”.
• Materialism; materialistic, material possessions, personal possessions
• collateral

1. What do you usually do when there is a traffic jam?
2. Do you prefer to be a driver or a passenger?
3. What types of cars do you like?
4. Did you enjoy traveling by car when you were a kid?

Questions from the past:

• Do you like cars?
• Do you have a driver’s licence?
• Have you ever driven a car?
• Do you (or your family) have a car?
• Do you often drive it?
• (If you don’t have a car) Do you plan to buy a car in the future?
• If you wanted to buy a car, what kind of car would you choose?
• (Similar to above) If you were buying car, what kind of car would you choose?
• (Similar to above) What kind of car would you like to buy?
• (Possibly the question above is this) What model (= what brand) of car would you like to buy?
• What kinds of cars are most popular in your country?
• Do you like traveling by car?
• Who do you prefer to travel with?
• Do you like to take long trips in a (your) car?
• Is there anything you don’t like about cars?
• (Possibly the question above is this) Is there anything you don’t like about traveling in cars?

Driving a car

• Do you like traveling by car?
• When was the last time you traveled by car?
• (Possibly)  When was the last time you traveled by taxi?
• Do you prefer to travel by car or to use public transport?
• Do you think it would be good if everyone had their own car?

Do you think it’s important to have a driver’s license?

1. Do you like eating chocolate? Why/why not?
2. How often do you eat chocolate?
3. Did you often eat chocolate when you were a kid?
4. Why do you think chocolate is popular around the world?
5. What’s your favourite flavour of chocolate?
6. Do you think it is good to use chocolate as gifts to others?
7. How often do you eat chocolate?
8. Did you like it when you were child?
9. Do you ever give chocolate as a gift? (If yes, on what occasions?)
10. (Similar to above) Have you ever given chocolate as a gift?  (If yes, on what occasions?)
11. Can you suggest why people all over the world like chocolate?

1. Do you use coins in your daily life?
2. Is it convenient to use coins?
3. Do you often carry coins with you?
4. Did you use coins as a child?
5. Have you ever collected coins?

1. Where do you usually keep things you need?
2. Would you keep old things for a long time? Why?
3. Are there any things you have kept from your childhood?
4. Do you collect things?
5. Do you collect anything? If so, what do you collect?
6. How did you start your collection?
7. Why do you think people collect things?
8. Is there anything you would like to start collecting in the future?
9. What are the most popular items to collect in your country?
10. Do you think collecting things is a useful hobby? Why or why not?
11. Have you ever seen a really interesting or unusual collection?
12. How do you display or organize your collection?
13. Do you think it is important to keep your collection in good condition?

Questions from the past:

1. Why do some people like to collect things?
2. Where do they collect things?
3. Do you collect anything (as a hobby)?
4. Why do you collect ….(that/those things)?
5. 2. Are there any things you keep from childhood?
6. Would you keep old things for a long time? Why?
7. Where do you usually keep things you need?
8. Have you ever collected anything?
9. Did you collect anything (such as stamps or CD’s) when you were a child?
10. Do you still collect them now?
11. Why do you like collecting things (or, these things)?
12. Do you think it’s good for children to collect something (as a hobby)?
13. Is collecting a popular pastime in your country?
14. What are some examples of things that some people collect (as a hobby)?
15. Does anyone in your home collect anything?
16. Do a lot of people in your country collect things and what do they collect?
17. Do people in your country like to collect things?
18. What are some examples of things that some people (in your country) collect (as a hobby)?
19. Why do you think people like collecting things?
20. Why do you like collecting things?
21. What are the benefits of collecting?
22. Do boys and girls usually collect the same things?
23. Do you think you will collect anything in the future?
24. If you had a lot of money, what would you like to collect?
25. Would you collect something that you think will have value in the future?
26. Do you think you will collect anything in the future?
27. If you had a lot of money, what would you liketo collect?
28. Would you collect something that you think will have value in the future?
29. Do you think you will collect anything in the future?
30. Would you collect something that you think will increase in value in the future?

• What’s your favourite colour?
• What’s the colour you dislike? Why?
• What colours do your friends like most?
• What colour makes vou uncomfortable in your room?
• Have you ever bought something because of its colour?
• What colour car would you choose to buy?
• Do you think colour is important when you decide which clothes to buy?
• What is the most popular colour in your country?
• Do you think colours influence you?
• Do you think colour is important when you decide which clothes to buy?
• (Similar to above) What colours do you like to wear?
• Are colours important to you?
• Were colours important to you when you were a child?
• (Similar to above) Were any colours important to you when you were a child?
• Is colour very important to you when you are buying clothes?
• Do you prefer light or dark (or, bright) colours?
• (Similar to above) Do you prefer to wear light or dark (or, bright) coloured clothes?
• Do people in your country like to wear bright colours?
• What are the differences between men and women’s preference in colour?
• What colour would you never use in your home?
• If you were to paint the walls of your room, what colour would you choose?
• Is there any colour you would not want your walls to be? (Why?)

Vocabulary:

Note:In English, when talking about the colours, especially the basic colours (e.g., red, blue, green, white, black, yellow etc.) we just say, “red” not “red colour”. However we do say something is “coloured red” and, “the colour red” etc.

• Lavender, purple, violet, turquoise, grey = gray, beige, scarlet (deep red), olive green, pastel, mauve, tan, pink, crimson (a type of red), auburn
• A “dark colour” e.g., dark blue, dark green; a “light colour”; a “bright colour”.
• Other adjectives that are commonly used to describe colours – “cool”, “warm”, “soft”
• Grey (gray) is sometimes described as a “bland” colour.
• Multi-coloured
• To dye, a dye, e.g., cloth, hair
• A faded colour
• Other uses of colours (besides decoration, art and for clothes) – Colours are often used symbolically, to represent something. The best example is traffic lights where red means “stop”, green means “go” and orange (or yellow) means, “prepare to stop soon”.

Another example is the use of colours to represent different things in graphs. For example, the different sectors of a pie chart are often shown with different colours to make the pie chart easier to read. Yet another example is the use of colours to represent a group, such as people in a club or organization all wearing the same colour. This is similar to people wearing a uniform. Look on the internet for “Colour Revolution” (or, “Color Revolution”) when people who were engaged in a revolution all wore a certain colour to show their solidarity as a group.

1. Do you want to make your dreams come true?
2. Do you think dreams have special meanings?
3. Do you share your dreams with others? (or are you interested in others’ dreams?)
4. Do you often remember your dreams?
5. What was the most memorable dream you’ve ever had?
6. Do you think dreams have meanings? Why or why not?
7. Have you ever had a recurring dream? What was it about?
8. Do you discuss your dreams with other people? Why or why not?
9. Do you think dreams can influence your mood for the day?
10. Have you ever had a dream that seemed to predict the future?
11. Why do you think people dream?
12. Do you prefer to have vivid dreams or no dreams at all?

1. Do you think sending emails will be more or less popular in the future?
2. Is sending emails popular in  Iran?
3. When would you send emails to others?
4. Do you often send emails?
5. Do you often write emails? Why or why not?
6. Do you prefer emailing or texting when communicating with friends?
7. What do you usually write about in your emails?
8. How do you feel about receiving emails from unknown senders?
9. Do you think email is still an important form of communication today? Why?
10. How has email changed the way we communicate?
11. Do you find it easy to organize your emails?
12. How often do you check your email?
13. Have you ever had any issues with email spam?

• Do you think childhood is boring or adulthood is boring?
• When would you feel bored?
• Do your often get (or feel) bored?
• What makes you feel bored?
• What do you do when you’re bored?
• Did you easily get bored when you were younger?
• Do your get bored more often now than when you were young?
• Do you think it’s easier for people to become bored as they grow older?

1. Do you like fishing?
2. Did you ever go fishing when you were a child?
3. Is fishing popular in your country?
4. Do you like eating fish?

1. Do you like flowers? Why or why not?
2. Have you ever planted any flowers?
3. What kinds of flowers do you know?
4. Do you know anyone who loves flowers?
5. Are there a lot of flowers where you live?
6. Do you take photos of flowers in your daily life?
7. Do people in your country often send flowers to others?
8. Are flowers important in your culture? Why or why not?
9. On what occasions do people give flowers to others?
10. Have you ever sent flowers to someone?
11. Where do people usually buy flowers?
12. Do you think flowers have special meanings?
13. Do people in your country use flowers for decoration?
14. Would you like to grow flowers in the future? Why or why not?

