These 20 conversation questions about cancel culture are suitable for adult English learners at B2 (upper-intermediate) level. They can also be used with C1+ (advanced) students. The questions can be used in one-to-one lessons, pair or group discussions, or set as writing homework.
- What is cancel culture? Can you think of any well-known examples of people being cancelled?
- Have you ever stopped supporting a celebrity, musician, company or other public figure because of something they said or did?
- Do you think people are more afraid to express controversial opinions today than they were in the past? Why?
- When somebody says something offensive, what do you think is an appropriate response? Should they be criticised, made to apologise, boycotted or face more serious consequences?
- If a public figure makes a racist, sexist or homophobic comment, should they be cancelled?
- Should employers have the right to fire employees because of opinions they express outside work? Does it matter whether the opinions are related to their job?
- Should private companies have the right to refuse customers whose political or social views they disagree with?
- If a celebrity made an offensive comment many years ago, is it fair to hold them accountable for it today? How long should someone's past follow them?
- Should adults have to apologise or face consequences for offensive things they said or did when they were children or teenagers?
- While Winston Churchill, Mahatma Gandhi and George Washington are widely regarded as national heroes, some consider them racists. Should people of the past be judged according to the attitudes of the present?
- Should statues of historical figures be removed if some people object to what they did in the past? Who should decide?
- Are organised boycotts an effective way to hold public figures and companies accountable, or can they become a form of unfair punishment?
- Where is the line between holding someone accountable for their actions and public shaming? Can public humiliation ever be justified?
- Who should decide whether someone deserves to be cancelled? Should these decisions be left to the public, employers, social media companies or other institutions?
- Are the consequences of cancel culture the same for ordinary people as they are for celebrities and other well-known people?
- If someone sincerely apologises for an offensive opinion or past behaviour, should they be given a second chance?
- What should happen when someone is cancelled because of an accusation that later turns out to be false? Can the damage to their reputation ever be repaired?
- Does cancel culture encourage people to reflect on their beliefs and behaviour, or does it simply make them hide what they really think?
- Would cancel culture exist in its current form without social media? Has the speed at which information spreads online made public reactions more extreme?
- Winston Churchill said, "Some people's idea of [free speech] is that they are free to say what they like, but if anyone says anything back, that is an outrage." What did he mean, and do you agree with him?
