Comprehensive List of 1996-2008 Regents’ Test Topics
4 Discuss the influence that advertising has had on your life or the lives of your friends.
7 If you were asked to make a fair evaluation of your teachers, what standards would you use for the evaluation? Discuss.
9 What influence should students have in the determination of college policies? Explain.
10 Has college made you less sure about what is right and what is wrong? Discuss.
11 How has your attitude toward your home (either town or family) changed between the time you entered college and now? Discuss.
12 If your doctor told you that you had only a few months to live, how would you alter your way of life? Discuss.
13 Name someone you consider to be a modern hero or heroine and explain why.
16 Is too much emphasis placed on grades in our educational system? Explain.
17 Each year, many teenagers run away from home. What do you think are the chief causes?
18 Explain why you would or would not want to live in a large city.
21 Should every able-bodied citizen be required to serve for a certain period of time in some branch of the military service? Why or why not?
22 What do you believe are the chief reasons for students’ academic failure in college? Explain.
23 How does your public image differ from your private self?
24 Has the automobile been harmful to our society? Discuss.
26 If you were an employer, under what circumstances would you fire an employee? Explain.
27 Should sex education be taught in public schools? Why or why not?
28 “Television has made America a nation of watchers, not doers.” Agree or disagree.
30 What are the essential characteristics of an effective leader? Discuss.
33 Explain the chief reasons why students drop out of high school.
42 Is romantic love a good basis for marriage? Discuss.
45 Should children be disciplined by physical punishment? Discuss.
47 Do you think that you receive your money’s worth for your student activity fees? Why or why not?
51 Are spectator sports overemphasized in this country today? Discuss.
52 Is college a good place to find out who you really are? Discuss.
54 Discuss the most important characteristics an elected official should have. Why?
55 Do you long for the past or look eagerly toward the future? Explain.
56 Which of the college courses that you have had do you consider to be the most beneficial? Why?
60 Has credit buying affected your way of life? Explain.
61 What changes would occur in your way of life if you were forced to live in a cash economy?
62 Was giving eighteen-year-olds the right to vote a mistake? Discuss.
63 If, in your judgement, the leaders of this country are clearly wrong in adopting a particular policy, what should you do? Explain.
65 If you could have a conversation with a famous person (living or dead), whom would you choose? Discuss.
67 Discuss some practical ways in which each of us can help to conserve natural resources.
68 What steps need to be taken in order to reduce crime? Explain.
70 In your opinion, does violence in television programs lead to violence in our society? Explain.
71 Explain your reasons for admiring a particular high school or college teacher.
72 How has the women’s movement affected relationships between men and women? Discuss.
73 Which do you think has a greater effect on a person--heredity or environment? Explain.
74 Explain why you do or do not vote.
79 In your opinion, what invention or discovery has brought about the most far-reaching and lasting changes in our civilization? Explain.
83 Should government-owned wilderness areas be preserved? Discuss why or why not.
95 Is it beneficial for a high school graduate to work full-time for a year before entering college? Why or why not?
98 If you had the power to change any event in history (outcome of an election, who won a war, etc.), which would you choose to change, and why?
99 What characteristics do you regard as important in a person you would choose as a friend?
101 Should both parents assume equal responsibility in child rearing? Explain why or why not.
103 What vice or weakness do you find most offensive? Explain.
105 How great a role do you think “knowing the right people” plays in getting ahead in school or in work? Explain.
108 Should court proceedings be televised? Explain why or why not.
110 “American family life would be more stable if parents, not the couples involved, arranged the marriages of their children.” Agree or disagree.
111 Students at public colleges currently pay, through tuition and fees, about one-fourth of the cost of their education; however, some people say students should pay a greater share of the cost. Argue for or against this proposal.
112 Is there any job that you would absolutely refuse to take? Explain.
113 Should government employees such as police officers and fire fighters have the right to strike? Discuss.
114 What advice would you give to an entering freshman? Discuss.
117 Should prostitution be legalized? Discuss.
118 Which courses that you did not take in high school do you now wish you had taken? Why?
119 Research indicates that you and your friends are likely to have fewer children than your parents and grandparents. What do you think are reasons for this? Explain.
