ielts general writing task 2 essay questions

IELTS Writing Topics August & September 2024

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

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

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IELTS Writing Task 2/ Essay Topics with sample answer.

Ielts academic and gt essay/ writing task 2 sample.

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

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

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IELTS General Writing Task 2 Samples

Welcome to your comprehensive practice hub for IELTS General Writing Task 2. We've stocked our library with heaps of samples, genuine responses, and expert advice to guide you through every step of the task.

In many cities around the world, traffic congestion has become a significant issue, causing problems for both residents and the environment. Some people argue that the solution is to widen existing roads and build new ones, while others believe that alternative measures should be taken to tackle this problem. Discuss both views and give your own opinion on how to effectively alleviate traffic congestion in modern cities.

Heavy traffic jam has changed to one of the most significant issues of mega cities in recent years, thus it has become the priority of governments in all around the world. there are numerous methods to reduce the traffic rate in cities which would be discussed in this essay. Some individuals argue that the most effective way to settle the traffic congestion is to rebuild and renew the highways ...

Some people believe that technological advancements have negatively impacted the interpersonal communication skills and social interactions among individuals. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view? Give reasons for your answer, including examples from your own experience or knowledge.

By progression of IT technology the usage rate of social media has dramatically increased in recent years. I agree with the negative impacts of the social media but there are definitely many advantages to internet and virtual reality which outweigh the drawbacks. In this essay I intend to debate the benefits and disadvantages of social media and compare them with each other. Many individuals c ...

In many high-income countries, environmental problems are increasing due to the growing use of personal cars. Some people argue that governments should encourage the use of public transport instead to resolve this issue. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Provide reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your knowledge or experience.

by enormous improvement of vehicles industry during the last 20 years using private cars has become increasingly popular among people all around the world. on the other, hand government in all countries from developed to developing countries have tried to enhance the public transport system to bring people comfort and convenience. some people claim that it is governments responsibility to prov ...

Many people nowadays believe that the traditional skills and customs of their country are becoming less important and should be replaced with modern ways of living. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion? Provide reasons for your answers and include relevant examples from your own experience or knowledge.

In today's rapidly changing world, there is an ongoing debate about the relevance and importance of traditional skills and customs. While some argue that these practices should be replaced by modern ways of living, I firmly believe that preserving and embracing our cultural heritage is crucial. This essay will outline the reasons why traditional skills and customs hold significant value in con ...

Some people believe that it is essential for young people to learn about the history of their country, while others argue that other subjects are more important in today's globalized world. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

There are an overwhelming argument about learning teaching history in schools. When some believe that children must be taught about historical aspects of their countries others claims other modern sciences are more important. I think modern subjects like physics and science are more beneficial for a society and must be considered as more important subjects. Many argue that by studying history ...

by enormous improvement of vehicles industry during the last 20 years using private cars has become increasingly popular among people all around the world. on the other hand government in all countries from developed to developing countries have tried to enhance the public transport system to bring people comfort and convenience. some people claim that it is governments responsibility to provi ...

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of working remotely from home as opposed to working in a traditional office environment. To what extent do you believe the shift towards remote work will have a lasting impact on society? Support your views with relevant examples and arguments.

There are plenty of upsides and drawbacks to working remotely in contrst to office work. Due to its popularity, there will unavoidably be several impacts, some of which are long-term. Regarding advantages, working from home comes with absolute perks. Firstly, people do not have to commute to work and which will save them a lot of troubles. Secondly, they can be more relaxed while working ...

Many people argue that teaching practical life skills is more important than focusing on academic achievements in schools. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give your opinion and provide relevant examples to support your answer.

Although I believe that both practical life skills and academic achievements are crucial, I do not think that practical life skills are more important than academic achievements for students. In what follows I will elaborate on my reasons. First and foremost, students are not mentally prepared to learn practical life skills. They are young and should not be involved in adulthood challenges. ...

Some people believe that companies should provide financial support to employees who want to further their education, while others argue that it is the responsibility of employees to fund their own education. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Necessity of financial support for employees education has been a controversial debate. Many believe that the financial support should be covered by the companies while others believe that it is on the employee himself. This essay is going to discuss the both views. On the one hand, companies who support their employees by giving them funds to upgrade their knowledge are indirectly aiding th ...

The effects of remote work as an alternative to on-site work in communities are being debated among people these days. I believe remote work as a method of working is popular approch which state of the art strategies for motivation employees and companies. The advancements of this method outweight the drawbacks. Although this phenomenon as a new approach has a gray-zone and society face with ...

Some people believe that successful people's accomplishments are merely a result of luck rather than hard work and determination. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this point of view? Provide reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own experience or knowledge.

Whilst there are people who think that what successful people accomplish is just a mere result of their luck, not having anything to do with hard work or determination, I believe that these two factors account for a large part of why a person can do better than others. On the one hand, it is definitely wrong to say that luck is of no help to our accomplishments. Since anything can happen, you ...

Some people believe that the government should provide financial assistance to musicians, artists, and other creative individuals to encourage cultural growth. Others argue that this support should come from other sources, such as private or corporate funding. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Nowadays, people are fonding of many arts such as music, movies, sports and other innovative arts, to mitigate their tiredness and their fullfilment. Therfore, to support financially such art industies are mandatory, but taking on such a huge budget by government or private organization is still contentious. I personaly believe that private compnies should be responsible for these types of art ...

Some people believe that it is better for children to grow up in the countryside rather than in a big city. Do you agree or disagree? Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

The invironment the children grow up has a great impact on their life. Many consider grwing up in the country side as a better option compared to metropolicians. While there are some plus ponts growing up in both invironments, I agree that the countryside would be more beneficial. Firstly, leaving in a big city is being considered as a great opportunity for children as they are mostly being ...

In today's world, online shopping has become increasingly popular, affecting traditional brick-and-mortar stores negatively. Some people argue that this trend has more disadvantages than advantages, while others think it is beneficial for both consumers and businesses. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

It's argued about the advantages and disadvantages aspect of online shopping nowadays. Some people believe this phenomenon cause we face to bad consequences while, others interest to modern life style and they believe the positive aspects of online shopping outweigh of negative aspects. I think so the advantages of this event are more than the disadvantages to some extent. Firstly, in industr ...

In my opinion, technology isnot something good or bad. It can have different aspects depending on how we use it. On one side it is obvious that it affects our daily life completely. Obviously most of people around the world cannot live without these new methods of communicating. The range of use is different from emails and social media upto online businesses or shopping. Clearly this kind of ...

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IELTS Writing task 2 sample essay questions with answers

Achieve band 9 score by practicing these IELTS Writing task 2 essays for Academic and General Training. Check out IELTS Writing task 2 sample questions.

The IELTS Writing task 2 is an important section of both the Academic and General Training modules, designed to assess your ability to express ideas coherently in written English. This task requires participants to draft an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem.

Unlike task 1, which varies significantly between the Academic and General Training modules, task 2 is similar across both, emphasising the importance of structured argumentation, clear statements, and the integration of relevant, detailed examples. Let’s help you score your desired IELTS band with the right IELTS Writing sample and question types.

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IELTS Academic Writing task – Overview

Let's take a quick look at the IELTS Academic Writing test. It lasts for 60 minutes and includes two tasks. These tasks ask you to write about topics that are important for those going to college, or university, or wanting to work in certain professions.

You will be given a graph, table, or chart and asked to explain what you understand in your own words. You might need to talk about the data shown, explain how something happens step by step, or describe an object or plan.

You will be required to draft an essay about your thoughts on a specific idea, argument, or issue. You'll use examples from what you know or have experienced to make your essay strong and convincing.

IELTS Writing task 2 – Essay writing (Academic)

In IELTS Academic Writing task 2 , you are asked to draft an essay in response to a point of view, an argument, or a problem. Essays should be written in an academic, or semi-formal style. Topics are about relevant issues and focus on a particular aspect of the topic. For example, if the topic is about computers, the focus will be on a particular aspect rather than writing about computers in general.

The task instructions give you information about the question telling you how to discuss the topic in your essay. You may be asked to provide factual information, outline, and present solutions, justify an opinion, or evaluate evidence and ideas. It is important that you complete the task carefully using relevant ideas and examples to support your position. Your ideas should be organised clearly, using paragraphs for each idea. You must write a minimum of 250 words.

Note: You are assessed on your ability to follow English essay-writing conventions to organise and coherently link information using language accurately and appropriately to express your ideas and opinions.

IELTS Writing task 2 sample question (Academic)

Here is an IELTS Writing task 2 example for your reference, you can consider practicing this kind of questions to score higher:

IELTS Writing task 2 sample answer (Academic)

Here is an IELTS Writing task 2 sample answer for your reference, you can practice writing your answers similar or better than this to score higher:

IELTS General Training Writing task – Overview

Let's look at the General Training Writing test. It takes 60 minutes and has two parts, both about everyday topics.

You will get a scenario and need to write a letter. This letter might be for a friend, someone at work, or a more formal letter, depending on the situation.

You will be required to draft an essay about an opinion, argument, or issue. This essay can be a bit more personal than what you'd write for an academic test. You'll use examples from your own life or what you know to back up your views.

IELTS Writing task 2 - Essay writing (General Training)

In task 2 of the General Training Writing test, you are asked to draft an essay in response to a point of view, an argument, or a problem. Topics are of general interest such as whether it is better to homeschool children, whether the drinking age should be raised, who is responsible for the care of the elderly, or how families could be brought closer together.

Read more: Score band 9 by practicing these IELTS essays

IELTS Writing task 2 sample question (General Training)

Here is an IELTS Writing task 2 example for your reference, you can consider practicing these questions to aim higher band score:

IELTS Writing task 2 sample answer (General Training)

Here is an IELTS Writing task 2 sample answer for your reference, you can practice writing answers like these or better to score higher in your IELTS Writing test :

Hope this blog helps you understand all about Writing task 2 for Academic and General Training modules . Consider practicing with questions and answers like the ones provided above to score a higher IELTS band score.

Additionally, if you want to know more about the IELTS test or have any queries, you can get in touch with your nearest IDP IELTS test centre or visit our official IDP IELTS India website to resolve the same. You will surely get all the answers you are searching for.

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Structures

The four most common IELTS writing Task 2 questions are: Opinion, Advantages and Disadvantages, Problem and Solution Discussion

IELTS Task 2 Essay Structures

Knowing how to structure your IELTS Writing Task 2 essay is an essential skill that can make the difference between getting and not getting the band score you deserve. With that in mind, we have outlined the most common IELTS Writing Task 2 structures below.

Nearly all of my Task 2 essays follow this basic structure: The sentences you put in each paragraph will depend on what type of question you get.

The five most common IELTS Writing Task 2 questions are:

• Opinion (Agree or Disagree)
• Advantages and Disadvantages
• Problem and Solution
• Discussion (Discuss both views)
• Two-part Question

Below I will outline examples and a structure approved by experienced IELTS teachers and examiners for each type of question. This will help you write a clear, coherent answer and hopefully boost your IELTS band score. I also include an example answer for each type of question so you can see the structure in a real essay.

Please note that these are general structures and may vary slightly depending on the question.

Please also note that no ‘one’ Task 2 essay structure will get you a high score. There are many types of structures that can get you a high score. These are just some I think are effective and easy to learn. 

Please visit the lessons below for more detailed guidance on each type of question. I have provided a link at the end of each section.

Opinion Questions (Agree or Disagree) 

Typical Question Words –

What is your opinion?

Do you agree or disagree?

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Direct question.

Example Question –

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

Essay Structure 

Introduction 

1- Paraphrase Question

2- Give your opinion and outline the main ideas.

Main Body Paragraph 1 

1- Topic Sentence

2- Explain Topic Sentence

Main Body Paragraph 2

Conclusion 

1- Summary of main points and opinion

Student Sample Answer

It is argued that volunteering should be made part of the school curriculum. This essay agrees with that suggestion completely because it help pupils develop soft skills and helps them gain much-needed work experience.

