ielts essay topics questions

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50 Recent IELTS Essay Questions

Hey! It is so important that when you sit down to practice IELTS writing, you only use questions that are “genuine”. This means using either questions that come from the IELTS Cambridge 1 – 15   series or those that have been created by an exam writer like those in my 100 IELTS essay question blog post.  However, many students like to practice recent IELTS essay questions i.e. topics that have been reported by recent test-takers.

I understand why students want to do this – knowing what the recent IELTS essays questions are and checking that you can answer them is reassuring. However, unfortunately, test-takers rarely (if ever) manage to accurately remember the wording of the question that they had in their test.

Can they remember the general topic? Sure.

Can they remember the exact wording? Definitely not!

Sadly, changing even one word in a test can change the focus of a question and, therefore, make it impossible to answer! So, every month, I collect 50 recent IELTS essay questions from students in  My IELTS Classroom  , and edit them so that they are as close to perfect as possible.

Plus, I divide the questions into Academic and General Training (so you can be sure you are tackling the right type of questions) and have highlighted the main topic of each question for you.

This page is updated monthly and is now showing questions from 2021. If you want to see exam questions that reportedly appeared earlier in 2021, then you can look at our 2021 archive .

As always, these questions are provided so that you can check that you have ideas for the nw topics. If you are preparing with a teacher or want high-quality feedback on your  writing  then you should always use a question from the original IELTS Cambridge Series .

Academic IELTS Essay Questions (February 2021 – September 2021)

1. Some people think that criminal behaviour has genetic causes . Others believe that it is circumstances that lead people to commit a crime. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

2. Some people think that new houses should be built in the same style as older houses in an area. Others believe that local councils should allow people to choose different designs for their houses. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

3. Some people say that the best way to teach children to behave well is to punish them. Others argue that rewarding and praising children is a better way to teach them the difference between right and wrong. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

4.  Some people believe that women should be able to join their country’s army and police forces . Others think that only men should be allowed to work in these areas. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

5.  In some countries, there are not enough medical or educational facilities in rural areas. Therefore, some people believe newly graduated teachers and doctors should be sent to work in rural areas for some time. Others think that people should be free to choose where they work after graduation. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

6. A lot of research has shown that overeating can have a number of negative effects on the body. Some people therefore believe that the advertising of certain foods should be banned in the same way that some countries have banned advertising cigarettes. Do you agree or disagree?

7 Some people think that parents should teach their children about the importance of recycling . Others believe recycling should be taught in schools. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

8. The media has the right to publish information about the personal life of celebrities . To what extent do you agree or disagree?

9. Some people say that instead of preventing climate change, we need to find a way to live with it. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?

10. Young people today mostly learn by reading books or watching movies and TV shows , rather than personal experience. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

11. Big companies should provide sports and social facilities for the local communities where they operate. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

12. Some people argue that thanks to the widespread accessibility of the internet, libraries are no longer necessary. Do you agree or disagree?

13. If asked to choose between a life without work and a life that involves working most of the time, people will always choose not to work. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

14. Eighteen is the appropriate age for children to finish school. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

15. Schools should stop using books to teach and use films, TV and computers in the classroom instead. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Writing a good IELTS essay doesn’t have to be difficult. Follow our step-by-step guide to every type of essay to find out what the examiner expects and exactly what you can do to satisfy the band descriptors in our Task Two course. The first three lessons are free!

16. Nowadays foreign visitors show more interest in the museums of a country than its local residents do. Why is this? What can be done to attract more local residents to visit museums in their country?

17 Many companies sponsor sports teams and events to advertise their products or service . What advantages and disadvantages does this bring for the teams and individuals that these companies sponsor?

18. Most information today is available online whereas in the past it was stored in books or on paper. Do you think the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

19. The difference between countries is becoming less and less evident as people all over the world wear the same fashions, watch the same TV channels, use the same brands, and have similar eating habits. Do you think that the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?

20. Nowadays many people get the news online instead of reading it in newspapers or watching it on TV. Is this a positive or negative development?

21. In many countries today the proportion of older people in the population is higher than the proportion of younger people . Do you think this is a positive or a negative development?

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22. More and more tasks in the home and at work are being performed by robots . Why do you think this is the case? Is this a negative or positive development?

23. Nowadays tourists and scientists are allowed to travel to remote natural environments . Do you think the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

24. Due to population growth many people these days live in apartments with limited space and no outdoor areas. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh its disadvantages?

25. Every country in the world has its own road rules , but many drivers don’t obey them. What do you think are the reasons for this? What can be done to solve this problem?

BONUS In many countries, shopping is now one of the most popular types of leisure activity . Why do you so many young people like shopping? Is this a positive or a negative development?

What are the current Aacdemic writing trends?

My observation of the most recent IELTS essay questions from 2021 is that there have been A LOT of Discuss Both Sides and To What Extent questions. In fact, this is more or less all that I have seen in the first month of the new year, so be sure that you are ready to answer these.

GT IELTS Essay Questions (February 2021 – September 2021

1. Some people believe that individuals who earn a lot of money are the most successful in life . Others say that the individuals who contribute to the society (such as scientists or teachers) are more successful. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

2. It is universally accepted that eating too much  sugar has a negative effects on people’s health . Therefore, some believe that the government should control the amount of sugar people consume. Others think that it is the responsibility of an individual to monitor their sugar intake. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

3. Some people say that the development of technology means that people no longer need to learn the skill of handwriting . Others believe that it is still necessary for people to learn how to write by hand. Discuss both these views and give your opinion.

4. Some people believe that individuals over 65 should not be allowed to continue working . Others think that people should be allowed to work for as long as they choose. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

5. Some people think that it is a good idea for parents to help their children with their homework. Others believe that children should do their homework on their own. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

6. Some people think that the government should spend money on cultural activities such as music or art. Others think this is a waste of taxpayers’ money. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

7. Some people think that children should be taught how to become good parents at school . Do you agree or disagree?

8. Many mothers stay at home to take care of their family and don’t go out to work . Some people believe these mothers should be paid by the government. Do you agree or disagree?

9. In many countries, it is common for people to consume fast food. However, some people believe that fast food has too much influence on our lifestyle and diet. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

10. Some people say that playing sports helps to prepare children for their future jobs . Do you agree or disagree?

11. Some people say that the Olympic Games no longer play a role in the 21st century . Do you agree or disagree?

12.   People’s behaviour (for example, their table manners and they way they dress) varies from country to country. When traveling to a different country, people should copy the behaviour and habits of the inhabitants of the country they  visit. Do you agree or disagree?

13.  The best way to increase road safety is to make car drivers retake their driving test every year. Do you agree or disagree?

14.  Some people believe that family is more important than friends . What do you think?

15.  The Internet is the best place to find information . Do you agree or disagree?

16.  In many countries traditional customs are being lost.  Why do you think this is? What can parents and schools do to keep traditional customs alive? 

17.  People who are learning a foreign language can face a number of difficulties. What are some of these problems? In your opinion, what are the best ways to overcome these difficulties?

18. Young people today are often less polite and show less respect than previous generations . Why do you think this is? What can be done to solve this problem? 

19. Developments in technology mean that more and more machines are being used in the workplace instead of human employees. Does this development have more advantages or more disadvantages?

20. In some countries, young people choose to move from their parents’ home to their own house at an early age. In other countries, young people stay with parents for a longer time. Do you think young people who leave their parent’s home at a younger age have more advantages or disadvantages than those who stay?

21. In many parts of the world, more and more large supermarkets are opening and smaller local shops are closing down. Does this development have more advantages or more disadvantages for local people?

22. In some countries it is illegal to stop people applying for a job because of their age . Is this a positive or a negative development?

 23.  In many countries, people are earning more money today than in the past, so they are able to buy more things. Is this a positive or a negative development?

24. Nowadays, people prefer to shop at large shopping centres rather than in local shops or markets. Why is this? Is this a positive or negative development?

25. Nowadays in many countries traditional customs are becoming less popular than in the past . Do you agree or disagree? What can parents and teachers do about this?

BONUS –  Playing team sports at school can teach students a number of lessons that are useful outside of sport. What values can students learn from playing team sports? How can they apply these values in the future? 

What are the current GT writing trends?

So far this year, I have noticed two main trends for the recent IELTS essay questions for General Training students. First, there continue to be more 2-part questions than in the Academic test, and the topics seem to be more and more diverse.

Also, the test writers seem to making small changes to the wording of questions, which don’t actually change what you are expected to do, but may confuse some students. For example, in the past, you were always asked “Is this a positive or negative trend?” but recently the same question has been phrased as:

• Is this a good thing or a bad thing?
• Do you think this is right or wrong?
• Do you think this this a good or bad use of public money?

If you enter the exam room and feel confused by the question, my advice is always to simply answer the question that you have been given.

Yes, there are question types that repeat, but if you are given a direct essay question or a type of question that is unfamiliar, simply focusing on answering the question/s you have been given clearly is always the best approach!

Looking for an IELTS school run by native speakers who have a proven track record of helping students achieve their potential in IELTS? Then come join the students at  My IELTS Classroom  who are using our unique video courses, live lessons and marking service to maximise their scores. 

OK – those are the 50 most recent IELTS essay questions. I will try to do this every month so that you can be sure you have ideas for every possible IELTS question in your exam. Well, maybe not to every question, but at least by practicing with these, you will have sharpened your idea-generation skills . Plus, you can help me by adding any questions that you can remember from a recent IELTS exam in the comments below 🚀

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Writing Task 2 Sample

IELTS Writing Task 2 ( also known as IELTS Essay Writing ) is the second task of your IELTS Writing test. Here, you will be presented with an essay topic and you will be scored based on your ability to respond to the topic.

You need to write at least 250 words and justify your opinion with arguments, discussion, examples, problem outlining, proposing possible solutions and supporting your position. You will have approximately 40 minutes to finish your Essay Writing. IELTS Writing Task 2 carries more weights than Writing Task 1.

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IELTS writing topics and answers

IELTS writing topics are extensive, and consistently finding answers for them takes practice. Below I share how I produce an essay, including thinking of ideas , building paragraphs and planning.

For these ideas and sample answers, I usually use the latest latest writing task 2 topics seen by our own students when they do the exam. 

IELTS writing task 2 topics (academic) often require simple ideas that are easy to communicate, rather than complex ideas with difficult grammar. 

Get the IELTS essay topics with answers pdf here .

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Tutorial contents

• IELTS essay topics and answers: education

IELTS essay topics and answer: globalisation

Ielts essay topics and answer: travel and transport, ielts essay topics and answer: employment, ielts essay topics and answer: employment (skills).

• IELTS essay topics and answer: gender issues
• IELTS topic and answer: education
• IELTS topic: gender issues (career)

IELTS essay topics and answer: technology

• IELTS essay topic and answer: health
• IELTS essay topics and answer: society
• Quick presentation on the topics and answers

Common IELTS writing task 2 topics (list)

Below is a list of the most common IELTS essay topics for task 2 questions . Click the topic to get a sample essay, vocabulary list, and a Ted Talk video (to help learn the vocabulary in context). You can also find an in-depth tutorial about IELTS vocabulary and lexical resource here.

Sport Employment Law Health Technology Politics Education Language and culture Crime Environment

IELTS essay topics, answers and ideas

Some people think that robots are important for human’s future development. Others think that robots have negative effects on society. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Ideas: Definitely important, true, big advances, productivity, intelligence, machine learning, artificial intelligence, etc

Can have negative effects – Unemployment – automation – loss of jobs – safe nets need to be in place – welfare system etc Even death of citizens – Tesla accident autonomous driving –

Conc: there are too many advantages to ignore, we cannot forego these advances however more precaution and govt. Legislation could be wise.

Some people think that new houses should be built in the same style as older houses in the local area. Others disagree and say that local authorities should allow people to build houses in the styles of their own choice. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Yes, should be in the same style, keep property values higher, uniformity, conformity, and cohesion –

EG certain villages in prosperous parts of England such as Cheshire, The Cotswolds, and Howarth have extreme rules because the areas have immense cultural heritage. To place a modern MacDonald’s style restaurant in one of these areas would be tantamount to architectural vandalism .

-Great idea! Innovates an area, and introduces new flavours, styles, and ideas into stale and old areas. Your house can reflect your personality. You can make it more environmentally friendly. You can install technical innovations. Solar panels, or even solar cells in roof tiles, are available from Elon Musk’s company.

Conc: both are viable and fair, the caveat is that the law should be clear from the beginning and be permanent – changing it would be extremely unfair.

Some people spend a lot of money attending cultural or sports events. Is it a good or a bad thing? Give your opinion and examples from your own experience.

Body paragraph 1

Definitely a good development, gives something for people to aspire to. It also most likely begets higher revenues for the performers and promoters , which should ultimately lead to even more events. This undoubtedly leads to greater monetary and cultural wealth for a society.

Take for example the English Premier League (EPL), this entertainment spectacle has brought considerable wealth into cities such as Manchester, Liverpool, and London. Higher ticket prices lead to better wages for football stars, which leads to more quality players wanting to play in the EPL, leading to a considerable increase in high net-worth individuals residing in these cities.

There has undoubtedly been a positive self-fulfilling cycle of improvement and quality, fuelled by increasing prices. Furthermore, high prices will most likely mean higher tax revenues for the government, this is definitely beneficial for society.

P2 – Same, but apply to a cultural event – ballet – opera???

IELTS essay topics and answer: education

Do you think it is better for students to work before their university studies? Why?  Use reasons and specific examples to support your choice.

MY ANSWER: YES! –  One position, easier to write, easier to read. 

PARAGRAPH 1 Practical experience, contacts, on the job skills. EG: Studies from the UK Government show graduates with work experience are twice as likely to find employment…..

PARAGRAPH 2 Better preparation, the chance to improve social skills, close the gap between academia and private sector, helps the student decide on future before committing long term, EG 1/6 students will change their higher education course while at uni….

Many people believe that it’s better to learn something in a group rather than individually. Do you agree or disagree?

Paragraph 1 Agree – learning in a group has many advantages Elements of teamwork can be adopted A group can utilize each person’s skill and expertise

Paragraph 2 Disagree – Individualism is better Self reliant, own the result, not dependent on others More mature way, more responsible No laggards

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IELTS essay topics and answer: education (child)

Some people believe that children should do organised activities in their free time while others believe that children should be free to do what they want to do in their free time. Which viewpoint do you agree with? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

MY ANSWER: YES! –  One position, easier to write, easier to read.   

PARAGRAPH 2 Better preparation, a chance to improve social skills, close the gap between academia and private sector, helps the student decide on future before committing long term, EG 1/6 students will change their higher education course while at uni…. 

Many people believe that it’s better to learn something in a group rather than individually. Do you agree or disagree? 

Paragraph 1 Agree – learning in the group has many advantages Elements of teamwork can be adopted Group can utilize each person’s skill and expertise

Paragraph 2 Disagree – Individualism is better self-reliant, owning the result, not being dependent on others, being more mature way, and being more responsible. No laggards. 

Many people say that globalization and the growing number of multinational companies have a negative effect on the environment. Which viewpoint do you agree with? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

PARAGRAPH 1 -DEFINITELY DAMAGING THE ENVIRONMENT -Increased interaction between countries -Increase in goods and services traded -this means more production and, therefore more resources. EG China ‘workshop of the world’ – In many places air pollution masks are needed.

PARAGRAPH 2 -MULTINATIONALS / PROBS WITH GLOBALISATION -YES increase pollution – (this decision taken for simplicity) -Globalisation requires global solutions -these can have drastic consequences if accidents happen -EG BP Gulf of Mexico, oil spill , destroyed the local ecosystem…

Scientists believe that in order to protect the environment, people must use less energy in their daily lives. However, most people have not changed the way they live. Why do you think many people have not taken individual action? What could be done to encourage them to take action?

Ideas for body paragraph 1

Not taken individual action because: – Danger not immediately or directly facing them – Tragedy of the commons – Collective problem – easier to shirk responsibility

Ideas for body paragraph 2

What could be done to encourage them to take action? – Media campaigns by the government – Tax or financial incentives EG In Tokyo ……

Some believe that is the responsibility of people to take care of the environment. Others say it is the government that should take care of the environment. Discuss both views and state your opinion.

