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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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50+ Recent IELTS Writing Topics with Answers: Essays & Letters

14 min read

Updated On Aug 22, 2024

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This article lists recent IELTS Writing topics for Academic and General Training exams, covering Task 1 visual data and essays on themes like health, education, environment, and more. It also offers sample questions to aid in effective exam preparation.

Table of Contents

Ielts writing topics for academic writing task 1, ielts writing topics for general writing task 1, common ielts writing topics for writing task 2.

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IELTS Writing topics are one of the most essential study resources for IELTS exam preparation. There are two reasons for this: firstly, topics are often repeated in the IELTS exam and secondly, practising these IELTS Writing questions will help test-takers familiarise themselves with the format and requirements of the exam.

While the first task for the IELTS Writing exam has different versions of IELTS Academic and IELTS General , the second task is essay-writing for both. Even with differences in format or difficulty levels, both these tasks revolve around common IELTS writing topics like health, environment, education, travel, family and children, etc.

In this blog, we have compiled a list of the most popular and recent IELTS Writing topics based on the different tasks in this section and recurrent themes. Also, get hold of the IELTS writing questions and answers PDF that will help you practice at your own pace.

In the IELTS Writing Task 1 of the Academic exam, candidates have to summarize important visual information presented in graphs, charts, tables, maps, or diagrams in at least 150 words within 20 minutes.

Below are some IELTS Writing Task 1 topics with answers for each type of graphs and diagrams in IELTS Academic.

Line Graphs

Check out the list of IELTS Writing Task 1 - Line graph with IELTS writing questions and answers. Make sure to use appropriate IELTS Writing Task 1 Line Graph Vocabulary to write effective answers.

• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Shops that Closed
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic: Different sources of air pollutants - Line Graph
• IELTS Writing Task 1 - The Graph Below Shows Different Sources of Air Pollutants in the UK Sample Answers
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic : Price changes for fresh fruits and vegetables - Line Graph
• The Percentage Of The Population In Four Asian Countries - IELTS Writing Task 1
• The Changes In Ownership Of Electrical Appliances And Amount Of Time Spent Doing Housework In Households - IELTS Writing Task 1
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic 38: Paris Metro station passengers - Line Graph
• Projected Population Growth of China and India- Line Graph
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic : Percentage of Car Ownership in Great Britain - Line Graph
• Waste Recycling Rates in the US From 1960 to 2011- Line Graph
• Weekday Volume of Passenger Activity on the Toronto Metro system- Line Graph
• US Consumers' Average Annual Expenditures on Cell Phone- Line Graph
• Consumption of Fish and Different kinds of Meat in a European Country- Line Graph
• Demographic Trends in Scotland- Line Graph

Here is a list of IELTS Writing topics with answers on the IELTS bar chart .

• People Who Ate Five Portions of Fruits and Vegetables Per Day in the UK - IELTS Writing Task 1
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic : People affected by four types of noise pollution - Bar graph
• How Families in One Country Spent their Weekly Income - IELTS Writing Task 1
• Division of Household Tasks by Gender in Great Britain- Bar Graph
• Annual Pay for Doctors and Other Workers - IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Bar Chart
• Estimated World Illiteracy Rates by Region and by Gender - IELTS Writing Task 1
• Southland’s Main Exports in 2000 and Future Projections For 2025 - IELTS Writing Task 1
• Carbon Emissions in Different Countries - IELTS Writing Task 1
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic 22: Railway system in six cities in Europe – Bar Chart
• IELTS Writing Task 1 Test On 28th July With Band 8.0-9.0 Sample
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic: Percentage of people living alone in 5 different age groups in the US - Bar Chart
• Amount of Leisure Time Enjoyed by Men and Women of Different Employment Statuses – Bar Chart
• USA Marriage and Divorce Rates Between 1970 and 2000 and the Marital Status of Adult Americans- Bar Graph
• Top Ten Rice-Producing Countries in the World in 2015- Bar Graph
• Rural Households that Had Internet Access Between 1999 and 2004- Bar Graph
• Information About Underground Railway Systems in Six Cities - IELTS Writing Task 1

Explore the list of IELTS writing topics related to pie charts and solve them with the help of pie chart vocabulary for IELTS preparation.

• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic : Survey conducted by a university library - Pie chart
• Methods of Transportation for People Traveling to a University - Pie Chart
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic 13: Percentage of housing owned and rented in the UK – Pie Chart
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic : The percentage of water used by different sectors - Pie chart
• Online shopping sales for retail sectors in Canada - IELTS Writing Task 1 Pie chart
• Percentage of Water Used for Different Purposes in Six Areas of the World- Pie Chart
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic 18: Average Consumption of food in the world – Pie Chart
• Main Reasons Why Students Chose to Study at a Particular UK University - IELTS Writing Task 1 Academic Pie Chart
• Composition Of Household Rubbish In The United Kingdom - IELTS Writing Task 1

Here is a list of IELTS Writing topics with answers on the IELTS table chart .

• Fishing Industry in a European Country - IELTS Writing Task 1 Academic
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Social and economic indicators for four countries - Table
• The Situation of Marriage and Age from 1960 to 2000 in Australia - IELTS Writing Task 1
• Past And Projected Population Figures In Various Countries - IELTS Writing Task 1
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic 35: Number of travelers using three major German airports - Table
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic 05: Size of US households over a number of years
• Changes in Modes of Travel in England Between 1985 and 2000- IELTS Writing Task 1 (Table)
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic 12: Internet use in six categories by age group – Table
• Cinema Viewing Figures for Films by Country, in Millions- Table
• Number of Medals Won by the Top Ten Countries in the London 2012 Olympic Games- Table
• Sales at a Small Restaurant in a Downtown Business District- Table

Here is a list of IELTS Writing topics 2024 with answers on the IELTS Map Diagram .

• Paradise Island Map – IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Answers
• Floor Plan of a Public Library 20 years ago and now - IELTS Writing Task 1
• A School in 1985 and the School Now - IELTS Writing Task 1
• Village of Stokeford in 1930 and 2010 - IELTS Writing Task 1 Map
• Map of the Centre of a Small Town Before and After - IELTS Writing Task 1
• Plan A & B shows a Health Centre in 2005 and in Present Day - IELTS Writing Task 1
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Example 9 : Chorleywood is a village near London whose population has increased steadily - Map
• Two possible sites for the supermarket Sample Answers
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic : Cross-sections of two tunnels
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Local industrial village in England called Stamdorf - Map
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 : Hawaiian island chain in the centre of the Pacific Ocean - Map

Process Diagrams

Here is a list of IELTS Writing topics with answers on the IELTS Process diagram .

• Process of Making Soft Cheese - IELTS Writing Task 1
• Growing and Preparing Pineapples and Pineapple Products – IELTS Writing Task 1 Diagram
• Ceramic Pots Process - IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Diagram
• How Orange Juice is Produced - IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic 09 : Consequence of deforestation
• The Diagram Shows the Manufacturing Process of Sugar- IELTS Writing Task 1
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic 10: How apple is canned - Diagram
• Life Cycle of the Salmon - IELTS Writing Task 1
• Academic IELTS Writing Task 1 Recycling process of wasted glass bottles Sample Answers
• Production of Potato Chips - IELTS Writing Task 1
• The Process of Milk Production - IELTS Writing Task 1
• Process of Making Pulp and Paper - IELTS Writing Task 1 Diagram
• Stages of Processing Cocoa Beans - IELTS Writing Task 1

Mixed/Combination Diagrams

The following is a list of IELTS Writing topics 2024 with answers on IELTS mixed or combination diagrams, practising which will aid in mastering these visual presentations for a top IELTS band score .

