Daily Speak — English speaking questions

When was the last time you made something with your hands, and how did it turn out? Describe a painting, photo, or piece of art that you really like. Some people say everyone is creative in their own way. Do you agree? Do you have any creative hobby, or did you have one in the past? Which moves you more - looking at art or listening to music? Why? What advice would you give someone who wants to be more creative? Describe a place where you feel most creative or inspired. If you could be brilliant at one art form overnight, what would you choose? What are your top three favourite creative things to do or enjoy? Has a book, film, or piece of music ever changed how you see the world? Some people find modern art confusing or even pointless. Where do you stand? There's an old idea that great art comes from struggle or pain. How much truth is there in that, do you think?

What's a book you read recently? Tell me a little about it. Describe the place where you most like to read. What makes it cosy? Do you prefer paper books or reading on a screen? Why? Is there a book that has really stayed with you over the years? What about it stuck? Describe a character from a book you really loved. What made them memorable? A friend says they want to read more but never manage to. What advice would you give them? When a book becomes a film, which do you usually prefer, and why? When and where do you usually do most of your reading? Imagine a library where any book could come true for one day. Which book would you step into? What are your top three kinds of books or stories, and which would you put first? Tell me about a book or story you loved as a child. Why do you think people have always told stories, even before books existed?

Tell me about a toast or a speech at a celebration that really stuck with you. Describe how the day or evening before a big celebration usually feels in your home. Some people feel there are too many things to celebrate these days. Do you think we're overdoing it? If you could drop into any celebration from another culture, fully part of it, which would you choose? What's your best advice for someone hosting a big gathering for the first time and feeling nervous? How does celebrating with family compare to celebrating with friends, for you? At family celebrations, is there a quiet job or role that always seems to fall to you? Is there a tradition you used to keep but have quietly let go of, and how do you feel about that now? Every celebration seems to have unspoken rules. What's one that always makes you smile or roll your eyes? Rank your favourite parts of a celebration, from the bit you live for to the bit you could skip. Some say traditions bind people together; others say they can quietly exclude. Where do you land on that? What's a tiny detail of a celebration that you love far more than the big stuff? What's one small tradition your family has that nobody outside the family would understand? Which celebration did you love most as a child, and what made it so exciting? Do you think big, expensive weddings are worth it, or would a small one be better? If you could invent a brand-new holiday for everyone to celebrate, what would it be about? What would you tell a friend who has to spend an important holiday far from home for the first time? How are the celebrations in your life now different from the ones you had growing up? How do you usually mark your own birthday these days? Tell me about a celebration that completely didn't go to plan. Do you think old traditions should change with the times, or be kept exactly as they are? Describe the one food that, to you, just tastes like a celebration. Looking back, is there a tradition you really hope to pass on one day? If you had to be the official mascot of any celebration, which one would you pick and why?

What was the first dish you ever learned to cook? Describe a meal that always comforts you when you're feeling down. Do you prefer cooking everything from scratch, or using shortcuts like ready-made sauces? If you had to cook one dish to impress someone you'd just met, what would you make? What advice would you give to someone who's just starting to learn to cook? How does a home-cooked meal compare to eating out for you? How do you usually decide what to cook for dinner? Tell me about a time a meal you were cooking went completely wrong. What are your top three favourite dishes to make at home, and why? Is there a recipe that's been passed down in your family? Tell me about it. If you opened your own little restaurant, what would it be like and what would you serve? Beyond just feeding yourself, what do you think cooking reveals about a person?

What do you usually have for lunch on an ordinary day? How do you keep track of everything you need to do in a typical week? Can you describe the meal you cook or eat when you want comfort? Tell me about a time an ordinary everyday task went completely wrong. What do you do when you suddenly realise you're running out of time to get something done? Do you think having a fixed daily routine is comforting or a bit boring? If you could magically have one boring daily chore done for you forever, which would you pick? What advice would you give someone who feels their evenings disappear far too quickly? How different is your weekday self from your weekend self? If you had to rank the parts of the day from your favourite to your least favourite, how would they go? Is there an everyday sound you secretly love, or one that drives you up the wall? What's the very first thing you do after you wake up in the morning? Can you describe what your kitchen is like on a typical morning? Is there a small everyday chore that you secretly find quite satisfying? Tell me about a time you had to completely change your daily routine. Are you more of a morning person or an evening person, and why? If you could design a perfect ordinary day with no special events, what would it look like? What advice would you give to someone whose mornings always feel rushed and stressful? Which ordinary everyday object could you really not live without? How do you usually unwind at the end of a long day? Is there a household job you always seem to put off, and why? What is your usual journey to work or school like? What tiny daily ritual makes you weirdly happy, even if it sounds silly?

