历年英语四六级口语考试话题May 2004II Questions about Sense of Responsibility1. What kind of people would you like to work with?2. What do you think about people who don’t keep their promises?3. How wo you feel about students who are often late for class?4. What kind of people would you like to employ if you were the boss?DiscussionWhether the younger generation today has a strong sense of responsibility?More Questions1. Do adult children have the responsibility to care for theirelderly parents? Why orwhy not?2. Do you think it’s important for students to have a strong responsibility? Reasons?3. Could you suggest some ways to enhanceone’s sense of responsibility?4. What could you do with an irresponsible employee?5. During the discussion, why did you say that ...?III Questions about Social Behavior1. Do you get along with your roommates?2. Do you think people are less honest today than they used to be?3. Do you think it’s always wrong to tell a lie?4. Do you think one should always be ready to help others?5. Some people say interpersonal relationships are becoming more and more complicated. What’s your opinion?Fighting Dishonesty (for candidates)Please comment on the following form of dishonest behavior and give examples to illustrate your point.1. Cheating in exams2. Selling fake commodities3. Taking stimulants, or illegal drugs, for better athletic performance4. Evading or escaping taxesDiscussionThe best way to fight against dishonesty?More Questions1. Do you believe in the saying that honesty is the best policy?2. Have you ever been cheated by anybody? If yes, please tell us about it. If not, howdid you avoid being cheated?3. Do you believe honesty is important in developing friendships?4. What would you do if you found somebody cheating in exams?5. Do you think people will benefit from being dishonest?6. During the discussion, why did you say that ...?IV. Questions about City Development1. Can you give examples to illustrate rapid development of cities in China?2. Which city do you like best? Why?3. Where do you prefer to work, a coastal city or an inland city?4. Why does the government encourage young people to work in the western areas of China?5. Now many people from rural areas are trying to make a living in cities. What do you think about that?If You Were Mayor of a City (for candidates)Please tell us what you would do about the two areas of concernlisted on your card if you were mayor of the city.1. Environment Housing2. Employment Public Security3. Education Medical Care4. Welfare for the unemployed Public transportationDiscussionThe qualities a mayor should haveMore Questions1. If you were given the job of a mayor, would you accept it?2. What do you think could be the most difficult problem for a mayor?3. What do you think is the best way to solve the problem of unemployment?4. Have you ever thought of doing administration workafter graduation? 5. What contribution do you think a university student can make to city development?V. Questions about Education1. How did you feel when you first went to school?2. How did you like the school you attended?3. Do all children in your hometown go to school when they reachschool age? Why or why not?4. Did you have to pay a lot of extra fees when you went to school? Explain.5. Can you say something about your former classmates whofailed to get into university?6. Have you ever been back to your former school to see your teacher?The Right to Education (for candidates)Describe the pictures and talk about the difficulties children inpoor areas face in getting an education.1. 学校环境对比2. 上学路途对比3. 考上大学与否对比4. 兄妹上学对比DiscussionWhy all children should be given equal opportunity to get an education?More Questions1. Why is education important for the development of our country?2. Do you think it’s a good idea for parents to send their young children abroad to study?3. Why do you think some parents like to send their children to expensive private schools?4. Wh at’s your comment on schools which charge students unreasonable fees?5. Why do we encourage people to contribute to Project HopeVI. Question about College Education1. Do you think studying in college is challenging?2. Do you consider yourself a hard-working student?3. Have you won any awards since entering college? If yes, what kind of award is it?If not, what do you think about winning awards?4. Why do you think some students indulge in playing computer games?5. Do you think you are overburdened in your studies?Ways to Motivate Students (for candidates)Do you think the following way is effective in motivating students to learn? 