• Anthropology Graduates From One University - IELTS Writing Task 1
• Water use Worldwide and Water Consumption- Line Graph and Table
• Transport and Car Use in Edmonton- Pie Chart + Table
• Demand for Electricity in England- Line Graph and Pie Chart
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic : Newly graduated students in the UK and their proportions - Multiple Graphs
• The table and charts below give information on the police budget - IELTS Writing Task 1

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In the IELTS General Writing Task 1 , test-takers are required to write a letter in response to a given situation. The letters are of three types depending on the context, namely formal, semi-formal and informal.

Below are some common IELTS Letter Writing topics that cover all the 3 ielts writing questions types of letters.

Formal Letters

Have a look at the list of IELTS General Writing Task 1 Sample Formal Letters that will help IELTS candidates prepare for the IELTS Writing questions for the actual exam.

• An Article in an International Travel Magazine - IELTS Writing Task 1
• A Magazine Wants to Include Contributions from its Readers - IELTS Writing Task 1
• Recently Booked a Part-Time Course at a College Now Need to Cancel Your Booking - IELTS Writing Task 1 General Formal Letter
• Advertisement From a Couple Who Live in Australia - IELTS Writing Task 1 General Formal Letter
• You Found You had Left Some Important Papers at the Hotel – IELTS General Writing Task 1
• Advertisement for a Training Course which will be Useful – IELTS Writing Task 1
• Write a Letter to Your Manager about a Party that You Want to Organize at the Office – IELTS General Writing Task 1
• A Feedback for a Short Cookery Course – IELTS General Writing Task 1
• Letter to the Local Authority about Construction of an Airport - IELTS Writing Task 1
• You Are Soon Going to Spend Three Months Doing Work Experience in an Organisation - IELTS Writing Task 1

Semi - formal Letters

The following is a list of IELTS General Writing Task 1 Sample Semi-Formal Letters with answers.

• A Friend Of Yours Is Thinking About Applying For The Same Course - IELTS Writing Task 1 General Semi-Formal Letter
• Letter to Neighbour About Barking Dog - IELTS Writing Task 1
• A Letter to Your Friend Who Lives in Another Town and Invite - IELTS Writing Task 1
• Letter to a Singer about His/Her Performance – IELTS General Writing Task 1
• You Have a Full-time Job and Doing a Part-time Evening Course - IELTS Writing Task 1
• Letter to Neighbor About the Damaged Car While Parking - IELTS Writing Task 1
• You Work for an International Company- Semi-formal letter
• You and Your Family are Living in Rented Accommodation- Semiformal Letter

Informal Letters

Here is a list of IELTS Writing topics with answers on the IELTS General Writing Task 1 Informal Letters that will help you to learn how to write an IELTS informal letter and brush up your writing skills.

• A Friend is Thinking of Going on a Camping Holiday - IELTS Writing Task 1
• Advice about Learning a New Sport – IELTS Writing Task 1 (Informal Letter)
• Help with a College Project - IELTS Writing Task 1 from Cambridge IELTS General 18
• Write a Letter to Your Friend Planning a Weekend Trip - IELTS General Writing Task 1
• Your Parents will be Celebrating their 50th Anniversary Next Month- Informal letter
• You are Studying English at a Private Language School- Informal Letter
• You Have a Friend Who has always Liked the Car you Currently Drive- Informal Letter
• You Have Recently Started Work in a New Company- Informal letter
• A friend Asking for Advice About a Problem at Work- Informal letter
• A Friend has Agreed to Look After your House- Informal Letter

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IELTS Writing Task 2 is similar for both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training with minor differences in the difficulty level. Therefore, let us have a look at the compilation of IELTS writing topics with answers for different IELTS Writing Task 2 sample essays based on the common common IELTS Writing topics 2024.

Business, Work & Talent

Work-related topics often cover issues such as work-life balance, the gig economy, and the impact of automation on employment. Also, business topics may include discussions on corporate responsibility, entrepreneurship, and the impact of globalization on local businesses.

• Some people are born with certain talents - IELTS Writing Task 2
• Women Should be Allowed to Join the Army, the Navy and the Air Force just like Men - IELTS Writing Task 2
• IELTS Writing Task 2: Until What Age Do You Think People Should be Encouraged to Remain in Paid Employment?
• IELTS Writing Task 2 - Top Level Authorities Should Take Suggestions From Employees
• How Realistic is the Expectation of Job Satisfaction for all Workers - IELTS Writing Task 2
• Men and Women Can Be Equally Suited to Do Any Type of Work - IELTS Writing Task 2
• People Work Long Hours Leaving Little Time for Leisure - IELTS Writing task 2
• Some People Say that it is Better to Work for a Larger Company than a Small One - IELTS Writing Task 2

Education topics often focus on the role of technology in education, the importance of higher education, and the debate over traditional vs. modern teaching methods.

• IELTS Writing Task 2: Nowadays it is More Difficult for Children to Concentrate to Pay Attention in School
• Placing Advertisements in Schools is a Great Resource for Public Schools - IELTS Writing Task 2
• IELTS Writing Task 2: Giving Homework Daily to School Children Works Well
• Very Few School Children Learn About the Value of Money: IELTS Writing Task 2
• Traditional Examination Are Not Often True to Students Ability - IELTS Writing Task 2
• Secondary School Children Should Study International News - IELTS Writing Task 2

Environment

Environmental issues are increasingly prominent in IELTS Writing, with topics covering pollution, climate change, and the conservation of natural resources.

• IELTS Writing Task 2 - Some people say domestic animals, like cats, should not be reared in cities
• We No Longer Need to have Animals Kept in Zoos - IELTS Writing Task 2
• The Importance of Biodiversity is Being More Widely Recognised - IELTS Writing Task 2
• People Should Use Public Transport to Support Pollution Control Initiatives - IELTS Writing Task 2
• International Community Must Act Immediately to Reduce Consumption of Fossil Fuels - IELTS Writing Task 2

Family and Children

IELTS Writing questions related to family and children often explore the changing dynamics of family life, parenting styles, and the impact of technology on children.

• IELTS Writing Task 2 - Young Single People No Longer Stay With Their Parents Until They Are Married
• Is it Better to Rear Children in Joint Family or in Nuclear Family - IELTS Writing Task 2
• IELTS Writing Task 2: Majority of Children are Raised by their Grandparents Due to the Fact that their Parents are Busy
• IELTS Writing Task 2: In Some Countries Children Have Very Strict Rules of Behaviour
• Some People Spend Their Lives Living Close to Where They Were Born - IELTS Writing Task 2
• Should Parents Read or Tell Stories to Their Children - IELTS Writing Task 2
• Women Make Better Parents than Men - IELTS Writing Task 2
• The Older Generations Tend to Have very Traditional Ideas - IELTS Writing Task 2

Food, Lifestyle and Entertainment

Food and entertainment related IELTS writing topics often discuss issues related to diet, the global food industry, and cultural food practices.

• Explain Why the Movies are As Popular As a Means of Entertainment - IELTS Writing Task 2
• IELTS Writing Task 2: Popular Hobbies and Interests Change Over Time
• IELTS Writing Task 2 - Which Do You Prefer Planning or Not Planning For Leisure Time?
• IELTS Writing Task 2: People Always Throw the Old Things Away When they Buy New Things
• Food Can Be Produced Much More Cheaply Today | IELTS Writing Task 2
• IELTS Writing Task 2: The Era of the Silver Screen is Coming to an End
• Why is Music Important for Many People - IELTS Writing Task 2
• IELTS Writing Task 2: Why is the Circus Still a Popular Form of Entertainment
• Crime Novels and TV Crime Dramas are Becoming Popular - IELTS Writing Task 2

Health-related topics are a staple in the IELTS Writing section, focusing on public health issues, diet, and the impact of modern lifestyles on health.

