Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

1:1 Online English classes. Find out more

“Poverty” ESL Discussion Questions

I. Understanding Poverty
1. What is poverty?
2. How can you tell if someone is living in poverty?
3. What are the main causes of poverty?
4. Is poverty only about not having enough money?
5. How does poverty affect children differently than adults?

II. Poverty Around the World
6. Which countries have the highest rates of poverty?
7. How does poverty in developing countries compare to poverty in developed countries?
8. Can you name a country that has successfully reduced poverty? How did they do it?
9. What role do governments have in reducing poverty?
10. How does war contribute to poverty?

III. The Impact of Poverty
11. How does poverty affect education?
12. In what ways does poverty impact health?
13. Can poverty affect a person’s mental health? How?
14. How does poverty influence crime rates?
15. What is the cycle of poverty?

IV. Solutions to Poverty
16. What are some effective ways to reduce poverty?
17. How can education help in the fight against poverty?
18. What is microfinance and how can it help poor people?
19. Can technology play a role in reducing poverty? How?
20. What is the importance of job creation in reducing poverty?

V. Personal Responsibility and Action
21. What can individuals do to help reduce poverty?
22. Should people who are well-off help those in poverty? Why or why not?
23. How can you help someone in poverty in your own community?
24. What role do charities play in addressing poverty?
25. Can volunteering make a difference in fighting poverty?

VI. Poverty and Society
26. How does poverty affect society as a whole?
27. What is income inequality and how is it related to poverty?
28. Can poverty ever be completely eliminated?
29. How do social policies influence poverty rates?
30. What is the difference between absolute poverty and relative poverty?

VII. Poverty and Education
31. Why is education important in preventing poverty?
32. How does poverty affect a child’s ability to learn?
33. What can schools do to help students from impoverished backgrounds?
34. Are there enough educational resources available for poor communities?
35. How can education break the cycle of poverty?

VIII. Poverty and Health
36. How does living in poverty affect a person’s health?
37. What are some common health issues faced by people living in poverty?
38. Can improving healthcare reduce poverty? How?
39. Why is access to clean water and sanitation important in preventing poverty?
40. How does malnutrition relate to poverty?

IX. Global Efforts to Reduce Poverty
41. What are the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals related to poverty?
42. How do international aid organizations help fight poverty?
43. What is the role of governments in international efforts to reduce poverty?
44. Can global partnerships be effective in reducing poverty?
45. How does debt relief help poor countries?

X. The Future of Poverty
46. What are some emerging challenges in the fight against poverty?
47. How might climate change affect poverty levels?
48. What role does innovation play in solving poverty?
49. Can we achieve a world without poverty? Why or why not?
50. What do you think will be the biggest change in how we address poverty in the next 10 years?

XI. Personal Experiences with Poverty
51. Have you or someone you know ever experienced poverty? What was it like?
52. How has your perception of poverty changed over time?
53. What is the most surprising thing you have learned about poverty?
54. How do you think overcoming poverty changes a person?
55. What can people who have never experienced poverty learn from those who have?

XII. Debating Poverty
56. Is poverty the responsibility of the individual or society?
57. Should wealthy countries do more to help poor countries? Why or why not?
58. Can charity alone solve poverty? Why or why not?
59. Is it possible to have economic growth without increasing poverty?
60. How do cultural perceptions of poverty differ around the world?

🎉 Coming Soon ⏳

🧑‍💻 1 to 1 Online English Classes 👩🏻‍💻

Practice English through Zoom with me, Paul, or one of the teachers I have chosen for you. Suitable for all ages and levels.

Choose the teacher and time you want. 🧑🏻‍🏫👩‍🏫⌚️

You can learn:
– English writing skills (essays, emails, etc.) 
– English conversation practice 
– English pronunciation practice
– Textbook classes
Anything you want

Introductory prices:
60 minute class with native speaker (e.g. Paul): US$34.99 US$24.99
60 minute class with non-native speaker (e.g. Philippines, Indonesia): US$9.99 US$7.99

Interested? Please fill in the form and I will contact you soon!

Feedback