Saturday, November 12, 2011

ESL Discussion Questions about Trust

What is trust?

Words made from trust: Trustworthy, Trusting

Who do you trust? Why? What do you trust?

Who don't you trust? Why? What don't you trust?

Can we trust anyone in this world?

What would happen if we couldn't trust anyone? What do we need to trust people?

Did you need trust to come to school?

How can we get your trust? How do we gain others' trust?

Is trust an easy thing to get?

Is the level of trust in Wuxi or China high or low?

When you have someone's trust, what will you do with them?

What occupations do you trust? What occupations don't you trust?

What kind of people don't you trust?

Do you trust your neighbors?

Do you trust foreigners?

Do you trust the opposite sex? Which sex is most trustworthy? Which age group is most trustworthy?

Who is the most trustworthy person you know?

What kind of people will we quickly trust?

Do you trust the police? Do you trust shop keepers? Do you trust your neighbors?

Do you trust young people?

What happens if you lose trust in a person?

What do you do if you feel your trust has been betrayed?

Can you tell if people are trustworthy by how their appearance or mannerisms? What physical action do untrustworthy people do?

When do you know you can trust a person?


What is the meaning of these expressions using "Trust":

  • You have broken a trust.

  • I will put my baby in your trust.

  • My trust in that person was misplaced.

  • I will take what you say on trust. (*What do you take on trust?*)

  • I trust him to finish the work on time.

  • I wouldn't trust him a inch (a millimeter).

  • Trust me!

  • I wouldn't trust him as far as I could him.

  • We will have a brain trust look into the matter.


Friday, November 11, 2011

ESL Discussion Questions about Rules

What are rules?

Give some examples of rules.


Fill in the blank:

We _____________________ rules.


Why do we have rules?

What would happen if we didn't have rules?

Who makes rules? Who should make rules?

What do we call leaders rulers? Where are you the ruler?

Do bosses always to get make the rules?

Do you always follow rules exactly?

Do you cheat on a rule? Did you break a rule today?

Is there a rule you hate? What rule would you like to make?

Guys and Gals! What rules would you make for the opposite sex?

There is an object called a ruler. What do we use if for?

Does everyone in society follow the same rules?

What rules do you follow at work?

What rules do you have for your children?

What rules do students have to follow?

What rules do you have for yourself?

What rules do your parents make for you?

Can we have one set of rules for the whole world?

What is the number one rule of living?





Expressions using "rule". What do they mean?

Rules are made to be broken.

As a general rule, he can be found in the pub.

You are bending the rules.

I think we can rule out him as a possible friend.

The judge ruled against the man.

The Court ruled for the woman.

Qaddifi no longer rules the roost in Libya.

As a rule of thumb, I say use "in" if you sleep there, "at" if you visit there.

Would you prefer I rule with an iron fist or a velvet glove?




Friday, November 4, 2011

ESL Discussion Questions about Freaks

Freaks


What are Freaks? What is a Freak?


1. A thing or occurrence that is markedly unusual or irregular: A freak of nature produced the midsummer snow. Have you seen any freaks of nature? Has the weather been freakish?

2. An abnormally formed organism, especially a person or animal regarded as a curiosity or monstrosity. We would think of dwarves, midgets, and two-headed people as freaks. Have you ever seen human freaks? Animal freaks? Do these freaks scare you? Do they interest you? Do you feel pity for them?

3. A sudden capricious turn of mind; a whim:"The freaks of the psyche can no more be explained than the Devil"

4. Slang:

a. A drug user or addict: a speed freak. Are there any drug freaks in Wuxi? Have you seen any?

b. An eccentric or nonconformist person, especially a member of a counterculture. Are there counterculture type people in Wuxi or China?

c. An enthusiast:rock music freaks. Is there anything you would be a freak for? e.g. Sprorts freak.


What does freak mean as an adjective?

Highly unusual or irregular:a freak accident; a freak storm. Any freak incidents in your memory?


What does freak mean as a verb?


1. To experience or cause to experience frightening hallucinations or feelings of paranoia, especially as a result of taking a drug. Often used with out. Does alcohol make you freak out?

2. To behave or cause to behave irrationally and uncontrollably. Often used with out. Mice cause women to freak out. What can cause you to freak out?

3. To become or cause to become greatly excited or upset. Often used with out. The long wait caused me to freak out. The customer freaked out on the service people. Have you freaked out? Have you seen others freak out?



Are you a freak? Do you know any freaks? Tell me about them? Have you seen any freaks? Have you ever seen a circus freak show?


Finish this sentence: Freaks are_______________________.


How would you feel if you were a freak?


What would you do if your child was a freak?


Are all people freaks in their own way? Was Steve Jobs a freak? Adolf Hitler? Osama Bin Laden?


Do you like stories full of freaks?


These times have more freaks or less?


Are there more freaks in the city or the countryside?


What do the following sentences using freak mean?


The boy staring at me freaked me out.

Don't freak out when I tell you the bad news.

I am freaked out after seeing a tiger in my apartment.