1 Giving frequent exams2. Updating course content3. Enhancing students’ interest in what is being taught4. Enforcing strict regulationsDiscussionWhy some students lack motivation for learning?More Questions1. What’s your motivation for learning?2. Do you think it’s the teacher’s job to motivate students?3. Do you think motivation is important for success?4. Do you have any other suggestions for motivating students?5. Some students are planning to study abroad after graduation. What’s their reasonsfor doing so?6. During the discussion, why did you say that ...?I Questions1. What kind of people do you like working with?2. Do you believe in the saying “ A friend in need is a friend indeed?”3. What do you think of people who always rely on other people’s homework?4. What do you think of students who often copy other people’s homework?5. Among your classmates, who do you admire most?6. Among your teachers, who do you respect most?People you admire (for candidates)1. People who have team spirit2. People who are ready to help others3. People who have a strong determination4. People who are willing to try new ideas or methods DiscussionWhich kind of person is more likely to be successful in life?More Questions1. Do you think we should carry on the spirit of Lei Feng today?2. Do you think Bill Gates would have been successful if he had finished college?3. Do you think a good education will ensure a successful career?4. Would you day wealth is a symbol of success?5. Do you think people who get rich overnight can be considered successful?6. During the discussion, why did you day that ...?II Questions1. Do you ever throw away things that can still be used? Please give an example.2. Do you think garbage can be recycled?3. Do you save used things like plastic bags for future use?4. What sort of people do you think like to keep used things?5. Do you think used things are always worthless?The Throw-away Culture(for candidates)A card listing two different groups of people:1. Manufactures & consumers2. Young people & elderly people3. Wealthy people & low-income people4. People who care about durability & people who care about fashionDiscussionWhether the throw-away culture should be encouraged? More Questions1. Do you think it’s wasteful to throw away things that can still be used?2. Why are many young people in the habit of throwing away things which can still beused?3. Are wealthy people wasteful?4. Are disposable products a waste of natural resources?5. Why do elderly people rarely have the habit of throwing away things which can still be used?6. In which way can we stimulate productions?7. Why government encourage people to consume?III. Questions1. Do you think bicycles are a good means of transportation?2. Which form of city transport do you prefer?3. Have you ever traveled long distances? Please say something about our travels. If not, have you any plans to do so?4. Which do you think is the most convenient way to travel over distances?5. Do you think more and more people are going to buy cars?6. Some people don’t want to o wn a car even thought they can afford it. What do you think is their reason for not buying one?Intercity transportation (for candidates)Please talk about the advantages and disadvantages of the means of intercity transportation as shown on your card.1. Trains2. Airplanes3. Long-distance buses (coaches)4. Private carsDiscussionWhich means should be given priority when planning intercity transportation systems?More questions1. What is the biggest problem with public transportation in thecity you live in? 2. What is the major cause of traffic jams in big cities?3. Should drivers always be held responsible for road accidents?4. Can you think of any measures to make people obey traffic rules? Please name one or two.5. What form of transportation causes the least environmental pollution? Please explain.IV Questions1. Do you spend a lot of time reviewing your lessons after class?2. Do you often attend lectures given by distinguished scholar? In what way have those lectures benefited you?3. Do you like taking exams?4. Do you spend a lot of time preparing for exams?5. Do you thing exams are helpful to your studies?6. Are you happy when an exam is postponed or canceled?Cheating in Exams 9for candidates)Please comment on the statement about cheating in exams given on your card. 1. “It’s shameful to cheat and those who cheat should be severely punished.”2. “I don’t care whether other people cheat in exams so long as I don’t cheat myself.”3. “ I’m strongly against cheating in e xams and will report any such case.”4. “As long as there are exams, there will be people who cheat. Nothing can be done about it.”DiscussionWhat should be done about cheating in exams?More questions1. Do you think exams are necessary?2. Do you think exams are the only way to evaluate a student’s academicperformance?3. Do you have any suggestions for reforming the present examination system at college?4. Do you think exams will be done away with someday?5. What are the positive and negative aspects of exams at college?V. Questions1. When do college students usually start to look for a job?2. I s a college degree a guarantee for a good job in the future?Why or why not? 3. Is it becoming more and more difficult for university graduates to get a good job? Why or why not?4. Do you agree that work experience should be a precondition for employment? Why or why not?5. What kind of job do you expect to get when you graduate? Why?6. Have you got any work experience? (If yes) Please say something about it. (If not) Do you think it’s a disadvantage?Job Hunting (for candidates)Do you think the student should take the job or turn it down/ Try to help him come to a decision.1. 专业对口，但工资低2. 工资高，但专业不对3. 工资高，但工作强度很大4. 专业对口，但晋升机会少DiscussionWhat should be one’s chief concern in choosing a job?More Questions1. Some applicants ask for a low salary in order to get a job. Doyou think that is a good strategy? Why?2. What qualifications must one have to be more competitive in thejob market? 