Keep your spirits up 1. How would you describe your mood today?
2. Can you remember when you felt this way? What happened?
- You were in a buoyant mood (happy and confident)
- Something lifted your mood and raised morale.
- You were in really low spirits (feeling sad)
- Problems were weighing on your mind
3. Is it appropriate to be
express your
feelings if you are angry or annoyed?
4. Do you have
an aversion to doing something? (not wishing to do something)
5 Can you think of an event that was
utter bliss for you? (полное блаженство)
6. When did you
pluck up the courage to do something? (to force yourself to be brave enough)
7. How do you
work up enthusiasm? (make yourself eager to do something)
8. What do you
hold out hope for? (think something good might happen)
9. What kind of success and achievements make you
exultant? (ликующий)
Mental abilities - Is there such a thing as extrasensory perception (экстрасенсорное восприятие)? For example, telepathy, clairvoyance (ясновидение), precognition (предвидение).
- Why do we dream? What purpose do dreams serve (служить)? Do your dreams leave you confused (в замешательстве), frightened, amused or satisfied?
- Is intelligence about academic knowledge? What is the role of practical knowledge, self-understanding, and wisdom (мудрость)?
- Do you have any phobias? E.g. fears of the natural environment, fears related to animals, medical treatments or issues, and to specific situations?
- Are prejudice (предрассудки) and stereotyping typical of our society? What are the strongest issues: nationalism, homophobia, religious, ageism, sexism, xenophobia (the fear of strangers). How can we combat (бороться) them?
- How can one distinguish (различить) his own will from the influence of persuasion (убеждение), propaganda, and marketing?
- What does it mean to be self-actualized (самореализованным)? What do people need to achieve that?
Travel & World - What's the best "hidden gem"(a great place but few people may know about it) in your city?
- Do you prefer action-packed vacations or laze around on the beach? If you could take a year-long paid sabbatical (творческий отпуск), what would you do?
- If you were in charge of picking the eighth wonder of the world, what would you choose?
- If you ever decide to relocate to another country, which country would it be?
- How do you compare your own country with the ones you have visited? Or, what are the most striking (noticeable) cultural differences?
- Have you ever faced any trouble in a foreign country? Can you share your experience?
- Do you like to confine yourself (ограничиться) to famous cities or go off the beaten path (проторенная дорожка) when traveling abroad?
- Talk about some of the interesting people you have met while traveling.
You & Your interests - What activities play a prominent role in your self-development?
- What's your story? What brought you to the speaking club?
- What are you getting up (plans) to this weekend?
- Are you reading any good books right now? I'd love some recommendations.
- What are the three best apps on your phone?
- If you could only watch one genre of movies, what would it be?
- Do you have any podcast suggestions for my commute (way from home to work)?
- Which recent news story is the most interesting?
- Where is the best place to take a date?
- What was the last movie you watched? How was it?
- Do you want to know or already know all the ins and outs (все подробности) of any subject? Which one?
- Do you know any people that are hard act to follow? (недосягаемый образец для подражания). Think of the people you admire.
- What activities play a prominent role in your self-development?
