1 Latest cue cards 1. A place where you would like to have a home - Where is it - How you know about the place - What work you would do if you lived there - Why you want to live there 2. A neighbour you helped (Refer to page 54 and 274 of speaking book for some answers on neighbours) - Who - Why - How - When I. Do you think neighbors are important? II. Do you think it's important to have good relationship with one’s neighbours? III. Do you think people's relationship with one’s neighbours is the same as it was in the past? IV. Would you say these are changes are for the better or changes for the worse? V. Do you think peoples' relationships with their neighbors are the same in the cities as they are in rural areas? VI. Why are these virtual communities becoming more popular nowadays? VII. What are the benefits of belonging to a community? VIII. Around where you live (= in your neighborhood), are there any activities that groups of people can participate in? IX. Do you think these local events are very beneficial to people? 3. A city that you visited that left a good impression on you - Where, When - Why What you liked and disliked I. Why do so many people want to travel to the city you just mentioned? II. What materials did you use to get information about this city? III. Which do you think is the better place to live – a city or a village in the countryside? IV. Are the educational facilities in the countryside as good as those in the cities? V. What kinds of people like city life? VI. Compare people who live in cities with people who live in rural areas. VII. What are the advantages of living in a city for families with children? Are there any disadvantages? VIII. What are some of the (serious) problems associated with living in big cities'? 4. A Good Law I. What role does law play in society? II. Can you give any examples of what is illegal in China? III. Do you think all laws are fair? IV. Do you think most people in India abide by the law? Why?/ Why not? V. Would you say the number of crimes committed in India has increased or, instead, has decreased in the last few years {e.g., 20 years)? VI. What are some ways that people can be encouraged to obey the law? VII. Can you give any examples of what is illegal in India? VIII. Do you think there are ever any circumstances when it's alright to break the law (or, to ignore the law)? IX. Are many people in India interested in becoming a police officer? X. What personal qualities (& skills) does a person need to be a police officer? XI. Which job would most people prefer to be a policeman/policewoman or a lawyer?
2 5. A place in the world you would like to travel to for the first time ( follow ups same as in first file page 3) 6. Something you shared - What - When - With whom - Why 7. A Person who Has an Interesting Job I. In what ways do you think big and small companies are different and similar? II. What types of companies prefer to hire university graduates? III. What do you think of the working conditions in your country at the moment? IV. Do you think most people's working conditions in your country today are better than in the past? V. Do you think long working hours can have an effect on the family lives of employees? VI. What effects does (or can) working overtime have on the lives of employees, especially women? VII. Do you think it's reasonable (or, fair) that people have different salary levels? VIII. What improvements do you think schools should/could make in order to identify the talent of students? IX. Is it very difficult for recent university graduates in your country to find a job? X. How do people find (or, get) a job in your country? XI. What are the main qualities that employers want (or, require) their employees to have? 8. A problem with an equipment you cannot solve - What the equipment is What the problem is - What you do How you feel when you can’t solve the problem I. What things are necessary for life besides computer? II. Do people buy new one or mend it when something is broken? III. Why do people buy new things? IV. What are the reasons that something gets broken? 9. A Family Celebration You Attended I. Are weddings considered important in your country? II. Where are weddings or wedding ceremonies held? III. Who officiates (= carries out) weddings or wedding ceremonies in your country? IV. Do you think it's important to marry someone who has the same level of education as you do? V. Can you suggest why more and more people are getting married today at a later age than they used to? 10. Some Useful Advice that You Received I. In what situations do young people or children need advice? II. Do you think advice from young people’s parents is important? III. What is the value of advice from older people? IV. What advice do parents usually give to their children? V. Do young people always take (or accept) the advice of their parents? VI. Which advice do you think is more important (or better), advice from parents or advice from friends? VII. Do you think it's part of a teachers job (i.e., one of the responsibilities of being a teacher) to give advice to his or her students? VIII. Do people ever get advice from strangers? IX. Why do some people give advice to strangers? X. What people in society give professional advice?
3 11. Something You Bought but Don't Often Use I. II. III. IV.