1. Do you like geography? Why or why not?
2. Have you ever studied geography at school?
3. Do you think geography is useful?
4. Will you learn more about the geography of other countries?
5. Are you good at reading maps?
6. Would you visit a country because of its geographical location?
7. Do you think geography is useful in daily life? Why?
8. Do you want to be a geography teacher?
9. Have you ever used a map to find a place?
10. Do you think geography should be taught in schools?
11. What geographical features do you find most interesting?
12. Would you like to live in a place with a different geographical landscape? Why?
13. How does geography affect the way people live in different parts of the world?

1. Have you ever given handmade gifts to others?
2. Have you ever received a great gift?
3. What do you consider when choosing a gift?
4.  Do you think you are good at choosing gifts?
5. What gift have you received recently?

Gifts and You

1. Do you ever give people gifts?
2. Do you often give gifts to people?
3. Do you ever receive gifts?
4. Do you like receiving presents?
5. What was the last gift you received?
6. When was the last time you received a gift?
7. (Similar to above) Have your friends ever given you gifts?
8. What’s your favourite (or, the best) gift you have ever received?
9. (Similar to above) What’s the most useful gift you have ever received?
10. Have you ever received a gift that you disliked?
11. What gift(s) do you (or, did you) like the least?
12. Do you prefer receiving a gift or giving a gift?
13. (Similar to above) Which do you think is better, to receive a gift or to give a gift?
14. What was the last gift you gave someone?
15. Who did you last give a gift to?
16. Do you like giving presents to other people? (Why?/Why not?)
17. (Similar to above) Do you often give presents to other people? (Why?/Why not?)
18. Do you and your friends or family members give each other gifts?
19. (Similar to above) Do you often buy gifts for friends or family members?
20. What sorts of gifts do you give to your family and friends?
21. What sorts of gifts do you give to your friends?
22. Do you think it’s easy to choose what to give other people?
23. When considering a present to give to someone, how do you (or, how do people) select this gift?
24. Do you think it’s important to give expensive gifts?
25. Have you ever given someone a gift you made yourself?
26. Do you think gift-giving is very important?
27. Do you think it’s difficult to choose what gift to give to people?
28. Is there anyone you’d like to give a present to?

Gifts and People (in your country) in General

1. Do people in your country like to (or often) give gifts (to other people)?
2. What sorts of things do people in your country usually give as gifts?
3. When do people in your country give gifts? (On what occasions?/In what situations?)
4. (Similar to above) What are some of the gift-giving customs in your country?
5. Why do they give these gifts?
6. In your country, is it necessary to bring a gift when you visit someone?
7. What sorts of things do they bring?
8. In your country, is it necessary to bring gifts when you return home after traveling to another place (such as overseas or a different part of your country)?
9. Do you think it’s ever a good idea to recycle a gift?
10. Do you think flowers are good gifts?

1. What is your favourite place? Why?
2. Would you take photos when you see a good view?
3. Have you seen an unforgettable and beautiful view or scenery?
4. What is the view like around the place where you live?

1. Is there anything that has made you feel happy lately?

2. What made you happy when you were little?

3. What do you think will make you feel happy in the future?

4. When do you feel happy at work? Why?

5. Do you feel happy when buying new things?

6. Do you think people are happy when buying new things?

1. Do you often wear a hat? Or:
2. Do you like to wear hats?
3. What kinds of hats do you have? Or:
4. What kinds of hats do you like to wear?
5. Where do you like to buy hats?
6. Are there any types of hats that you dislike wearing?
7. Do you prefer to wear fashionable hats, or comfortable hats?
8. Did you wear a hat when you were a child?
9. (Slightly different to above) Did you have to wear a hat when you were a child?
10. Is wearing a hat very popular in your country?
11. Why do (some) young people like to wear hats?
12. In your country, on what occasions do people wear hats?
13. Why do they wear hats?
14. (Similar to above) Do they wear hats for fashion or for some other reasons?
15. Do any people in your country wear a hat for traditional reasons? (Hint: religious reasons)

1. Where did you go for your last holiday?
2. Do you like holidays? Why?
3. Which public holiday do you like best?
4. What do you do on holidays?
5. Do you like to spend your day at home?
6. Do you prefer a leisurely or a busy holiday?
7. Would you prefer an exciting holiday or a peaceful holiday?

1. Do you live in an apartment or a house?
2. Who do you live with?
3. What part of your home do you like the most?
4. What is the difference between where you are living now and where you have lived in the past?
5. What kind of house or apartment do you want to live in in the future?
6. What room does your family spend most of their time in?
7. What do you usually do in your apartment?
8. What kind of accommodation do you live in?
9. Do you plan to live there for a long time?
10. Can you describe the place where you live?
11. Do you prefer living in a house or an apartment?
12. Describe your bedroom?
13. Are the transport facilities to your home very good?
14. What’s your favorite room in your apartment or house?
15. What makes you feel pleasant in your home?
16. How long have you lived in your place/there?
17. Do you think it is important to live in a comfortable environment?

1. Do you know anything about the history of your hometown?
2. Did you learn about the culture of your hometown in your childhood?
3. Where is your hometown?
4. Is that a big city or a small place?
5. Do you like your hometown?
6. What do you like (most) about your hometown?
7. Is there anything you dislike about it?
8. How long have you been living there?
9. Do you like living there?
10. Do you think you will continue living there for a long time?
11. Please describe your hometown a little.
12. What is your hometown famous for?
13. Did you learn about the history of your hometown at school?
14. Are there many young people in your hometown?
15. Is your hometown a good place for young people to pursue their careers?

1. Do you usually do any housework?
2. (Similar to above) Do you often do housework? (If yes, what? How often? If no, why not?)
3. Do you do some cooking/help your family cook at home?
4. Did you do some house cleaning when you were young?
5. Do you have breakfast at home every day? Do you want to learn how to cook well?
6. Do you think your home is clean and tidy?
7. Do you feel it’s important to help your parents with the housework?
8. Do you do much (or, any) housework?  (If yes, what? Why?/Why not?)
9. Do you like doing housework?
10. What housework do you like to do?
11. (Similar to above) What household chore do like the most? (Why?)
12. Is there any housework you dislike doing?
13. What’s your least favourite household chore? (Why?)
14. Who usually does the housework in your home?
15. (Similar to above) In your home, who does (most of) the housework?
16. Do you like to do housework? (Why?/Why not?)
17. What housework do you least like doing? (Why?)
18. When you were a child, did you ever do any housework?
19. What housework did you do when you were a child?
20. Do you think children should (learn to) do housework? (Why?/Why not?)
21. Do you think it’s important for children to do some housework?
22. (Similar to above) Do you think children should lend a hand around the home? (Why?/Why not?)
23. (Similar to above) Do you think it’s important for children to do housework?
24. (Similar to above) Do you think it’s important for young people to help do the family housework?
25. (Similar to above) Do you think it’s necessary (or, a good idea) for children to do some housework? (Why?/Why not?)
26. (Similar to above) Do you think children should (be taught how to) help with the housework in the family? (= “to help around the house”)
27. If a child helps do some of the family housework, how do you think this affects the child’s development?
28. (Similar to above) What benefits do you think children would gain from doing that?
29. What do you do to help the family?
30. Have there been any changes in the housework people do since the time when your parents were your age?
31. Do people in your country do much housework?
32. Do you think people should be paid to do household chores?
33. Do people in your country have much time to do housework?
34. (Similar to above) How much time do people in your country spend doing housework?
35. (Similar to above) Do you feel people in your country have enough time to do housework?
36. Do you think people like doing housework their own housework?