Paragraph 1 People should take care of the environment because: We are the consumers, we vote with our wallets, Throw away culture become considerably too prevalent – consumers are causing horrendous damage (Pacific Garbage Patch)

Paragraph 2 The government should take care of the environment because: They have the power to legislate Can impose fines and taxes on polluters Supposed to be guardians of the country, which means collectively they are guardians of the earth… but not true in reality

Conclusion Both should be doing more!

Some people say that protecting the environment is the government’s responsibility. Others believe that every individual should be responsible for it. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Ideas for body paragraph 1 – Yes: Government’s responsibility – Policies govt could do, then country-specific example

Ideas for body paragraph 2 – Yes individual responsibility also – Action individuals could take + examples. 

Conclusion –  MY OPINION: Such a mess, such a disastrous state, such a shame, so much so that all parties need to step up and take responsibility for the state of affairs we have landed ourselves in.

In many countries, small shops and town centers are going out of business because people tend to drive to the large out-of-town stores. This results in an increase in car use, and it also means that people without cars have limited access to out-of-town stores. Do you think the advantages of such development outweigh its disadvantages?

The advantages of out-of-town shopping centres are very limited… – Slightly cheaper prices – but huge new developments contribute to the urban sprawl of cities… This reduces investment in city centres … which are much more than just places for shopping EG Vienna regularly has art exhibitions in the city centre…

– For example: those without transport are disenfranchised – Traffic on the roads – ALSO (MAIN POINT) -Some might argue they create jobs .. but really it is probably just shifting employment from one area to the other…

Parents want to achieve balance between family and career but only a few manage to achieve it. What do you think is the reason? Discuss possible solutions and provide examples.

Paragraph 1 – The reason for the imbalance The reason is work-life balance, increased competition in the workplace, changes in society, increase in the amount of working mothers puts strain on the family, EG Studies in the US show that families with two full-time parents are more likely to separate. -therefore this shows that finding the balance is incredibly difficult.

Paragraph 2 – Possible Solutions? -Regulations from the government, increasing maternity leave, more flexible working practices, reduced working week, EG France had a 35-hour working week …

Some people believe that employees should stay in the same job for the rest of their lives. Others think they should switch jobs at least once during their career. To what extent do you agree/disagree?

Click here for the band 6.5 – 7 essay graded by an ex-IELTS examiner (from our team of essay correctors!)

IELTS essay topics, answer,s and ideas: gender issues

Nowadays both men and women spend a lot of money on beauty care. This was not so in the past. What may be the root cause of this behaviour? Discuss the reasons and possible results.

Paragraph 1 -Marketing. Beauty market for women is worth millions, consumer goods companies see similar potential for the male market. Therefore developing new ranges, e.g. Loreal for Men Expert. Therefore main reason is the potential opportunity.

Paragraph 2 -Results? -Difficult to say the results because it is still early, however general trend is in this direction, – Deodorant was considered unnecessary before the 1950s. -Market will probably grow and it will be completely normal in the future.

Some people think that men are naturally more competitive than women. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Paragraph 1 Agree – Men are more competitive Look at sporting fans, globally most are male A lot of sports historically only men participate in F1, Boxing, MMA, etc. Psychological drivers of men include: dominance, control

Paragraph 2 Agree – Men are more competitive Although it is difficult to say without sounding sexist Is it nature or nurture – difficult to say

IELTS essay topics and answer: education (student reward)

Students perform better in school when they are rewarded rather than punished.To what extent do you agree or disagree? Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

IELTS writing essay structure:

Intro: Paraphrase the question and state your side/argument.

Idea / Paragraph 1: they perform better in schools -definitely better Types of reward – certificate, recognition, positive reinforcement, Studies show children are sensitive and easily influenced when younger, therefore positive environment probably better…

Idea / Paragraph 2: they perform better when punished – works but too harsh for Childhood Possibly does work, but it’s old fashioned, potentially dangerous – could discourage a student for life

Conclusion: Positive better and more modern.

In today’s very competitive world, a worker has to possess multiple skills to succeed. Among the skills that a worker should possess, which skill do you think is more important, social skills or good qualifications? Explain the reasons and provide specific examples to support your answer.

Paragraph idea 1: Social skills are more important – no man is an island – idiomatic expression correctly used i.e in context We need people around us – Lacking social skills could seriously disrupt, demotivate, and damage a team. – a big list of great vocab for Lexical Resource score there.

Paragraph idea 2: Good qualifications, certificates very useful, extremely useful in certain fields such as medicine, but in general, less technical areas, social skills triumph – less common vocabulary “triumph”

Conclusion:

Consider both, but give more weight to sociability.

IELTS essay topics and answer: employment (business)

Do you think businesses should hire employees who will spend their entire lives working for the company? Explain why you agree or disagree. Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

Paragraph idea 1: Very bad idea to have lifetime permanence- almost zero incentive to improve, Not fair to employees because the company may pledge allegiance to the company but then the company relocates to Asia. Horrible.

Paragraph idea 2: The employee may become a burden for the company. Employees may become a cost that damages the company, lots of companies suffer because of contractual arrangements made in boom times. British Airways is a perfect example of expensive pension contracts made , only for the entire industry to change and render the contracts a massive headache.

Freedom should be given to employees to “ cherry-pick ” their career destiny.

IELTS essay topics and answer: gender issues (career)

Some people think women should be given equal chances to work and excel in their careers. Others believe that a woman’s role should be limited to taking care of the house and children. Which opinion do you agree with and why? Include specific details and examples to support your choice.

Paragraph idea 1: Women should of course be given equal rights to perform to the best of their ability (good collocation) in the market place Generous provisions and allowances should be made into law to encourage this behaviour and allow females to also fairly take time out from the career ladder to pursue a family.

Paragraph idea 2:  another good reason why I think the first point: Making legal structures to facilitate this transition would not only help to improve the worker’s happiness and wellbeing but also improve the health of society as a whole. Japan has a rather bleak future due to the low fertility rate, perhaps this kind of future could be avoided with more generous legislation.

Conclusion: Definitely should pursue a career and definitely fulfill the traditional family role also. The government should help make both objectives possible.

Do you think that technological advancement has brought more harm than good? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

What technologies did you use to help you in your studies? Describe how it has helped you. Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

With the latest technological advancements, dating is now possible online. Would you recommend online dating for your single friends? What are the advantages and disadvantages of online dating? Site some examples to support your answer.

In the developed world, technological progress is increasing. What problems will this cause for individuals and society? Suggest some measures that could be taken to reduce the impact of radical technological advancements.

At the present time, artificial intelligence of some technologies is advancing rapidly, especially in the driving sector. Do the advantages of this situation outweigh the disadvantages?

Films and computer games which contain violence are very popular. Some people believe they have a negative effect on society and so should be banned. Other people, however, say they are just harmless and help people to relax. Discuss both these points of view and give your own opinion. Ideas for body paragraph 1

Some people believe they have a negative effect on society and so should be banned. – No strong scientific study – Present globally but clearly only the US has issues regarding gun violence. – Banning usually has the direct opposite of its intentions

…harmless and helps people to relax. – Playing with toy guns never seemed to be a problem, these are a modern interpretation of toy guns – With every new development of a generation the older generation is usually worried… EG This happened with the Beatles, with heavy metal and Us hip hop..

These days, mobile phones and the internet are very important to the ways in which people relate to one another socially. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

Paragraph 1 It is more advantageous to relate socially to others via the phone Possible to give more frequent contact and support Possible to find others similar to you, useful for those with obscure or specialist interests

Paragraph 2 Disadvantages Cyberbullying is becoming a reality Teenagers becoming addicted to phones, even labeled screenagers Phenomenon called Instagram reality which shows the real-life pictures without the filters…

Some people are fond of buying new gadgets, phones, or laptops. Is this a good or bad thing? Discuss your opinion.

I can write it’s an entirely bad thing, or I can write it’s an entirely good thing. 

Ideas for body paragraph 1 – Good: New tech, drive innovation, tech development, job creation etc. – Example: new investment in tech to stay competitive – Sony – manufactures a new chip plant in Korea for PlayStation 5. 

Ideas for body paragraph 2 – Bad: C onsumerism, waste, unnecessary, planned obsolescence – Example: Research showed searches for the phrase “slow iPhone” peaked a few weeks before the launch of new iPhone models. This is an extremely worrying development because people might be manipulated into buying new gadgets and finding exaggerated happiness in their new products. 

Conclusion – Pros and cons: I think in the past it was fantastic, nowadays with the environment in such a dire state consumerism needs to be upgraded somehow.

Some parents think it is good to have mobile phones for their children, others disagree with it. Discuss both sides and give your opinion. Ideas for body paragraph 1

– Agree: Good idea because can stay in contact with parents, is safer, and can be used for better enriching a child’s life. – Example: algebra app, language learning app, … recent studies showed students learned 26% faster when using the IELTS Podcast Android app.

– Phones are bad: Undoubtedly bad detrimental. Teenagers are quickly and swiftly becoming screenagers, missing out on physical interactions and games. – Social media has a negative impact on confidence and contributes to cyberbullying… and other trends such as Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). For example ….

Topic and answer: health

Many doctors say that people in today’s world do not do enough physical exercise. What do you think are the causes of this? What solutions are there to this problem?

Cause of not doing enough physical exercise – Joke: no natural predators nowadays, nature would have solved this problem,… in the past wild animals would have eliminated those out of shape…. JOKE – Sedentary lifestyle in the office – Lack of time for sport in a lot of modern lifestyles (40 hours/week + commuting etc)

What solutions are there to this problem? – Media campaigns by the government – Tax or financial incentives EG In Tokyo ……

Topic and answer: society

Weddings are more expensive in many countries nowadays when compared to the past. What is the reason behind this? Is this a positive or a negative development?

Paragraph 1 The reason behind this is probably social media Vapid attempts at self-promotion and “keeping up with the joneses”. Now it can be really publicised Ideas here need to be organised a little before starting the essay.

Paragraph 2 Definitely a negative development Although it’s a memorable day and should be cherished – the fact is, large amounts of cash are being spent, Most families have a considerable financial mountain ahead – babies, mortgage, etc

Nowadays consumer goods have become the most important part of people’s lives. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

Ideas for body paragraph 1 – Advantage:  Understandable – a car – can be the most important if you need it for work, family, etc Advantages are mobility, freedom, independence…  

Ideas for body paragraph 2 – Disadvantage:  When you fawn over a new product, it has been said the product owns you rather than you owning the product. For example: with an expensive phone, you are constantly worried about the screen smashing, or leaving it on a table, or in a taxi — the worry associated can be stressful. 

Conclusion –  Although it is understandable they are vital components of modern life, it must not be forgotten , that our lives are so much more than consumer durables.

Some people believe that if people are allowed to work after the age of 60, it will cause some problems. Do you agree or disagree? Ideas for body paragraph 1

– Yes:  lots of problems, – Sight, attention, technology gap, especially machinery… blue-collar work… – In some countries, senior citizens are required by law to retake their driving exam….

– Disagree: The elderly can be better qualified at the job, have more life experience, more insight, and more wisdom… – Pension burden if not allowed to work after 60. For example: most Western countries have a serious demographic deficit of an aging workforce . A country simply cannot prosper if all its wealth goes towards a pension.

Conclusion – For some sectors, it should be illegal, or at least the worker should be medically tested, but for other jobs, especially white-collar work, it should be okay.

Simplify your IELTS Writing Practice with our instant online IELTS Essay Checker

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the main topics of writing task 2.

Think about question types rather than topics – advantages/disadvantages, discuss both sides (and sometimes give your view), opinion essay or agree/disagree, causes/problem/solution/result essays, and two-part essays. Practice all those with common topics to be confident in IELTS.

What are the most common topics in IELTS writing Task 2?

There are many examples to look at and it’s great to do practice tests. In general, common topics are related to work, education, social issues (citizenship, the elderly, government support, healthcare, transportation), technology, globalization, and the environment. Start with those!

How do you get 8 in writing Task 2?

Make sure your essay answer is well organized into paragraphs with a clear introduction and conclusion, topic sentences, and supporting arguments. You must use formal language, fully address the task and make hardly any grammar or word choice errors.

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IELTS Writing Samples: 100 Practice Questions

Below you’ll find more than 100 IELTS Writing sample questions updated for 2019. Each of these essay questions has been taken from a real IELTS past paper and will give you an idea of what to expect on your exam day.

These sample questions can be separated into five main Task 2 question types:

• Opinion 
• Advantages and Disadvantages
• Problem/Cause and Solution
• Two-part questions

They are also divided amongst 13 of the most common IELTS essay topics that have appeared regularly over the last few years. IELTS is always changing, but these common topics can help you prepare more effectively if you improve your ability to use the vocabulary related to them.

These sample IELTS questions are all for Writing Task 2. For Task 1 questions, follow this link.

Feel free to print out these IELTS Writing samples and use them when you prepare for IELTS at home!

Or better yet, why not answer one of them in the comments below and gain feedback from your peers?

If you need feedback on your essays from an IELTS teacher, you can read about my essay correction service here .

Criminal Justice

Some people believe that there should be fixed punishments for each type of crime. Others, however, argue that the circumstances of an individual crime, and the motivation for committing it, should always be taken into account when deciding on the punishment.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Some people believe that capital punishment should never be used. Others, however, argue that it should be allowed for the most serious crimes.

Some people believe the purpose of prison is to punish, while others would argue that rehabilitation is its primary role.

Some people feel unsafe when they are in public and at home.

What are the possible causes of this and what are some possible solutions?

Some people say that excessive noise should be a criminal offence, while others say they should be free to make noise without limitation.

Some people say that the best way to improve public health is by increasing the number of sports facilities. Others, however, say that this would have little effect on public health and that other measures are required.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

In some countries levels of health and fitness are decreasing and average weights are increasing.

What do you think are the causes of these problems and what are some possible solutions?

Research indicates that the characteristics we are born with have much more influence on our personality and development than any other experiences we may have in our life.

Which do you consider to be the major influence?

Schools should do more to teach students about their health and wellbeing.

Do you agree or disagree?

More and more schools allow fast-food restaurants to sell their products to their students.

Is it a positive or negative development?

University students must pay all tuition fees, because it benefits mostly them individually, rather than the society as a whole.

Do you agree or disagree?

Some say that music, art and drama are as important as other school subjects, especially at the primary level.

Some people believe that studying history is very important and we must study the past to understand the present. Others say that it is useless and should not be studied at all.

Some teachers tend to reward students who achieve high academic results. Others, however, support and reward students that show the most improvement.

Giving lectures in halls to large numbers of people is an outdated method of teaching. With the technology available today, there is no justification for it and everything should be done online.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

In most universities students focus on specialised subjects, however, some people believe that universities should encourage students to study a wider variety of subjects.

It is generally believed that some people are born with certain talents, for instance for sport or music, and others are not. However, it is sometimes claimed that any child can be taught to become a good sports person or musician.

Some people think that universities should provide graduates with the knowledge and skills needed in the workplace. Others think that the true function of a university should be to give access to knowledge for its own sake, regardless of whether the course is useful to an employer.

What, in your opinion, should be the main function of a university?

Some parents think that childcare centres provide the best services for children of pre-school age. Other working parents think that family members such as grandparents will be better carers for their kids.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Governments should spend more money on education than on recreation and sports.

Some people believe that unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school programmes (for example working for a charity, improving the neighbourhood or teaching sports to younger children).

Some people think that it is better to educate girls and boys in separate schools. Others, however, believe that boys and girls benefit more from attending mixed schools.

Some people think that parents should teach children how to be good members of society. Others, however, believe that school is the place to learn this.

Universities should accept equal numbers of male and female students in every subject.

In some countries young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between finishing high school and starting university.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?

Some people think that a sense of competition in children should be encouraged. Others believe that children who are taught to co-operate rather than compete become more useful adults.

Some people believe that children are given too much free time. They feel that this time should be used to do more academic work.

How do you think children should spend their free time?

In many countries schools have severe problems with student behaviour.

What do you think are the causes of this?

What solutions can you suggest?

University students should pay in full for their own education instead of the society funding their studies. The reason is that individuals tend to benefit after graduation more than society.

To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give your own opinion.

