## **Cambridge 5**

- You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
   Universities should accept equal numbers of male and female students in every subject. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (C5T1)
   Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
- In some countries, young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between finishing high school and starting university studies. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decide to do this. (C5T2)
- Some people believe that sense of competition should be encouraged. Others believe that children who are taught to co-operate rather than compete become more useful adults. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. (C5T3)
- Research indicates that the characteristics we are born with have much more influence on our personality and development than any experiences we may have in our life. which do you consider to be the major influence? (C5T4)

## **Cambridge 6**

- Today, the high sales of popular consumer goods reflect the power of advertising, not the real need of the society in which they are sold. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (C6T1)
- Successful sports professionals can earn a great deal more money than people in other important professions. Some people think this is fully justified while others think it is unfair. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (C6T2)
- Some people believe that visitors to other countries should follow local customs and behavior. Others disagree and think that the host country should welcome cultural differences. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (C6T3)
- Some people prefer to spend their lives doing the same things and avoiding change. Others, however, think that change is always a good thing. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (C6T4)

## **Cambridge 7**

- It is generally believed that some people are born with certain talents, for instance for sport and music, and others are not. However, it is sometimes claimed that any child can be taught to become a good sports person or musician. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. (C7T1)
- Some people believe that there should be fixed punishments for each type of crime. Others, however, argue that the circumstances of an individual crime, and the motivation for committing it, should always be taken into account when deciding on the punishment. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (C7T2)
- As most people spend a major part of their adult life at work, job satisfaction is an important element of individual wellbeing. What factors contribute to job satisfaction? How realistic is the expectation of job satisfaction for all workers? (C7T3)
- Some people think that universities should provide graduates with the knowledge and skills needed in the workplace. Others think that the true function of a university should be to give access to knowledge for its own sake, regardless of whether the course is useful to an employer. What, in your opinion, should be the main function of a university? (C7T4)

## **Cambridge 8**

- Some people think that parents should teach children how to be good members of society. Others, however, believe that school is the place to learn this. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. (C8T1)
- Nowadays the way many people interact with each other has changed because of technology. In what ways has technology affected the types of relationships people make? How this become a positive or negative development? (C8T2)
- Increasing the price of petrol is the best way to solve growing traffic and pollution problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree? What other measures do you think might be effective? (C8T3)
- In some countries the average weight of people is increasing and their levels of health and fitness are decreasing. What do you think are the causes of these problems and what measures could be taken to solve them? (C8T4)

## **Cambridge 9**

- Some experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a foreign language at primary school rather than secondary school.
  Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages? (C9T1)
- Some people believe that unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school programmes (for example working for a charity, improving the neighborhood or teaching sports to younger children). To what extent do you agree or disagree? (C9T2)
- Some people say that the best way to improve public health is by increasing the number of sports facilities. Others, however, say that this would have little effect on public health and that other measures are required. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (C9T3)
- Every year several languages die out. Some people think that this is not important because life will be easier if there are fewer languages in the world. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion? (C9T4)

## **Cambridge 10**

- It is important for children to learn the difference between right and wrong at an early age. Punishment is necessary to help them learn this distinction. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion? What sort of punishment should parents and teachers be allowed to use to teach good behavior to children? (C10T1)
- Some people think that all university students should study whatever they like. Others believe that they should only be allowed to study subjects that will be useful in the future, such as those related to science and technology. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (C10T2)
- Countries are becoming more and more similar because people are able to buy the same products anywhere in the world. Do you think this is a positive or a negative development? (C10T3)
- Many museums charge for admission while others think that they should be free. Do you think the advantages of charging people for admission to museums outweigh the disadvantages? (C10T4)

## **Cambridge 11**

- Governments should spend money on railways rather than roads.
  To what extent do you agree or disagree? (C11T1)
- Some people claim that not enough of the waste from homes is recycled. They say that the only way to increase recycling is for governments to make it a legal requirement. To what extent do you think laws are needed to make people recycle more of their waste? (C11T2)
- Some people say that the only reason for learning a foreign language is in order to travel to or work in a foreign country. Others say that these are not the only reasons why someone should learn a foreign language. Discuss both these views and give your opinion. (C11T3)
- Many governments think that economic progress is their most important goal. Some people, however, think that other types of progress are equally important for a country. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (C11T4)