Some Vocabulary

• washing the dishes
• sweeping the floor
• mopping the floor
• making the beds
• preparing meals
• washing vegetables
• cooking
• setting the table (for a meal)
• ironing
• dusting
• taking out the garbage
• doing the laundry (washing clothes)
• tidying up / putting things where they belong
• shopping for groceries and other household supplies
• cleaning:

–         cleaning the kitchen

–         cleaning the stove

–         cleaning the refrigerator

–         cleaning the bathroom

–         cleaning the toilet

–         cleaning the walls

–         washing the windows

1. When did you start using the internet?

2. How often do you go online?

3. How does the internet influence people?

4. Do you think you spend too much time online?

5. What would you do without the internet?

1. Do you often wear jewelry?
2. What type of jewelry do you like to buy?
3. Why do you think some people wear a piece of jewelry for a long time?
4. What’s your attitude toward jewelry?
5. Why so many people choose to buy expensive jewelry?
6. How often do you wear jewelry?
7. Do you usually buy jewelry?

1. Do you laugh very often?
2. Do you always laugh at funny things?
3. In what situations do people laugh?
4. Are you a person who often makes others laugh?
5. Do you like to make people laugh?
6. Do you think you are a funny person?
7. (Similar to above) Would you say you are good at making others laugh?
8. When was the last time you laughed? (Why?)
9. Do you think it’s important for friends to have the same sense of humour?
10. (Possibly the above Q is this)  Do you think it’s important for friends to laugh together?
11. Do you enjoy watching interesting and funny movies?

Questions from the past :

1. In what situations do people smile?
2. Do you smile when you are having your picture taken?
3. Can you sense (or feel, or tell)  if someone’s smile is fake?
4. Do you like watching funny TV shows?

1. Do you often go to library?
2. What do you usually do in the library?
3. Are libraries still popular in your country?
4. How have libraries changed over the years?
5. Do you think libraries are important for communities?
6. Did you go to library when you were a kid?
7. Do Iranian kids often go to library?

1. What is your favourite machine in your home?
2. Do you think washing machines and sweeping machines are important?
3. Do you read the instructions before using a machine?
4. Do you think it is important to read the instructions?
5. Do you often use machines in your daily life?
6. What kinds of machines do you use regularly?
7. Do you think machines make life easier? Why or why not?
8. Are there any machines that you find difficult to use?
9. What is the most useful machine in your home?
10. Do you think people rely too much on machines nowadays?
11. Have you ever had any problems with a machine? What happened?
12. Do you think machines will replace humans in the future? Why or why not?
13. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using machines?
14. Would you like to learn how to operate complex machines? Why or why not?

1. Do you make a list for your work? Does it work?
2. Why don’t some people like making lists?
3. Do you prefer to make a list on paper or your phone?
4. Do you make a shopping list before going shopping? Why or why not?
5. Why do some people prefer making lists while others don’t?
6. Do you make a list of tasks for your daily work or studies? Does it help?
7. Do you prefer making lists on paper or using a mobile phone? Why?
8. What kind of lists do people usually make?
9. Do you think making lists is useful? Why or why not?
10. Have you ever forgotten something important because you didn’t make a list?
11. Do you think making lists can help people be more organized?
12. Why do some people dislike making lists?
13. Do you think making lists is more common among older or younger people?

Note: The word, “meet” can mean “meet someone for the first time” or, “get together with someone such as a friend”. It is possible that both of these different meanings are used here, in different questions. For example, “Where did you meet your friends?” means “Where and how did you first meet them?” but “Where do you meet your friends?” means, “Where do you usually (or habitually) get together with your friends?” So, some of the questions here might be wrong. For example, “Where do you go to meet (or make) new friends?” does not seem correct because most people don’t habitually or frequently go somewhere in order to find new friends. (If they did, it would mean that they can’t find or can’t keep friends!) It is not too clear what some of these questions are, so pay close attention to the exact words of the examiner.

New Questions :

1. Do you enjoy talking to new people?
2. Where can you meet new people?
3. Do you like meeting new people?
4. What do you often talk about with your new friends?
5. Have you made any new friends recently?
6. Did you make a lot of friends when you were a child?
7. Do you like making friends?

Questions from the past

• Do you have many friends?
• Do you like meeting new people? (Why?)
• Where do you usually meet new people?
• Where did you meet new people when you were a child?
• What do you usually do with your friends?
• Where did you (first) meet your friends?
• Do you often make new friends?
• Where do you go to make new friends?
• Do you often meet people who you do not know? (If yes, where & what sorts of people?)
• How do young people meet others in order to make new friends?
• (Similar to above) Where do young people go to make new friends?
• What do they do there?
• Where do old people go to meet others (other old people)?
• Where do children (i.e., aged 4 to 12) make new friends?
• Do you ever meet any foreigners where you live?
• Where can you (go to) speak to foreigners in your country?

• What do you need to remember in your daily life?
• How do you remember important things?
• Why do some people have good memory while others just don’t?
• Why do more people rely on cellphones to memorize things?
• Are you good at memorizing things?
• Have you ever forgotten something that was important?
• How often do you need to remember something?
• Do you find it easy to remember things?
• (Similar to above) Would you say you have a good memory?
• Do you forget things sometimes?
• (Similar to above) Do you remember to do everything that you plan to do in a day?
• What are some things that you sometimes forget?
• Have ever you forgotten anything important to do?
• Do you think (having a good) memory is important?
• How do you memorise things?
• Do you find it to be a good system (or, method)?
• What do you need to remember in your daily life?
• How do you remember important things?

1. Would you use mirrors to decorate your room?
2. Do you usually take a mirror with you？
3. Have you ever bought mirrors?
4. Do you like looking at yourself in the mirror? How often?
5. Do you often look at yourself in the mirror?
6. How many mirrors do you have at home?
7. Why do you think mirrors are important in daily life?
8. Have you ever bought a mirror? What kind?
9. Do you think mirrors can reflect one’s personality? Why or why not?
10. Do you use mirrors only for grooming purposes?
11. Have you ever seen an unusual or artistic mirror?
12. How do you feel about mirrors in public places?
13. Do you believe in any superstitions related to mirrors?

1. How has your mobile phone changed your life?
2. Will you buy a new one in the future?
3. Do you often use your mobile phone for texting or calls?
4. What was your first mobile phone?
5. How often do you use your mobile phone?
6. What do you usually do on your mobile phone?
7. When did you get your first mobile phone?
8. Do you think people spend too much time on their mobile phones?
9. What are some of the advantages of using a mobile phone?
10. Can you describe any disadvantages of mobile phones?
11. How have mobile phones changed the way we communicate?
12. Do you think mobile phones have improved our lives? Why or why not?
13. What apps do you use most frequently on your mobile phone?
14. How do you feel about children having mobile phones?

Questions from the past:

• Cell-Phones (Mobile Phones) & Mobile Devices (e.g. smart phones)
• Do you often use your mobile phone for texting or calls?
• What was your first mobile phone?
• Will you buy a new one in the future?
• How has your mobile phone changed your life?
• Do you have a mobile phone (= “a cell phone”)?
• (Similar to above) Do you use a cell phone?
• When did you start using mobile devices?
• Is your cell phone important (or useful) for you in your daily life?
• What do you use it for?
• How often do you use it?
• When do you use it?
• When did you get it?
• (Similar to above) When did you get your first mobile phone?
• How did you get your first mobile phone?
• How did you feel when you got your first mobile phone?
• What feature (or, function) of your cell phone do you like the best?
• (Similar to above) What features are (most) important for you in a mobile phone pr mobile device?
• Is there anything you dislike about using cell phones?
• Do you ever turn off your mobile phone or device?
• Do you think people should turn off their phones in public places (or, in meetings)?
• Have you ever had any problems using your your mobile phone while traveling?
• Do you usually use your mobile phone to call people or to send text messages?
• (Similar to above) Do you prefer to use your mobile phone to call people or to send text messages?
• Who do you usually call/send text messages to?
• (Possibly) Do you prefer to chat, or play games on your phone?
• Are mobile phones very popular in your country?
• Do you think you will be using your mobile phone more often (than you use it now) in the future?
• Have mobile phones developed (or changed) in the past few years?
• Do you like to replace your phones often? (Why?/Why not?)
• (Similar to above, but different)  Would you like to change your mobile phone?
• (Similar to above) Would you like to swap (or, replace, or exchange) your mobile device (or, mobile phone) for the latest one?
• How do you think mobile phones will develop (or change) in the future?

