ESL Questions La Tomatina
La Tomatina
The world's biggest food fight. These questions explore the messy Spanish festival of Buñol, its history, and the ethics of throwing thousands of tomatoes.
Beginner
Do you like eating red tomatoes?
Can you imagine throwing fruit at your friends?
How do you clean your clothes after a food fight?
Is the town of Buñol very small or very big?
Do you want to get very messy for one day?
Why do people wear old white t-shirts?
Are the streets full of red juice and seeds?
Can you find Spain on a map of Europe?
Is it fun to jump and play in the street?
What happens when the trucks bring the fruit?
Do you have to wear goggles for your eyes?
Is the festival very loud and crowded?
Can a tomato hurt if it hits your arm?
Do you like to go to big parties outside?
Are you happy to take a shower after the fight?
Intermediate
What would you do if you were in the middle of a massive crowd and someone hit you with a tomato?
How do you feel when you see thousands of kilos of food being thrown on the ground?
Is it better to participate in the fight or to watch from a safe balcony?
How do you decide if a festival like this is a 'waste' of food or a 'celebration' of life?
Why did a small argument in 1945 turn into the world's most famous food festival?
Have you ever been to a festival where you got completely covered in paint or water?
Do you think that 'letting off steam' in a messy way is good for a person's mental health?
How do you feel about the 'entrance fee' that the town now charges to tourists?
Is it a good idea to squeeze the tomatoes before throwing them to make them soft?
What is the most unique tradition you have ever seen in your own country?
Should we use 'expired' or 'bad' food for these festivals to avoid wasting good produce?
How often do you go to a place where there are thousands of people shouting and laughing?
Why do we love the feeling of being a 'child' again during these special events?
Is it difficult to walk when the ground is slippery with tomato juice?
How do you feel about the 'Palo Jabón' (the greasy pole with a ham on top)?
Do you prefer a festival that is very clean and organized or one that is totally chaotic?
What is the best way to protect your camera or phone during a tomato fight?
How do you handle a situation where you feel a bit overwhelmed by a huge crowd?
Should every small town have a 'special' event to attract tourists from around the world?
What is the role of 'community' in cleaning up the streets after the mess is over?
How do you feel when you see the town being washed with fire hoses after the fight?
Is it possible to enjoy 'La Tomatina' if you are a very clean and tidy person?
Why do we find 'destruction' and 'mess' so exciting during a holiday?
What is one piece of advice you would give to someone going for the first time?
How do you feel when you finally put on clean clothes after a day of tomatoes?
Advanced
Is 'La Tomatina' an ethical use of resources in a world where many people go hungry?
How does 'over-tourism' change the original spirit of a local village festival?
Should we view 'food fights' as a form of cultural expression or as a public nuisance?
Is the 'commercialization' of the event making it less authentic for the locals of Buñol?
How does the 'mass psychology' of a crowd change when they are all given 'weapons'?
Should there be 'environmental taxes' on festivals that create massive amounts of waste?
How does 'La Tomatina' compare to other 'release' festivals like Holi or Carnival?
Is it right for a town to 'monetize' a tradition that started as a spontaneous riot?
How do 'safety regulations' (like squeezing the fruit) change the nature of the event?
Should we promote 'digital' versions of festivals to reduce the physical impact?
How does the 'supply chain' for 150,000 kilos of tomatoes work for a single hour?
Is 'carnivalesque' behavior (breaking social rules) necessary for a healthy society?
How do 'local businesses' survive when their storefronts are covered in red pulp?
Should we allow 'corporate sponsorship' of ancient and traditional town holidays?
How does 'social media' influence the way people behave during these festivals?
Is 'buñol' a model for how a small town can achieve global fame through one idea?
How do 'sanitation' crews manage to return the city to normal in just a few hours?
Should we be concerned about the 'carbon footprint' of tourists flying in for one hour?
How does 'group identity' form among strangers during a chaotic physical activity?
Is 'La Tomatina' a sign of a decadent society or a celebration of agricultural abundance?
How do 'laws' change during the sixty minutes of the official food fight?
Should we encourage 'food-themed' tourism as a way to support farmers?
How does the 'sensory overload' of smell and touch affect the memory of the event?
Is 'messiness' a rebellion against the strictness of modern professional life?
What will 'festivals' look like in a future where food is grown in labs and is very expensive?