ESL Questions News
News
Staying informed. These questions explore journalism, the 'fake news' era, how we get our information, and the responsibility of the media.
Beginner
Do you read the news on your phone?
Can you name a famous news reporter?
How do you know what is happening today?
Is the news usually happy or a bit sad?
Do you want to see the weather report?
Why do we need to know about other countries?
Are you a fan of reading the newspaper?
Can you tell a true story from a fake one?
Is it better to watch the news or read it?
What is a 'headline' on a website for you?
Do you like to talk about the news with friends?
Is it okay to turn off the TV sometimes?
Can you name a big news company in the world?
Do you want to write a story for the news?
Are you a very well-informed person?
Intermediate
What would you do if you realized a 'news' story you shared was actually fake?
How do you feel when you see a lot of 'bad news' on your social media feed?
Is it better to have 'objective' news or news that has a strong opinion?
How do you decide which news sources are trustworthy and which are not?
Why do some stories become 'breaking news' while others are never mentioned?
Have you ever avoided the news for a week to feel more peaceful and calm?
Do you think that 'citizen journalism' (people with phones) is a good thing?
How do you feel about the '24-hour news cycle' that never stops for a break?
Is it a good idea to have news programs designed specifically for children?
What is the most shocking news event you remember from your childhood?
Should we have laws that punish people for creating 'fake news' online?
How often do you check for updates on a big story that is developing?
Why is 'freedom of the press' considered a basic part of a healthy democracy?
Is it difficult to find news that isn't biased toward one political side?
How do you feel about 'clickbait' headlines that try to trick you into clicking?
Do you prefer local news about your town or global news about the world?
What is the best way to handle 'doomscrolling' (reading bad news for hours)?
How do you handle a situation where someone disagrees with your facts?
Should every person be required to study 'media literacy' in high school?
What is the role of 'investigative journalism' in catching people doing wrong?
How do you feel when you see a reporter working in a dangerous war zone?
Is it possible for a news company to be 100% neutral and fair to everyone?
Why do we use the word 'news' and where does that word come from?
What is one topic you wish the news would talk about more often?
How do you feel when you hear some 'good news' for a change?
Advanced
Is 'The News' an essential service or a business that profits from our fear?
How does 'the algorithm' create 'echo chambers' of news for different people?
Should we move back to 'subscription' models to support high-quality journalism?
Is 'fake news' the greatest threat to modern society in the digital age?
How does 'sensationalism' damage the credibility of the entire media industry?
Should we prioritize 'local news' to strengthen the ties in our communities?
How do 'press freedom' rankings correlate with the happiness of a nation?
Is 'AI-generated' news content a danger to the job of the human journalist?
How does 'media ownership' by billionaires affect the stories that get told?
Should we implement a 'right to be forgotten' for people in the news archive?
How does 'photojournalism' capture emotions that words simply cannot reach?
Is 'slow news' (deep analysis) a better way to understand a complex world?
How do 'whistleblowers' and 'leaks' play a role in modern investigative news?
Should we ban 'anonymous sources' to ensure that every fact can be checked?
How does 'the fourth estate' function as a check on government power?
Is 'news fatigue' a real health issue for people in the 21st century?
How do 'podcasts' change the way we consume long-form news stories?
Should we encourage 'solutions journalism' that focuses on how to fix problems?
How does 'satirical news' (The Onion/The Daily Show) influence our politics?
Is 'truth' a static fact or a narrative that is built over a long period of time?
How do 'war correspondents' manage the trauma of what they see and report?
Should we limit the amount of 'data' that news apps collect about our habits?
How does 'the death of the local newspaper' affect the transparency of a city?
Is 'objectivity' an impossible goal for a human with their own life experiences?
What will 'the news' look like in a future where we experience events in VR?