Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

“Electricity” ESL Discussion Questions

I. Understanding Electricity
1. What is electricity?
2. How is electricity created?
3. Can you see electricity? How do you know it’s there?
4. What are some common sources of electricity?
5. Why is electricity important in our daily lives?

II. Using Electricity Safely
6. Why is it important to be careful with electricity?
7. What should you do if you see a broken electrical wire?
8. Can water and electricity be dangerous together? Why?
9. What are some safety tips when using electrical appliances?
10. How can you save electricity at home?

III. Electrical Appliances
11. What are some common electrical appliances you use at home?
12. How has electricity changed the way we cook food?
13. What appliance uses the most electricity in your home?
14. Can you name an appliance that doesn’t use electricity?
15. How do you take care of your electrical appliances?

IV. Electricity in Nature
16. Where can we find electricity in nature?
17. What is lightning and how is it related to electricity?
18. Can animals use electricity? Can you give an example?
19. How do people use natural electricity?
20. Is electricity in nature dangerous? Why or why not?

V. The Science of Electricity
21. What is an electric current?
22. What is the difference between alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC)?
23. What are conductors and insulators? Can you give examples?
24. What is a circuit?
25. Why do we need to conserve electricity?

VI. Electricity in the Community
26. How does electricity get to our homes?
27. What is a power outage and what causes it?
28. How does electricity help in medical care?
29. What are some ways we can generate electricity without using fossil fuels?
30. How do street lights work?

VII. Innovations in Electricity
31. What are some new technologies that use electricity?
32. How do electric cars work?
33. Can electricity be wireless? How?
34. What is solar power and how does it work?
35. How might electricity change in the future?

VIII. Electricity Around the World
36. Do all countries have electricity?
37. How do people live in places with no electricity?
38. What country uses the most electricity?
39. How does the availability of electricity affect a country’s development?
40. What are some challenges of bringing electricity to remote areas?

IX. The Cost of Electricity
41. Why do we have to pay for electricity?
42. How is the price of electricity determined?
43. What makes electricity expensive or cheap?
44. How can we reduce our electricity bills?
45. What is the difference between prepaid and postpaid electricity?

X. Environmental Impact of Electricity
46. How does electricity production affect the environment?
47. What is renewable energy?
48. Can using electricity contribute to climate change? How?
49. What are some ways to make electricity greener?
50. Why is it important to use energy-efficient appliances?

XI. Electricity in Education
51. How is electricity taught in schools?
52. Why is it important to learn about electricity?
53. What are some experiments you can do to learn about electricity?
54. How can students practice electrical safety at school?
55. What careers involve working with electricity?

XII. Fun Facts and Trivia
56. Who discovered electricity?
57. Can you name a famous scientist who worked with electricity?
58. What are some interesting facts about electricity?
59. How is electricity used in entertainment?
60. What is the most surprising thing you have learned about electricity?