Writing practice: Topics

1. Damage to the environment is an inevitable consequence of worldwide improvements in the standard of living. Discuss.
2. Are famous people treated unfairly by the media? Should they be given more privacy, or is the price of their fame an invasion into their private lives?
3. Are our zoos cruel to wild animals?
4. Are women better parents than men?
5. Are zoos necessary for education?
6. Children learn best by observing the behavior of adults and copying it. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
7. Children should never be educated at home by their parents. What is your opinion? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
8. Computers can translate all kinds of languages well. Do our children need to learn more languages in the future?
9. Damage to the environment is an inevitable consequence of worldwide improvements in the standard of living. Discuss.
10. Discuss some of the arguments for and against keeping animals in zoos.
11. Discuss the advantage and disadvantage of giving international aid to poor countries.
12. Do the benefits of study abroad justify the difficulties?
13. Do we become used to bad news? Would it be better if more good news was reported?
14. Does foreign aid helps donor countries more than the recipients?
15. Does modern technology make life more convenient, or was life better when technology was simpler?
16. Does travel help to promote understanding and communication between countries?
17. Education is the single most important factor in the development of a country. Do you agree?
18. Foreign language instruction should begin in kindergarten. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to develop your essay.
19. The destruction of the world’s forests is inevitable as our need for land and food grows. Do you agree?
20. Human beings do not need to eat meat in order to maintain good health because they can get all their food needs from meatless products and meatless substances. A vegetarian diet is as healthy as a diet containing meat. What is your opinion?
21. If children behave badly, should their parents accept responsibility and also be punished?
22. In many countries, when someone gets old, they often go to live in a home with other old people where there are nurses to look after them. Sometimes governments pay for this care. Who should be responsible for our old people? Give reasons. Use specific reasons and details to explain your choice.
23. In some countries the average worker is obliged to retire at the age of 50, while in others people can work until they are 65 or 70. Until what age do you think people should be encouraged to remain in paid employment? Give reasons for your answer.
24. In what ways has information technology changed work and working practices in the past 10 years?
25. In your opinion should government intervene in the rights of the individual with regard to family planning?
26. In your opinion what factors contribute to a good movie?
27. Is animal testing necessary?
28. Many people believe that women make better parents than men and that this is why they have the greater role in raising children in most societies. Others claim that men are just as good as women at parenting. Write an essay expressing your point of view. Give reasons for your answer.
29. Many students choose to attend schools or universities outside their home countries. Why do some students study abroad? Use specific reasons and details to explain your answer.
30. Most high level jobs are done by men. Should the government encourage a certain percentage of these jobs to be reserved for women?