ESL Questions DNA
DNA
From family trees to medical breakthroughs, these questions examine the secret code that makes us who we are and the future of science.
Beginner
Is your hair curly?
Do you look like Mom?
Is your DNA secret?
Do you have a brother?
Is a cell small?
Do you like science?
Is your nose big?
Do you have blue eyes?
Is a twin identical?
Do you know your family?
Is DNA in a bone?
Do you use a microscope?
Is a lab clean?
Do you like puzzles?
Is your blood red?
Do you have a pet?
Is a test fast?
Do you look like Dad?
Is the code long?
Do you have a cousin?
Is a baby cute?
Do you eat fruit?
Is a flower pretty?
Do you have a mirror?
Is life amazing?
Intermediate
Who in your family do you look the most like? Why?
Do you think it is a good idea to take a DNA test to find your ancestors?
Have you ever found out an interesting story about your grandparents?
Would you want to know if you had a 'bad' gene for a disease?
Do you think that some people are just born with more talent for music or sports?
How do you think DNA helps the police solve crimes?
Would you rather be very tall or have a different eye color?
Do you think cloning animals is a good or bad thing?
What is the most interesting thing you learned in biology class?
If you could change one thing about your appearance, would you?
Do you think our genes or our environment have a bigger effect on our personality?
Why do some people want to have children that look exactly like them?
Have you ever seen a movie where people change their DNA?
Is it possible to be 'perfect' because of your genes?
How do you feel about scientists changing the DNA of the food we eat?
Would you want to know how long you are going to live?
Do you think we should try to bring back extinct animals like mammoths?
What is the difference between a family and a group of people with the same DNA?
Should the government have a database of everyone's DNA?
Do you think we can find out where we are from just by looking at a tube of spit?
Why do twins often have such different personalities?
Is it okay for parents to choose the gender of their baby?
How much would you pay to have 'superior' genes for your health?
Do you think we will ever be able to 'edit' out all diseases?
What makes a human different from a monkey if our DNA is so similar?
Advanced
Is it ethical to create 'designer babies' with enhanced intelligence or physical traits?
Who should own the rights to your genetic data — you, the lab, or the government?
Will the ability to edit the human germline create a 'genetic divide' between the rich and poor?
Is 'genetic privacy' even possible in an era where everyone's data is online?
How does our understanding of DNA change the philosophical concept of free will?
Should insurance companies be allowed to see your genetic risks before they give you a policy?
Is it possible for a DNA test to tell you who you 'really' are, or is identity more complex?
Could the misuse of genetic information lead to a new form of 'eugenics' in the 21st century?
How should we regulate companies that sell DNA tests directly to consumers?
Is it right to 'resurrect' a dead pet through cloning, or is that just a selfish act?
How does the 'processing' of our genetic code affect our understanding of human evolution?
Should we use DNA technology to completely eradicate certain mosquito species to stop malaria?
Can a person be held legally responsible for their crimes if they have a 'predisposition' to violence?
What are the long-term consequences of genetically modifying our entire food supply?
Is it ever okay to keep a child's genetic father a secret from them?
How do you feel about 'bio-hackers' who try to edit their own DNA in home labs?
Will we eventually reach a point where humans are more 'manufactured' than 'born'?
Does knowing your genetic history make you feel more connected to the past or more trapped by it?
Should we use DNA to find out if someone is 'compatible' before they get married?
How can we prevent genetic discrimination in the workplace?
Is it possible that we are spending too much on genetic research and not enough on social problems?
What would happen to the world if we could all live to 150 because of genetic edits?
Is there such a thing as a 'pure' race, or does DNA prove we are all mixed?
Should we be allowed to copyright a specific sequence of DNA?
What is the most frightening possibility of genetic engineering?