Part 3 — Two-way Discussion

Now let us discuss how neighbourhoods and public spaces are planned.

• Who should have the strongest voice when a neighbourhood is redesigned?
• Why do some public improvements attract opposition at first?
• How can planners tell whether a new public space is successful?
• Should cities prioritise green space over parking?
• How might working from home change the design of neighbourhoods?

Discuss each question in depth. Explain causes, effects, and contrasting views where relevant.

5 minutes

Now let us discuss education throughout adult life.

• Why do adults sometimes lose confidence when learning something new?
• Should employers give workers paid time for training?
• Which practical skills are difficult to teach online?
• How can communities make adult education more accessible?
• Will qualifications become less important in the future?

Discuss each question in depth. Explain causes, effects, and contrasting views where relevant.

5 minutes

Now let us discuss how food reaches consumers.

• Why are some consumers willing to pay more for locally produced food?
• How have large supermarkets changed small food businesses?
• Should schools teach students where food comes from?
• What can cities do to make healthy food easier to obtain?
• How might food shopping change over the next twenty years?

Discuss each question in depth. Explain causes, effects, and contrasting views where relevant.

5 minutes

Now let us discuss transport policy and the future of travel.

• Why is it difficult to persuade people to use public transport?
• Should city centres restrict private cars?
• How can transport be made more convenient for older people?
• What are the risks of relying on one transport technology?
• Will shorter journeys become more important in city planning?

Discuss each question in depth. Explain causes, effects, and contrasting views where relevant.

5 minutes

Now let us discuss photographs, memory, and public records.

• Does taking many photographs make people remember events differently?
• Why do societies preserve old photographs?
• Who should decide which digital records are kept for the future?
• How has image editing affected trust in photographs?
• Will personal photo collections become easier or harder to preserve?

Discuss each question in depth. Explain causes, effects, and contrasting views where relevant.

5 minutes

Now let us discuss the role of small businesses in society.

• What advantages do small businesses have over large companies?
• Why do many new businesses close in their first years?
• Should local governments favour independent shops?
• How has online shopping changed customer expectations?
• Which kinds of small business are likely to grow in the future?

Discuss each question in depth. Explain causes, effects, and contrasting views where relevant.

5 minutes

Now let us discuss weather, public events, and adaptation.

• How reliable should forecasts be before authorities cancel an event?
• Who should pay when extreme weather damages public facilities?
• How can buildings be designed for a changing climate?
• Why do some people ignore official weather warnings?
• Should cities hold fewer outdoor events in risky seasons?

Discuss each question in depth. Explain causes, effects, and contrasting views where relevant.

5 minutes

Now let us discuss public celebrations and cultural traditions.

• Why do communities invest time and money in celebrations?
• Can a traditional celebration change without losing its meaning?
• How should organisers make public events inclusive?
• Do commercial sponsors help or harm cultural festivals?
• Will global celebrations replace local traditions?

Discuss each question in depth. Explain causes, effects, and contrasting views where relevant.

5 minutes

Now let us discuss technology and attention.

• Why do some people find it hard to put their phones down?
• Should apps be designed to be less addictive, even if companies earn less?
• How has constant connectivity changed the way people work?
• Do children need formal lessons in using technology sensibly?
• Will people value face-to-face conversation more or less in the future?

Discuss each question in depth. Explain causes, effects, and contrasting views where relevant.

5 minutes

Now let us discuss how work is changing.

• Which jobs do you think will change most in the next twenty years?
• Is job security or interesting work more important?
• Should people expect to change careers several times in their lives?
• How well does university prepare people for real work?
• Do employers care too much about qualifications and too little about character?

Discuss each question in depth. Explain causes, effects, and contrasting views where relevant.

5 minutes

Now let us discuss nature and city life.

• Why do many city dwellers feel disconnected from nature?
• Should cities sacrifice building land for parks?
• How can children be encouraged to spend more time outdoors?
• Is tourism good or bad for areas of natural beauty?
• Whose responsibility is it to protect wild places — governments or individuals?

Discuss each question in depth. Explain causes, effects, and contrasting views where relevant.

5 minutes

Now let us discuss music and society.

• Why does live music survive when recordings are so cheap?
• Should governments fund orchestras and theatres?
• How has streaming changed the way musicians earn a living?
• Is music education as important as maths or science?
• Do international hits threaten traditional music?

Discuss each question in depth. Explain causes, effects, and contrasting views where relevant.

5 minutes

Now let us discuss reading in modern life.

• Are people really reading less, or just reading differently?
• What do printed books offer that screens cannot?
• Do public libraries still matter in the internet age?
• How can parents raise children who love reading?
• Will artificial intelligence change what people read?

Discuss each question in depth. Explain causes, effects, and contrasting views where relevant.

5 minutes

Now let us discuss sport and public health.

• Whose job is it to keep a nation healthy — individuals or governments?
• Do big sporting events genuinely inspire people to exercise?
• Should unhealthy food advertising be restricted?
• Why do people admire professional athletes so much?
• Is competition in school sport good for children?

Discuss each question in depth. Explain causes, effects, and contrasting views where relevant.

5 minutes

Now let us discuss generosity in society.

• Why do people give to charity?
• Is it better to give time or to give money?
• Has gift-giving become too commercial?
• Should schools teach children about charity?
• Do wealthy people have a duty to give more?

Discuss each question in depth. Explain causes, effects, and contrasting views where relevant.

5 minutes

Now let us discuss travel and language in a connected world.

• Does tourism help or harm local cultures?
• Is it still worth learning languages when translation apps exist?
• Why do some travellers never leave their comfort zone?
• Should schoolchildren be taken on trips abroad?
• How does living in another country change a person?

Discuss each question in depth. Explain causes, effects, and contrasting views where relevant.

5 minutes