PERSPECTIVE
Free ESL Conversation Resource · Luck & Success

Luck & Success ESL Discussion Questions

15 conversation questions about luck, hard work, opportunity, privilege, fairness and how much of success is really under our control.
A1–A2 BeginnerB1–B2 IntermediateC1–C2 Advanced

Use these luck and success ESL discussion questions for pair work, small-group speaking or whole-class conversation. Choose the level that fits your learners, or move through all three sections as the questions become more challenging.

A

Beginner · A1–A2

Start the conversation

  1. 01

    What was the luckiest day of your life?

  2. 02

    Did you get a job or a place because you met the right person?

  3. 03

    Why do two people with the same chance often do different things with it?

  4. 04

    Should a country help people who start with less?

  5. 05

    Is it fair to say that a person who did not succeed did not try hard enough?

Ready for the full lesson?Explore the A1–A2 Lucky? lesson →
B

Intermediate · B1–B2

Explore the issue

  1. 01

    Do you think you’ve had lucky breaks in your life? What were they?

  2. 02

    Have you ever seen someone succeed mainly because of good timing or connections?

  3. 03

    Why might small early advantages matter so much over a lifetime?

  4. 04

    Should society do more to correct for unequal starting points?

  5. 05

    If luck plays such a big role, how should we judge people who don’t succeed?

Take the topic further.Explore the B1–B2 Lucky? lesson →

Do we earn success, or simply win it?

One topic. Three levels. Countless perspectives.
C

Advanced · C1–C2

Challenge the idea

  1. 01

    What is one lucky break that has shaped your life?

  2. 02

    Have you ever taken credit for something luck gave you?

  3. 03

    Why might a small early advantage grow over time?

  4. 04

    Should governments try to level the playing field?

  5. 05

    Is a society that rewards luck still a fair one?

Push the discussion further.Explore the C1–C2 Lucky? lesson →
Perspective English · Complete lessons

Turn the discussion into a full lesson.

Continue with the complete Lucky? lesson at the level your class needs. Perspective lessons combine reading, vocabulary, discussion and deeper speaking tasks around one conversation-worthy topic.

A1–A2

Accessible language and clear questions for beginner and elementary learners.

View beginner lesson →B1–B2

Develop the issue with richer vocabulary, reading and discussion.

View intermediate lesson →C1–C2

Explore luck, privilege, opportunity, merit and whether society can truly reward effort fairly.

View advanced lesson →