Eiken 1 Short Speech Prompts

Eiken 1 1999(1) Morning Session

1. The effects of TV and movie violence on young viewers

2. Should organ transplants be made more available in Japan?

3. Would a five-day school week be beneficial for students?

4. The public's lack of interest in politics

5. Which modern inventions have changed our life style the most?

Eiken 1 1999(1) Afternoon Session

1 Should the legal drinking age be more strictly enforced ?

2 The increasing amount of disruptive behavior in school classrooms

3 Should doctors be permitted to help terminally ill patients die?

4 Would daylight saving time be beneficial for Japan?

5 The definition of success in life

Eiken 1 1999(2) Morning Session

How will the decreasing number of students affects education in Japan?

The increasing problem of credit card debt

Do computer games help or hinder children's development?

Japan's reputation as a safe country

My idea of an effective leader

Eiken 1 1999(2) Afternoon Session

Japan's changing eating habits --- good or bad?

Should teachers be evaluated by their students?

Telecommuting --- the the pros and cons of working from home

Japan's role in UN peace-keeping activities

Something I hope mankind will accomplish in the next century

Eiken 1 2000(1) Morning Session

Is today's pop music too commercialized?

Has the Japanese work ethic changed?

Should there be restrictions on Internet content?

The advantages and disadvantages of hosting the Olympics

Should school teachers share the responsibility of parenting?

Eiken 1 2000(1) Afternoon Session

Should professional athletes be prohibited from taking part in the Olympics?

The government's role in managing crisis situations

The future role of robots in daily life

The export of Japanese pop culture to foreign countries

Should schools encourage more individuality in students?

Eiken 1 2000(2) Morning Session

Business ethics: Product quality vs. the profit motive

What things contribute to a person's quality of life?

Urbanization in Japan: Is there a crisis?

Causes and effects of juvenile delinquency

The Information Revolution and its effects on society

Eiken 1 2000(2) Afternoon Session

Suggestions for improving hospital care

When should a person be considered mature?

Would more severe punishment prevent crime?

Do Japanese people need to become more internationally minded?

How the aging population will affect society

Eiken 1 2001(1) Morning Session

The continuing controversy over nuclear power

Overmedication: Are people relying too much on medicine?

Should all political leaders be chosen directly by the public?

Which sport should be considered Japan's national sport?

What tomorrow's children need to study

Eiken 1 2001(1) Afternoon Session

The ethics of science in the age of genetic engineering

The role of the media in shaping public opinion

What can be done to improve the Japanese economy?

Gambling: Harmless pastime or dangerous addiction?

Is modern education moving in the right direction?

Eiken 1 2001(2) Morning Session

Ｅuthanasia: The ethical dilemma of mercy-killing

Should job promotions be based on performance or on seniority?

How safe is public transportations?

The problem of illegal drug use

Where can today's children find good role models?

Eiken 1 2001(2) Afternoon Session

The most important task facing medical science

Retirement: A beginning or an end?

How recent leadership changes have affected Japanese politics

Should all countries ban private ownership of guns?