3. Do you think it’s easier for male students to get a job than female students? Why or why not?4. Do you think the higher one’s degree, the easier it will be for one to get a job? (Explain the reasons)5. Many university graduates would rather start their own businesses than hunting for a job. Do you think it’s a good idea? Why?6. During the discussion, why did you say that ...?VI. Questions1. Can you say something about your primary school education?2. Can you say something about your middle school education?3. What subject did you like most at middle school?4. What extracurricular activities did you often take part in at middle school?5. Do you thin you have more free time at college than at middle school? (If yes) How do you spend your free time? (If not) Why not?6. What do you think of your teachers at middle school?Education in China (for candidates)Please say what you know about education in China, focusing on the area specified on your card. The prompts provided are only for your reference. You don’t have to coverall the points or be limited to them.1. Compulsory education: Nine-year compulsory education/quality of education/student workload2. Higher education: Rapid development/chances for admission/labor market3. Continuing education/life-long education: updating one’s knowledge/distanceeducation/on-the-job training4. Vocational education: Need for skilled technicians/ possibilities of career advancement/ teaching staff and facilitiesDiscussionWhich area of education should be given priority at present?More questions1. Do you think it’s easy to develop education in rural areas? (explain reasons)2. What do you think you can do to help improve education in remote areas?3. Do you think primary school education an important part of your life? (explain reasons)4. Do think a university education is the only road to a successful career? Why or why not?5. What kind of school would you like to teach in if you were a teacher? (explain reasons)6. During the discussion, why did you say ...?May 2005Topic Area: Social IssuesTopic: Equality between Men and WomenQuestions1. Do you think you're fortunate to be admitted to college?2. What's the ratio of males to females in your class? Do you think this ratio is reasonable?3. DO men students and women students have different likes and dislikes? Examples?4. Who do you like to work with if you have a choice,men or women? 5. What kind of job would you like to have after graduation? Why?Equality Between Men and W omen (for candidates )1. Talk about differences in opportunities for men and women interms of employment and give your comments.2. Talk about differences in opportunities for men and women interms of promotion and give yourcomments.3. Talk about differences in incomes for men and women and give your comments.4. Talk about differences in family responsibilities for men and women and give your comments.DiscussionWhat can we do to ensure equality between men and women?More Questions1. Do you think men and women have different roles to play in society?2. Do you think there can ever be absolute equality between men and women?3. Do you think women should stay at home instead of taking a job after marriage?4. Do you think men and women should share housework and childcare?5. Do you think women managers are easier to work with than men managers?Topic Area: Elderly PeopleTopic: Life after RetirementQuestions1. Can you say something about your grandparent?2. What do you think elderly people need most? Reasons?3. Some people find a new job after they retire. What do you think about that?4. What kink of jobs do you think are suitable for elderly people? Why?5.What can elderly people do to stay healthy?6.What should we do to show our concern for elderly people?1. Traveling2. Learning something new3. Taking care of grandchildren4. Having a good timeDiscussionWhether early retirement should be encouraged in China?More Questions1. Why do some people prefer late retirement to early retirement?2. Do you think elderly people would like to live in homes for the elderly?3. Do you think jogging is a good exercise for elderly people?4.What can people do for their community after they retire?5. Do elderly people like living with their children or grandchildren?Topic Area: Information TechnologyTopic: Surfing the NetQuestions1. Is it easy for you to access the Internet? How often? If not, Why not?2. People often say we are now living in a small world. What's your opinion?3. What do you think is the most convenient means ofcommunication? Reasons? 4. Mobile phones are popular with teenagers. Do you think it's a good thing? . 5. More and more people are using mobile phones . What do you think about that? 6. How do you usually communicate with your family and friends?Surfing the Net (for candidates)Please talk about the advantages and disadvantages of surfing thenet specified on the followingtopic:1. Useful information & harmful information2. Communication via the Internet & Junk mail, computer viruses，etc.3. E-leaming & overindulging in computer games.4. E-shopping & computer crimes.More Questions1.What's your advice to classmate and friends who spend too muchtime surfing the net?2. It is said that students who major in information technology are likely to get a good job.What' s your opinion? .3. Do you think e-leaming is an efficient way of learning? .4. What websites do you often visit? Why?5.What do you think is the future of e-business?IV.Topic Area: University LifeTopic: Coping with StressQuestions1.What do you think of campus life?2. How's the food in your school dining hall?3. How often do you have tests? What if you don't do well on the tests?4. How do you usually spend your weekends?5. What would you do if you feel lonely on campus?Coping with Stress for candidatesP1ease ta1k about the kind of pressure college students may experience as specified on your card:. 