types of essay questions in ielts

Before I share with you the 7 different types of questions, you need to know the difference between an "expository" and an "opinion" question. Expository Question : Asks information and ideas. DOES NOT ask you to take a position.

QN: " Discuss the reasons why people use their mobile phones so much."

In this question, you are not asked to take a position between two options. Rather, you're asked to "discuss" and give ideas on the reasons for how people are using their handphones so much. Therefore, such a question is considered an expository question.

Opinion Question : Asks y ou to take a position.

QN: "Everyone should be taxed for disposing waste in order to reduce wastage.

Do you agree or disagree?"

This question asks you whether you "agree or disagree" to a statement. The statement is that people should be paying for disposing their rubbish, and you are asked to take a position for this question. Therefore, this question is considered an opinion question. Having understood this important distinction, let us now get into the 7 types of essay questions.

1. Two-Part Expository - Advantages and Disadvantages

QN: "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."

This question falls under the "two-part expository" category because there are two questions and both of them are expository questions - i.e. both questions just ask you for information and ideas and do not ask you to take a position.

In this case, the two questions relate to "advantages" and "disadvantages".

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2. Two-Part Expository - Causes and Solutions OR Problems and Solutions

QN: "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?" ( Cau ses and Solu tions)

QN: "Sometimes tourists may damage tourist sites.

What are some of the negative effects of this? Suggest some solutions to this problem." ( Problems and Solutions)

There are two versions of this type of question. It either asks you for the causes (i.e. reasons) of something and the solutions OR it asks you for the problems (i.e. negative effects) of something and solutions.

You can find an example of each kind above. The "causes and solutions" version is the more common of the two versions.

3. Two-Part Expository - Others

QN: "Nowadays, people are less likely to trust news agencies.

Why is this happening? What qualities are necessary to become a good journalist?"

This question also falls under the "two-part expository" category. However, this third question type is for other questions that are NOT "advantages and disadvantages" or "causes/problems and solutions". Thus, I call them "Others".

"Advantages and disadvantages" and "causes/problems and solutions" have their own category because they are both common IELTS questions.

This third question type is for questions that contain 2 expository questions but does not fit Type 1 or Type 2.

4. Opinion

QN: "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?"

QN: "Due to science and technology, lifestyles of people across the world are becoming more and more similar.

Do you think this is a positive or negative development?"

There are two versions to this question type as illustrated above. One version "states an opinion then asks you whether you agree or disagree."

The second version "states a fact then asks you if you think this is positive or negative."

5. Discussion

QN: "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 own your opinion."

This question states two contradictory opinions then asks you to "Discuss both these views and give your own opinion."

6. Advantages and Disadvantages - Opinion Version

QN: "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?" (Academic IELTS)

QN: "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?" (General Training IELTS)

This question type is similar to the first question type. The difference is that this is the "opinion" version while the first question type is the "expository" version.

If you look at the first question type, all the question asks is to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of something. However, this question is an "opinion" question that asks you to take a position. You need to state whether you think the advantages outweigh (are more than) the disadvantages or the disadvantages outweigh (are more than) the advantages.

In other words, you cannot just state the advantages and disadvantages. You need to also state your position on which outweighs which. Note: the Academic IELTS phrasing uses the word "outweigh" while the General Training IELTS phrasing uses the word "more". The phrasing may be different but the way to answer the questions are similar.

7. Two-Part Expository and Opinion

QN: "In most parts of the world, people are living longer than before.

What are the reasons for this? Is this a positive or negative development?"

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

To what extent do you agree or disagree? What other measures do you think might be effective?"

Like the first 3 types of questions, there are two parts to this question. For the first 3 types of questions, both the questions are "expository" questions. However, for this 7th type, one question is "expository" and one question is "opinion". If you look at the above two questions, you would see the "expository" questions: "What are the reasons for this?" and "What other measures do you think might be effective?". Then, you would see the "opinion" questions: "Is this a positive or negative development?" and "To what extent do you agree or disagree?"

Writing Tips

1. Out of all 7 types, the second (Causes and Solutions), the third (Opinion) and the fourth (Discussion) are the most common question types. 2. It is important that every IELTS student is familiar with these 7 types of questions. Once you are familiar with them, you can then formulate a plan to answer each type. 3. You can't trust all the IELTS essay questions you read online. This is because students who share their exam questions wrote it from memory. As a result, a lot of questions are phrased wrongly. Please DO NOT base your IELTS preparation on wrong IELTS questions!

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• Types Of Essay

Five Types of Essay in IELTS Writing Task 2 with Samples

We will discuss about 5 types of essay in IELTS for writing task 2 and get into the details of each task type so that you can understand thoroughly and get tips for success in writing.

Table of Contents

What Are the Types of Essays in IELTS Writing Task 2?

1. opinion essay, sample of opinion essay , 2. discussion essay, sample of discussion essay, 3. problem solution essay, sample of problem solution essay, 4. advantages and disadvantages essay, sample of advantages and disadvantages essay, 5. double question essays, sample of double question essays.

The IELTS writing task 2 tests the essay writing skills of the students. There are 5 different types of essay in IELTS which a student can be asked to write. Therefore, before appearing for the test, the candidates should practice all of them and learn about their structure and writing style. Here, we will discuss different essays and there aspects and give you a clear insight into writing a perfect essay to successfully complete your test and get an 8+ band score. Thus, let's get started and explore the types of essays.

For the IELTS writing task 2, you must learn 5 different IELTS essay types that are commonly asked from the aspirants. These are - 

2. Discussion Essay 

3. Problem-Solution Essay 

4. Advantages and Disadvantages Essay 

5. Double Question Essay

It is highly important for the students to carefully read and understand the essay question to find out the type of essay they have to write. Each essay has a specific structure and approach. Therefore, you must practice all the types of Essay in IELTS to enhance your ability to handle different task types effectively. Let us have a look at all the 5 types of essays in detail.

Also known as agree/disagree essay or argumentative essay. An opinion essay assesses your ability to present a clear stance on an issue, support it with relevant examples, and provide a well-structured argument. Opinion essays are an integral part of the IELTS exam pattern . In this type of essay, you have to present and support your opinion on a given topic. You must provide relevant examples and evidences to support your argument. Now, we will discuss the structure of an opinion essay. 

The structure of an opinion essay is as follows:

• Introduction
• Paraphrase the essay topic or question.
• Write the thesis statement and clearly state your opinion.
• Body Paragraphs
• There can be 2 or 3 body paragraphs depending on the question.
• Start each paragraph with a clear topic sentence. It should give a main supporting point.
• Provide examples, evidence, or personal experiences to support each point.
• Explain your ideas, explaining their relevance to the topic.
• Summarize the main points.
• Restate your opinion.
• Remember you do not have to give any new information.

Q. Do you agree or disagree with the statement that technology has made our lives better? 

INTRODUCTION 

Technology has become an integral part of our lives. According to me, it has impacted us in many ways and also significantly improved our overall well-being.

BODY PARAGRAPH 1

One of the main reasons for supporting this view is that technology has brought a lot of convenience to our daily activities. For example, after the arrival of smartphones people are able to communicate more effectively with each other. They have made the world a smaller place where we can stay connected and share our feelings and information through texts, images and videos in no time.

BODY PARAGRAPH 2

With the advent of technology, there have been revolutionary changes in the fields of medicine and healthcare, leading to improved diagnostics and life-saving treatments. New machines and instruments have been introduced based on artificial technology, which has increased the quality and length of our lives.

In conclusion, I must say that although there may be some drawbacks to technological advancements, but it has powerful impact on our communication system and healthcare services. Therefore, if we are looking for a better future, we must embrace technology and focus on the positive aspects of it.

• You must express your opinion in clear words such that your stance on the topic is apparent to the examiner.
• You have to support your opinion by providing real-life examples or scenarios in this IELTS task 2 essay types. This adds credibility to your argument.
• If there are opposing views, pay attention to them in a brief manner such as to strengthen your overall argument.
• You must stay focused on the topic and make sure that all the paragraphs are directly related to the essay topic.
• You should use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures to showcase your language proficiency.

You must practice a lot to master opinion essays. You should regularly write on different topics so that you become familiar with various questions and also comfortable with the structure of different types of IELTS Writing Task 2. Now, let us move on to the discussion essay.

In a discussion essay, you have to discuss the pros and cons of the given subject. It aims at providing a balanced view and shows how well you can handle multiple perspectives. In other words, you have to discuss both sides of an issue or topic before presenting your opinion. Here you have to discuss the pros and cons of the given topic maintaining a balance. If you are baffling by this, joining online IELTS classes is the best option.

The structure for an ideal discussion essay is as follows:

• Provide a general statement about the topic in the beginning.
• Give some background information.
• Inform them that you will discuss both sides of the issue.
• Support your points with examples or evidence.
• Present your ideas in a balanced way, giving equal attention to both aspects.
• Summarize the main points made in the essay.
• Again, talk about the fact that both sides of the issue were discussed.
• Give your final thoughts about the topic.

Q. Online learning has become increasingly popular in recent years. Discuss about the advantages and disadvantages to this approach.

Online learning provides a flexible and easy alternative to classroom education. A lot of students are adopting this approach in last few years such as online IELTS classes. On the one hand, this approach has a number of advantages while on the other there are various challenges which need careful consideration.

Looking at the brighter side of online learning, we can say that online learning provides students with the flexibility to choose when and where they study. Students who have busy schedules or are both studying and working at the same time are most benefited by this. Also, the students can access a vast array of resources, including video lectures, interactive quizzes, and discussion forums through online education. Another advantage is cost-effectiveness. Online courses often cost less than traditional classroom-based courses, as the expenses related to travel, accommodation, and physical materials are not required.

On the other side, one of the main drawbacks of online learning is the lack of face-to-face interaction with teachers and classmates. This will have an adverse effect on the ability to communicate and social skills. Another drawback is dependency on technology. It requires a reliable internet connection and technological proficiency. Those who don't have access to these are not able to participate completely. Also, students have to be self-motivated and self-disciplined as they study independently.

In conclusion, while online learning offers flexibility and easy access to resources, there are some downsides also, like limited interpersonal engagement and technical challenges. In order to get the most out of online learning experience, one must keep a balance and tackle the challenges carefully. 

• You must provide a fair and balanced discussion of both sides of the issue.
• You have to clearly separate paragraphs for each aspect,e. the pros and cons of the discussion.
• Always use specific examples and evidence to strengthen your points.
• You must make sure to express your own opinion but at the end of the essay.
• You should stay focused on the topic and avoid other issues.

Mastering discussion essays needs a lot of practice. To become at ease with the structure and style of these essays you have to regularly write on different topics of discussion essays. Next, we are going to discuss another types of IELTS writing task 2, i.e. problem solution essays.

Are you confused between different essays for IELTS?

Also referred to as a ‘causes and solutions’ essay, a problem-solution essay talks about a problem and also gives possible solutions. In this, you have to convince the reader that the solutions you are providing are feasible. Thus, to write this IELTS Task 2 Essay Types, you have to identify a problem, discuss its causes and effects, and give possible solutions. To do this, you must evaluate the problem accurately.

• Give an introduction to the problem in brief.
• Provide some background information.
• Give a thesis statement with a hint of proposed solutions.
• In each paragraph, describe the problem in detail, along with its causes and consequences.
• Provide realistic solutions along with examples, evidences, and expert opinions.
• Talk about the importance of solving the problem.

Q. The problem of pollution is widespread in urban areas. What are the problems associated with it and what are the possible solutions?

Today, the whole world is facing the problem of air pollution, especially in urban areas. Due to the tremendous increase in traffic and industrialization, the air has become highly contaminated. As a result, it is not only affecting our health but also causing adverse affect to the environment. This will aim at exploring solutions to this problem.

One of the major causes of air pollution is vehicles. A probable solution to this can be the use of more and more public transport instead of private vehicles. We must increase the availability of buses and trains and motivate people to use them so that the traffic on roads can be reduced leading to reduction in air pollution. Also, the introduction of electronic vehicles can solve the problem to some extent.

