Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

“Alcohol” ESL Discussion Questions

I. Alcohol Types and Properties
1. What is alcohol and how is it made?
2. What is the difference between beer, wine, and liquor?
3. What is the difference between whiskey and bourbon?
4. What is the difference between rum and tequila?
5. What is the legal drinking age in your country?
6. What is the last alcoholic beverage you drank?
7. What is your favorite alcoholic beverage?
8. Are you a wine or beer person?

II. Alcohol Effects and Consumption
9. What are the effects of drinking alcohol?
10. What are the side effects of alcohol?
11. What are the effects of drinking too much alcohol?
12. How much alcohol can someone drink before they become drunk?
13. How much alcohol can you drink before it becomes dangerous?
14. Why do people get drunk when they drink too much alcohol?

III. Alcohol and Health
15. Can alcohol make your face red and blotchy?
16. Can alcohol cause muscle weakness and a lack of coordination?
17. Can alcohol cause you to forget things?
18. What happens to your body when you drink too much alcohol?
19. What happens to your brain when you drink too much alcohol?
20. How does alcohol consumption impact mental health?
21. Is alcohol bad for your health? Why or why not?
22. Is alcohol an addictive substance?
23. Is alcohol considered a drug?
24. Are there any long-term health benefits associated with moderate alcohol consumption?

IV. Alcohol Benefits and Risks
25. Is alcohol good for you?
26. Is there any scientific evidence that shows that drinking alcohol improves brain function?
27. Do you think alcohol is bad for your health? Why or why not?

V. Personal Experiences and Opinions on Alcohol
28. Why do people drink alcohol?
29. What’s the worst thing about drinking too much alcohol?
30. Why do people drink too much alcohol?
31. What’s the first thing that comes to mind when I say “alcohol”?
32. Do you drink alcohol? If so, why? If not, why not?

VI. Alcohol and Society
33. Is it okay for teenagers to drink alcohol?
34. Do you think people should be allowed to drive if they have been drinking alcohol?
35. Do you think it is okay for people to drink alcohol?
36. Should people drink alcohol?
37. Do you think it’s okay to drink at home alone, or do you need other people around to have fun while drinking?
38. Do you think it is okay for children to drink alcohol?

VII. Alcohol-Related Behaviors and Situations
39. How old were you when you first drank alcohol?
40. What do you drink when you go out to parties?
41. How can you tell if someone has been drinking too much at a party or event?
42. What should you do if someone has been drinking too much and they are going to drive home?

VIII. Alcohol Content and Composition
43. How much alcohol is in a glass of beer?
44. How much alcohol is in a glass of wine?
45. How much alcohol is in a glass of whiskey or tequila?
46. How much sugar is in a glass of beer?
47. How much sugar is in a glass of wine?

IX. Alcohol Recovery and Prevention
48. Do you need to drink water after drinking alcohol?
49. Is it possible to get drunk on cough syrup?
50. What is a hangover?

X. Alcohol History and Statistics
51. When was alcohol discovered?
52. Which country has the highest rate of alcohol consumption per capita?

XI. Alcohol Abstinence
53. Do you know any adults who don’t drink any alcohol at all? Do they have specific reasons?

XII. Additional Alcohol-Related Questions
54. What are the best strategies for reducing alcohol consumption?
55. How can you prevent a hangover after a night of drinking?
56. Are there any alcohol alternatives that provide similar effects without the negative consequences?
57. What are the most common myths about alcohol consumption?
58. How do alcohol tolerance levels differ between individuals?
59. Can you develop an immunity to the effects of alcohol over time?
60. What is the relationship between alcohol and sleep quality?