• Discuss the cause and effects of widespread drug abuse by young people - IELTS Writing Task 2
• Obesity is a Major Disease Prevalent among Children - IELTS Writing Task 2
• Exercise is the Key to Health while Others Feel that Having a Balanced Diet is More Important - IELTS Writing Task 2
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Government Providing Free Healthcare - IELTS Writing Task 2
• Tobacco and Alcohol are Drugs that Cause Addiction and Health Problems - IELTS Writing Task 2
• Many People Complain that They Have Difficulties Getting Enough Sleep - IELTS Writing Task 2
• and More People are Hiring a Personal Fitness Trainer - IELTS Writing Task 2

Language and Culture

Topics related to language and literature often explore the importance of preserving cultural heritage, language learning, and the impact of globalization on languages.

• Many Old Cities Around the World are Going Through a Major Process of Modernization - IELTS Writing Task 2
• Reading for Pleasure Develops Imagination and Better Language Skills - IELTS Writing Task 2
• IELTS Writing Task 2 - Traditional Festivals and Celebrations Have Disappeared
• Globalization will Inevitably Lead to the Total Loss of Cultural Identity - IELTS Writing Task 2

Societal issues such as violence, social inequality, and media influence are common in IELTS Writing topics.

• Individual Greed and Selfishness Have Been the Basis of Modern Society - IELTS Writing Task 2
• IELTS Writing Task 2 - Individuals Should Not Be Allowed To Carry Guns
• Nowadays We are Living in a Throwaway Society - IELTS Writing Task 2
• Different People Have Different Approaches to Life - IELTS Writing Task 2
• Violence and Conflict were more Evident under Male Leadership than under Female Leadership - IELTS Writing Task 2
• What Changes Do You Think this New Century Will Bring - IELTS Writing Task 2
• People Remember Special Gifts or Presents they Receive - IELTS Writing Task 2

Sports topics in IELTS Writing often cover the role of sports in education, the impact of professional sports on society, and issues related to sportsmanship.

• Many People Think Olympic Games and World Cup are an Enormous Waste of Money- IELTS Writing Task 2
• Cricket has Become More Popular than the National Sports - IELTS Writing Task 2
• Sports Today is Turning into a Business - IELTS Writing Task 2

Technology & Science

Technology is a rapidly evolving field, and its impact on society, work, and communication is a common topic in IELTS Writing. Media-related topics also come under this section and often focus on the influence of mass media, the ethics of journalism, and the role of the internet in modern communication.

• Internet and Computers Will Ever Replace the Book or the Written Word - IELTS Writing Task 2
• IELTS Writing Task 2: More and More People are Choosing to Read Ebooks Rather than Paper Books
• Some People Think That Mobile Phones Should Be Banned in Public Places - IELTS Writing Task 2
• Persuade More People to Embrace Electric Cars – IELTS Writing
• The most important aim of science should be to improve people's lives - IELTS Writing Task 2
• People May No Longer Be Able to Pay for Things Using Cash - IELTS Writing Task 2
• Mobile Phones and the Internet could have Many Benefits for Old People - IELTS Writing Task 2

Tourism and Travel

Tourism and travel topics may include discussions on the impact of tourism on local cultures, the environment, and the global economy.

• Foreign Visitors Should Pay More Than Local Visitors for Cultural and Historical Attractions - IELTS Writing Task 2
• IELTS Writing Task 2: What Do You Think are the Benefits of Going Away on Holidays?
• In the Future More People Will Go On Holiday in Their Own Country - IELTS Writing Task 2

Download the IELTS writing topics PDF that contain all the IELTS writing topics with answers to fasttrack your IELTS preparation!

Being familiar with these IELTS Writing topics and practicing your writing skills within these themes can help you prepare more effectively for the IELTS Writing test. Moreover, understanding the issues and arguments related to each topic will enable you to write well-rounded essays that meet the IELTS criteria. So, if you need further guidance through a free demo session or sign up for free IELTS webinars .

Additional Reads

• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Useful Tips and Vocabulary to Describe a Graph or Chart
• Recent Writing Task 2 Essay Topics for IELTS 2024
• IELTS Band 9 Essay Samples: Writing Task 2 Insights for IELTS Learners
• Visuals: Writing About Graphs, Tables and Diagrams for IELTS Writing Task 1 (Ebook)
• How to Plan an IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay (Best Strategy)
• IELTS Writing Task 2 Preparation Tips/Tricks

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Topics 2024

Below are essay topics and questions for IELTS Writing Task 2. They comprise of previous topics, common topics and trending topics in the world today. You must prepare all topics fully because ideas for topics are marked in the IELTS writing task 2 test. 

However, you must review these essay topics as well:   100 REPEATED ESSAY TOPICS FOR IELTS .

IELTS Essays Topics for 2024

These essay questions may be reworded and the tasks changed (for example an opinion essay changed to a discussion essay). These are guides for your preparation this year. The essay question changes with each test and different questions are used each day.

Advertising

• Some people think that adverts control what we purchase, while others think they are useful sources of information on products. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
• Fast food advertisements can be found on TV and throughout social media which tempts people to eat unhealthy food. Should fast food ads be banned?
• Many adverts target children. What problems does this create? And how can these problems be solved?
• For these essay topics, see my list of essay topics for Housing, Buildings and Urban Planning . The questions are likely to be repeated.
• More companies should employ older people. Do you agree?
• More business meetings are being conducted online rather than person to person. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?
• Some companies use a lot of packaging when selling their products. Why is this? Is it a good thing?
• Some people think that next day delivery services are a good thing, while others think such services are having a negative impact on the environment and so should be stopped. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
• Companies should relocate their factories to rural areas. Is this a good idea?
• Some companies encourage workers to be competitive, while others encourage teamwork. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
• Large supermarkets will be the death of small, local shops. Do you agree?

Crime and Punishment

• (note: frequent topic in IELTS and also a real life case in US of a parent being found guilty of a crime committed by their child this year: read article )
• Do developments in technology make crime easier to detect or do they make people more vulnerable to crime? Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
• Many people who commit crime have a low level of education. Are education courses in prison the best way to reduce crime rates?
• Some people think that teenagers should be given the same punishment for crimes as adults. What is your opinion?
• Some films glorify criminal behaviour which might tempt some people into crime. Do you think such films should be banned?
• Tourism is increasing in many far to reach places around the world. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages of this trend?
• Traditional ways of life are being lost in the modern world. Why is this happening? Do you think it is a positive or negative trend?
• The government should support local artists financially. Do you agree?
• People should adapt how they live to fit into a new country. Do you agree?
• The world would be a better place with only one culture and no cultural misunderstandings. Do you agree?
• Children can benefit from spending more time with their grandparents. Do you agree?
• Parents have a responsibility to help children with their homework, but others believe children should do it on their own. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
• Adult children are choosing to live with their parents longer. Why is this happening. Is it a positive or negative trend?
• Parents should be solely responsible to keep their children safe online. To what extent do you agree?
• For this topic, see my list of essay questions: IELTS Essay Questions for Topic of Food

Note, most of these questions are repeated each year.