Some people believe that students should be allowed to evaluate and criticise their teachers to improve the quality of education. Others think this is disrespectful to teachers.

Discuss both views, give your opinion and include relevant examples.

Youth Crime

Nowadays many young people deliberately damage public places.

What are the causes and solutions?

Some people believe that a person’s criminal record should be removed when they reach the age of 18.

More and more young people are using drugs and alcohol and as a result, breaking the law.

What are the causes of this problem?

What are some possible solutions?

Children should never be put in prison with adults no matter how serious their crime.

Being a celebrity – such as a movie star or professional athlete – brings problems as well as benefits.

Do you think that being a celebrity has more benefits or drawbacks?

Some people feel that entertainers (e.g. film stars, pop musicians or sports stars) are paid too much money.

Which other types of job should be highly paid?

Successful sports professionals can earn much more money than people in other important jobs. Some people think this is fully justified while others think it is unfair.

Environment

There is a growing demand for fresh water nowadays and this is becoming a global problem.

Many people think that too much attention and resources are given to the protection of wild animals and birds.

Increasing the price of petrol is the best way to solve growing traffic and pollution problems.

What other measures do you think might be effective?

Nowadays we are producing more and more waste.

What are the causes of this?

What can be done to help reduce the amount of waste we produce?

Many people believe that companies and individuals should pay to clean up the environment in proportion to the amount of pollution they have produced.

Global warming is the biggest threat we face today.

Children today are too dependent on computers and electronic entertainment. It would be better to encourage them to spend more time outside playing sports and games.

Some people say that public libraries are an important public resource and should be free. Others say that they are just a waste of public money.

Some people think that excessive use of smartphones badly affects teenagers’ literacy skills.

The internet contains a lot of information that can help people, however, sometimes the information is inaccurate or wrong.

Nowadays the way many people interact with each other has changed because of technology.

In what ways has technology affected the types of relationships people make?

Has this become a positive or negative development?

Computers have made the world a better place to live in.

Some people believe that the use of mobile phones in public is as annoying as smoking and should be banned.

Most high-level positions in companies are filled by men even though the workforce in many developed countries is more than 50 percent female. Companies should be required to allocate a certain percentage of these positions to women.

Nowadays more and more people have to compete with young people for the same jobs.

What problems does this cause?

Women and men are commonly seen as having different strengths and weaknesses.

Is it right to exclude males or females from certain professions because of their gender?

As most people spend a major part of their adult life at work, job satisfaction is an important element of individual wellbeing.

What factors contribute to job satisfaction?

How realistic is the expectation of job satisfaction for all workers?

Some people think that people in senior positions alone should make decisions in a business, while others think that employees should be involved in the decision-making process too.

Nowadays many people work part- or full-time from home. Some people say that working from home has many benefits while others disagree.

For some people a high salary is the most important criterion when choosing a new job while others are satisfied if the job contributes to society.

Globalisation

In many places, traditional food has been replaced by international fast food. This has adverse effects on individuals and society.

More and more people are visiting historic sites and sometimes tourists damage these ancient sites. The number of people visiting these places should be strictly limited.

Shopping has developed from a necessary activity to a kind of entertainment.

Many small businesses are being forced to close because they are unable to compete with multinational corporations.

What problems does this cause and how can those problems be solved?

Multinational companies are becoming increasingly common in developing countries.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?

Government Spending

People prefer to watch foreign films rather than locally produced ones.

Why do you think this happens? Should the government support local filmmakers financially?

Some people think that governments should invest more in public services instead of wasting money on arts such as music and paintings.

Some people believe that the government should pay for and offer to house people who lost their homes or cannot afford them.

Some people think that the government should fund music, dance and art lessons for children. Others think that they should be funded by private businesses or by children’s families.

Many people think that the government should spend money to explore outer space, while others think that it’s a waste of public money.

Some people think that mothers should spend most of their time raising their family, and therefore the government should support them financially.

Development

In some countries, the numbers of children aged 15 and younger are increasing dramatically.

What are the current and future effects of an ever-increasing population?

A recent study showed that people in developed countries are not as happy as they were before development.

What are the causes of this and what are some possible solutions?

Sometimes celebrities get invited to international aid events.

Do you think that such events deviate from their main purpose by inviting famous people?

Some people believe that richer countries should give poorer countries more financial assistance.

Some people believe that no aid should be given to developing countries that have poor human rights records.

Public Transport

Some people think that a car is the best way to travel in cities while others believe a bicycle is a better way to commute.

Many cities have serious problems with traffic congestion.

What are the causes of these problems and what are some possible solutions?

Growing numbers of cities are making their centres pedestrian-only zones.

What are the advantages and disadvantages?

Some people believe that the best way to reduce traffic congestion is to increase the price of petrol.

Every year several languages die out. Some people think that it is not important because life will be easier if there are fewer languages in the world.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

It is becoming increasingly popular for people to travel to tourist destinations during public holidays.

What solutions are there to these problems?

Today, the high sales of popular consumer goods reflect the power of advertising and not the real needs of the society in which they are sold.

Some people believe that visitors to other countries should follow local customs and behaviour. Others disagree and think that the host country should welcome cultural differences.

At present, the media affects people’s lives significantly.

What impact does this have on society? Is it a negative or positive development?

Young people say that travelling to different countries benefits them and society.

Do you agree or disagree? Give your opinion.

These days, more fathers stay at home and take care of their children while mothers go out to work.

What are the main reasons for this? Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

IELTS Writing Sample Essays

Now that you know what kind of essay questions to expect, feel free to browse my collection of IELTS Writing Sample Essays here: Band 7+ IELTS Writing Sample Essays

However, it’s important that you use them wisely. Simply reading through them won’t improve your skills or your score. When using IELTS Writing sample essays, I always recommend following my ___ step strategy:

• Start off by reading the question – NOT the answer.
• Attempt to answer the question under exam conditions.
• Compare your letter with the sample answer.
• Improve your original answer by using some of the elements you noticed in the sample letter. Eg. how did the writer use structure, vocabulary and grammar?

If you do try this strategy, make sure to leave a comment letting me know what you thought of it. Or better yet, leave your response in the comments below!

What I Learned Correcting 10,000 IELTS Writing Task 2 Essays

Over the years, I have corrected more than 10,000 IELTS Task 2 essays.

To help you learn from the mistakes of my students, I made a video which revealed the 5 key things you must to do to score a Band 7+ in IELTS Writing:

For detailed help with improving your essay-writing skills, you should sign up to our IELTS Fundamentals Course. It’s completely free of charge and will give you exclusive access to:

• Never-seen-before IELTS videos;
• Practice questions for each section of the test;
• Answer sheets to help you identify your mistakes.

Learn more about it and sign up here: IELTS Fundamentals.

As always, please reach out in the comments below or via email if you need anything: [email protected]

About Christopher Pell

My name is Christopher Pell and I'm the Managing Director of IELTS Advantage.

I started IELTS Advantage as a simple blog to help 16 students in my class. Several years later, I am very humbled that my VIP Course has been able to help thousands of people around the world to score a Band 7+ in their IELTS tests.

If you need my help with your IELTS preparation, you can send me an email using the contact us page.

IELTS Writing Topics April & May 2024

The collection of writing topics that were reported by IELTS student in 2024 . These questions could be repeated from previous months. Keep in mind that the provided questions are not predictions.

Pick one of the topics and improve your writing skills every day. If you can't come up with ideas for a topic just click the "Show answers" button and you will see the different ideas.

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IELTS Preparation with Liz: Free IELTS Tips and Lessons, 2024

• Test Information FAQ
• Band Scores
• IELTS Candidate Success Tips
• Computer IELTS: Pros & Cons
• How to Prepare
• Useful Links & Resources
• Recommended Books
• Writing Task 1
• Writing Task 2
• Speaking Part 1 Topics
• Speaking Part 2 Topics
• Speaking Part 3 Topics

100 Essay Questions

• On The Day Tips
• Top Results
• Advanced IELTS

New IELTS Essay Topics for 2023

Below are new IELTS essay topics in 2023 for Writing Task 2. I’ve also included useful ideas for each topic so that you can prepare for your test more quickly.

The majority of essay questions you will get in IELTS writing task 2 will be recycled topics from previous years. This is because there are so many common topics to choose from. However, occasionally new topics are introduced which reflect our changing world and new current issues in society. I haven’t put the precise wording for the essay questions as IELTS often rephrase their essay questions using different wording.

To prepare fully for your test, you must also prepare ALL common essay questions. Please click here: 100 IELTS Essay Questions

In addition, please note that all the topics below can also appear in the speaking test as well (part 3).

2023 New IELTS Essay Topics with Useful Ideas 

These essay questions could appear in both the IELTS Academic and GT writing task 2 test. Please remember, these are topics with ideas so that you can use them and adapt them to the question in the test because questions will usually be paraphrased and tasks will vary from test to test.

• Essay Topic: Poor concentration due to social media
• Short attention spans can affect us by not focusing on detail and poor performance at school or work
• Pop up ads are intrusive and interrupt our focus
• Temptation to chat on social media cuts into people’s concentration
• Social media encourages a shorter attention spam with short punchy media, such as on TikTok and Instagram
• Note: I’ll post a page with useful language for the topic of concentration in a few weeks as this topic is very common in the speaking test. 

2. Essay Topic: Children learn how to grow vegetables or farming

• Growing vegetables and caring for livestock is part of essential life skills for a healthy future
• As a species we should never forget our basic life skills for future survival
• Homegrown vegetables have more nutrition which children should learn about
• Vegetables can be grown on balconies as well as patios
• It allows children to reconnect to nature which is important in a world where they are so focused on gadgets
• This might encourage children to also take an interest in cooking, which is another essential life skill

3. Essay Topic: Taking risks in personal and professional life

• “to keep people on their toes” – idiom – keep people alert and prepared for potential problems (an idiom suitable for WT2)
• + Risks help us grow and learn new skills
• + Life is always changing and full of risks so people should embrace this aspect of life rather than try to avoid it
• – Risk can lead to negative consequences for individuals and families
• – It is better to be safe than sorry
• (note: this topic is very similar to the topic about “people who like change vs people who do not like change in their life” – that topic has been used for years by IELTS

4. Essay Topic: Streaming Films Online vs cinema

• Streaming online is cheaper and more accessible
• Streaming online is more enjoyable at home
• Streaming online offers a wider choice of options
• Cinema has better sound systems and bigger screens
• Cinema allows you to share emotional responses with an audience
• Cinema is a special experience for groups and couples

5.  Essay Topic: Children & active or passive leisure activities

• Active activities: sport, photography, hiking, camping
• These activities help children get fresh air, build physical health, learn new skills and engage in socialising with others face to face.
• Passive activities: reading, watching TV, social media
• These activities help children gain insight, can be educational or inspirational, help children develop creativity and technological skills.

6. Essay Topic: Men’s and women’s sports shown on TV and social media

• Traditionally most sports were male based so audiences are historically more attracted to male sports
• Women’s sports are just as exciting as male sports
• Women’s sports don’t often get the same amount of sponsoring from companies which impacts their sport
• Women’s football already has large followings on social media

7. Essay Topic: Truth in people’s communication is most important

• + Truth helps people develop honest, meaningful relationships
• + Truth develops open communication instead of repressed relationships
• + Without truth, there is only deceit which is toxic to relationships and erodes trust
• + Truth leads to trust
• – Social media encourages people to present a version of truth rather than the whole truth in order to impress others and create a particular impression – this can lead to misconception and lead others in the wrong direction
• – Sometimes the truth can be hurtful and needs to be approached step by step rather than directly
• – Some people are not ready to hear the whole truth
• – Truth may be something that needs time to emerge in cases such as abuse or where someone may be at risk
• – Truth sometimes has to be edited for children

8. Essay Topic: Sense of Community

• + People used to know their neighbours well and have a sense of community
• + Community meant that people took care of each other and looked out for one another
• +/- Doctors and teachers used to live in the community and become leaders of the community but now they often live in other areas and play little part in the community as a whole
• – Social media does not encourage relationships with neighbours but rather between people at a distance
• Note: a similar essay topic is one such as “adults should be required to do obligatory community service for a period of time”. That essay leans towards the benefits of community service vs time and obligation.

9. Essay topic: Graffiti on city walls

• + Freedom of expression
• + Some graffiti can be a work of art
• + It creates a colourful environment in a drab urban setting (drab = dreary, dull, lifeless)
• + Graffiti can stimulate creativity in others
• + Graffiti can be cultural which benefits society
• – It is often unregulated art
• – Graffiti could contain indecent or violent images or words
• – It could incite racism, hatred or political unrest

10. Vaping and Children (Predicted Topic)

• Vaping was originally introduced to help smokers quit, but now vaping is becoming popular amongst people who never previously smoked.
• Vaping can be addictive and their use has grown dramatically in the last five years, particularly in high school children
• E-cigarettes are less harmful than normal cigarettes, but they do still contain harmful ingredients such as nicotine, flavourings and other chemicals
• Vaping could lead to increase in asthma
• While this is only a predicted topic, it is something you can easily introduce into essays or into your speaking test as it is a current world issue

11. Organised Tours to Remote Places (Tourism)

• + Travellers get to see places that are largely untouched by the modern world
• + Remote places are steeped in culture and interest
• + Remote places can benefit from a boost in their economy
• – The culture in such places will be altered by so many tourists
• – Such tourism can have a negative impact on the local eco system
• With tourism comes the threat of pollution

12. Museums should focus on local works of art

• + Focusing on local art exhibits means local artists are supported and encouraged
• + Part of the task of a museum is conserving local history and culture so this should be their primary goal
• + This is a way of promoting local culture and history to tourists which could benefit the economy of the country
• – Many museums have international collections of art that people travel from around the world to see
• – The history of some countries is interconnected with other countries and other cultures – history is not always confined within a boarder
• – We now live in a global world and museums should reflect that

13. Values from family and parents play a greater role in future success than skills and knowledge from schools

• + from parents we can learn discipline and the meaning of hard work which are vital for future success
• + from family we can learn the value of determination and never giving up
• – schools provide the building blocks of knowledge upon which our future hangs, such as reading, writing, comprehension, maths etc
• – without education, most people would be reduced to menial work and success would be much harder to attain
• – some careers require specific education and training without which success would be impossible

Useful Links:

Click Below:

Writing Task 2 Model Essays and Tips

Writing Task 1: Model Answers and Tips

Note: IELTS do not use topics based on religion or politics because IELTS is non-political and non-religious . IELTS tests tend to aim for topics that reflect the world we live in by focusing on social issues and everyday issues that are more familiar and less emotional for people to write or speak about. So, please pay attention to which resources you use online when you prepare for your test and make sure you aren’t wasting your time preparing for topics that definitely won’t appear.

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I had posted a comment regarding GT Writing Task2, few minutes back. Earlier it was mentioned that it is awaiting moderation. But now, I don’t see it at all. Has it been unapproved? If yes, can you please explain why?

To explain why your comment was waiting in moderation: 1) your first comment arrived at 6.30am UK time. I would be asleep. 2) your second comment arrived at 8am. I still hadn’t started work. As I work part time, I work alone and I’m sick, I don’t work every day. On top of that there are over 26,000 comments waiting in moderation, it is not humanly possible for a sick person or even a healthy person to read and answer them all. I do by best to help people for free, but I am not superwoman – I’m just a teacher who tries her best with the time I have.

You asked about personal experiences for an IELTS essay. This isn’t about you, your family or friends because those examples are generally informal and IELTS essays are formal in tone and content. It’s about your experience of the world and your opinions. This means you don’t refer to “a person I know does not own a car”, you write “although most people are car owners, a number of people still do not own cars”. That is how you phrase your knowledge and experience.

Regarding addressing parts of the essay question and ideas, part of your preparation is to prepare ideas for topics. This is the reason I created an e-book called Ideas for IELTS Essay Topics. The more topics you prepare for, the better. There is a list of over 100 essay topics on the main writing task 2 page of this website and I also published a list of potential topics for 2024 which you should also use for your preparation. Look through the lists and find the ones you know nothing about, then educate yourself. Obviously my e-books helps a lot with that process because it contains ideas and vocabulary for over 150 common essay topics. But the rest of the work, you must do yourself.