1. Does your name have any special meaning?
2. Who gave you your name?
3. (Similar to above) What is the origin of your name?
4. Why did they choose that name?
5. Is your name very important to you?
6. (Similar to above) Do Iranian people attach great importance to their names?
7. When Iranian people name their children, are there any special customs that are followed?
8. (Similar to above) How do Iranian people name their babies?
9. Are there any big differences between people’s names today in Iran and people’s names many years ago?
10. Do many people in Iran have a nickname (or a name that only their friends & family call them)?
11. Do Iranian people like to have common names?
12. Do Iranian people today usually have a third name?
13. What’s the most common surname in Iran?
14. How would you choose names for your next generation?
15. Does anyone in your family have the same name as you?
16. Are there any differences between how Iranian name their children now and in the past?
17. Are there any names that are more popular than others in Iran?
18. What do your friends call you?
19. Did your family have a certain (nick)name that they called you when you were a child?
20. Do any other people in your family (extended family) have the same name as you?
21. Do many people in your country have the same surname (as other people)?
22. (Similar to above) Do many people in your country have the same surname as you?

1. Are there any old buildings you want to see in the future? Why?
2. Do you prefer living in an old building or a modern house？
3. Do you think we should preserve old buildings in cities？
4. Have you ever seen old buildings in the city？

Questions from the past:

• Are there many old buildings in your hometown?
• Do you like to visit historical buildings? Why or why not?
• What can people learn from visiting old buildings?
• Have you ever visited a famous old building? Which one?
• What is your opinion about preserving old buildings?
• Do you think old buildings are important for tourism?
• How do old buildings in your country compare to those in other countries?
• What challenges do people face in maintaining old buildings?
• Do you think the government should spend more on preserving old buildings?
• How do old buildings contribute to the culture of a place?

1. Have you ever learnt about outer space and stars?
2. Do you want to know more about outer space?
3. Do you want to go into outer space in the future?
4. What do you find fascinating about outer space and stars?
5. Do you think studying stars is important? Why or why not?
6. Would you be interested in watching space-related movies or documentaries?
7. How do you think the study of outer space contributes to our understanding of the universe?
8. Do you think space exploration is worth the investment? Why or why not?

1. Are you a patient person?
2. What is it that makes you feel impatient?
3. How do you feel when you have to do something for a long time?
4. Does your job require you to be patient?
5. Are you more patient now than when you were a child?
6. What do you usually do when you’re waiting for a bus or a train?
7. What do you think “patience” is?
8. Do you think patience is important?
9. (Possibly) Do you think being patient is an important part of being polite?
10. Would you say you are a patient person?
11. Have you ever lost your patience?
12. What do you become impatient about?
13. What do you do when you become impatient?
14. Are people in your country generally very patient?
15. What causes some people in your country to become impatient?
16. (Similar to above) What do people in your country become impatient about?
17. When someone is late in your country, are other people usually patient, or angry?

1. Do you like perfume?
2. Do you use / wear perfume?
3. How much money do you spend on perfume?
4. Have you ever given perfume as a gift?
5. Would you ever give perfume as a gift?
6. Do you spend a lot of money on buying perfume?
7. Do you give perfume to others as a gift?
8. Where do you spray perfume?

1. Do you prefer to work alone or in a group?
2. Do you prefer to work at home or in the workplace?
3. What part of your school do you like the most?
4. What is your favourite place to study?
5. Do you prefer to study at home or in a library?

1. Do you like making plans?
2. Do you use paper or your cellphone to make plans?
3. What are the benefits of making plans?
4. Please summarize your plans for the near future.
5. When do you plan to start that?
6. How do you intend to achieve that?
7. When you go abroad, do you plan to live in the countryside or a big city? (Why?)
8. Do you plan to spend many years overseas?
9. After you go abroad, do you plan to join any clubs?

1. Have you had any achievements recently?
2. How do you feel when you are praised?
3. When was the last time you praised someone?
4. Do you think parents should often praise and encourage their children?
5. Have you ever been praised or encouraged by your teacher?

1. What kind of public transportation do you usually take?
2. When do you usually take public transportation, in your everyday life or when you are travelling?
3. Do most people prefer public transportation in your country?
4. Did you take public transportation when you were a kid?
5. Will there be more people taking public transportation in the future?

1. Did you do puzzles in your childhood?
2. When do you do puzzles, during your trip or when you feel bored?
3. Do you like doing word puzzles or number puzzles? Which is more difficult for you?
4. Do you think it is good for old people to do puzzles?
5. Do you like doing word puzzles or number puzzles?
6. Do you think it is good for old people to do puzzles?
7. Do you think solving puzzles can help improve people’s intelligence?
8. Have you ever tried solving a Rubik’s cube?
9. Do you think children should be encouraged to play puzzle games?
10. What kinds of puzzles do people usually play?
11. Do you think puzzles are more popular now than in the past?
12. Would you prefer playing puzzles alone or with others? Why?

1. Do you prefer quiet places or noisy places? Why?
2. Would you like to quiet or noisy places on your weekends when you are free?
3. Are there many quiet places in your city or hometown?
4. What kinds of noises do you hear around the place where you live?
5. Do you think noisy places affect people’s lives? How?
6. Is it easy to find quiet places where you live? Why or why not?
7. Do you ever go to quiet places to relax or study? Where?
8. Is your hometown a noisy place or a quiet place?
9. How do you feel when you are in a (very) noisy place?
10. Do you think there is more noise in the world today than in the past?
11. Do noisy places affect your daily life? How?
12. Do you think people need quiet places in their lives? Why?

1. What is the condition of the roads in your city like?
2. How do people cross the road in the city where you live?
3. Are the roads and streets in the area where you live busy?
4. Are there any famous roads or streets in your country?
5. Do you think the roads in your city need improvement?

1. Have you ever sent a thank-you card to others?
2. Do people in your country often say “thank you”?
3. On what occasions do you say “thank you”?
4. Why do people need to say “thank you”?
5. How often do you say “thank you” in your daily life?
6. Do you think it is important to say “thank you”? Why?
7. When was the last time you said “thank you” to someone?
8. Do people in your country say “thank you” often?
9. How do people in your culture express gratitude besides saying “thank you”?
10. Do you prefer saying “thank you” verbally or expressing gratitude in other ways? Why?
11. Have you ever received a thank-you note or message? How did it make you feel?
12. Do you think children should be taught to say “thank you” from a young age? Why?

• Do you like singing? Why?
• Have you ever learnt how to sing?
• Who do you like to sing for?
• Do you think singing can bring happiness to people?
• How often do you sing?
• Did you like to sing when you were a child?
• Do you prefer to sing at home or at a place such as a karaoke bar (or KTV)?
• Who’s your favourite singer?
• What’s your favourite song?
• Are the lyrics (= the words) of songs important to you?

1. When you were a kid, did you usually sit on the floor?
2. Do you feel sleepy when you are sitting down?
3. Do you always sit down for a long time?
4. Where is your favorite place to sit?

1. Do you know many small businesses where you live?
2. Do you prefer buying things from big companies or small businesses?
3. Have you ever worked in a small business?
4. Have you ever thought about starting your own business?

1. Do you like to eat snacks?
2. What (kinds of) snacks do you usually eat?
3. What snacks do you like to eat?
4. When do you usually eat snacks now?
5. Do you think it is healthy for you to eat snacks?
6. Did you often eat snacks when you were young?
7. Do you (still) eat the same types of snacks that you ate when you were a child?
8. What was the most popular snack when you were a child?
9. Has the taste of your snacks changed since you were a child?
10. How many times in a day do you usually eat a snack?
11. Is there any difference between the snacks you eat at different times of the day?
12. Are there any snacks that you have never eaten that you would like to try?
13. Would you like to try foreign snacks?

1. Do you often have free time?
2. What do you usually do in your spare time?
3. Which day do you have more free time on, Saturday or Sunday?
4. Would you like to have more free time in the future?
5. Do you prefer spending your free time alone or with others? Why?
6. How do you usually spend your weekends?
7. Do you think leisure time is important? Why or why not?
8. What hobbies do you have?
9. Is it important to have a hobby? Why?
10. Do you think people have more free time now than in the past?
11. What free-time activities would you like to try in the future?
12. Do you prefer indoor or outdoor leisure activities? Why?
13. How do people in your country usually spend their free time?

