ESL Conversation Questions - Natural Wonders

Natural wonders make for great conversation because they’re both awe-inspiring and personal—everyone has their own favorite place in nature. These questions work well for practicing descriptions and exploring environmental themes.

Questions are organized by level from beginner to advanced. A printable PDF of all the questions is available at the bottom of the page.

Beginner (A1-A2)

What is the most beautiful place in nature you have ever seen? What made it so special?
Do you prefer mountains or the ocean? What do you like about them?
Have you ever gone swimming in a natural place like a lake, river, or ocean? Was it fun?
Have you ever seen a really big waterfall? Tell me about it.
Do you like to go hiking or walking in nature? Where do you go?
Have you ever been in a cave? What did you see inside?
Do you like to take photos of nature? What do you usually take photos of?
Is there a river, lake, or mountain near your home? Do you go there often?
What animals live in nature near your home? Have you seen them?
What is the best time of year to see nature where you live? What does it look like?
Have you ever been to a beach with unusual sand, like black sand or pink sand? What did it look like?
Have you ever seen a rainbow? What were you doing when you saw it?
What natural disasters happen in your country? Have you ever experienced one?
What is the most interesting animal or plant you have seen in nature? Where did you see it?
Have you ever been to a place in nature that was very quiet and peaceful? What was it like?
Have you ever watched the sunrise or sunset from a special place? Where were you?

Elementary (A2)

What are the three most famous natural wonders in your country?
Have you ever been to a natural wonder? What was it like?
What are three natural wonders you would like to see before you die?
What is the most amazing natural place in your country? Why is it famous?
What kind of landscape do you find boring? Why?
How often have you visited natural wonders in your life? What motivated those trips?
Have you ever seen a volcano? What did it look like?
What is the most famous natural wonder in the world? Have you seen photos or videos of it?
What is the biggest natural place you have ever visited? How long did you stay there?
Have you ever been to a desert or a very dry place?
What natural place did you learn about in school? What do you remember about it?

Intermediate (B1)

What makes something a natural “wonder”?
Do natural phenomena like the aurora borealis count as natural wonders? Why or why not? What about things like thunderstorms — where do you draw the line?
Some people call volcanoes “natural wonders,” while others call them “natural disasters.” What do you think — can something be both? Why or why not?
Which country do you think has the most natural wonders?
Would you rather visit natural wonders or man-made wonders? Why?
Do you prefer to visit natural places alone or with other people? Why?
What natural wonder would you take a friend from another country to see? Why that one?
If you could add one new natural wonder to a famous list, what would you choose? What makes it special?
What natural wonder would most surprise someone from another planet? What makes it so unusual?
Some natural wonders are deep underwater or in very remote places that most people will never see. Does that make them less important? Why or why not?
What do you think is more impressive — a natural wonder that took millions of years to form, or one that appeared suddenly, like a volcanic island? Why?
Do you think virtual reality could ever replace actually visiting a natural wonder in person? Why or why not?

Upper-Intermediate (B2)

What natural wonders are in danger from climate change?
Should people be allowed to visit a natural wonder if the visitors hurt it just by visiting? What are some arguments for and against limiting access?
Do you think children today spend enough time in nature? What happens when kids grow up without experiencing natural places?
How do you feel about building hotels and restaurants near natural wonders? What are the upsides and downsides?
What do you think motivates people to visit dangerous natural places like active volcanoes? Is it worth the risk?
Do you think people appreciate nature more now than in the past, or less? Why do you think so?
Some people travel thousands of miles to see a famous natural wonder but ignore the beautiful nature near their own home. Why do you think that is?
How do natural wonders affect the economy of the towns and cities near them? What happens to those communities if tourism suddenly drops?
How has social media changed the way people choose which natural places to visit? What are some unexpected consequences of a place going viral online?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of charging entrance fees for natural wonders? How does it change who gets to visit?
When a natural wonder is shared between two countries, like a river or mountain range, how should they decide who is responsible for protecting it?
What happens when scientists discover a new natural wonder, like an underwater cave system or a hidden waterfall? How should the decision be made about whether to open it to the public?
How does commercialization affect the experience of visiting a natural wonder? Can a place be too popular?
What role do natural wonders play in national identity and pride? Give me some examples.
How did people experience natural wonders 100 years ago compared to today? What has been gained and what has been lost?
How is the relationship between humans and natural landscapes different in urban cultures compared to rural ones? How do those differences show up in daily life?
To what extent do natural wonders shape a country’s economy and global image? How does this influence conservation decisions?

Advanced (C1)

Should humans try to protect natural wonders? If humans protect natural wonders, are the wonders still natural?
Millions of people visit places like the Grand Canyon or Niagara Falls every year, but most of them only stay for a few hours and take the same photos. What does that say about how we experience nature versus how we share it online?
Natural wonders have inspired religion, art, and science throughout human history. Why do you think standing in front of something vast and ancient has such a strong effect on people, even today?
When a government names a place a ‘protected area,’ it often forces out the local people who have lived there for generations. How should we balance conservation with the rights of communities who depend on the land?
Different cultures see natural wonders very differently — some treat them as sacred places, others as tourist attractions, and others as resources to develop. What happens when these views clash, and who gets to decide?
People used to discover natural wonders by exploring unknown territory. Now we can see almost every corner of the Earth on a screen. Has the loss of mystery changed the way we value these places, or do they still feel extraordinary when you stand there in person?
Climate change is altering or destroying natural wonders that have existed for thousands of years — glaciers are shrinking, coral reefs are dying, coastlines are changing. How does losing these places affect not just the environment but also human culture and identity?
Countries often use their natural wonders as symbols of national pride and identity. What happens when that pride leads to over-development, and a country ends up damaging the very thing it was so proud of?
Many natural wonders that are now popular tourist spots were once considered dangerous, cursed, or forbidden by the people who lived near them. What changes in a society that makes it stop fearing a place and start selling tickets to it?
We spend billions protecting famous natural wonders, but countless less spectacular natural areas are quietly destroyed every year without anyone noticing. Why do some places get protection while others don’t, and what does that reveal about how we decide what nature is worth saving?

PDF: Download a PDF of all the questions