The role of family relationships in childhood development

Eiken 1 2002(1) Morning Session

1. Japan's declining birthrate - a national crisis?

2. Cars-convenience vs. environmental concerns

3. Should capital punishment be abolished?

4. Is the Internet bringing the world's cultures closer together?

5. What is your philosophy of life?

Eiken 1 2002(1) Afternoon Session

1. Is medical care too expensive in Japan?

2. Are environmental groups making a difference?

3. Should developed nations do more to help developing nations?

4. Will newspapers become obsolete in the Internet-driven 21st century?

5. World peace - a realistic future possibility?

Eiken 1 2002(2) Morning Session

1. Species extinction - a natural process?

2. Can age restrictions in the workplace be justified?

3. To what extent should public manners be governed by law?

4. The pros and cons of a world currency

5. The caracteristics of modern society that out ancestors would find most surprising

Eiken 1 2002(2) Afternoon Session

1. Will renewable energy sources ever completely replace fossil fuels?

2. The pros and cons of the double - income family

3. The fovernment's need to protect information vs. the public's right to know

4. Can the Japanese economy ever return to its former strength?

5. Do people get wiser as they get older?

Eiken 1 2002(3) Morning Session

1. Do you think there is life elsewhere in the universe?

2. What will Japan be like 10 years from now?

3. Who should provide public services - the government or private-sector corporations?

4. Can terrorism ever be eliminated?

5. Teaching children the difference between right and wrong

Eiken 1 2002(3) Afternoon Session

1. Are you from of against human cloning?

2. Is our pace of life too fast?

3. The increasing unemployment rate in Japan

4. Are war and violence an inseparable part of society?

5. Does university education prepare young people for real life?

Eiken 1 2003(1) Morning Session

1. What is the biggest health threat facing mankind today?

2. Will technology ever be able to predict natural disasters accurately?

3. Does the media sensationalize crime?

4. Obstacles to nuclear disarmament

5. What rights should children have?

Eiken 1 2003(1) Afternoon Session

1. Are genetically modified foods safe?

2. Is space exploration worth the cost?

3. What type of crime most threatens society?

4. Is the clash of world religions inevitable?

5. Is the family becoming obsolete?

Eiken 1 2003(2) Morning Session

1. Healthcare: prevention versus cure

2. Is Japan democratic?

3. Could we eliminate crime by eliminating poverty?

4. The importance of the "classics" in the study of literature

5. How important is self-esteem?

Eiken 1 2003(2) Afternoon Session

1. What kind of scientific research should receive the most government funding?

2. The pros and cons of capitalism

3. The company versus the family in modern Japan

4. Can world hunger be alleviated?

5. Can creativity be taught?

Eiken 1 2003(3) Morning Session

1. What qualifications and experience should a world leader have?

2. Is technology advancing too quickly?

3. Japan's role in the global economy

4. Are educational standards in Japan declining?

5. "Better safe than sorry" - do you agree?

Eiken 1 2003(3) Afternoon Session

1. Which was the greater invention: the printing press or the microchip?

2. The importance of preserving our cultural heritage

3. The future direction of Japanese foreign relations

4. Should specialist knowledge of a subject qualify a person to be a teacher?

5. "Nice guys finish last" - do you agree?

Eiken 1 2004(1) Morning Session

1. Are we doing enough to protect the environment?

2. Would you be willing to pay higher taxes for better government sevices?

3. Should certain books, movies, or music be censored?

4. The pros and cons of self-employment

5. "Love conquers all" - do you agree?

Eiken 1 2004(1) Afternoon Session

1. Will all of the world's wilderness areas eventually disappear?

2. What patriotism means to you?

3. Is the Internet harmful to children?

4. Which would you rather work for - a multinational corporation or a local business?

5. "The pen is mightier than the sword" - do you agree?

Eiken 1 2004(2) Morning Session

1. Does political activism make a difference?

2. Do foreign management style work in Japanese companies?

3. Are food-safety standards strict enough?

4. The use of performance-enhancing drugs in sports

5. "What goes around, comes around" - do you agree?

Eiken 1 2004(2) Afternoon Session

1. Is the fossil-fuel era coming to an end?

2. Is there a tendency for people in power to abuse it?

3. The need to improve security in public places

4. Should Third World debt be forgiven?

5. "Ignorance is bliss" - do you agree?

Eiken 1 2004(3) Morning Session

1. Is the gap between the "haves" and "have-nots" increasing?

2. Should companies reward individual employees for outstanding contributions?

3. Can we win the battle against AIDS?

4. Are computer games blurring the line between the real and virtual worlds?

5. "Where there's a will, there's a way" - do you agree?

Eiken 1 2004(3) Afternoon Session

1. Do young people today have shorter attention spans?

2. Are labor unions necessary in the modern workplace?

3. Which is a greater threat to mankind, terrorism or world hunger?

4. The moral issues raised by stem-cell reserch

5. "Time is money" - do you agree?

Eiken 1 2005(1) Morning Session

1.What role should the United Nations play in international politics?

2. Do the rich have a responsibility to help the poor in society?

3. Is tradition always worth preserving?

4. Should students be asked to evaluate their teachers?

5. "Honesty is the best policy"----in all situations?

Eiken 1 2005(1) Afternoon Session

1. Is globalization good or bad for developing countries?

2. Should the retirement age be abolished?

3. Do the media exaggerate the dangers of crime today?

4. Should there be more public funding for arts?

5. "Failure teaches success"---do you agree?