Education should not be limited to strictly academic pursuits, and those in education should also develop life skills, such as teamwork, empathy and self-discipline, and one of the best ways to hone these aptitudes is through community service. Serving those less fortunate than ourselves teaches us many lessons, including how to work with people from other backgrounds and the value of hard work, thus enabling us to hone these skills before becoming an adult. For example, many young people from wealthier countries take a gap year and help those less fortunate than themselves to increase their gratitude for what they have and improve their work ethic.

Many colleges and companies are also increasingly looking for this type of experience. Most school leavers have the same grades, and charitable work can help set you apart from other students when making college applications. For example, Cambridge and Oxford receive thousands of applications from straight-A students yearly and can only accept a small percentage of applicants. What you have done outside the classroom often differentiates you from everyone else and gets you that coveted spot.

In conclusion, teenagers should be made to partake in unpaid work as part of their schooling because it will help them learn things they wouldn’t ordinarily learn from their teachers, and it will also boost their chances of getting into third-level education.

For more detail on how to answer agree or disagree questions, please visit our opinion essay lesson . 

Need help writing essays like this? Check out our ESSAY CORRECTION SERVICE .

Advantages and Disadvantages Questions

Typical Question Words 

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.

What are the advantages and disadvantages?

Example Question

Technology is being used more and more in education.

Essay Structure

2- Outline Main Points

Main Body Paragraph 1

1- State Two Advantages

2- Expand/Explain First Advantage

3- Expand/Explain Second Advantage

1- State Two Disadvantages

2- Expand/Explain First Disadvantage

3- Expand/Explain Second Disadvantage

1- Summary of Main Points

Student Sample Answer 

It is argued that technology plays an ever-increasing role in schools and universities. Increased access to information and student freedom are the main advantages, whereas dependency on technology and decreasing levels of face-to-face contact are the main disadvantages.

Access to more information and student autonomy are the principal advantages of increasing the use of electronic devices in education. With the internet, students can access all the information available about any topic, regardless of what books and other resources are available in the school. Furthermore, students can focus on whatever topic or subject they want and study it in depth. A prime example of this is the number of online university courses available to students, covering a myriad of subjects that, up until recently, were unavailable to most learners. This has resulted in more people studying third-level degrees than ever before at a pace and schedule that suits them.

The main disadvantages associated with the increasing use of technology in education are the dependency on this technology and the decrease in face-to-face interaction between students. With many students now using the internet as their primary source of information, they often struggle to use other academic resources to find what they’re looking for. As well as this, students spend more time looking at computer screens by themselves than interacting with each other, which is thought to lead to lower levels of emotional intelligence. For instance, the recent explosion in smartphone use has been at the expense of genuine human interaction. This results in soft skills, such as verbal communication and empathy, being affected.

In conclusion, the benefits technology brings to education, such as unrestricted access to information and student autonomy, must be weighed against the drawbacks, such as dependency on this technology and the negative effects on human interaction.

For more detail on how to answer advantage and disadvantage questions, please visit our  advantage and disadvantage lesson . 

Discuss Both Views Question (Discussion Essay)  

Discuss both points of view and give your opinion.

Example Question 

Technology is being used more and more in education. Some people say that this is a positive trend, while others argue that it is leading to negative consequences.

Discuss both sides of this argument and then give your own opinion.

1- Paraphrase Question and/or state both viewpoints.

2- Thesis Statement

3- Outline Sentence

1- State first viewpoint

2- Discuss first viewpoint

3- Reason why you agree or disagree with viewpoint

4- Example to support your view

1- State second viewpoint

2- Discuss second viewpoint

Sentence 1- Summary

Sentence 2- State which one is better or more important

There is an ever-increasing use of technology, such as tablets and laptops, in the classroom. It is often argued that this is a positive development, whilst others disagree and think it will lead to adverse ramifications. This essay agrees that an increase in technology is beneficial to students and teachers.

The Internet has provided students with access to more information than ever before. This has allowed learners to research and learn about any subject at the touch of a button. It is therefore agreed that technology is a very worthwhile tool for education. Wikipedia is a prime example, where students can type in any keyword and gain access to in-depth knowledge quickly and easily.

However, many disagree and feel that technology deprives people of real human interaction. Human interaction teaches people valuable skills such as discourse, debate and empathy. Without these soft skills, many people find it difficult to become successful in work and their personal lives. Despite this, human interaction is still possible through the internet, and this essay disagrees that technology should be dismissed for this reason. For instance, Skype and Facebook allow people to interact in ways that were never before possible.

While the benefits of technology, particularly the internet, allow students to tap into limitless sources of information, some still feel that people should be wary of this new phenomenon and not allow it to curb face-to-face interaction. However, as long as we carefully consider the importance of human interaction in education, the educational benefits are clearly positive.

For more detail on how to answer discussion questions please visit our  discussion essay lesson . 

Problem and Solution Questions

Problem and solution.

Cause and solution.

Students are becoming more and more reliant on technology.

What are some of the problems associated with reliance on computers, and what are some of the possible solutions?

2- Outline Sentence

1- State Problems

2- Explain First Problem

3- Explain Second Problem

4- Example of Second Problem

1- State Solutions

2- Explain First Solution

3- Explain Second Solution

4- Example of Second Solution

Learners are becoming increasingly dependent on technology, such as the Internet and mobile devices. This essay believes the main problems associated with dependence on computers are the lack of original thought and copying original work from others and suggests critical thinking classes and writing analysis software as the most viable solutions.

The principal problems with over-reliance on technology are people being unable to think for themselves and plagiarism. With access to so much information, students often rely on other people’s opinions instead of forming their own. As well as this, they often use search engines to answer a question and copy the text from a website rather than thinking about the question. This practice is prohibited in schools and universities and stunts students’ intellectual development because they will never truly think for themselves, which is what university is supposed to be for. For example, many teachers complain that students copy web pages straight from Wikipedia word for word rather than giving a reasoned answer to their questions.

Solutions to these worrying problems are special classes to focus on critical thinking and teachers using anti-plagiarism software to detect copying. If teachers create situations where students have to infer meaning and express opinions based on a small amount of information, this will ensure that students have an opportunity to develop these skills. Also, if students know that their assignments are being checked for plagiarism, this will be enough to deter them from doing so. For instance, many universities already use this kind of software to scan coursework for plagiarism, and it could be extended to include all homework by learners in both secondary and tertiary education.

In conclusion, the main problems with the overuse of technology in education are the lack of original thought and plagiarism. These can be solved through special classes that teach students analytical skills and plagiarism detection software.

For more detail on how to answer problem and solution questions please visit our  problem and solution lesson . 

Two-Part Questions

There will normally be a statement, and they will then ask you to answer separate questions.

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

What factor contributes to job satisfaction?

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

2- Outline Sentence (mention both questions)

1- Answer first question directly

2- Explain why

3- Further explain

1- Answer second question directly

As most adults spend most of their time at work, being content with your career is a crucial part of a person’s health and happiness. This essay will first suggest fair pay as a key element leading to job satisfaction, and it will then state that it is not very likely that everyone can be happy with their job.

The most important thing that satisfies someone at work is being compensated fairly. If those more senior than you respect you as a person and the job you are doing, then you feel like you are valued. A fair salary and benefits are important marks of respect, and if you feel you are being underpaid, you will either resent your bosses or look for another job. These two factors came top of a recent job satisfaction survey conducted by Monster.com, which found that 72% of people were pleased with their current role if their superiors regularly told them they were appreciated.

With regard to the question of happiness for all workers, I think this is and always will be highly unlikely. The vast majority of people fail to reach their goals and end up working in a post they don’t really care about in return for a salary. This money is just enough to pay their living expenses which often means they are trapped in a cycle of disenchantment. For example, The Times recently reported that 89% of office workers would leave their jobs if they did not need the money.

In conclusion, being satisfied with your trade or profession is an important part of one’s well-being, and respect from one’s colleagues and fair pay can improve your level of happiness; however, job satisfaction for all workers is an unrealistic prospect.

Can I get a band 8 or 9 following these structures? 

Nobody can give you a Task 2 IELTS structure that guarantees high scores. Your score is dependent on how good your grammar and vocabulary are and how well you answer the question. A good structure will help you answer the question to some extent and boost your score for coherence and cohesion, but you must use relevant ideas and use these ideas well to answer the question.

You can see how my student scored a Band 8.5 in IELTS Writing here:

Next Steps 

We hope you found those IELTS Writing Task 2 structures useful. Looking for some more sample questions? Here are over 100 sample questions from past exam papers.

If you would personalised feedback and guidance until you get the score you need, you can join the Waiting List for my VIP Course here.

About Christopher Pell

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

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

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

• IELTS General Writing Task 2: Essay questions

There are several types of essays in IELTS General Writing Task. The differences are in the questions that come after the topic. The structure of your answer depends on the type of essay.

1. Opinion Essay

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

2. Agree / Disagree Essay

After leaving school or university, young people should choose a job or career that they love, rather than one that pays the best salary. To what extent do you agree with this statement? Discuss both these views and give your own opinion

3. Two points of view + your opinion

Some people prefer to spend their lives doing the same things and avoiding change. Others, however, think that change is always a good thing. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

4. Advantages / Disadvantages Essay

Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages? What are the advantages and disadvantages…?

5. Advantages and Disadvantages Essay

Some experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a foreign language at primary school rather than secondary school. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

6. Negative / Positive development

What are the possible causes of this situation? Is this a negative or positive development? Why is this so and do you think this is a positive or negative development?

7. Two Questions (Mixed) Essay

Today a lot of different cultures and ethnic groups live together in one country. Why is this so and do you think this is a positive or negative development?

Universities should provide students with the skills they will require in order to succeed at their future jobs. How far do you agree or disagree with the above opinion? What are some of the job skills that employers look for in new employees?

8. Problem-Solution Essay

What are the problems and what solutions can you suggest for solving these problems?

9. problems and Causes Essay

People who live in big cities face a range of problems in their daily life. What are the main problems people in cities have, and how can these problems be solved?  

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IELTS Task 2 Essays Understand the 5 Different Types

There are 5 main types of IELTS Task 2 essays:

1)    Opinion Essays  

2)    Discussion Essays

3)    Problem Solution Essays

4)    Advantages & Disadvantages Essays

5)    Double Question Essays

Most questions fit one of these categories. However, questions can be written in many different ways, which can make it difficult to determine which type they are.

On this page, I want to give you an overview of all 5 IELTS Task 2 essay types, with samples questions to help you recognise some of the different wording often used. I’ve also included a basic structure for each that you can use to as a guide for essay planning, a vital step in the writing process.

I go into each type of question in more detail on its own page.  Click the links above or at the bottom of this page to see these. 

First, here’s the basic 4 part structure I recommend that you use for Task 2 essays:

1)  Introduction

2)  Main Body Paragraph 1 

3)  Main Body Paragraph 2 

4)  Conclusion

Want  to watch and listen to this lesson?

Click on this video.

The sort of information you include in each of the 4 sections will vary depending on the question type and that’s what I’m now going to outline for you.

These easy to learn structures will enable you to quickly plan and write any IELTS Task 2 essay.

The structures below are not the only ones you could use but they are the ones I recommend because they’re simple and give proven results.

1) Opinion Essays

These are sometimes called ‘agree or disagree’ or ‘argumentative’ essays and are one of the most common types of IELTS Task 2 question.

The first part of the question will be a statement. You will then be asked to give your own opinion about the statement. Here is some typical wording that might be used:

• What is your opinion?
• Do you agree or disagree?
• To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Here is an example of each:

• Choose one side of the argument.
• State your opinion clearly in the introduction.
• Keep the same opinion throughout the essay.
• Give reasons why you hold this view.

It doesn’t matter which side of the argument you take or even that you agree with it. Choose the one you can develop the best argument for.

Don’t change your opinion part way through the essay and don’t give reasons for the opposing idea.