121 What makes one college course more enjoyable than another? Explain.
122 Should smoking in public places be illegal? Explain why or why not.
123 “Professional athletes and entertainers are among the highest paid people in this country--and justifiably so.” Agree or disagree.
124 What are the characteristics of a good college student? Explain.
128 Should college students have complete freedom to choose their own courses? Discuss.
129 If you were to be deprived of one of your five senses (sight, touch, smell, taste, and hearing) which one would you most hate to give up? Explain.
130 Would you prefer to rear a family in the city or the country? Explain why.
131 In general, do movies and/or television
programs provide a realistic picture of life in
132 How should public high schools deal with students considered to be constant troublemakers? Discuss.
134 Some states now permit single men and women to adopt children. Do you favor such a policy? Explain why or why not.
135 Should college students be required to attend classes? Discuss.
136 For what qualities or achievements would you feel justified in calling an individual successful? Explain.
139 Recent elections have been characterized
by small turnouts of eligible voters.
Some democracies--
140 Discuss some of the status symbols of today’s society.
142 Various commentators have suggested that no person should serve more than twelve years in either the U.S. Senate or the U.S. House of Representatives. Discuss.
143 Should people on welfare be forced to work? Explain why or why not.
144 Why do you believe radio has continued to be popular in the age of television? Discuss.
148 Should all college courses be specifically related to a future occupation? Explain why or why not.
150 Many families today are growing home vegetable gardens. Discuss some reasons for this.
151 How can a course in government, political science, or civics help students to become better citizens? Explain.
155 What do you think are the major causes of divorce? Explain.
156 Choose a profession whose members make a worthwhile contribution to society and discuss the benefits that society receives from members of this profession.
159 Discuss ways to increase the public’s respect for elected officials.
160 What, in your opinion, are some of the reasons so many people have pets? Discuss.
161 Do you prefer shopping at a large shopping center or at downtown stores? Discuss.
163 Apart from chronological age, what are some major differences between an adolescent and an adult? Explain.
165 Should women in the military services be assigned combat duties? Discuss.
166 Attack or defend the practice of advertising by doctors and lawyers.
168 Discuss what you like or do not like about the South.
169 What do you think would be the consequences of the legalization of marijuana? Explain.
171 Does our society allow women to assume masculine roles more readily than it allows males to assume roles traditionally called feminine? Discuss.
172 If you were made programming director of a major television network, what changes in the programming would you make? Explain.
173 If you could live in some other historical period, which would you choose, and why?
175 Should fathers be given the same chance as mothers to gain custody of their minor children? Discuss.
176 We now have more people over 65 than at any other time. What are the major effects of this increased proportion of older people? Discuss.
177 Should victims of crime be compensated? Explain.
178 Do you function best in the morning, afternoon, or evening? Explain.
179 What do you think are the major effects of divorce upon children? Discuss.
180 It has been proposed that American presidents be elected for one six-year term and not be eligible for reelection. Do you agree with this proposal? Discuss.
181 Why did you choose the career for which you are preparing?
182 Do you favor decreased spending for national defense? Why or why not?
184 Should the
185 “In spite of advances in scientific knowledge, people are still superstitious.” Agree or disagree.
187 Watching the “soaps” has become an American pastime. Why are these television shows so popular?
193 In the
194 Why do some couples choose to live together without getting married? Explain.
195 Would you like to be a candidate for public office? Why or why not?
196 Do college students benefit from having to earn at least part of their tuition? Discuss.
198 Are Americans too dependent on the automobile? Discuss.
200 Why are so many people over the age of twenty-one enrolling in college? Discuss.
201 Discuss changes which would make the public less hesitant to report crime.
203 “Human rights” is a term frequently used but seldom defined. What rights should belong to every human being? Discuss.
