Rich and Poor Conversation Questions

Warm-up Question:
Who are the richest people in your country and in the world? How did they get rich?

Discussion Questions:

1. What does it mean to be rich? Is it only about money? In what other ways can a person be wealthy?
2. What does it mean to be poor?
3. Money can’t buy happiness. Or can it?
4. Some people inherit a lot of money from their parents. Should that money be taxed by the government?
5. Some creative people make a lot of money while other artists struggle to survive. What’s your opinion on creativity and the arts as a career path?
6. Who are some athletes that have made a lot of money? Which sports do they play?
7. Which way of getting rich do you respect most? Why?

8. There are television shows and articles about wealthy people, their homes, and their lifestyles. Why are people so interested in what other people have?
9. What is something that only a few rich people in the world can afford to do?
10. How do you react when someone talks about a way to get rich quickly?
11. Once a person is rich, is it easy to stay rich? How does money help people to make more money?
12. Is there a big gap between rich and poor in your country? Is such a gap a sign of a failing system?
13. How can governments help people out of poverty?
14. If a person works hard and does the right things, is success guaranteed?
15. Is being rich something to be proud of or ashamed of? Is being poor something to be proud of or ashamed of?
16. The United States is a relatively wealthy country, yet many Americans financially struggle. Why is this?