1. Academic pressure. 2. Financia1 pressure. 3. Job-hunting pressure. 4. Emotiona1 pressureDiscussionHow to cope with the stress students may experience while studying at school?More questions1.Why is it important for college students to leam to cope with stress?2. Do you think it a good habit to stay up late before an examination? Why or why not?3. Do you think pressure is always a bad thing?4. Do you think school authorities are paying enough attention to students' psychological health?Explain.5. Do you think psychological counseling can help students relieve their stress? Why or why not?Topic Area: University LifeTopic: Students' All-round DevelopmentQuestions1. How did you feel when you received your college admission letter?2. What was the response of your parents or relatives when they leamed you were admitted to college?3.What preparations did you make before leaving for university?4. What impressed you most when you first arrived on campus?5. Do you like the courses offered by your university? Why or why not?6. Are you satisfied with your university life? Please explain.(for candidates)Please talk about the possible problems facing college students from the perspective written on your card1.学习方面(态度、方法、成绩)2.生活方面(自理、自律、适应能力)3.社交方面(团队精神、合作共事能力)DiscussionWhat measures should be taken to ensure students' all-round development?More1. What do you think is the greatest progress you've made at college so far?2. What's the biggest challenge you encountered at college?3. What would you say if one of your classmates doesn't like his current major?4. Do you believe in DIY, that is , "Do It Yourself'? Why or why not?5. What do you plan to accomplish during your college years?6. During the discussion, why did you say that. . . ?Topic Area: Social IssuesTopic: Charity and DonationsQuestions1. What will you do if someone has difficulty in their studies and turns to you for help?2. Have you ever noticed there are people in need of help in our society? Who are they?3. What do you think of the saying "A friend in need is a friend indeed"?4. Have you ever done any voluntary work? If yes, what did you do? If no, do you think you'll do some voluntary work when needed?5. Are there any students in serious financial difficulty in your class? If yes, what will you do to help them?6. Are there any students in your class who are from the rural areas? What's their financial condition?The Kind of Charitable Donations (for candidates)Please talk about the kind of charitable donation written on your card. 1.捐助希望工程，捐助贫困生2.捐建卷教学大楼、图书馆等3.捐款捐物，赈济灾民DiscussionWhat should be done to narrow the gap between the rich and the poor? More questions1. Do you think rich people are always happy?2. What do you think you can do for the poor after you graduate?3. Can you name one or two causes for the difference between the rich and the poor?4. Are you from a developed area or a less developed area?5. In what way do you think you can contribute to the development of the western part of our country?6.What do you think a harmonious society should be like?7. In the discussion, why did you mention that. . . ?Topic Area: Social BehaviorTopic: Trust among PeopleQuestions1. Do you live on campus or at home? How do you get along with your classmates?2. What do you do when someone asks for help? .3. Why do some people tell lies?4.What would you do if you found someone stealing or cheating?5.What do you do when a classmate faces difficulty?Trust among People for candidatesEach of you will be given a card. I'd like you to tell the story based on the pictures given on yourcard. Remember, you should tell only your part of the story. Right. Now that we all know what the story is about, we can see that instead of being trusted and rewarded, the lady got herself into trouble.Discussion.The importance of building more trust among peopleMore questions1. What do you think of the claim made by the old man's family members in the story?2. What would you do if you were the lady driver in the story?3.Why do you think the old man's family members behaved that way? 4. Howis it that people sometimes don't trust each other? 5. What do you think we should do to promote trust among people?Topic Area: University LifeTopic: Living and Studying HabitsQuestions1. Do you exercise in the morning or in the afternoon, or not at all? Please explain.2. When do you usually go to bed? What do you usually do in the evening?3. Can you always finish your homework in time? Why or why not?4. Do you enjoy the food in your school cafeteria? What areyour favorite foods? 5. Do most of your classmates lead a healthy life? Please elaborate.Living and studying habits for candidatesPlease describe the unhealthy habits stated on your card and comment on them. 1.学习无计划:如作业拖拉、不预习、不复习、临时抱佛脚2.饮食不规律:如不吃早餐、偏食、食暴饮、过度节3.