One of the marking criterion for writing task 2 is Task Response, which counts for 25% of your marks for writing task 2. This is your ability to address everything in the essay question, have a highly focused essay, have relevant ideas that are well developed and understand the issues given. So, if you haven’t prepared enough and you fail to address part of the essay question, or if part of your essay is irrelevant because you misunderstood it, then your score in Task Response will be lower. The band score descriptors published by IELTS for your benefit show that for a band score 5 in TR, “the main parts of the prompts are not addressed”. So, to fail in addressing the issues or including irrelevant information will hold you at around band 5 or band 6 depending at how poorly you do at this. For that reason, you need to prepare ideas for topics and also ensure that you are following current world issues, such as global warming, early education, international aid etc etc. All this information is explained on various pages of my website. This website is extensive and contains well over 200 pages of advice, tips, topics, examples, information and model answers. It is your task to use all the free information I have already provided to learn.

Thank you for providing such a comprehensive reply. Kudos to you !

You’re welcome

Hello Liz, Greetings from India. Hope you are doing well now. Thank you for uploading such wonderful material. I was hoping if you could help with the “include any relevant examples from your own knowledge and experience” part in GT Writing Part2. What phrases are suitable for mentioning personal experience in a formal essay? Moreover, if a topic is such that I don’t have any relevant experiences or ideas, then is it okay to skip over this part of the essay?

could you please rate my Essay and give me tips how to improve? I have sat the IELTS twice but always fail to achieve Bandscore 8.0. I always end up with Bandscore 7,5 in writing, but need a 8. My next test is in a few weeks and I am getting anxious now. I am having issues with developing paragraphs well as I should not write much more than 300 words, but I do not know how to fully develop an argument in just 250 words (or a bit more). Thank you in Advance, Cheers, Tara

There is a lot of pressure on young people today to succeed academically. As a result, some people believe that non-academic subjects, such as physical education and cookery, should be removed from the school syllabus so that children can concentrate on academic work. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Some people argue, that non-vital subjects such as sports or cooking lessons should be banned from the curriculum in order to facilitate students to focus on exam relevant courses. Personally, I support the idea of maintaining extracurricular activities in school as it benefits childrens health and supports them in developing life skills.

First and foremost, students who undergo physical training during school hours and learn how to cook meals from scratch are best equipped for life. To be more precise, even though such classes seem to be irrelevant at first sight, they prove to be essential to teach pupils how to keep themselves fit, how to nourish and nurture their bodies and overall how to lead a healthy lifestyle. Students who regularly attend sports classes do not only gain muscles, accelerate their endurance and develop their stamina. They also improve on skills to succeed in academic life and in everyday’s life, such as motivation, resilience, persistence, agility, strength and motivation

Furthermore, they develop core skills such as self-awareness and confidence, which may in turn not only help strengthen their mental health but also to gain invaluable skills, such as for presenting in front of an audience.

However, there might be some students who do not lead a healthy lifestyle at all and are in favour of getting low-nutritional meal options at the next available food stall, in order to gain more time to focus on their studies. Alternatively, they would rather buy take-away meals or frozen food in the supermarket, that they can simply reheat or prepare at home in a short period of time.

To conclude, I strongly support the idea of keeping subjects such as physical training and cookery courses in the curriculum, in order to allow students to develop an understanding of how to lead a healthy lifestyle, which in turn raises their chance to succeed academically as well.

It looks like you haven’t read the band score descriptors. If your body paragraphs are not equally developed, you won’t get a high score in Coherence and Cohesion. It’s a very simple thing to learn and to do, but so many people don’t pay attention to it and it costs them a good band score. You’ve also got two body paragraphs where you don’t even mention the school curriculum or subjects. If your sentences are not fully written and fully connected to the topic given, you will get a lower score. Just because you’ve connected the points in your head, doesn’t mean it works in IELTS essays. For example, your second body paragraph is about awareness and confidence – who are you referring to? which subject are you referring to? how does this connect to the school curriculum and the balance of subjects? Not one single mention is given to explain anything in that body paragraph. You do a similar thing in the third body paragraph. In your introduction, you also completely change the essay topic by writing about extra-curricular activities. This topic is not about such activities, it’s about subjects such as cookery and physical education which form part of the curriculum – they are each a valid subject. Each time you paraphrase be very careful because if you paraphrase incorrectly or use the wrong words, you might completely go off topic. And that’s what you’ve done here. Finally, you’ve completely ignored the fact that the essay topic is about comparing these subjects with academic subjects (such as science, maths, literature etc) – you’ve failed to tackle that in your essay. I see many issues with the way you are writing and forming your essay. Even though your level of English is strong, Task Response and Coherence & Cohesion together form 50% of your marks and you are struggling with them both. You need to know what to aim at otherwise your score will be unpredictable. I suggest you get my advanced lessons and also my Grammar E-book which also contains information about linking, referring and much more: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/ . An IELTS essay is not just an essay. It an IELTS essay with specific requirements for higher band scores and you need to know what it’s all about.

Thanks,your informations are very useful )))

Hello Dear Liz. I wrote my test yesterday on the 30th. Waiting task 1 I wrote more than 150 words and the task 2 I wrote more than 250 words. Would that affect my score?

What a strange question to ask. Your task is to write more than 150 words in task 1 and to write more than 250 words in task 2. Did you get confused about the task? The word count task has remained the same for many years.

Hi Liz, this essay topic is a bit confusing. How do you advise to handle this? Many people think that more money will make them happier. How important is money for happiness?

You need to decide if money can make people happier or if there is anything else that can. If you think there are other things that can make people happy, you write one paragraph about how money affects people and then one or two other body paragraphs about the other factors of happiness.

Liz! My scores are in S8 L8.5 R9.0 W7. 5. We did it!!!

Excellent!! Very well done to you 🙂

The cultures of many countries around the world becomes more similar than they used to be. What are the reasons for this trend? Is it positive or negative? Hey Liz! How do I answer a double question essay

You would give a direct answer in your thesis statement in the introduction to both questions. Then, each body paragraph would tackle one question with a clear main point and explanation. Always remember to keep the organisation of your essay very logical for a high score.

Hello Liz, Thank you so much for providing us with a treasure store for IELTS preparation materials. I tried to pay for some e-books from the website, but it didn’t work. I have booked my exam on November 19, so I thought it would be beneficial to buy those books.

Could you please guide me?

All the payments at the moment for my advanced lessons and e-books go through paypal. Some countries can’t use paypal unfortunately, but you can always ask a friend to make the payments for you. If you use paypal, but you struggle to make a payment, check your paypal settings – you might need to ensure that they are set to allow for international payments. To purchase something, go to my store, click on the item you wish to purchase (CLICK HERE) and then click (BUY NOW). Contact me if you continue to have problems: [email protected] and this is a link to my online store: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

DEAR LIZ Where can we get information of updated writing topics of september and october 2023

The writing topics and questions are changed with each test – there is not one set of topics for certain months.

I just went for the exam last week. Academic sample October 2023 Writing task 1- table on male and female of 6 different sectors for 3 different period. Writing task 2 – more people are moving into mega-cities: with 20 billion population, is this a negative or positive development?

For task 1 – I panicked and could not summarized as well I would normally do. For task 2 – completed but locked out no time to check.

I got my score for my compute based and got 6.5 for writing, i need to re sit for writing alone. Feeling demotivated,

Sorry to hear of your struggle. Tables can be challenging because there is so much information in them. You need to spend a lot of time just looking at tables and writing overviews. Once you have mastered the overview, you then need to look at lots of tables and simply decide what information to group together in which body paragraphs. It’s all about learning to select information. For writing task 2, planning should only take 5 mins and the introduction should be written very quickly because all introductions are similar – paraphrase and then state your position/main points. Only the body paragraphs take time to write, but you can only succeed in the body paragraphs if you have done enough planning before you start writing. All your sentences (information for each sentence) should have been planned before you start writing. Think carefully about how you prepare. You need to develop skills and strategies for both task 1 and task 2. I’m sure you can nail this. Just see it as another challenge that you will succeed in. Never let your emotions deter you. Your brain is a powerful tool and I have faith in you!! Good luck next time!!

Thank you Liz, will try again and re-sit soon with this strategies in mind.

hi mam, i am Nitharshini from srilanka. i am going to write exam coming December. so can you tell what are the topics expecting? please tell some tips and technic for eassy writing

The essay topics vary with each test. They are not seasonal. So, just stick with all the topics above and my 100 essay questions which cover a large range of topics that appear most years and can easily appear this year and next year: https://ieltsliz.com/100-ielts-essay-questions/

People’s shopping habits depend more on the age group that they belong to then other factors. To what extent do you agree or disagree? I was asked this on my test yesterday. Good luck for your exam!

It’s an interesting essay question. Thanks for sharing. Hope your test went well 🙂

Hi, Liz! Voraciously consuming your page in preparation for my 2nd attempt. Thank you for the easy-to-follow IELTS content. Indeed, very helpful! Would like to share the question I got last week on Task 2:

Nowadays public transport prices are rapidly increasing. Why do you think it is happening? How can this problem be solved?

For the first question, it does require an opinion, right? I mistook the question as only asking for causes and solutions and failed to express/give my opinion. In retrospect, I regretted not analyzing the question very carefully before answering. Hoping to get my desired band next time.

Your task asks you for causes and solutions. You could easily say “I think the main reason that X is happening is because …” or you could write “The main reason X is happening is because …”. Both are fine. In this case it doesn’t matter. You’ve chosen your ideas and presented them. The problem with IELTS essays only comes when you are asked to choose and to present a clear position, but you fail to give any position at all. Failure to choose when you are asked to choose is the problem. So, don’t worry with cause solution essays – present them as you wish.

Thank you, Liz! I reviewed your tips carefully and focused on writing task 2 essays for a week before trying out again. From 6.5 on my 1st attempt to 7.5 on my next. The next topic I got was about children’s freedom nowadays, whether it is a positive or negative development. Thank you very much! I will keep recommending your page to my friends who will take IELTS.

I pray that just as we’ve claimed victory over IELTS, you will emerge victorious in your fight against your disease. May God heal you and bless you!

Great to hear your news!! It’s wonderful to see someone push their writing score up like that. Very well done 🙂 And thanks for your support in my fight to win my health back – much appreciated.

Hello Liz , Thank you so much for sharing the new topic for IELTS. Hope , it Will help us. Get well Soon.

Glad it’s useful. Thanks 🙂

Hey liz, my task 2 qn was: constructing bigger roads may help to prevent traffic problems. what is your opinion?

May i know what type of qn is this..i approached this as agree/ disagree type. In my answer i made it clear that even though i consider constructing bigger roads help to tackle the issue , people should be encouraged to use public transport. Is this the correct strategy.

unfortunately, my writing score decreased from 7 to 6.5 this time. I don’t know the reason but i was sure that i wrote it better than my 1st attempt by following most of your suggestions.

It is an Opinion Essay. An opinion essay is the same as an agree disagree essay. Don’t get confused by the way teachers name essays. An opinion essay is one where IELTS present you with an opinion such as “some people think that constructing bigger roads may help to prevent traffic problems”. Your task is to decide if you agree, disagree or partially agree with the opinion given. You might have your own specific opinion. If you partially agree as you did, you would have one paragraph explaining the benefits of constructing bigger roads. Then you would have another paragraph explaining that bigger roads is only one solution and more public transport is needed as well. Both ideas would need a separate paragraph and full explanation. IELTS essays are not just about what ideas you have, they are also about how you present them, how you connect them and how you explain them. Another possible issue with your essay is your choice of ideas. If bigger roads will reduce traffic congestion, encouraging people to use public transport probably isn’t of vital importance because you no longer have congestion. This doesn’t mean you can’t use this idea, but it does mean you need to address this. Having ideas isn’t enough for a high score. You need to think your ideas through and address them in a way that makes sense. So, you might want to address the point that even widening roads won’t be effective enough and needs to be in conjunction with improving public transport, and encouraging people to use it. The higher the band score, the more you have properly thought through your ideas. I’ll post a model answer for this essay shortly so you can compare it to your own. And don’t forget that your overall writing score also includes task 1 which is one of the main reasons people struggle to push their score above band 7. Many people think that because task 1 is only 33% of their marks, they won’t focus on it. But 33% can actually have a huge effect on your overall score.

Huge thanks Liz for your reply and effort to put a model answer for the qn.

I got a letter qn asking to address the manager of the company to tell him about the how the employees felt about the foreign language course given by the company to them. Also asked to request for more such classes and suggest the available time to join them. In a rush i concluded it with the designation yours sincerely (bcz my salutation was Dear Mr, Robert Peterson). I thought that i addressed the manager by name then it could be considered as an informal letter. Should i have written yours faithfully instead? I worry it might affected my band score bcz i have framed my essay structure as that you have stated above.

You used the correct sign off. We use “Yours sincerely” when we know the name of the person we are writing to, for example “Dear Mr Smith”. We use “Yours faithfully” when we don’t know they name and in which case we might start “Dear Sir”. An informal letter is usually to a friend. We might start “Dear John” or “Hi John” and sign off “All the best” or “Take care” – something friendly and informal. Just because you knew the manager’s name “Mr Robert” does not mean it is informal. He is your manager, not your friend. It is a work related letter, not a letter related to a social party. So, relax, you did it right. Here’s a link for others to my essential tips for letter writing for IELTS General Training Writing Task 1: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-letter-writing-essential-tips/ Good luck with your results!

Extremely I’m grateful to you.I hope i’ld be able to get my desired band score in the next attempt.

Really praying for your health and happiness. Be blessed ❤️

I’m really pleased for you. Well done 🙂

Thank you so much

Madam,You are the best mentor i have ever seen Despite being ill ,you are keen on helping students .I appreciate your dedication and mentor .Get well soon.Love from India 🇮🇳.

You’re welcome 🙂

Dear Liz Today I had IELTS general training test, so I would like to share topic of writing task 2 for your useful website, if possible please post a sample answer for the below topic

Fast food is a part of life in many place. Some people think this has bad effects in lifestyle and diet. Do you agree or disagree?

Hi Liz, Thank you for the topics and the outline. You really make writing task 2 seem easy.

Thanks for sharing 🙂 Hope your test went well 🙂

Just now wrote this; please liz guide me on this. As I am going have my GT Ielts on coming weekend, InshAllah. Many modern societies have normalized the concept of fast food. Mostly, people eat fast food as their routine diet. In this essay I will write my view point regarding negative impact of fast food in lifestyle and diet.

I strongly believe that fast food is a reason of bad eating habit. As it is instantly ordered or cooked food with unmeasurable quantity of unhealthy ingredients, people usually don’t need to hustle or think before eating. This results in nonserious behavior towards the healthy eating style.

Secondly, fast food also influences the unwell way of living. For instant, if an irregular food is being eaten on a frequent basis will consequently result in illness and suffering. Therefore, people tend to end up in hospitals and so their lifestyle gets disturbed and miserable.

On the contrast, many people argue that fast food is good and easy to eat. They think like eating fast food is a part of modern era and brings them a social status. As far as I am concerned, I think they are unaware that this easiness and modernization will ultimately cause them illness and laziness. Because, they have become so much habitual of eating such type of edibles that they cannot think or realize further.

In conclusion, fast food makes a person unhealthy and ruins their lifestyle. In a way that people start to possess wrong eating choices and start to have health conditions after eating swiftly made food. In my opinion awareness of balanced diet should be encouraged across the globe.

Please review all my free lessons and tips for writing task 2 on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/ . If you need training in each type of essay, get my advanced lessons which you can find in my online store: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/ . Make sure you aim for between 270-290 words more or less. Try not to write such short essays and please review your paragraphing and linking words.

Are these the ways that Essays are sent in IELTS exams ,the bullet points under the main topic are we to use them to develop points that is paraphrasing them?