Eiken 1 2005(2) Morning Session

1. Is scientific progress always beneficial?

2. Do businesses have certain obligations to the local community?

3. Is inequity in society inevitable?

4. Can working parents play a sufficient role in raising their children?

5. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained"---do you agree?

Eiken 1 2005(2) Afternoon Session

1. Which has more value in modern society, science or art?

2. Why are certain countries more economically successful than others?

3. Is it possible to eliminate racism?

4. What responsibilities should have to their parents?

5. The pros and cons of conformity

Eiken 1 2005(3) Morning Session

1. Do young people today have too much leisure time?

2. Are consumption taxes a fair way of raising government revenue?

3. Should everyone be guaranteed a job?

4. Have the Olympic become too commercialized?

5. Are humans superior to other life forms?

Eiken 1 2005(3) Afternoon Session

1. Are people today too reliant on what the "experts" say?

2. Which should schools emphasize more, competition or cooperation?

3. Are advances in telecommunications making it less important to meet people in person?

4. Do the media have too much influence on politics?

5. "Actions speak louder than words"---do you agree?

Eiken 1 2006(1) Morning Session

1. Will the 21st century be the Asian century?

2. Should there be more emphasis on the science in education today?

3. Is the family today as important as it was in the past?

4. Will the trend part-time employment negatively affect Japanese society?

5. Why do you think some people in power abuse their position?

Eiken 1 2006(1) Afternoon Session

1. Are foreign workers the solution to Japan's predicted labor shortage?

2. Should democracy be the goal of all nations?

3. Should Internet crime be taken more seriously?

4. Do you think company loyalty is a thing of the past?

5. Is spirituality losing its importance in modern society?

Eiken 1 2006(2) Morning Session

1. Has technology changed education for the better?

2. How will the economic growth of China affect Japan in future?

3. Prevention vs. cure in the battle against crime

4. Do people today pay enough attention to traditional remedies and medicines?

5. "Win some, lose some"---Is this a good attitude to have?

Eiken 1 2006(2) Afternoon Session

1. Should couples have the right to choose the sex of their children?

2. Do you think outsourcing is good for the Japanese economy?

3. Is too much attention paid to the human rights of criminals?

4. Are modern telecommunications creating a common world culture?

5. Why are science fiction and fantasy so popular today?

Eiken 1 2006(3) Morning Session

1. Should Japan focus more on relations with other Asian nations?

2. Is it possible to report the news objectively?

3. Have modern farming methods become too industrialized?

4. Do competitive sports build character in chidlren?

5. Do arranged marriages have a role to play in society today?

Eiken 1 2006(3) Afternoon Session

1. Is it possible to create an effective world government?

2. Are people today becoming less interested in the news?

3. Does the Japanese custom of gift-giving have a place in modern

business?

4. Hi-tech sports equipment vs. natural ability in sports today

5. Do young people today lack direction in their lives?

Eiken 1 2007(1) Morning Session 1

1 Have people today lost their interest in politics?

2 Is government action the key to dealing with climate change?

3 Is the declining population the biggest problem facing

Japanese society?

