Task 2 Writing: Opinion

1. It has been suggested that cars and public transport should be banned from city
centres and only bicycles be allowed instead.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
2. In many nations, it is becoming mandatory to receive vaccinations in order to
prevent the spread of disease.
Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
3. Some claim that children are more aware of environmental issues than older
adults.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
4. If a person is found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while driving,
they should be banned from driving for life, whether they were involved in an
accident or not.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
5. In the interest of road safety, cyclists should be required to pass a test before
they are allowed on public roads.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
6. Some people believe that countries should produce the food to feed their
population themselves and import as little as possible.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
7. International tourism has led to a huge increase in the number of visitors to
many historical sites around the world.
To what extent is this a positive or negative phenomenon?
8. Many believe that living in a city offers greater benefits compared to life in the
countryside.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
9. CEOs and executives should be paid the same salary as an average worker in a
company.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
10.Companies that use fossil fuels should be taxed more than companies that use
green energies.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
11.Some believe that it is a natural process for animal species to become extinct
(e.g. dinosaurs, dodos, etc.) and, therefore, there is no reason to try to prevent this
from happening.
Do you agree or disagree?

12.The increasing prevalence of convenience food will lead to traditional methods

of cooking disappearing.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
13.It has been proposed that citizens should only consume food and drink products
that have been produced in their own countries.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
14.Although globalisation can be positive for some nations’ economies, the
negative impact on local communities should not be ignored.
Do you agree or disagree?
15.It is impossible to help all the people in the world who are in need, so
governments should focus on people from their own country.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
 Task 2 Writing: Discussion
16.Some people believe it is better to raise children in the city, while others
consider the countryside to be a more suitable choice.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
17.Many believe that modern technology has brought people together, but others
say that it has driven us apart.
Discuss both viewpoints and give your own opinion.
18.While some believe that the best way to learn about current events is through
newspapers, others think that they can learn news better through other forms of
media.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
19.Some believe that violent computer games are just a form of entertainment,
while others think they lead directly to violent behaviour.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
20.Some people think that older employees contribute most to the success of a
company. Others think that younger people play a more vital role.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
21.Some people believe that companies should manufacture products that last for a
long time. Others feel that the emphasis should be placed on producing goods that
are cheap.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
22.Some say the best way to deal with public health issues is to invest in
developing new medicines. Others say that a better way is to promote a healthy
lifestyle.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
23.Some are of the opinion that children below the age of 12 shouldn’t be allowed
to have a mobile phone. Others believe that mobile phones are a useful tool for
children of all ages.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
24.Some feel governments should invest primarily in educating the young, while
others feel this is not a good use of resources.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
25.Some people believe that younger generations can learn a lot about how to be
good members of society from older generations. Others think it is better for
younger people to get advice on how to be a good citizen from their peers.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
26.People after retirement often require financial assistance. Some think the
government should be responsible for this, while others believe individuals
should make provisions for themselves.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
27.Whereas some think that celebrities should not get involved in politics, others
claim they can play an important role in changing society.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
28.Some think that societies should take action to fight climate change, while
others believe it is better to learn to live with it.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
29.Some people think that technology is increasing the gap between the rich and
the poor. Others argue that the opposite is true.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
30.While some suggest the best way to combat climate change is by having a
carbon tax on large corporations’ activities, others think that individuals paying
tax on their own carbon footprints will have a greater impact.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
 Task 2 Writing:
Advantages/Disadvantages
31.There should only be one government in the world rather than a national
government for each country.
Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
32.In some countries, university education is free for every citizen.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?
33.Companies invest millions of dollars in advertising to persuade consumers to
buy their products.
Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages for the consumer?
34.More and more movies are being released directly onto streaming platforms,
like Netflix and Disney Plus, rather than being played in cinemas.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?
35.In recent years, there has been an increasing trend of people from cities buying
second homes in the countryside.
Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
36.People nowadays tend to have children later in life.
Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
37.It has been suggested that all citizens should stay in full-time education until the
age of 21.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?
38.In some companies a typical working week has been reduced from 40 to 30
hours.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?
39.Solar energy is becoming more and more popular as a source of household
energy in many countries around the world.
Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
40.In the future, robots and other forms of artificial intelligence may do the
majority of the work that humans do today.
Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
 Task 2 Writing: Problem/Solution
41.Due to a more sedentary lifestyle, children in developed nations have higher
levels of obesity compared to previous generations.
What problems does this cause and what are the possible solutions?
42.Across the world, local shops are closing due to losing customers to online
competitors.
What problems does this produce? And what solutions can you suggest to
overcome them?
43.More and more people are leaving their rural homes to live in cities.
What problems does this create for rural areas?
What are the possible solutions?
44.Many people around the world are still relying on the private car as their major
means of transportation.
Describe some of the problems over-reliance on cars can cause, and suggest
some solutions.
45.Many major cities around the world have become too expensive for lower-
income people to reside in.
What problems does this cause, and how can they be solved?
 Task 2 Writing: Cause/Solution
46.The cost of electricity for the average household is increasing in many
countries.
What are the causes of this phenomenon? What are the possible solutions?
47.Younger generations are finding it increasingly difficult to live in affordable
housing.
What are the causes of this phenomenon? What measures can be taken to
resolve the situation?
48.Many students find it difficult to focus or pay attention at school nowadays.
What are the reasons for this?
What can be done to solve this problem?
49.In many countries, crime rates among younger people have been rising in recent
years.
What are the causes of this, and what are the possible solutions?
50.Many minority languages are disappearing around the world.
What are the causes of this phenomenon? What measures can be taken to
preserve these languages?
 Task 2 Writing: Double Question
52.Some believe children should be taught to give speeches and presentations in
school.
Why is this?
What other skills do you think it is important to be taught in schools?
53.Increasingly, many young people are deciding to work or study in other
countries.
What are the causes of this phenomenon?
Do you think it is a positive or negative situation?
54.More and more parents are deciding to educate their children at home rather
than sending them to schools.
What are the causes of this phenomenon?
Do you think it is a positive or negative development?
55.More and more men are taking maternity leave to look after their newborn
children.
Why do you think this is happening?
Is it a positive or negative development?
56.It is increasingly less common for family members to eat meals together.
Why is this the case?
Do you think it is a positive or negative development?