The pollution coming out from industries also contributes to air pollution. To control this, government has to take strict action and set standards for industrial emissions and imposition of penalties. This will help in keeping the air clean and also motivate and guide the industries to adopt green practices.

In conclusion, although air pollution is a big challenge but there are practical solutions that can be used. By promoting the use of public transport and implementing emission control in industries, we can achieve cleaner environment in our cities. In order to achieve this, government, industries, and individuals have to work in collaboration. This will help us achieve a pollution-free future for all.

• Define the problem in clear words.
• Suggest practical solutions which can be implemented.
• Give examples and evidences to support your argument.
• Do not give too many points of problems and solutions.
• Make sure that there is a solution linked to each problem.

To successfully write a Problem Solution essay, you must clearly understand the question. On the basis of the topic, organize your ideas and write a well-structured essay. Let us now move on to another one from the various types of IELTS writing task 2, i.e.advantages and disadvantages essay.

It is a common task in IELTS Writing Task 2 and requires you to examine both the positive and negative aspects of a particular topic. In this you get an opportunity to showcase your ability to present a balanced view on a given topic. Moreover, you have to present a well-balanced argument after analyzing the positive and negative aspects of the prompt. Thus, present a well-balanced argument

To draft an ideal advantages and disadvantages essay, you must follow the structure below:

• Give a brief introduction of the topic and provide some background information.
• Tell the reader that we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
• Body Paragraphs 1 – Advantages.
• Describe the advantage in the topic sentence.
• Give details and support with examples and reasons.
• Body Paragraphs 2 – Disadvantages.
• Describe the disadvantage in the topic sentence.
• Summarize the main points from both the advantages and disadvantages.
• Give your opinion or a balanced thought.

Q. Social media has become the part and parcel of everyone's life today. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of increased use of social media.

Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. It is a primary source of connecting people throughout the world. It also provides a good platform for communication and information sharing. This essay will discuss both the advantages and disadvantages of using social media.

One significant advantage of social media is the ease of communication. There are platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram enable individuals to stay connected with friends and family, no matter how far they live. This helps in reducing distances and helps in instantly connecting for any reason.

DISADVANTAGE

On the other hand, a major disadvantage is the chances of hampering the privacy of individuals. As we are sharing personal information online, there is a risk of unauthorized access and misuse. People tend to use private information during communication for wrong purpose which can have fatal consequences.

Finally, we can say that social media offers unmatched connectivity to the users. They can also share a lot of information with each other. This makes it a valuable tool of today's time. But you must be aware of the risks about your private information. Therefore, while using social media, you must learn to strike a balance between enjoying its benefits and avoiding the drawbacks. This will give you a positive social media experience.

• Try to provide a balanced discussion of both advantages and disadvantages.
• Provide proper examples and evidences to support your argument.
• The structure of the essay is very important here. Divide the essay into clear paragraphs.
• In the end, you can also present your opinion about the question.

You have to be very careful while drafting this one from the list of different IELTS essay types. Understand the question properly and then explore the topic in different paragraphs about advantages and disadvantages. Next, we are going to learn about Double Question Essays.

Do You Want to Know About Other Essays in IELTS?

Double Question Essays are also known as Two-Part Question Essays. These are a crucial type of essays which you can encounter in your IELTS exam of writing Task 2. In these IELTS essay types, candidates are required to address two different questions in a single essay. These questions often require different types of information or views. In addition, this type of essay is an integral part of IELTS syllabus . In this, you will have a statement with two questions after it. They may or may not be linked to each other.

Here is the structure of an ideal double question essay that will help you earn higher marks:

• Address both questions in brief.
• Give an overview of how you will deal with each question.
• First Body Paragraph
• Address the first question.
• Provide examples, evidences, and explanations.
• Second Body Paragraph
• Address the second question.
• Tie both questions in one knot at the end.

Q. Many people shop online for clothes and other items nowadays. Discuss the pros and cons of online shopping. Also, state whether you think online shopping will become more popular in the future.

There has been tremendous growth in the number of customers who prefer online shopping for their everyday needs. This essay will discuss the pros and cons of online shopping and will also explore about the future trends of it.

Online shopping has an edge over local shopping as it offers convenience. You can just sit at home and order whatever you want by just using your smartphone or computer. Thus, you are able to save a lot of time, effort and need to physically travel from one place to another. But there is a downside to it also. You are not able to physically touch and feel the items like in offline stores. If you are buying clothes, the quality, size, and look cannot be perfectly assessed in online shopping.

Although it is difficult to say that in future online shopping will boost or not, but looking at the current trends it can be said that it will continue to grow. The increasing number of e-commerce platforms, as well as dependency on technology, shows a rising trend in online shopping.

In conclusion, online shopping is a convenient way of shopping but lacks a personal touch, and the customers are not able to physically examine them. The future of online shopping looks promising, but it will depend on factors like technological advancements and changes in consumer behaviour.

• Clearly understand both the questions of the essay.
• Decide the amount of time you will give to each question.
• Do not repeat the information.
• Give point-to-point information.
• Add examples and evidences to support your answers.

In order to master double question essays, you must regularly practice them. Understand the kind of questions you will encounter and how you have to handle them.

Now we have learned about the 5 major types of essay in IELTS. Understanding their structure is crucial for your success in IELTS writing task 2. Each essay is different and demands specific skills. On the basis of differences in the essay types, you have to alter your writing approach. The proverb ‘Practice makes the man perfect’ perfectly fits here. The more you practice essay writing, the better essays you will be able to write. If you have any queries or doubts related to IELTS writing task 2 or study abroad consultants , you can contact the experts at Gradding.com.

Appreciate the simplicity in explaining complex essay types.

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Nice breakdown of essay types for IELTS prep!

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Identifying the 5 types of IELTS essays

Get familiar with the different types of ielts essays..

Updated: August 25th 2023

Among IELTS teachers there are often considered to be five patterns or five types of IELTS essays. In this post, we will look at how to spot them.

Before you begin writing your essay the first thing you must do is analyse the task by looking at the instruction words. I have underlined the instruction words in the tasks below, these indicate what type of question it is.

Analysing the task question is a crucial step because if you do not take the time to do this, or if you are unclear about anything, you could write a completely different essay. See more here.

The 5 types of IELTS essays

1. advantages and disadvantages essay 2. opinion essays (sometimes called an argument essay) 3. discussion essay 4. two-part question essay (sometimes called a direct question essay) 5. problem solution essay / causes solution essay, useful links, model answers for the 5 types of ielts essays., planning your ielts essay., how to think of ideas for essays., strategies and tips for paraphrasing the question., how to write a good thesis statement., 3 types of advantage disadvantage essays., take a look at these question types for ielts essays, can you guess what type of essays they are.

I have underlined the ‘instruction words’ , these tell you what kind of essay it is and what to write about.

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

Opinion essay: In this question, it asks to what extent do you agree or disagree? this means ” how much do you agree or disagree? ”  In other words: do you completely agree? completely disagree? partly agree? neither agree nor disagree. The thesis statement you write should state 2 reasons for your opinion. Each main body paragraph ten covers each reason with an example to support your view.

The essay should have 2 main body paragraphs with your opinion in the introduction, main body, and the conclusion.

2. Successful sports professionals can earn a great deal 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.

Discussion and opinion essay: Here you need to discuss both points of view in the question and give your own opinion. So you need 2 body paragraphs covering each point of view and examples with details and your opinion. You could also have a third body paragraph with your own specific opinion if you prefer.  Your opinion should also be in the introduction as well as each body paragraph and the conclusion.

3. 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?

Two-part or double question essay: In main body one you should write about the factors that make up job satisfaction. In main body two, it is asking your opinion, so you would write your opinion about whether, realistically, everyone can expect to be happy in their jobs. In my view, this is not realistic so I would state that as my opinion and explain why I hold that view.

4. 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. In your opinion what should be the main function of a university?

Opinion Essay: It looks like a discussion essay as there are 2 views being presented; however, if you check the instruction words it does not ask you to ‘Discuss both sides’ 

First of all, paraphrase the task question then include your opinion in the thesis statement. There should be 2 main body paragraphs and each main body states your opinion with reasons for your opinion and an example.

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

Problem Solution Essay: You need to state the causes of the problem in the first main body paragraph and possible solutions in the second main body paragraph. Also, note that you do not have to give a direct personal opinion here, it is asking for a possible way the issue can be solved.

6. 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?

Advantages disadvantages essay:   The keyword here is ‘ outweigh’ it means ‘are the advantages stronger than the disadvantages?’. Body paragraph 1 should focus on one or two advantages and body paragraph 2 should focus one or two disadvantages with explanations and examples.

This is a special type of ‘Advantage Disadvantage’ essay, it actually asks for your opinion here. You must write what you think is stronger, the advantage or disadvantage?. The whole essay will reflect your opinion .

7. Some people think a crime should always have a fixed punishment like life for murder, while others believe you should take the circumstances of the crime into account. Discuss both views .

Discussion essay. The instruction words say: “Some people think… while others believe”.. and also “Discuss both views”…These are the keywords that show it is a discussion essay.

Some people believe ….while others think… Many people say…… whereas others think….. Some say …….whereas others argue….

You will need to state the public/ general opinion and give examples and detail in this type of essay. Did you notice that the question does not ask for your opinion? Usually, discussion essays ask for your opinion so this type of task is quite rare.. click here for a lesson on language for discussion essays.

8. In recent times, more people prefer to communicate via messaging apps and email instead of face-to-face. Why do you think this is? When is face to face to face communication necessary?

Two-part or double question essay: This question is asking for a direct opinion because the words ‘Do you think..’ indicates that it wants your own opinion. You need to answer the first question in body paragraph 1, explain the issue and give an example. Then answer the second question in body paragraph 2, explain and give an example.  The conclusion is just a summary of your key points with your opinion again.

See this lesson about 3 types of Advantage Disadvantage essays

For model answers on these types of essays click this link here, leave a comment below if you have any questions., leave a comment cancel reply.

IELTS General Training

A hub for IELTS GT test takers to help them reach their goal.

Different IELTS Essay Types

Different ielts essay types with examples and explanation:.

In your IELTS Writing exam, you will need to write an essay on a given topic. You will get a statement on a common topic, and be asked to respond to that statement (also known as the essay topic) . This IELTS writing task 2 response is required both for the academic and general training IELTS candidates.

Your essay should contain at least 250 words, and you should finish your essay in 40 minutes.

Now, the first thing you should probably know is the types of questions (or essay types) that you are likely to encounter in your exam (IELTS Writing Task 2 exam – to be more specific) . This is because both the structure of the essay and how you develop your response depend on the type of essay that you will write.

IELTS essays have 5 main different types. An IELTS essay in your exam could be one of these 5 different types, and to get a higher band score, you should be ready to respond to any type of them as you do not know what type of essay you will be asked to write during the test. The approach and structure of writing an IELTS essay also may vary to a certain extent based on the essay type. That is to say that the “introduction” of your essay, the “main body paragraphs” and the “conclusion” of your essay could be different based on the essay type you respond to. You might also need to include your opinion in your essay depending on the essay type. So, it is really, really important that you know the five distinct IELTS essay types and the main differences among them. It will help you develop a high-quality essay that will earn you a higher band score.

The 5 types of IELTS writing task 2 (IELTS Essay) questions include the below:

1. Opinion (Agree or Disagree) IELTS Essays. 2. Advantage and Disadvantage IELTS Essays. 3. Discussion (Discuss both views) IELTS Essays. 4. Problem/Cause and Solution/Effect IELTS Essays. 5. Double Question or Mixed IELTS Essays.

