ESL Questions – Titanic

The Titanic, a British passenger liner, is infamous for its tragic sinking on April 15, 1912, during its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City. Considered unsinkable, the Titanic collided with an iceberg, leading to the deaths of over 1,500 passengers and crew, making it one of the deadliest commercial peacetime maritime disasters in modern history. This catastrophe highlighted the need for improved safety regulations in maritime travel, such as sufficient lifeboats, and sparked a myriad of stories, films, and research, making it a significant historical event that continues to fascinate and educate.

A2 Level:

1. What was the Titanic?
2. When did the Titanic sink?
3. How many people were on the Titanic?
4. Why did the Titanic sink?
5. Where was the Titanic going?
6. What happened to the people on the Titanic?
7. Was the Titanic a big ship?
8. Did the Titanic have lifeboats?
9. What do you know about the Titanic’s captain?
10. Why is the Titanic famous?
11. Can you name any movies about the Titanic?
12. How do people remember the Titanic today?
13. What would you have done if you were on the Titanic?
14. Do you think ships are safer now?
15. What have we learned from the Titanic disaster?
16. Would you like to visit a museum about the Titanic?
17. How was the Titanic built?
18. What was supposed to be special about the Titanic?
19. Have you ever seen pictures of the Titanic?
20. Would you have liked to travel on the Titanic?

B1 Level:

1. What were the main causes of the Titanic’s sinking?
2. Discuss the safety measures that were lacking on the Titanic.
3. How did the Titanic’s design contribute to the disaster?
4. What role did communication failures play in the tragedy?
5. How did the Titanic’s sinking change maritime laws?
6. Why do you think the Titanic’s story is still popular?
7. Discuss the impact of the Titanic’s sinking on society at the time.
8. How were the survivors of the Titanic treated?
9. What lessons can modern society learn from the Titanic disaster?
10. Compare the Titanic disaster with other maritime tragedies.
11. How did the media report the Titanic sinking at the time?
12. What myths or legends have arisen around the Titanic?
13. Discuss the recovery and preservation of Titanic artifacts.
14. How do movies and books depict the Titanic’s story?
15. What could have been done to prevent the Titanic disaster?
16. How does the Titanic’s sinking reflect human error and arrogance?
17. What were the effects of the Titanic disaster on future ship design?
18. Can technology prevent another tragedy like the Titanic?
19. Discuss the role of class and privilege during the Titanic disaster.
20. How did the Titanic’s sinking affect immigration to the United States?

B2 Level:

1. Analyze the engineering flaws that led to the Titanic’s sinking.
2. Discuss the ethical implications of the decisions made during the disaster.
3. Evaluate the effectiveness of the subsequent changes in maritime safety regulations.
4. Compare the Titanic’s safety features with those of modern ships.
5. Explore the psychological impact of the Titanic disaster on survivors and their families.
6. Debate whether the Titanic should be left as a memorial or be further explored and salvaged.
7. Discuss the representation of the Titanic in popular culture and its accuracy.
8. Analyze the socio-economic factors that influenced the Titanic’s construction and voyage.
9. Evaluate the role of media in shaping the public’s perception of the Titanic disaster.
10. Discuss the importance of memorializing the Titanic and its victims.
11. Explore the challenges of deep-sea exploration through the lens of the Titanic expeditions.
12. Debate the impact of human ambition on safety in engineering projects like the Titanic.
13. Analyze the influence of the Titanic disaster on literature and art.
14. Discuss the role of technology in uncovering new details about the Titanic wreck.
15. Evaluate the moral and ethical considerations of Titanic tourism.
16. Compare the Titanic disaster’s impact on maritime law to other industries’ safety regulations.
17. Discuss the importance of storytelling in preserving the memory of the Titanic.
18. Explore the role of leadership during the Titanic disaster.
19. Evaluate the impact of class and social status on survival rates on the Titanic.
20. Analyze the psychological effects of survivor guilt among Titanic survivors.

C1 Level:

1. Critique the architectural and engineering design decisions of the Titanic in the context of early 20th-century technology.
2. Discuss the intersection of human error and technological failure in the Titanic disaster.
3. Analyze the long-term effects of the Titanic tragedy on the field of maritime engineering.
4. Evaluate the ethical considerations in the commercial exploitation of the Titanic wreck.
5. Discuss the role of the International Ice Patrol in preventing similar disasters.
6. Analyze the portrayal of the Titanic disaster in film and literature for historical accuracy versus artistic interpretation.
7. Evaluate the role of socioeconomic status in survival rates during maritime disasters, using the Titanic as a case study.
8. Discuss the psychological resilience of Titanic survivors in the face of disaster.
9. Analyze the impact of the Titanic disaster on the development of international maritime law.
10. Critically assess the legacy of the Titanic in the 21st century, considering both its historical significance and cultural impact.

C2 Level:

1. Explore the implications of the Titanic disaster for the philosophy of engineering and design.
2. Debate the ethical responsibilities of shipbuilders and owners in ensuring passenger safety, with reference to the Titanic.
3. Analyze the narrative construction of the Titanic disaster in historical documentation and its impact on public memory.
4. Critically examine the role of class in survival strategies during the Titanic sinking.
5. Discuss the contribution of the Titanic disaster to the development of crisis management theories.
6. Evaluate the influence of the Titanic on global perceptions of safety and risk in travel and transportation.
7. Analyze the legal repercussions of the Titanic disaster on maritime law and safety standards.
8. Discuss the ethical considerations in the archaeological exploration of the Titanic wreck.
9. Examine the role of the Titanic disaster in shaping public attitudes towards technological innovation.
10. Critically analyze the portrayal of heroism and sacrifice in the context of the Titanic disaster.