SPEECH- TEXT TYPE- PAPER 1
Recent exam tasks ('old' style)
1. You are taking part in a class debate on the motion: “When people move to another country
and wish to adapt well, they should adopt its culture and forget about their own”. Write the
text of the debate’s opening speech, either agreeing or disagreeing with this motion. (HL
M13)
2. Parents who attend their children’s competitive sports events are the best of fans, yet it
could be argued that this puts more pressure on the children. As the captain of a sports
team, you have been asked to speak at the Parent-Teacher Association’s monthly meeting
about this situation. Write your speech. (SL M13)
3. Money plays an important role in sport today. You have been asked to give a speech to your
classmates on the negative aspects of this situation. Write the text of your speech. (HL N13)
4. Your school board has proposed that students should use only English while on campus. As
the president of the student council, you have been asked to give a speech at the next
board meeting, either agreeing or disagreeing with this proposal. Write the text of your
speech. (SL N13)
5. You are participating in a class debate on the motion: “Science experiments should not
involve the use of animals”. Write the text of your opening speech either agreeing or
disagreeing with this motion. (HL M14)
6. In order to use more renewable energy in your country, there is a plan to build a dam to
provide electricity. However, the resulting lake would cover a village, and all the people
living there would have to be moved. You decide to give a speech at a public meeting called
to discuss the project. Write your speech either for or against the plan. (HL N14)
7. Your local government has proposed to cut financial support to the only theatre in your
town. The public is asked for feedback in a public hearing. You decide to go to this hearing
to speak in support of ongoing government funding. Write the text for your speech. (SL
N14)
8. Young people in your town are increasingly too reliant on dietary supplements (such as
energy boosters, bodybuilding supplements or weight loss supplements). To raise
awareness about the issue, your principal asked you to give a talk to your schoolmates in
which you discuss the severity of the issue and suggest how it can be overcome. (HL M15)
9. You are taking part in a class debate on the motion: “Robots should not be used in factories
because they take jobs from people.” Write your speech either agreeing or disagreeing with
this motion. (HL N15)
10. Some of your classmates are unaware of the dangers associated with loss of privacy while
using social networks. Your principal has asked you, as the president of the student council,
to give a talk to your fellow students in which you discuss these dangers and suggest ways
in which students can protect themselves. (HL M16)
11. You are taking part in a class debate on the motion: “Sport is essential to health and
happiness”. Write the text of your opening speech either agreeing or disagreeing with this
motion. (HL N16)
12. Your teacher has set this as the topic of your next English B class debate: “Works of art
represent their creators, not the culture in which they were created”. Write your opening
speech either agreeing or disagreeing with the statement. (HL M17)
13. A recent survey conducted at your school revealed that many students are not getting
enough sleep. Your teacher has asked you to give a talk to your classmates explaining the
importance of sleeping well and suggesting ways in which sleeping habits can be improved.
Write the text of your talk. (SL M17)
14. Your English teacher has asked you to give a presentation on the topic: “Advances in science
can both benefit and damage society”. Write the text of your presentation describing one
such scientific advance, and explaining why you think it is a good example of this
dilemma. (HL N17)
15. You are very enthusiastic about your hobby and have been invited to give a talk about it to
other students at your school. In your talk, describe how this hobby has contributed to your
personal development and why you would encourage others to also take up this hobby.
Write the text of your talk. (SL N17)
16. The principal of your school is proposing to reduce the length of the school’s main holiday.
This matter will be debated at the next Parent Teacher Association meeting. As one of those
invited to present a student perspective, write the text of your opening speech to be given
at the meeting, either supporting or opposing the principal’s proposal. (HL N18)
17. You have been learning sign language for a year and find that this activity is both enjoyable
and important. You wish that all your fellow students could learn sign language too. Write
the text of a presentation you will give to the school management asking for sign language
to be included in the school curriculum and explaining the benefits this could bring. (SL N19)