These are essay topics, not questions. If you go to the links I provided to the 100 essay questions, you’ll see examples of questions for most topics. Essay questions are great to practice with at home: https://ieltsliz.com/100-ielts-essay-questions/ . But you can’t possibly practice so many essay questions in full. Instead, you practice with as many questions as you can and the rest you tackle as just topics by preparing useful ideas you can use. Above, I have provided some of the new topics that have appeared in the test this year and provided you with ideas you can use in your essays. You will adapt those ideas depending on how the essay question is rephrased and depending on the task given. As I explained on the page, IELTS like to change the task and change the wording which is why your preparation needs to be flexible. If you wish to see model essays for different types of tasks for writing task 2, see this page for model essays and more tips: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/

Hi liz , can we write “a survey conducted by the department the UK depicted that 45 % of people fo not respect their elders ” in task 2 of writing module

The examiner has no interest in data or numbers in writing task 2 essays and no interest in studies or research. None of that will boost your score. Instead, explain your points and illustrate them using a range of good language: “the majority of younger people nowadays seem to lack respect for their elders compared to previous generations”. “the majority” is better English than “75%”. Alternatively, “almost half of all young people” is better English than “45%”. Writing task 1 is about data in the academic test, but task 2 is not. Also expand your sentence by adding comparatives to previous generations to show the examiner more language skills.

thank you so much dear

Grateful to you 🙏 appreciate your efforts 😊 bless you dear ❣️

Hello, Thank you for your lesson. I would like to learn the vocabulary that you published (very useful material, for me) concerning crimes, punishments, etc .. but the page is protected. If it’s possible, please, to give me the permission to copy that page? For free or with a paiement? Thank you very much for your answer! Best regards, Andreia ,

Sorry, my website doesn’t allow coping. The act of making notes is part of language learning. The more you use the language both in writing and speaking, the quicker you will learn it.

Thank you very much mam . Your lessons have inspired and encouraged me to take the IELTS test . But I have a problem, I can’t really figure out how to create a link in task 2 general writing.

I don’t understand what you mean by create a link. Do you mean using linking words? You can find linking words for task 2 on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/linking-words-for-writing/

Such a wonderful topics, thank you so much dear Liz

I got my IELTS GT score today, and I wanted to thank you. I am so grateful for your website. While I had practiced Listening and Reading tests before, I ended up havinvg barely 1 day to prepare for the Writing (including familiarising myself with the format for GT) and Speaking owing to my sudden work demands. Your platform was instrumental in supporting me, especially with the Writing. During Speaking, I became a tad nervous, and I thought that had messed up, but that was just the post-exam fear.

My IELTS GT result: Overall 8.5 (L8.5, R8.5, W8.0 and S8.5). I had taken IELTS Academic back in 2019 but my Writing and Speaking bands back then were lower (Overall 8 with L9, D9, W7 and S7.5).

I currently reside in Australia, and I wanted to add the topics I had in my writing in case they may help someone else. – Task 1 was a formal letter to a teacher asking for reference. Prompts included why I’m writing to this particular teacher, the details of the job and why I think I’m fit for the role. -Task 2 was a two-question essay. It suggested that nowadays different generations in a family spend less time doing activities together. What is/are the reason(s)? Is this a positive or negative development?

Your tips on introduction paragraph writing and paragraph structuring helped me immensely. I established technology as the reason and took my stance on this gap causing a negative impact. In paragraph 1, I talked about how technology causes this from the older generations perspective. In paragraph 2, I used smart phones and social media as the technology advancements to suggest how gaps arise from the younger generations’ side. In paragraph 3, I establish how it negatively affects the development families and the community as a whole. Finished it up with the conclusion starting with “to conclude” just like you’ve recommended. If I hadn’t watched your content, I would’ve tried to be unnecessarily fancy, and lost points.

Again, I am truly grateful for your website, and all the work you’ve put into it.

Great results!! And I’m so pleased to see how you’ve improved. I’m glad you kept your essay focused – this is what IELTS writing task 2 is all about – focused and relevant sentences, each one serving a purpose. Thanks for sharing your writing tasks, it’s always useful to keep up-to-date. Wishing you all the best in your future 🙂

Hi Akash , I’m about to take my IELTS GT test please it would be of great help to me if you could help me with some questions and guidance

Thank you Liz,ur teachings are more easier and understandable 🙏

I’m glad it’s all useful 🙂

it seems that these topics do not have the task

Tasks can be altered in the same way that essay questions can be recorded. Don’t expect questions and task to appear the same in the test. This is the reason you need to prepare ideas for topics which you then adapt to the question and task.

Thank you mam for helping us ,from my bottom of heart your lessons give me more confidence to prepare my ielts exam…

welcome back Liz. Hope you are feeling much better now. Happy to see you back again. waiting for more videos . ❤️❤️😍

Thanks. I’m still struggling but I’m going to try and post up posts more regularly if possible. Fingers crossed 🙂 It’ll take me longer to make videos though.

helpful website

Thank you very much Liz. for those topics. I hope you are fine and strong again.

Thank you Liz,this email is so helpful.

Thank you very much.

Hi Liz , could you make video on music , history and comedy movie topics for IELTS speaking test ( part 2) ? How to tackle these topics ? Thanks Shazia

Sure, I’ll add them to my list of videos to make but as I’m still sick, it’ll be a while before I can make videos again. I do intend to get back to video making whenever I can.

Hi liz, Am very happy to be one of your student.May God bless you and your family for the good heart.Thanks Thanks

Much appreciated Liz. Your ideas are really helpful in opening up one’s mind

just thank thankful to you

Madam you are hope and inspiration of many of us.

Thank u madam

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100 IELTS Essay Questions and Topics: Way to Achieve Band 9 in IELTS Exam

Every candidate wants to grab different questions from each field of the exam to be excellent while solving them. If you are in the middle of the preparation journey for the upcoming IELTS examination, then you must be aware that practicing is the only way to secure a good score on the test. It knows the level and type of questions beforehand, you can give the answers positively, confidently, and gracefully.

The candidates who achieve their goals in life are always smart workers. Those who do hard work without wisdom mostly come before without any accomplishments while smart and wise candidates find such incredibly essential stuff to perform at their best. Like all the other sections of the test, the writing section also demands a lot of practice.

Below mentioned are recent 100 IELTS essay questions and topics that will be beneficial to get band 9 in essays if practiced properly. You must go through these questions to understand a variety of them and get prepared for each of them with adequate answers. Let’s be magnificent in the paper and reach out to our imagined rank. So, let’s take a look.

Also Read: IELTS Writing Task 1 Pie Chart Vocabulary: Tips to Ace your IELTS Writing Task 2

100 IELTS Essay Questions

Below are the IELTS topics aspirants should be prepared for as these are the topics from which they can expect IELTS questions.

#. Business and money

#. Education

#. Crime and punishment

#. Communication and personalities

#. Family and children

#. Government

#. Environment

#. Food and diet

#. Language

#. Media and advertising

#. Transport

#. Sport and exercise

#. Technology

#. Space exploration

Sample IELTS Questions from Both View Discussion and Own Opinion Giving Topics

#1. According to some, Internet downloads are having a negative effect on the music industry while many others feel that it has very little or almost no impact on the artists. Discuss both the views and put your own opinion too.

#2. There are different views both supporting and discouraging the thought – exams are a good way of assessing a student’s level. People opposing this thought find that exams put unnecessary pressure on students. Discuss both the views and put your own opinion too.

#3. There should be a fixed punishment for each type of crime or the circumstances of a crime should be looked upon while deciding the punishment. Discuss both the views and write down your opinion too.

Also Read: Why Do Some People Enjoy Extreme Sports? IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Question and Answers

More IELTS Practice Questions

#4. All children should learn a foreign language from the time they start school- There are views for and against this as many people think that a child should be at least at the secondary level of school before starting to learn a foreign language. Discuss both the views and put your own opinion.

#5. Some feel that it is justified that – Successful sportsmen can earn a great deal more than people in other important professions, while some others do not support it. Discuss both the views and put your own opinion.

#6. Some feel that national borders will always remain while others think that in the near future there will be no borders between countries. Discuss both the views and put your own opinion.

More IELTS Questions to Practice

#7. According to some, the cost of space exploration is far too high for the profits it brings while others think that no matter what, the space programs should be continued. Discuss both the views and put your own opinion.

#8. There are people who believe that advertising has a strong effect on a person’s decision-making process while some live with the view that it has little to almost zero impact. Discuss both the views and give your opinion.

#9. Every human can create art or only people with special talents can create those. Discuss both the views and give your opinion.

Also Read: How to Describe Pie Chart in IELTS Writing Task 1? Learn the Best Way

More Views Discussion Sample  IELTS Questions to Practice

#10. The media has the strongest impact on people’s lives or is it the politicians?

#11. The primary function of a university should be to prepare students for the working world or should it provide knowledge?

#12. Some think that the teenage years are the happiest times of most people’s lives while others believe adults live the one that brings more happiness even though there are huge responsibilities.

#13. Views for and against co-education.

#14. People chose to spend their whole life doing the same work while some believe in risk-taking and think that change is a positive thing.

#15. The issue of global warming should be dealt with by the government or every individual should take responsibility.

5 More IELTS Questions from Both View Discussion and Own Opinion Giving IELTS Topics

#16. A sense of competition or co-operation should be encouraged in children.

#17. Economic development is the way to end poverty or is it damaging the environment.

#18. New houses should be built by following the pattern of old houses or people should be free to choose their house pattern.

#19. Many people prefer to spend their leisure time with their colleagues while many choose to keep their private and work life separate.

#20. University students should be free to study as they wish or should be allowed to study only those subjects which will be beneficial for their future.

#21. For some learning, a foreign language is only for the need to travel or for working in a foreign country while others feel that these are not the only reasons why people learn a foreign language.

#22. While many governments put extra focus on economic development, many people think that other types of progress are also necessary for the betterment of a country.

#23. Many go by the customer reviews on the internet for making a purchasing decision while others think this might not be the right tool for deciding upon a purchase.

Also Read: Recent Exam Question in IELTS Writing Task 2: Traditions & Culture Writing Task Topic in IELTS Exam

IELTS Questions from Agree Disagree IELTS Topics

#24. The television industry should ban Advertising that targets children.

#25. There are many choices to make in today’s world.

#26. Hope and the workplace should be organized and tidy.

#27. All jobs can be performed equally well by men and women.

#28. Students should get a university education free of cost.

#29. As far as the working environment is concerned, open-plan offices are better than normal offices.

#30. School leavers generally take a year off in many countries after finishing school and starting their university studies.

#31. Equal numbers of male and female students should be accepted by universities in all subjects.

#32. The popularity of online shopping these days will bring an end to high street shops.

#33. International sporting events help in promoting peace between nations.

IELTS Essay Questions from Agree Disagree IELTS Topics

#34. Only a difficult hobby can be enjoyable.

#35. Schools should teach money management to children.

#36. People who live in prison end up becoming good citizens.

#37. A person’s bringing up matters in his/ her success.

#38. Cooperation on an international level is required to deal with environmental problems.

#39. AI robots will be performing all the jobs in the future.

#40. Children getting pocket money every week face less trouble in money management in their adulthood.

#41. Reading in my free time indicates having a better imagination power than watching television.

#42. Senior managers should get better salaries than the rest of the employees.

#43. Considering plastic shopping bags as the leading reason behind land and sea pollution, these should be banned.

Also Read: IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic Being Celebrity: Score Higher Bands in Your Upcoming IELTS

7 More Agree Disagree Types Questions from IELTS Essay Topics

#44. Job satisfaction is more important than a better salary.

#45. Educating people about healthy eating is the best way to tackle the problem of obesity.

#46. Advertising is the foremost reason for the rising sales figure for consumer goods.

#47. Pollution from cars is the main reason for global warming.

#48. To run a business successfully marketing is the key.

#49. Computer games have only negative effects on kids.

#50. Genetically modified foods are the solution to feed the ever-expanding population.

Band 9 Essay IELTS Questions from Cause/ Problem/ Solution IELTS Topics

#51. Problems faced by night shift employees.

#52. The quality of life is degrading in many large cities.

#53. People know only a few of their neighbors these days.

#54. Many people still live in hunger even though the agricultural industry is making progress.

#55. People spend most of their daily time outside the home.

#56. The crime rate is increasing in many countries.

#57. More rubbish is being produced these days.

#58. The tradition of having family meals together is disappearing in many countries.

#59. Many young people these days won’t be able to buy a house.

#60. Kids spend a lot of time on social media platforms.

#61. People are preferring rented apartments to hotels.

#62. In the countryside, people are leaving their homes by moving to city areas.

#63. These days people are more stressed than before.

#64. Global warming is one of the most serious issues the world is facing now.

#65. The average weight is increasing in people.

#66. Animal hunting is leading to extinction.

#67. The museum is visited by fewer people these days.

#68. People tend to play sports when they are young and then stop when they become an adult.

#69. The increased amount of privately owned cars are having a bad effect on towns as well as on the environment.

#70. The gap is increasing between the rich and the poor.

IELTS Question from Advantages and Disadvantages Essay Topics

#71. Many people can travel abroad due to low airline costs.

#72. People can easily take loans or get a credit card.

#73. Many use the internet as their main educational resource.

#74. School students doing part-time jobs.

#75. School students are required to wear a uniform in many countries.

Sample Questions from Outweigh Advantages and Disadvantages Essay IELTS Topics

#76. Being a celebrity singer or actor.

#77. Many museums require a fee while many are free to enter.

#78. Many people are capable of affording a car.

#79. Famous sports personalities are advertising sports items.

#80. More people are opting for ready-to-eat foods than freshly cooked meals.

IELTS Questions from Direct Types

#81. While many think that the government should take the responsibility of looking after the elderly, many others believe that it’s the responsibility of the family members. According to you, who should be responsible?

#82. According to many, due to globalization, the cultures of different individual countries are being lost. What do I think should be done to protect the tradition?

#83. Children often find history lessons to be very boring. According to you, how can history be made alive by schools for pupils?

#84. Many years ago, it was assumed that humans were making progress in all aspects of life but today, the certainty in this matter is very less. According to you which are the areas that have been most developed and which areas need more attention?

#85. It’s seen many times that students performing badly at school have become successful adults. What do you think are the required qualities to perform well at school? To be successful later in life, the same qualities be helpful?

Also Read: IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Topic Internet Replace Books: Sample Answer of Essay Question

Sample IELTS Questions from Positive or Negative Development IELTS Essay Topics

#86. As people are able to buy the same items anywhere in the world, nations are becoming similar day by day.

#87. These days people communicate through social media.

#88. Parents employ private tutors for their kids after school hours.

#89. Customers opting for shopping malls are becoming the reason for the closing of many local shops.

#90. In the modern age, people are choosing to wait until their thirties to get married and have kids.

Rest of the 100 IELTS Essay Topics Questions

Two-part ielts questions.

#91. Many people are leaving the countryside. What can be the reason? According to you, is it a positive or negative development?

#92. As people spend most of their lifetime at work, job satisfaction plays an important role. What do you think makes people satisfied at work? How realistic is it for each and everyone to feel satisfied?

#93. Technology has changed people’s way of interacting with each other. In what ways has it changed the types of relationships? Is it a positive or negative development?

#94. Technology has made people forget basic skills. What is the reason? Is it a positive or negative development?

#95. Punishment is required to teach kids the difference between right and wrong. You agree to disagree to what extent? What sort of punishments should parents give?

Some More Sample IELTS Questions

#96. Many people work from home today due to the advancement of technology. What is the reason behind this change? Is it a positive or negative development?

#97. According to many, schools should be teaching kids to become good parents in their later life. Do you agree or disagree? According to you, what are the important skills required to be a good parent?

#98. Men’s sport gets more attention than women’s. Why does this happen? Is it a positive or negative situation?

#99. Many people struggle to manage their money. According to you, what skills are required for accurately managing money? Who should be responsible for teaching children these?

#100. Do you agree or disagree with the belief that governments should take an active part in reducing air traffic by adding more taxes? According to you, what other methods can be used?

Significance of IELTS

IELTS is basically an English test because it tests the proficiency of the English language of each candidate fairly and gives them the opportunity to find their place in the best universities of the world.

This exam is taken under the British council and the exam paper is set according to the organization’s rules and norms. The candidate wishing to study or migrate to some other English-speaking country must prepare diligently for each section of the exam.

The IELTS scores vary according to different colleges and courses. You should choose the course first along with the college or university to prepare for a particular band. The biggest fact is that the scores of this test are valid in over 11 thousand universities in English-speaking countries. So, prepare for the exam with such articles.