204 Should American students be required to learn a second language? Why or why not?
206 Are elementary and high schools adequately meeting the needs of their students? Discuss.
208 How do you account for the popularity of horror films? Discuss.
210 In what ways has the availability of fast-food restaurants affected your eating habits?
212 What do you hope to accomplish within the next ten years? Explain.
213 Should college students be required to take physical education courses? Why or why not?
214 It has been said that “Evil, like good, has its own heroes.” Name some characters that you consider to be “evil heroes.” Explain.
215 If you could ban anything in the world, what would it be and why?
217 Should prison inmates be allowed to take college courses? Explain why or why not.
218 If you were awarded an expense-paid trip to any one place in the world, where would you go? Why?
219 Do you think that you have the qualifications of a good parent? Discuss.
220 What do you consider the most important event of the past decade? Why?
222 Jogging has become extremely popular. Explain why you jog or why you don’t.
225 Is it possible for anger ever to be beneficial? Explain.
229 What are the most important skills and/or values that children learn from their parents? Explain.
230 Is it better for a political leader to be feared instead of loved? Why or why not?
232 What specific sacrifice or sacrifices would you endure as a partial solution to our country’s economic problem? Discuss.
233 Most people consider themselves part of a particular generation. Discuss what you consider the most important values of your generation.
234 Should a graduating college senior be required to pass a comprehensive examination in his or her major before receiving a degree? Why or why not?
235 Is the academically competitive atmosphere helpful or harmful to you as a student? Discuss.
241 In your view, what would most impress (favorably or unfavorably) a foreign student spending his or her first weekend in an American home? Discuss.
246 In what areas should all college graduates be required to have some competence? Why?
247 Is marriage an outmoded institution in the
249 Is athletic competition good for children under twelve years old? Explain why or why not.
250 Many American homes and offices have become a jungle of houseplants. Why do you think that so many people surround themselves with growing things?
253 If you could make one scientific discovery in your lifetime, what would it be? Why?
254 Given all the evidence that cigarette smoking is harmful, why do people continue to smoke cigarettes? Discuss.
256 What would cause you to end a friendship? Explain.
257 When we return to places we knew as children, we are often surprised at how different these places seem. Compare and/or contrast your impression of some place you knew as a child with your current impression of the same place.
261 Do high schools put too much emphasis on athletics? Discuss.
262 What would you place in a time-capsule to allow people opening the capsule 1,000 years from now to understand life today? Explain.
263 “Self-discipline is the most important ingredient for success.” Agree or disagree.
264 Describe a model physical fitness plan.
268 Should the custom of tipping be abolished? Explain why or why not.
272 Beauty contests, despite some criticism, are still very popular. In your opinion, what are the chief reasons for their popularity? Explain.
274 What are the chief causes of shoplifting? Discuss.
276 Overcrowded prisons are one of the major
problems facing
277 What can be done to prevent violence in public schools? Discuss.
278 Should law enforcement agencies be permitted to tap telephone lines? Explain.
279 Should public agencies be required to inform parents if their minor children (those under 17) seek birth control? Discuss.
281 What do you consider to be your duties as a citizen? Discuss.
285 Should national and state governments set aside land for parks? Discuss.
286 Do you believe that it is the responsibility of the young to provide financial security for the aged? Why or why not?
287 Why are many people afraid of growing old? Discuss.
288 What can parents do to prepare their children for school? Discuss.
289 The changes brought on by the women’s movement are typically seen as benefitting women. Do men also benefit from the women’s movement? Discuss.
290 According to studies, the average American watches television as much as six hours a day. Why do Americans watch so much television? Discuss.
293
294 If you could hold any job for one year, what would you choose? Why?
295 If you could change one thing about your childhood, what would it be? Discuss.
296 How can parents promote good reading habits in their children? Discuss.
297 Is it better to have brothers and sisters than to be an only child? Explain.
298 Is the traditional role of fathers changing? Discuss.
300 It has been said that computers are taking over our lives. Do you agree or disagree? Explain.
301 Is the person without knowledge of computers handicapped? Discuss.
304 Should adoption records be open to the people directly involved (the person adopted, the biological parents and/or the adoptive parents)? Explain why or why not.