Do people in your country like to go shopping? Do many people buy things in street markets? What do you think are the pros and cons of shopping in a large department store. What are the differences (and similarities) between buying something in a shopping mall and buying something online? V. For you (or, for most people, which is more important when you buy something, the price or the quality? VI. Do you often use recyclable products? VII. In your country, is recycling considered to be important'? VIII. Have people's attitudes towards recycling changed in recent years? 12. Describe a success your friend has had - What it was - When it happened - Why your friend chose this area of activity - Why you thought it was a success I. You've just described one success that your friend has had. What are some other examples of success that people have? II. How would you define the word success? III. In your society, how is a person's social status evaluated? IV. Do you think 'success' is the same as making a lot of money? V. How successful would you say you have been in your studies? VI. Do you and your parents have the same ideas about success? VII. In recent years, have people's ideas about success changed in India? VIII. How do you think a person can become 'successful' in life? IX. There are some people who do not achieve success despite having the qualities or doing what you’ve just said. Why do you think that is? X. Why do many people have plans and goals for themselves? XI. How can a person become successful at his or her job? XII. Some people work at a job that they don't really like very much. Why do you think they do that? 13. Describe a family member who is close to you - Who - What you do with him - Why 14. Your First Cell-phone I. Are mobile phones very common in your country? II. Do all types of people use mobile phones or is it mostly a case of certain types of people (certain groups) using them? III. Do many old people use mobile phones? IV. Do you think old people find it easy to use a cell-phone? V. At what age do people in your country usually get their first cell-phone'? VI. Do you think there are any downsides (bad points) to using a cell-phone'? VII. What can someone do if they lose their cell-phone'? VIII. What problems can result if a person loses their cell-phone? IX. Do people use their cell-phones more for speaking or more for sending text messages? 15. An Indoor Game You Played in Your Childhood ( Follow ups same as on page 224 of speaking book)
4 16. A School You Attended (Sample answers on pages 252 – 255 of the speaking book) I. What kinds of people become / work as school teachers? II. Who do you think is easier to teach – primary school students or high school students? III. Which do you think is better, studying in big classes or studying in small classes? IV. What do you think are the benefits of studying in a large school? V. For children these days, do you think it’s easier to make friends in a small school or a large school? VI. Do you think it's easier for kids to make friends when they are in primary school or in high school (or, secondary school)? VII. In addition to teaching academic subjects, what role do you think schools should play? VIII. Do you think schools have a responsibility to teach social skills to children? IX. What are the qualities of a good teacher? X. How do you think the education system in India could be improved? XI. In India, are there any differences between schools in the cities and schools in rural areas? XII. Besides schools, what other places can people learn something from? XIII. Do you think there's too much pressure on school students nowadays to do well at school? (Why?/Why not?) 17. A Film You Enjoyed
18. A Famous Foreign Person whom you would like to meet I. II. III.
If you met that person, what would you say to him/her? In what ways do people become famous? Why do some people stay famous for just a short time while other people stay famous for a long time? IV. Why do some people want to be famous? V. Do you want to be famous ( one day)? VI. What are the advantages and disadvantages of being famous? VII. What do you think is the biggest downside (disadvantage) to being famous? VIII. What influence do famous people have on ordinary people? IX. Are there any (possible) negative influences that famous people can have on society? X. Why do you think many companies like to use famous people to endorse their products in advertisements? XI. In what ways can having famous people benefit a country? XII. How can famous people use their fame to benefit other people? XIII. Can celebrities make a difference towards social problems such as the environment? XIV. When a young person (or a child), thinks of a famous person as an idol or hero, what effect does this have on this young person or child? XV. Do you think a country needs internationally famous people to represent their country? 19. A Flower that You Like
20. A subject that you want to give information to others -
What the subject is When people as you about it, what you say How you feel after people ask you about that subject
5 21. A Foreign Language You Would Like to Learn (page 219 of book) I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI. XII. XIII. XIV. XV. XVI.
Is learning foreign language popular in your country? Why do people want to learn a foreign language? Do many people in India learn a foreign language? What do you think are the benefits of learning another language? Do you think learning a foreign language can help you learn that culture? Do you think it's difficult to learn another language? What are the difficulties that people encounter when learning another language (or, a foreign language)? Do you think it's better to start learning another language as an adult or as a child? Who do you think learns a language easier (or, faster), children or adults (or, old people}? Some people think the best way to learn a foreign language is to go to the country where it is spoken. Do you agree? Do you think it's useful for children to learn another language (or, languages)? In what ways do you think international relations are improved when national leaders can speak foreign languages? Who do you think are better at learning foreign languages boys or girls? Do you think it is better to have one language? What would be the advantages and disadvantages of having one language? Do you think that, by learning a foreign language you also learn about the culture of that place?