Questions from the past:

When do you have free time?

How do you like to relax? (What’s your favourite way to relax?)

How do Iranian people like to relax?

Do you think it’s important to have leisure time?

How does that (the way Iranian people like to relax) compare with western countries?

Do your friends ever come to your home in their free time?  What do you usually do together?

How do you think people will relax in the future?

Compare the way people in Iran relax today and the way they used to relax years ago.

In your leisure time, what do you usually do with friends or family? (= Do you do things in your leisure time with friends or family? What?)

Do you have any hobbies or interests? (= What are your hobbies or interests?)

What do you do in your holidays (= vacations)? (= How do you spend your holidays?) Or: How do people in Iran spend their holidays?

Do you like to travel (in your holidays or free time)? (Why?)

1. What do you do in your spare time?
2. What indoor and outdoor leisure activities do you do?
3. Do you prefer indoor or outdoor leisure activities?
4. When do you have free time?
5. How do you like to relax? (What’s your favourite way to relax?)
6. How do you relax?
7. (Similar to above) What do you do in your spare time (= free time)?
8. (Similar to above) When you relax, what do you like to do?
9. How do you usually relax (in your spare time)? (= What do you usually do to relax/for relaxation?)
10. (Similar to above) What do you usually do in your free time (spare time/ leisure time)?
11. Do you have any hobbies or interests? (= What are your hobbies or interests?)
12. What do you do for entertainment?
13. When do you spend time with your family?
14. What did you do for recreation (or, leisure) when you were a child?
15. Did you play any games when you were a child?
16. (Similar to above) What games did you play when you were a child?
17. Do you think children today have the same interests that you had when you were a child?

1. Do you usually spend time alone? Why or why not? or
2. Do you usually spend time by yourself?
3. What did you do last time you were by yourself?
4. How do you usually spend your time by yourself?
5. Do you like spending time by yourself?
6. Do you spend much time alone?
7. Do you prefer having people around you, or spending time alone?
8. What do you prefer to do alone?
9. (Possibly) Are there any hobbies that you prefer to do alone?
10. Do you like spending your leisure time alone?
11. What did you do the last time you spent time alone?
12. Would you like to have (or, to spend) more time alone?
13. Would you like to live alone?
14. What do you like to do when you are alone?
15. Do you think it’s important to have time alone? Why?
16. How do you usually spend your time when you’re alone?
17. Do you prefer spending time alone or with others? Why?
18. When was the last time you spent time alone? What did you do?
19. Do you think people should spend time alone regularly?
20. Do you think technology has made it easier or harder for people to enjoy time alone?
21. Would you like to have more time alone? Why or why not?
22. Do you think people in your country enjoy spending time alone?

1. Do you often stay up late?
2. Did you stay up late when you were a kid?
3. What do you do when you stay up late?
4. What does it feel like the next morning if you stay up late?
5. Do you prefer to go to bed late, or early?
6. Have you ever stayed up late?
7. What did you do?
8. How did you feel the next day?
9. (Possibly) Did you sleep late the next day?
10. (Similar to above) Do you ever stay up late?
11. What do you do when you stay up late?
12. Would you like to sleep late every day?
13. Why do you think many young people like to stay up late?
14. Do you think children should stay up late?
15. When you were a child, did your parents (ever) let you stay up late?

1. Do you like reading stories?
2. Do you prefer listening to stories or reading them?
3. What is your favorite story and why?
4. Do you love stories about your childhood?
5. Can you remember any story from your childhood?
6. What kind of stories did you enjoy as a child?
7. Did you ever write a story when you were a child?
8. Have you ever told a story to someone?
9. Have you ever written any story before?
10. Do you prefer listening to stories or reading them?
11. What type of stories are popular in your culture?
12. Do you prefer short stories or novels?
13. Do you think stories can help people learn about life?
14. Do you enjoy watching stories in films or TV shows?
15. Do you think storytelling is important? Why or why not?

1. What’s the difference between swimming in the pool and swimming in the sea?
2. Where do people in your country like to go swimming?
3. Is it difficult to learn how to swim?
4. Do you like swimming?

Questions from the past

• Do you know how to swim? (= Can you swim?)
• (If you know how to swim) How (or when) did you learn to swim?
• Do you like swimming?
• Have you ever tried to learn to swim?
• Did you learn to swim when you were a child?
• (Similar to above) Did you learn to swim when you were young?
• When did you learn to swim?
• (Similar to above) How old were you when you learned to swim?
• Who taught you to swim?
• How did you learn to swim?
• Do you think it’s hard to learn to swim?
• Where do (or can) people go swimming in your hometown (or, near your home)?
• (Similar to above) Where do you go swimming?
• (Similar to above) Where do you swim?
• How often do you swim?
• Do you prefer to swim in the sea or in a swimming pool?
• Is swimming very popular in your country?
• (Similar to above) Do many people in your country (like to) go swimming?
• Why do many people like swimming?
• Do you think it’s important to know how to swim?
• Do you think it is better to learn to swim as a child or as an adult?
• Do you think it’s important (for children) to learn how to swim?
• What do you think are the benefits of swimming (or, the benefits of knowing how to swim)?
• (Similar to above) What do you think are the advantages of swimming? (= or, knowing how to swim)
• (Similar to above) What do you think are the benefits of swimming?
• What do you think are the benefits of swimming for children?
• How do most people in your country (those who learn to swim) learn to swim?
• Do you think swimming should be taught in school?
• How do (or, how can) children learn to swim?
• Should it be a compulsory for children to learn to swim when they are at school?
• Do you think it’s good to have compulsory swimming lessons for children?
• (Similar to above) Should it be a compulsory for children to learn to swim when they are at school?
• Would you like to teach children how to swim?
• If you had a child, would you teach him or her to swim?

1. Do you think anyone in your family has the same talent?
2. Do you think your talent can be useful for your future work? Why?
3. Was it mastered recently or when you were young?
4. Do you have a talent or something you are good at?
5. What talents do you have, and how did you discover them?
6. Do you think everyone is born with a talent?
7. Have you ever tried to develop a new talent? What was it?
8. How important do you think it is to nurture one’s talents?
9. Can you share a talent you wish you had?
10. Do you enjoy watching talent shows or competitions? Why or why not?
11. Do you believe that some talents are more valuable than others? Why?
12. How can people find out what their talents are?
13. What role do schools play in helping students discover and develop their talents?
14. Have you ever been impressed by someone else’s talent? What was it?

1. Do (or did) you have a favourite teacher?
2. In what ways can (or, do) teachers help their students?
3. What makes a good teacher?
4. Do you think teachers can help students to learn (in) ALL subjects?
5. Do you think teachers should be strict?
6. In what ways do you think teachers and parents are different when teaching young people?
7. Would you like to be a teacher?
8. Do you have a teacher from your past that you still remember?
9. Are you still in touch with your primary school teachers?

10. Do you want to be a teacher in the future?

1. Do you like teamwork?
2. Have you teamed up with someone else before?
3. What do you learn from working in a team?
4. What do you dislike about teamwork?

1. How often do you send text messages?
2. Is sending messages popular in your country?
3. Did you send more messages when you were younger?
4. Do you reply to messages as soon as you receive them?
5. Do you (ever) text other people using your mobile phone?
6. How often do send a text message?
7. In what situations (or, on what occasions) do you usually send text messages?
8. Do you usually text someone if he or she doesn’t answer the phone?
9. Which do you prefer, to send text messages or to phone people?
10. Which do you think we will use more in the future, text messages or phone calls?
11. When is the best time (or situation) to send a text message instead of making a phone call?
12. Have you ever experienced a misunderstanding caused by a text message?
13. (Similar to above) Have you ever received a text message that you didn’t understand?
14. Have you been inconvenienced by receiving a text message?
15. Would you prefer to receive good news over the phone or via a text message?
16. (Possibly) Do you ever leave or receive voice messages?

1. Are the people in your neighborhood nice and friendly?
2. Do you like the area that you live in?
3. Where do you like to go in that area?
4. Do you know any famous people in your area?
5. What are some recent changes in the area?
6. Do you know any of your neighbors?

1. Do you think it is important to wear a watch? Why?
2. Why do some people wear expensive watches?
3. Have you ever got a watch as a gift?
4. Do you wear a watch?

