Topic 188: Universal Basic Income: Pros and Cons

A1-A2 (Beginner-Elementary)

1. What is Universal Basic Income (UBI)?

2. Why do people talk about giving everyone money without working?

3. Do you think everyone should receive money from the government? Why or why not?

4. What do you think would happen if everyone had a guaranteed income?

5. How would you feel if you received money from the government every month?

6. Why do some people need financial help from the government?

7. How can people spend the money they receive from UBI?

8. Do you think Universal Basic Income could help reduce poverty?

9. How would UBI affect your daily life?

10. What jobs do people do to earn money now?

11. Do you think UBI would change the way people work?

12. Why do people worry about the cost of Universal Basic Income?

13. What are some reasons people believe UBI is a good idea?

14. What are the main problems people see with Universal Basic Income?

15. What can governments do to help people without giving them money every month?

16. Would you like to see Universal Basic Income in your country? Why or why not?

B1-B2 (Intermediate-Upper Intermediate)

17. What are the benefits of Universal Basic Income (UBI) for society?

18. How could Universal Basic Income affect poverty and inequality?

19. How might UBI change the job market?

20. What do you think the government should do to fund UBI?

21. How would UBI impact education and personal development?

22. Do you think people would still want to work if they received money from the government?

23. What are the economic advantages and disadvantages of Universal Basic Income?

24. How would UBI help people who are unemployed or struggling to find work?

25. Do you think UBI could encourage people to start their own businesses or become entrepreneurs?

26. What challenges do governments face when trying to implement UBI?

27. How does UBI compare to traditional social welfare programs?

28. Do you think UBI is a fair way to distribute money to everyone?

29. How can UBI be made sustainable without damaging the economy?

30. What role does automation and technology play in the argument for UBI?

31. How can UBI help reduce stress and anxiety for people living in poverty?

32. What social and cultural changes might occur if UBI were implemented in your country?

C1-C2 (Advanced-Proficient)

33. What are the main arguments for and against Universal Basic Income (UBI) in terms of economic efficiency and social justice?

34. How might UBI affect people’s motivation to work, and how does this vary by economic sector?

35. What is the relationship between Universal Basic Income and the future of work, particularly with automation and AI replacing jobs?

36. How does UBI relate to concepts of equality, fairness, and human dignity?

37. What are the potential consequences of UBI on inflation and the overall cost of living?

38. How can UBI be integrated with other forms of social welfare to ensure long-term sustainability and fairness?

39. What are the ethical considerations of providing money to individuals regardless of their need or contribution to society?

40. How could UBI alter social dynamics and reshape people’s views on wealth, work, and success?

41. What would be the political challenges of implementing Universal Basic Income in a democratic society?

42. How would UBI affect the relationship between government and its citizens, particularly in terms of taxation and accountability?

43. How does the global debate on UBI differ between developed and developing nations?

44. What impact could UBI have on the structure of family life and community networks?

45. How would UBI affect the distribution of power in society, particularly between the rich and the poor?

46. How do different economic schools of thought (Keynesian, neoliberal, etc.) view Universal Basic Income?

47. What role does UBI play in addressing structural unemployment caused by global economic shifts and technological disruption?

48. How could UBI contribute to global economic stability and peace by reducing inequality and providing a basic standard of living?