Also Read: IELTS Writing Task 1 Topic Asking Friend to Look After Home: Checkout this Sample Topic and Model Answers

Hopefully, these 100 IELTS essays will be enough for you to start practicing for the IELTS exam. You should get better each day while preparing for the test to become the most suitable candidate. So now that you have a set of 100 IELTS essay questions, how are you going to start preparing? Do not forget to share your favorite question by commenting in the box below.

If your thought is to see your band according to the requirements of the best college, you should find the most suitable platform for your preparation. The one-stop destination for all the IELTS candidates is IELTS Ninja . This website has numerous articles to inform, update, and prepare you for the paper.

Furthermore, the candidates will come under the guidance and mentorship of the best experts and professionals. Each section is taught to you by the professionals along with giving you the strategies and precise ways to be quintessential. So, let’s connect to the experts and understand the exam.

great content shared, Loved reading it, very well written.

I must have searched for hours, this article saved me a lot of time and the content is great.

Thank you for providing theses 100 IELTS essay questions, those were very helpful, can you also provide names of some books that might enhance our writing style?

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About the Author

Shruti is a creative and enthusiastic content writer along with being a budding journalist. She is a genuine-hearted and exploring girl with a dash of millennial approach. Her love for speaking and writing has made her pursue her bachelor's in journalism and mass communication. She believes in the quote, "if you will never fail in life, you will never rise like a phoenix from its ashes''. She gives strengthening and positive paths to the students by her content. Her interest lies in reading, traveling, and singing. Innovations and realism let you discover your identity. She has faith in wisdom and determination to touch the skies.

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Most Common IELTS Essay Topics: 100+ Essay Topics, Types of Questions, and Preparation Tips

• Updated on  
• Jan 11, 2024

Whether you are pondering about how to study abroad or are planning to settle there, as a part of your visa and university requirements, you have to sit for certain English proficiency tests like the IELTS. International English Language Proficiency Testing System (IELTS) is one of the most renowned English proficiency tests that has to be taken by students belonging to countries where English is not an official language. This is one of the conditions for attaining overseas education.

There are two variants of the test; IELTS General Training and Academic and depending on your purpose of visit, you can choose the variant. IELTS evaluates candidates on 4 basic parameters namely, Reading, Speaking, Listening and Writing. Out of all the four sections, writing is considered to be the trickiest one wherein lengthy essay questions can baffle you. So, if you are also looking for the answer to “What kind of essays are asked in IELTS?” then don’t worry. Here is a blog on IELTS essay topics for all aspirants who are preparing for the IELTS 2023 examination. 

This Blog Includes:

Ielts essay topics on culture and tradition, ielts essay topics on environment, topics on media , ielts essay topics related to education, topics on society, ielts essay topics related to food and eating habits , topics on communication and personality , ielts essay topics related to crime and punishment , other questions, opinion essays, discussion essays, solution essays, advantage or disadvantage essays, direct question essays, how to answer task 2 essays in ielts writing section, tips for ielts writing task 2.

• Some claim that when cultural practices are utilized as tourist attractions intended to generate revenue, they are destroyed. Some claim that this is the only way to keep certain customs alive.
• Just like the government spends funds on music and theatre, it does the same on arts too which is considered a waste of money. Don’t you think that the government should spend more on revamping public services? Do you agree? If not, then why?
• Many monuments, which are a part of our cultural diversity are protected and reconstructed by law. A few people think these structures should be destroyed and something new should be constructed. How important is it to put more effort into monument maintenance? Do you think that through their maintenance, history is coming in the way of progress?
• A single-world culture is being created due to modern technology. Do you agree or disagree?
• Some people believe raising the price of fuel is the greatest way to address global environmental issues. Do you agree or disagree?
• Many animal species are becoming endangered as a result of habitat loss brought on by urbanisation, illicit hunting, and deforestation; some are even at risk of going extinct. Do you think it is necessary to protect animals?
• According to you, what are the major problems due to which developed countries have become the major contributors to global warming? What are the main problems leading to global warming?
• One of the most critical issues that the environment is facing is global warming. What are the measures the government can take to reduce such issues?
• Overpopulation in the country is a serious issue that has given rise to numerous problems. Elaborate on one or two serious issues and give a plausible solution for them that governments can implement.
• Some people think that the government should strictly control the supply of fresh water, as it is a limited resource, while others it should not be regulated.
• Fossil fuels are the main source of energy around the world today. In some countries, the use of alternative sources of energy is replacing fossil fuels.

12. Media violence encourages violence in society. To what extent do you agree?

13. Most of the news that is reported is terrible news, such as stories about wars, famines, accidents, and crime. How come, in your opinion? Do you believe there should be both good and negative news?

14. Do you believe that celebrities are ill-treated by the media or it is the price they have to pay for their stardom? Regardless of fame, their privacy should be respected or not?

15. Media has unintentionally left a negative impact on children. Often, they end up watching violence which is not advised at such a tender age. Do you agree or disagree with this?

16. What are your views on the false means of advertising used by media agencies?

17. What is the impact of computer games on the children of today? Is it helping their development or making them worse? Why and why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

18. Successful sportsmen can earn a great deal more than people in other important professions. Some people think this is fully justified while others think it is unfair. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

19. Some people believe that advertising has a strong effect on a person’s decision-making process. Others feel that it has little or no real impact. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

20. Does advertising encourage us to buy things we don’t need or does it tell us about new products that may improve our lives. Which view do you agree with?

21. In many countries today, crime novels and TV crime dramas are becoming more and more popular .

22. Much worry is being expressed about the educational divide between affluent and poorer nations. What options do you have for handling this situation.

23. The role of education is to educate children for the modern world. Schools should remove music and the arts from the curriculum so that students can concentrate on practical courses like computer technology. How much do you agree?

24. Education is a fundamental right. Thus, it should be free of cost for everyone regardless of personal wealth. Do you agree or disagree with it?

25. While few people believe that the education provided by universities helps graduates get better jobs. Others think that there are many wider advantages of education through universities. Elucidate upon these views and give your opinion. 

26. Do you align with the thought that educational activities must be incorporated into children’s free time? What do you think about this argument?

27. Co-ed schools are considered better than boys and girls being educated separately. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.

28. Some people believe that the traditional approach in the modern classroom is better than a teaching methodology based on experiential learning. Do you agree or disagree?

29. University students should pay the full cost for their own study because a university education benefits individuals rather than society. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

30. Is teaching people over 65 to use computers the best way to spend government money? To what extent do you agree?

31. Nowadays, not enough students choose science subjects at university in many countries. Why is this? What effects does this have on society?

32. Some feel that movies and TV shows are a good way to study history despite their lack of historical accuracy at times. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

33. The most important aim of science ought to be to improve people’s lives.

34. Government money should be used to support children in school for sports rather than to support professional sports and arts that perform for the general public.

35. Homeless individuals are a part of most societies. Some individuals believe that giving them money is the greatest way to assist them. What percentage would you agree with?

36. It is observed in many countries that women do not feel the need to get married. Locals believe that women have started earning and have become independent as they have their own source of income, thus, they do not require the financial security that marriage brings. Up to what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

36. It is always believed that globalization has both advantages as well as disadvantages. State prominent advantages as well as disadvantages in your opinion.

37. Traditional ways of living are being lost as modern civilization develops. Is it crucial to maintain our old ways of living?

38. Over the last decade, it was majorly seen that people were eager to move from rural areas toward urban areas. What do you think has caused this? What problems can this bring up?

39. Every culture around us has made its mark in history in one or the other way. Why do you think it is important to familiarise the next generation with history?

40. Some people spend more and some spend less for wedding parties, birthday parties, and other celebrations. Is it a waste of money or a social requirement? Include specific details and examples to support your choice.

41. Some people believe that in the near future, there will be no borders between countries, while others feel that national borders will always remain. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

42. The teenage years are the happiest times of most people’s lives. Others think that adult life brings more happiness in spite of greater responsibilities. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

43. People who have original ideas provide much greater value to society than the ones who copy others. Do you agree or disagree?

44. Is it good for childrens that parents provide them with everything they ask for?

45. Advancements in technology have made it possible for many people to work from home nowadays? What do you think are the effects on employees working from home?

46. Some people think that social networking sites have a huge negative impact on both individuals and society. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

47. The best way to reduce poverty in developing countries is by giving up to six years of free education so that they can at least read, write and use numbers. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

48. Some argue that patriotism is the primary cause of wars globally. Others feel that it serves to prevent less ethical politicians from running a country and starting wars.

49. Many think that religion should be taught in schools while others think it should be avoided

50. Some feel that cities should be designed to be beautiful while others feel their functionality is more important. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion

51. Preservatives and chemicals are present in many prepared meals and processed foods. What benefits can this have? Do you believe the benefits outweigh the drawbacks?

52. Many children around us are obese and overweight. What according to you has led to this common problem amongst children? What measures can be taken to resolve this? 

53. To cope with the pace of the fast-moving world, many of us have now started to replace main meals with fast food. What according to you are the advantages of this step that have to outweigh the disadvantages? 

54. Over the past few years, the media has portrayed the image of a young woman as a thin lady. What according to you are the problems caused by this conception? 

55. Due to the severe repercussions of eating fast food on a daily basis, some people think that the only way to prevent this is to ban fast food. Do you agree or disagree with the statement?

56. In many countries, fast food is becoming cheaper and more widely available. Do the disadvantages of this outweigh the advantages?

57. People often argue that eating junk food has led to an unhealthy lifestyle. This problem has become more common among young people these days. Do you agree or disagree that junk food is the cause of the issue? 

58. Governments in many countries have recently introduced special taxes on foods and beverages with high levels of sugar. Some think these taxes are a good idea while others disagree. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

59. Today’s society provides people with various ways to lose weight, such as special diets or exercise regimes. Many people believe though that poor food and today’s lifestyle should be addressed first. What is your opinion?

60. In many countries today, the eating habits and lifestyles of children are different from those of previous generations. Some people say this has had a negative effect on their health in many countries today, the eating habits and lifestyles of children are different from those of previous generations. Some people say this has had a negative effect on their health. What is your opinion?

61. Nowadays, an increasing number of people with health problems are using alternative medicines and treatments instead of visiting their normal doctor.

62. Individuals and businesses alike are choosing to communicate professionally or socially via technology rather than in person. Talk about the benefits and drawbacks of using technology for communication.

63. Some people fail in school but end up being successful in life. What do you think is important in life- performing well in school or being successful after school? 

64. With the advent of the internet, texting has become the modern way of communicating due to which face-to-face communication will become a thing of the past. To what extent do you agree? 

65. With the help of the internet, many people have now started to communicate with others online comfortably rather than confronting them face to face. According to you, what are the advantages as well as disadvantages of communicating online? 

66. Due to frequent slang or short forms used in the modern way of texting, people have started believing that this is the death of grammar and spelling. Discuss both sides of the argument.

67. New-age Celebrities from Instagram and TikTok are more famous for their glamorous lifestyle than their achievements. Does this affect the children who follow them? State your opinion.

68. Some people prefer to keep their private life separate from their work while others spend their leisure time with their colleagues. Discuss both views and give your opinion

69. Has modern technology made it easier to download copyrighted music and books?

70. Some children spend hours every day on smartphones. Why is this the case? Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

71. It is important for people to take risks, in both their professional lives and personal lives.

72. The best way to make the road transport of goods safer is to ask drivers to take a driving test each year.

73. Fewer young people play sports these days.

74. Some nations are having trouble keeping up with rising crime rates. Many individuals believe that the best solution to decrease crime is to have more police officers on the streets. How much do you concur?

75. People believe that certain criminals should be made to do community service instead of putting them behind bars. Up to what extent do you agree? 

76. To what extent do you think that technology has played a role in decreasing the crime rate? 

77. In some societies, the crime rate committed by teenagers is increasing. Thus, the people believe that they should receive punishments like adults. According to you what are the disadvantages of it?

78. Do you agree or disagree that having more police on the streets will decrease the overall crime rate of a country?

79. Studies show that most young children who commit crimes have been abused in some way by their parents.

80. Many studies show that poor people are more likely to be involved in petty and serious crimes than people who come from higher-income groups. Do you agree?

81. What is the importance of stable family structures in preventing crime in a country? State your opinion.

82. Are strict punishments for driving offences the key to reducing traffic accidents or are other ways necessary? Give your opinion.

83. Prison is the common way most countries try to solve the problem of crime. However, a more effective solution is to provide the public with a better education.

Apart from these category-wise questions, here are some other general IELTS essay topics:

84. Some people believe that one of the most beneficial inventions like mobile phones has somehow disrupted our social lives. What is your view on this statement?

85. Being a young mind, do you agree that people should take advice from elders rather than from the younger ones? Support your answer with valuable points 

86. The increasing dependency of people on their mobile phones is a positive or negative development in society? 

87. Some people think that wearing a uniform at work is essential whereas others think that it is unnecessary. Present your views on both sides of the argument.

88. Have you ever lived away from your parents? Describe your living situation and explain its advantages and disadvantages. Include specific details and examples to support your choice.

90. Some people prefer to work in the same type of job throughout their lifetime while others like to change the type of job they do. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

91. Some people think that illegal Internet downloads are having a negative effect on the music industry. Others feel that they have little or no impact on artists. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

92. People who read for pleasure in their free time have a better imagination than those who prefer to watch TV. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

93. Children often complain that history lessons are boring because they are about a past that is dead. How can schools bring history alive for pupils?

94. People are waiting until their thirties to get married and have children these days. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

95. Some people say a car is the best way to travel through a city while others support travelling with bicycles. Discuss both sides and share your opinion.

96. Would you prefer working for a large company or a small one? Explain with specific reasons and examples.

97. Free public transport 24×7 is the best way for governments to solve the problem of traffic congestion. Do you agree or disagree?

98. Music has been and will continue to be the universal language of mankind. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

99. Online currencies have become more common in recent years. Why is this? Is this a positive or negative development?

100. Some people feel that cities should allow for spaces for graffiti while others feel it should be banned. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.

101. Always telling the truth is the most important consideration in any relationship between people. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

102. A rise in the standard of living in a country often only seems to benefit cities rather than rural areas.

103. Around the world, rural people are moving to cities and urban areas, so populations in the countryside are decreasing.

Types of IELTS Essays

IELTS essay themes are typically divided into a number of categories. The following sorts of essays are common in the IELTS exam :

You must express your thoughts on the suggested subject in this essay genre. Naturally, having prior knowledge of common subjects that are frequently included in the IELTS exam is the ideal method to achieve high marks in such essays.

Sample Questions:

• Most teenagers today own a smartphone. Provide your opinion to discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
• Crime novels and TV series have become quite popular in recent years. What is your opinion about these crime dramas?
• Developing nations often require international assistance. Many believe that this assistance should be monetary, while some think practical help and advice would be more beneficial. Discuss both these views along with your opinion.
• Many consider automobiles to be the biggest source of pollution in urban areas, while some believe industries are responsible for it. Explain both views and provide your opinion.
• Many people believe individuals involved with creative arts should be financially supported by the government. Some others believe they should find separate resources. Discuss each of the views and give your opinion.
• Some believe success in life comes from hard work, dedication, and motivation. While many believe success depends on other important factors like money and appearance. Discuss both views and provide your opinion. 
• Many think that governments should fund programs in search of life on other planets. However, others believe governments should focus on unresolved issues on the planet. Provide your opinion and discuss both views.

In the case of discussion essays, the candidates need to put forward an explanation for or against any given topic. Such essays are the most common to appear in the IELTS exam. 

Sample Questions: 

• Many believe living in big cities comes with more advantages than residing in the countryside. Do you agree or disagree with this?
• The shopping habits of people depend more on their age group than on any other factors. Do you agree or disagree with this? 
• More and more children and minors are becoming overweight in developed nations. This is a major problem for most wealthy countries. Explain the causes and impacts of this issue.
• The internet is a great invention that brings a host of advantages to the world population. However, there are several issues in terms of security and control of personal data. Do you agree or disagree with this?
• Advertising prevents originality in people and makes them look the same and do the same. Do you agree or disagree with this?
• Parents today often tend to organise extra classes on weekends or even after school. Do you believe this is at all useful? Or, do you think the education provided in school is sufficient?
• Some people believe that capital punishment should be done away with. Do you agree or disagree with this?
• Countries spend a lot of money on training individuals for sports competitions while some people believe that the money could be better spent on ordinary citizens. Do you agree or disagree?