Questions from the past:

• Do you have a watch?
• (Similar to above) Do you wear a watch?
• (Similar to above) Do you like to wear a watch?
• Did you wear a watch when you were a child?
• Why do some people wear a watch?
• Have you ever received a watch as a gift?
• (Similar to above) Did anyone ever give you a watch as a gift?
• Why do you think some people buy expensive watches?
• (Similar to above) Why do you think some people like wearing an expensive watch?
• What would you say is different about watches today, compared to the past?
• (Similar to above) Can you tell me why many people don’t wear a watch nowadays?

The Weather:

• What’s the weather like where you live?
• Are you in the habit of checking the weather forecast? When/How often?
• What do you think are the effects of climate change in recent years?
• Would you like to visit other cities that have different climates from where you live?
• Does the weather in your country change often?
• Do you have a favorite type of weather?
• Would you move to another city because of the weather?
• Are you in the habit of checking the weather forecast? When?/How?

The Seasons and Weather: 

• Do you prefer a warm, or a cool climate?

• Do you prefer cold or hot weather?

• Do you prefer dry or wet weather?

• Would you say most people prefer a warm climate?

• Do you like it when it’s raining?

• Which season do you like best?

• Are there four different (or, distinct) seasons in your hometown?

• Do you feel the climate is changing?

• Does the weather change often where you live?

• Do you do different things in different weather (or different seasons)?

• Would you prefer to live in a place that has the same weather all year, or a place that has four seasons?

• Do you think the weather is more important to people who play sports?

Some other questions:

• Which season do you like best?
• Are there four distinct seasons in your hometown?
• Do you feel the climate is changing?
• Does the weather change often where you live?
• Do you do different things in different weather (or different seasons)?
• What kind of weather do you like (best)? (Why?)
• What sort of weather do you least like?
• Do you like sunny weather?
• What do you usually do during your favourite weather (or season)?
• What’s the weather (usually) like in your hometown?
•  (If doing the test away from your home country) How is the weather here different to the weather in your home country?
• Do you like that weather (or, that kind of climate)? (Why?/Why not?)
• How often is the weather good in your hometown?
• Are there any bad points about the weather in your city?
• Have there been any changes in the weather over the past few years?
• Have you ever been to any place where the weather is different to your hometown?
• (If doing the test far from your hometown) Compare the weather in your hometown and the weather here.
• Which city in your country (or, which part of your country) has the best weather?
• Which city in your country (or, which part of your country) has the worst weather?
• Does the weather ever affect what you do?
• How does the weather affect people (or, you)? (If yes, how?)
• How do you feel when the weather is cloudy?
• Do you always (often/usually) pay attention to the weather forecast? Why?/Why not?
• Can you give any examples of unusual weather?
• In your country, are there ever any problems caused by the weather? (= caused by extreme weather?)
• Do you like snow? (Why? / Why not?)
• Would you prefer to live in a place that has just one, warm season that lasts the whole year or a place with different seasons?
• Do you (or, do people in your country) do the same things in the different seasons of the year?
• Do people (in your country) play the same sports in different seasons of the year?

Some vocabulary:

“Do you prefer a hot, or a cold climate?” – If this is the exact wording of the question, you are being asked to choose between two extremes. Hot is not warm, cold is not cool.

The meaning of that question is probably, “If you had to be/live in a place with a cold or a hot climate, which would you prefer?”

Only say, “I would prefer” if you also say something like, “if I had to choose between those two extremes”.

It’s possible to say, “I don’t like either of those” but still make a choice.

Always give at least one reason when answering a question about your likes, dislikes, preferences, favourite etc.

Reasons – 1) Your feelings of comfort; 2) the activities you prefer to do in different seasons or weather conditions; 3) certain aspects of the weather or of the seasons that you especially like or dislike such as flowers blooming in spring, the fact that rain damages your shoes, the clothes you wear etc.

Rainy days, wet days, wet weather, sunny says, a sunny day, ice, snow, slippery footpaths,

“When it’s raining” is not the same as “a rainy day”, which means a whole day, or most of it, that experiences rain.

to drizzle

sunny

A warm climate; warm weather. (or cool, or hot or cold weather). Notice that “climate” is a count-noun, “weather” is not.

Studies

1. What subject are you studying?
2. Do you like your subject?
3. Why did you choose to study that subject?
4. Do you think that your subject is popular in your country?
5. Is your subject very interesting?
6. Do you have any plans for your studies in the next 5 years?
7. What are the benefits of being your age?
8. Do you want to change your major?
9. Do you prefer to study in the mornings or in the afternoons?
10. How much time do you spend on your studies each week?
11. Are you looking forward to working?
12. What technology do you use when you study?
13. Is it very interesting?
14. What changes would you like to see in your school?

Work

1. What work do you do?
2. Why did you choose to do that type of work (or that job)
3. Do you like your job?
4. What requirements did you need to meet to get your current job?
5. Do you have any plans for your work in the next 5 years?
6. What do you think is the most important at the moment?
7. Do you want to change to another job?
8. Do you miss being a student?
9. What technology do you use at work?
10. Who helps you the most? And how?

1. Do you often write things?
2. Do you write a lot?
3. What do you usually write?
4. What do you like to write? Why?
5. Do you think the things you write would change?
6. Do you prefer typing or handwriting when you are writing?
7. Do you prefer to write by hand or write using the computer?
8. How often do you keep diaries?
9. What other methods do you use to record your life?
10. Nowadays, how do most people write things?
11. Do you think computers might one day replace handwriting?
12. When do children begin to write in your country?
13. Do you think handwriting is very important (nowadays)?
14. How can children today improve (or, practice) their handwriting?

Describe a challenge you faced that you thought was rather difficult

You should say:

What it was

When and where you faced it

Why you thought it was a difficult challenge

And explain how you felt at the time

Part 3

1. Why do some people enjoy doing extreme sports?
2.  What challenges would people face when learning new sports?
3.  What activities do you think would make children feel challenged? Why?
4.  Do most people choose to face a challenge alone or with others?
5.  Is it easy for children to overcome a challenge?
6.  What do children often do when they face a challenge?

Describe a city that you think is very interesting

You should say:

Where it is

What it is famous for

How you knew this city

And explain why you think it is very interesting

Part 3

1. Do you think well-developed tourism will have negative effects on local people?
2. Do most elderly people live in the city or in the countryside?
3. Why do some young people like to live in cities?
4. What advantages can tourism bring to a city?

Describe a contest/competition you would like to participate in

You should say:

What the contest/competition is about

Where the contest/competition will take place

When it will be held

And explain why you would like to participate in it

Part 3

1. Do you think it is necessary to encourage people to compete with one another in companies?
2. What kinds of industries need competition? Why?
3. Why are competition shows popular?
4. What are the contests commonly seen on TV programs?

Describe a countryside that you have been to

You should say:

Where it is

When and why you went there

Who you went there with

And explain how you felt about it

Part 3

1. Do people in your country like to go hiking?
2. Do most people prefer to live in big cities or in the countryside?
3. Do people go to the countryside to travel or to live?
4. What kind of people would like to stay in the countryside?
5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in the countryside?
6. What are the differences between the city and the countryside?

Describe a course that impressed you a lot

You should say:

What the course was about

Where you took the course

What you did during the course

And explain why it impressed you a lot

Part 3

1. Why do some people have a better memory than others?
2. Do people like things of memorial significance?
3. Which can help people remember things better, words or photos?
4. Can technology help people remember things better? How?

Describe a crowded place you went to

You should say:

Where it was

When you went there

Who you went there with

What you did there

 And how you felt about it

Part 3

1. Which cities are overcrowded in your country?
2. Will there be more or less green space in cities in the future?
3. Will people use bikes more or less in cities in the future?
4. Why do people go to crowded places?
5. Do you think there are some people who enjoy crowded places?
6. Do you think it is a good trend to have more big cities?

Describe a cultural place that you would like to learn the culture there (e.g. a library, museum, theatre)

You should say:

Where it is

How you knew this place

What it is like

And explain how the place is related to culture

Part 3

1.  How does the internet affect culture?
2.  How is a culture formed?
3.  What kind of culture is popular among young people?
4. How do young people learn about different cultures?
5. Which is more important in terms of culture, literature or music?
6. Does the culture of the past have an impact on today’s culture?