• More people are educating themselves with online educational sources. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
• Schools, not parents, should be responsible for teaching children good behaviour. Who should be responsible for teaching children good behaviour? What can be done to promote good behaviour in children?
• Some schools no longer teach children handwriting skills. Do you think this is a positive or negative trend?
• Online education is better than classroom education. Discuss both methods of education and give your opinion.
• University education should be free for all. Do you agree?
• Having a university education is the best way to guarantee a successful career. To what extent do you agree?
• While some parents think homework puts too much pressure on children, others believe it is essential for a child’s educational development. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
• Some people think that children who fail in school will have a limited future. Do you agree?
• Computers and smart phones will be the death of handwriting, grammar and spelling. Do you agree?
• Schools should put more emphasis on sport and exercise, while others believe that schools should focus on science subjects. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
• Some people think tests are better than continual assessment as a way to evaluate school children. What is your opinion?
• Many children and adults enjoy watching historical films and serial dramas. What are the advantages and disadvantages of learning about historical events or characters from such sources?
• Some children are home schooled. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages of home schooling?
• Reading books is essential for a child’s development. Do you agree?

Environment

• Recycling is an important part of protecting the environment. Why is this? How could more people be encouraged to recycle?
• Environmental problems should be tackled internationally, not nationally. Do you agree?
• The government should take full responsibility for environmental issues, but others believe it ought to be the responsibility of individuals. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
• Plant and animal diversity is declining around the world. Why is this happening? Why is this a problem? (this question might also be a cause/solution essay)
• Some people believe the world is getting hotter. What are the causes and possible solutions for global warming?
• The government should encourage people to use electric cars. What are the advantages and disadvantages of electric cars?
• Low-cost airline travel is damaging the environment. Do you agree?
• Obesity is a growing problem around the world. Why is this? What can be done about it?
• Mental health problems are having a greater impact on people. Why is this? What solutions can you suggest?
• Having a good work-life balance is the key to a healthy life. Do you agree?
• To ensure children’s health, schools should provide free nutritious meals. To what extent do you agree?
• For this topic, see previous reported questions as they are likely to be repeated: Language Essay Questions

Life & Lifestyle

• People were happier in previous generations compared to now. To what extent do you agree. Note: This question can also be about stress.
• Some people think that teenagers are happier than adults, but others do not agree. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
• People should donate part of their income to charity. Do you agree?
• Some people like change, while others prefer stability. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
• Some people live in the moment, while others prefer to plan for the future. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
• People living in communities are less socially connected with each other than in the past. Do you agree?
• Fewer people are visiting shops to make their purchases. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?
• People knew how to relax in a healthier way in the past than now. Do you agree?
• People in the past had more hobbies which made their lives interesting compared to people today. Do you agree?
• More and more elderly people are living at home alone with very little social contact. Why is this happening? What can be done to improve the situation?

Media & News

• Some people think national news is more important than international news, while others disagree. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
• More and more people are accessing the news online. Is all online news trustworthy?
• Celebrities are often in the press. Should they have the right to total privacy whenever they want?
• Some people think celebrities are poor roles models for children? Do you agree?
• Social media promotes luxurious lifestyles. Is this a bad thing?
• Social media promotes appearance over character. Do you agree?
• Social media provides a convenient outlet for people to vent their negative feelings about a situation or a person. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
• More and more people are streaming films and serial dramas online. Is this a positive or negative development?
• Some people think saving money is the most important thing, while others believe it is better to spend money and enjoy life. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
• Spending money on luxury items or special occasions is very expensive. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
• Money management should be taught in schools. Do you agree?
• Schools should be responsible to teach children money management. Do you agree with this?

People & Personality

• For this topic, see the essay questions on this page: People, Personality & Communication
• Note, even though this topic might not appear in the GT test, it could appear in IELTS Speaking Part 3 so everyone should prepare ideas and vocabulary for it.
• In many areas of work, robots are being given more roles. Is this a positive or negative trend?
• Smart phones provide an instant way to video record or photograph someone. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this development?
• People are spending too much time on their smart phones. Why is this? Is it a positive or negative trend?
• Online translations will one day make learning foreign languages obsolete. What is your opinion?
• Some companies rely 100% on technology for calculations and other such functions. What advantages does technology bring to the workplace? Is there a downside to relying too much on technology?

Travel and Tourism

• See this page for essay questions for this topic: Travel and Tourism

World Issues

Note, these topics appear most years in the test.

• The gap between rich and poor countries is expanding. How can it be resolved?
• With the growing gap between rich and poor countries around the world, some people think that rich countries should economically support poorer countries more than they have in the past. Do you agree?
• Homelessness is a problem only the government can tackle. To what extent do you agree?
• More and more people are migrating from rural to urban areas. Why is this? What problems does it create?
• Green spaces should be prioritised in urban areas. Do you agree?
• Overpopulation is an increasing problem in urban areas around the world. What is the main reason for this? What could be done to tackle it?
• Littering is an increasing problem in many countries. What is the reason for this? What measures can be taken to tackle it?
• With a growing population, families should be prepared to take responsibility for their elder family members. To what extent do you agree?
• Companies should employ more old people. What are the advantages and disadvantages of doing this?
• Having a good education is the best way to secure a good job. Do you agree?
• Some people think it is good to socialise with work colleagues, while others believe in maintaining a professional distance. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
• Some companies prefer people to work in the office, while others facilitate their employees to work from home. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
• Being self-employed is becoming more common these days. Is this a positive or negative development?
• Some people think that working fewer days per week actually increases productivity in workers. To what extent do you agree?
• Older people make better managers and company directors than younger people. To what extent do you agree?

More IELTS Essay Topics, Model Essays & Tips

For further preparation, see 100 IELTS REPEATED ESSAY QUESTIONS

Click here: ALL FREE Writing Task 2 MODEL ESSAYS & TIPS

For Advanced IELTS Lessons & E-books in my Store: Liz’s Store

Speaking Topics: IELTS Speaking Part 1 Topics 2024

SHARE YOUR TEST EXPERIENCE Feel free to post your test experienced to share with others in the comments below. Note: did you take the GT or Academic Test when you took the test what you found challenging was the topic difficult or easy

FREE SUBSCRIBE Subscribe to get new lessons & tips by email. Email Address Subscribe

If writing task 2 question asking about problem and solution, how should we plan our essay?

Is it ok if i write all the problems in body paragraph 2 and all the solutions in body paragraph 3? Or should i write problem 1 followed by solution 1, but how do i organise the paragraphs if i write it this way?

I recommend that you write all problems in one body paragraph and all solutions in another. There are no rules about this in IELTS marking. Generally speaking, if your organisation of ideas into body paragraphs is logical, then you will get a good score for Coherence and Cohesion. Writing one problem with one direct solution is logical so it isn’t wrong, but it is not how I would choose to organise things myself.

Hi Liz, thank you for the educational support you have providing us via your website. My question is this, is it okay to cancel a sentence and write over it in the paper test. Am just wondering if neatness of your work counts towards a high band score. In the course of practising and putting together my ideas I usually have to cancel out some mistakes and write over it. Thanks

The neatness of your work is not marked at all. There are only four specific marking criteria and none of them relate to how tidy your essay appears. However, if your essay is messy and hard to read, the examiner could have a difficult time understanding your words which of course will impact your score hugely. If you have a mistake and want to correct it, make sure the word or sentence is fully deleted so that the examiner knows to ignore it, then write the new word or sentence very carefully either above the delete or after the delete. As long as it is easy to read and easy to understand then you won’t have any problems.