4 Are patrols by local citizens an effective way of reducing crime?

5 The pros and cons of zoos and aquariums

Eiken 1 2007(1) Morning Session 2

1 Do you think celebrities and entertainers can make good politicians?

2 Is the extensive media coverage of environmental problems having any effect?

3 Is building more roads the solution to Japan's growing traffic problems?

4 Does Japan pay enough attention to domestic issues like the homeless?

5 Do modern societies spend too much money on pets?

Eiken 1 2007(1) Afternoon Session 1

1 Can human intelligence be measured accurately?

2 Is Japan a good role model for the development of other nations?

3 The impact of materialism on today's society

4 Air travel: economic boon or environmental nightmare?

5 Do you think Japan will need more lawyers in the future?

Eiken 1 2007(1) Afternoon Session 2

1 The future role of artificial intelligence in the workplace

2 Is it possible to stop the decline of rural communities?

3 Can the high salaries of CEOs at international corporations be justified?

4 Is nuclear power the answer to the world's energy problems?

5 Is the adoption of a jury system in Japan a good idea?

Eiken 1 2007(2) Morning Session 1

1 Should Japan's wealth be distributed more evenly among its citizens?

2 Is it possible to keep politics out of international sporting events?

3 The value of an arts degree vs. a science degree in the real world

4 Should more be done to promote equality for women in Japan?

5 Does fortunetelling have a role to play in today's society?

Eiken 1 2007(2) Morning Session 2

1 Can Japanese companies remain competitive in today's global economy?

2 Do fathers today play a big enough role in their children's upbringing?

3 Is reducing poverty the best way to tackle crime?

4 Should potentially dangerous sports like boxing be banned?

5 The value of studying philosophy in the modern word

Eiken 1 2007(2) Afternoon Session 1

1 The relevance of studying classical Japanese in modern society

2 Does the media exaggerate the threat of global epidemics?

3 Do we rely too much on science to solve the world's problems?

4 Will the world ever be free from the threat of nuclear war?

5 Should Japan stop using the death penalty?

Eiken 1 2007(2) Afternoon Session 2

1 Do people today appreciate the importance of learning about history?

2 Is the medical profession too reliant on technology when treating patients?

3 The pros and cons of using foreign loanwords in Japanese

4 Will a global water shortage be this century's biggest problem?

5 Is conflict an inevitable result of human nature?

Eiken 1 2007(3) Morning Session 1

1 Should the government do more to encourage people to lead healthy lifestyles?

2 Does the media in Japan promote Western values?

3 Should people have the right to own firearms for self-defense?

4 Is increasing taxes a good way to improve public services?

5 Does music play a positive role in society today?

Eiken 1 2007(3) Morning Session 2

1 Should people be prepared to change their lifestyles to help protect the environment?

2 Does the Internet encourage people to express extreme attitudes?

3 Should the government do more to protect people from the threat of terrorism?

4 Is international aid the best way to help poor countries develop?

5 Is Japan likely to become more multicultural in the future?

Eiken 1 2007(3) Afternoon Session 1

1 Are developed nations doing enough to solve global environmental problems?

2 The role of patriotism in a modern society

3 Should marijuana be legalized for medical purposes?

4 Do manga and anime have as much value as traditional forms of Japanese culture?

5 Is there too much emphasis on individualism in society today?

Eiken 1 2007(3) Afternoon Session 2

1 Have advances in information technology made our lives more complicated?

2 Should young people be required to do volunteer work?

3 Do labor unions have a role to play in the business world today?

4 Is Japan doing enough to protect its cultural heritage?

5 The pros and cons of legalized gambling

Eiken 1 2008(1) Morning Session 1

1 Does advertising have too much influence on our lives?

2 Can animal testing be justified?

3 Can the government be trusted to spend taxpayers' money wisely?

4 The pros and cons of having only one world superpower

5 Can hard work and determination be a substitute for natural ability in sports?

Eiken 1 2008(1) Morning Session 2

1 Are printed books and newspapers destined to die out?

2 The pros and cons of ongoing urbanization

3 Does Japan's health-care system need to be reformed?

4 Is democracy the best system of government?

5 Would transferring more technology to developing nations solve their economic problem?

Eiken 1 2008(1) Afternoon Session 1

1 Is pacifism relevant in the 21st century?

2 Should the pay of teachers be linked to their students' performance?

3 Should the fight against AIDS focus on prevention or cure?

4 Is space exploration a waste of resources?

5 How will future historians look back on modern-day Japan?

Eiken 1 2008(1) Afternoon Session 2

1 Does the media intrude too much on the lives of celebrities?

2 Should Japan play a greater role in world affairs?

3 The moral implications of genetic engineering

4 Is the current trend toward a cashless society a good thing?

5 Should more be done to create a sustainable gobal fishing industry?

Eiken 1 2008(2) Morning Session 1

1 Should companies in financial trouble receive government support?

2 Are women portrayed accurately on TV today?

3 Does religion provide good moral standards for society to follow?

4 Should university education be free for everyone?

5 Can Japan effectively reduce its dependence on oil?

Eiken 1 2008(2) Morning Session 2

1 Is the Internet destroying family communication?

2 Is there enough emphasis on important issues in politics today?

3 Would students benefit from stronger discipline at schools?

4 Does sumo have a role to play in modern Japanese society?

5 Is ecotourism good for the planet?

Eiken 1 2008(2) Afternoon Session 1

1 Does the political system in Japan need to be reformed?

2 Can the factory farming of animals for food be justified?

3 Is it possible to eliminate discrimination against minority groups?

4 Should celebrities use their fame to help those less fortunate?

5 Do video games have a negative impact on people's behavior?

Eiken 1 2008(2) Afternoon Session 2

1 Should religion be kept out of politics?

2 The melting polar ice caps - is it too late to act?

3 Should Japan consider increasing immigration to boost the economy?

4 Can the hunting of animals for sport be justified?

5 Do self-help books really work?

Eiken 1 2008(3) Morning Session 1

1 Are the police doing enough to combat crime?

2 Does Japan need to increase its level of food self-sufficiency?

3 Will globalization result in a world without borders?

4 Are humans becoming slaves to technology?

5 Is the study of ancient civilizations still relevant today?

Eiken 1 2008(3) Morning Session 2

I Can government censorship ever be justified?