Let us discuss the 5 main types of IELTS writing task 2 questions (Essay Question types) in detail:

1) IELTS Opinion (Agree or Disagree) Essays:

A common question type on the Writing Task 2 is the “opinion” essay (also known as “Agree/Disagree essay or argumentative essay). An opinion essay basically asks you to give your own opinion on a given argument. The first part of the question is a statement and you are then asked to state your opinion on the issue. You should also include a range of other viewpoints to demonstrate that you genuinely understand both sides of an argument. The instructions on an opinion essay, however, can be written in several ways. Examples include the below:

• Do you agree or disagree?
• To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• How far do you agree with this statement?
• Do you agree?
• Which viewpoint do you agree with?
• What is your opinion?

Here is an example of each: 1. In the future, more people will go on holiday in their own country and not travel abroad on holiday? Do you agree or disagree? [ Read the Model Essay ] 2. The main purpose of public libraries is to provide books, and they shouldn’t waste their limited resources and space on providing expensive hi-tech media such as computer software, videos and DVDs. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? [ Read the Model Essay ] 3. Some people believe that salary is more important than job satisfaction for employees. How far do you agree with this statement? 4. Some people believe that teenagers are facing more problems in their life than they did in the past and this is because parents are spending more time at work than at home. Do you agree? [ Read the Model Essay ] 5. More and more qualified people are moving from poor to rich countries to fill vacancies in specialist areas like engineering, computing and medicine. Some people believe that by encouraging the movement of such people, rich countries are stealing from poor countries. Others feel that this is only part of the natural movement of workers around the world. Which viewpoint do you agree with? [ Read the Model Essay ] 6. Some people think that success is the best measure of intelligence, while others think that intelligence can be measured in other ways. What is your opinion?

Key strategies for an “opinion” IELTS Essay:

• Select your favourable side of the argument. That is to say, decide which side you favour and develop your argument accordingly. You could agree to a given statement or disagree. Sometimes you might want to state a neutral position.
• State your view in the “introduction” part of your essay. This is important, and be sure to always include your opinion at the end of the introduction. Never wait till the conclusion paragraph to state your position on a view or argument.
• Keep the same view throughout the essay.
• State reasons why you have this opinion. Examples make your argument stronger. In fact, without citing examples or adding experience at the end of your argument, you can not expect to get a higher band score.
• It doesn’t matter which position you take. So, choose the position you can develop the best argument for.

Tips to write an “opinion” type IELTS Essay: You should briefly mention your own opinion about the statement or argument at the end of the “introduction” of your essay so that the examiner does not have to wonder about your viewpoint while he or she reads your essay.

The phrases you should use when giving your opinion about something – ✔ “In my view”/ “in my opinion” is used when expressing your opinion about something: • The government, in my opinion, should be in charge of important research. • In my view, the government should take measures to curb traffic congestion.

✔ “… take the view that”/ “… be of the opinion” that is used to express a particular opinion in a formal way: • Most people take the view that tax on fuel price is the key to preventing air pollution. • Scientists are of the opinion that the government should allocate a substantial budget on space research.

✔ Even if you state what others think about something, make sure to include your opinion as well. For example: • Most people take the view that tax on fuel price is the key to preventing air pollution and I somewhat agree with them. • Scientists are of the opinion that the government should allocate a substantial budget to space research and I concur with this opinion to some extent.

✔ “Entirely agree”/ “wholeheartedly agree” is used to agree completely with someone or something: • The writer entirely agrees with the view that more tourists will choose to go on holiday in their own country due to the pandemic. • I agree wholeheartedly with the statement that states that we should spend more quality time with our children to keep them away from developing bad habits.

✔ “Agree up to a point” is used to partly agree with someone or something: • Although I agree with the statement up to a point, I find it hard to believe that the increase in price can reduce fuel consumption.

✔ “Concur” is used to agree with someone or something in a formal way: • The writer concurs with this view.

✔ “Totally”/ “strongly”/ “fundamentally” is used to agree or disagree with someone or something: • I strongly disagree with the views on migration. • I totally believe that the amount spent on space research is justified.

Tips: Agreeing and contrasting opinions: Use the main body paragraphs of your essay to expound your opinion and agree or disagree with the views of other people. Use linking words such as “also” , “similarly” , “likewise” , and “in addition” when discussing ideas connected to one point of view, and use “yet” , “on the other hand” , “although” and “however” to introduce contrasting point.

Useful vocabulary to express your opinion:

Simply stating an opinion: My opinion is that… In my opinion… I think… I feel that… I believe… Personally speaking… In my view… From my perspective… From my point of view… It seems to me that… To my mind… My view on the matter is that…

Strongly agreeing with an opinion/statement: I firmly believe that/ I strongly believe that/ I wholeheartedly believe that… I strongly agree with the idea that… I totally agree with the statement that says that…

Strongly disagreeing with an opinion/statement: I firmly disagree with the opinion that… I strongly deny that… I wholeheartedly oppose that… I completely disagree because… I strongly disagree with the notion…

Partially agreeing with an opinion: I suppose… I somewhat agree that… I agree with this statement to some extent I agree to a certain extent but I also think that…

IELTS Opinion Essay Structure:

• Paraphrase the question
• State your opinion
• Give brief reasons why you hold this view (optional).
• Topic sentence – give 1st reason for choosing this viewpoint
• Explanation- explain this view
• Example- cite an example
• Topic sentence- give 2nd reason for choosing this viewpoint
• Explanation- expound this view
• Example- provide an example
• Summarize your main points
• Reiterate your opinion, or suggest something that would be universally accepted.

2) IELTS Advantage and Disadvantage Essay:

Another common essay question type is the Advantage and Disadvantage type Essay. This type of essay asks you to evaluate an argument and point out the main advantages and disadvantages of something. Put simply, you will need to write the benefits and drawbacks of something in a balanced way to prove that you understand both sides. Try to put equal emphasis on both advantages and disadvantages while writing such as essay.

Typical question instructions can be written in various ways. Examples include the below:

• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of… 
• Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? 
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of…?
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your opinion. (In this case, you need to include your opinion explicitly.) 

Below are the examples of each: 1. More and more businesses, as well as individuals, are choosing to communicate either professionally or socially using technology rather than being face to face. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using the technology for communicating.   2. People now have the freedom to work and live anywhere in the world due to the development of communication technology and transportation. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?  3. In some cultures, children are often told that they can achieve anything if they try hard enough. What are the advantages and disadvantages of giving children this message? 4. Computers are becoming an essential part of education. Discuss the Advantages and disadvantages of using computer technology in education and give your opinion.  

Key strategies for an “Advantage and Disadvantage” IELTS Essay:

• Devote some time to properly plan the advantages and disadvantages of the statement given.
• Think up the ideas of supporting points. Pick just a couple of advantages (2 is recommended; it could be 3 at most) and support them with an example and explanation. The same goes for the disadvantages as well. Do not write down so many ideas that make your essay lengthier and unmanageable. 
• You can state the advantages in one paragraph and the disadvantages in another paragraph.
• Follow a standard advantage and disadvantage essay structure.

Tips on writing an “advantage and disadvantage” IELTS essay:

“Advantage” is a countable noun meaning a good feature that something has, which makes it more useful or better than other things. Some synonyms of “advantage” are –

“Disadvantage” is a countable noun denoting a bad feature that something has, which make it less useful or worse than other things: Some synonyms of “disadvantage” are –

Knowing these synonyms would help you paraphrase the topic and show your skills in using a wide range of vocabulary.

Now regarding the structure of the essay, the safe way of organizing an advantage and disadvantage essay is to write one paragraph giving the benefits of an argument (or something) and another paragraph giving the drawbacks.

The phrases you should use when describing the “advantages” of something – ✔ “The most decisive/distinct/definite/obvious advantage of…” is used when describing an obvious advantage: • The most decisive advantage of telecommuting is that employees are allowed to work from home.  • The most definite benefit of using technology in education is the connectivity it allows among teachers, students and guardians.

✔ “One of the great/big/major/huge/significant advantages of…” is used when writing a great advantage: • One of the significant advantages of telecommuting is that it helps to have a better work-life balance. • One of the major advantages of such an arrangement is that it reduces long-term costs and manual labour hours.

✔ “A good/ great thing about …” is used when mentioning a good feature of something: • A great thing about telecommuting is that employees can skip commuting and dive right into work-related tasks.  • A good thing about helping those poor nations is that it helps maintain global peace.

✔ Similarly, “A positive aspect of…” is also used when mentioning a good feature of something: • A positive aspect of telecommuting is that it increases the productivity of employees. • A positive aspect of giving some pocket money to young children each week is that it teaches them the useful skills of money management.

✔ “Likewise/ Moreover” could be used to point out/introduce another good feature of something: • Likewise, it can be a source of foreign remittance that can boost the economy of the country. • Moreover, a business owner enjoys more freedom and more choices in life than most 9:00 to 5:00 employees.

The useful phrases you can use when describing the “disadvantages” of something:

✔ “The main/principal/primary/key disadvantage of…” is used when mentioning a primary disadvantage: • The main disadvantage of telecommuting is the lack of face-to-face communication. • The primary disadvantage of young people taking a break from studies to travel is that many of them do not use the time to learn and thus waste valuable time.

✔ “The big/serious/huge/distinct/obvious/major/severe/considerable disadvantage” of is used when writing an important disadvantage: • One of the serious disadvantages of telecommuting is the lack of collaboration between work teams.  • One of the distinct disadvantages of allowing children to study on a digital device is that they get easily distracted and start doing something else other than studying.

✔ “Drawback” could be used when you think that something is not good, though it has minor other positive aspects: • A drawback of telecommuting is that employees often are not present in the office and work from home. • The next drawback of travelling solo is that the traveller does not have anybody to look after or comfort him in the event of sickness or emotional distress.

✔ “Downside” is used to denote the disadvantage of a situation: • The lack of camaraderie is often one of the major downsides to telecommuting.  • The downside of mass migration to cities is the primary reason for traffic congestion in such cities.

Tips: Order your ideas in an organised way.

You have to present your ideas in a logical way to end up writing a great essay. To do that, you can use linking words such as “in addition” , “on the other hand” , “another” , “moreover” , “furthermore” and so on. Linking words are useful to show how your ideas are connected. Here is an example of the use of linking words:

Convenience foods have several bad points. The major drawback of this food is that it uses unhealthy ingredients. Moreover , most of these convenience foods lack proper nutrients. Furthermore , the regular intake of these foods promotes ageing. Thus, the advantages it reaps outweigh its disadvantages.

IELTS “Advantage and Disadvantage “ Essay Structure:

• Introduce the benefits and drawbacks that will be expounded in the main body paragraphs
• State your opinion if it is asked or necessary
• Topic sentence – introduce the advantage 
• Expand the first advantage + give an example
• Expand the second advantage + give an example
• Topic sentence – introduce the disadvantage 
• Expand the first disadvantage + give an example
• Expand the second disadvantage + give an example
• Reiterate the main points 
• State your opinion (optional)

3) IELTS Discussion (Discuss both views) Essay:

Some IELTS Writing Task 2 questions may ask you to analyse, discuss or scrutinise a topic, or compare or contrast two different ideas. Typically, you will be offered two statements of opinion that oppose one another and then you will be asked to expound on both sides of the debate and state your opinion.

A discussion essay should aim to reach a conclusion after analysing the debates on a topic. So, a discussion essay objectively discusses the perspectives of the opinion that are not necessarily your opinion. That is why your opinion shouldn’t be shared in such a discussion essay until the statement of the position in the concluding paragraph.

Typical question instructions can be written in several ways. Examples include the below:

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

Here are a few examples of IELTS discussion questions: 1. Some people think that the range of technology currently available is increasing the gap between rich people and poor people. Others think that it is causing the opposite effect. Discuss both views and give your opinion.   2. In some countries, a few people earn extremely high salaries. Some people think that this is good for a country, while others believe that the government should control salaries and limit the amount people can earn. Discuss both these views and then give your own opinion. 3. Some people think that the government is responsible for the rise in obesity in children, while others think it is the fault of the parents. Discuss both sides of this argument and give your own opinion.  

Key strategies for a “Discussion (Discuss both views)” IELTS Essay:

• Identify both views. They are usually contrasting ideas.
• Find supporting points for views.
• Develop both views of the argument. 
• It is recommended that you write about the side you don’t agree with first.
• Use necessary expressions for the discussion type essay.
• Emphasise a bit more on the viewpoint you support. 

