Typical Questions for the Oral Interview

• רמה: כיתות י"א - י"ב

Typical Questions for the Oral Interview

1. What is your name?
2. How old are you?
3. Where do you live? Do you like living in a city/town/on a kibbutz/moshav? Why or why not?
4. Do you have any siblings? How do you feel about being the youngest/oldest/middle/only child?
5. What do you like to do in your spare time? What are your hobbies?
6. What subjects do you study in school? What is your favorite / least favorite subject? Why do you like / dislike that subject?
7. What would you like to do in the army / national service?
8. What are your plans for the future?

Here are some examples of topics that might possibly result from your interview, and which you may be asked to develop. Speak about one of the following for two minutes

1. Describe the good and bad aspects of where you live.
2. What responsibilities do you have at home? Do you think you should have responsibilities?
3. What is the best way to get along with parents?
4. Do you think high-school students should have jobs? Why or why not?
5. Talk about a sport or hobby you enjoy participating in.
6. What is your favorite TV program? Why do you like it?
7. Describe a move you have seen, or a book you have read recently.
8. Talk about a vacation / holiday celebration you particularly enjoyed.
9. What advice would you give a new driver?
10. Describe a person you admire / who has influence you. Explain.
11. Where did your class go on your annual school trip? Describe the highlights. What things would you improve?
12. What are some of the positive and negative influences of computers on people's lives? How has the computer influenced your life?
13. How do you like to celebrate your birthday? Talk about a birthday celebration you especially enjoyed.

Alternatively, you may be asked to discuss a topic in the news or a current issue for about two minutes. The examiner will try to help you out by asking questions that encourage you to speak.

Steering the Conversation

If you have little to say about the subject, if talking about it makes you uncomfortable, you can politely change the subject. Steer the conversation to an area you know more about, perhaps a personal experience or your work on a project. The examiner will be happy to listen. Before you know it, your time will be up!

Here are some ways of politely changing the subject:

• I'm sorry, but I really don't know a lot about…. If it's alright, could I tell you about…?
• I'm afraid I don't know much about… Could I talk about… instead?
• I've never really thought about that before. But I have often thought about…
• I don't really have an opinion about … On the other hand, I feel strongly about…
• I'd rather not discuss… Could we talk about something else, please?
• Oh, that reminds me…

Questions you may be asked:

1. Do schools teach students to think? What is your opinion?
2. Do you think we need more tolerance in our society? If so, how can we achieve it?
3. What are the chances Israel will achieve peace with its neighbors? How do yo think this goal can be reached?
4. Do men and women in our society have equal rights and opportunities? If not, how can the situation be improved?
5. What are the issues that concern young people today?
6. Express your opinion on an issue which concerns you personally.
7. Express your opinion on any topic currently in the news.

Useful Expressions

• In my opinion, …
• It seems to me that…
• As I see it, …
• Personally, I feel that...
• Yes, but don't you think…?
• Wouldn't it be better to... if...?
• I've given it (the subject) a lot of thought and I think that…