ESL Discussions.com
Conversation Questions on the Burma Cyclone (2008)

1)

Where were you when you first heard the news of the Burma Cyclone?

2)

Have you made a donation to help the people affected by the disaster?

3)

What do you think of the initial response from the Burmese government and its actions now?

4)

What do you think life is like for those in the cyclone-affected areas?

5)

What lasting images do you have from Burma’s cyclone what you have seen on TV, the Internet or in newspapers?

6)

What do you think of the international response to the cyclone?

7)

How would you compare how authorities have dealt with this natural disaster to how China’s leaders reacted after the earthquake?

8)

What do you think can be done to prevent the loss of life in cyclones?

9)

Why do you think it’s always the poorest who suffer in disasters like cyclones?

10)

Have you followed this news story a lot?

1)

What’s the latest news you’ve heard about the cyclone victims?

2)

Many news agencies have reported the Burmese generals are only interested in their image and not the victims. What do you think?

3)

What do you think those working for the aid agencies think about being kept waiting outside Burma?

4)

What do you think of UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon’s efforts?

5)

What do you know about cyclones and the differences between them and hurricanes and typhoons?

6)

How do you think the Burmese in the Irawaddy Delta will ever be able to rebuild their lives?

7)

Do you think the Burmese people will now get rid of the generals?

8)

Has your opinion of Burma changed in any way following the cyclone?

9)

What questions would you like to ask the Burmese generals?

10)

Tourists, but not aid workers, could get visas after the cyclone hit. What do you think of this?