Tips: Language to use while writing a discussion essay : It is important to learn some useful expressions for the IELTS discussion type essays. That is to say that a variety of language should be used to discuss both views in your essay. When you write a discussion essay that asks you to discuss both views of a statement or contrasting view, you have to support two different views that are not your opinions. You need to write what other people think, other people’s views and you also need to support what they think. So, your ability to use different expressions and vocabulary for giving other people’s opinions is required to get a higher band score.

The phrases you can use when discussing both sides in your essay:

✔ “Many people believe/think/feel/claim/argue that…” could be used to start discussing a view in your essay. It is a very common expression, but still, it is an academic expression, and you can use it sometimes. • Many people believe that modern technology has increased our daily productivity in workplaces. • Many people argue that the government should take responsibility for those elder people as they were taxpayers their entire life.

✔ “It is argued by some/many people that…” is a very nice expression because it is a passive form. This is particularly useful to give the examiner some passive sentences in your essay. But do not overuse the passive sentences in your essay. • It is argued by some people that the government should give money to creative people, such as artists and musicians. • It is argued by many that children should leave their parent’s home as soon as they turn 16 years old.

✔ “A commonly held belief is that…” is a very useful phrase because it’s very academic. It will help you show your skill in using various expressions and vocabulary while writing an essay. • A commonly held belief is that a government has a responsibility to its citizen to ensure their safety. • A commonly held belief is that decentralisation could solve the problem to a great extent.

✔ “They maintain that…” is very simple but it’s academic and clear as well. • They maintain that the sports should receive subsidies or sponsorship from big companies. • They maintain that elder people need support from their immediate family members and should be surrounded by their children and grandchildren.

✔ “Yet others argue that…” is used to present a counterargument. • Many believe that arts projects like exhibitions of paintings should be helped financially by big companies, yet others argue that big companies ought to sponsor scientific research.  • Some people claim that they should be given full freedom to choose a design and structure while building their houses, yet others argue that it makes more sense when the authority decide the design and structure of citizens’ house.

✔ “Other people are of the opinion that…” is used to express the other side of the argument. • Other people are of the opinion that the government should allocate more money to education.  • Other people are of the opinion that public health should get the highest priority while deciding the national budget.

✔ “Yet other people put forward the view that…” is also used to express the opposite opinion of a statement/topic. • Yet other people put forward the view that the government should increase spending on social benefits. • Yet other people put forward the view that schools should choose subjects for high-school learners only after discussing it with the parents and the students.

IELTS “Discussion (Discuss both views) “ Essay Structure:

• Introduce both points of views
• Thesis statement
• Topic sentence – state the viewpoint you do not agree with 
• Explanation- discuss why some people hold this view
• Example – provide an example to support the view 
• Topic sentence – state the viewpoint you do agree with 
• Explanation – discuss why this view is held by many 
• Example- provide an example to support the view
• Summarise the main points
• Opine which one is better or significant – (Usually the one you support)

4) IELTS Problem/Cause and Solution/Effect Essays:

In this type of IELTS essay question, you are asked to outline the problems (or reasons behind the problem) associated with the given topic and then you require to find one or more solutions to the problem. Alternatively, sometimes you need to list out the causes and effects of a particular subject/issue.

If you are asked to give the reason and solution of an issue, you should focus on explaining why this issue is created and what could be a possible solution to that. Please note the question carefully. If it asks you to give reasons (plural of reason) , you should outline more than one reason. If it asks you to give solutions (note the plural form of “solution” here) , you must include more than one solution.

Similarly, this kind of essay topic may demand you to write about the causes and effects of something. If the question is what are the causes (note the plural form here) and effects (it is also plural) , mentioning just one cause and effect is not enough.

Typical question instructions can come in various ways. Examples include the below:

• What are the reasons for this? What could be done to solve this problem?
• What are the causes of this? Suggest some solutions.
• What problems does this cause? What solutions can you suggest to deal with this situation?
• What is the cause of this? What are the possible effects of this development?

Here are a few examples of IELTS Problem/Cause and Solution type questions: 1. Many students find it difficult to pay attention at school. What are the reasons for this? What could be done to solve this problem? [ Read the Model Essay ] 2. Nowadays many people complain that they have difficulty getting enough sleep. What problems can lack of sleep cause? What can be done about lack of sleep? [ Read the Model Essay ] 3. An increasing number of professionals, such as doctors, engineers and teachers, are leaving their own poorer countries to work in developed countries. What problems does this cause? What solutions can you suggest to deal with this situation? [ Read the Model Essay ] 4. People today suffer from more stress-related problems than in the past. What is the cause of this? What are the possible effects of this development?

Key strategies for a “Problem/Cause and Solution/Effect” IELTS Essay:

• Don’t introduce lots of problems/causes and solutions/effects in your essay. Just one (two or three if the question asks for reasons and solutions/effects instead of reason and solution/effect) is good enough.
• When dealing with more than one reason or solution (or cause and effects) mention your ideas sequentially.
• You can mention a problem/cause/reason and then propose a solution/effect immediately after that. Alternatively, you can list down the problems/causes/reasons in one paragraph and then the solutions/effects in the next paragraph.
• The solutions must be linked to the selected problems/causes.
• Try to give a convincing solution to a problem and mention if there is any data, study or case to support your solution.

Tips: Language to use while writing a Problem/Cause and Solution/Effect essay : You should use some useful and related phrases and vocabulary while writing this type of IELTS writing task 2 answer. If you get such an essay question in your IELTS Writing Task 2 exam, you need to discuss the problems or causes of a problem and suggest solutions or effects based on what the question demands and some vocabulary and phrases would definitely help you write a great essay.

The phrases you can use when writing about Problem/Cause and Solution/Effect in your essay:

✔ “Problem” is a noun denoting a situation that has to be dealt with because it causes inconvenience or harm. Some synonyms of “problems” are –

Some examples to present a problem: • Many developing nations are facing enormous economic and social problems after the pandemic. • Working mothers in today’s society are plagued with many social problems . • Drug abuse is a severe problem in many countries. • The government needs to do more to help curb the problem (=deal with the problem) of traffic congestion. • Problems can arise (problem can happen) when highly skilled workers end up seeking a better life in rich countries. • The government should address the problem (find ways of solving the problem) of air pollution.

✔ “Cause” is a noun denoting a person or thing that gives rise to an action, phenomenon, or condition. Some synonyms of “cause” are –

Note: “Cause” can also be a verb denoting the creation or generation of something.

Some examples to present a cause/reason with some useful phrases and words: • The root cause of poverty lies (=the origin of a problem is) in the unequal distribution of resources. • The issues caused by sleep deprivation go beyond just tiredness and often lower the body’s resistance to different common diseases. • Financial stress is perhaps the most common cause of this phenomenon .

✔ “Issue” is a noun referring to a subject that is important and needs to be explained; or a problem that requires to be dealt with. It is used particularly about problems that affect a lot of people in society. Some synonyms of “Issue” are –

Some examples to present an issue: • Global warming is the biggest issue (=the most important issue) facing the world today. • The issue can only be resolved (=be successfully dealt with) through dialogue. • Many poorer nations fail to address (=try to deal with) social issues like unemployment and violence against women. • Unemployment is an important issue when dealing with poverty. • Single-sex education is a highly controversial issue in many countries.

✔ “Solution” is a noun that denotes finding the remedy or cure of a problem. Some synonyms of “Solution” are –

Some examples to present a solution: • The government is trying to find a solution to the traffic congestion in major cities. • When a society faces challenges relating to poverty, the ideal solution is education. • There is no easy solution to global warming (=there is no easy way of dealing with global warming) . • In this essay, the writer will discuss the root causes of global warming, and try to put forward (=suggest) some effective long-term solutions . • Single-sex education is a highly controversial issue in many countries.

✔ “Answer” is a countable noun that means a successful way of dealing with a problem. Some synonyms of “Answer” are –

Some examples to propose/suggest an answer to an issue or a problem: • Many people think that the only answer to the problem of global warming is to use green energy. • Many countries have been struggling with brain drain for a long time, but no one has yet come up with an easy answer (=thought of an answer or find a solution) .

IELTS “Problem/Cause and Solution/Effect “ Essay Structure:

• Introduce problems/causes and related solutions/effects in brief
• Topic sentence – state the problem/cause 
• Explanation – explain the first problem/cause in detail
• Explanation- explain the second problem/cause in detail
• Example – give a relevant example
• Topic sentence – state an effective solution/(effect)
• Explanation – explain the first solution/(effect)
• Explanation – explain the second solution/(effect)
• Example – provide an example to support the solution/(effect)
• Summary of key points in first and second main body paragraphs
• State your opinion if necessary (optional if your opinion is not asked in the question, but should be included if the essay asks for your opinion) .

5) IELTS Double Question or Mixed Essays:

This type of IELTS Essay topic is also called two questions, direct questions, mixed questions IELTS essays. Typically, it comes with a statement or topic and then it asks you two different questions. It could ask for your opinion, then a solution, a critical analysis, a discussion and so on, and that is why it is also called the mixed IELTS Essay.

Below are a few examples of such essay topics:

1. Many stores sell organic fruits and vegetables (produced without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides) even though they often cost more than conventional fruits and vegetables. Why do some people prefer to eat organic food? Do you think organic food is worth the extra cost? [ Read the Model Essay ] 2. Many people prefer to watch foreign films rather than locally produced films. Why could this be? Should governments give more financial support to local film industries? 3. News editors decide what to broadcast on television and what to print in newspapers. What factors do you think influence these decisions? Do we become used to bad news? Would it be better if more good news was reported? [ Read the Model Essay ] 4. Happiness is considered very important in life. Why is it difficult to define? What factors are important in achieving happiness? [ Read the Model Essay ]

Key strategies for a “Double Question or Mixed” IELTS Essay:

• You have to answer both questions fully.
• Each question should have one or two key points as an answer.
• Provide the answer to each question in an individual paragraph.
• Do not introduce too many ideas in a single paragraph.
• Give examples.

Tips: Language to use while writing a Double Question or Mixed Essay : While writing this type of essay, you often need to give reasons why something happens and also give your opinion or propose a solution.

Below are some useful expressions to give reasons:

✔ “Reason” could be a countable and uncountable noun that denotes a cause, explanation, or justification for an action or event. Some synonyms of “reason” are –

✔ “The reason (for this) is that…” is used to state the reason for something, particularly when the explanation is long. • The reason for preferring organic food is that it is beneficial to health. • The reason for taking a gap year after completing high school is that it gives young students an excellent opportunity to travel and gather first-hand experience.

✔ “In order to…” is used to mention why someone does something or why something happens. • People prefer organic food in order to keep their bodies healthy. • The world leaders gather in such events in order to come with effective solutions to pressing global problems.

✔ “Why” is a conjunction used to write about the reason that brings about something. • There are many reasons why people prefer organic food. • The primary reason why such research works are often misleading is that they do not consider anomalies or exceptions.

IELTS “Double Question or Mixed Essays “ Structure:

• State your overall opinion by answering both (sometimes even three) questions in brief. 
• Topic sentence
• State your answer to the first question
• Explanation – explain the answer to the first question
• Example – give example to support your point 
• State your answer to the second question
• Explanation – explain the answer to the second question
• Summary of key points
• Rephrase your opinion (if necessary)

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• Essay Task 2

IELTS Essay Types with Writing Topics and Samples

• Essay Types
• Double Question
• Advantage Disadvantage
• Problem Solution
• Essay Length

IELTS writing task 2 requires you to write an essay of at least 250 words that responds to a given topic. You will need to summarise details, give your opinion and support your reasons and arguments with relevant examples from your own knowledge and experience.  This guide is an overview of each type of IELTS writing task 2 question and contains example questions, useful tips, essay structures and some common mistakes to avoid.

Table of Contents

1.1 overview of ielts writing task 2.