305 How does a person make a good first impression in an interview? Discuss.
306 What is your most prized possession? Why? (Do NOT write about a person.)
307 What is your definition of a gentleman or a lady? Explain.
309 Should teenaged children of divorced parents have the right to decide which parent to live with? Discuss.
312 P.T. Barnum supposedly said that “a sucker is born every minute.” Explain how this idea relates to American advertising.
314 Should college physical education grades be included in the grade point average? Discuss why or why not.
316 Do you favor or oppose a rule that would prohibit professional teams from recruiting college student athletes until their college sports eligibility is over? Why?
317 Knowledge can be gained from books and scientific observation. What are some other important sources of knowledge, and why are they valuable?
318 Whether we want them or not, many of us get tagged with one or more nicknames during our lives. Discuss the positive and/or negative aspects of the practice of nicknaming.
319 Whom would you identify as a truly wise person? What makes him or her seem wise to you?
320 Archaeologists have learned much about the lives of first-century Romans from the excavations of houses buried by lava at Pompeii. Suppose that your home were preserved just as it is now. What conclusions about modern life might this evidence lead future archaeologists to draw?
323 Discuss what people reveal about themselves by the way they drive.
324 What steps should be taken to improve the quality of education in our public schools? Discuss.
327 Name your favorite game or sport and explain why you find it enjoyable.
328 What should a college athlete consider in deciding whether to turn professional or to remain in college?
330 Discuss how student evaluations of faculty could be used by administrators, faculty, and/or students.
331 Partners in marriage often write their own detailed marriage contracts, covering such matters as the number of children they wish to have and the management of money. Would you write such a contract? Explain why or why not.
333 In the development of a national budget, which should be more important--fighting poverty at home or arming to fight an aggressor? Explain.
334 Should all students be required to take a course in computer science some time during their education? Explain why or why not.
335 Which of the four seasons of the year appeals to you the most? Why?
337 Suicide among high school and college students in on the rise in this country. Discuss possible reasons why young people take their own lives.
341 Explain why you do or do not hunt.
343 Discuss some of the roles a college student plays.
347 How effective is television in disseminating news? Explain.
353 Is it better to know a little about many subjects than to know a lot about one subject? Discuss.
354 Should an introduction to art, music, and drama be a part of every college student’s education? Explain why or why not.
357 Do you believe young college students should postpone marrying until they graduate? Why or why not?
358 Should first-aid courses such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) be a required part of the college’s curriculum? Discuss why or why not.
359 How do you expect your college education to change the rest of your life? Discuss.
360 Should every college student take a course in public speaking? Discuss.
361 What are some possible reasons for the decline in the reading skills of high school students? Discuss.
363 Should the law require automobile drivers and passengers to use safety belts? Discuss.
364 Discuss some of the appeals used in automobile advertisements.
365 What steps should be taken to reduce the number of drunk drivers? Discuss.
366 Is increased life expectancy a blessing or a curse? Discuss.
367 Every applicant for a Georgia driver’s license must choose whether to be an organ donor. Would you choose to be a donor? Explain why or why not.
369 Should the
371 What is your favorite piece of furniture? Explain.
372 Though a favorite sport of many, boxing is a dangerous sport that leaves many boxers suffering from eye and brain damage. Should it be outlawed?
373 Are large stockpiles of sophisticated military weapons necessary to deter foreign aggression? Discuss.
374 Why do people still go to movie theaters despite the availability of television movies and DVDs? Discuss.
375 If you were forced to live without television, how would you spend the time you normally spend watching TV? Discuss.
376 How have your eating habits changed since you’ve been in college? Discuss.
377 Do you think of yourself as a “goal-oriented” person? Explain.
378 Does a person have to be wealthy and powerful in order to be considered successful? Discuss.
379 If you had the power to do one thing to improve the world, what would you do? Discuss.
381 What do you think are the best methods of disciplining children? Explain.
382 If you could have a household robot, for what jobs would you want it programmed? Discuss.
385 Is it the responsibility of the United States to share its food supplies with the hungry people of the world? Explain.