作息不规律:如觉、熬夜、不休息、不锻炼DiscussionHow Healthy Living and Studying Habits Contribute to one's success . More questions1. Do your roommates or classmates have different living habits? How do you manage to get along?2.Do you find it annoying if your classmates are late for class? What do you think could be done to solve the problems?3. What are some of your living habits that you consider healthy?4. Do you think it's easy to change one's living habits? Why or why not?5. Do you believe punctuality (being on time) is a virtue? Please explain.6. During the discussion, why did you say that. . . ?Topic Area: Attitude towards Life .Topic: How to Find Happiness in LifeQuestions about People's Attitudes towards Life1. Do you find college life challenging? If yes, in what way?2. Have you met with any difficulties while at college? What are they?3. If you ran out of money, what would you do?4.What do you usually do when you meet with difficulties in your studies?5. Have you ever fallen i1l? If yes, what was the problem? If not, how have you managed to keep so healthy?6. Suppose one of your classmates came down with a fatal illness, what would you do for them?How to Find Happiness in Life for candidatesPlease talk about the way to find happiness in life as suggested on your card. Y ou can giveexamples to illustrate your point if necessary.1. Happiness lies in contentedness知足常乐2. Find happiness in helping others助人为乐3. Derive happiness from what you are doing 自得其乐DiscussionHow Young People Should View HappinessMore questions1. Do you think there are mental health problems among college students? Why do you say so?2. What attitude do you adopt towards problems that come up in your life?3.What should be done to ensure that students have a happy time at college?4. Do you think wealthy people enjoy a happier life? Why do you say so?5. Some people take a pessimistic attitude towards life. What do you think you can do to help them?6. During the discussion, why did you say that...?Topic Area: University Life . .Topic: Job Hunting and Study .1. What's your major? Why did you choose it?2. Have you ever taken a part-time job? If yes, what did you do? If not, why not?3. Do you think part-time jobs benefit college students? Why do you say so?4. Does your university provide students with part-time jobs on campus? Why or why not?5. Have you thought of pursuing graduate studies? Why or why not?Job Hunting and Study for candidatesPlease talk about the topic given on your card.l.目前大学生的就业形式2.大学生找工作的途径3.大学生求职时考虑的主要因素DiscussionWhether College Students Should Start Looking for a Job Long Before Graduation More questions1. Do you think postgraduates have better job opportunities than undergraduates? Why or why not?2. Do you think work experience will help you find a good job? Please explain.3.What role do academic records play in job hunting? .4.What do you think contributes most to finding an ideal job?5.What would be your chief consideration in choosing a job?6. During the discussion, why did you say that. . . ?Topic Area: Language and SocietyTopic: Foreigners Learning Chinese1. Can you name some of the leading languages in the world?2. Is it necessary for university students to leam a foreign language? Why or why not?3. Do you think leaming a foreign language should start at an early age? Why do yousay so?4. Do you think you can travel to a foreign county without leaming to speak its language? Why or why not?5. What do you think of the Chinese language proficiency of today's college students?Foreigner Leaming Chinese for candidatesThe following is a topic concerning foreigners leaming Chinese. Please elaborate. l.外国人学汉语的不同目的2.外国人学汉语的各种途径3.外国人学汉语的主要困难DiscussionWhether Chinese is Likely to Become a World LanguageMore questions1. Do you know any foreigners who speak Chinese? What do you thinkof their Chinese?2. Would you like to make friends with foreigners? Why or why not?3. Do you think it's necessary for your university to enroll international students? Why do you say so?4. As a college student, what suggestions do you have for foreigner leaming Chinese?5.What do you think of the idea of finding a foreign student who will teach you English in exchange for your Chinese lessons?6. During the discussion, why did you say that...?Topic Area: Everyday LifeTopic: How to Stay Healthy .1. Do you think early morning is the best time for exercise? Why or why not?2.What exercises do you usually do? Why?3. What's your favorite food? Why do you like it so much?4. Do you often go to class without breakfast?5. Do you sometimes feel depressed? If yes, when, for instance? If not, how do you manage?6. When you find a classmate in low spirits, how do you help themget over it?How to Stay Hea1thy for candidatesThe following is one way some people take to stay healthy. Pleaseoffer your comments.1. Regular exercise2. Balanced diet3. Good living habitsDiscussionHow to stay healthy?More questions1. What do you think of students' health in your university?2. Doyou think people are more concerned about their health today? Why do you think so?3. You've talking about various threats to people's health. What do you think we can do to deal with them?4. People say "Health is better than wealth." What's your opinion?5. Do you think medical advances have contributed to people's health?Please give an example.6. During the discussion, why did you say that. . . ?Topic Area: Time。