What's one thing you'd like to learn this year, even just for fun? Is there a goal you keep meaning to start but somehow never do? What's holding you back? Describe a dream trip you'd love to take someday. Where would you go and what would you do? How do you like to celebrate when you finally reach a goal? Big party or quiet treat? Would you describe yourself more as a dreamer or a doer? How does that show up in your life? If you could swap your biggest goal with someone else's for a year, would you do it? What's your best advice for setting goals that are ambitious but still realistic? Tell me about a moment when you realised one of your dreams had quietly changed direction. When chasing a goal, do you think patience or a sense of urgency serves you better? Have you ever had to redefine success on your own terms rather than by what others expect? Rank these by what makes a goal worth pursuing for you: passion, money, recognition, or growth. Why that order? What's a small goal you finished recently, and how did it feel when you were done? Describe a place where you'd love to live one day. What makes it your dream spot? Do you think it's better to chase one big dream or enjoy lots of small ones? If you could wake up tomorrow having mastered one skill overnight, what would you choose? What would you say to a friend who keeps giving up on their goals halfway through? Compare what you dreamed of becoming as a child with what you want now. How have things changed? How do you usually keep track of your goals day to day — lists, apps, or something else? Is there a goal you once had that you've quietly let go of? Looking back, do you mind? What's the silliest or most random thing on your bucket list, just for fun? Who is someone whose drive or ambition inspires you, and what do you admire about them? When you want to start working towards something new, what's the best first step in your experience? If you had a big secret dream, would you tell people about it or keep it to yourself? Why?

What song has been stuck in your head lately? Describe a character from a film, show or book that you really felt attached to. Some people watch shows on fast speed or skip ahead. What's your take on that? If you had to give up all screens for a month, how would you entertain yourself? How do you go about recommending a film or show to someone whose taste is totally different from yours? Do you enjoy watching things alone or with other people more, and how does it change the experience? What's your go-to comfort watch when you're feeling a bit down? Tell me about a twist or ending that completely caught you off guard. What are your top three feel-good films or shows of all time? Looking back on how you used to enjoy yourself, how has your idea of entertainment changed over the years? Invent a ridiculous reality TV show on the spot, what's it called and what happens? What do you think the best entertainment actually does for us, beyond just passing the time? What's the last thing you watched or heard that made you laugh out loud? Describe the spot where you most like to watch films or shows at home. Do you prefer going to the cinema or watching things at home, and why? Was there a show or film from your childhood that you still have a soft spot for? In your opinion, what makes a really good night out for fun? When you sit down to watch something, how do you usually decide what to put on? If you could have a coffee with any actor, singer or performer, who would you pick and what would you ask? A friend says they can never find anything good to watch. What advice would you give them? Tell me about a concert, show or live event that surprised you in some way. Describe your idea of a perfect lazy day spent on films, music or games. Which do you enjoy more: watching others perform, or getting up and doing something fun yourself? If your life were turned into a TV show, what kind of show would it be?