• 1.2 Common Mistakes

2.1 Top tips

2.2 example questions, 2.3 essay structure.

• 2.4 Sample essay

3.1 Top tips

3.2 example questions, 3.3 essay structure, 3.4 sample essay, 4.1 top tips.

• 4.2 Example questions

4.3 Essay structure

4.4 sample essay, 5.1 top tips, 5.2 example questions, 5.3 essay structure.

• 5.4 Sample Essay

6.1 Top tips

• 6.2 Example question

6.3 Essay structure

6.4 sample essay.

• Writing Task 2 Band Descriptors Explained

1. IELTS Writing Task 2 Explained

Writing task 1 asks you to write a report whereas IELTS writing task 2 asks you to write a formal report about a global topic. This is your opportunity to show that you can fully develop your ideas, given an opinion and support your reasons with examples.

After you have spent 20 minutes on writing task 1, you will have 40 minutes left to focus on writing task 2.  Writing task 2 is worth about 66% of your overall writing score .

Your task is to write a formal essay that is at  least 250 words in response to an IELTS statement. We recommend that you aim for 270-290 words to sufficiently develop your ideas .

There are five main types of IELTS writing task 2 essay types:

Read on for tips, sample essays and common mistakes made for each of these essay types.

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2. Opinion Essays

Opinion essay questions may be worded in various ways. Here are some of the most common:

• What is your opinion
• Do you think…

To what extent do you agree?

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

• Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

To address all parts of the task, you need to do the following three things in your opinion essay:

• Choose one side of the argument
• To state your opinion about a given topic
• Support your opinion with clear reasons and examples

A common mistake is to treat an opinion essay in the same way as an advantage/disadvantage essay. To avoid this error, make sure you:

• Pick one side of the argument and develop the best argument for this point using reasons and examples
• Briefly acknowledge the other side of the argument throughout your essay
• Do not give reasons or examples to support the other side of the argument
• Focus on arguments to support your opinion rather than giving advice

Some people think that more money should be spent on protecting endangered species while others think it is a waste of valuable money.

What is your opinion?

Systems of funding university education are different from country to country. While some countries charge students for studying at university, others offer university education for free.

Do you think students should pay for higher education?

Every school system in the world includes regular tests and exams, and many people think that it is important for students to take lots of exams.

Children should not start school until the age of six or seven because they need to have more time to play and develop before they go to school.

Scientists and technology experts seem to be more valued by modern society than musicians and artists.

Here’s our recommended structure for an IELTS opinion essay:

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2.4 Sample Essay on IELTS Opinion Topic

Nowadays, the growing trend in education is to have an increasing number of assessments like tests and exams. Some people argue that this is necessary to improve exam results. However, it is my view that testing in schools has become too frequent and has had a detrimental effect on students. This essay will explain my opinion in further detail.

One reason I believe that students are completing too many tests is that the pressure of preparing and carrying out exams often leads to stress and illness among students. In many countries, it is a common practice to test children from a very early age, such as six or seven years old. As a result, an ever increasing amount of children are now suffering from anxiety and depression brought on by exam pressures. If there were fewer tests, students may have a more enjoyable experience at school and their overall learning outcomes may also improve.

Another argument in favour of reducing the number of exams and tests students take is that children should not only focus on exam preparation, but also the development of other life skills. For instance, students should learn the importance of working together and cooperating as a team as these skills are not only important in their daily lives, but will also enhance their future job prospects. If schools reduced the number of tests they gave, teachers would be able to focus on enhancing and practising these skills in the classroom. Having said that, there are those who argue that frequent testing is essential as it raises the profile and the standards of a school. For instance, these people may argue that children who take tests at a young age will produce better results throughout their school years and raise the overall ranking of an educational institution.

In conclusion, having looked at this topic in detail, although it is true to bear in mind the importance of testing, on balance my view is that schools should reduce the frequency of tests and examinations. By doing this, schools can dedicate more time to the development of essential life skills, as well as allowing children to have free-time to relax and play.

3. Discussion Essays

Identify the question by looking at the instruction words. You should see something similar to:

• Discuss both sides and give your opinion
• Discuss both sides

Choose if you want to take a thesis-led or an evidence-led approach to your essay. Remember:

• Thesis-led- State your opinion in the introduction and restate in the conclusion
• Evidence-led- Give your opinion in the conclusion

A common mistake is that candidates do not discuss both sides of the argument or forget to state their opinion. Make sure to:

• Discuss both sides in each part of your essay (introduction, main body paragraphs and conclusion)
• If you are asked to give your opinion, take a thesis-led approach. If you are not asked for your opinion, it is still a good idea to give it in the conclusion (evidence-led)

Here are some example discussion essay questions:

Some people say that governments are responsible for dealing with environmental issues. Other people believe that it is the individual’s responsibility to take action to protect the environment.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Some people think that environmental problems should be solved on a global scale while others believe it is better to deal with them nationally.

There seems to be an increasing number of serious crimes committed each year. While some think the best way is to use the death penalty as a deterrent, many people believe that other measures will be needed.

Discuss both sides.

Some people feel that it is better to live in a city while others believe that life is better in the countryside.

Many people think governments should fund art, while others believe that artists should be responsible for funding their work.

Discuss both views.

Evidence-led

Some people believe that governments should make laws about environmental issues and then strictly enforce those laws. Others say that it is better for governments to encourage and educate the population to make environmental changes.

There is no doubt that the world is facing numerous environmental problems. It is argued by some that the most effective way to address these issues is for the government to implement strict environmental protection laws. However, there are others that argue against government intervention and they should instead focus on promoting green practices by its citizens instead of enforcing legislation.

One reason people believe that environmental laws should be legislated is that it ensures that everyone is aiming for the same standards and following the same set of rules. If these rules are only optional, it is likely that some people and organisations may opt out and choose not to follow them. Therefore, laws need to be put in place to ensure that everyone complies with the same environmental standards. Another argument that can be put forward is that by putting financial tariffs in place for non-environmental practices, positive changes could be seen more quickly. For example, if governments put a levy on plastic bags, people will be less likely to use single-use plastic bags as they will not want to pay.

On the other hand, many people believe that educating the public about environmental changes they can make is more likely to promote change than enforcing laws. These people believe that encouraging people to form more sustainable habits, such as recycling, will be far more effective as people will likely encourage others to do the same as they are not being forced into green-practices by law and they feel a greater sense of autonomy. In addition, it can be argued that governments should value the intelligence of their citizens and treat them like adults that can make up their minds concerning environmental practices, for instance, letting people choose if they want to use a single-use or reusable water bottle.

In conclusion, having looked at both sides of the argument, my view is that the government should both enforce laws in addition to educating the public. They should make sure rules are followed in important areas such as reducing speed limits around cities to reduce levels of pollution. Furthermore, they should also undertake more educational events to persuade the public to choose to act in green ways, rather than do it out of obligation or because they are forced to by law.

4. Problem Solution Essays

Make sure you understand the task requirements for different types of problem/solution essays. There are three question types:

• Write about a problem and possible solutions to that problem
• Write about a cause of a problem and possible solutions
• Only write about the solutions

A common mistake made by test takers is incorrectly identifying the question. You should also be able to recognise typical wording for each problem/solution question type using these examples:

• What problems arise from this and how can they be tackled?
• What do you think the causes are? What are the solutions?
• What solution can you suggest to deal with this problem?

Another useful skill for this essay type is to be able to notice synonyms, for example:

Problem : Situation; resulting in…; issue

Cause : Reason; why

Only solution : address; present; solve; improve; tackle; remedy; deal with

4.2 Example Questions

The internet has transformed the way information is shared and consumed, but it has also created problems that did not exist before.

What are the most serious problems associated with the internet and what solutions can you suggest?

Overpopulation of urban areas has led to numerous problems.

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

On problem faced by almost every large city is traffic congestion

What do you think the causes are? What solutions can you suggest?

More and more wild animals are on the verge of extinction and others are on the endangered list.

What are the reasons for this? What can be done to solve the problem?

In many developing countries, there is a problem with declining quality of air and water from both industry and construction.

What measures could be taken to prevent this?

Essay structure 1

Essay structure 2

Many people find that modern life is faster, busier and more stressful than the past. More and more people are suffering with stress in their daily life, and the rates of stress-related illness are increasing.

What are the main causes of stress in modern life?

How can these problems be tackled?

In recent times, there has been a sharp increase in the number of people who are suffering illnesses connected to a stressful lifestyle. There are several reasons why stress is increasing in modern society, including employment insecurity, the increased reliance on technology and excessive working hours. This essay will examine these issues in more detail and propose possible solutions.

One factor behind stress in modern life is the lack of job security. Nowadays, it is common for people to be employed on zero-hours contracts asn, as a result, this could lead them to worry about the availability of hours and subsequent pay they will receive each week. To deal with this problem, governments could implement laws that would forbid these types of contracts. If this was enforced, workers would be more secure and have less financial stress in their daily lives.

A further cause of stress is the increased use of technology. Although there are a multitude of benefits brought about by technology, it can also have negative effects on the working patterns of employees. For example, many workers feel pressured to check their emails during their free time which can impact their ability to have a healthy work-life balance. One way forward would be for organisations to enstate company policies that prohibit the answering of emails outside of working hours. A further contributing factor to stress can be the long working hours expected of employees. In many cases, people are working increasingly long hours  and there is often a social pressure to work late to be deemed as a good employee. To counteract this problem, governments could put measures in place to monitor maximum working hours of staff.

In conclusion, it is clear there are a range of causes behind the stresses of modern life, many of which are connected to the workplace and technology. Unless these issues are addressed, I believe that stress-related illnesses will continue to rise  and therefore, both governments and employers need to take responsibility and implement measures to take care of employees’ physical and mental wellbeing.

5. Advantage Disadvantage Essays

Advantage/disadvantages essays are usually worded in the following ways:

• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your opinion.
• Describe the advantages and disadvantages of _____ and give your opinion.
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of _____ ?

It is also useful to be able to identify IELTS synonyms for advantages and disadvantages:

• What are the benefits and drawbacks of…?

A common mistake is that candidates do not express their opinion at any point in the essay. There are two methods you could take depending on the question. Take these examples:

• What are some advantages and disadvantages of living in a foreign country? You are not being asked to give your opinion but you should still give your opinion in the conclusion (evidence-led approach)
•  Do the advantages of living in the country outweigh the disadvantages? You should give your opinion in the introduction and then restate this in the conclusion

In the past, when students did a university degree, they tended to study in their own country. Nowadays, they have more of an opportunity to study abroad.

Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

Today children spend a lot of their free time watching TV.

Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages of this practice?

The threat of nuclear weapons maintains world peace. Nuclear power provides cheap and clean energy.

The benefits of nuclear technology far outweigh the disadvantages.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

In the past, when students did a university degree, they tended to study in their own country. Nowadays, they have the opportunity to study abroad.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this development?

More and more people prefer to read news online rather than on paper.

Do you think  the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge and experience.

Thesis-led approach

Evidence-led approach

5.4 Sample Answer

Some people find living in the country enjoyable and relaxing, whereas others would not like to live in the country and prefer living in a big city instead.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in the countryside?

In recent years, a significant number of people have decided to move out of large cities in favour of living in more rural areas. Many believe there are significant benefits of doing this, while others think that there are drawbacks connected to living in the countryside. This essay will examine both points of view before I give my opinion.

One advantage of living in the country is that the pace of life is slower. If you live in the countryside, there are less daily pressures and you are not stuck in the rat race as you might be in a busy city. Furthermore, people have more time in their daily lives to dedicate to their physical and mental health. As a result, people living in the countryside have a greater quality of life and sense of wellbeing. Another benefit of living in the countryside is that there is less traffic congestion and more space dedicated to cycle paths and pedestrian areas. In other words, the air quality is better in the country which is also enhanced by the larger amount of green spaces.