Hi Liz, I just want to express my heartfelt gratitude for helping hundreds of people around the globe. I am thankful for your guidance and hard work in providing us with the required material and content for IELTS course. You have not missed even a minute detail. That too for free… Many of us cannot afford the high fees charged by some people/institution for the preparation of IELTS exam. So thanks alot. we pray that the dear Lord may bless you and give you good health! I prepared from your site and scored overall band of 8 in November 2024. Thanks again!

It’s wonderful to see your final results. Band 8 overall is excellent! I’m glad my website was helpful. Thanks for coming back to share your results with us all. Wishing you all the very best 🙂

Hi Liz, hope you are doing fine. I have written an essya of 290 words and I struggle alot with essay planning and vocabulary. please suggest how to improve essay planing and also if you could read the essay and tell how much band score it could get?

Media coverage of violent crimes is spreading fear among people and encouraging criminals. Due to this reason, some people band rational reporting to make authorities aware of elieve that violent crimes should not be reported in newspapers or on TV channels. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Nowadays, crime rate has considerably risen and is being increasingly reported in print news and media. Many people are significantly affected by the negative influence of crime report. Some argue that serious crimes should not be covered in mainstream media as it spreads terror among masses while offenders may gain confidence in criminal activities. I believe that there should be a reasonable the security concerns and deter people from committing crime.

One of the major reasons to report serious offence in the media is to make public informed of the alarming situation of the society. Reports of heinous crimes cause people to take safety measures while moving out in the city. For instance , many people resort to residing in their homes in late hours of the day. Likewise, people prefer walking in groups or carrying out activities in broad day light.

Another reason to document abhorrent crimes is to compel law enforcing authorities to take stricter measures against any sort of offensive activities. Consequently, the safety enforcing authorities are compelled to pass and implement firm laws. Additionally, judicial system also comes into action to ensure protection of the citizens. New security bills could be passed to strengthen the protection of the city residents.

In conclusion, documenting serious crimes is increasingly significant as it reflects the general safety conditions of the society and allows officials to take necessary measures as well as make people mindful of their surroundings and act accordingly.

This is not an IELTS essay question. It contains errors in language and has no clear aim. Please do not use essay questions that you find online, unless they come from the official IELTS website. On this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/ , you’ll find safe essay questions to use, and information about the structure and paragraphs for an IELTS essay. Learn first, practice later.

I want to share my task 2 essay question from my recent exam.

Media coverage of violent crimes is spreading fear among people and encouraging criminals. Due to this reason, some people believe that violent crimes should not be reported in newspapers or on TV channels.

To what extent do you agree or disagree? Task 1 was a combination of table and line graph. The Table shows the percentage of people from all age groups who visited the cinema in Australia between 1994 and 2002. The line graph shows the average number of visits by four different age groups (12-24)(24-34)(35-50)(50plus) to the cinema during the same period. Speaking cue card Tell about a food that you like being served at special events. why do you like it what people do to prepare for it Part 1 where do you live? Do you recommend other people living there? Did you play as a child? Where would you go when you were a child? Do you like to have coins? Is it important to have food at the parties? What kind of food do you expect when you go to someone’s home? Part 3 what sort of foods people have in your country at different occasions? Any desserts? Why do people grow their vegetables? I can just recall some of these for now, hope it can help someone.

I have 2 questions, if the examiner is not asking in part 3 more difficult questions, does it mean that they are not going to give you a higher score? bcz I heard one teacher tell this that if they are asking you tough questions, that means either they are deciding if to give a band 7 or 8. In the line graph if we do not use the language increase or decrease, does it affect the score?

Hopefully, if I will get my required band score, I will be back here.

Thanks for sharing. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for your results.

About your questions. It is not true that being asked difficult questions in speaking part 3 means that the examiner is deciding specific band scores or higher band scores. This is false information. Examiners have a huge range of questions and those questions are not organised based on someone’s level of English. Also, some candidates give really high band score answers with questions that are not particularly challenging in which case the examiner doesn’t have to push further. Also, each candidate has a different idea about what a “difficult question” is. So, please ignore any such rumours.

Line graphs show change over a period of time. This means numbers (lines) in the line graphs will go up, go down, stay the same or fluctuate. So, in order to describe these changes, you will be using language of change, such as increase, go up, climb, grow, rise etc. It would be impossible to describe a line that is increasing without using such nouns or verbs. You’ll find a link to line graph vocabulary on this page along with model answers and tips: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-1-lessons-and-tips/

Hello Liz, Today, I was giving a test and this question came up In many countries around the world, rural people are moving to cities, so the population in the countryside is decreasing. Do you think this is a positive or a negative development?

My ans) “Rural people from several countries are choosing to move to cities. For this reason, there is a decline in population in the countryside. In my opinion, it is beneficial for the rural people but it has a negative impact on the environment and food production.”

positive for rural people – career opportunities, good university negative – overpopulation, pollution, fewer farmers in rural areas means less food production

So my question is – have I given a good partial view essay? And I included food production to include the “….population in the countryside is decreasing” impact of rural population decline. Have I done it correctly? Thank you!! I keep making mistakes while approaching these essays so I had to ask you.

The approach itself is fine, but the issue is with the language and meaning. I think you mean it is beneficial for the people who move from rural areas to cities (which means – the individuals who relocate). When you write only “it is beneficial for rural people” this does mean all rural people. A high band score is about being able to use English to a level that gives precise clear meaning.

Regarding the negative impacts, it is possible to say that this can have a negative effect on both rural and urban populations. By phrasing it this way, you will talk about the impact on the remaining urban population that could experience lack of labour, which has various consequences, and the impact on urban populations that could suffer from housing shortages and more competition for work.

So, your approach is ok, but the way you phrased it could have been improved and more carefully thought out. When you take a partial agreement approach, getting the language correct is essential for a high score because the meaning you are aiming for is more subtle.

ohhhh yesss. That is so true. I need to be more careful about this. I need some more practice paraphrasing then. Thank you so so so much for always guiding me, Liz!!

You’re welcome 🙂

Hi liz, can you please accept my comment Some people say that schools should put more emphasis on sports and exercise, while others believe that schools should focus on science subjects.

Although some people believe that schools ought to put more emphasis on sports and exercise, others think that the focus should be on STEM-related subjects. In my opinion, focusing on science-related subjects will have a better impact on a child’s future.

On the one hand, some people think that sports and exercise should be given more emphasis in students’ school curricula. In simple terms, schools that place a greater emphasis on sports and exercise can improve students’ health and well-being. Even students who are not particularly interested in sports will have to focus on them, ensuring that at a minimum, they stay healthy. Constant studying usually leads to students being under immense stress; that is why sports can act as a stress buster, giving students a chance to enjoy their school life by indulging themselves in sports. This increased attention to sports is also great news for students who are interested in becoming athletes, as it provides them with more opportunities and exposure in the field of sports.

On the other hand, it is often believed that schools should focus more on science, and I agree. Nowadays, all the top universities in the world prefer students with a science background, and a school focusing more on its STEM curriculum helps students secure a seat in top universities. Similarly, many high-paying job openings are for those working in the fields of science and technology, and if one wants to apply for those positions, they should have an extensive amount of knowledge of STEM-related subjects, which is only possible if a school gives a high degree of preference to science-related subjects.

In conclusion, while people may have varied opinions, I think students would have a better future if schools keep their focus more on academic and scientific subjects.