Tell me about the headphones or earbuds you use. When do you wear them during the day? How do you keep track of all your passwords and logins? Tell me your method, even if it's not perfect. Have you ever been the 'tech support' for your family or friends, fixing their gadget problems? Tell me about it. Tell me about a time autocorrect or a typo on your phone caused a funny or awkward moment. Do you prefer shopping online or going to an actual shop? What does each one give you that the other doesn't? How do you deal with all the notifications your devices send you during the day? Do you let them buzz or shut them off? Someone tells you they spend way too long on their phone and want to cut back. What would you suggest? Let's be honest about charging cables and chargers. What's your relationship with them like? Rank your top three apps you really couldn't live without, and tell me why each one made the list. Tell me about a time you had to learn a new piece of technology or software from scratch. How did it go? How do you imagine the everyday gadgets in your home will be different ten years from now? How does connecting with people over a video call compare with seeing them face to face? What gets lost, and what's gained? Tell me about a time your phone died or ran out of battery at a really bad moment. What happened? Which gadget or device do you use the most in a normal day? Describe it and what you do with it. Do you think people today rely too much on technology in everyday life? Why or why not? Imagine you woke up tomorrow and there was no internet for a whole week. How would you cope? Imagine an older relative just got their first smartphone. What advice would you give them to get started? Do you prefer texting people or actually calling them? What's the difference for you? What's the first thing you do with your phone when you wake up? Walk me through your morning routine with it. Is there an older piece of technology you still miss, like a cassette player or an old game console? Tell me about it. If your phone or laptop could talk, what do you think it would say about you? Have a bit of fun with it. Is there an app that genuinely changed something in your daily life? Tell me the story of how you started using it. How do you keep your important photos and files safe? Describe your system, even if it's a bit messy. What's your view on smart home gadgets, like voice assistants or smart lights? Worth it, or more trouble than they're worth?

Is there a saying or catchphrase your family uses all the time that an outsider would never understand? If you had to describe a close friend's personality as a kind of weather, what would they be and why? Do you think families should talk openly about money, or are some things better kept private? If you could instantly mend one strained relationship in your life with no awkwardness, which would it be? A friend has just become a parent and is terrified of losing touch with all their friends. What would you tell them? How does a friendship that lives mostly online compare to one you keep up in person? What's your usual way of staying connected with the people who live far from you? Was there a moment when you suddenly saw a parent or older relative as a real person, not just a parent? What's the family story that gets told at every gathering, the one you can never live down? Of all the qualities a good friend can have, which three matter most to you, in order? Should you ever lend money to a close friend, or does that put the friendship at risk? What's something you've caught yourself doing exactly the way one of your parents does? Who is the friend who knows you best, and how did the two of you get so close? When your whole family gets together, what does the room actually feel like? Some people say the friends you choose can be just as much family as your relatives. What do you think? If you could swap lives with one relative for a single day, who would you pick and why? A friend tells you they're slowly drifting apart from their oldest friend. What would you say to them? How are the friendships you make now different from the ones you made when you were younger? Is there a small everyday ritual you share with a family member or friend? Looking back, what's something an older relative taught you that you only really understood years later? Does anyone in your family have a hidden talent or a habit that always makes you laugh? Who's the very first friend you can remember having, and what did you two get up to? Think of the person you go to when you've had a rough day. How would you describe them? If you could host one dinner with any three people from your family or friend group, living or not, who's at the table?

What's your favourite thing to wear, and why do you love it so much? Describe the kind of clothes you usually wear on a normal day. When you choose what to wear, what matters more to you — comfort or looking good? Tell me about a time you found something great while shopping for clothes. Is there a fashion trend you've seen that you'd never try yourself? Tell me about it. Do you think what you wear changes how you feel? Tell me about an outfit that makes you feel confident. A friend asks what to wear to their first job interview. What advice would you give? How is your style different from your parents' style when they were your age? If you were invited to a glamorous red-carpet event tomorrow, what would you wear? What are the three items in your wardrobe you wear the most? Rank them and tell me why. If you could swap wardrobes with anyone for a week, whose would you take and why? Some people buy lots of cheap, trendy clothes; others invest in a few lasting pieces. Which approach appeals to you, and why?