On the other hand, there are some disadvantages of living in the country. One drawback, especially for younger people, is that there are less amenities and forms of entertainment than the city. For example, there is often a lack of nightlife which means that life for teenagers and young adults may become boring and monotonous. ANother drawback is that there are less job prospects. Living in the country means that it is generally difficult to acquire high-paying job opportunities, particularly if you want to climb the ladder and progress.

To sum up, it is clear that there are both advantages and disadvantages of living in the countryside. In my opinion, the drawbacks outweigh the benefits, especially from the point of view of young people. Although it is true that busy cities can be more stressful, on balance, I believe that cities provide more opportunities and excitement than living in the country.

6. Double Question Essays

For a double question essay, you must address both questions. A common mistake people make is to only address one question. To avoid this, make sure to:

• Identify that you have been given two questions to answer
• Give yourself enough time to dedicate to each question
• Address both questions in your introduction and conclusion
• Focus on one question in the first body paragraph and the other question in the second body paragraph

6.2 Example questions

The internet is a good source of information and has opened up opportunities for people all over the world.

Is all the information reliable online?

What could be done to control information online?

Many people prefer to watch foreign films rather than locally produced films.

Why could this be?

Should governments give more financial support to local film industries?

Nowadays, many people have easy access to computers and a large number of children play computer games.

What are the negative impacts of playing computer games?

What can be done to minimise these effects?

In spite of the advances in medicine, many people around the world still die from preventable diseases.

Why is this the case?

What can be done about this problem?

In most countries, the major museums are owned by the government, and some governments have decided not to charge people to enter those museums.

What are the pros and cons of making museums free to enter for everyone?

Do you think all governments should make major museums free for everyone?

The majority of governments around the world have decided to abolish entry fees to their most important museums. Some people believe that this puts a financial burden on the taxpayer and that the government should focus their spending on more significant projects. However, it is my view that making museums free is an effective use of government spending that has financial and cultural benefits.

One argument in favour of ensuring all museums are free to the public is that it will increase tourist numbers. Tourists are often attracted to cities with free cultural attractions, therefore, fee-free museums could be one determining factor that causes tourists to visit a country. In addition, local people can also benefit from this scheme as it opens opportunities to access culture and learning for those living in that city, particularly for those from low-income families that may otherwise be unable to access these experiences.

On the other hand, some argue that the government should reevaluate its priorities and spend less money funding museums and more expenditure on important sectors like education and health. These people believe that education and health are more fundamental to people’s lives. In times of austerity, it is often argued that spending on art and culture is not justified. Furthermore, the entrance fees for museums are often low and considered affordable for most people.

In conclusion, although I believe it is true that the allocation of government resources should prioritise important sectors such as health and education, on balance I believe that museums should be made free as it allows people from all socio-economic backgrounds the opportunity to learn and experience a country’s cultural treasures. If governments do decide to charge people to enter museums, this will only benefit those who can afford to pay whilst excluding those on lower incomes.

7. Writing Task 2 Band Descriptors Explained

7.1 task response (25%).

To achieve a high band score in task achievement, you must:

• Produce a formal essay (unlike writing task 1, you are allowed to use the first person ‘I’ to give your opinion in this essay)
• Write at least 250 words (you need to be able to sufficiently develop your ideas)
• Address all the issues given in the essay question (e.g. if the question asks you to discuss both sides of the argument, you should not only write about 1 side)
• Make sure your essay focuses on the specific issues in the statement question, not just the general essay topic
• Support your ideas with relevant examples

7.2 Coherence and Cohesion (25%)

To achieve a high band score in Coherence and Cohesion, you must:

• Organise your essay logically
• Use paragraphs (ideally four-five paragraphs: an introduction, two/three main body paragraphs and a conclusion)
• Only focus on one issue per paragraph and develop your argument
• Use a range of linking devices accurately and appropriately
• Use referencing effectively to avoid repetition (e.g., using ‘this’ or a pronoun to refer to refer back in your text to a noun/noun phrase)

7.3 Lexical Resource (25%)

To achieve a high band score in Lexical Resource, you must:

• Paraphrase carefully using a range of synonyms/antonyms/ collocations
• Use a range of vocabulary appropriate to the topic
• Show understanding of collocations (e.g. verb noun collocations)
• Avoid making spelling mistakes
• Avoid making errors in word choice
• Avoid informal language (e.g. slang and contractions)

7.4 Grammatical Range and Accuracy (25%)

To achieve a high band score in Grammatical Range and Accuracy, you must:

• Use a range of grammar tenses (e.g. past, present, future and perfect tenses; conditionals;)
• Make sure you use appropriate words order
• Use a range of sentences structures (e.g. simple and complex; active and passive voice)
• Use the correct punctuation (capital letters, full stops, commas etc.)
• Avoid grammatical errors, especially those that cause difficulty for the reader (give yourself time to read through your essay at the end of the test and check for errors)

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Types of essays to expect in your IELTS Writing Task 2

Preparing for IELTS Writing? Read this article on the different types of essays you are likely to encounter in the test.

Content Tags

In Task 2 of the IELTS Writing test, you are asked to write an essay of at least 250 words in both the Academic and General training modules.  However, should you use the same approach to all essay questions?  The answer to this question is ‘no’ as there is more than one question type to consider when writing your answer. It is important to understand what the task requires from you because you may lose marks unnecessarily, even if you have good grammar and vocabulary.  Let’s have a look in more detail.

Opinion Essay

Here is a sample opinion essay question:

With traffic jams and pollution increasing every year in big cities, some people say that public transport should be free in big cities to help reduce these problems which are caused by cars. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

In the introduction to the essay, you can provide some background information, but importantly, make sure you paraphrase the input language (the words from the question) and indicate your position on the matter.  For example:

With the growth of middle classes around the world, ownership of motor cars has become much more common, particularly for those who reside in large urban areas.  It has been argued that free public transport should be provided in these metropolises as a method to curb the amount of polluted air and traffic congestion. This essay will explain why this approach should not be undertaken for cost and mobility reasons.

When it comes to your body paragraphs, it is important to have one core idea that you extend and develop.  You can do this by mentioning further explanation about a particular point, an example, a consequence or possibly a concession.  Let’s compare the two paragraphs below:

Paragraph A

The reasons for not providing free public transport for urban residents are diverse.  Firstly, there would be a significant cost for the government to pay for this, meaning they would have no option but to raise taxes for individuals rather than for industry which produces more pollution.  Secondly, this would be unfair for those who need to use vehicles for more door-to-door travel, such as people who live far from train and bus stations or those who need to carry many things with them.  Furthermore, if public transport is free, there would be overcrowding on trains and buses, meaning that people simply replace one type of inconvenience for another.

Paragraph B

Looking at the argument from a cost perspective, even though there is an initial financial advantage for commuters with savings made on fuel, at some point down the track this would be lost, as municipal governments would have no choice but to raise taxes to pay for the construction, management and maintenance of public transport facilities.  If the funds allocated to this were invested in how to make vehicles greener instead, such as with electric cars, the issue of air pollution would be addressed in a more cost-effective way. For example, the city of Taiyuan in China now has better air quality partly due to the investment they made in electric taxis and buses.

Paragraph A addresses the question, but it does have some issues:

1. There is no topic sentence.

2. There are too many ideas. It is better to have one core idea which is expanded or extended rather than making a list of separate items.

The reasons for not providing free public transport for urban residents are diverse. Firstly, there would be a significant cost for the government to pay for this, meaning they would have no option but to raise taxes for individuals rather than for industry which produces more pollution.  Secondly, this would be unfair for those who need to use vehicles for more door-to-door travel, such as people who live far from train and bus stations or those who need to carry many things with them. Furthermore, if public transport is free, there would be overcrowding on trains and buses, meaning that people simply replace one type of inconvenience for another.

Paragraph B is better developed than Paragraph A because:

It has a clear central topic (money)

The topic is extended with:

A concession

A consequence

Lastly, it is useful to end your essay with a conclusion.  This is where you can review your answer (your position plus the main points from the body paragraphs) and finish off with a final thought or suggestion.  For example:

To summarise, free public transport is not a viable option to reduce road blockages and improve air quality, as there are better cost efficient ways to do this and the mobility issues it can cause.  Moving forward, cities around the world should adopt greener transport options whether they be public or personal to ensure better traffic flow with fewer impurities in the air.

Discussion Essay

Here is a sample discussion essay.

Some people say that children should learn a foreign language when they are at kindergarten, but others feel that it is better for children to do this when they are teenagers. Discuss both of these views and give your own opinion.

The main thing to understand in a task like this is that there are 3 parts to the answer:

Discuss both of these views (1st and 2nd part)

and give your own opinion (3rd part)

When it comes to your introduction, it is important to mention both of these views, plus indicating your position can also be a good approach. For example:

Given that the world has become more globalised, the need to be able to use foreign languages has increased.  As a result, there are those who believe that a child’s kindergarten years should be when another language is introduced, while the opposing view is that it is more ideal to wait for when a youngster reaches adolescence.  This essay will reflect on both of these viewpoints before concluding with why the infancy argument is more valid.

When you ‘discuss both of these views’ in your body paragraphs, make sure you avoid mentioning your personal view.  This can avoid any confusion between what you think and what they views of others are.  Here are some introductory parts to the body paragraphs when discussing both views:

Looking at the kindergarten perspective firstly, the key reason why some claim this is a beneficial approach is …

With regards to waiting for the teenage years, supporters of this view argue that …

You will see that the writer has used phrases like ‘some claim’ and ‘supporters of this view’ to make sure that his/her own opinion is clearly separated.  When introducing your own perspective, you can clearly mark it as follows:

On balance, my personal view is to support the former view because …

Weighing up both sides of the issue, despite the confusion a second language can cause youngsters in their development, I am of the belief that...

Two-part Questions

Another question type you may see in your IELTS Writing test is one where you have two separate prompts you need to answer. Here are a few examples:

These days, many cities have problems when they grow quickly, such as accidents and traffic jams. Why do these problems occur? How do these problems impact people who travel for work or study?

A trend in current times is the need for many workers to spend time outside of company hours on answering text and e-mail messages for their job. What problems does this cause for the worker? What can be done to reduce the impact of these problems?

It is becoming very common these days for students to take courses over the Internet instead of in face-to-face classrooms. Why are more students choosing this way of learning? Is this a positive or a negative development?

In this type of task, you can write a body paragraph on each of the two questions, but it is important to fully understand what you focus should be. Try to match these tasks (A, B or C) with the type of response required:

Task Type                      Sample Question

1. Cause + opinion:           A, B or C?

2. Cause + effect:              A, B or C?

3. Cause + solution           A, B or C?

We can look at these sample questions in more detail now:

Why do these problems occur? = cause

How do these problems impact people who travel for work or study?   = effect

Therefore, this matches Type 2.

What problems does this cause for the worker?   = effect

What can be done to reduce the impact of these problems?   = solution

Therefore, this matches Type 3.

Why are more students choosing this way of learning?   = cause

Is this a positive or a negative development?   = opinion

Therefore, this matches Type 1.

We hope you found this article useful in helping you better prepare for the different types of essays you are likely to encounter in the IELTS Writing test.

Achieve your desired band score in IELTS Writing

The IELTS Writing test is considered as one of the toughest sections of the IELTS test. It doesn’t have to be when you have the right tools to boost your preparation and be confident on your test day. Check out these articles to learn more about the IELTS Writing test: 

IELTS Writing Task 2: How to understand IELTS question prompts  

How to paraphrase and boost your IELTS Writing Score  

Edit your IELTS Writing to avoid mistakes  

The A to Z of IELTS

Find the list of related articles you need to improve your speaking, writing, and reading skills. Now, prepare and aim for a high band score

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Published on March 07, 2023

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IELTS Writing Samples: 100 Practice Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Criminal Justice

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

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

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

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

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

Which do you consider to be the major influence?

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

Do you agree or disagree?

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

Is it a positive or negative development?

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

Do you agree or disagree?

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

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

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

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

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

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

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

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

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

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

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

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

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

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

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

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

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

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?

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

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

How do you think children should spend their free time?

