<img src="https://extemp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/cropped-Extemp-Central-Horiztonal.png"> Extemp Central

On June 1, 2020

1. Is looting a legitimate form of protest?
2. How can cities do a better job policing the police?
3. Will the recent urban protests create a second COVID wave?
4. How will growing urban unrest affect the 2020 presidential election?
5. Should all American students be required to wear masks in schools in the upcoming 2020-2021 academic year?
6. Are U.S. pension plans at an even greater risk than they were during the Great Recession?
7. Has SpaceX’s recent success ushered in the era of private space exploration?
8. Will the George Floyd case undermine Amy Klobuchar’s vice-presidential hopes?
9. Has the COVID lockdown fueled protests in American cities more than the death of George Floyd?
10. Does the U.S. need an Internet Bill of Rights?

HotTopics: International Extemp Questions for the Week of June 1-7, 2020

On June 1, 2020

1. Has Europe mishandled its coronavirus bailouts?
2. Should AMLO embrace renewable energy?
3. Will Argentina’s recent debt default trigger another economic collapse?
4. Could border tensions between India and China grow into something much bigger?
5. Have Western universities become too reliant on attracting foreign students?
6. Who has the majority in Malaysia’s government?
7. Has Libya become the new Syria?
8. Looking back, was it wise of Great Britain to let go of Hong Kong?
9. Should African governments continue hiring mercenaries?
10. Have economic problems in Brazil darkened Latin America’s economic outlook on the whole?

HotTopics: International Extemp Questions for the Week of May 25-31, 2020

On May 25, 2020

This week’s questions come from my former coach Steve Meadows, who is now the executive director of the Kentucky High School Speech League (KHSSL).

1. How has New Zealand changed a year after the Christchurch attacks?
2. Hong Kong’s protests seem forgotten by the world. Problem solved?
3. Australian bushfires: the exception or the rule for a world undergoing climate change?
4. What’s the solution to prevent violence in Mexican cities?
5. How should Lebanon handle its financial woes?
6. Will the Saudi royal family retain power or fall to its own corruption?
7. Should Scottish independence seekers try again or will their dreams be kilt?
8. Will Germany thrive or dive post-Merkel?
9. Is Hungary hungry for a real democracy?
10. Irish reunification – a dream, a nightmare, or a woke response to 21st century realities?

HotTopics: United States Extemp Questions for the Week of May 25-31, 2020

On May 25, 2020

Some of this week’s questions come from former old coach Steve Meadows, who is now the executive director of the Kentucky High School Speech League (KHSSL).

1. Are social distancing policies no longer politically feasible?
2. Is Amy Klobuchar a good vice-presidential pick?
3. It’s Report Card Day: Grade the Fed for its handling of the coronavirus impact to the U.S. economy.
4. It’s Report Card Day: Grade the current U.S. Supreme Court.
5. It’s Report Card Day: Grade Representative Tulsi Gabbard.
6. French immigration policies – should American say oui to their approaches?
7. Problem: American elections seem no safer from foreign interference. Solution?
8. Problem: Despite promises made, tax cuts have not trickled down past the wealthy. Solution?
9. Problem: America’s infrastructure is aging. Solution?
10. Problem: Republicans want to win where President Trump is unpopular. Solution?

HotTopics: United States Extemp Questions for the Week of May 18-24, 2020

On May 18, 2020

1. Has the President’s embrace of Twitter over press conferences hurt U.S. democracy?
2. How should Americans manage their money as the coronavirus attacks the stock market?
3. Are biorefineries growing as a solution to American energy needs?
4. Is it time for William Barr to step down?
5. Months later, did the impeachment of President Trump matter?
6. Why are socialists seen as unelectable by much of the American population?
7. Did Elizabeth Warren have an electability problem?
8. Why do evangelicals stand with President Trump?
9. Are recent interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve a good idea?
10. Is the Space Force a waste of money?

HotTopics: International Extemp Questions for the Week of May 18-24, 2020

On May 18, 2020

1. Will India’s treatment of its Muslim population leave the nation stranded in the second world?
2. Why has South Korea been praised for its coronavirus response when other nations have not?
3. Are African countries embracing China at their own peril?
4. How can the Ivory Coast ensure a peaceful transition of power in October?
5. Is the peace agreement in Afghanitan good for the people of Afghanistan?
6. In hindsight, did Australia manage its fires well?
7. How can North Korea realistically enter the world around it?
8. Is Pakistan next in line for an “Arab Spring”-type of social protest?
9. Will the coronavirus kill Thailand’s struggling economy?
10. Are Japanese gender norms holding back its economic growth?

HotTopics: International Extemp Questions for the Week of May 11-17, 2020

On May 11, 2020

1. Will a recent failed invasion against Nicolas Maduro further strengthen his hold over Venezuela?
2. Is Argentina headed for another debt default?
3. Will border disputes between India and China grow in the near future?
4. Can Benjamin Netanyahu form a unity government?
5. Is the sharp decline in global oil prices doing major damage to Nigeria’s economy?
6. Should Taiwan be able to attend the recent WHO summit on the coronavirus?
7. Is China waiting too long to create an economic stimulus?
8. How can the European Central Bank keep credit flowing within the common market?
9. Should Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro be given control of the Rio police?
10. Is ISIS once again becoming a threat to Iraq?