Essay Structure

1) Introduction

• Paraphrase the question
• Give your opinion
• State two supporting reasons

2) Main body paragraph 1

• Topic sentence – outline 1st reason for supporting this view
• Explanation – explain this idea
• Example – give an example

3)  Main body paragraph 2

• Topic sentence – outline 2nd reason for supporting this view
• Summarise opinion and key reasons

2) Discussion Essays

In discussion essays, you have to discuss both sides of an argument. Usually, you will be asked for your own opinion as well.

The easiest way to approach this type of IELTS Task 2 question is to choose one point of view to agree with and one side to disagree with.

Here are 3 examples of discussion essay questions:

• Develop both sides of the argument.
• Talk about the view you don’t agree with first.

A big mistake many students make is to fully develop only one point of view. This leads to an unbalanced essay and a low score for task achievement. 

It is easier to begin by discussing the opinion you don’t agree with and then present the reasons for your opposing view.

2)  Main body paragraph 1 – Negative Viewpoint

• Topic sentence – outline the view you don’t agree with
• Explanation – explain why this view is held by some people

3)  Main body paragraph 2 – Positive Viewpoint

• Topic sentence – outline the view you do agree with
• Summarise the key points and state your opinion

3)  Problem Essays  

These are sometimes called ‘causes and solutions’ or ‘problems and solutions’ essays. This type of IELTS Task 2 question starts with a statement, then asks you to discuss the problems or causes and the solutions.

• Don’t list lots of causes and solutions.
• Choose just one or two and develop them fully.
• Be sure to link each problem/cause and its solution.

A common mistake is for candidates to list all the problems/causes and solutions they can think of, not necessarily linking them together.  They also fail to explain any of them in detail and don’t include any examples.

The wording of this type of essay question can vary considerably.  Here are 3 examples of problem essay questions:

• State 1 key problem/cause and related solution

2)  Main body paragraph 1 – Problem or Cause

• Topic sentence – state the problem or cause
• Explanation – give detail explaining the problem or cause

3)  Main body paragraph 2 – Solution

• Topic sentence – state the solution
• Explanation – give detail explaining the solution

4)  Advantages & Disadvantages Essays

The first part of the question will be a statement. You will be asked to write about both the advantages and disadvantages of the idea stated.

Here is some typical wording that might be used:

• What are the advantages and disadvantages of….?
• Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your opinion.

Here are 3 examples of advantages and disadvantages essay questions:

Each of these different types of questions fits into one of two slightly different essay structures. We’ll look at these in detail on the main IELTS Task 2 Advantages & Disadvantages Essays page. For now, I’ll give you the basic structure.

• Outline the view or views stated the statement

2)  Main body paragraph 1 – Advantage

• Topic sentence – state 1 advantage
• Explanation – give detail explaining the advantage
• Result – state the result

3)  Main body paragraph 2 – Disadvantage

• Topic sentence – state 1 disadvantage
• Explanation – give detail explaining the disadvantage
• Summarise the key points
• State your opinion if required

5)  Double Question Essays

This type of IELTS Task 2 question is sometimes called a ‘direct question’ or ‘two questions’ essay. It has one statement with two different questions after it. The questions may or may not be linked.

• You must answer both questions fully.
• Don’t confuse it with an opinion or a discussion essay.
• Be careful that you don’t end up with too many ideas to write about.

Here are 3 examples of double question essay questions:

• Outline sentence – state your answer to both questions

2)  Main body paragraph 1 – Answer question 1

• Topic sentence – state your answer
• Explanation – explain why you think this

3)  Main body paragraph 2 – Answer question 2

• Summarise both questions and answers

I hope you’ve found this information useful. You can learn lots more about writing the 5 different types of IELTS Task 2 essay and see sample answers on these pages:

The 5 Task 2 Essay Types:

Step-by-step instructions on how to plan & write high-level essays. Model answers & common mistakes to avoid.

   Opinion Essays

   Discussion Essays

  Problem Solution Essays

  Advantages & Disadvantages Essays

  Double Question Essays

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More help with ielts task 2.

IELTS Writing Task 2  – T he format, the 5 question types, the 5 step essay writing strategy & sample questions. All the key information you need to know.

Understanding Task 2 Questions  – How to quickly and easily analyse and understand IELTS Writing Task 2 questions.

How To Plan a Task 2 Essay  – Discover why essay planning is essential & learn a simple 4 step strategy, the 4 part essay structure & 4 methods of generating ideas.

How To Write a Task 2 Introduction  – Find out why a good introduction is essential. Learn how to write one using a simple 3 part strategy & discover 4 common mistakes to avoid.

How To Write Task 2 Main Body Paragraphs  – Learn the simple 3 part structure for writing great main body paragraphs and also, 3 common mistakes to avoid. 

How To Write Task 2 Conclusions  – Learn the easy way to write the perfect conclusion for a Task 2 essay. Also discover 4 common mistakes to avoid.

Task 2 Marking Criteria  – Find out how to meet the marking criteria for IELTS Task 2. See examples of good and poor answers & learn some common mistakes to avoid.

Other related pages:

IELTS Writing Test  – Understand the format & marking criteria, know what skills are assessed & learn the difference between the Academic & General writing tests.

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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

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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

You’re welcome 🙂

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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2024 IELTS Writing Task 2 (Essay) Questions With Answers

Learn structure and more questions by topics of IELTS academic writing  :

IELTS Academic writing samples  :

Questions of other IELTS Academic test sections  :

IELTS Writing Task 2: All You Need to know

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“With the help of this article, know all about the format, tips, and techniques to crack your IELTS Writing Task 2 all before kickstart your IELTS preparations!“

Understanding IELTS Writing Task 2

IELTS Writing Task 2 requires you to write an essay in response to a given general topic. This task is designed to assess your skills based on presenting a clear position, developing an argument logically, and organizing ideas coherently.

To achieve a high score, you must understand the task format and question types, analyze prompts effectively, and structure your essay appropriately. This blog post will break down everything you need to know from the format of the IELTS task 2 writing to tricks to solve it effortlessly.

IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 Test Papers

IELTS General Writing Task 2 Test Papers

Difference between ielts writing task 2 academic vs general.

To understand the differences between Academic and General Training in IELTS Writing Task 2, here is a helpful comparison table:

IELTS Writing Task 2 Format

Task Requirement: Write an academic-style essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem.

Assessment: Assesses your ability to present a solution or opinion in a logical, structured way.

Duration: 40 minutes

IELTS Writing Task 2 Scoring Criteria

To understand how your IELTS Writing Task 2 essay is evaluated by the examiner, it is crucial to be familiar with the assessment criteria!

Have a look at the table below to learn more about the evaluation criteria!

IELTS Writing Task 2 Question Types

There are 6 types of questions in the IELTS Writing Task 2 and you may get any one type in your IELTS test. Hence, get to know about them to identify the question prompts effortlessly!

• Opinion 

You need to pick a side of the given two sides of an argument write in support of it and provide reasons for your opinion.

• Agree/Disagree

Here, you need to state whether you agree or disagree with a given statement and support it with reasons and examples.

Discussion (Discuss Both Views)

This type requires you to discuss both sides of an issue and then give your own opinion at last.

• Problem/Solution

You have to identify problems related to the topic and suggest possible solutions.

• Advantages/Disadvantages

This question asks you to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a particular situation or issue.

• Double Question (Direct Questions)

You must answer two or more direct questions related to a single topic and support it with proper examples as well.

Useful IELTS Writing Task 2 Tips

IELTS Writing Task 2 is the second part of the two writing tasks and is one of the most challenging parts of the IELTS test. Most students also find it more difficult than Writing Task 1. Therefore, access to some quick tips for task 2 writing IELTS:

• Understand the Task: Test-takers should identify the key components, the question type, and any specific instructions before outlining the key points that should be covered.
• Plan Before You Write: Before diving into the essay, candidates should spend a few minutes planning the response. A clear outline needs to include an introduction, the main points for each body paragraph, and the conclusion.
• Follow a Structured Essay Format: Every essay type has a specific structure. So, sticking to the traditional essay structure with a clear introduction, well-developed body paragraphs, and a concluding summary enhances the readability of the essay.
• Provide Supportive Examples: Test-takers should support their arguments with concrete examples and evidence. This not only strengthens the expressed opinion but also showcases the ability to develop ideas.
• Use Linking Words and Phrases: Candidates should employ linking words and phrases to connect ideas within and between sentences. This improves the overall flow and coherence of the essay.
• Revise and Proofread: This is one of the most vital steps and test-takers need to allocate some time at the end to review and edit their essay. They should check for grammatical errors, clarity, and coherence and ensure that the essay effectively communicates their ideas.
• Write Regularly Under Time Constraints: Practice writing essays within the 40-minute. This helps improve your time management skills and ensures that you can effectively express your ideas within the given constraints.
• Seek Feedback: To understand the weak areas and improve them, test-takers need to share their practice essays with teachers, peers, or online communities like the one created by IELTSMaterial . Constructive feedback helps identify areas for improvement and provides valuable insights.

Top 8 Common Mistakes to Avoid in IELTS Writing Task 2

1. misunderstanding the question.

Many test-takers misunderstand the question, leading to off-topic essays.

2. Poor Time Management

Struggling to manage time effectively often results in incomplete essays.

3. Lack of Ideas

Difficulty in generating relevant ideas quickly is a common problem.

4. Disorganized Structure

Failing to organize thoughts into clear, logical paragraphs is a frequent mistake.

5. Grammar Errors

Frequent grammar errors can significantly lower the writing score.

6. Limited Vocabulary

Using a limited vocabulary makes it hard to express ideas effectively.

7. Weak Evidence

Providing weak examples usually weakens arguments and doesn’t provide a strong essay.

8. Incorrect Word Count

Not meeting the required word count can negatively affect the score.

Band Descriptors IELTS Writing Task 2

Structure For Answering the IELTS Writing Task 2 Question Types

The IELTS Writing Task 2 section has different types of essays that may be asked, each requiring a specific structure and approach. The main 6 IELTS Writing Task 2 question types and their standard structure are summarized in the table below:

IELTS Writing Task 2 Question Types with Sample Answers

Let's look at the different IELTS writing task 2 essay types that may appear in Writing Task 2:

Opinion Essay

These prompts simply ask for your  opinion  on a topic without presenting two views.

Sample prompt:  "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. What is your opinion on this?

Check out more IELTS Writing Task 2 Opinion Essay below:

• Some People Believe that Nowadays We Have Too Many Choices- IELTS Writing Task 2
• IELTS Writing Task 2 Opinion Essay Topic: Prevention is better than cure
• Universities Should Accept Equal Numbers of Male and Female Students in Every Subject – IELTS Writing Task 2
• Doing an Enjoyable Activity with a Child Can Develop Better Skills and More Creativity Than Reading – IELTS
• All Children Should be Made to Wear School Uniforms- IELTS Writing Task 2

Agree and Disagree Essay

These questions ask your opinion on a statement or proposal. You must decide whether you agree or disagree and support your view.

Sample prompt:   "Unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school programs." To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Check out more IELTS Writing Task 2 Agree and Disagree Essay below:

• It is more important to spend public money on promoting a healthy lifestyle – IELTS Writing Task 2
• Foreign Visitors Should Pay More Than Local Visitors for Cultural and Historical Attractions – IELTS Writing Task 2
• Some people believe that air travel should be restricted Sample Essay
• When a Country Develops its Technology the Traditional Skills and Ways of Life Die Out – IELTS Writing Task 2
• Reading stories from a book is better than watching TV Sample Essay

These prompts present two perspectives on an issue and ask you to  discuss  and examine both sides.

Sample prompt:   "Some people think the manufacturers and shopping malls should sell fewer packaged products while others argue that people have the responsibility to buy products with less packaging. Discuss both views and give your opinion."

Check out more IELTS Writing Task 2 Discussion Essay below:

• In Some Countries, a Few People Earn Extremely High Salaries – IELTS Writing Task 2
• Some People Think that Children Should Start School Sooner- IELTS Writing Task 2
• Some People Think that it is Better to Educate Girls and Boys in Separate Schools- IELTS Writing Task 2
• Some Companies Sponsor Sport and Sports Stars as a Way to Advertise Themselves – IELTS Writing Task 2
• University Students Should Study Whatever They Like Sample Essay

Problem/Solution Essay

These questions given in the  problem/solution  essay describe an issue and ask you to propose solutions.