In many countries schools have severe problems with student behaviour.

What do you think are the causes of this?

What solutions can you suggest?

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

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

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

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

Youth Crime

Nowadays many young people deliberately damage public places.

What are the causes and solutions?

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

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

What are the causes of this problem?

What are some possible solutions?

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

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

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

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

Which other types of job should be highly paid?

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

Environment

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

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

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

What other measures do you think might be effective?

Nowadays we are producing more and more waste.

What are the causes of this?

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

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

Global warming is the biggest threat we face today.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Has this become a positive or negative development?

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

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

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

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

What problems does this cause?

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

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

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

What factors contribute to job satisfaction?

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

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

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

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

Globalisation

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

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

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

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

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

Multinational companies are becoming increasingly common in developing countries.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?

Government Spending

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Development

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

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

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

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

Sometimes celebrities get invited to international aid events.

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

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

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

Public Transport

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

Many cities have serious problems with traffic congestion.

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

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

What are the advantages and disadvantages?

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

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

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

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

What solutions are there to these problems?

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

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

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

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

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

Do you agree or disagree? Give your opinion.

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

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

IELTS Writing Sample Essays

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About Christopher Pell

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

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

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

IELTS Opinion Essays: Structure, Topics and Sample Answers

10 min read

Updated On Aug 01, 2024

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The article provides guidance on writing IELTS opinion essays, emphasizing structure: an introduction, two body paragraphs supporting one view, and a conclusion. It includes examples, common mistakes to avoid, and tips for clear, concise essays.

Table of Contents

What is the ielts opinion essay format, ielts opinion essay sample answers, latest ielts opinion essay topics of 2024, top 3 common mistakes of ielts opinion essays, tips to answer ielts opinion essay questions.

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IELTS opinion essays mainly focus on agreeing or disagreeing with a particular fact or information. It presents two opposite views and you have to develop your argument supporting one view (strictly one!) You get 40 minutes to complete this task. You have to write at least 250 words on the topic given.

Given below are some examples of IELTS Writing Task 2 opinion essays along with their structure. So, let’s understand how to frame the IELTS opinion essay from the sample answers given in the blog!

If you’re gearing up to tackle the Opinion Essay in IELTS Writing Task 2, know that it’s all about writing your opinion on a specific topic with supporting examples. To make sure your essay ticks off all the criteria of a band 8+ essay, organizing it in the right way is key! You can also check tips to write an effective introduction in IELTS Writing Task 2 to present a great IELTS opinion essay!

Let’s now look at a proper format to learn the structuring of an IELTS opinion essay.

Introduction:

• Keep it short, usually around 2-3 sentences.
• Introduce the topic and clearly state your opinion.
• Provide a brief overview of the main points you will discuss in the body paragraphs.

Body Paragraphs (Usually 2 paragraphs):

• Each paragraph should focus on a single main idea that supports your opinion.
• Start with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea.
• Provide evidence, examples, and reasoning to support your main idea.
• Aim for coherence and cohesion within each paragraph by using appropriate transition words.
• Make sure to use appropriate IELTS Vocabulary and IELTS Grammar while explaining an idea in the body paragraphs.

Conclusion:

• Summarize the main points discussed in the body paragraphs.
• Restate your opinion, emphasizing its importance or relevance.
• Avoid introducing new ideas in the conclusion.

Given below is an example of an IELTS Writing task 2 o pinion essay. Let’s understand how to frame the essay from the ideas we have. Additionally, you can review the IELTS Writing Task 2 practice tests on a regular basis to achieve your desired band score.

Sample Question 1

In the future, nobody will buy printed newspapers or books because they will be able to read everything they want online without paying. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Given below is a brief outline of what to write in the essay after identifying the essay type.

Opinion Essay

Introduction

Paraphrase the topic of the essay using synonyms for the words used in the topic statement. Clearly state the view on the topic.

Body Paragraph 1

Technological improvements have increased the level of ease and convenience to a point where people can access news and information at the click of a button. This has led to print media becoming outdated.

Body Paragraph 2

The development of news websites and sites that freely distribute information and print media in a digital form has led to a trend of availing such services and content without paying.

Summarize the essay and re-state the opinion on the topic.

Struggling to Crack the IELTS opinion essays? Our 8+ band trainers have got you! Sign up for a FREE demo now!

Sample Answer

Presently, newspapers, books, journals, magazines, etc. are still actively used by a section of the global population. However, with the arrival of news sites and the availability of books, magazines and other forms of media online, totally free of cost, many believe that such forms of media are on their way to becoming outdated. I agree with this statement, and will explain it further with relevant examples in the essay.

It is a well-known fact that in this day and age if an individual wants to read a book or just go over the news of the day, the first step that they take is to search the internet. Devices such as smartphones and tablets have improved the time efficiency of searching for information online to such an extent that a person can access their preferred form of media in the comfort of their homes in a matter of minutes. Consequently, people have started to abandon their preference for print media due to the presence of much more convenient alternatives.

Additionally, the various forms of print media enjoyed by people can often be availed free of charge on several websites. For instance, most news organizations publish their daily news on their official website, which can be accessed by anyone. Also, some numerous sites and databases provide popular books, journals and magazines in a digital form to the public for a nominal subscription fee or sometimes even for free, leading to a majority of readers of such forms of media shifting away from buying hard copies.

Nevertheless, there is still a sizable chunk of the population that enjoys the conventional forms of print media. That being said, with the cost-effective nature of making such information and content available online, organizations will soon completely shift to internet-based services.

In conclusion, I would like to say that people always prefer the more comfortable alternative that is available. Therefore, it can be safely said that in the coming years, there will be a complete shift from traditional print media to online media services and products.

Sample Question 2

Some people say that international sporting events contribute greatly to peace and stability in the world. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Paraphrase the topic sentence using synonyms.

Mention the view on the topic.

Body Paragraphs

International sports tournaments are events where teams and the general public of various countries come together and collectively participate in the event.

Sports events, especially cricket and football help distract the minds of the citizens from the ongoing difficulties in their country and enjoy these events.

Summarize the essay and state the final view.

Sports has always been a magnificent platform for the finest talents of a country to showcase their skills and represent their nation. At the same time, sports is also one of the few occasions where every citizen of the country unites in support of their favourite teams. It is considered by many that sports are a great approach to maintain stability among countries. This essay will elaborate on the given topic and justify why sports can successfully bring and preserve global peace.

One of the greatest characteristics of any popular sporting event is that supporters of every team involved in the tournament almost always attend the matches that are organized in their cities. Some veteran fans even travel to different parts of the country to witness a match between their favourite teams. These events also unite the populace of a nation as every patriotic individual prays for the success of their national team. For instance, the entire nation wishes for the victory of their national team in the Olympic Games as winning an Olympic Medal is one of the most prestigious honours that can be bestowed upon a country.

It is a well-known fact that the people of a country collectively face several challenges on a day-to-day basis. These issues can be caused by numerous factors and are the typical difficulties that ordinary citizens have to overcome. Sports help people enjoy a few moments of excitement and take a break from the monotony of everyday life.

That being said, sometimes the passion of overenthusiastic sports fans ends up leading to harmful and conflicting situations among communities. Nevertheless, the overall impact of sports on our lives is undoubtedly positive.

Finally, sports are one of the aspects of human life that bind a whole community together. This is enough evidence to understand that sports help maintain peace and stability in a nation.

Ready to grab the latest IELTS writing task 2 question papers of 2024?

Sample Question 3

Our personalities are predetermined as a result of our genes before we are born and there is nothing that can be done to change our character traits. To what extent do you agree?

Paraphrase the topic and mention the view.

Genetics are only a part of the entire list of factors that affect a person’s personality.

One of the most important influences on an individual’s personality is their childhood and upbringing.

Summarize the essay and mention the final view in brief.

Even between small periods of time, there are subtle variabilities in our disposition. Such alterations are quite natural and are a part of a human being’s existence. However, it is often assumed that our personality is entirely dependent on genetics. The following paragraphs will explore the different aspects of personality and justify why genetics are not the only factor influencing our personality.

An individual has countless experiences in their life from childhood to adulthood and finally until death. Every one of these experiences has an impact on a person’s mind, no matter how giant or small. The kind of people present in a person’s immediate surroundings also has a huge influence on their nature and characteristics. Thus, it can be safely surmised that a person’s genes are not the only contributing factor when it comes to personality.

One of the most significant influences on our personality is our childhood experiences and the teachings of our parents. Children are always known to follow in the footsteps of their parents. Thus, if the parents of a child are successful in teaching their children the right values and morals, they are bound to grow into responsible and decent individuals.

It is true that the personality traits of an individual are determined by the features of their parents. Nevertheless, these traits can be altered over the course of many years and different experiences.

In conclusion, genetics affect our personalities in a trivial manner as compared to all the other aspects of our temperament. That being said, our life experiences and learnings are the consequential factors in developing our character.

A few IELTS Writing Task 2 sample essay of opinion essay topics are listed down below, which you can practice. These opinion essay questions may appear in the actual examination.

• In the future, it seems more difficult to live on Earth. Some people think more money should be spent on researching another planet to live on, such as Mars. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
• Many people say that the only way to guarantee a good job is to complete a course in university education. Others claim that it is better to start work after school and gain experience in the world of work. How far do you agree or disagree with the above views?
• Although more and more people read the news on the internet, newspapers will remain the most important source of news for the majority of people. Do you agree or disagree?
• Students in schools and universities learn more from their teachers than through other means such as the Internet, libraries, and TV. To what extent you agree or disagree?
• Nowadays university education is very expensive. Some people say that universities should reduce their fees, especially for the less fortunate students or for those coming from rural areas. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
• Some people think that governments must insist on preserving the traditional appearance of old buildings undergoing renovation or redevelopment. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the statement?
• Some people believe that international trade and communication with other countries is a positive trend, while others think it is harmful to nations and they might lose their identities. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give your own opinion and relevant examples.
• Many people believe that schools should teach children to become good citizens and workers rather than independent individuals. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give your own opinion and relevant examples.
• People should follow the customs and traditions when they start to live in a new country. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• It is impossible to help all people in the world, so governments should only focus on people in their own countries. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Prevention is better than cure. Do you agree or disagree that out of the country’s health budget, a large proportion should be diverted from treatment to spending on health education and preventive measures?

In IELTS opinion essays, it’s easy to make some common mistakes that can lower your IELTS band score . Getting aware of them is the key to not committing them knowingly or unknowingly while you prepare! The top 3 common mistakes to avoid are:

• Not giving a clear opinion.
• Presenting arguments for both sides of the issue.
• Failing to support your opinion with well-defined reasons and examples.

In the IELTS opinion essays, you need to write your opinion about a topic and back it up with proof and examples. If you use a clear structure and good writing methods, you can improve your chances of doing well!

• Spend 5 minutes on a mind map before writing.
• Stick to one viewpoint throughout the essay.
• Use a single main idea to support the topic in each of the two body paragraphs.
• Express your opinion throughout the essay, not just in the conclusion.
• Keep the introduction short, a maximum of 50 words.
• Ensure each body paragraph explains a main idea within 100 words.
• The conclusion should be shorter than the introduction.
• Write a complete essay following the given structure.
• Aim for a word count of 280 words or less.

Here are the 10 Examples for the Opinion Essay Topics IELTS:

Also check:

• Tips to write great writing essay
• How to get band 8 in IELTS Writing Task 2
• IELTS Writing recent actual test
• IELTS 2024 Study Plan for 1 month (30 Days) / 15 Days / 7 Days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the structure for writing the introduction for an opinion essay?

Is it mandatory to state my opinion in the introduction? Can I skip it and introduce my opinion in the body paragraphs?

What are the words that I can use to state my opinion?

Can I underline the important sentences, to attract examiner’s attention?

Is it mandatory to write the essay in first person?

