Describe the worst day you ever had. Describe the best day you ever had. Do you think teenagers should be allowed to vote? Why or why not? Sometimes people misbehave in order to get attention. Describe some better ways to attract attention. Describe three ways you can give to others today without spending any money. Do you think students around the world have the same concerns as you do? Why or why not? What would you do if a friend borrowed something of your and accidentally broke it? Name a current issue about which you have a strong opinion. Explain the reasons for your opinion. Do you think it is possible for a boy and a girl to be best friends? Why or why not? Do you think grades are a necessary part of education? Why or why not? Why do you think some people commit crimes? Would you ever borrow money from a friend? Why or why not? Describe someone you know who you think is a truly good person. What makes the person so good? Name one thing about your life you would like to improve this year. You just received an extra twenty dollars from the checker in a grocery store. What would you do? Why? A pet peeve is something that bothers you a great deal. What is your pet peeve? Why? You are in the middle of an important test when the student behind you asks you to pass a note to someone. What would you do? Do you think it is important for schools to have counselors? Why or why not? Imagine scientists have discovered a way to bring dinosaurs back to life. Do you think this would be a good idea? Why or why not?
Do you think parents should limit the amount of television their children watch? Why or why not? What is your dream for the future of the United States? Describe the time you laughed the hardest. Was the laugh at someone else’s expense? Are you happy most of the time? What could make your life happier? Write your own definition of happiness. Describe your most embarrassing moment. What made it so embarrassing? Do you think it is important to have self respect? Why? Describe at least three things you are thankful for. Do you believe in luck? Why or why not? Do you think children should be allowed to stay up as late as they want, or should parents set the bedtime? Why? Describe the accomplishment you are most proud of. Describe some reasons why you are proud of one of your parents. How could you make your mom or dad feel better if he or she lost a job today? Describe a situation when you felt left out. How did you handle the situation? Could you have handled it any better? Do you think there will ever be world peace? Why or why not? How important is it to you to be popular in school? Why? Do you think a person who lacks common sense could ever be considered intelligent? Why or why not? What does it mean to “choose your friends wisely?” How do you choose your friends? Do you consider yourself trustworthy? Why or why not? How do you think advertising affects our idea of beauty? At the beginning of the school year your teacher issues you the teacher’s edition of the math book by mistake. It contains all the answers. What would you do? How do you react when something makes you very angry? Are you able to forgive friends easily when they let you down, or do you stay upset for a long time? Describe how you make important decisions. Imagine a homeless person has begun sleeping in your front yard. What would you do? What is the most difficult problem you’ve ever had? How did you solve it? If you could learn the answer to any question, what question would you ask? Describe some situations that make you very nervous. Describe a situation in which peer pressure is a bad thing. Describe a situation in which peer pressure is a good thing. Describe a situation in which you buckled under peer pressure. Are you proud of what you did? Why or why not? Describe something you hope your children will never have to live through. Do you like spending time alone or does it make you uncomfortable and lonely? Why do you think this is? Name an aspect of your life over which you wish you had more control. Who has the control? What do you think is the meaning of true friendship? Are you shy or outgoing? Why do you think you are the way you are? Would you stop being friends with someone if your parents asked you to? Why or why not?
Do you believe in ghosts? Why or why not? Describe some things you and a good friend have in common. Also describe some things that make you different. Describe what you would like your life to be like in twenty years. Describe some of the advantages and disadvantages of having an identical twin. Describe a decision you made in the past that you wish you had made differently. Explain why. Do you think murderers should be put to death? Why or why not? What do you think are the qualities you should look for in a study partner? Why? Traditionally males have been taught to open doors for females and allow them to go first. Do you think men and boys should still follow these traditions? Why or why not?
Why is it hard to admit you were wrong? Describe a time when you did or didn’t admit you were wrong, and how it made you feel. Do you think out-of-school suspension is an appropriate form of punishment for students who misbehave? Can you think of any more appropriate punishments? What talent would you most like to have? What would you do with this talent? Do you think it is always best to have the last word in an argument? Why or why not? How important do you think it is for students to become involved in the community? Why? What famous person do you admire most? What qualities does this person have that you would like to have? Many students ask, “When am I ever going to use this?” Do you think practical use should dictate what is taught in school? Why or why not? Do you think it is okay for someone to brag about an accomplishment or talent? When does bragging become unacceptable? What advice would you give older people so they could become more “young at heart”? Describe a situation in which it would be okay to repeat something that was told to you in confidence? Describe some examples of good manners. Describe some examples of bad manners.
A new friend invites you to the movies on Saturday. An old friend is hurt because you usually spend Saturdays together. Would you be loyal to the old friend or spend Saturday with the new friend? Why? In which of the following ways do you express yourself best: poetry, singing, playing an instrument, painting, or writing in a journal? Why? How else do you express your feelings? Many people are good at telling others what to do and how to act. Do you think it is more effective to give advice or to be a good role model? Why?
How would you feel if you found out that many students gossiped about you at a party you were unable to attend? Would this make you think twice about talking behind someone else’s back?
You have been saving up to buy your parent a special birthday gift. Tomorrow is the birthday, and you have not quite saved enough for the gift. What could you do?