Topic 106: Materialism vs. Minimalism

A1-A2 (Beginner-Elementary)

1. What is materialism?

2. What is minimalism?

3. Do you think it’s important to own a lot of things? Why or why not?

4. How do you feel when you buy new things?

5. Do you like to collect things? What do you collect?

6. How does materialism affect how people live?

7. What do you think about people who have many possessions?

8. Do you think minimalism is a good way of living? Why or why not?

9. Would you prefer to have a lot of things or only a few? Why?

10. Do you think people are happier when they have more things?

11. How do you feel when you don’t have something you really want?

12. How can minimalism help you feel less stressed?

13. Is it important to have a clean, simple home? Why?

14. Do you think materialism can cause problems in society?

15. What are the benefits of having fewer possessions?

16. Do you think minimalism helps people save money? Why or why not?

B1-B2 (Intermediate-Upper Intermediate)

17. How does materialism affect our relationships with other people?

18. What are the main differences between materialism and minimalism?

19. How does modern advertising promote materialism?

20. Do you think minimalism can lead to a simpler and happier life? Why?

21. How do you feel about people who always want to buy new things?

22. In your opinion, do we really need all the things we own?

23. How can you reduce the number of possessions you have without feeling like you are giving up something important?

24. Do you think minimalism is more popular now than in the past? Why?

25. What are some challenges people face when trying to live a minimalist lifestyle?

26. How do you balance between enjoying material goods and practicing minimalism?

27. Do you think society places too much importance on material wealth? Why or why not?

28. How does materialism affect the environment?

29. Do you think it’s possible to be happy without owning many things?

30. How do you think materialism influences people’s values and priorities?

31. What are the benefits of being content with less and not always wanting more?

32. How do you think minimalism can impact people’s mental well-being?

C1-C2 (Advanced-Proficient)

33. How do materialism and minimalism reflect different attitudes towards success and happiness?

34. In what ways do material possessions contribute to one’s identity in modern society?

35. How does minimalism challenge traditional ideas of success and wealth?

36. What are the psychological effects of living a materialistic lifestyle?

37. How does minimalism impact environmental sustainability?

38. Do you think materialism is encouraged by capitalism? Why or why not?

39. How can minimalism help reduce the pressure to keep up with societal expectations?

40. Do you think materialism can sometimes lead to feelings of emptiness or dissatisfaction? Why?

41. What role do social media and influencers play in promoting materialism?

42. How can one practice minimalism in a consumer-driven society?

43. Do you believe that minimalism is a luxury lifestyle for only certain people? Why or why not?

44. How can we shift from a materialistic mindset to a more minimalist one in modern culture?

45. What are the ethical implications of materialism in terms of global inequality?

46. Do you think that materialism and minimalism are both necessary in today’s world, or can one be prioritized over the other?

47. How can someone effectively manage the balance between minimalism and maintaining cultural or social traditions that involve material goods?

48. What do you think is the future of materialism and minimalism in an increasingly globalized and digital world?