SHORT SUBJECTS

1. Write definitions of the following words and express an opinion instead of using a dictionary.

a genius
an average student
boredom
the generation gap
discipline
report card
friendship
allowance
the telephone
detention
email
parent-teacher conferences
lottery

2. Write a short descriptive paragraph using the following subjects.

the morning rain
an imaginary place
a strange contest
sunset on the beach
an unwelcome guest
your pet
an alien
your family
my home

3. Describe a person who:

gets homesick
does as he or she chooses
is really clever
has no friends
is enthusiastic
has an annoying habit
talks too much
is a braggart

4. Write reasons for the following:

why you were born too late or too early
how TV can affect your life
why a particular law should be changed
for or against gun control
for or against letter grades
why cramming for tests is not good
why computers should be used to do homework
why there should or should not BE homework
why people should go to college

5. Persuade your classmates that:

the president should serve a longer term than four years
dress codes should or should not be stricter
horror movies should or should not be on TV
factories that pollute the environment should or should not be closed down
seat belts should or should not be mandatory

6. Explain how to:

use the microwave
make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich
give the dog a bath
cure a cold
stop the hiccups
get good grades
grow money on trees

7. Write a short paragraph using the following subjects:

winning a game in which you played
a broken promise by you or someone else
a practical joke played on you
a lesson you learned from losing
an honest mistake you’ve made
getting a second chance
racing against time
bending the truth
setting a good/bad example
the last laugh
a suspicion
determination
a day that wouldn't seem to end
a Sunday afternoon

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