2 Are genetically modified crops the solution to world hunger?

3 Should countries spend less money on defense?

4 Is alcohol consumption among teenagers a cause for concern?

5 Do the pros of hosting the Olympics outweigh the cons?

Eiken 1 2008(3) Afternoon Session 1

1 Should public services be provided by the government or private corporations?

2 Can the human race live in harmony with the natural world?

3 Do governments every have the right to interfere in other countries' affairs?

4 Is the issue of child labor in developing countries being taken seriously enough?

5 Do people today rely too much on prescription drugs?

Eiken 1 2008(3) Afternoon Session 2

1 Is national security more important than freedom of the press?

2 Should organ donation be made compulsory?

3 Is the school curriculum out of touch with students' needs?

4 Should more be done to preserve the earth's biological diversity?

5 Does the United Nations have a major role to play in today's world?

Eiken 1 2009(1) Morning Session 1

1 Are senior citizens discriminated against in today's society?

2 Is the extinction of some plant and animal species inevitable?

3 Should there be more decentralization of government?

4 Is the increasing number of allergy sufferers a cause for concern?

5 Should more be done to help the working poor?

Eiken 1 2009(1) Morning Session 2

1 Is it possible to make large cities more environmentally friendly?

2 Will society ever be free of gender bias?

3 Should democratic nations cut diplomatic relations with nondemocratic nations?

4 Should drug companies provide medicines cheaply to developing countries?

5 The pros and cons of TV license fees

Eiken 1 2009(1) Afternoon Session 1

1 Should the government take more action against companies that pollute the environment?

2 Has the problem of juvenile crime been exaggerated?

3 Should democratic nations do more to improve human rights worldwide?

4 Will science eventually replace religion?

5 Can small businesses survive in today's global economy?

Eiken 1 2009(1) Afternoon Session 2

1 Is the low birthrate in Japan a cause for concern?

2 Is it important to preserve endangered languages around the world?

3 Has the potential of renewable energy been exaggerated?

4 Has employee loyalty to the company become a thing of the past?

5 Will politics ever be free of corruption?

Eiken 1 2012(3) Morning Session 1

1. Should the news media be more accountable for what it reports?

2. Should the Japanese government do more to promote human rights in other countries?

3. Is the human race in danger of making itself extinct?

4. Does a college education prepare people for work?

5. Agree or disagree: Higher government spending is the best way to end a recession

Eiken 1 2012(3) Morning Session 2

1. Will the increasing reliance on robots and computers pose a threat to society?

2. Is the Japanese healthcare system a good model for other countries?

3. Agree or disagree: Voting should be mandatory

4. Is foreign aid the best way to promote economic growth in developing countries?

5. Should all nations have the right to develop nuclear weapons?

Eiken 1 2013(1) Morning Session 1

1. Agree or disagree: Technological advances have made the world a safer place

2. Are performance-enhancing drugs an inevitable part of professional sports?

3. Can the factory farming of animals be justified?

4. Do the strengths of multicultural societies outweigh the weaknesses?

5. Can an economic system based on capitalism ever be fair to all?

Eiken 1 2013(1) Morning Session 2

1. Agree or disagree: Surveillance cameras should be installed in all public places

2. Can businesses be ethical and still be profitable?

3. Has the influence of Western values weakened Japanese identity?

4. Are current global agricultural practices sustainable?

5. Is information technology changing news media for the better?

Eiken 1 2013(2) Morning Session 1

1. Is enough being done to protect the world's oceans from exploitation?

2. Is there such a things as a justifiable war?

3. Agree or disagree: The news media should be regulated by the government

4. Is Japan a good role model for the economic development of other nations?

5. Will nanotechnology have a major impact on our lives in the future?

Eiken 1 2013(2) Morning Session 2

1. Will the continued loss of biodiversity lead to environmental catastrophe?

2. Is corruption an inevitable part of modern society?

3. Should taxpayer money be used to support the arts?