Describe a difficult decision that you made and had a good result

You should say:

What the decision was

When you made that decision

Why it was difficult to make

And explain how you felt about the good result

Part 3

1. Do you think it’s necessary for kids to make as many decisions by themselves as they can?
2. Do you think some people can make decisions without asking for advice from others?
3. Do you think young people are easily influenced by others when they make decisions? Why or why not?
4. What kinds of decisions do young people have to make?

Describe a family member who you want to work with in the future

You should say:

Who he/she is

Whether you worked together before

What kind of work you would like to do with him/her

And explain how you feel about this family member

Part 3

1. What benefits are there when working for big companies?
2. Why do people want to have a family business?
3. Is it good to work with family members? Why?
4. What kinds of family businesses are common in Iran?

Describe a friend you like to talk with

You should say:

Who he/she is

What you like to talk about

Why you like to talk with him/her

And explain how you feel about him/her

Part 3

1. On what occasions do people talk with strangers?
2. Do you think people should be honest when talking with friends?
3. What do young people talk about when they meet up?
4. Where do young people like to meet?

Describe a gift you would like to buy for your friend

You should say:

How you knew your friend

How long you have known him/her

How you would choose a gift for him/her

And explain why you would choose that gift for him/her

Part 3

1. When do people normally send gifts to others?
2. Is it hard to choose a gift?
3. Will people feel happy when receiving an expensive gift?
4. Which do people give on traditional festivals, red envelopes or other kinds of gifts?

Describe a job that is useful to society

You should say:

What job it is

How you know about this job

What types of people do this job

And explain why you think this job is useful to the society

Part 3

1. What kind of jobs are well-paid in your country?
2. What kind of jobs receive a low income?
3. What kind of jobs deserve a high salary?
4. Do you think doctors should be well-paid?
5. Who should receive a higher salary, young people or older people?
6. Do you think schools should provide career advice to students?

Describe a long walk you ever had

You should say:

When this happened

Where you walked

Who you were with

And explain how you felt about this long walk

Part 3

1. Do women have more leisure time than men?
2. Is leisure time important to everyone? Why?
3. What are the differences between the outdoor activities children did in the past and now?
4. What outdoor activities do people like?

Describe a movie you watched and enjoyed recently

You should say:

When and where you watched it

Who you watched it with

What it was about

And explain why you watched this movie

Part 3

1. What kinds of movies do you think are successful in your country?
2. What are the factors that make a successful movie?
3. Do Iranian people prefer to watch domestic movies or foreign movies?
4. Do you think only well-known directors can create the best movies?
5. Do you think successful movies should have well-known actors or actresses in leading roles?
6. Why do people prefer to watch movies in the cinema?

Describe a person from whom others like to ask for advice

You should say:

Who this person is

Why people like to ask for his/her advice

What kind of advice he/she often gives

And explain how you feel about the person

Part 3

1. Do you follow the advice of your family members?
2. Who should people ask for advice on big issues, family members or friends?
3. Do people often ask for advice from professional people, like a lawyer?
4. Why do some people like to ask others for advice on almost everything?
5. Do you think the advice parents give their children is always good?
6. Are professional consultancy services expensive in your country?

Describe a person who has strong opinions

You should say:

Who this person is

How you knew him/her

What kinds of strong opinions this person has

And explain why you think he/she is a person who has strong opinions

Part 3

1. Do you think it is good to have strong opinions?
2. Do you think we should only say something after thinking it through?
3. Which is more important, listening to others or persuading others?
4. Are there many young people who have strong opinions in our lives?
5. What do old people have strong opinions about?
6. What do young people have strong opinions about?

Describe a person who likes to make things by hand (e.g. toys, furniture)

You should say:

Who this person is

What he/she makes

Why he/she likes to make things by hand

And explain how you feel about the person

Part 3

1. How does modern technology change the handicraft industry?
2. Is it reasonable to charge a high price for handmade things?
3. Are there any traditional handicrafts in your hometown?
4. Why do many children like to make things by hand?
5. What are the benefits for students to learn to make things by hand?
6. Are traditional handicrafts important to tourism?

Describe a person who likes to read a lot

You should say:

Who this person is

How you knew him/her

What he/she likes to read

And explain why you think he/she likes to read a lot

Part 3

1. Why are many people so keen on reading?
2. Do you think parents should help their children develop the reading habit from an early age?
3. Is reading for fun or for work?
4. What reading topics are popular in your country?
5. What are the differences between paper books and movies?
6. Do you think people of all ages need to read?

Part 3

1. Is it difficult for people in your country to express feelings?

2. What’s the difference between males and females in terms of expressing their feelings?

3. Why do you think people nowadays are not as open as those in the past?

4. Who talks more, children or grown-ups?

5. Are you talkative?

6. Are people in your country talkative?

7. Should children be encouraged to talk more?

Describe a person who you follow on social media

You should say:

Who he/she is

How you knew him/her

What he/she posts on social media

And explain why you follow him/her on social media

Part 3

1. Are non-social media like television and newspapers still useful?
2. Do older people spend much time on social media?
3. Do older people and younger people use the same kinds of social media apps?
4. What can people do on social media?

Describe a person you know who has chosen a career in the medical field (e.g. a doctor, a nurse)

You should say:

Who he/she is

What he/she does

Why he/she chose this career

And explain how you feel about him/her

Part 3

1. Do you think doctors and nurses are very important?
2. Who plays a more important role, doctors or nurses?
3. Do you think that doctors and nurses are not paid enough?
4. Do you think it is necessary to learn first aid skills?
5. What are the differences between the work of a doctor and a nurse?
6. Can a hospital function effectively without nurses?

Describe a person you only met once recently and want to know more about

You should say:

Who he/she is

When you met him/her

Why you want to know more about him/her

And explain how you feel about him/her

Part 3

1. How do people make friends in Iran?
2. On what occasions do people like to make friends?
3. Is it important to have the same hobbies and interests when making friends?
4. What qualities make true friends?

Describe a place in your city you have been to where you can see wildlife (e.g. animals, birds, insects, plants)

You should say:

Where it is

When you went there

What wildlife you can see there

And explain how you feel about it

Part 3

1. Why are most children interested in wild animals?
2. Should parents take their children to the zoo to see wild animals?
3. Are there many wildlife documentaries produced in your country?
4. Are wild animals easy to spot in your country?
5. What impacts does only seeing wild animals in zoos have on children’s understanding of these animals?
6. Which is the better way to see wildlife, watching documentaries or going into the wild?

Describe a place in your hometown/city that is different from other places and that you enjoy visiting with your parents/friends

You should say:

Where it is

What it is like

What you often do there

Who you often go there with

And explain why you think it is different

Part 3

1. What are the differences between big cities and small cities?
2. Where do people in your hometown like to go?
3. What are the differences between the places young people like to go and the places old people like to go?
4. What do young people like to do in their leisure time?
5. Do you think it is necessary to visit the same place many times?
6. What factors attract people to go to visit other places other than their hometown?

Describe a popular/well-known person in your country

You should say:

Who this person is

What he/she has done

Why he/she is popular

And explain how you feel about this person

Part 3

1. What benefits are there when a child is popular at school?
2. Which one is more important, maintaining a good relationship with colleagues or doing well at work?
3. Are bosses more popular than employees at work?
4. What kinds of people are popular at work?

Describe a public park or garden

You should say:

Where it is

What it is like

How often you go there

What you often do there

And explain how you feel about it

Part 3

1. Is it necessary to have public parks in cities?
2. What facilities are needed in a park?
3. What are the differences between a garden and a natural area?
4. Why do people like to visit tourist attractions?
5. What tourist attractions are popular in your country?
6. How can we encourage young people to go to parks more often?

Describe a quiet place you like to go

You should say:

Where it is

How you knew it

How often you go there

What you do there

And explain how you feel about the place

Part 3

1. Why are there more noises made at home now than in the past?
2. Why do old people prefer to live in quiet places?
3. Do you think only old people have time for leisure?
4. How does technology affect the way people spend their leisure time?
5. How do people spend their leisure time in your country?
6. Is it easy to find quiet places in your country? Why?