Hi Liz, I just got my result, which overwhelmed me as I was not expecting such a good score. Overall score: 8; Listening: 9, Reading: 8, Writing: 7, Speaking: 7. All thanks to you. Without this website, I couldn’t make it. The contents not only helped me to improve my proficiency and test preparation but also boosted my confidence. You are doing a great job and hope more and more people will benefit from your lessons in the future. I wish you a healthy and happy life. Thank you once more.

That’s excellent! Very well done to you. I’m so glad you not only developed skills but also gained confidence. I really want people to build their confidence and even enjoy preparing for IELTS. Thanks for coming back to share your results. Wishing you all the best 🙂

Great to see you back again liz. My question is: How can I improve my vocabulary and expand ideas related to a specific topic without memorising? Are there any practical steps to follow? or it’s all about reading? Could you please recommend any websites if it’s all about reading?

Ideas play an important role in IELTS essays because each essay will be based on a topic / an issue and you must have ideas ready for topics. Those ideas will be marked for relevancy. And of course, vocabulary plays a big part in being able to express those ideas relating to the topic given. For this reason, I created my Ideas for IELTS Essay Topics to help people learn ideas for over 150 essay topics. You can find it in my store: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/ .

It is 100% fine to memorise ideas. In fact, you need to memorise them. But you don’t memorise whole sentences. You learn the ideas and then express them naturally in your way during the test. My Ideas E-book presents ideas in the form of vocabulary exercises so that you learn both the ideas and vocabulary at the same time.

Hi Liz, Im still struggling to improve my writing skill. Could you give me some feedback towards my work below? My target score 6,5-7 but Im not confident enough yet about my work, thank you in advance.

Question We live in a world in which we are constantly exposed to advertising. To what extent does advertising influence our choices as consumers, and what effect does it have on our lifestyles?

Discuss this issue and give your opinion

It has been known that we are exposed to tremendous advertisements on any platform and anywhere. We are influenced by it unconsciously and lead to consuming behavior that is tailored to our lifestyles. This essay will discuss how far an advertisement influences people and what effect that might emerge.

Unconsciously, an advertisement can change our perception toward a product. If the product is advertised uniquely, we tend to put our attention to it and start to perceive that this product is more interesting than the others. Our senses tell the brain that this brand is an acceptable product. As a result, we want it more like we will never see it again. Furthermore, after our mind has been influenced then it leads to action or behavior, which turns people into consumerism. Consequently, it drives us to buy more and more without any consideration that might be essentials to be considered.

On the other hand, advertisements give positive and negative impacts to our lifestyles. From the advertisement, we can see more details about the product itself. As a result, we can choose which product that might be suitable for us because they are advertising it in detail. In contrast, being exposed to advertisements also brings adverse effects like consumerism. We tend to spend our money on stuff that we do not really need. We do not hesitate to spend much more money only for a lifestyle that might make it hard to save money. Consequently, our decision toward a product becomes not rational because we purchase something that we do not really need.

We can conclude that advertisements can influence our perception and behavior toward a product that makes us more aware of it. Not only that, being exposed to tremendous advertisements bring negative and positive effects, which are understanding details about a product and being a consumerist person. Because of it, we have to be more critical when we are exposed to advertisements.

Although my website doesn’t offer a feedback service, I do have time for a couple of question comments:

1) You are asked two specific questions. Your introduction should provide your answer to either one of them or both. The sentence “This essay will discuss how far an advertisement influences people and what effect that might emerge.” – is not a thesis statement in IELTS essays. That sentence should introduce your position, your body paragraphs should give the details and your conclusion should summarise it.

2) You need to spend more time planning the order of information in your body paragraph. For example, your first body paragraph takes a long time to get to the main point. This is not what you want for an IELTS essay. Make your main point clear immediately and then add supporting details and explanation. For example, “Advertising can influence how we perceive a product leading to temptation to make purchase that people either do not need or cannot easily afford.” With this opening line, you can then tackle 1) how advertising tempts people 2) why it leads people to make unnecessary purchases 3) why people even end up spending more money than they should. You ought to plan this before you write your essay. This makes your essay more coherent and more focused – those two factors cover almost 50% of your score.

3) Your second body paragraph contains information about why people buy products – this ought to be in body paragraph 1. So, you’ve got confused between the two paragraph. Your second body paragraph is about lifestyle so make sure each sentence focuses only on that. Advertising leads people to want a luxury lifestyle beyond their means. This leads to debt and consumerism leads to unnecessary waste. Before you write your essay, make sure that each paragraph contains unique points that don’t overlap or repeat anything from other body paragraphs.

Hi, Liz! I met a tricky question in the last exam on 1 August, it was about “If a product is good and it meets people’s needs, people will buy it. So advertising is unnecessary and is no more than a form of entertainment.

To what extent do you agree or disagree these views?”

I was quite confused because of the “and”, should we explain both the necessity and different forms and ads or should we only focus on the other forms of ads? I hope you can see this question, I don’t know if this type of essay is common, but I found it more difficult than the “to what extent” ones I’ve done before. Thank you!

I can understand your confusion over the question. It often helps to re-write the question in your mind just to get started with analysing the meaning:

– Do you think that advertising plays no role because someone will buy something that they know is a good product if they need it? – Do you think advertising has no effect because people buy what they want anyway? (simplified question)

So, you must decide your your opinion about why people make purchases: 1) advertising has a role (it is more than just entertainment and it does influence people) and you don’t agree that people will buy what they need anyway. 2) advertising has no role (because it is just entertainment and people buy what they want based on their needs and product quality) so you agree with the statement. 3) a specific view point of your own which doesn’t take any one side completely.

So, this essay is not directly about forms of advertising but rather what role advertising plays in a person’s choice to buy. If you agree that it plays no role, then other forms of advertising are not relevant to your essay. But if you think advertising does play a role, then you would include information / examples of advertising as supporting points.

This topic appears most years in IELTS writing task 2 (the role of advertising in choosing to purchase), but each year IELTS changes the wording. I agree with you that this year, the wording is quite complicated. Would you like me to post a model essay answer for this essay question?

Thank you for your explanation, Liz! I have to admit this topic is a bit difficult compared to what I’ve done before, I hope you share a similar feeling with me! And I got 6.5 in the end, I wrote one body paragraph about ads’ necessity and the other one about its other roles, which were proved not the most desirable way to write. And of course, I’ll be much more than grateful if you can post a mode essay! And thank you again for your help!

I definitely agree the way the question is worded is pretty challenging and I’m not surprised someone might get confused by precisely which aspect to tackle. I’ll post a model essay on this comments thread later today. Watch this space ….

See the model essay below:

Essay Question August 2024: If a product is good and it meets people’s needs, people will buy it. So advertising is unnecessary and is no more than a form of entertainment.to what extent do you agree or disagree?

Model: Some people think that advertising is simply entertainment and plays no role in the decision to purchase a product because most people will buy what they want if they need it and if it is a good product. However, I believe that advertising is effective in impacting a person’s purchase choice but not in all cases.

Firstly, advertising plays a role in promoting a company’s image and driving home key selling points of a product which do influence customers’ decision making. For example, if a person needs a car and has the money for it, they are still more likely to purchase a car which follows an image they like or has key features they have seen in an advert. For this reason, companies such as BMW pay a lot of money for product placement and other forms of advertisement, because their sales show it works.

By contrast, there are situations when advertising plays little or no role in a person’s decision of what to purchase, namely when it is an item that is of critical value to their health. Take for example the situation of someone with serious health problems, they are unlikely to be swayed by image or buzz words but will instead choose a product based on thorough research or advice from a clinician. In such cases, as the driving force behind the purchase is their health and life, advertising will have little impact.