4. Can world peace ever be achieved?

5. Agree or disagree: A university degree is necessary for success

Eiken 1 2013(3) Morning Session 1

1. Does money have too much influence on politics?

2. Agree or disagree: Homelessness is inevitable in a modern society

3. Is government funding the only way for Olympic athletes to stay

competitive?

4. Would the world be a better if everyone spoke the same language?

5. Should schools put more focus on teaching IT skills?

Eiken 1 2013(3) Morning Session 2

1. Agree or disagree: As societies become more modern, religion becomes less important

2. Can Japanese agriculture survive in today's globalized economy?

3. Has the Internet made people's working lives easier?

4. Can military dictatorships ever be justified?

5. Does society make full use of the talents of senior citizens?

Eiken 1 2014(1) Morning Session 1

1. Agree or disagree: Science makes a bigger contribution to society than art

2. Is warfare between nations an inevitable consequence of human nature?

3. Would Japan benefit from a more open immigration policy?

4. Is enough being done to protect the world's wilderness areas?

5. Are consumption taxes a good way to raise government revenue?

Eiken 1 2014(1) Morning Session 2

1. Is promoting nation's economic development more important than protecting its cultural heritage?

2. Agree or disagree: The advantages of legalized gambling outweigh the disadvantages

3. Which is a greater threat to society, crime or environmental pollution?

4. Should Japan's low birthrate be considered a national crisis?

5. Is it too late to protect the world's oceans from overfishing?

Eiken 1 2014(2) Morning Session 1

1. Is it too late to save the world's rainforests?

2. Agree or disagree: Internet advertising is effective

3. Is the world heading toward another global conflict?

4. Is solar power the energy of the future?

5. Can racial discrimination be totally eliminated from society?

Eiken 1 2014(2) Morning Session 2

1. Does the media sensationalize the dangers of climate change?

2. Agree or disagree: Social networking sites do more harm than good

3. Can peace in the Middle East ever be achieved?

4. Do women's rights get enough attention?

5. Has digital technology changed the art world for the better?

UsingEnglish.com Practice Exam 1

1 Are second and third generation immigrants discriminated against in today's society?

2 Is Chinese standards of living overtaking Japanese ones inevitable?

3 Should there be decentralization of powers to individual schools?

4 Is decreased social mobility a cause for concern?

5 Should more be done to help university students from poor families?

UsingEnglish.com Practice Exam 2

1 What role should Japan play in international peacekeeping?

2 Do companies have the responsibility to make up for things they did many decades

ago?

3 Are regional languages always worth preserving?

4 Should students be asked to evaluate their textbooks?

5 "When in Rome, do as Romans do" - is that always true?

UsingEnglish.com Practice Exam 3

1 Are we doing enough to keep manufacturing jobs in this country?

2 Would you be willing to do compulsory voluntary work to pay lower taxes?

3 Should certain books or music only be available to adults?

4 The pros and cons of more freelance workers

5 "Absence makes the heart grow fonder" - do you agree?

UsingEnglish.com Practice Exam 4

1 Does Japanese music have a fair reputation abroad?

2 On balance, does the construction industry beneficial to society?

3 Should schools be responsible for their students' behaviour on the way to and from

school?

4 Should the press make names public when people are arrested for crimes that they

haven't been convicted of yet?

5 How can schools help children develop healthy lifestyles?

UsingEnglish.com Practice Exam 5

1 Are the rich becoming richer while the poor are becoming poorer?

2 Can peer pressure positively affect the development of children?

3 Should Japan strengthen its military?

4 What can be done to help the elderly remain independent?

5 Have people today lost their interest in high culture?

UsingEnglish.com Practice Exam 6

1 Is the value of socialising with colleagues decreasing?

2 Do political commentators play a positive role in society?

3 What can we do to stop pets being abandoned?

4 Should governments allow more universities to go bankrupt?

5 Do we still need to use animals for non-food products like leather?