The English City Olympiad

Are you willing to take the challenge of participating in the Olympiad this year? Go ahead, here is the list of topics for you to prepare!

The English City Olympiad 2021-2022

Speaking Comprehension Topics for the 11^th  Form

 

1.   Technology has changed more in the past 10 years than it has in the previous 50.

•     How has growing up with this technology made your life different from that of your parents’?

•     In what ways have these technological inventions been beneficial or harmful?

•     Do you think it is important to keep up with technological inventions? Why or why not?

2.   What do you think are Ukraine’s most valuable resources?

•    How can you interpret the word ‘resources’?

•     Do you think these resources are being used wisely?

•     What changes could be helpful to protect or utilize these resources in the best way?

3.   Consider the two proverbs: “A man is defined by his actions,” and “It’s the thought that counts."

•     Explain the differences between the two proverbs.

•   Which proverb do you agree with the most?

·      Describe an example from your life that supports your choice of proverb.

4.   In what ways should parents support their children as they transition into adulthood?

•   In what ways do/don’t your parents support you?

•     What are the tradeoffs between parental support and independence?

•     Is there ever a point when you can become completely independent?

5.   Robert Collier says, "Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day-in and day-out."

•     Describe a time in your life when you experienced success.

•     What were the small efforts you made to achieve success?

•    Can success truly happen overnight?

6.   Utopia is an imagined place or state of being where everything is perfect.

·      Describe your vision of utopia.

•     What would society be like in this new world, and what role would you  play?

•   What potential challenges would your utopia face?

7.   “To read a book is to hold an entire world in the palm of your hand. That world is unique to you: no two readers can ever inhabit the same world.” - Arthur Schopenhauer

•     Explain what this quote means to you. Do you agree or disagree?

•     Describe one book that has created a unique world for you.

•    How can a book be different for each reader?

8.   Albert Einstein said “I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction.” Do you agree or disagree?

•     In what ways has technology helped and harmed society?

•     What would your life be like today without technology?

•     What do you think technology will be like in your future?

9.   Wikipedia has quickly become one of the largest online reference websites.

•     How have you used Wikipedia for school or recreation?

•    Which do you think is generally more reliable and accurate- information found in printed encyclopedias, or information found online? Why?

•     If you were writing a Wikipedia page on something you are an expert in, what would the topic be?

10.   Public transportation is becoming more popular around the world, but a lot of people still rely on personal transportation (cars, bikes, etc.) to get around.

•     What is your favorite form of public transportation?

•     What are the main arguments for promoting public transportation, and what are the counter­arguments?

•    What do you think public transportation might look like in 300 years?

 

 

11.      Junk food is gaining popularity in the modern world.

•     Have you seen any effects of this in your country?

•     Do you think junk food is a problem, and should this problem be addressed? By whom?

•     Who stands to lose the most if junk food becomes less popular?

12.      The Statue of Liberty in New York City is a symbol of the United States. What sorts of monuments symbolize Ukraine?

•     What is the history behind these monuments?

•     What do they symbolize to you?

•     If you could create a new monument to symbolize Ukraine, what would it be and why?

13.         Nowadays, the Internet allows new musicians and artists to post their work on websites like YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and DeviantArt. Some people believe that these amateur artists have caused a decrease in the overall quality of art, while others believe these websites make it easier for truly talented artists to find an audience.

•    Which side of this argument do you agree with?

•     When you want to find new music or art, where do you look?

•     What do you think makes art "worthy" of a museum?

14.     If you were to win the lottery and decide to take a trip around the world, what would be your itinerary? Why?

•     What would be your first and final destinations? Why?

•     Would you prefer to travel alone or with another person?

•     If you left Ukraine for a long time, what things from your country would you miss the most?

15.        The famous neurosurgeon, Henry Marsh, once said, “What are you if you’re not helping people? You’re nothing, nothing at all.”

•     Tell a story about a time in your life when you have volunteered, or when you have helped someone who needed it.

•     Do you feel a greater sense of importance when you’re doing something that involves helping your community?

•     What benefits do you, as a volunteer, get from volunteering?

16.         It is often said: "You never get a second chance at making a first impression."

•     What does this quote mean, and how important are first impressions?

•     What things do you immediately decide about someone when you meet them?

•     Tell a story about a time in your life when your first impression of someone was incorrect.

17.          Many pupils spend time after school participating in clubs or helping their parents at home.

•     Which activities do you participate in after school? Why did you choose these activities to get involved in?

•     What are the trade-offs for students participating in clubs like these?

•     You have been chosen to create an after-school club or program. What will you do, and how will you motivate your fellow students to join?

18.         Imagine that Ukraine has a program to send volunteers abroad. You are going to be a volunteer in America for one year.

•   What kind of volunteering would you like to do?

•   What are your expectations for life in America?

•     What specific Ukrainian traditional items would you bring to share with Americans?

19.         You are a famous author and you have been asked to write a new book.

•     What genre of fiction or non-fiction would your book be?

•    Who would be your target audience? Why?

•    Summarize the plot of your new book.

20.         Imagine that you are a photojournalist and have the chance to create a photo essay about any celebrity.

•   Who would you choose to photograph and why?

•     What type of theme and setting would you choose for your photo shoot?

•     Give some examples of questions you would ask this celebrity.