ESL Conversation Questions – Dystopia

Engaging ESL discussion questions about dystopia, suitable for all proficiency levels from A2 to C2, exploring futuristic worlds, societal critiques, and ethical dilemmas.

A2 Level (Elementary)

1. What is a dystopia?
2. Can you name a dystopian movie or book?
3. What might a dystopian city look like?
4. Why do people like dystopian stories?
5. Do you think a dystopia could happen in real life?
6. What are some rules in a dystopian world?
7. How would people live in a dystopia?
8. What kind of clothes might people wear in a dystopia?
9. Would you like to visit a dystopian world?
10. Can you draw a picture of a dystopian city?
11. What kind of technology is in a dystopia?
12. Are there any heroes in dystopian stories?
13. What animals might live in a dystopian world?
14. Do you think dystopias are scary?
15. What colors do you think are in a dystopia?
16. How do people travel in dystopian worlds?
17. What jobs do people have in a dystopia?
18. Can you name any famous characters from dystopian stories?
19. What would you do if you lived in a dystopia?
20. Do you think dystopias can teach us anything?

B1 Level (Intermediate)

1. Why are dystopian stories popular?
2. How does a dystopia compare to our world?
3. What themes are common in dystopian literature?
4. How do dystopian stories reflect society’s fears?
5. What would daily life be like in a dystopian society?
6. How do governments work in dystopian worlds?
7. Can you think of any dystopian symbols or imagery?
8. How do dystopian stories end?
9. What emotions do dystopian stories evoke?
10. How do characters in dystopian stories resist?
11. What role does technology play in dystopias?
12. How do dystopian stories explore freedom and control?
13. Can dystopias be realistic?
14. How do dystopian worlds affect family and relationships?
15. What are the dangers of living in a dystopian society?
16. How can dystopias inspire change?
17. What environmental issues are in dystopian stories?
18. How do dystopian societies deal with diversity and difference?
19. Can you compare two different dystopian worlds?
20. What lessons can we learn from dystopian stories?

B2 Level (Upper Intermediate)

1. Discuss the political themes in dystopian narratives.
2. How do dystopian stories challenge our understanding of morality?
3. What are the psychological effects of living in a dystopian world?
4. How do dystopian authors use symbolism?
5. Can you discuss the role of propaganda in dystopian societies?
6. How does dystopia explore the concept of identity?
7. What are the ethical dilemmas in dystopian settings?
8. How do dystopian societies control information and truth?
9. Can you compare dystopia and utopia?
10. How does dystopia comment on current social issues?
11. What are the consequences of rebellion in dystopian stories?
12. How do dystopian narratives explore the theme of survival?
13. What is the role of nature in dystopian worlds?
14. How do dystopian settings affect the development of characters?
15. Can you discuss the use of dystopia in various media forms?
16. How do dystopian societies address issues of power and inequality?
17. What role does art and culture play in dystopian societies?
18. How do dystopian worlds reflect historical events?
19. Can you analyze a specific dystopian character’s journey?
20. How does dystopia influence our vision of the future?

C1 Level (Advanced)

1. Analyze the societal critiques present in dystopian literature.
2. Discuss the portrayal of authority and governance in dystopian worlds.
3. Evaluate the role of dystopia in speculative fiction.
4. Can you explore the psychological realism in dystopian narratives?
5. Analyze the use of dystopia as a tool for social commentary.
6. Discuss the intersection of dystopian themes with philosophical concepts.
7. Evaluate the depiction of technology and science in dystopian works.
8. Can you analyze dystopia’s role in exploring human resilience?
9. Discuss the narrative structures commonly found in dystopian literature.
10. Analyze the evolution of dystopian themes over time.

C2 Level (Proficiency)

1. Critique the effectiveness of dystopian literature in provoking societal change.
2. Discuss the philosophical underpinnings of dystopian narratives.
3. Evaluate the impact of dystopian fiction on political thought.
4. Analyze the role of dystopia in challenging ethical paradigms.
5. Discuss the complexities of world-building in dystopian literature.
6. Evaluate the use of allegory in dystopian narratives.
7. Analyze the relationship between dystopia and cultural anxieties.
8. Discuss the role of dystopia in exploring existential themes.
9. Evaluate the portrayal of human nature in dystopian settings.
10. Analyze the influence of historical contexts on dystopian literature.