Is there an object or possession you turn to when you need comforting? Tell me about the last time you laughed so hard you couldn't stop. When you're down, do you feel better being alone or surrounded by people? What's an everyday thing you're genuinely grateful for but rarely mention? If you could borrow someone's default mood for a day, whose would you take? What are your top three reliable ways to lift your mood when you're flat? What's your advice for handling anger without doing something you'll regret? Has your idea of what makes you happy changed as you've got older? Describe how it feels to walk through your own door after a long time away. Do you think we'd be happier chasing excitement or settling for quiet contentment? How do you draw the line with your phone to protect your headspace? What's one small thing that lifted your mood this week? How do you usually recharge after a really draining day? Describe a place where you always feel calm and relaxed. Do you think it's important to admit when you're not feeling okay? If you had a magic button that made you feel instantly calm, when would you press it? What would you say to a friend who feels completely overwhelmed right now? Are you more of a cheerful morning person or do you feel best in the evening? Tell me about a time you felt really proud of yourself. How does your body tell you that you're stressed before your mind notices? Describe the feeling of relief when something you were worried about turns out fine. If your good mood had a soundtrack, a snack, and a person in it, what would they be? Is there one little habit that keeps you feeling steady and grounded?

Tell me about a meal that mattered far more for what was happening around the table than for the food itself. Do you think it's rude to turn down food that someone has lovingly cooked for you? If you had to rank your top three cuisines from around the world, what would they be and why? If you could never eat your single favourite food again, but in return you'd never gain weight, would you take the deal? What advice would you give someone cooking a meal to impress a first date? Tell me about the little ritual you have around your favourite hot or cold drink. Describe the atmosphere of a food market or food hall you've loved walking through. How do you think people's relationship with food has changed over the last generation or two? Are you someone who turns leftovers into something new, or do they tend to languish in the fridge? If you could have one food-related superpower, like never burning toast or instantly knowing a recipe, what would you pick? Why do you think sharing a meal carries such weight in nearly every culture around the world? Is there a food smell that instantly takes you back to a particular kitchen or moment? Describe the one dish you can cook really well. What's in it and how do you make it? Tell me about a time you tried to cook something and it went completely wrong. When it comes to everyday meals, do you like to eat the same things or mix it up? If a friend offered you something unusual to eat, like insects, would you give it a go? What do you prefer: a meal cooked at home or a meal out at a restaurant? What advice would you give to someone who has never cooked and wants to start? Some people say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Do you agree? Is there a food you couldn't stand as a child but actually enjoy now? What's the snack you reach for when no one's looking? Beyond the food itself, what turns an ordinary meal into a special one for you? Picture two options: a buzzing street food stall or a quiet, fancy restaurant. Which calls to you?

How do you usually sleep at night — like a log, or are you a bit of a restless sleeper? Is there a piece of health advice you grew up believing that you've since stopped taking seriously? How do you feel about the amount of time you spend looking at screens — and do you do anything to take a break from them? Do the seasons change how you feel and what you do — say, your energy in summer compared with winter? Someone you know sits at a desk all day and complains of a stiff back and low energy. What would you suggest they try? Tell me about a healthy habit someone else has that you secretly wish you could copy. If a genie could lock in just one healthy habit for life so you never had to think about it again, which would you pick? Rank your top three ways to de-stress after a rough day — and tell me which one always works best. Have you ever jumped on a fitness or wellness trend? Tell me how it went — be honest! Describe a place — anywhere at all — where you feel at your healthiest, body and mind. These days we're constantly told how to optimise our health. Do you find that culture genuinely helpful, or does it just pile on the pressure? Looking back at your own life, how clearly have you felt the link between your mental state and your physical health? What's the one thing in the morning that actually wakes you up and makes you feel ready for the day? Tell me about a healthy habit you've picked up recently. How did it start? Are you more of an early bird or a night owl, and does it suit your daily life? In your view, what really makes a person healthy — is it mostly food, exercise, sleep, or something else? If you could instantly fix one unhealthy habit of yours, which would you choose and why? A friend wants to start exercising but keeps giving up after a week. What advice would you give them? When you feel a bit under the weather, what's your go-to routine to feel better? How has the way you move or exercise changed compared to when you were younger? Tell me about a time a small change to your routine made a surprisingly big difference. Be honest — what's the one snack or treat you just can't resist, and when does it usually call your name? When you really need to switch off and relax, what does that look like for you? Describe your idea of a perfectly restful day off — the kind that leaves you feeling genuinely refreshed.

