ESL Conversation Questions – Taboo Topics 🚫

A2 Level (Elementary)

1. What is a “taboo” topic?

2. Are there topics you don’t talk about with strangers?

3. Is it okay to ask people about their age?

4. Do you talk about money with friends?

5. Should we ask people about their weight?

6. Is talking about religion easy or hard?

7. What do people in your country avoid talking about?

8. Do you feel shy talking about your feelings?

9. What topics do people talk about at work?

10. Can talking about some things make people upset?

11. Is it okay to ask people about their relationships?

12. Do people talk about death in your culture?

13. What makes a topic “private”?

14. Can you talk about politics with friends?

15. Do you ask people about their job or salary?

16. What questions are rude in your country?

17. Do you feel comfortable talking about your body?

18. Should people ask before talking about personal things?

19. Are there things you only talk about with close friends?

20. What do you do when a topic makes you uncomfortable?

B1 Level (Intermediate)

1. What are some taboo topics in your culture?

2. Why are certain subjects difficult to talk about?

3. Can taboo topics be different in each country?

4. Is it okay to ask people personal questions?

5. Why is money a taboo topic in many places?

6. How do people react when someone talks about something taboo?

7. What do you do if someone brings up an uncomfortable topic?

8. Should schools talk about mental health and emotions?

9. Is death a common topic in conversation where you live?

10. Are politics or religion taboo in your country?

11. What is a topic you avoid at work or school?

12. Do young people talk more openly about taboo topics?

13. Should people avoid talking about problems to stay polite?

14. Can talking about sensitive topics help us learn?

15. How do people express disagreement politely?

16. Is there a polite way to talk about something taboo?

17. Can taboo topics be used in jokes or comedy?

18. What topics do you only talk about with family?

19. Is there a difference between being honest and being rude?

20. Should we always respect taboos, even if we disagree?

B2 Level (Upper-Intermediate)

1. What makes a topic taboo in some cultures but normal in others?

2. Should we talk about difficult topics in the classroom?

3. Are there benefits to breaking taboos through conversation?

4. How should you respond when someone brings up a sensitive issue?

5. Should children learn about taboo topics like death or illness?

6. How do age, gender, or culture affect which topics feel taboo?

7. Is it better to avoid conflict or to speak openly?

8. What role does media play in breaking taboos?

9. Are there taboo topics that should be discussed more openly?

10. Should people talk about sexuality and identity in public spaces?

11. How do you set boundaries when a conversation gets too personal?

12. What taboos have changed over time in your country?

13. Do taboo topics make people more curious or more uncomfortable?

14. How can humor help or hurt when discussing sensitive topics?

15. Can talking about taboo topics lead to misunderstanding?

16. What is the line between free speech and respect?

17. Should people be free to say anything—even if it’s taboo?

18. What topics are still difficult to talk about in your family?

19. Can education help reduce the shame around taboos?

20. How do taboos influence what people post on social media?

C1 Level (Advanced)

1. Why do taboos exist in society?

2. Should all taboos be questioned—or are some necessary?

3. What role does language play in keeping taboos alive?

4. How can schools or media approach taboo subjects responsibly?

5. Can open discussion help reduce stigma around sensitive issues?

6. What’s the difference between being offensive and being honest?

7. Are there taboos around gender, class, or race in your culture?

8. Should humor ever be used to challenge taboos?

9. What are the risks of staying silent about taboo topics?

10. Can discussing taboos increase empathy or cause harm?

11. Do taboos protect culture or prevent progress?

12. Are there taboo topics in your culture that deserve more attention?

13. How do taboos affect mental health conversations?

14. Can personal storytelling break cultural taboos?

15. What is the role of art in confronting social taboos?

16. Should governments or schools decide which topics are appropriate?

17. How do social norms reinforce what we avoid talking about?

18. Do younger generations view taboos differently than older ones?

19. Can people talk about taboo topics without offending others?

20. How can we create safe spaces for difficult conversations?

C2 Level (Proficiency)

1. Are taboos cultural tools for social order—or for social control?

2. How does challenging taboos contribute to social reform?

3. Should educators be responsible for deconstructing taboos?

4. Can taboo-breaking discourse shift national or global narratives?

5. How do taboos intersect with censorship, freedom, and morality?

6. Are all taboos harmful, or do some serve a protective function?

7. Is it possible to respect cultural taboos while promoting openness?

8. How do taboos evolve in response to changing political climates?

9. To what extent should the arts provoke taboo subjects?

10. Can online platforms foster healthy debate around taboo issues?

11. What ethical considerations arise when addressing deeply personal taboos?

12. How do euphemisms allow people to discuss taboo subjects indirectly?

13. Are some taboos universal, or is every taboo culturally specific?

14. What psychological mechanisms make taboo topics so emotionally charged?

15. How do taboos affect marginalized groups differently?

16. Can taboo silence be more damaging than the topic itself?

17. How does media sensationalism exploit—or expose—taboo issues?

18. Should democratic societies encourage taboo-breaking speech?

19. Can satire play a constructive role in dismantling taboos?

20. What taboos will likely disappear—or emerge—in the future?