ESL Conversation Questions – Death

A2 Level (Elementary)

1. What is death?
2. How do people feel when someone dies?
3. What is a funeral?
4. Do all people believe in life after death?
5. How do people remember those who have died?
6. What are some things people do when someone dies?
7. Can animals die?
8. What is a cemetery?
9. How do children understand death?
10. Do you know any stories about life after death?
11. What is a tombstone?
12. How do you say goodbye to someone who has died?
13. What are some ways to honor the dead?
14. Can people be scared of death? Why?
15. What happens to a person’s things when they die?
16. Do people wear special clothes to funerals?
17. What are some beliefs about death in different cultures?
18. Can people talk about death?
19. Is it okay to cry when someone dies?
20. Do people have special meals after a funeral?

B1 Level (Intermediate)

1. How do different cultures mourn the dead?
2. What is the significance of memorials and monuments?
3. How do beliefs about the afterlife influence how we view death?
4. Can literature and art help us understand death better?
5. How do people cope with the loss of a loved one?
6. Should children be shielded from the concept of death?
7. What is the importance of rituals in mourning?
8. How can we support someone who is grieving?
9. Do you think animals understand death?
10. How do movies and TV shows depict death?
11. What are some traditional funeral customs around the world?
12. How do holidays like Day of the Dead or All Souls’ Day help people remember the dead?
13. What is the role of music in funerals or memorials?
14. How do healthcare workers deal with death?
15. What are some ethical issues surrounding death and dying?
16. How does the loss of a public figure affect society?
17. Can talking about death help us appreciate life more?
18. How do personal beliefs affect end-of-life decisions?
19. What are some ways to preserve the memory of the deceased?
20. Is it important to have a will? Why?

B2 Level (Upper Intermediate)

1. How do philosophical perspectives on death differ across cultures?
2. What is the impact of death on social and family structures?
3. How do technological advances affect our understanding of death?
4. What are the psychological stages of grief?
5. How does the concept of death influence religious beliefs?
6. Can the way we talk about death affect our coping mechanisms?
7. What are the ethical implications of life extension technologies?
8. How does media portrayal of death impact societal views?
9. What is the role of hospice and palliative care in dealing with death?
10. How do historical events like wars or pandemics shape our view of death?
11. Should euthanasia be considered a right?
12. How do legal systems around the world handle issues related to death?
13. What are the challenges faced by those dealing with terminal illnesses?
14. How can art therapy be used in grief counseling?
15. What is the significance of legacy and memory in coping with loss?
16. How do environmental and lifestyle factors influence mortality rates?
17. What are the psychological impacts of unexpected versus expected death?
18. How do death and bereavement practices reflect societal values?
19. What is the concept of a “good death”?
20. How is the concept of death explored in literature and philosophy?

C1 Level (Advanced)

1. Analyze the cultural and historical variations in attitudes toward death.
2. Discuss the role of death in shaping human consciousness and society.
3. Evaluate the ethical dilemmas faced in end-of-life care.
4. Explore the psychological impacts of near-death experiences.
5. Debate the social and economic implications of aging populations.
6. Examine the intersection of death, technology, and ethics.
7. Discuss how different philosophical schools interpret the meaning of death.
8. Analyze the role of grief in personal and societal transformation.
9. Explore the concept of death in existentialist philosophy.
10. Evaluate the impact of global events, like pandemics, on perceptions of death.

C2 Level (Proficiency)

1. Critique the philosophical arguments surrounding the concept of death.
2. Debate the ethical implications of assisted dying and euthanasia.
3. Analyze the sociocultural impact of death rituals and customs.
4. Examine the psychological theories explaining the fear of death.
5. Discuss the role of death in the evolution of human societies.
6. Explore the portrayal of death in modern and classical literature.
7. Debate the implications of digital legacies and posthumous online presence.
8. Analyze the impact of death on collective national consciousness.
9. Critically assess the concept of immortality in science and philosophy.
10. Explore the ethical and social challenges posed by cryonics and life extension.