Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

“Oceans” ESL Discussion Questions

I. Introduction to Oceans
1. What is an ocean?
2. How many oceans are there in the world?
3. Why are oceans salty?
4. What is the biggest ocean on Earth?
5. Can you name some animals that live in the ocean?

II. Ocean Life
6. What is a coral reef?
7. Why is the ocean important for fish?
8. Can you name some plants that grow in the ocean?
9. What is the largest animal in the ocean?
10. Are there plants or animals that only live in the ocean?

III. Oceans and the Environment
11. How do oceans affect the weather?
12. What is a tide and what causes it?
13. Why are oceans important for the Earth?
14. How do oceans help with climate change?
15. What is ocean pollution?

IV. Exploring the Oceans
16. Have you ever visited the ocean?
17. What is scuba diving?
18. What can you find on a beach?
19. Have you ever seen a boat or a ship?
20. What do people do on the ocean?

V. Threats to the Oceans
21. What are some problems that oceans face?
22. How does plastic hurt ocean life?
23. What is overfishing?
24. Can you think of ways to protect the ocean?
25. What is an oil spill?

VI. Ocean Resources
26. What resources do we get from the ocean?
27. How do people use the ocean for food?
28. What is seaweed and how is it used?
29. Are there medicines that come from the ocean?
30. What is desalination?

VII. Geography and Oceans
31. What countries are surrounded by the ocean?
32. What is an island?
33. How are mountains and valleys formed in the ocean?
34. What is the deepest part of the ocean?
35. Can you name some famous beaches?

VIII. Cultural Significance of Oceans
36. Are there any ocean gods or legends in your culture?
37. How have oceans been important in history?
38. What stories or films about the ocean do you know?
39. Do you know any songs about the sea?
40. How do oceans influence art and literature?

IX. Marine Conservation
41. What is marine conservation?
42. Why do we need marine protected areas?
43. How can regular people help save the oceans?
44. What is coral bleaching and why does it happen?
45. How do marine reserves help fish populations?

X. Oceans and Leisure
46. What are some popular water sports?
47. Have you ever been fishing?
48. What is surfing?
49. How can you travel across the ocean?
50. What is a beach vacation?

XI. The Science of Oceans
51. What is oceanography?
52. How do scientists study the ocean?
53. What are some ocean mysteries or unsolved questions?
54. How do ocean currents work?
55. Why is studying the ocean important for science?

XII. Personal Connections to Oceans
56. How does the ocean make you feel?
57. What is your best memory of the ocean?
58. Would you like to work in a job related to the ocean? Why or why not?
59. If you could explore any part of the ocean, where would you go?
60. How can we teach others about the importance of the ocean?

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