22. Something Special from a Holiday I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI. XII. XIII.
What do people usually take home from their holidays? Is it good for doing business about souvenirs? Do people like to take photos when travelling? What are the differences between taking photos by cell phones and by cameras? What do people in your country usually do when they have a holiday? Is that the same for both rural people and people living in cities? What are the pros and cons of spending a holiday at home? Do you think people should plan their holiday (away from home) before they go? Why? Why not?) What do people need to consider before traveling to new places? Do people from your country prefer to go on holiday to some place in your own country, or go abroad? How do (or, how can) someone choose a holiday destination? Do you think a holiday has to be expensive to be enjoyable? Is it beneficial for companies to give holidays / vacations to their employees?
6 23. A Friend Not Seen for a Long Time ( a friend you remember / A friend you lost contact) I. Do you think having friends is important? II. What are the qualities of a good friend? III. Do you have just a small number of friends, or many friends? IV. What is better? V. Are there any benefits of having long-term friendships? VI. How can people maintain (keep) the friendships they have for a long time? VII. How do people in your country meet make) new friends? VIII. Where do people (go to} make new friends {or, meet new people)? IX. How can you distinguish between a close friend and an acquaintance? X. Do children and adults make friends in the same way? XI. Do you think it's easy to make new friends in modem society? XII. What are some differences between a new friend and an old friend? XIII. What do you think is the most important factor when making new friends? XIV. Do you think it's important for friends to have common interests? XV. Do you think it's possible {or, easy} for people to make friends with others who are {much) older or younger than themselves? XVI. Do you think modem technology today influences how people make friends? XVII. Do you think using the internet is a good way to make new friends? XVIII. What's the difference between making friends on the internet and making friends by face to face contact? XIX. What do you think of chatting with strangers on the internet? 24. An Interesting Animal (sample answers in speaking book page 239-245) I. What animals are most common where you live or in your country)? II. Are animals important for people? III. Besides pets, what do animals do for people? IV. Do people in India still use animals for work? V. Has the number of pet owners in India changed in the past few years? VI. What do you think is the biggest problem when taking care of a pet? VII. What do you think is the value (the purpose; the main benefits) of pets? VIII. Do you think it's suitable to keep the animal that you just spoke about (in Part 2) in the city? (Why? / Why not?) IX. What animals do you think are unsuitable for living in a city? X. What (pet) animals are more suited to city life and what (pet) animals are more suited to country life? XI. Do you think animals have 'rights`? (Why? What rights? Why not?) XII. Do people today treat animals the same as they used to do, several decades ago? XIII. What are some ways that human behavior effects (wild) animals? XIV. Some people are vegetarians i.e., they don't eat any meat. What do you think of that attitude? XV. Is the government in your country doing anything to protect wildlife? 25. A Positive Change in Your Life / an event that changed your life in a good way ( Follow ups same as page 17 previous file) 26. A Park or Garden that you visited that impressed you ( Follow ups same as page 17 previous file) 27. A friend you hadn’t seen for a long time / a friend you met after a long time ( Follow ups same as page 18 previous file) 28. An unforgettable advertisement that you saw or heard or liked ( Follow ups same as page 18 previous file)
7 29. An Old Thing in Your Family / an antique your family has kept ( Follow ups same as page 19 previous file) 30. A situation when you helped someone ( Follow ups same as page 19 previous file) 31. A place that is far away from your house 32. Positive experience of teenage 33. A time when you were busy ( Follow ups same as page 20 previous file) 34. A Restaurant you like to go (Page 16 previous file) 35. An important building in your home town I. How do people in India feel about old buildings? II. Do old people and young people have same attitudes towards old buildings? III. Is it important to preserve old buildings? Why? Why not? IV. What aspect of culture do old buildings reflect? V. How has housing in India changed, (eg., compared to your parents’ time)? VI. What changes to housing do you think will occur in the future'? VII. Are people in India satisfied with their housing today? (What changes would they like to see?) VIII. Describe the kind of housing you would like to live in, in the future. IX. How do you think the climate of a place effects the way buildings are constructed? or designed)? 36. Something you enjoy doing with an old person in your family I. How often are you together with other members of your family? II. When do you get together with other members of your family? III. What sorts of things do the people in your family do together? IV. In your country, who generally takes care of the children in a family? V. Do you think it's good for both parents in a family to go to work? VI. What effect does it have on a child if both, his or her parents go to work? VII. What sorts of problems can arise when both parents work? VIII. ln your country, do many old people live with their family? IX. What sorts of things do these old people do together with other members of the family? X. What do old people like to do with their time? 37. A Film You Didn't Like (Follow ups same as page 21 previous file) 38. A Gift You Received in Your Childhood (Follow ups same as page 21 previous file) 39. A Group you would like to take part in (Follow ups same as page 9 previous file) 40. A Useful Website you have visited (Follow ups same as page 10 previous file) 41. A book you enjoyed reading (Follow ups same as page 22 previous file) 42. A Comedian who is popular in your country I. How (or why) do some comedians become famous? II. Do actors earn a lot of money? III. Do you think these people deserve so much money? IV. Do many young people (or, children) try to imitate film stars (e. g., imitate their life-style, clothes etc)? (lf yes, how, why?) V. What forms of entertainment are most popular in your country? VI. Do you think men and women have different tastes in entertainment?
