Speaking and writing practice: contemporary issues

Speaking and writing practice: contemporary issues

General instructions:
Answer the following questions below in as much detail as possible. Structure your response in the following manner: clearly stated opinion → reason(s) → evidence and examples.

Speaking instructions:

Take one minute to think and prepare your response before answering. Next, you should speak for approximately 1-2 minutes in your response.

Writing instructions:

Choose one question to answer in detail. Your written response should be approximately 300 words and should be completed within 30 minutes. As a general rule, responses should consist of four paragraphs: 1) the introduction which introduces the problem and clearly states your opinion and/or general argument, 2) reason 1 paragraph which discusses your first reason, 3) reason 2 paragraph, and 4) concluding paragraph in which you restate your main argument or opinion. Note also that each reason should be supported by details and evidence, and assisted by phrases such as "for example." You should also make use of transition phrases such as "however," "moreover," and "at the same time." 

**Example essays:

A. Example Problem Solution Essay

General questions:

1. Discuss one social problem in contemporary Japanese society. You may write your essay in either problem-solution or argumentative-opinion format. 

2. Some people say education provides the foundation for the development of a country and thus should be free. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion? (Kono 2016: 103)

3. Students today can easily access information online and conduct research without leaving the room or opening a book. Do you think this is a positive or negative development? (Kono: 103)

4. Using social media, people today can always be connected to other people. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of this development? (Kono: 104)

5. Some people think working hard is the way to success and beneficial for society as a whole. Others believe that people should work as little as possible. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. (Kono: 104)

6. Recently fewer and fewer university students are choosing to major in the humanities. Why is this happening? What can be done to increase the number of humanities majors? (Kono: 104)

7. What changes do you think we will see over the next 100 years? Use examples and details in your answer. (Kawate-Mierzejewska and Mierzejewski 2015: 66)

Questions:

1. Global warming is one of the most serious problems facing humanity. What is global warming and why is it happening? What can be done to prevent it from getting worse? (Problem-solution)

2. Poverty and inequality are serious issues. Why is there poverty in the world? Can poverty be eliminated entirely? What steps could be taken to alleviate poverty and inequality, both in Japan and globally? (Problem-solution)

3. What are some causes of the labor shortage in Japan. What steps are being taken to address this problem? Do you think that current efforts are proper and sufficient? What additional solutions might there be to the labor shortage? (Problem-solution)

4. Japanese workers work longer hours than workers in most other developed nations. What are some problems of overwork in Japan? What are the causes of overwork? What steps could be taken to alleviate problems of overwork and/or to improve working conditions in general? (Problem-solution)

5. In what ways are gender discrimination and sexual harassment problems in Japan? Discuss one issue in particular and its causes. What are some potential solutions to this problem? (Problem-solution)

6. Is racism an issue in Japan? Why or why not? Can you think of any groups of people who might be discriminated against because of their race/nationality in Japan? Are people granted equal rights regardless of race/nationality in Japan or are they treated differently? (Argumentative-opinion)

7. Japan is one of the fifty-three countries in the world to use the death penalty. What do you think about the death penalty? Do you think it is necessary in some cases, or do you think it should be abolished? Is it an effective form of punishment? What are your other thoughts on the criminal justice system in Japan, and how do you think it could be reformed or improved? (Argumentative-opinion)

8. The issue of whether to revise Article 9 of the Japanese constitution is debated. Some people think that the constitution should be revised to allow Japan to have a military and be able to go to war. Others think that Article 9 should be protected, and that Japan should not have a military but rather remain a peaceful, or neutral country. Yet others still point to the fact that Japan has the Self Defense Forces, which are already like a military anyway. What do you think about revising the Japanese constitution? Should Article 9 be revised or kept the same and why/why not? (Argumentative-opinion)

9. Talk about the problem of bullying in Japanese schools. What kinds of bullying is common? Why is bullying an issue? Where does it come from and what are some of the causes? What can be done to protect children from being bullied?  (Problem-solution)

10. The Japanese government is frequently seen as not having sufficiently apologized for war crimes committed by Japanese troops in the Asia-Pacific War (1931-1945). Moreover, disagreement over how to resolve issues relating to the comfort women, forced Asian laborers, and atrocities like the Nanking Massacre are often a source of friction between Japan and its regional neighbors, especially Korea and China. What are some of the causes of these problems and what could be done to improve relations and mutual understanding on the issues? (Problem-solution)

11. Japan generally suffers from low voter turnout, especially among youth. What are some of the causes (and negative effects) of low political interest and voter turnout?  What steps could be taken to improve interest in politics and voter turnout? (Problem-solution)

12. Japan has a slowly declining birthrate which is expected to drop further in the future. Despite this, many parents are unable to get their children into daycare and kindergarten facilities due to too many people on the waiting list and not enough available slots for children to get in (i.e. 待機児童問題). What could be done to solve this problem? (Problem-solution)

13. The Japanese government recently raised the consumption tax from 8% to 10% (2019.11). Moreover, the government has plans to raise the consumption tax even further after this. Do you agree or disagree with raising the consumption tax? (Agree-disagree)

14. Many Japanese communities are trying to boost their local economies via increased tourism. Do you think this is a positive or negative development? (Agree-disagree)

15. Since the March 2011 nuclear disaster at Fukushima, there has been fierce debate in Japan over whether to restart stalled nuclear reactors. Some argue that nuclear power is necessary in order to meet Japan's energy demands. Others disagree, pointing to the fact that Japan has already been meeting these demands with other sources. What is your opinion on this issue? Should Japan continue to rely on nuclear power or not? (Argumentative-opinion)

16. Do you think that Japan is an environmentally friendly country? Why or why not? Support your answer with reasons and examples. (Argumentative-opinion)

17. For much of the global economy, Japan included, it seems to be taken for granted that economic growth is always a good thing and should be a goal in and of itself. But is this really the case? Is economic growth really a good thing? Argue for or against the position of economic growth, and support your idea with examples. (Argumentative-opinion)

18. Japan faces serious threats from climate change. What are some of these negative effects and/or their root causes? What could the Japanese government do to prevent climate change from getting worse, and to strengthen its communities against the negative effects of climate change? (Problem-solution)