In conclusion, advertising can effectively impact a person’s purchase choice even if they need the product and have money, except when the purchase is a critical one.

Wow, that’s quite…another view that I’ve never imagined. Thank you very much, Liz!

May I assume that the reason why I got 6.5 was I put all focus on the second sentence in the question and failed to combine it with the background sentence? Can you please give me some advice about when to look at the question as a collective? I found many writings just tend to ignore the background and zero in on the second sentence, which is usually believed more important.

Some IELTS essay questions have two sentences and the task. The first sentence is the context. You don’t need to provide an opinion on it, but it is the context you are given. The second sentence provides an opinion from other people which is often too extreme in nature, such as “the only way” to do something. You must give your opinion about the opinion of other people whilst taking into consideration the context given to you. Of course, addressing the opinion is essential and key to your score, but you can’t ignore the context given. It is not possible to say whether this is the reason for your score because there are four marking criteria in task 2 and there is task 1 to consider as well. The most you can do is recognise what you want to review so that you can improve your approach as well as any language. I really hope this helps you.

It indeed helps me a lot! Thank you, Liz!

Hi, Liz! I finally got my desired result today, I took the exam on 11th August, and I achieved 8.5 in listening, 9 in reading and both 7 in writing and speaking. I wanna thank you for your suggestions (especially about writing) throughout the period, your encouragement was my biggest motivator! Thank you a thousand times, Liz! I really wish you could surmount the issues you are undergoing now!

And finally, whoever sees this feed, the last writing essay I took was about governments’ paying for art, it’s by and large “The governments should pay for large pieces of art for public display in outdoor places. To what extent do you agree or disagree?” I hope it would help someone!

That’s wonderful news! Very well done to you. And thanks for coming back to share your results and topic 🙂

hello, Liz got an overall 7.0, for reading 6.0 for writing 6.5, and speaking and listening 7.5, I know I could have done better with the writing, I thought I did but the reading, went over my head a little bit, however, I still can use it for my upcoming masters thank you

As long as you can move forward with your life, that is all that matters. Congratulations and I wish you all the best with your Masters 🙂

Hi, in my last exam i got a band 6 in my academic writing and that ruined my opportunity in getting into a master program. During the exam, I’ve wrote less than 250 by 30 words. I’ve wrote 4 paragraphs that include intro, 2 body paragraphs and a conclusion.

I’m now practicing my writing so I could at least hit the “7” band. Could you please look into my writing here and give me your advice? Thanks.

“Advertising is the most used boa in our world today. When people think they are getting controlled by these ads, others think that ads are helpful for them to get what they need. I believe that this advertisement is annoyingly helpful.

It’s human nature to rebel against feeling controlled by other people. Such people would think by watching many advertisement that will lead them to purchase unneeded things. Or maybe brainwashed into believing unatural ideas as a propagandistic way. Such concerns has been shown in a study that being made by an elite university conducted by social students to study people behavior while they get exposed to different advertisement of the same products and ideas. They found out that some people will not buy whatever they see on TV as an innate rebellious act against thes ads.

Whereas, other people are finding out that these asds are resourcful for some products, they will not know about these products before the ads. Exposing them to Ads had led them to buy tools that made their lives more easier. Also, through these ads they could know about other tools that are more cheaper then what they already have.

In my opinion, I find Ads useful and resourceful. Through these ads, helpful resources could be shared to help and educate the viewers. Such as ads about scholarships or ads about tourist destinations and much more, these types are very useful.

In conclusion, people with rebellious nature would be against seeing advertisement as a resources. While, other people would find these ads much more resourceful. I believe, even though ads are being seen as annoying, it’s still a great way to get to know about many things and viewing these Ads as a resource is very beneficial to the individuals and communities.”

I’ve wrote it in less than 40 min. If you read it, which band does it deserve to get?

The aim of my website isn’t to provide marking or feedback, but rather practice lessons, model answers and tips to learn from. However, I will say a few things: 1) you definitely have to rethink what an IELTS essay is 2) an opinion essay is an essay which contains your opinion all the way through in every body paragraph – not what other people think. 3) all topic sentences should be written the right way for IELTS essays. They must connect to the topic, the task, be written in full and provide the main point. 4) the conclusion is the shortest paragraph 5) all body paragraphs should be equally developed – this is specific for a band 7 plus As you can see, just with this simple list, there are key techniques for writing an IELTS essay based on the marking criteria of band 7 and above that are missing from your essay. You can use my free model essay to learn from: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/ or my paid advanced lessons in my store: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/ Wishing you all the bet, Liz

Thank you so much for your dedication to keeping this website running and providing invaluable tips and videos. I’m thrilled to share that I scored an overall 8.0, largely thanks to your help!

I also want to offer my support during this challenging time. I know the past few years have been tough due to your illness, but I believe in your strength and resilience. Keep your spirits up—we’re all rooting for you and sending our best wishes for your health and recovery.

Regarding the Writing Task 2 topic I received three days ago, it was about “sponsors in sport.” The question asked whether sponsorship in sports is beneficial or if it has significant drawbacks, and it required me to discuss both perspectives and give my own opinion.

Thanks again for everything!

Congratulations! Band 8 is excellent!! Well done 🙂 I’m so pleased for you. Thanks for coming back to share your results and your topic. I appreciate your kind words about my health. It’s lovely to get support 🙂 Wishing you the best, Liz.

Hii, can you help me check my essays, i have tried a lot of practices from your website and it helps me a lot but I’m unsure if my essays could get higher than band 7

Write your essay in reply to this comment and I’ll take a look and give you an indication of what needs to change for a band 7. Choose an essay question from the page above. This will also help other people reading your essay so that everyone learns from it.

Hi Liz I wanted to join classes with you I wanted GT readings and writing help from you.

Reading these two pages carefully: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-gt-academic-writing-differences/ https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-letter-writing-essential-tips/

Had my test a few days ago. My essay question was about work and self employed. Thanks. Hope your health is better.

Thanks for sharing 🙂

Thank you for sharing useful content. I have a question. My essays are always about 400 words. I can’t make it shorter. Is this a problem? Will I get a lower score?

Yes, it would cause you to lose marks. Take a look at my free model essays and go through them sentence by sentence: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/ . You’ll find that each sentence is highly focused. There are no extra sentences that pad out the essay. The introduction has two sentences, the body paragraphs have a topic sentence with three or four sentences with explanation and details. The conclusion is often one sentences. You need to train yourself to do this. You can also find advanced writing task 2 lessons in my store which take you step by step through a high band score essay: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

My recent essay question a couple of weeks ago was –

Some people think that advertising encourages people to buy things that they don’t need. To what extent do you agree.

I don’t remember the precise words. But something like that. Good luck everyone!

I want to ask about to what extend do you agree essay and do you agree essay. Can I do partial agreement with do you agree essay or should I agree fully or disagree fully. I don’t know the different instructions. Thank you for all your work and support Liz

Both instructions are for the Opinion Essay. It’s the same essay type and the same techniques regardless of the wording. IELTS like to paraphrase the instructions. No matter the instructions, you can agree fully, disagree fully or have your own specific opinion which is a kind of partial agreement for any Opinion Essay. But you need to be very careful about partial agreements to make sure you are not turning them into a discussion essay. You can’t sit on the fence with an Opinion Essay. See all my FREE model essays on this page to learn more: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/

wow this is beautiful Liz, God bless you

I’m glad you are enjoying my website 🙂

My essay question a few days ago was about international aid and that money should be spent in own country on social problems (homelessness and other things) It was like a combination of World Issue questions 2 and 3 on your list. This page was really useful. Thanks

Thanks for sharing 🙂 Yes, topics can be combined and reworded to create new essay questions. I’m glad you were prepared 🙂

I got essay question about – private life of celebrities – opinion essay I wasn’t surprised because I saw a similar question in your 100 essay questions page. But I was out of time and only got 1 sentence of conclusion. My friend got an essay something about – health care costing too much money for normal people. love your website Liz thanks

Thanks for sharing. It would be a problem if you missed the conclusion paragraph completely. But having one sentence for a conclusion is actually fine. In fact, most essays will have only one sentence to sum up. So, don’t worry about that.

