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Speaking Comprehension Test the 10th form

In this test you will select three task slips from those before you. After selecting three,
choose the one you feel you are most capable to speak about and return the other two to the
table face down. Then take about a minute to collect your thoughts before you begin to
speak on the topic. You may refer to the topic as needed. Take a deep breath and begin.

1. People are often interested by foreign people and cultures. Which foreign culture do you find
most intriguing?
• Which tradition from that culture would you like to experience?
• How has the classical understanding of that culture evolved over time?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of accepting foreign traditions into your
own culture?

2. Everyday millions of people visit video-hosting sites such as YouTube.

• Why have these sites become so popular? Do you or someone you know what these clips?
What kind of clips do you watch and why?
• What makes such sites different than television?
• How do these clips influence society? Give examples.

3. Throughout most of the 20th century, music and art were considered equally important
as math and science. Some people are concerned that schools are placing less and less
emphasis on studying art and music.
• Do you think that students should be required to learn music and art in school? Why?
• How do you think our society will change if we stop learning about music and art?
• Who is your favorite composer or artist? Did you learn about them at school or an
other way?

4. If you could be in any TV show, which would it be?

• Would you be a new character or an existing one?
• How would you introduce yourself into the show?
• How would your present affect the plot?

5. Imagine you have become stranded on a desert island.

• Without a computer, phone, or television, how would you spend your time?
• What do you know about survival skills, like planting food, building houses, or making
clothes? (Джек Лондон love of life)
• If you could choose two people to be stranded with you, who would they be and why?

6. Shakespeare wrote, «AII the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players.»
• Interpret this statement.
• Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why or why not?
• How does this quote apply to your own life?

7. The world is becoming increasingly urbanized.

• Why are more and more people living in cities?
• In the future, do you think people will live in the countryside?
• Is living in a city a sustainable lifestyle? Explain.

8. Mobile phones have become commonplace in the past decade, and are a useful tool
used by nearly everyone. However, mobile phones are occasionally used in inappropriate times
and situations.
• How has the use of mobile phones negatively affected an experience you've had?
• If you could write their guidelines for their use, what would they be?
• How would society benefit from your guidelines? When is it appropriate to use mobile
phones?
- Nowadays mobile phones became an important part of our lives. Where do we use them?
(books, studying, scrolling social media, calculate smth etc.)
- Why are they so helpful? (In my opinion, they made our life easier and better) because
people who invented them made a huge step into the future.
- But with all advantages mobile phones occasionally used in inappropriate times and
situations. I had enough situations in my life when people used them ignoring the rules,
what made them look stupid and unrespectful to others. And also, I had this negatively
affected experience using cell phones too.
- For instance, they took a lot of my time and didn’t recognize where’d all time gone, when
I didn’t have it enough during the day, I felt like I was degrading and so on. But then I
understood what’s happening and turned on screen time function in my phone so now I
can see how much time I use it per a day.
- If I had such an opportunity to write guidelines for their use, I would probably do. But
only a few. Firstly, I would write a list of places where it’s inappropriate to use them.
There are schools, universities, public places such as libraries, different kinds of
transportation etc. Because when I see people using them there I become angry. It
disturbs educational process and makes others feel uncomfortable.
- And secondly, is would be prohibiting of giving cell phones to kids. Children of this
generation playing with them whole days. It looks like they are digital zombies. And it
disturbs their development.
- To sum up I can say that cell phones in our lives had a lot of upsides, but when people
become addicted to them, it only negatively affected.

9. Imagine that you are a newspaper reporter. You have the opportunity to interview any
person in the world.
• Who would you choose to interview?
• How has this person influenced people's lives
• What three questions would you ask first?

10. Mark Twain once wrote, «Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.
Broad, wholesome, charitable views cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the
earth.»
• Do you agree with Twain's statement?
• How does traveling to different cities and countries combat prejudices?
• Other than traveling, how can people become more open-minded?

11. Imagine you have the power to see the future.

• What advantages and disadvantages accompany this gift?
• What responsibilities come with this gift?
• Would you make the knowledge of your ability public? Why or why not?

12. Imagine that someday you will have a career as an actor or actress.
• What kind of character would you play? What types of production would you be in?
• If you could play any character in a theater performance or movie that you have seen, who
would it be and why?
• Do you think you would enjoy this career?

13. Discuss the quote «You never step into the same river twice.»
• How do you interpret this quote?
• Do you think it is a true statement? Why or why not?
• How can you relate it to yourself?

14. Imagine you have a magic mirror that allows you to see anything in the world.
• What would you choose to see?
• What would you do with this information?
• What could be dangerous about someone having access to such a powerful tool?

15.If you could learn any language besides Ukrainian, or English, what would it
be?
• What are your reasons?
• What opportunities would it create for you?
• What unique hurdles would you have to overcome?

16. How important is it for young people to have good role models?
• Who do you think is a good role model for young people in your country? Why?
• What would you most like to be admired for?
• What characteristics define a good role model for you?

17. Many young people nowadays use social networks like Vkontakte and Facebook to stay
in touch with friends and family. However, many critics fear that these sites are costing us too
much in terms of privacy and can have a negative impact on users.
• What are the advantages of using social networking websites?
• What are the possible disadvantages of using such sites?
•
How can people reduce the risk they put themselves in when using sites like Facebook
and Tick Tock?

19. It is required that pupils study a foreign language in school.

• Do you feel teaching sign language would satisfy this requirement? Why or why not?
• What effect would this have on Ukrainian society?
• How would this impact the life of a deaf person?

20. People today may think that humankind has seen everything there is to discover in and
around the world, yet there are still a lot of unknowns about the ocean and outer space.
• Do you think it is more important to devote resources to exploring the ocean or outer space?
• How would we benefit from exploring this realm?
• What do you hope we discover in the next ten years?