HotTopics: United States Extemp Questions for the Week of May 11-17, 2020

On May 11, 2020

1. How should Joe Biden use former President Obama as part of his election campaign?
2. If a coronavirus vaccine is developed, should all students attending public schools be required to get it in order to attend?
3. How should the Supreme Court rule in Trump v. Vance?
4. Should the Biden campaign try to win over moderate Republicans or should it prioritize courting African-American and younger voters?
5. Will the next U.S. president have to raise taxes?
6. Is justice moving too slowly in the Ahmaud Arbery case?
7. If colleges are still teaching online in 2020-2021, should they reduce tuition costs?
8. Should states make moves to outlaw the “gig economy”?
9. How can the U.S. increase is ability to test for the coronavirus?
10. Should cities establish rent freezes until the coronavirus passes?

HotTopics: United States Extemp Questions for the Week of May 4-10, 2020

On May 4, 2020

1. Should the U.S. economy move away from a service-oriented model?
2. Could sexual harrassment allegations cost Joe Biden the presidency?
3. Will taxes rise after the coronavirus passes?
4. Could school reformers benefit from a federal aid package to the states?
5. Is “telemedicine” the future of American healthcare?
6. Does the federal government need to pass another stimulus to help working Americans?
7. Is federalism hurting America’s response to the coronavirus pandemic?
8. How can state authorities enforce social distancing measures in light to growing protests?
9. What will college education look like for the 2020-2021 academic year?
10. Is it constitutional to require citizens to wear masks in public?

HotTopics: International Extemp Questions for the Week of May 4-10, 2020

On May 4, 2020

1. Will protectionism rise as the coronavirus subsides?
2. Is the risk of an escalation of the war in Afghanistan growing?
3. Are Europe’s short-work programs keeping unemployment down during the coronavirus pandemic?
4. Is it in Russia’s best interest to extend the START treaty?
5. What is wrong with Zambia’s economy?
6. Are Khalifa Haftar’s fortunes on the decline in Libya?
7. Is Saudi Arabia’s human rights record improving?
8. How generous should EU aid packages be to fight the coronavirus pandemic?
9. Should Colombia repatriate Venezuelan refugees?
10. Will the coronavirus pandemic help governments fight terrorism?

Prepd’s Virtual Extemp Challenge is Gauging Interest!

On April 29, 2020

In Files

Since the coronavirus pandemic took off in the United States, most speech and debate tournaments have been cancelled. However, the Tournament of Champions recently ran as a virtual competition, and NSDA Nationals is planning to do so as well.

Prepd is considering launching its own virtual tournament specifically for Extemporaneous speaking (link to https://prepd.in/VirtualExtemp/). Prepd wants to reimagine a speech and debate tournament from scratch as a digitally native offering, which would include:

· A massive, open, online competition

· Scholarship prizes for winners

· A dashboard for virtual audience engagement

· Digital certificates of accomplishment

· Separate pools for varsity and novice extempers

Learn more about Prepd’s vision for the Virtual Extemp Challenge by visiting https://prepd.in/VirtualExtemp/.

Prepd is still gauging interest from the broader community. Anyone who is interested in participating as a competitor, judge, or coach is encouraged to fill out this brief form: https://forms.gle/HPYpDYBqVhdbSoM18

HotTopics: International Extemp Questions for the Week of April 27-May 3, 2020

On April 27, 2020

1. Has the worst of the global coronavirus outbreak come to pass?
2. Should Malaysia continue to turn away Rohingya refugees?
3. Will the declaration of self-rule by Yemeni separtists destroy the chances of ending Yemen’s civil war?
4. Has Boris Johnson’s government mismanaged Britain’s coronavirus response?
5. Is Jack Ma becoming a threat to China’s communist leadership?
6. Should there be an independent review of the WHO’s response to the coronavirus pandemic?
7. Will governments have to introduce austerity measures once the coronavirus passes?
8. If Kim Jong Un were to die, who would take over North Korea?
9. Can working relationships with Gulf countries bolster India’s power in South Asia?
10. Does Germany need to take a more direct role in leading the European Union?

HotTopics: United States Extemp Questions for the Week of April 27-May 3, 2020

On April 27, 2020

1. Will effective antibody testing be the key to reopening America’s economy?
2. What changes will American schools have to make due to the coronavirus next year?
3. Should small businesses have received more coronavirus aid?
4. Is it better for Joe Biden to stay out of the spotlight throughout the summer or to take on a greater media presence to counteract President Trump’s messaging?
5. Should U.S. states be able to declare bankruptcy?
6. Will AOC’s vote against further coronavirus aid hurt her political standing?
7. Are state lawsuits against China frivolous?
8. Is growing anti-China sentiment among Americans a boon for President Trump’s foreign policy agenda?
9. Has CNN become too politicized?
10. Does the Supreme Court need to be expanded?

HotTopics: United States Extemp Questions for the Week of April 20-26, 2020

On April 20, 2020