For solution essays, you will have to provide a solution to a particular issue. At times, questions might be provided as to why a specific issue has occurred, and candidates have to provide their opinion on the answer.

• The massive movement of people from agricultural areas to cities in search of employment can lead to serious problems in both places. What are the problems, and how can these be solved? 

In this type of essay, students have to write about a particular topic’s positive and negative sides. Such essays test your argument construction skills and how well you can use English to communicate your views as clearly and coherently as possible. 

• International tourism has greatly benefited many places. However, there have been major concerns about its impact on the local environment and inhabitants. Do the negative impacts of international tourism outweigh the benefits?
• Some countries have recently passed laws to restrict the daily working hours of employees. Explain whether this will have a positive or negative impact.
• More and more people today are visiting extreme places such as Antarctica or the Sahara desert. What are the advantages or disadvantages of such travels?
• Social media is gradually replacing in-person face-to-face contact with many people worldwide. Do the benefits of social media outweigh the disadvantages? 
• Some countries allow old people to work at any age they want. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
• New technologies have changed the way children spend their free time. Do you think the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?

For this type of essay, the topics will be provided as direct questions, which students have to answer based on their experiences and thoughts.

• Shopping used to be a routine domestic task in the past. However, today, it has become more of a hobby. Is this a positive trend?

The strategies listed below can help students improve their capacity for answering essays in the Writing portion.

• Read and comprehend the question : Reading and comprehending the question thoroughly is the first step to writing task 2 essays with ease. Candidates typically respond to questions without fully understanding what is being asked of them. Candidates should thoroughly examine the question, determine the question’s type, and make an effort to determine its keywords. Finally, they should ensure that they fully comprehend the directions before attempting to respond. Candidates should thoroughly examine the question, determine the question’s type, and make an effort to determine its keywords. Finally, they should ensure that they fully comprehend the directions before attempting to respond.
• Plan the solution : Students must plan the format of their responses after fully comprehending the question. Candidates will be able to organise their thoughts and present a concise and well-rounded response as a result.
• Writing a Strong Introduction : An overview of the essay’s topic should be provided in the introduction. Make sure to draft a good start that summarises the article.
• Carefully curate the main body : The essay’s main body is where you must present all of the important information. Make your points in accordance with this and support them with justifications, examples, and other pertinent information. Once finished, you must provide a suitable summary.

The following advice can help candidates ace the IELTS Writing test:

• Be sure to go outside the box for solutions.
• There are two questions in the 60-minute Writing segment of the test. In order to easily respond to both questions within the allotted time, one should practise time management skills.
• Make as many connections as you can between the given topic and reality and current events.
• Avoid writing in a single paragraph at all costs. Where necessary, try to divide the divisions, and learn to connect each paragraph.

Thus, we hope that this blog on IELTS essay topics has now brought some clarity on what type of questions can be asked of you during the exam.

The scoring range of IELTS writing is 0-9. 

Individuals must avoid under-developing their ideas, keeping both sides of the argument incomplete, not linking the problems and solutions and lastly  being ambiguous. 

The IELTS Problem-Solution Essay can be segregated into an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. 

Visit the Leverage Live page of Leverage edu or contact our study abroad experts at 1800-57-2000 to strengthen your scores and application to secure your spot in your dream college. 

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I really appreciate this website. I have learned some inciteful writing information. I strongly feel that I can go forward with the information that I have gained and it will be of much help in improving my IELTS writing skills. Thanks!

Hi Anna, Thanks for the feedback! We are happy to help you with your IELTS journey through our exclusive IELTS preparation classes online. Get in touch with our experts to know more about it. Meanwhile, we hope this will interest you more: https://leverageedu.com/blog/ielts-writing-tips/ https://leverageedu.com/blog/ielts-writing/

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IELTS Writing Task 2: Most popular 50+ Essay Topics of 2024

• Updated On February 27, 2024
• Published In IELTS Preparation 💻

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) writing section is a 1-hour test that comprises two questions: task 1 and task 2, which assess your vocabulary, grammar, word count, collocations, and ability to construct complex sentences with moderation and without repetition. 

Table of Contents

To begin, it is pivotal to understand that the IELTS essay topics vary for IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training Tasks. In Task 1 of IELTS Academic, you must write a report on a graph, diagram or chart, whereas, for IELTS General Training Task 1, you must write a letter. Task 2 of the General and Academic modules is essay writing; while the topics for essays in both modules may differ, the essay writing strategy remains the same. 

Examiners use the following criteria to calculate Academic IELTS Writing Task 1 and Task 2 scores: Task Achievement, Task Response, Coherence, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Lexical Resource.

IELTS Writing Task 2 for Academic

The IELTS Academic Writing section consists of two tasks that must be completed in one hour: 

Writing Task 1

In Task 1, you are assigned a graph, visual information, table or chart, which you are required to describe in your own words. You must write a report in 150 words, accurately describing what the information in the graph or picture represents. The IELTS writing task 1 marking criteria accounts for 33% of the total IELTS writing evaluation score, and you should try to finish this part in 20 minutes or less because IELTS writing task 2 is more difficult and will take at least 40 minutes to complete.

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Writing Task 2

 IELTS writing task 2 marking criteria has a 66% weightage, where you must complete a 250-word essay in 40 minutes. Candidates must respond to a problem, a point of view, or an argument in this task, with a curated response. The essay’s content should be written with perfect grammar and focused solely on the topic. As task 2 holds more weight, candidates should devote significant time to it and ensure a properly curated essay for a good band score. 

Let us now review some fundamentals of IELTS essay structure that you can apply to this task. A typical writing piece includes an introduction, the main body consisting of a few paragraphs, and a conclusion. In the introduction, you should write the context of your issue and a thesis statement representing the main idea of your text.

The central section of your essay will discuss various facts and arguments that support or oppose the thesis statement. Finally, restate the thesis statement, bolstering it with new details from the main body. 

Here’s a list of the latest IELTS essay topics and sample questions to help you efficiently prepare for task 2 of the IELTS Writing section.

Latest IELTS Essay Topics for 202 4

IELTS essay writing topics are usually based on current events and world affairs. You will find a series of essay writing topics for IELTS in the following listicles. Also, one of the most effective ways to prepare for answering essays in the Writing section of IELTS is to work on the sample essay questions. The topic categories and essay writing samples to help students looking for the latest IELTS essay topics are stated below:

Environment

• Environmental Crisis: One of the most common topics in IELTS is the environment essay IELTS band 9. Many students, however, do not see the need to prepare for this because it is one of the most specific topics resulting in a loss of marks. 

Click here for the Environmental Crisis essay sample and answers for practice.

• Global Warming: It is common for IELTS speaking and writing sections to include questions about broad discussion topics, such as climate change, the greenhouse effect, global warming, and deforestation.

Click here for the Global Warming essay format, sample and answers for practice.

• Sustainable Energy: If you are unfamiliar with the framework and concepts of an essay, it can be a daunting task. All of the sentences must be related and formed in such a way that they provide a clear view and information. You may be penalised if you veer off-topic while writing your essay. Sustainable energy and nuclear power topics are debated topics; hence practising them will give you an edge over your peers. 

Click here for the Sustainable Energy essay structure, sample and answers for practice.

• Fossil Fuels: The IELTS essay topics for writing task 2 are usually based on common themes frequently discussed in the average aspirant’s daily life. One such theme is the use of renewable energy sources in place of nonrenewable resources such as fossil fuels.

Click here for the Fossil Fuels essay sample and answers for practice.

Personality

• Importance of First Impression:  IELTS examiners have a short attention span and read hundreds of essays daily. Hence, it is pivotal for you to get the start right and make a good first impression in your First Impression is Important IELTS essay.

Click here for the Personality essay sample and answers for practice.

• Hobbies: ‘Hobbies’ is a common theme in both the IELTS Writing Task 2 and the Speaking section. This is a simple, mark-fetching topic with few challenges for students taking the exam.

Click here for the Hobbies essay sample and answers for practice.

• Fashion: Fashion is a recurring topic with global themes and one of the best topics to practise your public speaking skills.

Click here for the Fashion essay sample and answers for practice.

• Importance of Leisure Activities and School Values: The IELTS Essay on Education is one of the most challenging tasks, with unpredictable questions in the exam. These education essay topics, like the Importance of leisure activities, are opinion-driven and assess students’ ability to express their knowledge and skills thoughtfully.

Click here for the Education essay sample and answers for practice.

• Government and Society: As an IELTS exam candidate, you should review as many common topics for Writing Task 2 as possible. One such common IELTS test theme is government and society, with which you should be well-acquainted. 

Click here for the Government and Society essay sample and answers for practice.

• Ideal Society: Candidates should practise sample questions and answers for the Ideal Society IELTS essay to gain a firm grasp on writing and vocabulary and improve their overall band score.

Click here for the Ideal Society essay sample and answers for practice.

• Social Media: Social media essays are a popular topic in IELTS writing task 2. For a social media IELTS essay band 9 and similar topics, the most straightforward approach is maintaining the proper word count and being aware of various approaches to the topic.

Click here for the Social Media essay sample and answers for practice.

Business & Global Consumerism

• International Trade: Over the years, one of the topics covered in the IELTS exam has been global business. Your answer for such topics should contain everything; your responses, solutions, arguments, reasons, opinions, and evidence are critical to answering the question.

Click here for the International Trade essay sample and answers for practice.

• Management and Leadership: In any organisation, leadership and management are critical roles. Your essay for such topics should always be pertinent to the question.

Click here for the Management and Leadership essay sample and answers for practice.

• Foreign Languages: Foreign languages and language barriers are recurring themes in the IELTS writing task 2. Express your own opinions on such topics. 

Click here for the Culture essay sample and answers for practice.

• Sports and children: Sport is a recurring theme, and the essay content should not deviate from the main points at any point in the essay.

Click here for the Sports essay sample and answers for practice. Covid 19

• Covid impact: The topics of IELTS Writing task 2 are usually drawn from current events worldwide, making Covid-19 an anticipated topic. 

Click here for the Covid 19 essay sample and answers for practice.

• Obesity: Overweight essays are among the most common topics in IELTS writing task 2. Obesity, recent trends in health among children and adults, and other similar topics may also be discussed in relation to overweight.

Click here for the Health essay sample and answers for practice.

Types of IELTS Essays

IELTS essay writing topics are usually classified under various sections. You can expect essays in the IELTS exam from any of the following types:

Opinion Essays 

In this essay category, you must discuss your opinion on the given topic. Naturally, the best way to score high in such essays is to have prior knowledge of common topics that are popular in the IELTS exam. 

Sample Questions:

• Most teenagers today own a smartphone. Provide your opinion to discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
• Crime novels and TV series have become quite popular in recent years. What is your opinion about these crime dramas?
• Developing nations often require international assistance. Many believe that this assistance should be monetary, while some think practical help and advice would be more beneficial. Discuss both these views along with your opinion.
• Many consider automobiles to be the biggest source of pollution in urban areas, while some believe industries are responsible for it. Explain both views and provide your opinion.
• Many people believe individuals involved with creative arts should be financially supported by the government. Some others believe they should find separate resources. Discuss each of the views and give your opinion.
• Some believe success in life comes from hard work, dedication, and motivation. While many believe success depends on other important factors like money and appearance. Discuss both views and provide your opinion. 
• Many think that governments should fund programs in search of life on other planets. However, others believe governments should focus on unresolved issues on the planet. Provide your opinion and discuss both views.

You can also check out this detailed guide on Opinion Essays to learn the appropriate structure for maximum scores!

Discussion Essays

In the case of discussion essays, the candidates need to put forward an explanation for or against any given topic. Such essays are the most common to appear in the IELTS exam. 

Sample Questions: 

• Many believe living in big cities comes with more advantages than residing in the countryside. Do you agree or disagree with this?
• The shopping habits of people depend more on their age group than on any other factors. Do you agree or disagree with this? 
• More and more children and minors are becoming overweight in developed nations. This is a major problem for most wealthy countries. Explain the causes and impacts of this issue.
• The internet is a great invention that brings a host of advantages for the world population. However, there are several issues in terms of security and control of personal data. Do you agree or disagree with this?
• Advertising prevents originality in people and makes them look the same and do the same. Do you agree or disagree with this?
• Parents today often tend to organise extra classes on weekends or even after school. Do you believe this is at all useful? Or do you think the education provided in school is sufficient?
• Some people believe that capital punishment should be done away with. Do you agree or disagree with this?

We have covered valuable tips & tricks to attempt Discussion Essays that can come in handy in your exam.

Solution Essays

For solution essays, you will have to provide a solution to a particular issue. At times, questions might be provided as to why a specific issue has occurred, and candidates have to provide their opinion on the answer.

• The massive movement of people from agricultural areas to cities in search of employment can lead to serious problems in both places. What are the problems, and how can these be solved? 

Check out our sample question and answer on Solution Essays for a more thorough explanation.

Advantage or Disadvantage Essays

In this type of essay, students have to write about a particular topic’s positive and negative sides. Such essays test your argument construction skills and how well you can use English to communicate your views as clearly and coherently as possible. 

• International tourism has greatly benefited many places. However, there have been major concerns about its impact on the local environment and inhabitants. Do the negative impacts of international tourism outweigh the benefits?
• Some countries have recently passed laws to restrict the daily working hours of employees. Explain whether this will have a positive or negative impact.
• More and more people today are visiting extreme places such as Antarctica or the Sahara desert. What are the advantages or disadvantages of such travels?
• Social media is gradually replacing in-person face-to-face contact with many people worldwide. Do the benefits of social media outweigh the disadvantages? 

Use the sample questions from the Advantage/Disadvantage Essay type to practise your writing skills.

Direct Question Essays

For this type of essay, the topics will be provided as direct questions, which students have to answer based on their experiences and thoughts.

• Shopping used to be a routine domestic task in the past. However, today, it has become more of a hobby. Is this a positive trend?
• You can get more information on these rare essay-type questions on our  Direct question essay structure blog.

Preparation Tips for IELTS Writing Task 2

Many students believe they don’t need to prepare much because they speak English reasonably well. Well, the IELTS exam is not that easy. In fact, even native English speakers may find the test difficult. As a result, candidates should prepare for this section rigorously and methodically and start early preparation.

• Begin your IELTS preparations at least 6 months before your intended test date, and ensure to devote some time daily to all 4 sections.
• Choose writing topics for both tasks, especially writing task 2, and try to write about them daily. Time yourself; remember that you must complete both tasks in one hour.
•  Spend significant time learning new vocabulary and brushing up on your grammatical skills. Following that is structured thinking, allowing you to convey your ideas logically. While writing, pay close attention to lucidity, logic, and clarity.
• You should expand your ideas because the IELTS writing task 2 could cover any topic. Go through all the resources like magazines, books, and online materials to expand your knowledge and vocabulary. Additionally, practice as many mock tests as possible. 

As mentioned above it’s only practice that can get you the desire scores. But along with it you also need the best preparation materials and guidance. And the best solution we suggest is to register for the LeapScholar IELTS courses . Along with live classes from the best IELTS tutors, you’ll also have access to mock tests, speaking and writing evaluations and comprehensive study materials. As a reward you’ll also receive a course completion certificate.

How to Answer Task 2 Essays in IELTS Writing Section?

Students can employ the following steps to successfully enhance their ability to answer essays in the Writing section:

Step 1: Read and Understand the Question

The first step to nailing task 2 essays is to read and understand the question carefully. Most of the time, candidates answer the question without understanding what it demands. Candidates should carefully analyse the question, identify the question type and try to identify the keywords. Finally, they should clearly understand the instructions and then attempt to answer.

Step 2: Plan the Answer

Once students have understood the question, they need to plan the structure of the answer. This will allow candidates to organise their ideas and produce a clear and coherent response. 

Step 3: Write a Solid Introduction

The introduction of the essay should give an idea of what the essay is all about. Make sure to write an appropriate introduction conveying the gist of the essay.