How did you first get into your main hobby? Was it a slow build or love at first try? Describe the gear, tools, or bits and pieces your hobby involves. What's your favourite item? Do you think a hobby has to be something you're good at, or is that missing the point? If money and time were no object, what hobby would you throw yourself into completely? Someone keeps starting hobbies and quitting after two weeks. How would you help them stick with one? What's the difference, for you, between doing something purely for fun and turning it into a side hustle? How do you actually fit your hobbies into a busy week? What's your trick? Has a hobby ever quietly changed the way you see the world or yourself? Rank your top three favourite ways to unwind. What earns the number one spot? What's the most ridiculous or extreme thing your hobby has ever made you do? Should children be gently pushed into hobbies, or left to find their own way to them? Is there a hobby you've secretly wanted to try for years but never have? What's holding you back? Tell me about a hobby you used to love but slowly stopped doing. What happened? Describe your perfect lazy Sunday. What does it look like from morning to night? Some people spend a lot of money on their hobbies. Do you think that's worth it? If you suddenly had a whole free month with no work, what new hobby would you try? A friend says they have no hobbies and feel a bit bored. What advice would you give them? Do you prefer doing hobbies alone or with other people? Why? How do you usually spend your evenings during the week? Looking back, did any childhood hobby teach you something about yourself? What's a hobby that sounds boring to other people but you secretly love? Tell me about the last time a hobby made you completely lose track of time. Describe a place where you love to spend your free time. What makes it special? Do you think people relax in healthier ways than they used to, or has screen time taken over?

Is there a smell that instantly takes you back to your home, or a home you grew up in? Tell me about the view from one of your windows. What can you see? Every area seems to have one well-known local character. Is there someone like that near you? How does where you live now compare to the home you grew up in? Do you enjoy having people over to your place, or do you prefer meeting out somewhere? Walk me through a typical lazy weekend morning at home. What does it look like? Rank your top three favourite places within a ten-minute walk of your front door. If you could swap homes with anyone—real or fictional—for a week, whose place would you pick? What does the word 'neighbourhood' really mean to you—is it the streets, the people, or something else? What's your best advice for being a genuinely good neighbour without overstepping? They say a home reflects the person living in it. What would a stranger guess about you just by walking through yours? Is there one spot in your home you always seem to end up in? Tell me about it. Think back to a place you moved into. When did it start to feel like home? Is there a sound—inside or outside your home—that instantly makes you feel relaxed? Has a neighbour ever done something kind for you, even something small? What's the best thing about where you live—and what would you change if you could? If you had to choose forever—a busy city centre or a quiet village—which would win, and why? Have you ever made a small, cheap change at home that made a surprisingly big difference? If a friend was about to move into your neighbourhood, what's the one thing you'd tell them? If your front door could talk, what funny or surprising thing would it say about who comes and goes? What's the first thing you usually do when you get home after being out all day? Is there a little place near your home—a shop, a bench, a path—you'd really miss if you moved away? Imagine you could design your ideal neighbour from scratch. What would they be like?

What's one meal or dish from your childhood that still feels like a warm hug? Who made it? Was there a relative everyone in the family had stories about? What made them so memorable? What TV shows, cartoons, or films did you watch obsessively as a kid? Why were you so hooked? What made the summer holidays feel endless when you were a child? Do you think kids today feel the same? Tell me about a time you got into trouble as a kid. What happened, and was it worth it? If your childhood home were on fire and you could grab one object from your room, what would it be and why? What's something a grandparent or older relative taught you that has stuck with you into adulthood? What were your top three favourite treats or rewards as a child? Rank them for me. A child today tells you they're bored and reaches for a screen. Drawing on your own childhood, what would you suggest instead? Compare two places you spent time in as a child, perhaps two homes, two schools, or a town and the countryside. How did each one shape you? Is there a childhood memory that changed meaning once you became an adult, where you understood something you couldn't grasp at the time? Did you have an imaginary friend, a made-up world, or a secret game you played alone? Tell me all about it. Did you have a favourite hiding place or secret spot as a child? Describe it for me. What were you scared of as a child that seems funny to you now? Was there a treat or toy you really wanted as a kid and had to wait or save up for? Tell me about it. In your opinion, what's the best thing about being a child that adults lose? If you could relive one ordinary day from your childhood, exactly as it was, which would you choose? If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would you say? How were your weekends as a child compared to your weekends now? What did your bedtime usually look like when you were small? Walk me through it. Did you and your friends or siblings ever make up your own game with your own rules? How did it work? Close your eyes and picture the kitchen from your childhood. What do you see, hear, and smell? Did you have a nickname as a kid? Where did it come from, and did you love it or hate it?

