STANAG 6001 Level 3 – Speaking Task (Discussion): The Most Serious Threats to Humanity
Examination Task
In the 21st century we are facing many potential threats. Look at the list below and decide which one is the most and the least serious. Justify your choice.
- Epidemics
- Arms race
- Overpopulation
Sample Discussion
A: There are many potential threats in the 21st century. Let’s discuss their impact on people and decide which is the most and the least serious. Am I right?
B: Yes, that’s right. From my point of view, epidemics are the most serious threat, because they can spread globally and affect millions of people at the same time. What do you think?
A: I agree to a large extent. As we saw with COVID-19, the virus spread at an alarming rate and took the lives of millions of people worldwide.
B: Absolutely. In fact, pandemics have always been part of human history and will probably remain with us. The COVID-19 pandemic alone caused around 7 million deaths globally. What’s more, such diseases are extremely difficult to control, especially in the early stages when there is limited information and no effective treatment available.
A: That’s a very important point. The possibility of the next global pandemic could not be ignored. The scale of infection can result in enormous numbers of deaths, and healthcare systems can easily become overwhelmed.
B: Exactly. Compared to the arms race epidemics are more unpredictable and affect people directly in their everyday lives. Moreover, epidemics lead to severe economic and financial disruptions, job losses, and leave many people without any source of income.
A: I agree. So we can say that epidemics are the most serious threat. Now, what about the arms race?
B: The arms race is also very dangerous because nuclear powers have returned to intense competition. In 2025, the United States announced the resumption of nuclear tests after more than 30 years. Russia has intensified the modernisation of its nuclear arsenal and conducts regular exercises involving land, sea, and air forces. It also withdrew from the CTBT in 2023, further increasing tensions. China is rapidly expanding its nuclear capabilities by increasing the number of warheads and developing delivery systems. North Korea regularly tests missiles, including hypersonic ones, capable of carrying nuclear warheads. India and Pakistan continue to expand their nuclear arsenals due to ongoing tensions over the Kashmir region and security concerns. Israel, which is involved in several armed conflicts in the Middle East, is also widely believed to possess nuclear weapons. All of this increases global instability and the risk of escalation.
A: That’s true. However, it is still more of a potential threat, as it does not directly affect people’s everyday lives unless a conflict actually breaks out. In contrast, epidemics have an immediate and visible impact on societies.
B: Good point. Finally, let’s consider overpopulation.
A: In my opinion, overpopulation is the least serious, although it remains an important long-term issue. The world population has surpassed 8 billion people, with the most populated countries being India, China, the United States, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Nigeria. Population growth is mainly concentrated in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, while it is declining in many developed countries, as well as in East Asia and Central and Eastern Europe, including Poland. Some forecasts suggest that by the end of the 21st century humanity may exceed 12 billion people. This is why some scientists warn about overpopulation, although the real problem is rather uneven population growth. Do you agree?
B: Yes, the population is growing very quickly in some countries, while the economy and infrastructure cannot always keep up with this pace. In such conditions, there may be problems with providing enough food, water, and jobs, which can lead to poverty and sometimes hunger. High population density and weaker healthcare systems can also make it easier for diseases and epidemics to spread. In addition, as the population increases, there is more pressure on the environment – more water, farmland, and other resources are needed. This can worsen living conditions and encourage some people to emigrate. However, it is important to remember that this does not apply equally to the whole world — in many places, economic development is helping to gradually address these challenges.
A: Exactly. However, these processes are gradual and to some extent predictable, unlike epidemics or the arms race.
B: I agree. So, although overpopulation can be described as a “time bomb”, its effects are long-term rather than immediate, which makes it less critical than epidemics.
A: Exactly. So, to sum up, epidemics are the most serious threat due to their rapid spread, global impact, and high number of casualties, while overpopulation is the least serious because it develops more slowly and is uneven across regions.
B: I couldn’t agree more.
Photo: Bell of Peace, Hiroshima