PTE ESSAY QUESTIONS
1.
In many countries, children are engaged in some
kind of work. Some people regard this as completely wrong. Others consider it
as valuable work experience, important for learning and taking responsibility.
What’s your opinion on this?
2.
In many developing countries, disabled people
are not catered for adequately, for example buildings are inappropriately
designed and the governments rely too heavily on charities and voluntary
organisations to provide funding and assistance. What measures do you think the
governments should take? Discuss.
3.
There are many kinds of music in the world
today. Why do we need music? Is the traditional music of a country more
important than the international music that is heard everywhere nowadays?
4.
Should wealthy nations be required to share
their wealth among poorer nations by providing such things as food and
education? Or is it a responsibility of the governments of poorer nations to
look after their citizens themselves?
5.
Going overseas for university study is an
exciting prospect for many people. But while it may offer some advantages, it
is probably better to stay home because of the difficulties a student
inevitably encounters living and studying in a different culture. To what
extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give reasons for your
answer.
6.
Some people are of the opinion that prisons are
basically universities of crime, fostering the kind of behavior they aim to
eradicate, and are, therefore, not effective. Others feel that prison life is
not hard enough. Discuss the arguments on both sides of the issue. What is your
opinion on the matter?
7.
Euthanasia, or mercy killing, has been in the
news more and more recently. Many people are strongly against such a practice,
but there is a growing demand to have it legalized. How far do you agree with
euthanasia being made legal?
8.
In recent years, life has become more stressful
than it has ever been. As a consequence, more and more people are suffering
from stress-related problems. What factors are contributing to this increase
and what do you think can be done to overcome the current problems?
9.
Trees are essential for the existence of the
human race as they provide the oxygen that we need to survive. Yet, daily all
round the globe large areas of woodland are being destroyed. Many people feel
that they as individuals can do nothing and that only governments and large
companies can halt the destruction. How far do you agree or disagree with this?
10. Creative
artists should always be given the freedom to express their own ideas (in
words, pictures, music or film) in whichever way they wish. There should be no
government restrictions on what they do. To what extent do you agree or
disagree with this opinion?
11. In many
countries, schools have severe problems with student behavior. What do you
think are the causes of this? What solutions can you suggest?
12. We are
becoming increasingly dependent on computers. They are used in businesses,
hospitals, crime detection and even to fly planes. What things will they be
used for in future? Is this dependence on computers a good thing or should we
be more suspicious of their benefits?
13. The
rising levels of congestion and air pollution found in most of the world cities
can be attributed directly to the rapidly increasing number of private cars in
use. In order to reverse this decline in the quality of life in cities,
attempts must be made to encourage people to use their cars less and public
transport more. Discuss possible ways to encourage the use of public transport.
14. 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. Meanwhile, we see some
politicians enjoying power well into their eighties. Clearly, there is little
agreement on an appropriate retirement age. Until what age do you think people
should be encouraged to remain in paid employment? Give reasons for your
answer.
15. In what
ways has information technology changed work and working practices in the past
10 years?
16. 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.
17. People
who have original ideas are of much greater value to society than those who are
simply able to copy the ideas of others well. To what extent do you agree or
disagree with this statement?
18. The mass
media, including TV, radio and newspapers, have great influence in shaping
people's ideas. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Give reasons for your answer.
19. 'Telecommuting'
refers to workers doing their jobs from home for part of each week and
communicating with their office using computer technology. Telecommuting is
growing in many countries and is expected to be common for most office workers
in the coming decades. How do you think society will be affected by the growth
of telecommuting?
20. Technology
is making communication easier in today's world, but at the expense of personal
contact as many people choose to work at home in front of a computer screen.
What dangers are there for a society which depends on computer screens rather
than face-to-face contact for its main means of communication?
21. In some
countries, marriages are arranged by the parents but in other cases, people
choose their own marriage partner. Discuss both systems.
22. According
to those in travel business, the nature of the average ‘holiday’ is changing.
Rather than seeking a relaxing break in a far-away place, people now want
excitement on their holidays and are keen to participate in unusual and
challenging activities. Do you agree or disagree?
23. Some
businesses now say that no one can smoke cigarettes in any of their offices.
Some governments have banned smoking in all public places. Do you agree or
disagree? Give reasons.
24. Should
the same laws which prohibit the sale and consumption of heroin be applied to
tobacco?
25. To what
extent is the use of animals in scientific research acceptable?
26. 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. Argue for or against
the opinion above.
27. Forests
are the lungs of the earth. Destruction of the world's forests amounts to death
of the world we currently know. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
28. Are our
zoos cruel to wild animals? Discuss.
29. Zoos are
sometimes seen as necessary but not poor alternatives to a natural environment.
Discuss some of the arguments for and/or against keeping animals in zoos.
30. To what
extent should economic planning be influenced by the need of environmental
conservation?
31. Damage
of the environment is an inevitable consequence of worldwide improvements in
the standard of living. Discuss.
32. Education
is the single most important factor in the development of a country. Do you
agree?
33. Do the
benefits of study abroad justify the difficulties? What advice would you offer
to a prospective student?
34. What
kind of listening challenges do overseas students face in tertiary education?
What recommendations would you offer?
35. Education
is recognized as vital to the future of any society in today's world. Governments
throughout the world should make education compulsory for all children between
the ages of 5 and 15. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this
statement?
36. Children
learn best by observing behavior of adults and copying it. To what extent do
you agree or disagree with this statement?
37. To what
extent should universities function as training grounds for employment?
38. To what
extent should university courses be geared to the economic needs of society?
39. To what
extent will migration from the developing world to the developed world become a
social and political issue in the 21st century?
40. The
dominance of black people in US sport is due to sociological rather than
physiological factors. Discuss.
41. In
Britain, 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 the government has
to pay for this care. Who should be responsible for our old people? Give
reasons.
42. In your
opinion should government intervene in the rights of the individual with regard
to family planning?
43. To what
extent has the traditional male role changed in the last 20 years?
44. The
first car appeared on British roads in 1888. By the year 2000 there may be as
many as 29 million vehicles on British roads. Alternative forms of transport
should be encouraged and international laws introduced to control car ownership
and use. What do you think?
45. The best
way to reduce the number of traffic accidents is to make all young drivers
complete a safe driving education course before being licensed to drive.
46. The
rising levels of congestion and air pollution found in most of the world cities
can be attributed directly to the rapidly increasing number of private cars in
use. Discuss possible ways to encourage the use of public transport.
47. The
threat of nuclear weapons maintains world peace. Nuclear power provides cheap
and clean energy. The benefits of nuclear technology far overweight the
disadvantages. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer.
48. News
editors decide what to broadcast on TV and what to print in newspapers. What
factors do you think influence their decisions? Do we become used to bad news?
Would it be better if more good news was reported?
49. Tourism
is becoming increasingly important as a source of revenue to many countries but
its disadvantages should not be overlooked. What are some of the problems of
tourism?
50. Should children
be taught sex education in schools?