8 VII. VIII. IX.
What kinds of entertainment do young people like? What kinds of entertainment do children like? Do you think children (or young people) can learn anything from entertainment? 43. A Class / Course You Studied at school / university or evening class I. What are the most popular courses in your country? II. What are the least popular courses? III. What do you suggest a country could do if there was a shortage of people trained in a certain profession or skill? IV. What are some of the different ways by which people gain knowledge? V. How can a person get access to information if they don‘t have a computer? VI. What do people in your country think of teachers (or, the teaching profession)? VII. Why do some people not want to become a teacher? VIII. What courses can (or, do) adults study at these places? IX. Who pays for this adult education? 44. Something You Forgot I. Do you often forget things II. Why and how people forget things III. What kind of things do most people forget IV. Do you think memory is important? V. Can you suggest any types of work (or professions) that require having a good memory? VI. What sorts of things are easiest to remember (or, easiest to forget)? VII. Can you suggest any methods or skills people could use to improve their memory? VIII. Do you think these inventions tend to make people lazy? IX. Do you think electronic devices such as smart phones might one day be used to take the place of a person’s memory? 45. A place you visited and learnt another culture (Follow ups same as page 13 previous file) 46. A sport you like to do (Follow ups same as page 12 previous file) 47. Something you saved money for (Follow ups same as page 13 previous file) 48. A Photograph of You (Follow ups same as page 14 previous file) 49. An Intelligent Person (Follow ups same as page 12 previous file) 50. A Product from Your Country ( food, handicraft or car) I. Besides food and the product made in your country, what else is made in your country? II. Are the same kinds of products produced in all parts of your country? III. Do the same food products come from all parts of your country? IV. What widely consumed food products are mainly imported into your country? V. What products do people buy especially for their home? VI. What do you think are the major differences between food production and the production of goods such as electrical appliances? VII. Are there any particular parts of your country where many good are produced for export? VIII. In what ways are imported products the same or different to products from your own country? IX. What are some examples of luxury goods that some people buy? X. Do you- think it's really necessary to have these products for sale? 51. An important letter you received (Follow ups same as page 16 previous file) 52. An Old Person (in Your Family) (Follow ups on page 233)
9 53. A Magazine 54. Something You Did to Help 55. A Time When Someone Helped You(Follow ups same as page 1 previous file) 56. Something that Helped You Learn a Foreign Language (Page 11 previous file) 57. A Special Meal (Page 8 previous file) 58. An Interesting Conversation (Page 7 previous file) 59. A Famous Person (Page 7 previous file) 60. A Work of Art (Page 11 previous file) 61. A Tourist Attraction You Visited (Historic building) (Page 5 and 6 previous file) 62. A Plan (Page 10 previous file) 63. Something You Cannot Live Without (Follow ups same as page 2 previous file) 64. A Move to a New School or Home (Follow ups same as page 1 of previous file) 65. A Competition (Page 6 previous file) 66. A Family Business (Page 4 previous file) 67. A Decision (Page 15 previous file) 68. A Disliked High School Subject (Page 8 previous file) 69. A House or Apartment (Follow ups same as page 2 previous file) 70. A Person You Like to Spend Time With (Page 4 previous file) 71. Clothes for Special Occasions (Page 14 previous file) 72. Your Favourite Season or Time of the Year (Page 15 previous file) 73. A Place Near Water (Page 5 previous file) 74. A Television Program You Like (Follow ups same as page 3 previous file)
