A1 Level – Elementary
1. Do you use kind words?
2. What is a hard fact?
3. Do you like simple truths?
4. What is a polite way to say “no”?
5. Do you think hiding facts is sometimes good?
6. What is a soft phrase?
7. Do you worry about saying the wrong thing?
8. What is a clear message?
9. Do you think language can be too honest?
10. What is a simple phrase?
11. Do you like fast answers?
12. What is a confusing word?
13. Do you like clear talks?
14. What are three hard topics to talk about?
15. Do you think euphemisms are useful?
A2 Level – Pre-Intermediate
1. What is the difference between a direct statement and a softened one?
2. Why do people use euphemisms for difficult topics (like death)?
3. What are the good things and bad things about always using soft language?
4. How can a person politely ask for a clear answer?
5. Should all communication aim for clarity, even if rude?
6. Why is it important to understand the true meaning of a euphemism?
7. Do you think professional language uses too many euphemisms?
8. What is the purpose of avoiding specific words?
9. How does culture affect the kind of words people soften?
10. What is the difference between a euphemism and an idiom?
11. Do you think using soft words can hide a serious problem?
12. What are the problems when euphemisms are used in politics?
13. When is the best time to be completely direct in a conversation?
14. What are two things that a euphemism tries to achieve?
15. How does a lack of clarity affect honest communication?
B1 Level – Intermediate
1. What are the simple ways to politely tell someone their language is confusing?
2. How does the desire for political correctness affect the use of language?
3. Should the government provide resources to promote clear public speaking?
4. What is the difference between a simple polite phrase and a misleading one?
5. Do you believe that euphemisms are a sign of social maturity?
6. What are the challenges of using them correctly in a second language?
7. How does focusing on avoiding offense affect the truth of a statement?
8. What is the idea of “doublespeak”?
9. Is it fair when a person is criticized for being too direct?
10. How does a lack of understanding affect being misled by soft language?
11. What are the basic steps for rephrasing a harsh truth softly?
12. What is the value of using language to protect others’ feelings?
13. Should the news talk more about honest political language?
14. What are the simple reasons why some jobs require very soft language?
15. How does the history of politeness affect modern communication?
B2 Level – Upper-Intermediate
1. What are the simple social problems caused by constant vagueness?
2. What are the ethical issues when companies use euphemisms to hide bad news?
3. How does constant social media use of informal euphemisms affect formal talk?
4. Should legal documents be legally required to avoid all euphemisms?
5. How does the feeling of comfort affect a person’s desire for the truth?
6. Who is responsible for educating the public on detecting misleading language?
7. What is your simple view on the practice of deliberately using harsh language?
8. What is the role of technology in automating the detection of unclear language?
9. How does the problem of hiding the truth affect public trust?
10. What are the clear problems with allowing people to control the narrative?
11. What are the legal differences between general softness and deliberate misleading?
12. Do you think the main purpose of euphemisms is to maintain social order?
13. What steps can individual citizens take to demand clearer public language?
14. How does the lack of clear rules affect communication transparency?
15. What are the simple psychological effects of a softened harsh truth?
C1 Level – Advanced
1. Is it fair that career success can depend on mastering soft, indirect language?
2. What is the moral duty of a society to promote honest communication?
3. How do global political conflicts affect the use of propaganda and euphemisms?
4. When should the government consider mandatory clarity standards for public statements?
5. What are the simple ethical problems of companies profiting from a lack of clarity?
6. How does focusing on avoiding offense affect the need for honest criticism?
7. Discuss the effects of long-term exposure to constantly vague language.
8. How should leaders use policy to promote transparent communication?
9. What is the idea of “semantic distortion”?
10. What are the long-term social effects when a whole generation struggles to be direct?
11. What are the clear difficulties when courts try to decide the intent of a soft phrase?
12. How does the desire for personal comfort affect the need for objective truth?
13. Do you think the most important thing is the preservation of clear meaning?
14. What are the simple moral rules a person should follow when communicating sensitive information?
15. Should the government set a clear standard for political honesty?
C2 Level – Proficiency
1. What is the true difference between deliberate manipulation and social courtesy?
2. Should we eliminate the system that allows for massive use of misleading language?
3. How does the idea of truth change when all statements are softened?
4. What laws are needed to prevent major corporate use of manipulative language?
5. How do historical views of rhetoric and power affect modern communication?
6. How can a society ensure that empathy is shown to people struggling with directness?
7. Do you think total honesty would fix all social problems?
8. What simple rules should guide people when they encounter overly vague language?
9. How can we stop people from using personal choice as an excuse for harmful actions?
10. What did old thinkers say about truth, politeness, and the common good?
11. What will happen to the need for human language if AI translates all meaning perfectly?
12. How do people use the idea of “being kind” to avoid discussing hard facts?
13. How does the experience of a major misunderstanding change a person’s language use?
14. What is the power of a group to demand clear, unambiguous communication?
15. If scientists could create a perfect, clear, and kind language, what would happen?