Sample prompt:   "In many cities, public transport systems are inadequate and road congestion is increasing. What are the causes of these problems and what measures could be taken to solve them?"

Check out more IELTS Writing Task 2 Problem/Solution Essay below:

• Many Working People get little or no Exercise either During the Working Day- IELTS Writing Task 2
• Doctors Recommend that Older People Exercise Regularly- IELTS Writing Task 2
• Over Population Of Urban Areas Has Led To Numerous Problems – IELTS Writing Task 2
• An Increase in Production of Consumer Goods Results in Damage to the Natural Environment- IELTS Writing Task
• In the Developed World, Average Life Expectancy is Increasing- IELTS Writing Task 2

Advantages/Disadvantages Essay

These prompts ask you to analyze the  advantages and disadvantages  of an issue.

Sample prompt:  "Studying overseas has many benefits for students. However, there are also some disadvantages. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your own opinion."

Check out more IELTS Writing Task 2 Advantages/Disadvantages Essay below:

• People now have the Freedom to Work and live Anywhere in the World- IELTS Writing Task 2
• In Some Countries People Prefer to Rent a House than Buy One – IELTS Writing Task 2
• Planners Tend to Arrange Shops, Schools, Offices and Homes in Specific Areas – IELTS Writing Task 2
• Technology is Increasingly Being Used to Monitor What People Are Saying And Doing Sample Essays
• In the Past, When Students Did a University Degree, They Tended to Study in Their Own Country – IELTS

Direct Question Essay

These prompts which are also known as  Direct Question  essays give you a statement along with a related question.

Sample prompt:   "A growing number of people are living alone in many major cities. What are the reasons for this? Why do they choose to live alone?

Check out more IELTS Writing Task 2 Direct Question Essay below:

• Is freedom of speech necessary in a free society? – IELTS Writing Task 2
• Many People Like to Wear Fashionable Clothes – IELTS Writing Task 2
• Consumers Are Faced With Increasing Numbers of Advertisements From Competing Companies – IELTS
• There are Many Different Types of Music in The World Today – IELTS Writing Task 2
• More and more people want to buy famous brands with clothes- IELTS Writing Task 2

IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics with Answers

Below is the list of IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics with Answers which you can refer to for the exam.

• Topic: Family
• Topic: Press, news on internet & newspapers
• Topic: Families
• Topic - Environment
• Topic: Invention 
• Topic: Aging Population
• Topic: Art & Technology
• Topic: Career
• Topic: Dangerous Sports
• Topic: Technology
• Topic: Travel & Tourism
• Topic: International Car-free Days & Sample Essay
• Topic: Traffic
• Topic: Transportation
• Topic: TV or Radio
• Topic: Communication Technology
• Topic: Living in Campus
• Topic: Crime
• Collocations - Topic: The Environment
• Useful Collocations - Topic: Government

Trending Essay Topics

• Every year several languages die out
• Some People Think That Parents Should Teach Children How to be Good Members of Society
• Happiness is considered very important in life
• In some countries the average weight of people is increasing
• Young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between finishing high school
• Research Indicates That the Characteristics We are Born With Have Much More Influence On Our Personality

Academic IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics with Sample Essays

Below is the list of Academic IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics with   Sample Essays :

• Topic 01: Media
• Topic 02: Successful Sports Professionals
• Topic 03:Smoking
• Topic 04: Children today play very violent games
• Topic 05:The birth rate in most developed countries
• Topic 06: Many families find it necessary for both parents go out to work
• Topic 07: Women and men are commonly seen as having different strength and weaknesses
• Topic 08: Increase in violent crime among youngsters
• Topic 09: Good Job
• Topic 10: Different medical traditions
• Topic 11:Need to prepare for tests and examinations
• Topic 12: Eating Fish
• Topic 13:Concerned about the number of children who are overweight
• Topic 14: Freedom of Speech
• Topic: Architecture & History
• Topic: Digital Communication
• Topic: Economic Development
• Topic: Education
• Topic: Environment
• Topic: Food & Transport
• Topic: Government
• Topic: Newspapers
• Topic: Sports
• Topic: Television & Children
• Topic: Economic Growth

The key is to practice regularly and make writing a habit until your final   IELTS Writing  test! With this preparation, you'll be ready to achieve your desired band in no time. We bet you’re all aware of the IELTS Writing Task 2 so now get ready to gather our expert tricks to crack your writing task 1. Pick between  IELTS General Writing Task 1  and the   IELTS Academic Writing Task 1  as per your preference and start now!

Frequently Asked Questions

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Practice IELTS Writing Task 2 based on Essay types

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IELTS General Writing Task 2: Essay Sample Answers

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The 2nd task in IELTS General Writing is to write an essay. Here are the examples of successful responses for a high score. Pay attention to the structure of the answer and how paragraphs composition; main ideas and the examples they are supported with.

IELTS General Writing Task 2 looks like this (part in bold changes).

WRITING TASK 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic: Some people think that the teenage years are the happiest times of most people’s lives. Others think that adult life brings more happiness, in spite of greater responsibilities. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.

In this task you should:      Explain the first point of view      Explain the second point of view      Add your opinion

Sample answer:

What’s the happiest time in people’s lives: youth or old age; school, career or retirement? All of these have been suggested, but teenage years and adulthood both have many supporters.

Those who believe teenagers are the happiest people cite their lack of responsibilities as a significant factor. They are supported financially and emotionally by their parents, and although they may be included in family decisions, they’re not ultimately responsible. However, adolescents are on the threshold of adult life: they’re old enough to get a part-time job, so they can enjoy their first taste of financial independence, and their future study and career lie ahead.

Away from these serious concerns, young people have an active social life with their friends, often simply by hanging out with them. And of course, there’s the excitement of first love and first heartbreak. With all this to experience, teenagers see their parents’ lives as boring and stressful.

However, the reverse is also true. Adults see anxious, self-dramatising adolescents, and appreciate the joys of maturity. These may include a contented family life, long-lasting friendships and a career. Long-term relationships may not have the fireworks of adolescence, but are stronger for it, because of the wealth of shared experience. At work, many of us are challenged and stimulated by the increasing, professional skills we acquire, which ensures that our jobs remain interesting.

The greatest benefit, though, is that maturity gives you greater confidence in your own judgement, in all areas of life. You’re not afraid to express your opinion when others disagree and, unlike a teenager, you know when to let things go.

Both these periods can be happy times, but I look back at my own teenage years, with no desire to go back. Adult life may be less dramatic, but fireworks don’t keep you warm

In cities and towns all over the world the high volume of traffic is a problem.

What are the causes of this and what actions can be taken to solve this problem?

It is undoubtedly the case that urban areas around the world increasingly suffer from congestion. In this essay, I examine the reasons for this trend and suggest some practical policies the authorities could implement to reduce the level of traffic in our cities.

The first step is to understand why traffic has increased in towns and cities. Broadly speaking, there are three main reasons for this. One is that cars have become more affordable for the average consumer and they are no longer a luxury item, but something that most families expect to own. A second reason is that public transport has become increasingly unreliable in recent years, not least because many bus and train services have been reduced because of the difficulty in funding them. The third reason is that society has in general become more mobile and this means more people are prepared to commute to work by car than they were before.

There is almost certainly no one solution to this problem given the complexity of its causes. However, one option has to be to improve the reliability of public transport to encourage people to take the bus or the train rather than get in the car. It would also be possible to discourage people from driving to work by introducing special tariffs for using the roads, especially during peak periods. A successful example of this is the congestion charge scheme in London which has certainly reduced the level of trafficin inner-city areas.

In conclusion, there are a variety of different factors that have led to rising levels of traffic in urban areas. While it may not be possible to find a complete solution, any action should probably involve encouraging greater use of public transport and making it more expensive for the motorist to drive in urban areas.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic: Some people believe that children should be allowed to stay at home and play until they are six or seven years old. Others believe that it is important for young children to go to school as soon as possible. What do you think are the advantages of attending school from a young age? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.

Here we write about the benefits. Remember: 1 advantage = 1 paragraph.

In many places today, children start primary school at around the age of six or seven. However, because it is more likely now that both parents work, there is little opportunity for children to stay in their own home up to that age. Instead, they will probably go to a nursery school when they are much younger. While some people think this may be damaging to a child’s development, or to a child’s relationship with his or her parents, in fact there are many advantages to having school experience at a young age. Firstly, a child will learn to interact with a lot of different people and some children learn to communicate very early because of this. They are generally more confident and independent than children who stay at home with their parents and who are not used to strangers or new situations. Such children find their first day at school at the age of six very frightening and this may have a negative effect on how they learn. Another advantage of going to school at an early age is that children develop faster socially. They make friends and learn how to get on with other children of a similar age. This is often not possible at home because they are the only child, or because their brothers or sisters are older or younger. So overall, I believe that, attending school from a young age is good for most children. They still spend plenty of time at home with their parents, so they can benefit from both environments.

The 2nd task in IELTS General Writing is to write an essay. Here are the examples of successful responses for a high score. Pay attention to the structure of the answer and how paragraphs composition; main ideas and the examples they are supported with. The 2nd task in IELTS General Writing is to write an essay. Here are the examples of successful responses for a high score. Pay attention to the structure of the answer and how paragraphs composition; main ideas and the examples they are supported with. IELTS General Writing Task 2 looks like this (part in bold changes). WRITING TASK 2

In this task you should:     Explain the first point of view     Explain the second point of view     Add your opinion Sample answer: What’s the happiest time in people’s lives: youth or old age; school, career or retirement? All of these have been suggested, but teenage years and adulthood both have many supporters. Those who believe teenagers are the happiest people cite their lack of responsibilities as a significant factor. They are supported financially and emotionally by their parents, and although they may be included in family decisions, they’re not ultimately responsible. However, adolescents are on the threshold of adult life: they’re old enough to get a part-time job, so they can enjoy their first taste of financial independence, and their future study and career lie ahead. Away from these serious concerns, young people have an active social life with their friends, often simply by hanging out with them. And of course, there’s the excitement of first love and first heartbreak. With all this to experience, teenagers see their parents’ lives as boring and stressful. However, the reverse is also true. Adults see anxious, self-dramatising adolescents, and appreciate the joys of maturity. These may include a contented family life, long-lasting friendships and a career. Long-term relationships may not have the fireworks of adolescence, but are stronger for it, because of the wealth of shared experience. At work, many of us are challenged and stimulated by the increasing, professional skills we acquire, which ensures that our jobs remain interesting. The greatest benefit, though, is that maturity gives you greater confidence in your own judgement, in all areas of life. You’re not afraid to express your opinion when others disagree and, unlike a teenager, you know when to let things go. Both these periods can be happy times, but I look back at my own teenage years, with no desire to go back. Adult life may be less dramatic, but fireworks don’t keep you warm

In cities and towns all over the world the high volume of traffic is a problem. What are the causes of this and what actions can be taken to solve this problem? It is undoubtedly the case that urban areas around the world increasingly suffer from congestion. In this essay, I examine the reasons for this trend and suggest some practical policies the authorities could implement to reduce the level of traffic in our cities. The first step is to understand why traffic has increased in towns and cities. Broadly speaking, there are three main reasons for this. One is that cars have become more affordable for the average consumer and they are no longer a luxury item, but something that most families expect to own. A second reason is that public transport has become increasingly unreliable in recent years, not least because many bus and train services have been reduced because of the difficulty in funding them. The third reason is that society has in general become more mobile and this means more people are prepared to commute to work by car than they were before. There is almost certainly no one solution to this problem given the complexity of its causes. However, one option has to be to improve the reliability of public transport to encourage people to take the bus or the train rather than get in the car. It would also be possible to discourage people from driving to work by introducing special tariffs for using the roads, especially during peak periods. A successful example of this is the congestion charge scheme in London which has certainly reduced the level of trafficin inner-city areas. In conclusion, there are a variety of different factors that have led to rising levels of traffic in urban areas. While it may not be possible to find a complete solution, any action should probably involve encouraging greater use of public transport and making it more expensive for the motorist to drive in urban areas.