Step 4: Carefully Curate the Main Body

The main body is the essential part of the essay, where you must provide the necessary details. State your points accordingly and substantiate them with explanations, examples, and other relevant data. Once done, you need to give a proper conclusion.

Tips for IELTS Writing Task 2

Candidates can use the following tips to ace their IELTS Writing test:

Although IELTS is a difficult test to master, one can achieve a good score with systematic and consistent preparation. If you require assistance in acing your IELTS Writing Task 1 and 2, our Leap Scholar experts will provide the necessary guidance, tips, and tricks to help you pass your IELTS test with flying colours. If you are planning to prepare for the essay task in the Writing section, you can go through this comprehensive guide to get an idea about the latest IELTS essay topics. You can prepare for the essay task accordingly with the help of sample essay topics and questions provided in the above sections. 

Still unclear about some portions of IELTS, then enrol for IELTS professional coaching. IELTS Prep app by Leap Scholar is a one-stop solution for your study abroad dream. You can access specially crafted lessons by experts accredited by IDP, British Council, and Cambridge. About 1M + students have trusted us with their IELTS prep journey. Join us, download our IELTS prep app and get access to the best resources!

Frequently asked questions

How can you score well in ielts writing task 2.

Ans. IELTS Writing Task 2 mainly has four performance descriptors: Task Response, Cohesion & Coherence , Lexical Resource, and finally Grammatical range and accuracy. The scoring happens on four parameters, so follow these and prepare with the correct books and practice questions.

What are the most popular questions asked in IELTS Writing Task 2?

Ans. The different types of questions in IELTS Writing Task 2 include: Problem/ Causes questions, Opinion questions, Advantage/ Disadvantage questions, Discussion of views, etc.

What are the main themes on which IELTS Writing Task 2 questions are based on?

Ans. Some of the broad themes include Environment, Food, Health, Art, Business, Communication, Crime & Punishment and more. Ideas and topics are taken under these broad themes for question framing.

Is it necessary to use complex words in IELTS Writing section?

Ans. Having a good vocabulary is an added advantage. However, difficult words should not be forcefully put in sentences. Your sentences should be organic and should fit the meaning and the context of your essays.

 How to develop ideas for IELTS Writing Task 2 2024?

 Ans. The easiest ways to generate ideas for IELTS Writing Task 2 are by analyzing model essays, finding ideas on google, talking to experts, watching movies, asking yourself some questions about the topic, generating main ideas from specific examples.

How many mistakes are acceptable in IELTS Writing Task 2?

Ans. Making one or two mistakes is overlooked by the examiner if the overall essay is good. However, making more mistakes than that can lead to lower IELTS band score.

What are the basic topics in IELTS writing task 2?

Some of the common IELTS topics for Writing Task 2 are  Art, Environment, Education, Health, Jobs and Employment, Sport, Science and Technology Friends and Family, Government and Society etc.

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IELTS Sample Essays

Here you will find IELTS Sample Essays for a variety of common topics that appear in the writing exam.

The model answers all have tips and strategies for how you may approach the question and comments on the sample answer.

You can also view sample essays with band scores on this page. 

Looking at IELTS essay topics with answers is a great way to help you to prepare for the test. 

These IELTS sample essays have been categorised in a way that makes it easy for you to see how certain essay question types require you to provide certain responses to ensure the question is fully answered. 

Specifically these are:

• Agree / Disagree
• Discuss Two Opinions
• Problems and Solutions
• Advantages and Disadvantages
• Other Types

Agree / Disagree Type Questions

In these types of question you are given one opinion and you then have to state the extent to which you agree or disagree with that opinion:

• Advertising
• Alternative Medicine
• Spending on the Arts
• Human Cloning
• Social Interaction & the Internet
• Airline Tax
• Free University Education
• Scientific Research
• Banning Smoking
• Employing Older People
• Vegetarianism
• Paying Taxes  
• Examinations or Formal Assessment 
• Multinational Organisations and Culture
• Internet vs Newspapers
• Technology Development  
• Dying of Languages
• Animal Extinction
• Truth in Relationships
• Role of Schools
• Return of Historical Artefacts

Discuss Two Opinions Type Questions

In this essay question type you are given two opinions, and you have to discuss both of these and then give your own view:

• University Education
• Reducing Crime
• Animal Rights
• Child Development
• Diet & Health
• Donating Money to Charity
• Closing Zoos   
• Becoming Independent  
• Formal and Informal Education  
• Influence of Scientists and Politicians
• Sources for Stories
• Searching for Extraterrestrial Life

Cause Type Questions

There are a variety of 'cause type' essay questions. In these you first have to give the reasons why something has happened, in other words the causes, but then discuss a different aspect of it, such as the effects, solutions or the extent to whether it is a positive or negative development:

Causes & Effects:

• Child Obesity
• Skin Whitening Creams
• Family Size
• Having Children Later in Life
• Time Away from Family

Causes and Solutions:

• Youth Crime
• Global Warming
• Paying Attention in Class
• International Travel & Prejudice 
• Museums & Historical Places
• Disappearance of Traditions
• Communication Between Generations

Causes, Pros & Cons:

• Family Closeness
• Living Alone
• Rural to Urban Migration

Problems & Solutions Type Questions

In these type of questions, instead of discussing the causes of a problem, you need to discuss the problems related to a particular issue in society, and then suggest what can be to solve these problems:

• Overpopulation
• Competing for Jobs  
• Professionals Immigrating

Advantage & Disadvantages Type Questions

In these type of questions you are asked to discuss the positive and negative sides of a particular topic. You will usually be asked this in the context of giving an opinion ( e.g. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? Is it a positive or negative development? ): 

• Traffic Problems
• Food Additives
• Computer Games
• Age Discrimination at Work  
• Children using Tablets and Computers  
• Cell Phones, Internet, & Communication  
• Working from Home 
• Eating Locally grown  Produce  
• Oil and Gas Essay  
• Peer Pressure on Young People
• Online Fraud

'Hybrid' Types of Essay Question

There are sometimes questions that don't fit easily into a particular category as above. I've called these 'hybrid', as they are of mixed character, are composed of different elements from other types of essay, or are perhaps just worded differently. 

• Protecting Old Buildings
• Animal Testing
• Fear of Crime
• Communication Technology
• Influence of Children's Friends  

Sample Essays with Band Scores

You can also view some sample essays that have been written by candidates practising for the test and have band scores and comments by an experienced ex-IELTS Examiner based on the IELTS marking criteria. 

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For more IELTS essay topics with answers you can also view essays that have been written by students. Some have feedback from other students or IELTS teachers:

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Discussion Essay: Explanation & Breakdown With Sample Answers

Updated On Nov 23, 2023

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The IELTS Writing Task 2 is a 250-word essay that tests your ability to communicate your ideas in a clear, concise, and well-organized way. One of the most common question types for this task is the discussion essay.

In an IELTS discussion essay, you will be presented with a statement that contains two opposing views. Your task is to discuss both sides of the argument, and then to give your own opinion on the matter.

How to Write a Discussion Essay?

There are a few key things to keep in mind when writing a discussion essay:

• Identify the two opposing views.  The first step is to carefully read the statement and identify the two opposing views. Once you have identified the two views, you can start to think about how you can support each one.
• Gather evidence to support both sides.  Once you know what the two opposing views are, you need to gather evidence to support each one. This evidence can come from your own knowledge, experience, or research.
• Write a clear and organized essay.  Your essay should have a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. In the introduction, you should paraphrase the statement and state your own opinion on the matter. In the body paragraphs, you should discuss each of the two opposing views, and provide evidence to support each one. In the conclusion, you should restate your opinion and summarize the main points of your essay.

Tips to Write a Discussion Essay

There are certain tips that you can follow to improve your understanding of Discussion essays and how you can approach them. Read the tips given below and implement the same in your essays:

• Use neutral language –  When discussing two opposing views, it is essential to use neutral language. This means avoiding language that expresses your own opinion or that could be seen as favoring one side over the other.
• Be objective –  It is also important to be objective when discussing two opposing views. This means presenting both sides of the argument fairly and without bias.
• Use evidence to support your claims –  When making a claim in your essay, be sure to provide evidence to support it. This evidence can come from your own knowledge, experience, or research.
• Use transition words and phrases –  Transition words and phrases can help to make your essay flow smoothly and signal to the reader when you are moving from one point to another.
• Proofread your essay carefully –  Before submitting your essay, be sure to proofread it carefully for any errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation.

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Discussion Essay Sample Questions with Sample Answer

Here are a few sample questions for discussion essays. Now before you start learning about discussion essays through the given example questions, watch this  video  for a better understanding. Check the samples below:

Sample Answer With Breakdown

Introduction:  The introduction sets the stage for the essay by presenting the topic and highlighting the opposing viewpoints.

Body Paragraph 1:  This paragraph discusses the advantages of learning a foreign language, including cognitive, cultural, and practical benefits.

Body Paragraph 2:  The second paragraph presents the counterargument that learning a foreign language is unnecessary due to technology and the prominence of English.

Conclusion:  The conclusion provides a clear personal opinion that acknowledges the counterarguments but asserts that the benefits of foreign language learning are more significant.

Final Compilation

Learning a foreign language has been a topic of debate in educational circles, with proponents arguing its importance and opponents asserting its insignificance. Those who advocate for learning a foreign language in school argue that it has numerous cognitive, cultural, and practical benefits. Firstly, mastering another language enhances cognitive abilities, as it requires learners to think critically and adapt to different linguistic structures. Moreover, it promotes cultural understanding by allowing individuals to communicate with people from diverse backgrounds, fostering tolerance and open-mindedness. From a practical standpoint, in today’s globalized world, proficiency in a foreign language can boost job prospects and facilitate international interactions.

On the other hand, there are those who contend that learning a foreign language is unnecessary in the modern age due to the prevalence of translation tools and the predominance of English as a global lingua franca. They argue that the time spent on language acquisition could be better utilized for other subjects that are more directly applicable to students’ future careers. Additionally, some assert that the difficulty of becoming truly proficient in a foreign language often discourages students and leads to frustration.

In my view, while the concerns raised against learning a foreign language hold some validity, the advantages far outweigh the drawbacks. The cognitive and cultural benefits of language learning are substantial and contribute not only to personal growth but also to building a more interconnected and harmonious society. Moreover, even though technology can aid in translation, it cannot replace the nuanced understanding and genuine human connections that result from speaking someone’s native language. Therefore, incorporating foreign language learning into the curriculum remains a valuable investment in students’ holistic development.

For IELTS Writing Task 2 Tips:  Click Here

Introduction:  Introduces the topic and mentions the opposing views regarding city and countryside living.

Body Paragraph 1:  Discusses the advantages of living in a city, including access to amenities, job opportunities, and cultural activities.

Body Paragraph 2:  Presents the benefits of living in the countryside, such as tranquility, connection to nature, and strong communities.

Conclusion:  Offers a personal perspective that acknowledges the strengths of both options and suggests that the choice should be based on individual preferences.

Living preferences between urban and rural areas have long been a subject of debate. Supporters of city living argue that it offers greater access to amenities, career opportunities, and cultural activities. Cities are often hubs of economic activity, providing a wide range of job options and higher earning potential. Additionally, urban dwellers can enjoy a plethora of entertainment choices, from theaters and museums to restaurants and shopping centers.

On the other hand, proponents of rural living emphasize the tranquility and connection to nature that the countryside provides. They contend that life in the countryside is less stressful, offering cleaner air, less noise pollution, and a slower pace of life. Moreover, the close-knit communities in rural areas foster a sense of belonging and interpersonal relationships that can be harder to find in bustling cities.

In my opinion, both living environments have their merits, and the choice depends on individual preferences and priorities. While cities offer convenience and a vibrant social scene, they can also be overwhelming and stressful. On the contrary, the countryside provides a peaceful and close-to-nature existence, but it might lack the opportunities and amenities that cities offer. Therefore, the ideal choice should be based on a person’s lifestyle, values, and career aspirations.

Introduction:  Introduces the topic and states that social media’s impact on society is debated.

Body Paragraph 1:  Discusses the negative effects of social media, including impacts on mental health, privacy, and interpersonal relationships.

Body Paragraph 2:  Presents the positive aspects of social media, focusing on connectivity, activism, information sharing, and education.

Conclusion:  Offers a personal perspective that acknowledges both sides of the argument but emphasizes the potential positive impact of responsible social media use.

The influence of social media on society is a topic of ongoing debate. Detractors argue that social media has detrimental effects on mental health, privacy, and interpersonal relationships. They claim that the constant comparison to curated online personas can lead to feelings of inadequacy and anxiety. Furthermore, the erosion of privacy due to the widespread sharing of personal information and the rise of cyberbullying are serious concerns. Critics also point out that excessive screen time detracts from face-to-face interactions, potentially weakening real-life connections.

On the other hand, proponents of social media contend that it fosters global connectivity, information sharing, and activism. Platforms like Twitter and Instagram enable individuals to voice their opinions, raise awareness about important issues, and create positive change. Social media has played a pivotal role in various social movements and humanitarian efforts, mobilizing people on a scale previously unattainable. Additionally, it allows easy access to a wide range of educational content and facilitates networking opportunities.

In my view, while social media has its drawbacks, its potential positive impact is significant. The power of social media to amplify voices, disseminate information, and drive social change cannot be overlooked. However, its usage should be balanced and responsible, with individuals and society collectively addressing its negative aspects, such as online toxicity and privacy concerns.

Here are the 10 examples for the Discussion Essay:

Also, check:

• IELTS Writing tips
• IELTS Writing recent actual test
• Band 9 essays
• Advantage and Disadvantage Essays
• IELTS Writing Answer sheet
• IELTS map vocabulary
• IELTS Writing Task 1 Connectors

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I give my opinion in an IELTS discussion essay?

Are Opinion essays and Discussion essays the same?

How do you discuss both views and give your opinion?

What are the major mistakes test takers do in the IELTS Discussion essays?

How to write the IELTS Discussion Essay?

Practice IELTS Writing Task 2 based on Essay types

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Courtney Miller

Courtney is one of our star content writers as she plays multiple roles. She is a phenomenal researcher and provides extensive articles to students. She is also an IELTS Trainer and an extremely good content writer. Courtney completed her English Masters at Kings College London, and has been a part of our team for more than 3 years. She has worked with the British Council and knows the tricks and tips of IELTS.

Explore other Discussion Essays

Nehasri Ravishenbagam

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Blessing Nzekwe

Posted on May 20, 2022

Prison is the common way in most countries to solve the problem of crime. However, a more effective solution is to provide people with a better education. Do you agree of disagree.

Correctional centre is the most popular facility used by majority of the countries to tackle criminal activities. While I believe that the most probable action of ultmost benefit is to make accessible standard education for the masses, as this will make them to be well informed and be more responsible citizens, in this regard I agree with the latter statement.

To begin with, paving way for education of top notch quality will create an avenue to gain knowledge and understanding of information about rules and regulations governing a certain sect as well as how to uphold good moral values and living righteously. For instance, research shows that in Finland, there are negligible number of penitentiary institutions due to the high quality education system being operated in the country. Thus having a consequential high valued institution of learning plays a significant role in cubbing criminal activities.

Furthermore, an impeccable academic world will inculcate the act of being accountable citizens, this will make them to take responsibility of any action they perform and thereafter face whatever consequence that may arise from such weather it is pleasant or unpleasant. For example, in Nigeria, civic studies was incorporated into the school curriculum in a bid to boost the educational standard for the masses at large. Therefore, having a feasible academic environment will help create individuals of high moral standard who will stare clear of any form of unholy act.

To conclude, I want to reaffirm the fact that having quality educational facility that will teach high moral life values to gain the act of responsibility, out weighs the adoption of correctional centres to mitigate criminal activities. I recommend that the governing body should devote their strength to enhancing good learning facilities rather than prison services.

Posted on May 21, 2022

Band Score – 5.5

Concentrate on the correct usage of articles, verb forms, prepositions, subject-verb agreement and punctuation.

Since it is an opinion essay, you are required to write about one line of contrast in a separate body after presenting two body paragraphs supporting your views.

Pay attention to spellings and word order in a sentence.

Use C2 level of words.

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