How do you and your friends usually handle splitting the bill when you eat out? Has an advert ever actually convinced you to buy something? Are you comfortable haggling over a price, or do you just pay what's asked? Tell me about a gift you bought for someone that turned out to be money well spent. Looking back, how did the way money was handled at home shape your own attitude to it? Why do you think sales and discounts have such a strong pull on us? Do you think people should talk more openly about how much they earn and spend? What's an impulse buy you actually don't regret at all? What are the few things you genuinely believe are worth spending good money on? If you could swap all the money you'll ever spend shopping for one perfect skill instead, would you? When unexpected money lands in your lap, are you tempted to spend it or does it just sit there? What's the best thing you've ever bought secondhand? Can you describe a shop you really love going to? Do you think it's worth paying more for better quality? If you won a lot of money tomorrow, what's the first thing you'd buy? Do you prefer shopping online or going to actual shops? How do you usually pay for things — cash, card, or your phone? Is there something you bought that you really regret? If your wallet could talk, what would it say about you? Can you remember the first time you had your own money to spend? Describe a market or place where you love finding a bargain. Do you think children should be given pocket money?

Is there a song that often gets stuck in your head? When do you usually listen to music during your day? Tell me about a concert or live show you've been to. Is there a musical instrument you wish you could play? How does music affect your mood? How do you usually discover new music? Is there a song that takes you back to a particular time in your life? Do you prefer live music or listening to recordings? Why? What advice would you give someone who wants to get into making their own music? To what extent do you think the music we love shapes who we are? If your life had a soundtrack, what would be on it? What are your top three songs you'd take to a desert island?

What's your favourite place in nature, and what makes it special to you? Tell me about the last time you spent a day outdoors. What did you do? Do you prefer being outdoors in the early morning or in the evening? Why? How does the weather affect your mood or your plans? A friend is going camping for the first time and feels nervous. What advice would you give them? Rank the four seasons from your favourite to your least favourite. What puts each one where it is? Would you rather live surrounded by nature or in the heart of a busy city? Why? Have you ever had a memorable encounter with a wild animal? What happened? Some say children today spend too little time outdoors. If you could change one thing about that, what would it be? Describe a sunset or sunrise you'll never forget. If you could control the weather for just one day, what kind of day would you make, and what would you do with it? Some people say being in nature is essential for our wellbeing, while others feel it's overstated. Where do you stand?

What's a piece of advice from someone in your life that has really stuck with you? Describe someone you know who seems to light up a room when they walk in. When a friend asks for your honest opinion, is it better to be completely honest or to be kind? If you could reconnect with one person you've lost contact with, who would it be? A friend wants to repair a relationship after a long silence but doesn't know how to start. What would you tell them? Do you get more energy from being around people or from spending time alone? How do you usually show the people close to you that you care? Tell me about a time you completely misjudged someone when you first met them. Looking back on your relationships, what does loyalty actually mean to you? What are your favourite ways to spend time with friends? Rank your top few. Every friend group has its characters — the planner, the joker, the peacemaker. Which role do you play? When someone close to you lets you down, how do you tend to handle it? How did you first meet one of your closest friends? Tell me about a relative you really look up to. Do you think it's possible to stay good friends with someone after you've fallen out? If you could spend a day with anyone you've never met, who would it be and why? What advice would you give to someone who's shy and finds it hard to make new friends? What's the difference between your oldest friends and the friends you've made recently? How do you usually keep in touch with the people you care about? Tell me about a time a stranger or someone you didn't know well was really kind to you. What makes a person easy to talk to, in your opinion? Describe the friend or family member who always makes you laugh. Looking back, how have your friendships changed as you've got older? If a character from a film or TV show could become your real-life friend, who would you pick?

