igcse speaking topics.docx

Past Exam Topics - May/June 2009 B. The Importance of Music Many people listen to music for pleasure, but music can be more important in our lives. Discuss this idea with the Examiner. You may wish to consider such things as: 

different types of music that you know about

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the effect that music you like has on you

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how music can affect people in different ways

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why nations have musical anthems and traditions

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how people would cope in a world without music

You are free to consider any other ideas of your own. You are not allowed to make any written notes. C. Achievement Most of us have aims, goals or targets in our lives Discuss this idea with the examiner. You may wish to consider such things as: 

what you have done so far in your life that you are proud of

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any aims or goals you have set yourself for the future

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achievement by other people that has impressed you

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what can be learned from failure to achieve

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how a nation can be judged in terms of its achievement

You are free to consider any other ideas of your own. You are not allowed to make any written notes. D. Humour  What makes one person laugh can make another person cry. Discuss humour with the Examiner. You may wish to consider such things as: 

what makes you laugh

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some humorous people you know and what makes them amusing

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how important it is to have a sense of humour

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the idea that humour does not necessarily need words to make us laugh

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how certain types of humour can be cruel or damaging

You are free to consider any other ideas of your own. You are not allowed to make any written notes.

E. Living in another country There are many people in the world who have never travelled outside their home country; there are many other people who live a long way from home. Discuss this situation with the Examiner. You may wish to consider such things as: 

your experiences of living at home or abroad

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a country in which you would particularly like to live

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the advantages and disadvantages of living in a different country

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reasons why some people can never leave their homeland or choose not to leave their homeland. how true it is to say that the world is now a global community

You are free to consider any other ideas of your own. You are not allowed to make any written notes

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 Business and small shops 2- The Future 3- Fitness and health 4- Children 5- Cheap or free 6- weather 7- wasting time 8- tecnology 9- memories 10- video games 11- secrets and rumors

A Reliable females Discuss with the Examiner your reaction to the idea that girls are more sensible, reliable and hardworking than boys. You may wish to consider such things as: • boys and girls in the family– the help they give to parents • boys and girls at school – their performance and results • career choices for boys and girls • differences in behaviour between the two genders outside school • changing roles as teenagers get older. Do men have more responsibilities than women? • whether boys and girls should be subject to the same rules at home and at school You are free to consider any other ideas of your own. You are not allowed to make any written notes. B Changes in lifestyle Discuss with the Examiner the changes that have occurred in the way people live in your country since the time that your grandparents were teenagers. You may wish to consider such things as: • standards of living; income and possessions • standards of health care and knowledge about healthy living • attitudes to religion and other beliefs • the way that teenagers behave at home and at school • the clothes that are worn by teenagers • opportunities to travel and knowledge of the world You are free to consider any other ideas of your own. You are not allowed to make any written notes. C Why do wars happen? Discuss with the Examiner your views about the causes of war and how they can be prevented. You may wish to consider such things as: • the causes of wars in the past • why nations sometimes prefer to fight than to talk • the people who suffer in a war  • how wars can be prevented • the role of the United Nations and other international organisations • whether you would ever be prepared to fight in a war 

You are free to consider any other ideas of your own. You are not allowed to make any written notes. D Marriage Discuss with the Examiner your views about the importance of marriage in your country and in your own life. You may wish to consider such things as: • the best way to choose a marriage partner  • what influence your family should have on your choice of partner • why some people consider marriage important for a stable society • what qualities you might look for in a potential husband or wife • whether marriage always has to be a lifelong relationship • what problems are caused when a marriage breaks up You are free to consider any other ideas of your own. E The happiest time of your life Discuss with the Examiner the advantages and disadvantages of being a teenager today. You may wish to consider such things as: • the ways in which your life will become more difficult when you are an adult • any ways in which it is easier to be an adult than a teenager  • some of the things that cause conflict between adults and teenagers • the pressures that teenagers feel at scho ol and at home • the things that make you particularly happy and/or sad • temptations and dangers that teenagers face You are free to consider any other ideas of your own. You are not allowed to make any written notes. A. Crime Crime is increasing in some countries. Discuss issues related to crime with the Examiner. You may wish to consider such things as: any ways in which crime has affected you or might affect you directly which crimes are serious and which crimes are minor whether you think the punishment for committing crime in your country is strict enough some reasons why people commit crime and how it could be prevented why you think that in some places crime is on the increase. You are free to consider any other ideas of your own,