386 What is the value of foreign travel? Discuss.
389 The
390 What is the difference between “good” and “bad” stress? Explain.
391 If you could choose any culture or society, which one would you choose to live in? Discuss.
392 Why have the Southern states been gaining population in the last two decades? Discuss.
393 Discuss some of the advantages and/or disadvantages of having three or more generations of a family living together under the same roof.
394 Why do people play practical jokes? Explain.
397 If you were alone for a week, what books (or music) would you select to read (or listen to)? Discuss.
398 Should teachers be required to pass competency tests? Discuss.
399 What type of music do you prefer? Why?
400 Why is college football so popular? Discuss.
401 Which of your talents do you value most? Why?
402 Do you feel that teachers show favoritism among students? Discuss.
404 If you were among the first colonizers of a new planet in the twenty-first century, what would you not want your fellow colonists to transport from the planet Earth? Explain.
406 Americans generally condemn daydreaming as a waste of time. Do you agree with this view, or do you see some benefits of daydreaming? Discuss.
407 When you are approached for a charitable contribution, do you generally contribute? Why or why not?
408 Publishers report that horoscope columns are among the most widely read features in newspapers. Do you check your astrological forecast from time to time? Why or why not?
410 The evidence shows that for many reasons the family-owned and family-run small farm is a vanishing American institution. Should this situation cause concern in American society? Why or why not?
411 Do you suppose you would be happier if you lived more simply, eliminating the effort it takes to acquire an abundance of luxuries? Why or why not?
412 Do you read the newspaper every day? Why or why not?
413 The “Living Will” directs a person’s family and physicians not to keep that person alive by artificial means if that person were to suffer a totally incapacitating disease or illness. Would you consider signing such a document and giving it to your own family? Why or why not?
414 Is noise pollution becoming a serious threat to the welfare of Americans? Discuss.
415 “Very few of us really know how to listen.” Discuss why you agree or disagree with this statement.
416 Is it better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all? Discuss.
417 “Any teacher who can be replaced by a machine, should be.” Discuss why you agree or disagree with this statement.
418 Do you favor or oppose the use of animal organs (such as hearts or kidneys) as transplants in humans when human organs are not available? Explain.
419 The Supreme Court has ruled that public schools have the right to conduct searches of students’ persons and property when there is reasonable cause to suspect the presence of weapons or drugs. Do you support or oppose such searches? Explain.
421 It is said that the
424 Should the government allow unlimited
numbers of refugees from political oppression to enter the
425 Should the government cut funds from educational, cultural, and welfare programs to support a strong defense budget? Discuss.
426 Should the advertisement of alcoholic beverages be banned from television? Discuss.
427 Should tax dollars be used to subsidize public television and radio broadcasts? Discuss.
428 If you were placed in a position to reduce the national debt, what areas would you cut? Why?
429 Many states have enacted laws banning all
non-returnable drink containers. Should
430 Some think that divorces are too easy to obtain today. Do you agree or disagree? Explain.
431 What steps can be taken to reduce the amount of litter found along highways and in the countryside? Discuss.
433 Presidential greatness is often debated by professional historians. Which U.S. president would you identify as the greatest? Justify your selection.
434 Several communities have passed laws making it illegal for bars to promote the consumption of alcohol through sales specials such as happy hours, two-for-one hours, and ladies’ night. Do you agree or disagree that these laws are needed? Discuss.
436 What is your favorite source of entertainment? Explain why.
438 Is it better to have lived in one place all one’s life than to have moved around? Discuss.
439 What is your favorite holiday? Why?
440 Do Americans place too much emphasis on physical appearance? Discuss.
441 Nearly all students have had classmates who they wished were anywhere else but in that particular class. What kinds of students do you find most annoying? Discuss.
443 “The best things in life are free.” Discuss why you agree or disagree with this statement.
444 Is there anything that teachers can learn from students? Discuss.
446 If you had to choose between a job that you loved that paid $25,000 a year and a job that you hated that paid $50,000 a year, which job would you take? Explain why.