Describe a rule you dislike and would like to change in the future

You should say:

What it is

What it is for

Why you don’t like it

And explain why you would like to change it

Part 3

1. How are people punished when parking at a wrong spot?
2. What rules should children follow at home?
3. Are the rules at school good or bad? Why?
4. What are the rules students should follow at school?

Describe a skill that you learned from older people

You should say:

What the skill is

Who you learned it from

How you learned it

And explain how you feel about it

Part 3

1. What can children learn from their parents?
2. What kind of help do you think older people need?
3. What skills can young people learn from older people?
4. What knowledge can children learn from their grandparents?

Describe a special cake you received from others

You should say:

When it happened

Where it happened

Who you got the cake from

And explain why it’s a special cake

Part 3

1. Do you think it’s good to communicate when eating with your family?
2. Why are some people willing to spend a lot of money on meals on special days?
3. Is there any food in your country that is eaten at special times or on special occasions?
4. What are the differences between special food in Iran and other countries?

Describe a special day out that cost you little money/didn’t cost you much

You should say:

When the day was

Where you went

How much you spent

And explain how you feel about the day

Part 3

1. Do you think only old people have time for leisure?
2. How does technology affect the way people spend their leisure time?
3. How do people spend their leisure time in your country?
4. Do people like to spend their leisure time out in your country?

Describe a story someone told you and you remember

You should say:

What the story was about

Who told you this story

Why you remember it

And explain how you feel about it

Part 3

1. Why do children like stories?
2. How do people tell stories to children?
3. How has technology changed storytelling?
4. Do young children like the same stories as older children?

Describe a thing you did to learn another language

You should say:

What language you learned

What you did

How it helped you learn the language

And explain how you felt about it

Part 3

1. What’s the best way to learn a language?
2. Which is better, to study a language alone or to study it in a group? Why?
3. Do you think language learning is important? Why?
4. What difficulties do people face when learning a language?

Describe a time that something changed your life in good ways

You should say:

When and where it happened

What happened

How you felt about it

And explain how it changed your life in good ways

Part 3

1. Do you like new things or changes in life?

2. Why do some people quit and change jobs?

3. How do you adapt to changes in life?

4. Who can adapt better to changes, children o adults?

5. When things like getting married or moving home happen, what kinds of things would you consider?

6. What are the disadvantages when people keep making changes?

Describe a time when someone asked for your opinion

You should say:

Who asked for your opinion

Why he/she wanted to know your opinion

What opinion you gave

And explain how you felt when he/she asked for your opinion

Part 3

1. What are the disadvantages of sharing opinions on the Internet?
2. Why do people like to express their opinions on the Internet nowadays?
3. Are there any apps designed for collecting opinions about products or services?
4. Why do some people dislike giving their opinions?

Describe a time when you lost an important and valuable item

You should say:

When and where it happened

What it was How important and valuable it was

How you lost it

And explain how you felt about the experience

Part 3

1. What are the reasons why people often misplace or lose things?
2. What do people often do after losing things?
3. What should parents do to teach their children not to lose things?
4. Are there any good ways to remind us not to forget or lose things?
5. Is it important for students to be organized?
6. What are some common items that people tend to lose easily?

Describe a time when you organized a happy event successfully

You should say:

What the event was

How you prepared for it

Who helped you to organize it

And explain why you think it was a successful event

Part 3

1. Do people need others’ help when organizing things?
2. Does everything need to be well prepared?
3. On what occasions do people need to be organized?
4. How can parents help children to be organized?

Describe a time when you received good service in a shop/store

You should say:

Where the shop is

When you went to the shop

What service you received from the staff

And explain how you felt about the service

Part 3

1. Can consumption drive economic growth?
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of shopping online?
3. What are the differences between online shopping and in-store shopping?
4. Why do some people not like shopping in small shops?
5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of shopping in small shops?
6. Why are shopping malls so popular in Iran?

Describe a time when you were stuck in a traffic jam

You should say:

When it happened

Where you were stuck

What you did while waiting

And explain how you felt in the traffic jam

Part 3

1. What are good ways to manage traffic?
2. Do you think the highways will help reduce traffic jams?
3. Do you think developing public transport can solve traffic jam problems?
4. How can we solve the traffic jam problem?

Describe a time you used your cellphone/smartphone to do something important

You should say:

What happened

When it happened

How important the cellphone/smartphone was

And explain how you felt about the experience

Part 3

1. What do you usually do with a cellphone?
2. What are the differences between young people and old people when using a cellphone?
3. Which one is more important, using a cellphone to make phone calls or to read messages?
4. Do you think there should be a law to stop people from making phone calls in public?

Describe a time you visited a new place

You should say:

Where the new place is

When you went there

Why you went there

And explain how you feel about the place

Part 3

1. How do young and old people react differently to new things?
2. Why do some people want to go to college far away from home?
3. How do young children react when they go to school for the first time?
4. Which do you prefer, living in a city or only visiting it as a tourist?

Describe a time you were very busy

You should say:

When it happened

Where you were

What you did

And explain why you were busy

Part 3

1. Does technology distract people?
2. How does technology help with time management?
3. What kind of pressure may people experience at work?
4. Do you think children should learn through playing games or under pressure?
5. What are the advantages and disadvantages when people keep busy？
6. Are you often busy？

Describe a toy you liked in your childhood

You should say:

What kind of toy it is

When you received it

How you played it

And how you felt about it

Part 3

1. Do you think parents should buy more toys for their kids or spend more time with them?
2. What’s the difference between the toys kids play now and those they played in the past?
3. Should advertising aimed at kids be prohibited?
4. How do advertisements influence children?

Describe a traditional product in your country

You should say:

What it is

When you tried this product for the first time

What it is made of

And explain how you feel about it

Part 3

1. Why is it important for children to learn about traditional products?
2. What are some traditional Chinese products?
3. Do you think traditions are important for a country? Why?
4. Why are traditional products important?

Describe a way/change that helps you save a lot of time

You should say:

What it is

How you implement it

How difficult it is

And explain how you feel about the way/change

Part 3

1. Do people who can manage time well become successful more easily?
2. Do you think parents should be responsible for teaching children to save time?
3. Does technology help people save time? How and why?
4. What can people do to save time?

Describe an ambition that you haven’t achieved

You should say:

What it is

Why you haven’t achieved it

What you are doing about it now

And how you feel about it

Part 3

1. What ambitions do children usually have?
2. Why are some people very ambitious in their work?
3. Why don’t some people have dreams?
4. How do people balance work and life?

Describe an article you read in a magazine or on the internet about health.

       You should say:

                when you read it 

                where you read it  (or, how you read it)

                what it was about               

       and explain why (you think) it could improve your health.

Possible follow-up questions:

• Do you often read that kind of magazine / website?

Part 3

Being Healthy

• What sorts of things do some people do today to try to maintain good health?
• Are there any differences between the way old people and young people try to stay healthy?
• How do you think people could become more healthier?
• Do you think people in the future will be doing more exercise and eat healthier than they are today?
• Would you like to learn how to swim?
• Do schools in your country have any special activities to enhance the fitness of students?

         .

Describe an ideal and perfect place where you would like to stay (e.g. a house, an apartment)

You should say:

Where it would be

What it would look like

What special features it would have

Whether it would be big or small

And explain why it would be an ideal place for you

Part 3

1. What do you think buildings will be like in the future?
2.  Why do some people choose to live in the city center?
3.  Do different people have different preferences for houses or apartments?
4.  What would people normally consider when they rent or buy a house or an apartment?
5. Why are apartments popular in some places while not in other places?
6. What are apartments like in your country?

Describe an important event you celebrated

You should say:

What the event was

When it happened

Who attended the event

And explain how you felt about the event

Part 3

1. Do people often celebrate festivals with families?
2. Do people often celebrate events with a large group of people or just a few people?
3. What kinds of events do people usually celebrate?
4. Do you like to celebrate important events? Why?

Describe an important river/lake in your country

You should say:

Where it is located

How big/long it is

What it looks like

And explain why it is important

Part 3

1. Are rivers and lakes good for transport? Why?
2. How do rivers and lakes affect local tourism?
3. Do you think rivers and lakes attract tourists?
4. How can rivers and lakes benefit local people?