Here we write about the benefits.Remember: 1 advantage = 1 paragraph.

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Lessons & Tips

These  IELTS writing task 2  lessons, strategies and tips will show you how to write an IELTS essay. They go through all the various types of essay that you may get and instructions on how to best answer them.

For the Task 2, general or academic modules, you have to write an essay that must be a minimum of 250 words. You have 40 minutes. 

These lessons are free and teach you all the key things you need to know about the IELTS writing task 2, such as writing an introduction, analysing essay questions, writing for a band 7, developing coherency and understanding opinion essays.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Lessons:

How to write an ielts essay:  .

IELTS Essay This starter lessons tells you in simple steps how to structure and write a basic IELTS essay. 

Getting Ready to Write:

Identifying the Topic Learn how to identify the topic of an essay question in order to help you answer it correctly. 

Identifying the Task This IELTS practice will help you identify the task of an essay question. The most important thing to make sure you answer the question. 

Brainstorming and Planning In this IELTS lesson, learn how brainstorm ideas for your essay and how to extend those ideas and create a plan.

IELTS Task Response In this lesson we look at the dangers of not properly answering an IELTS writing task 2 essay question.

Ideas for IELTS Candidates often worry about not having any ideas for IELTS essay topics. This gives you some advise on how to generate ideas. 

Parts of an Essay:

IELTS Essay Introduction This lesson explains how you should approach writing an introduction for an IELTS Task 2 essay. 

Writing a Thesis Statement The thesis statement is an important part of your essay, so this lesson explains how to write thesis statements for different essay types. 

Paragraph Writing Writing clear and well-organized paragraphs is essential for your essay, so here you will learn about the basic elements that make up a good paragraph . 

IELTS Essay Conclusion Learn how to write a quick conclusion for an IELTS essay.

Coherency and Cohesion:

Writing Coherence One way to improve coherency in your writing is to use transition words. This lesson teaches you how. 

Pronouns Your writing must be coherent, and this IELTS practice lesson shows you how pronouns can help you to do this

Substitution Learn how to use substitution in IELTS to improve your cohesion and quality of writing.

Getting a High Band:

How to get an IELTS Writing band 7 There is no quick way to achieve this, but this lesson provides some general guidance on what is required to get an IELTS band 7 in the writing module. 

Band 7 Transitional Phrases for Essays Learn about useful phrases that can be used to improve the sophistication of your writing in argumentative essays.

How to Score IELTS Band 8 This lesson tell you more about how the scoring works for band 8 writing and how long it can take you to get a band 8.

Improve your IELTS Writing Score - Quickly! Not sure how to improve your IELTS writing score in a short amount of time? It might be easier than you think. 

Essay Types:

Problem Solution Essays Learn how to write a problem solution essay for the IELTS test - a quick method that will produce a well-organized answer.

IELTS Opinion Essays Get an overview of the various types of essay that ask for your opinion in the test.

Advantage Disadvantage Essay This lesson shows you how to write an IELTS advantage disadvantage essay that requires you to give an opinion. 

A Complex Essay Question This lesson shows you how to answer a more complex IELTS essay question that does not have a straightforward 'task' given to guide you.

Style and Tone:

Personal Pronouns in Essays Can you use personal pronouns such as 'I', 'our' and 'we' in IELTS essays? Find out more in this lesson.

More IELTS Writing Task 2 Resources

Ielts essay questions.

Here you can check out recent IELTS test essay questions from 2018 and earlier that candidates have posted, and also common essay questions and topics that have come up in the IELTS writing task 2:

Latest IELTS Writing Topics

Common Essay Questions and Topics

IELTS Writing Task 2 eBook

Best Selling Writing eBook

Do you need more help to write a great essay for IELTS?

If so, check out our best-selling Step-by-step Guide to Writing a Task 2 Essay  

IELTS Writing Task 2 Forums

You can also get more great tips from the questions people have asked in the IELTS Forums about the IELTS writing task 2.

There are two relevant forums:

• IELTS Writing Task 2 Forum (topics & questions about the essay)
• IELTS Writing Band 7 Forum (dedicated to those needing a 7)

These are some of the most popular questions that have been asked about the IELTS essay in the Writing Forums:

• How do I answer agree / disagree type IELTS essay questions?
• What if I know nothing about the IELTS essay topic?
• How do I manage my time in the IELTS Writing Test?
• How do I format the essay on the test day?
• Can you explain these confusing essay questions?
• Why is it difficult to get an IELTS writing band 7?
• What are some strategies to get an IELTS band 8?

And remember you can ask your own questions so please visit the forum if you have any questions about the IELTS Writing Task 2. 

• IELTS Writing Tips

These are some of the top tips for IELTS writing:

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IELTS Band 9 sample essay

Band 9 Sample answers are useful as study guides for IELTS preparation for the IELTS Writing Task 2 essay – especially for a band 9 IELTS essay. Having access to previously completed work that you can have confidence in will show you what you are missing!

Take a look at these sample task 2 essay questions to help you prepare for your exam.

Use the following IELTS sample essay and its explanations to see how close you are to a band 9 in your IELTS writing essay!

Evaluation Criteria

Get your IELTS essay evaluated online (free)

Examples of Band 9 Essays

IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Sample Question and Answer(1)

Why is this IELTS Essay a Band 9?

5 Tips for a Band 9 IELTS Essay

Sample IELTS Writing Task 2 Question and Answer(2)

Sample IELTS Writing Task 2 Question and Answer (3)

Useful Definitions of Advanced Vocabulary Used

Video: Band 9 EX-IELTS Examiner Essay Review

Sample 19 IELTS Essays and 240 Task 2 Essay Questions Ebook

Video: Useful IELTS Essay Writing Tip

Audio Resources

Additional IELTS Resources

IELTS essay task 2: evaluation criteria

IELTS writing tests are evaluated across 4 areas when your band score is calculated:

• Task achievement  – To what extent does the examinee address all parts of the task with a fully developed position, inclusive of fully extended and well supported ideas?
• Coherence and cohesion  – Does the candidate logically organise the information and ideas? Is the entire essay cohesive with a logical progression of ideas?
• Lexical resource  – To what extent does the examinee use a wide range of vocabulary with accuracy? Do they demonstrate sophistication regarding the use of lexical items?
• Grammatical range and accuracy  – Does the examinee use a range of grammatical structures accurately? Examples of these can be the use of complex sentences with sophisticated clauses instead of simple sentences with a repetitive structure:

Example : Students cannot use phones. They affect development > students are not allowed to use mobile phones in class due to possible distractions.

The British Council (the administrator of the IELTS) outlines 9 different bands of performance for each of the above dimensions here. Your scores in each of these dimensions are averaged to determine your overall band for your essay.

Let's take a look at an example essay that scored as band 9 and then we'll dig into each of these four areas to see why it received that score. It's very important to understand what the IELTS examiner is looking for.

These four criteria are used in our new online essay checker that gives you an estimated band score (free).

IELTS essay sample question (1)

Doing an enjoyable activity with a child can develop better skills and more creativity than reading. To what extent do you agree? Use reasons and specific examples to explain your answer.

IELTS sample essay answer (1)

Parents throughout the world place spend time reading with their offspring to prepare them for school where their literacy skills are further developed; however, recent research suggests that focusing on reading at an early age can be detrimental, and participating in fun activities would be far more beneficial. I am a strong advocate of this approach, and the benefits of it will be covered in this essay.

A fundamental reason for this is that there is no biological age for reading, and pushing infants to acquire this skill before they are ready could have repercussions. For example, in the UK, many boys are reluctant readers, possibly because of being forced to read, and this turned them off reading. By focusing on other activities and developing other skills such as creativity and imagination, when they are ready to read, they usually acquire this skill rapidly.

In addition, the importance of encouraging creativity and developing a child's imagination must be acknowledged. Through play, youngsters develop social and cognitive skills, for example, they are more likely to learn vocabulary through context rather than learning it from a book.

Furthermore, play allows youngsters to mature emotionally, and gain self-confidence. There is no scientific research which suggests reading at a young age is essential for a child's development, moreover, evidence suggests the reverse is true. In Finland, early years' education focuses on playing.

Reading is only encouraged if a child shows an interest in developing this skill. This self-directed approach certainly does not result in Finnish school leavers falling behind their foreign counterparts. In fact, Finland was ranked the sixth-best in the world in terms of reading.

Despite being a supporter of this non-reading approach, I strongly recommend incorporating bedtime stories into a child's daily routine. However, reading as a regular daytime activity should be swapped for something which allows the child to develop other skills.

Why is this essay a band 9?

Task achievement.

According to the IELTS Writing Band Descriptors, an essay is Band 9 for Task Achievement if it:

• Fully addresses  all parts of the task
• Presents a  fully developed  position in answer to the question with relevant, fully extended and well supported ideas.

In order to score well on Task Achievement, the most important thing is  to make sure you respond to what is being asked of you . Is the prompt asking for an opinion, a discussion of a problem, a solution to a problem, or some combination of these? If you provide an opinion and not a solution when you're being asked for a solution, you're not going to score well in this area. Read the question carefully!

The prompt for this essay asks:  “To what extent do you agree [with the previous statement]? Use reasons and specific examples to explain your answer.”  It wants an opinion – with support!

This essay addresses all parts of this task. The opinion is included in the introduction to make the writer's position clear, and then the following paragraphs support the writer's position with examples and justifications. Overall, the response is full and relevant and each of the points is detailed and connected to the thesis.

Coherence and cohesion

Think of this as “How well does the essay flow? Is it easy to follow and does it all tie together?” The exact characteristics for a Band 9 C&C score are that an essay:

• Uses cohesion in such a way that it attracts no attention
• Skilfully manages paragraphing

Note the specific wording “it attracts no attention.” The goal here is for things to sound natural and not forced. How do you connect your ideas (ensure cohesion) without it sounding forced? I think there are 2 possible ways:

• Explain your ideas in a logical order so that you don't need many linking words . This is probably what you do when writing in your own language.
• Use easy linking words like and, but, also, firstly, secondly, finally, for example. These are so common that they attract almost no attention.

This IELTS Sample essay does a good job of this – you'll notice that each paragraph naturally (logically) follows the one prior, providing additional support for the original opinion, and some simple linking words –  in addition, furthermore  (both paragraph 2) and  moreover  (paragraph 3) – are used throughout. These are all good discourse markers that show what is coming next adds to the argument and are slightly more sophisticated than firstly, secondly, and thirdly but don't come across as being forced.

The other aspect to scoring high in C&C is ensuring an essay is well-structured. What do I mean by that? A well-structured essay has a good introduction, body paragraphs that are easy to follow and connect with one another, and a good conclusion. Each body paragraph should also have its own topic sentence and support and then smoothly transition to the next paragraph.

Our sample IELTS essay has a “simple but good” introduction in which it shows that the examinee has knowledge of the topic and clearly states the writer's position to set up the rest of the essay. The paragraphs all have topic sentences, which are then supported by examples, and are easy to follow. The main body and conclusion relate back to the thesis in the introduction.

A note on conclusions…  there are two schools of thought when it comes to how to conclude an IELTS essay. One is to conclude with one simple sentence so that you spend more time perfecting your main body paragraphs. The other is to wrap up with two sentences, once which includes a small prediction (ie, how you think things might turn out) as a way to show the examiner that you know how to correctly use another tense (which will help boost your GR&A score – more on that in a minute). Either is fine, just don't forget your conclusion!

Taking time to plan out and organise your response  before  you start writing is an extremely important step in scoring well in Coherence and Cohesion for your IELTS essay – make sure you do so to ensure your essay is well structured and reads cohesively when you're done!

Lexical resource

Scoring well in the  Lexical Resource  dimension is all about (correctly) showing off your vocabulary. The description for a Band 9 here is:

• Uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features, rare minor errors occur only as ‘slips'

Collocations,  topic-specific  vocabulary  and  phrasal  verbs  are the name of the game here. To score well, an examinee needs to show that they have a wide-ranging vocabulary and they know how to use it.