447 Why do so many people like to have collections of something (antiques, coins, stamps, dolls)? Discuss.
448 It has been said that winning is not the most important thing; it’s the only thing. Explain why you agree or disagree with this view.
452 Has the space program benefited the average American? Discuss.
453 With news readily available from the electronic media, why are newspapers still popular? Discuss.
455 Should parents encourage their teenage children to work even if the family does not need the money?
457 Which advertisements do you find most appealing or offensive? Why?
458 What do you do to cope with stress?
459 Do you think that most people would rather conform (be like everyone else in a group) than stand out as individuals? Discuss.
460 What contemporary problem do you find most disturbing? Explain.
461 Has television brought members of the family together? Discuss.
464 What animal do you like (or dislike) the most? Why?
465 Should polygraph (lie detector) tests be used as a condition of employment? Discuss.
466 If you could live in any city in the world, which would you choose and why?
468 Should children diagnosed as having AIDS be permitted to attend public schools? Discuss why or why not.
470 Should college students be tested for AIDS? Discuss why or why not.
471 Discuss some of the pressures on college students.
472 Should final examinations in college courses be comprehensive? Discuss.
473 Discuss the advantages and/or disadvantages of being a commuting student.
474 If you were a fashion designer for college students on a budget, what wardrobe would you suggest that would be reasonably priced and adaptable to various occasions? Discuss.
475 Explain what motivates students to strive for good grades in college.
476 Many college freshmen complain that they have never learned how to study. What pointers could you give to help people with poor study habits? Explain.
477 Is it an advantage or a disadvantage to have a job while attending college? Discuss.
478 Should colleges make it optional for students to pay activity fees? Discuss why or why not.
479 What types of students do you like to have in your classes? Discuss.
480 Should computer literacy be required of all college students? Discuss why or why not.
481 Should the government increase taxes to help improve the standard of living of poor people? Discuss why or why not.
483 In order to protect American industry,
should the
484 Have you observed any significant differences between high school and college teachers? Explain.
485 What advice would you give to a student just beginning high school? Explain.
486 How can we reduce the problem of illiteracy in our nation? Explain.
488 Should high school students be required to wear uniforms? Discuss why or why not.
489 What can high schools do to lower the number of dropouts? Explain.
490 Should schools establish dress codes? Discuss.
492 Is concern for a clean environment a dead issue today? Discuss.
493 One suggested partial solution to the drug problem is to furnish drugs to certified addicts, thus removing the profit for drug dealers. What do you think of this idea?
495 Should a person tell his or her spouse about past love affairs? Discuss why or why not.
496 What can be done to help prevent a marriage from ending in divorce? Explain.
497 Would you rather spend a weekend with your friends or you family? Explain.
498 Of the sources of entertainment which are popular today, which do you find least appealing? Discuss.
499 What was the most important event of your life? Discuss why this event was so important.
500 What types of movies do you prefer? Explain.
503 What impact has attending college had on your relationships with others? Explain.
504 What types of reading materials do you prefer? Discuss.
506 How do you account for the popularity of your favorite entertainer?
507 What kind of information would you want to obtain before making a major purchase such as a car or stereo system?
508 How would your life change if you inherited a million dollars?
509 Name a person, place, or thing that is currently very popular but that, in your opinion, is overrated. Explain why it does not deserve its popularity.
510 What career, other than the one for which you are preparing, do you find most appealing? Explain.
511 What situations are most stressful for you? Discuss.
512 Discuss the influence that a relative (other than a parent) has had in your life.
513 Given the choice, would you rather live in the mountains or near the beach? Discuss.
514 If you were to set up a personal museum of the most significant objects you own, what would you include and why?
516 Explain why you do or do not smoke.
517 Discuss a New Year’s resolution that you actually kept (or wish you had).
518 What region of the
519 If for some reason you were prevented from getting a college education, what career would you pursue? Why?
520 Explain why you do or do not like having picnics.
521 Is there one place on earth that means more to you than all others? Why?
522 People dress to project an image or to follow trends or to be comfortable. Discuss why you dress the way you do.
523 What have you been promising to throw out for years but just cannot seem to part with? Discuss.