Reported Speech Discussion Questions

Reported Speech Discussion Questions

Work in twos or threes. Take turns asking questions from below, for three or four minutes

each time before switching roles. Is there is more than one question on a line that you

choose, only use the other questions on that line after your partner answers the first

question, and only if they don’t mention that thing in their first answer. In your answers, try

to rephrase words in the question as much as you can (when possible). Your teacher will

tell you if you should try to use reporting verbs, or if you can just respond naturally.

 Are there any dangers in your country that you would tell foreign visitors about?

 Are there any folk remedies for colds in your country? Do such folk remedies work?

 Are there any quotes or proverbs which you particularly like?

 Are you good at remembering quotations, movie dialogue, etc?

 Are you resistant to salesmanship, would you say?

 Can you give some examples of bad communication in the workplace?

 Did you ever fight with your parents when you were younger? What about?

 Did you ever speak to your school’s headteacher? What about?

 Did you learn anything at school that turned out to be wrong? How did you find out?

 Did your parents push your hard to achieve? What makes you say that?

 Do people ever have difficulties with your name?

 Do you have any tips for smooth communication on the telephone?

 Do you regular performance reviews at work are useful? What makes you say that?

 Do you think it is true that politicians are more dishonest than normal people?

 Does anyone in your family have a favourite anecdote?

 Have you attended a course which didn’t meet your expectations? What did you do?

 Have you ever broken a promise?

 Have you ever changed your mind about a political topic? What were your views?

 Have you ever had a disagreement with anyone at work or college?

 Have you ever had an ambition that you later gave up on? Why?

 Have you ever had to give a presentation or speech? What did you say?

 Have you ever received emails from scammers? Can you give an example?

 Have you ever refused to do anything that a boss or teacher asked you to do?

Written by Alex Case for UsingEnglish.com © 2019

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 Have you ever spoken to the police? What about?

 Have your family ever shown pride in your achievements?

 How can a good coach motivate a team?

 How can you boost someone’s self-confidence?

 How common is fake news in your country? Can you give an example?

 How do you feel about celebrity gossip?

 How do you usually react to negative feedback?

 How do you usually respond to bad service?

 How do you usually work out how to use new technology?

 How easy is it for you to remember what you need to buy in the supermarket?

 How easy is it to change people’s opinions through debate and discussion?

 How good are you at giving instructions?

 How important is a good memory in modern education?

 How loud is your voice, would you say?

 How often do comedians cause controversies in your country?

 How often do you talk about current affairs with people you know? Why?

 How should schools recognise high achievers, do you think?

 How strict were your parents about good manners inside and outside the home?

 How strict would you be about sticking to the agenda if you were chairing a meeting?

 How well do you remember your schools’ mottos, songs, etc?

 How would people describe you, do you think?

 How would you feel about taking part in a debating society? What topics could you

debate? What position would you like to take?

 If you could give a speech on public television, what would you say?

 Is it always good to be humble, would you say?

 Is it easy to translate from your language into English? Why?

 Is it generally better to be direct or indirect?

 It is said that honesty is the best policy. Do you agree?

 Were there any rules at your school which you would have liked to change?

 What advice would you give to someone visiting this city for the first time?

 What are your weak points? How did you find out about those things?

Written by Alex Case for UsingEnglish.com © 2019

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 What did you want to do for a living when you were younger?

 What do you know about your ancestors? How did you find out?

 What do you like to know about a place before visiting? How do you find that out?

 What do you normally do when you do something you feel proud of?

 What do people think about your cooking? How do you know?

 What do you think about careers advisors? Do you have experience of using one?

 What do you think about futurologists?

 What do you think about speaking to yourself in the mirror?

 What do you think about this country’s economy? What do you base that idea on?

 What do you think about your country’s national anthem?

 What do you usually talk with your friends about?

 What do your family think about your choice of studies and/ or job?

 What is the best speech you have ever heard?

 What is the best way to get someone to come out on a date?

 What is the best way to share bad news, do you think?

 What issues could there be referenda on in your country?

 What kinds of topics can be taboo in your country?

 What one thing would you like to tell your country’s prime minister or president?

 What should companies do about office romances?

 When did you last complain about a product or service? What happened?

 When did you start using email? What did you usually email about at that time?

 Where do you get inspiration from?

 Where did you last go on holiday? How did you decide on that place?

 Which famous person would you most like to meet? What would you say to them?

 Would you accept a transfer to a different location? What would that depend on?

 Would you make a good leader, do you think? What makes you say that?

Written by Alex Case for UsingEnglish.com © 2019

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