Is there an animal sound you really love, or one that drives you mad? Was there an animal you were scared of as a child? Are you still? How did a pet you know get its name? Was there a story behind it? If you had the chance to foster an animal for a few weeks, would you do it? Describe a place where you've enjoyed watching animals — a park, the sea, a farm, anywhere. If you had to pick an animal that captures your personality, which would it be and why? What's the most memorable encounter you've had with an animal while travelling or away from home? How do you think having a pet changes the way a family or household lives together? If a friend was heartbroken after losing a much-loved pet, what would you say to comfort them? How do you feel about animals that work for a living — guide dogs, farm animals, police horses — compared with animals kept just as pets? If you were stuck on a desert island and could bring three animals for company, which would you pick and in what order? What's the first animal you can remember holding or touching as a child? Describe a pet that you or someone close to you has. What is it like? Some people say we treat pets too much like people these days. What do you think? Imagine a friendly stray animal turned up at your door tomorrow. What would you do? A friend is about to get their very first pet. What's one piece of advice you'd give them? Cats or dogs — which suits your kind of person better, and why? Do animals fit into your daily routine in any way — feeding, walking, watching birds, anything like that? Has there ever been an animal that made you feel calmer or happier during a hard time? If an animal you know could talk for just one day, what do you think it would say? Tell me about a time an animal did something that made you laugh out loud. Is there a wild animal you'd love to see up close one day? Why that one? How do you think keeping a quiet pet like a fish compares to having a cuddly one like a cat or dog?

Tell me about a casual chat with a stranger that unexpectedly grew into something more — a friendship, a job, anything. Think of someone you know who's brilliant at small talk. What exactly do they do that makes it work? Do you think 'So, what do you do?' is a good way to get to know someone, or does it tell you almost nothing? Imagine you're abroad and barely speak the local language. How would you handle a chatty stranger? Someone asks how to politely escape a small-talk conversation that's dragging on. What's your best advice? How does small talk in person compare with the kind you have in chats and comment threads online? When you're not sure what to say, what's the topic you instinctively fall back on? Looking back, how has the way you handle small talk changed as you've got older? If you could read the other person's mind during small talk, would you actually want to? What are your top two or three favourite questions to ask a new person, and why do they work so well? Describe what it's like making small talk with someone whose background or life is completely different from yours. Talking about the weather gets mocked a lot. Is it genuinely pointless, or is something else going on? Tell me about a time a stranger said something small that made your whole day better. What's your go-to thing to say when you need to break the ice with someone new? Some people think small talk is a waste of time. Where do you stand on that? Imagine you're stuck in a lift with a total stranger for ten minutes. What would you talk about? A shy friend asks how to handle small talk at a party. What would you tell them? How is the way you chat with old friends different from chatting with people you've just met? When a cashier or a taxi driver starts chatting, what do you usually do? Looking back, is there an awkward small-talk moment you still cringe about? If you could ban one overused small-talk question forever, which would it be? Where do you find it easiest to strike up a conversation with someone you don't know? When you're waiting somewhere with strangers, do you reach for your phone or strike up a chat?

When was the last time you went out with friends, and what did you do? Can you describe your favourite place to hang out with people? Do you prefer going out or staying in for a relaxing evening? Why? Imagine a shy friend is nervous about coming to a party. How would you encourage them? What advice would you give someone trying to make new friends in a new city? How do big parties compare with small, quiet gatherings for you? How do you usually spend your weekends when it comes to socialising? How has your social life changed compared with a few years ago? If you could throw any party you wanted, with no limits, what would it be like? What are your top three favourite ways to socialise, and why those? Tell me about a social occasion that didn't quite go to plan but turned out fine anyway.

What's your favourite way to move your body or get some exercise? Was there a sport or game you loved playing as a kid? Do you prefer exercising in the morning or in the evening, and why? Is there a sport or type of exercise you've always wanted to try? When you don't feel like exercising, how do you get yourself to do it anyway? Do you enjoy watching sport more, or actually playing it? What's the best feeling you get after a good workout or a game? Do you prefer team sports or doing things on your own, like running or the gym? Is there anything that puts you off going to the gym or joining a class? If you could instantly be brilliant at any sport, which would you choose? What are your top three activities that always make you feel good and energised? If a sports commentator narrated one ordinary moment of your day, which moment would be the most fun to hear?