Our sample essay does a solid job of showing off a  range of vocabulary  – you'll notice that while the essay frequently refers to children, the writer employs different vocabulary ( infants, youngsters, offspring, counterparts ) to do so.

Note : it is highly likely that you will need to refer to people/children in your IELTS Writing task 2 , so make sure that you have lots of different words to use to refer to them.

IELTS examiners do not like to see the words  “people,” “children”  over and over again! The same goes for the word “ important ” – make sure you have plenty of alternative phrases ( essential  and  vital  are both used in our sample essay).

Other examples of a  wide-ranging vocabulary  in our essay include using  rapidly  in place of  quickly ,  mature  instead of develop,  repercussions  to indicate a negative result, and  acquire  in place of learn.

Our sample essay also does a good job of using  collocations  – some examples include  “fundamental reason,” “reluctant readers” “social and cognitive skills,” “learn vocabulary through context,”  and  “strongly recommend.”

The correct use of  phrasal  verbs  also demonstrates one's grasp of English – because of the semantics involved, they are sometimes one of the most difficult things for English language learners to master. Our essay writer correctly uses a few of these including “ turned them off”  and  “falling behind .”

One note here: students preparing for the IELTS  often ask if they should use  idioms  (like “you're barking up the wrong tree”) in their essays to further demonstrate their grasp of the language. In my opinion, no, you shouldn't. Idioms are informal by nature and not appropriate for a written essay of this type. Stick with demonstrating your range of vocabulary and your ability to use phrasal  verbs  correctly!

Grammatical range and accuracy

The final scoring dimension is related to grammar and grammatical structures – do you know them and can you correctly use them?

The Band 9 description for grammatical range and accuracy :

• Uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy; rare minor errors occur only as slips

Note that there is nothing in the scoring criteria about including specific tenses or sentence constructions. Your main objective should be to reduce the number of mistakes that you make. An essay that contains no mistakes is likely to get a 9 for grammar, regardless of the types of sentence that it may or may not contain.

If there is a nice mix of long and short sentences in your IELTS essays, you'll meet the grammar requirements. Remember, as soon as you write a “long” sentence you are naturally going to use connectives (linking words), which will make the sentence ‘compound' or ‘complex'. So, don't think too much about the grammar – just aim to reduce the number of mistakes that you make, and try to include a few longer sentences.

Some examples from the sample essay that illustrate the writer's grammatical range and help it easily score as a band 9 include:

• appropriate uses of modal verbs in the passive voice:  “are further developed,” “will be covered,” “must be acknowledged,” “should be swapped.”
• “ to focus on ” is correctly followed by an -ing form
• However  is used correctly with a semicolon before it and a comma after
• “ because of ,” “rather than,” and are correctly followed by -ing verbs

5 Tips for an IELTS writing task 2 band 9 essay

1. answer what is being asked.

Make sure you read the prompt carefully and answer the essay questions you’re being asked. I can’t emphasise this enough. In order to score well on Task Achievement, you need to appropriately and fully address the task.

2. Plan your work, work your plan.

Plan out your essay before you start writing. What are your main points? What order are you going to make them in? How do they link together? Having a well organised essay is key scoring high marks for Coherence and Cohesion. Many IELTS test-takers will spend up to 10 minutes planning out their essay before they start writing. A few points to keep in mind:

• Your essay should have 4-5 paragraphs in total and at least 250 words
• Plan your supporting points so that they don’t go off-topic

3. Write, review, re-write

Write your essay, review it and then “rewrite” it. Don’t focus on getting things perfect upfront – you don’t want to waste 15 minutes trying to come up with the perfect synonym for something and then not have enough time to finish your full essay! Write your essay first (an unwritten essay won’t score well at all!) and then go back through it to see how you can improve it. Some essay questions to ask yourself at this stage:

• Are there places where you can swap out stronger words for weaker ones in order to improve your Lexical Resource score?
• Are there places where you can phrase things differently in order to illustrate your Grammatical Range?

4. Where are you falling?

To pass with a Band 9 the reality is you need two sets of skills:

• Exam skills
• Language skills

What are exam skills?

Can you plan an effective essay? Quickly? Ideally between 3-5 minutes.

Can you think of enough ideas and examples to put in the essay plan?

Firstly you need to discover which of these skills you need. To do this you get feedback, either from an online IELTS essay checker or for more detailed feedback you can use our IELTS essay correction service .

The main goal is to find out which part of the essay writing process is costing you the most amount of time, points or stress.

Personally, the easiest and fastest way to get these skills is to do an online course specialised in training students with these skills. Here is a good course for that.

5. Better language skills?

A lot of students fail the  IELTS exam or end up with a band in their IELTS writing test that does not meet their requirements. Also, a significant number of students look to Google to search for “IELTS Writing tips” or “Task two tips”. These tips might be helpful but sometimes the real problem might just be in their general language or writing skills.

Writing error-free perfect sentences is probably much more challenging than students think, especially under exam conditions i.e in 40 minutes with immense pressure to pass. These can result in often mixed outcomes with both positive or negative development occurring at one and the same time.

One of the most important ways to improve language skills is to receive feedback. This can be by asking someone to review written work and will expose the positive or negative development mentioned earlier. This is very common and not something that is a negative issue overall.

Have a look at our essay correction service that will review your essays for you and help you improve and pass the IELTS test.

Here is a checklist of what is needed for reaching Band 9, it includes what the examiner wants to see, and what to do to write at a Band 9 level.

Sample IELTS writing task 2 question (2)

Today, the quality of life in large cities is decreasing. Discuss the causes and solutions.

IELTS writing task 2: essay sample answer (2)

The global phenomenon of urbanisation from the beginning of industrialisation to the present day has brought opportunity and prosperity, albeit at a cost in the quality of life. With an increasing city population, the complexity of the challenges also increases for the globe as well as the local community. Therefore, the causes and effects of these on the current generation, as well as possible solutions are outlined below.

The causes for the decrease in the quality of life are paradoxically the prosperity endowed on such metropolitan centres. Their growth is largely due to the increase of opportunities on offer, which in turn increases their attractiveness, essentially they are trapped in a positive self-reinforcing cycle. While such developments have a positive impact on immediate economic objectives, it perpetuates behaviours that can have a negative impact in the long term.

However, this eventually leads to a decrease in the quality of life as the city can experience overcrowding, exorbitant property prices, and increased vulnerability to terrorist attacks. For example, the density of London makes it a more efficient place to attack, when compared to a smaller city such as Bradford.

Therefore, due to continuous growth and prosperity, urban citizens, especially the less well off, often experience a lower standard of living. Even greater than this, are the relevant examples of natural disasters such as recent fires in Australia, which brought about unprecedented weather patterns resulting in the destruction of wild and rare animals. These effects are far from uniform, as they affect different countries in ways unseen by previous generations.

Considering the solutions, greater investment in public transport would ease traffic congestion, as would bike lanes. In theory, this would reduce air pollution, and possibly improve the well-being of the population if they did adopt a more active lifestyle and cycle to work. While these solutions are local, if adopted globally, would affect individuals and many countries alike. A collective effort is needed to use social networks and other media to highlight the negative effect of urbanisation as well as the negative sides of the wider ramifications on the population.

To conclude, while it could be argued that urbanisation advantages outweigh the disadvantages, a wealthy city attracts a large population inflow, which then causes pressure on existing infrastructure and security. Various solutions exist to mitigate such drawbacks, such as social networks being used to raise awareness of such negative impacts on many countries, nevertheless an indefinite solution has yet to be found.

Sample IELTS writing task 2 question (3)

Social media marketing can influence what consumers buy. Do you agree or disagree? To what extent do you agree?

IELTS writing task 2: essay sample answer (3)

Since the introduction of social media applications in the early 2000's the world has become a much smaller place. Social media applications such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter have become information sources for a majority of the global market.

As such, it could be argued that marketing, which happens to be a source of information accessible on these platforms can influence the consumers who use them. This notion is further aided by the rise in online retail stores that conduct the bulk of their transactions online. This makes it easier for the consumer to purchase from anywhere in the world.

As a consumer on social media, you are constantly bombarded with advertisements of various products that are specifically designed to catch your attention. This means that most of the adverts on your news feeds aren't random and will almost always feature something you have previously searched online or something currently popular or trending. Given the fact that most social media users are young consumers who are influenced by current trends and happenings, these adverts will almost always catch their eye.

The habit of sharing, retweeting and liking also ensure that these adverts get around, quite fast. As such, when an advert does reach your news feed you have already probably seen it on your friend's news feed. The truth is, adverts are a form of information and with the age of the internet, information spreads faster than a wildfire.

Therefore, it only makes sense that in the era and age of technology, globalization and the need to be trendy, social media marketing can influence what consumers buy.

Useful definitions of advanced vocabulary used

Paradoxically

Equivalent sentences

“For example, it is said, the CCTV in London has foiled many potential attacks, and therefore greatly increased the security of its citizens.” Could also be said as:

“Statistics show that CCTV used in London has scuppered many a terrorist plot, massively contributing to the security of its citizens.”

More Equivalent sentences Various solutions exist to mitigate such drawbacks, nevertheless an indefinite solution has yet to be found.

Could also be said as:

A myriad of partial fixes exist for these issues, yet a permanent solution is still out of reach.

There are many methods employed to quell this flow of people, but still a reliable solution has not been discovered.

IELTS writing task 2: vocabulary booster

The highlighted sections in the following paragraph represent key phrases or words relating to this topic. Study this paragraph to expand your vocabulary knowledge on this topic:

The modern urban environment varies considerably depending on both the city that produces it and the individual who perceives it; Each experiencing a unique blend of at least some economic success, varying degrees of localised or wider deprivation and periods of growth and decline. Environmental factors permitting, a city will provide well for its citizens as long as it can properly manage the execution of social policy.

Globalisation presents many challenges for those responsible for the policy as large inflows of people are to be expected in a place of success and therefore opportunity; The ensuing mixing of cultures has far-reaching social consequences that can affect how the city is both presented and perceived.

Considerably Con·sid·er·a·ble (kən-sĭd′ər-ə-bəl) adj. 1. Large in amount, extent, or degree: a writer of considerable influence. 2. Worthy of consideration; significant: The economy was a considerable issue in the campaign.

Perceive Per·ceive (pər-sēv′) tr.v. per·ceived, per·ceiv·ing, per·ceives 1a. To become aware of (something) directly through any of the senses, especially sight or hearing: We could perceive three figures in the fog. 1b. To cause or allow the mind to become aware of (a stimulus): The ear perceives sounds. 2. To achieve understanding of; apprehend: Einstein perceived that energy and matter are equivalent . 3. To regard or consider; deem: an old technology that is still perceived as useful; a politician who is perceived to be untrustworthy.

Deprivation Dep·ri·va·tion (dĕp′rə-vā′shən) n. 1. The/an act or an instance of depriving; Loss . 2. The state of being deprived: social deprivation; a cycle of deprivation and violence.

“The town’s generally miserable appearance led her to perceive it as a place of considerable deprivation.”

IELTS writing task 2: further reading

There are many more writing samples for you to explore.

The BBC has great pages on discursive writing and general writing , also, this video is good for learning how to give examples.

You can even read a sample Harvard essay aimed at preparing students for academic writing.

Remember! Select a text that is appropriate for your level. Choosing the wrong text can result in a loss of confidence and feeling bad never helped anyone to learn anything quickly!

Video: Band 9 ex-IELTS examiner essay review

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Video: ielts writing task 2-extremely useful sentences.

Optimize Your Writing: Try Our Online IELTS Essay Checker

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How does it work? You put your essay into the tool, it then looks at your essay and tells you what you did right and where you can do better. This helps you learn quickly.

The good news is that our tool can help you save money. Some students pay a lot for classes or books to learn how to write better. But our tool is not expensive. And it gives you fast help.

So, after you read the sample essay on this page, try our online IELTS essay checker . It will show you how to write even better essays.

