ESL Conversation Questions – Novels

A2 Level (Elementary)

1. What is your favorite novel?
2. Who is your favorite character in a novel?
3. Do you prefer reading novels or watching movies?
4. Have you ever read a novel in English?
5. What kind of novels do you like? (e.g., romance, adventure)
6. How often do you read novels?
7. Can you describe the plot of a novel you enjoyed?
8. Who is a famous novelist from your country?
9. Do you like to read novels before sleeping?
10. Have you ever read a novel more than once? Which one?
11. What was the last novel you read?
12. Do you prefer paper books or e-books?
13. Can you name a novel that made you happy or sad?
14. Have you ever read a novel based on a true story?
15. Do you discuss novels with your friends?
16. What’s the longest novel you’ve ever read?
17. Have you read a novel that takes place in another country?
18. Do you like novels with pictures or without?
19. What novel would you recommend to a friend?
20. How do you choose a novel to read?

B1 Level (Intermediate)

1. Discuss the importance of setting in a novel.
2. How do novels differ from short stories?
3. Share your thoughts on the use of first-person narration in novels.
4. What makes a novel memorable for you?
5. Discuss the influence of culture on the themes of novels.
6. How do novels reflect the society in which they are written?
7. Talk about the role of a protagonist in a novel.
8. What are the benefits of reading novels in a foreign language?
9. How do novels contribute to our understanding of history?
10. Discuss the impact of technology on novel writing and reading.
11. What are some challenges of translating novels into other languages?
12. How do you think social media affects novel reading habits?
13. Discuss the role of book clubs in promoting novel reading.
14. Share your thoughts on the genre of science fiction novels.
15. How do novels help in improving language skills?
16. Discuss the concept of world-building in fantasy novels.
17. What are your thoughts on novels being adapted into movies?
18. Discuss the role of suspense in thriller novels.
19. Share your experience of reading a novel by an unknown author.
20. How do you think the internet has changed the novel publishing industry?

B2 Level (Upper Intermediate)

1. Analyze the role of symbolism in novels.
2. Discuss the evolution of the novel as a literary form.
3. How do novels explore complex themes such as love, loss, or identity?
4. Debate the importance of a novel’s opening line.
5. Explore the significance of character development in novels.
6. How do historical events influence the themes of novels?
7. Discuss the impact of literary awards on the success of novels.
8. Analyze the use of irony in your favorite novel.
9. How do authors use novels to comment on political or social issues?
10. Discuss the role of narrative voice in shaping a novel’s perspective.
11. Explore the concept of the unreliable narrator in novels.
12. How do novels address ethical dilemmas?
13. Analyze the importance of conflict in driving a novel’s plot.
14. Discuss the use of humor in novels.
15. Explore the role of nature and environment in novels.
16. How do novels portray the concept of time and memory?
17. Discuss the intersection of reality and fantasy in magical realism novels.
18. Analyze the role of gender in contemporary novels.
19. How do novels serve as a form of escapism?
20. Discuss the ethical considerations in autobiographical novels.

C1 Level (Advanced)

1. Critically analyze the narrative structure of a complex novel.
2. Explore the relationship between authorial intent and reader interpretation.
3. Discuss the role of intertextuality in modern novels.
4. Analyze the portrayal of existential themes in 20th-century novels.
5. Evaluate the influence of postcolonial perspectives in contemporary novels.
6. Discuss the concept of metafiction and its purpose in literature.
7. Explore how novels can challenge societal norms and expectations.
8. Analyze the use of allegory in politically charged novels.
9. Discuss the psychological depth in the characterization of modern novels.
10. Evaluate the impact of digital culture on the narrative techniques of recent novels.

C2 Level (Proficiency)

1. Critique the concept of the “Great American Novel” and its relevance today.
2. Explore the dialectics of form and content in postmodern novels.
3. Debate the role of the novel in shaping national identity.
4. Analyze the representation of marginal voices in contemporary literature.
5. Discuss the paradoxes in the narrative strategies of experimental novels.
6. Explore the concept of the anti-hero in modern literature.
7. Critically assess the role of linguistic innovation in avant-garde novels.
8. Debate the impact of global literary trends on the evolution of the novel.
9. Analyze the interplay of text and subtext in layered narratives.
10. Explore the influence of cultural hybridity on novelistic forms.