Is there a small thing you brought back from a trip that you still treasure? Describe a journey — a train ride, a long drive, a flight — that you enjoyed more than the destination itself. Have you ever visited a famous spot that turned out to be totally overrated? Rank your favourite kinds of place to stay — hotel, hostel, a friend's spare room, camping — and tell me why. Tell me about a time a stranger showed you unexpected kindness while you were travelling. Is there one place still on your bucket list, and what is it about it that pulls you? What's your advice for travelling with friends or family without falling out? How do you think travelling when you're young compares to travelling later in life? When you arrive somewhere new, what's the first thing you like to do to get a feel for it? Is there a place you once loved that has changed a lot since you first knew it? If you had to describe yourself as a place — a city, a beach, a quiet forest — which would you be and why? Think of a place from your past — what smell, sound or taste brings it straight back to you? Tell me about a time a place turned out completely different from what you expected. Describe a place where you instantly feel relaxed and at home. Do you think it's better to return to places you love or always explore somewhere new? If you could only ever travel to one place for the rest of your life, where would it be? What advice would you give someone travelling on their own for the very first time? Which do you prefer for a holiday: a busy city break or a quiet escape into nature? How do you usually get ready and pack before a trip? Looking back, was there a trip that changed the way you see the world? Tell me about a time you got lost somewhere unfamiliar. What happened? Describe your idea of a perfect lazy day while on holiday. Do you think travellers should try to learn a few words of the local language?

What's one little thing about spring that always makes you smile? Why do you think people complain about the weather so much, even when it's fine? Describe a smell or sound that instantly tells you a particular season has arrived. Someone's visiting a place where the weather changes constantly. How should they pack and dress? How much do you actually trust the weather forecast — and has it ever let you down? Compare the way it rains where you live now with somewhere else you've been. Be honest — how much does the weather really affect your mood day to day? Rank the four seasons from best to worst for you, and defend your number one. Tell me about the most extreme weather you've ever lived through. Imagine your country had only one season, all year round. Which would you choose, and how would life change? What does a normal day look like for you when the weather is absolutely perfect? Tell me about a time you got caught in the rain without an umbrella. What happened? What's your favourite kind of weather, and how does it make you feel? Some people say talking about the weather is boring small talk. Do you agree? A friend says grey, rainy days really get them down. What would you suggest they try? Are you more of a summer person or a winter person? What makes you say that? What do you usually do when it's pouring with rain on a day off? Is there a season that takes you straight back to childhood? What memory comes up? Imagine waking up to thick snow with nowhere you have to be. Describe how you'd spend it. Tell me about a time the weather completely changed your plans. If you could delete one season from the year forever, which would go — and what would you replace it with? If you were a type of weather, which one would you be — and why does it fit you?

Tell me about a mistake you made at work or in your studies that taught you the most. How do you handle it when you're under pressure with a tight deadline? What makes a great boss or teacher, in your opinion? Do you have any tricks for remembering things you need for work or study? How do you switch off and stop thinking about work or study when the day is done? Is there a skill people make a big fuss about that you think is overrated — or one that's quietly underrated? How do you tend to react to feedback — both praise and criticism? Has that changed over time? When are you sharpest for work or study — early morning, late at night, or somewhere in between? If you could completely redesign the working or study week, what would you change? What are your top three tools, apps, or resources you couldn't work or study without? Describe the busiest, most hectic day you've ever had at work or in your studies. How do you know whether to push on with a difficult task or step back and call it a day? Tell me about your first day at a new job or school. What do you remember most? Describe the place where you do your best work or studying. What makes it work for you? Some people prefer working or studying at home, others prefer being out among people. Where do you stand? If you could become an expert at any work or study skill overnight, what would you choose and why? A friend says they've completely lost motivation for their studies or job. What advice would you give them? How is the way you learn or work now different from when you were younger? What's the first thing you usually do when you sit down to work or study? Tell me about a time you finished something at work or in your studies that you were really proud of. Describe a colleague or classmate who taught you something important — what were they like? What's the best part and the worst part of your typical work or study routine? If your week of work or study were a weather forecast, what would it look like? When you have to learn something new for work or study, how do you usually go about it?