## **Cambridge 12**

- Some people believe that it is good to share as much information as possible in scientific research, business and the academic world. Others believe that some information is too important or too valuable to share freely. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (C12T5)
- At the present time, the population of some countries includes a relatively large number of young adults, compared with the number of older people. Do the advantages of this situation outweigh the disadvantages? (C12T6)
- In a number of countries, some people think it is necessary to spend large sums of money on constructing new railway lines for very fast trains between cities. Others believe the money should be spent on improving existing public transport. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (C12T7)
- Some people believe that allowing children to make their own choices on everyday matters (such as food, clothes and entertainment) is likely to result in a society of individuals who only think about their own wishes. Other people believe that it is important for children to make decisions about matters that affect them. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (C12T8)

## **Cambridge 13**

- Living in a country where you have to speak a foreign language can cause serious social problems, as well as practical problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? (C13T1)
- Some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? (C13T2)
- Some people say History is one of the most important school subjects. Other people think that, in today’s world, subjects like Science and Technology are more important than History. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (C13T3)
- In spite of the advances made in agriculture, many people around the world still go hungry. Why is this case? What can be done about this problem? (C13T4)

## **Cambridge 14**

- Some people believe that it is best to accept a bad situation, such as an unsatisfactory job or shortage of money. Others argue that it is better to try and improve such situation.
  **Discuss both these views** and give your own opinion. (C14T1)
- Some people say that the **main** environmental problem of our time is the loss of particular species of plants and animals. Others say that there are more important environmental problems. **Discuss both these views** and give your own opinion. (C14T2)
- Some people say that music is a good way of bringing people of different cultures and ages together. To what extent do you **agree or disagree** with this **opinion**? (C14T3)
- Nowadays, many people choose to be self-employed rather than to work for a company or organization. What might this be the case? What could be the disadvantages of being self-employed? (C14T4)

## **Cambridge 15**

- In some countries, owning a house rather than renting one is very important for people. Why might this be the case? Do you think this is a positive or negative situation? (C15T1)
- In the future, nobody will buy printed newspapers or books because they will be able to read everything they want online without paying. To what extent do you **agree or disagree** with this **statement**? (C15T2)
- Some people say that advertising is extremely successful at persuading us to buy things. Other people think that advertising is so common that we no longer pay attention to it. **Discuss both these views** and give your own opinion. (C15T3)
- In some countries, children are often told that they can achieve anything if they try hard enough. What are the advantages and disadvantages of giving children this message? (C15T4)

## **Cambridge 16**

- In some countries, more and more people are becoming interested in finding out about the history of the house or building they live in. What are the reasons for this? How can people research this? (C16T1)
  Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
- In their advertising, businesses nowadays usually emphasize that their products are new in some ways. Why is this? Do you think it is a positive or negative development? (C16T2)
- Many manufactured food and drink products contain high levels of sugar, which causes many health problems. Sugary products **should** be made more expensive to encourage people to consume less sugar. Do you **agree or disagree**?
  Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. (C16T3)
- In the future all cars, buses and trucks will be driverless. The only people travelling inside these vehicles will be passengers. Do you think the advantages of driverless vehicles outweigh the disadvantages? (C16T4)

## **Cambridge 17**

- It is important for people to take risks, both in their professional lives and their personal lives. Do you think the advantages of taking risks outweigh the disadvantages? (C17T1)
  Given reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
- Some children spend hours every day on their smartphones. Why is this case? Do you think this is a positive or a negative development? (C17T2)
  Given reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
- Some people believe that professionals, such as doctors and engineers, **should** be required to work in the country where they did their training. Others believe they should be free to work in another country if they wish. **Discuss both these views** and given your own opinion. (C17T3)
- Nowadays, a growing number of people with health problems are trying alternative medicines and treatments instead of visiting their usual doctor.
  Do you think this is a positive or a negative development? (C17T4)

## **Cambridge 18**

- The most important aim of science **should** be to improve people's lives
  To what extent do you **agree or disagree** with this statement? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
- Some university students want to learn about other subjects in addition to their main subjects. Others believe it is more important to give all their time and attention to studying for a qualification. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
- In many countries around the world, rural people are moving to cities, so the population in the countryside is decreasing. Do you think this is a positive or a negative development?
- In many countries, people are now living longer than ever before. Some people say an ageing population creates problems for governments. Other people think there are benefits if society has more elderly people.
  To what extent do the advantages of having an ageing population outweigh the disadvantages?

## **Cambridge 19**

- Some people think that competition at work, at school and in daily life is a good thing. Others believe that we should try to cooperate more, rather than competing against each other.
  **Discuss both these views** and give your own opinion.
- The working week should be shorter and workers should have a longer weekend. Do you agree or disagree?
- It is important for everyone, including young people, to save money for their future.
  To what extent do you **agree or disagree** with this **statement**?
- In many countries nowadays, consumers can go to a supermarket and buy food produced all over the world. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?