To sum it up, our online IELTS essay checker is here to help you. It's easy to use and not costly. We want you to do your best in the IELTS without spending too much money. Good luck with your writing!

Additional IELTS writing task 2 resources

• The University of Manchester Academic Phrasebook provides guidelines and examples of how to introduce essay topics, discuss findings and write conclusions
• The University of Birmingham Guide to Academic Writing provides tips on paraphrasing, in addition to how to plan, structure and write an essay
• Use these useful sentences for IELTS Writing Task 2 .
• This page is good for sample essay topics and answers, also for Task Two.

IELTS writing essay task 2 Sample Band 8 The writing part of your IELTS exam is a great place to score some extra points, especially if you are looking to score within band 8. Here is a task 2 writing sample to help you do just that.

Vocabulary for IELTS Vocabulary is probably the most important part of preparing successfully for IELTS. It is used for both the speaking and writing part of the exam. Click here to view some essential vocabulary.

General essay topics The IELTS exam has a number of general essay topics that span a number of disciplines ad subject matters. To have an idea of what to expect check out our list of general essay topics.

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Common IELTS Writing task 2 questions

• Remember the ideal answer structure;
• Overcome your writing weaknesses (such as grammar mistakes);
• Remember some key ideas and vocabulary for each topic, so you don’t get confused on the exam.

Questions are divided by themes.

Task 2 questions by theme:

Art (3 questions)

Education (8 questions)

Environment (10 questions)

Friends and family (7 questions)

Government and society (7 questions)

Health (6 questions)

Jobs and Employment (7 questions)

Relationships (5 questions)

Science and technology (5 questions)

Sport (4 questions)

Travel and tourism (5 questions)

TV, music and media (6 questions)

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• Writing Task 1
• Writing Task 2

Common Topics for IELTS Writing Task 2: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you preparing for the IELTS exam and feeling overwhelmed by the Writing Task 2? Don’t worry! This comprehensive guide will walk you through the most common topics you’re likely to encounter in IELTS Writing Task 2, helping you feel more confident and prepared on exam day.

Table of Contents

• 1 Understanding IELTS Writing Task 2
• 2.1 1. Education
• 2.2 2. Environment and Climate Change
• 2.3 3. Technology and Society
• 2.4 4. Health and Lifestyle
• 2.5 5. Globalization and Culture
• 3.1 1. Analyze the Question Carefully
• 3.2 2. Plan Your Essay
• 3.3 3. Use Relevant Examples
• 3.4 4. Develop a Clear Structure
• 3.5 5. Use Appropriate Vocabulary and Grammar
• 4 Important Tips for IELTS Writing Task 2
• 5 Next Steps

Understanding IELTS Writing Task 2

IELTS Writing Task 2 is a crucial component of the IELTS exam, requiring candidates to write an essay in response to a given prompt. This task tests your ability to present and justify opinions, evaluate ideas, and write coherent, well-structured essays.

Common Topic Categories

1. education.

Education is a frequently recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2. You might encounter questions about:

• The role of technology in education
• Homeschooling vs. traditional schooling
• The importance of arts and music in the curriculum
• University education: free or paid

Example question: “Some people believe that children should be taught how to manage money at school. Do you agree or disagree?”

2. Environment and Climate Change

Environmental issues are increasingly important and often appear in IELTS essays. Topics may include:

• Renewable energy sources
• Plastic pollution and waste management
• Conservation of natural resources
• Climate change mitigation strategies

Example question: “Many environmental problems are too big for individual countries and individual people to address. In other words, we have reached the stage where the only way to protect the environment is at an international level. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?”

3. Technology and Society

The impact of technology on society is another common theme. You might be asked to discuss:

• Social media’s influence on relationships
• Artificial intelligence and job displacement
• Privacy concerns in the digital age
• The role of technology in healthcare

Example question: “Some people think that the increasing use of computers and mobile phones for communication has a negative effect on young people’s reading and writing skills. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”

4. Health and Lifestyle

Health-related topics are frequently featured in IELTS Writing Task 2. Common subjects include:

• Diet and nutrition
• Work-life balance
• Mental health awareness
• Healthcare systems and policies

Example question: “Some people believe that governments should ban dangerous sports, while others think people should have freedom to choose their activities. Discuss both views and give your opinion.”

5. Globalization and Culture

As our world becomes increasingly interconnected, questions about globalization and cultural identity are common. Topics might include:

• Cultural preservation in a globalized world
• International tourism: benefits and drawbacks
• Language learning and its importance
• Migration and multiculturalism

Example question: “In many countries, the number of people learning English is increasing. What are the reasons for this? Is this a positive or negative development?”

How to Approach Common IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics

1. analyze the question carefully.

Before you start writing, make sure you understand what the question is asking. Identify the topic, the task (agree/disagree, discuss both views, etc.), and any specific points you need to address.

2. Plan Your Essay

Spend a few minutes outlining your essay. This will help you organize your thoughts and ensure you cover all necessary points.

3. Use Relevant Examples

Support your arguments with specific examples. These can be from personal experience, current events, or general knowledge.

4. Develop a Clear Structure

A well-structured essay typically includes:

• Introduction: Paraphrase the question and state your position
• Body paragraphs: Each discussing a main point with supporting evidence
• Conclusion: Summarize your main points and restate your position

5. Use Appropriate Vocabulary and Grammar

Demonstrate your language skills by using a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures relevant to the topic.

Important Tips for IELTS Writing Task 2

• Practice regularly with a variety of topics to improve your writing speed and quality.
• Time management is crucial. Aim to spend about 40 minutes on Task 2.
• Read widely on current affairs to build your knowledge base for different topics.
• Focus on developing clear, logical arguments rather than trying to use overly complex language.
• Proofread your essay if time allows, checking for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.

Now that you’re familiar with the Common Topics For IELTS Writing Task 2 , it’s time to put your knowledge into practice. Try writing essays on different topics, timing yourself to simulate exam conditions. Consider joining an IELTS study group or seeking feedback from a tutor to further improve your skills.

Remember, success in IELTS Writing Task 2 comes with practice and familiarity with various topics. Stay informed about current events, continue to expand your vocabulary, and practice regularly. With dedication and the right approach, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle any topic that comes your way on exam day.

• IELTS essay samples
• reading strategies
• Vocabulary List

How to Prepare for IELTS Academic Writing Task 2: A Comprehensive Guide

How to Achieve Band 9 in IELTS Exam: Expert Strategies and Tips

Best Websites for IELTS Listening Practice Tests: Top Resources for Success

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IELTS Essay Questions

IELTS essay questions based on types of essays in IELTS for writing task 2.

It is essential to understand the structure you need to follow while writing an essay. Read model answers

Essay Links:      Discussion essays       Agree Disagree Essays       Problem Solution Essays       Advantage Disadvantage Essays       Opinion Essays       Positive or negative development essays       Direct question essays    

Discussion essay questions.

Employers sometimes ask people applying for jobs for personal information, such as their hobbies and interests, and whether they are married or single. Some people say that this information may be relevant and useful. Others disagree. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Some people say that parents should encourage their children to take part in organised group activities in their free time. Others say that it is important for children to learn how to occupy themselves on their own. Discuss these views and give your own opinion. Model answer By Prema Australia

Some people say that now we can see films on our phones or tablets there is no need to go to the cinema. Others say that to be fully enjoyed, films need to be seen in a cinema, Discuss both views and given your own opinion. Model answer .

Some people think it is better to impose a tax on companies which produce pollution while others think that there are other solutions. Discuss both views and give your opinion. Model Answer .

Some people say History is one of the most important school subjects. Other people think that, in today’s world, subjects like Science and Technology are more important than History. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Some people believe that it is best to accept a bad situation, such as an unsatisfactory job or shortage of money. Others argue that it is better to try and improve such situations. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Some people say that the main environmental problem of our time is the loss of particular species of plants and animals. Others say that there are more important environmental problems. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Some people believe that it is good to share as much information as possible in scientific research, business and the academic world. Others believe that some information is too important or to valuable to be shared freely. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

In a number of countries, some people think it is necessary to spend large sums of money on constructing new railway lines for very fast trains between cities. Others believe the money should be spend on improving existing public transport. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Some people believe that allowing children to make their own choices on everyday matters (such as food, clothes and entertainment) is likely to result in a society of individuals who only think about their own wishes. Other people believe that it is important for children to make decisions about matters that affect them. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Some people say that the only reason for learning a foreign language is in order to travel to or work in foreign country. Others say that these are not the only reasons why someone should learn a foreign language. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Many governments think that economic progress is their most important goal. Some people, however, think that other types of progress are equally important for a country. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Some people think that all university students should study whatever they like. Others believe that they should only be allowed to study subjects that will be useful in the future, such as those related to science and technology. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. 

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.

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

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. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Some people think that it is better to educate boys and girls in separate schools. Others, however, believe that boys and girls benefit more from attending mixed schools. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

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. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

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 these views and give your own opinion.

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

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. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. 

Some people prefer to spend their lives doing the same things and avoiding change. Others, however, think that change is always a good thing. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

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. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Some people work for the same organisation all their working life. Others think that it is better to work for different organisations. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Sugar is harmful to the body. Some people say that the government is responsible for limiting the amount of sugar from people’s food. Others think that individuals should take responsibility for limiting the sugar they take. Discuss both views and give your opinion.( 10 April 2020 IDP )

Some people say that modern technology has made shopping today easier, while others disagree. Discuss both views and give your opinion. Model Answer

Some people think that climate change reforms will negatively effect businesses. Other feel it is an opportunity for them. Discuss both views and give your opinion. Model Answer

Agree disagree essay questions

Some people say that in all levels of education, from primary schools to universities, too much time is spent on learning facts and not enough on learning practical skills. Do you agree or disagree?

Some people say that it is possible to tell a lot about a person’s culture and character from their choice of clothes. Do you agree or disagree?

Some people believe that governments should not provide international aid when they have unemployment and homelessness in their country. Do you agree or disagree? Model Answer .

Some people think that having a set retirement age(e.g 65 years) for everybody, regardless of occupation, is unfair. They believe that certain workers deserve to retire and receive a pension at an earlier age. Do you agree or disagree? Which types of workers do you think should benefit from early retirement?

Rising university fees and scarce employment prospects for graduates have led some people to say that universities should not teach arts subjects, like philosophy and history, and only offer practical degree courses that maximise chances of employment. Do you agree or disagree?

Living in a country where you have to speak a foreign language can cause serious social problems, as well as practical problems. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? 

Some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices.Do you agree or disagree with this statement?  

Some people say that music is a good way of bringing people of different cultures and ages together. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Governments should spend money on railways rather than roads. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

It is important for children to learn the difference between right and wrong at an early age. Punishment is necessary to help them learn this distinction. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion? What sort of punishment should parents and teachers be allowed to use to teach good behaviour to children?

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). To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Every year several languages die out. Some people think that this 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?

Increasing the price of petrol is the best way to solve growing traffic or pollution problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree? What other measures do you think might be effective?

Some people feel that entertainers (e.g film starts, pop musicians or sports stars) are paid too much money. Do you agree or disagree? Which other types of job should be highly paid? 

Today, the high sales of popular consumer goods reflect the power of advertising and not the real needs of society  in which they are sold. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Universities should accept equal numbers of male and female students in every subject. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Creative artists should always be given the freedom to express their own ideas (in words, pictures, music or film) in whichever way they wish. There should be no government restriction on what they do. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Popular events like the football World Cup and other international sporting occasions are essential in easing international tensions and releasing patriotic emotions in a safe way. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

When a country develops its technology, the traditional skills and ways of life die out. It is pointless to try and keep them alive. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Improvements in health, education and trade are essential for development of poorer nations. However, the governments of richer nations should take more responsibility for helping the poorer nations in such areas. Do you agree or disagree?

Some people believe that children’s leisure activities must be educational, otherwise they are complete waste of time. Do you agree or disagree?

