9. Write a story that tells why a certain place is special to you. What does this place mean to you? What happened there?. 10. The Day You Decided to Change Your Life. 11. Should students be allowed to have cell phones in elementary and high schools? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your answer. 12. The experience of being lost (or of frustrating). 13. In our increasingly global society, many people feel that all students should be required to learn a foreign language before graduating from high school. Do you agree? Why or why not? Explain your position using specific reasons and examples.
14. Major life events like a new job, a new home, the birth of a sibling, or the death of someone we love can have a profound impact on us. Describe a major event in your life and what it taught you about yourself or others. 15. Many students have to live with roommates while going to school or university. What are some of the important qualities of a good roommate? Use specific reasons and examples to explain why these qualities are important. 16. Describe your favorite restaurant. 17. People often say “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Describe a time when you misjudged someone based on his or her appearance or when someone misjudged you. 18. People often say, “What you don’t know won’t hurt you,” but the opposite often turns out to be true. Tell about a time when you were hurt by something you didn’t know. 19. A particular friend or family member. 20. Parents are our first and most important teachers. Describe a time when you learned a valuable lesson from one of your parents. 21. Recall a time when you found yourself in a perilous situation. Tell the story of how you got into that situation and how you survived it. 22. Sometimes we take nature for granted. Describe an experience that made you appreciate the natural world. 23. It has often been said that “Life is a journey, not a destination.” Tell about an important journey (physical, emotional, or spiritual) that you’ve taken. 24. When we are faced with challenges and difficult situations, we sometimes discover strengths we did not know we had. Tell about a time when you recognized a new strength in yourself. 25. For many of us, sports are a big part of our lives, whether we are spectators or participants. Describe a memorable sporting event.