The stress of thinking how I would manage to prepare for my IELTS test while am always busy with work was just so worrisome, but everything changed when I came across the IELTS video clips by Liz on YouTube. I watched more and more of her videos and writings and followed her suggested links in the description videos and guess what, I managed to clear my IELTS test for the first attempt, as I write this now am in Australia studying. God bless you Madam Liz.

kind regards

Green, I’m so pleased for you. Very well done! Enjoy your time in sunny Australia with all that lovely wildlife 🙂

you are the best ma

Hi Liz an enormous absolutely well done to you for all your hard work ,for your sincerity in presenting the IELTS at its best through simplicity yet keeping it at the highest levels.Your approach is excellent and easy to follow and understand……If you are interested we may be able to share ideas and create a platform for learning IELTS techniques translated to Arabic initially followed by other languages Please let me Know ..all the best Karem

I’m glad you are enjoying my website. For now, I work alone and only work part time to manage my health problems. But thanks for your interest.

Thank you Liz for your post, I appreciate it. wishing you total recovery. God bless you Anii.

God will continue to protect you. Happy new month. Thanks

I’m happy seeing your latest post. God will continue to protect you. Happy new month.

Thanks, very useful for my students! 😀

thanks so much 🙏

You’re welcome

I am very happy seeing your latest post. Thanks for the lives you have been able to touch through your contents here on your website and YouTube channel.

I’m glad my lessons are useful 🙂

I want to improve my writing skills

See my free model essays, tips and practice lessons on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/

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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?

Discover the secret to writing a Band 7.0+ essay

Th en download a copy of our FREE e-book, which explains the most common errors made by test-takers and how you can avoid them. Just click here for your copy.

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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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.

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IELTS Writing Questions

These IELTS writing questions are examples of essay questions given in the IELTS exam for Task 2.

The IELTS essay topics have been divided into common IELTS writing topics and many have model answers.

This way you can easily see and understand the kind of areas of knowledge you will need to know about in order to help you do well in the test.

Some of the IELTS writing questions could of course be in more than one topic area.

A growing number of people feel that animals should not be exploited by people and that they should have the same rights as humans, while others argue that humans must employ animals to satisfy their various needs, including uses for food and research.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Model Answer

Blood sports have become a hot topic for debate in recent years. As society develops it is increasingly seen as an uncivilized activity and cruel to the helpless animals that are killed. All blood sports should be banned.

Discuss the main arguments for this statement and give your own opinion.

Examine the arguments in favour of and against animal experiments, and come to a conclusion on this issue.

Culture and Traditions

Government investment in the arts, such as music and theatre, is a waste of money. Governments must invest this money in public services instead.

To what extent do you agree with this statement?

It is inevitable that as technology advances, traditional cultures will be lost. It seems that we cannot have these two things together.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

There are many types of music in the world today. Why do we need music? Is the traditional music of a country more important and should it be preserved or is international music that is heard everywhere nowadays more useful to a society?

Many old buildings protected by law are part of a nation’s history. Some people think they should be knocked down and replaced by news ones.

How important is it to maintain old buildings?

Should history stand in the way of progress?

Some people believe the aim of university education is to help graduates get better jobs. Others believe there are much wider benefits of university education for both individuals and society.

Education is not a luxury, but a basic human right and as such should be free for everyone irrespective of personal wealth.

Do you agree or disagree?

Some people think that children's free time must include educational activities otherwise they will waste their time.

What is your opinion?

Formal examinations are the only effective way to assess a student's performance. Continual assessment such as course work and projects is not a satisfactory way to do this.

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

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Environment

Developed countries have created many environmental problems in the World, particularly in their contribution to global warming.

Why is global warming a problem?

What can be done to reduce the dangers of global warming?

In order to solve traffic problems, governments should tax private car owners heavily and use the money to improve public transportation.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of such a solution?

Global warming is one of the most serious issues that the world is facing today.

What are the causes of global warming and what measures can governments and individuals take to tackle the issue?

Logging of the rain forests is a serious problem and it may lead to the extinction of animal life and human life.

To what extent to you agree of disagree?

Overpopulation of urban areas has led to numerous problems.

Identify one or two serious ones and suggest ways that governments and individuals can tackle these problems.

Health, Fitness and Diet

Currently there is a trend towards the use of alternative forms of medicine. However, at best these methods are ineffective, and at worst they may be dangerous.

The percentage of overweight children in western society has increased by almost 20% in the last ten years.

Discuss the causes and effects of this disturbing trend.

Eating a balanced diet is the most important factor for a healthy life.

To what extent do you agree?

Do the dangers derived from the use of chemicals in food production and preservation outweigh the advantages?

Many of the medical problems that people are experiencing in today's world are due to the fact that we have a very sedentary lifestyle.

To what extent to you agree?

Stress is now a major problem in many countries around the world.

What are some of the factors in modern society that cause this stress, and how can we reduce it? 

Some of the methods used in advertising are unethical and unacceptable in today’s society.

To what extent do you agree with this view?

Are famous people treated unfairly by the media? Should they be given more privacy, or is the price of their fame an invasion into their private lives?

These days, we are seeing an increasing amount of violence on television, and this is having a negative impact on children's behaviour.

Families and Children

Nowadays, families are not as close as in the past and a lot of people have become used to this. 

Explain the reasons for this and discuss any possible effects it may have on society.

There is an increasing trend around the world to have a small family rather than a large family.

What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of having a small family rather than a large family? 

Crime and the Law

Smoking not only harms the smoker, but also those who are nearby. Therefore, smoking should be banned in public places.

Some people think that the best way to reduce crime is to give longer prison sentences. Others, however, believe there are better alternative ways of reducing crime.

Levels of youth crime are increasing rapidly in most cities around the world.

What are the reasons for this, and suggest some solutions.

Smokers have rights too, so they should be allowed to smoke in public places.

In the last 20 years there have been significant developments in the field of information technology (IT), for example the World Wide Web and communication by email. However, future developments in IT are likely to have more negative effects than positive.

People use computers when they work or go banking, but some argue that it will make people isolated and decrease their social skills.

To what extent do you agree with this viewpoint?

Some people think that computers are more of a hindrance than a help in today's society. Others believe that they are such indispensable tools that they would not be able to live or work without them.

Discuss both opinions and give your opinion.

Nowadays many people have access to computers on a wide basis and a large number of children play computer games.

What are the negative and positive impacts of playing computer games and what can be done to minimize the bad effects?

Do you think that modern technology, such as the internet and computers will ever replace the book or the written word as the main source of information?

Genetic engineering is an important issue in modern society. Some people think that it will improve people's lives in many ways. Others feel that it may be a threat to life on earth.

Discuss both opinions and give your opinion?

As people live longer and longer, the idea of cloning human beings in order to provide spare parts is becoming a reality. The idea horrifies most people, yet it is no longer mere science fiction.

To what extent do you agree with such a procedure?

Have you any reservations?

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