Fatherhood ought to be emphasised as much as motherhood. The idea that women are solely responsible for deciding whether or not to have babies leads on to the idea that they are also responsible for bringing the children up. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Out of country’s health budget, a large proportion should be diverted from treatment to spending on health education and preventive measures. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Without capital punishment (the death penalty) our lives are less secure and crimes of violence increase. Capital punishment is essential to control violence in society. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

The position of women in society has changed markedly in the last twenty years. Many of the problems young people now experience, such as juvenile delinquency, arise from the fact that many married women now work and are not at home to care for their children. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

In some countries, an increasing number of people are suffering from health problems as a result of eating too much fast food. It is therefore necessary for governments to impose higher tax on this kind of food. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

The continued rise in the world’s population is the greatest problem faced by the humanity at the present time. What are the causes of this continued rise? Do you agree that it is the greatest problem faced by humanity?

It is sometimes said that people should be encouraged to get married before they are 30, as this is best both for the individual and society. Do you agree or disagree?

The excessive use of television, mobiles and computers is inhibiting the development of children, which is proved by recent researches. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Eating a healthy diet is the most important step towards living a disease free life. Do you agree or disagree?

In the future, more people will choose to go on holiday in their own country and not travel abroad on holiday. Do you agree or disagree?

Some people believe that their family members will always be more important than their friends. Do you agree or disagree? (31 October 2020 IDP)

The education of young people is highly prioritised in many countries. However, educating adults who cannot write or read is even more important, and the government should spend more money on this. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Model Answer

Problem solution essay questions

Many working people get little or no exercise either during the working day or in their free time, and have health problems as a result. Why do many working people not get enough exercise? What can be done about this problem?

In spite of the advances made in agriculture, many people around the world still go hungry. Why is this the case? What can be done about this problem?

In some countries, the average weight of people is increasing and their levels of health and fitness are decreasing. What do you think are the causes of these problems and what measures could be taken to solve them?

Nowadays we are producing more and more rubbish. Why do you think this is happening? What can government do to help reduce the amount rubbish produced?

In many countries, schools have severe problems with student behaviour. What do you think are the causes of this? What solutions can you suggest?

It is generally accepted that families are not as close as they used to be. Give some reasons why this has happened and suggest how families could be brought closer together.

Car ownership has increased so rapidly over the past thirty years that many cities in the world are now ‘one big traffic jam’. How true do you think this statement is? what measure can governments take to discourage people from using their cars? 

Some people get into debt by buying things they do not need and cannot afford. What are the reasons for this behaviour? What action can be taken to prevent people from having this problem?

Nowadays many people complain that they have difficulties getting enough sleep. What problems can lack of sleep cause? What can be done about lack of sleep?

Some people believe that it is impossible to live a comfortable life in big cities. What problems do people face in big cities? What solutions can solve these problems?  (21 November 2020 IDP)

The demand for fresh water is increasing, but its level is decreasing in many countries. What are the causes of this problem? How the government and individuals can solve it? (15 January 2022 IDP) Model Answer

Some old people think that retirement life is happier, but it is not as happy as imagined when they retire. What are the reasons for this? Suggest some solutions. Model Answer

Advantage disadvantage essay questions

Today more and more tourists are visiting places where conditions are difficult, such as the Sahara desert or the Antarctic. What are the advantages and disadvantages for tourists who visit such places?

Many young people regularly change their jobs over the years. What are the reasons for this? Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? Model Answer.

Solar energy is becoming more and more popular as a source of household energy in many countries around the world. Why is this? What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy?

Nowadays many people choose to be self-employed, rather than to work for a company or organisation. Why might this be the case? What could be the disadvantages of being self-employed?

At the present time, the population of some countries includes a relatively large number of young adults, compared with the number of older people. Do advantages of this situation outweigh the disadvantages?

Many museum charge for admission while others are free. Do you think the advantages of charging people for admission to museum outweigh the disadvantages?

Some parents buy their children a large number of toys to play with. What are the advantages and disadvantages for the child of having a large number of toys?

Some experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a foreign language at primary school rather than secondary school. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantage?

Being a celebrity- such as a famous film start or sports personality- brings problems as well as benefits. Do you think that being a celebrity brings more benefits or more problems?

Some people prefer to live in a house, while others feel that there are more advantages to living in an apartment. Are there more advantages than disadvantages of living in a house compared with living in an apartment?

In some countries, young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between finishing high school and starting university studies. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decide to do this.

One of the consequences of improved medical care is that people are living longer and life expectancy is increasing. Do you think the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages? 

Nowadays technology is increasingly being used to monitor what people are saying and doing (for example, through cellphone tracking and security cameras). In many cases, the people being monitored are unaware that this is happening. Do you think the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

In the past, when students did a university degree, they tended to study in their own country. Nowadays, they have more opportunities to study abroad. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this development?

The ownership of private vehicles is increasing day by day. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this development.

In many countries, paying for things using mobile phone apps is becoming increasingly common. Does this development have more advantages or more disadvantages? 

Due to increasing world demands for oil and gas energy, people need to look for new sources of energy in remote and untouched natural places. Do the advantages of locating these sources outweigh the disadvantages of damaging such places? (12 December 2020 IDP Academic)

New technologies have changed the way children spend their free time. Do you think the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages? Model Answer

Opinion essays questions

News stories on TV and in newspapers are very often accompanied by pictures. Some people say that these pictures are more effective than words. What is your opinion about this?

In many places, new homes are needed, but the only space available for building them is in the countryside. Some people believe it is more important to protect the countryside and not build new homes there. What is your opinion about this?

In some areas of the US, a ‘curfew’ is imposed, in which teenagers are not allowed to be out of doors after a particular time at night unless they are accompanied by an adult. What is your opinion about this?

Some people say it is important to keep your home and your workplace tidy, with everything organised and in the correct place. What is your opinion about this?

Learning English at school is often seen as more important than learning local languages. If these are not taught, many are at risk of dying out. In your opinion, is it important for everyone to learn English? Should we try to ensure the survival of local languages and, if so, how?

It is generally accepted that exercise is good for children and teenagers. Therefore, physical education and sports should be compulsory for all students in all schools. What do you think? 

Some people claim that not enough of the waste from homes is recycled. They say that the only way to increase recycling is for governments to make it a legal requirement. Do you think laws are needed to make people recycle more of their waste?

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?

In many countries, children are engaged in some kind of paid work. Some people regard this as completely wrong, while others consider it as valuable work experience, important for learning and taking responsibility. What are your opinions on this?

In some cities, historical buildings are destroyed to create space for new homes. What is your opinion about this? ( 17 September 2020 B.C. )

In many countries today, crime novels and TV crime dramas are becoming more and more popular. Why do you think these books and TV shows are popular? What is your opinion of crime fiction and TV crime dramas. 

Positive or negative development essays questions

In recent years, many small local shops have closed because customers travel to large shopping malls to do their shopping. Is this a positive or a negative development? Model Answer.

Most people accept that we now live in a globalised world but not everyone agree that this is beneficial. Is globalisation a positive or negative development. Model Answer .

Countries are becoming more and more similar because people are able to buy the same products anywhere in the world. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

Nowadays the way many people interact with each other has changed because of technology. In what way has technology affected the type of relationships people make? Has this become a positive or negative development? 

In many countries, people decide to leave their parent’s homes once they finish school. They start living on their own or sharing a home with friends. Is this a negative or positive development?  Model Answer .

Direct question essays

In many countries, the amount of crime is increasing. What do you think are the main causes of crime? How can we deal with those causes? Model Answer

Today more people are travelling than ever before. Why is this the case? What are the benefits of travelling for the traveller?

As most people spend a major part of their adult life at work, job satisfaction is an important element of individual well-being. What factors contribute to job satisfaction? How realistic is the expectation of job satisfaction for all workers?

Research indicates that the characteristics we are born with have much more influence on our personality and development than any experiences we may have in our life. Which do you consider to be major influence?

Some people believe that children are given too much free time. They feel that this time should be used to do more school work. How do you think children should spend their free time?

Happiness is considered very important in life. Why it is difficult to define? What factors are important in achieving happiness?

Millions of people every year move to English-speaking countries such as Australia, Britain or America, in order to study at school, college or university. Why do so many people want to study in English? Why English such an important international language?

Should wealthy nations be required to share their wealth among poorer nations by providing such things as food and education? Or is it the responsibility of the governments of poorer nations to look after their citizens themselves?

We are becoming increasingly dependent on computers. They are used in business, hospitals crime detection and even to fly planes. What things will  they be used in the future? Is this dependence on computers a good thing or should we be more suspicious of their benefits?

Many people like to wear fashionable clothes. Why do you think this is the case? Is this a good thing or a bad thing?

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Common IELTS Writing Task 2 topics

در این صفحه, environment, government spending.

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Although you never know what your question for writing Task 2 on the IELTS exam is going to be, there are often certain topics that come up repeatedly when practicing sample questions. Here is a list of common writing Task 2 topics and some strategies to become familiar with them.

Education is a topic that most IELTS candidates can relate to and it is a common theme for the IELTS Writing Task 2. Questions can range from topics such as the classroom to the curriculum.

Many feel that the common educational system of teachers and students in a classroom will be replaced by the year 2050.

Do you agree with this view? Give your opinion.

Education should be free to all people and should be paid for and managed by the government.

Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Much of our world today is heavily influenced by technology and so many aspects of our lives are impacted by this topic. Various Task 2 questions have technology as the main idea.

Nowadays, children watch a lot of TV and play video games. However, some think that these activities are not beneficial for a child’s mental health.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Modern technology now allows rapid and uncontrolled access to information in many countries. This is a danger to our societies.

Health is another common topic on the IELTS writing Task 2 as healthcare is becoming more complex with people in many countries becoming more concerned with their health and having varying opinions on how to care for themselves.

Doctors recommend that older people exercise regularly. However, many of them do not get enough exercise.

What are the reasons?

What can be done to encourage them to exercise more?

Health care costs are increasing and many governments are finding it difficult to balance their healthcare budget. Should citizens be totally responsible for their own health with private health insurance or should the government provide free healthcare for all?

Discuss your viewpoint on this issue.

The environment is a worldwide issue that affects everyone. For this reason, it is a common topic on writing Task 2.

Some feel that it is impossible for a country to be economically progressive and environmentally friendly at the same time. Others disagree with this view.

Discuss both points of view and give your opinion.

Water pollution has become an increasing problem over the past few decades.

What causes water pollution?

How can we prevent this problem?

Government spending affects everyone within a country, so many citizens have strong opinions on how government funds are allocated. For writing Task 2, questions could discuss government spending on a wide range of topics.

Governments should lower budgets for arts in order to allocate more money to education.

Do you agree with this view?

Some believe governments should spend more money on improving roads and highways, while some think money should be spent improving public transportation, such as buses, trains, and subways.

People and the way they behave in different situations is the focus of many questions. This is why sociology is a common topic on the writing section of the IELTS exam.

Many parents put a lot of pressure on their children to succeed.

To what extent do you agree?

Most societies are based on rules and laws. If individuals were free to do whatever they wanted, society could not function.

Now that you know some common topics, here are some strategies to feel comfortable writing about any of them:

Read the news

All of these topics are commonly found in the news, in various types of stories and articles. Reading the news is a good way to get a sense of each topic and the vocabulary that is commonly associated with each of these topics.

Develop common vocabulary for each topic

Reading the news will allow you to see what words are common across these topics. Writing this vocabulary down and noting how to use it will help develop your writing skills. When you practice writing Task 2 essays, try to use this vocabulary in the correct form and in different questions.

Practice writing about these topics

Although this is not an inclusive list of topics, it's a good place to start. Look at common questions about these topics and practice writing them. This will allow you to get more comfortable with writing a Task 2 essay as well as using more advanced, topic-specific vocabulary.

Know these topics in different essay types

When you look at Task 2 questions, think about all essay types because you never know what kind of essay you are going to have to write on the IELTS test. If you read a topic about sports, think about your opinion, how you would discuss both views, what are the advantages and disadvantages of differing views, any problems or solutions associated with the topic, etc. Following this advice will help you understand how you would answer any type of essay question and aid in your success with writing Task 2.

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