Practice IELTS Writing Task 2 based on Essay types

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Nehasri Ravishenbagam

Nehasri Ravishenbagam, a Senior Content Marketing Specialist and a Certified IELTS Trainer of 3 years, crafts her writings in an engaging way with proper SEO practices. She specializes in creating a variety of content for IELTS, CELPIP, TOEFL, and certain immigration-related topics. As a student of literature, she enjoys freelancing for websites and magazines to balance her profession in marketing and her passion for creativity!

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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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IELTS Sample Essays

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

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

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

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

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

Specifically these are:

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

Agree / Disagree Type Questions

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

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

Discuss Two Opinions Type Questions

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

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

Cause Type Questions

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

Causes & Effects:

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

Causes and Solutions:

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

Causes, Pros & Cons:

• Family Closeness
• Living Alone
• Rural to Urban Migration

Problems & Solutions Type Questions

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

• Overpopulation
• Competing for Jobs  
• Professionals Immigrating

Advantage & Disadvantages Type Questions

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

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

'Hybrid' Types of Essay Question

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

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

Sample Essays with Band Scores

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

• IELTS Band 8 Essay Samples
• IELTS Band 7 Essay Samples
• IELTS Band 6 Essay Samples
• IELTS Band 5 Essay Samples
• IELTS Band 4 Essay Samples

Student Sample Essays

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

• Student Model Essays  (with comments by other students)
• Student Model Essays (with comments by IELTS buddy)

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50 Recent IELTS Essay Questions

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

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

Can they remember the general topic? Sure.

Can they remember the exact wording? Definitely not!

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

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

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

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

Academic IELTS Essay Questions (February 2021 – September 2021)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What are the current Aacdemic writing trends?

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

GT IELTS Essay Questions (February 2021 – September 2021

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What are the current GT writing trends?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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100 Real IELTS Essay Questions and Topics

by Dave | Sample Answers | 6 Comments

If you’re interested in real IELTS writing essay questions and topics, you have found the perfect place!

Scroll down to see the IELTS questions – I have included multiple of each.

Enjoy your practice!

In many countries, people now wear western clothes such as suits and jeans rather than traditional clothing.

Why is this the case?

Is this a positive or negative development?

Sample Essay

In some countries, there are fewer young people who listen to or play classical music these days.

Why is this?

Should young people be encouraged to play or perform classical music?

Some people think that it is a waste of time for high school students to study literature, such as novels and poems.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Some people believe that the government should spend more money putting in more works of art like paintings and statues in cities to make them better places to live in.

Some think that quality art can be made by anyone while others think that it requires special talent and ability.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Many young people today spend too much time following the latest fashion trends in areas such as clothing and technology.

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Business and Companies

Older people often choose to spend money on themselves (e.g. on holidays) rather than save money for their children after retirement.

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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 believe that increasing tax on various industries will reduce pollution whereas others believe that there are better alternative ways.

Discuss both the view and give your opinion.

Large companies should pay higher salaries to CEOs and executives compared to other workers.

If a product is good and meets customer needs, then people will buy it and advertising is unnecessary.

The growth of multinational companies and the resulting rise of globalization creates positive effects for all.

To succeed in a business, one needs to know maths.

Many cities are now turning parks and farmland into new housing developments.

Read my essay here.

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

What problems can this cause?

How might these problems be reduced?

Today, many people do not know their neighbors in large cities.

What problems does this cause?

What can be done about this?

Some people say it is more important to plant trees in the open spaces in towns and cities than to build more housing.

To what extant do you agree or disagree?

Some believe it is important for cities and towns to invest heavily in building large outdoor public spaces.

Many people living in cities these days do not get enough physical exercise.

What are the causes of this?

What are some possible solutions?

Climate Change

Some believe that people should make efforts to fight climate change while others think it is better to learn to live with it.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Some think that climate change reforms will negatively affect business. Others feel they are an opportunity for businesses.

Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.

Climate change is a phenomenon that affects countries all over the world. Many people strongly believe that it is the responsibility of individuals, rather than corporations and governments, to deal with this problem.

To what extent do you agree?

Developing the economy will always damage the environment.

Sample Answer

In many countries, crimes rates amongst younger people has been rising.

Discuss the causes and solutions for this problem.

Studies show that crime rates are lower among those with educational degrees. Therefore, the best way to reduce the crime rate is to educate criminals while they are still in prison.

Many researchers believe that we can now study the behaviour of children to see if they will grow up to be criminals, while others disagree.

To what extent do you think crime is determined by genetics?

Watching TV shows and movies about crime is becoming more and more popular.

What effect does that have on society?

Nowadays, distance-learning programs have gained in popularity, but some people argue that online courses can never be taken as good as those taken at a college or university in person.

In an era of globalization, some people think that studying abroad is the best way to attain a well-paid job while others believe other options are better.

The best curriculum is not one based on a static body of knowledge but one which teaches student to cope with change.

Some feel that schools should be mixed with both girls and boys attending while others feel the genders ought to be separated.

Many students find it is harder to study at university or college compared to when they were in grade school.

What are some possible solutions for this problem?

Instead of requiring primary school students to do experiments themselves, schools should only alllow them to watch experiments demonstrated by teachers.

Many students find it difficult to pay attention at school.

What are the reasons for this?

What could be done to solve this problem?

Entertainment

People these days watch TV, films and other programmes alone rather than with other people.

Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

Some feel that good entertainers are as important to society as scientists.

Some people say that all popular TV entertainment programmes should aim to educate viewers about important social issues.

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

Computer games are very popular for all ages and nationalities. Parents think this has little educational value and it will be harmful for children.

Environment and Nature

Some people believe that car-free days are effective ways to reduce air pollution. However, others argue that there are other ways that are more effective.

Some people claim that too much focus and resources have been spent to protect wild animals and birds.

It is a natural process for animal species to become extinct (e.g. dinosaurs, dodos, etc.). There is no reason why people should try to prevent this from happening.

Do you agree or disagree?

It is now possible for scientists and tourists to travel to remote natural environments, such as the South Pole.

Some think the current generation should take steps to protect the environment for the next generation.

The global demand for oil and gas is increasing. Some believe that we should therefore encourage the exploitation of remote areas.

Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

Family and Children

Although it is generally illegal, physical punishment continues in many countries. Some argue that parents should have the right to punish their children in this way.

In marriages today, some argue that it is the responsibility of both spouses to earn a living for the family.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?  

Read my sample essay here.

People nowadays tend to have children at older ages.

Some people spend a lot of money celebrating personal family events, such as weddings and birthdays.

How important is it to celebrate such events?

Do you think people spend too much money on these events?

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

What could be the reasons for this?

Is it a positive or negative development?

It is better for children if the whole family including aunts, uncles and so on are involved in a child’s upbringing, rather than just their parents.

Globalization and Consumerism

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

The increase in the production of consumer goods results in damage to the natural environment.

What can be done to solve this problem?

Many today feel that most urgent problems can only be solved by international cooperation.

Some feel that countries should produce most of the food that is eaten in their country and import as little as possible.

One good way to promote world peace is through international sporting events.

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

Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

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As the number of cars increases, more money has to be spent on road systems. Some people think the government should pay for this. Others, however, think that drivers should cover the costs.

It is impossible to help all people around the world in need so governments should focus on people from their own country.

Governments should spend more money on medical research and less on researching the environment.

Research into medical treatments are essential to improve health and fight disease.

Who do you think should fund this research: individuals, private companies or governments?

Throughout history, male leaders have led us into violence and conflict. If a society is governed by female leaders it will be more peaceful.

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

Some believe that nuclear weapons benefit the world at large.

Sample essay only on Patreon.

Some people say that to prevent illness and disease, governments should focus more on reducing environmental pollution and housing problems.

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

Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

Doctors should be responsible for educating their patients about how to improve their health.

Some feel governments, rather than private companies, should be in charge of medical services.

Some people today prefer to get advice for medical problems and do not want to visit a doctor.

Is this a positive or a negative development?

Even though doctors advise old people to get more exercise, many old people do not get enough.

What are some possible solutions for this?

Many psychologists recommend that the best way to relieve stress is to do nothing at all for a period of time during the day.

Some people say that now is the best time in history to be living.

What is your opinion about this?

What other time in history would be interesting to live in?

It is better to learn the way people lived in the past through films and video records than written documents.

Some believe that history has little to teach us about today while others think that the study of the past helps us to understand the present.

Some people say history is one the most important school subjects. Other people think that, in today’s world, subjects like science and technology are more important than history.

Museums and art galleries should focus on works that show the history and culture of their own country rather than works of other parts of the world.

Some people think the newly built houses should be the same as the old housing styles in local areas. Others argue that local authorities should allow people to build houses in their own style.

There are severe social consequences to housing shortages in cities and only the government can solve these problems.

Too much money is wasted on repairing old buildings that should be used to knock them down and build new ones.

Some believe that because everyone needs a place to live, governments should provide houses for those who are too poor to afford their own.

Many people put their personal information online (address, telephone number, and so on) for purposes such as signing up for social networks or online banking.

In the past, knowledge was contained in books. Nowadays, knowledge is uploaded to the internet.

In many workplaces, online communication is now more common than face-to-face meetings.

Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?

Some today argue that schools are no longer necessary because children can learn so much from the internet and be educated at home.

Some feel governments should invest in preserving minority languages, while others feel this is not a good use of resources.

Some believe that we should invent a new language for international communication.

Some people believe that smartphones are destroying social interaction today.

Living in a country where you have to speak a foreign language can cause serious social problems, as well as practical problems.

Media and Advertising

Some people think that there should be a complete ban on all forms of advertising.

People are annoyed or entertained by advertising but they are not affected by advertisements when making shopping decisions.

To what extent you agree or disagree?

More and more people no longer read newspapers or watch TV programmes to get their news and instead read online.

Some feel that the effects of advertising are positive for individuals and businesses, while others think they are negative.

In recent times, economic growth has helped many become richer, both in developed and developing countries. However, those in developed countries are not as happy as they were in the past.

What can be learned from this?

Some people work harder than other.

Is this a positive or negative habit?

Some people believe that the experiences children have before they go to school will have the greatest effect on their future life. Others argue that experiences gained when they are teenagers have a bigger influence.

Discuss both views and give your own opinions.

Although families have influence on a children’s development, factors outside the home play a bigger part in their lives nowadays.

Some people think students should study the science of food and how to prepare it. Others think students should spend time on important subjects.

The first man to walk on the moon claimed it was a step forward for mankind. However, it has made little difference in most people’s lives.

More and more students at university today are not choosing to study science.

Why is this happening?

What are the effects of this?

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 too valuable to be shared freely.

Some people think that social networking sites have a huge negative impact on both individuals and society.

Some people feel that equality between the genders has already been achieved while others feel there is considerable progress to be made.

Some people think young people should follow the traditions of their society. Others think that they should be free to behave as individuals.

Society is based on rules and laws. It could not function if individuals were free to do whatever they wanted to do.

Whether or not a person achieves their aims in life is mostly related to luck.

Nowadays people live longer after they retire.

How does this affect individuals and society?

Weddings are getting bigger and more expensive.

What is the reason for this?

Sample essay

Sports and Exercise

Large companies use sports events to promote their products. Some people think this has a negative impact on sports.

Some people think that sports play an important role in society. Others think they are nothing more than a leisure activity.

Some believe that the Olympic games help bring people from different nations together, while others claim that holding the Olympics wastes money which could be used for important issues.

Some think that it is more important for children to engage in outdoor activities instead of playing videogames.

To what extent to you agree or disagree?

Today different types of robots are being developed which can serve as companions and workers to help at work and at home.

Some think scientists should be allowed to send messages into space to communicate with other life forms while others believe this is too dangerous.

Many people think technological devices such as smart phones, tablets and mobile phones bring more disadvantages than advantages.

Some scientists believe that in the future computers will be more intelligent than human beings. While some see this as a positive development others worry about the negative consequences.

Transportation

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

Some people think that the best way to increase road safety is to increase the minimum legal age for driving cars and riding motorbikes.

The manufacturing and use of cars damages the environment but their popularity is increasing.

How could this be controlled?

When cars and cyclists use the same roads, there are often problems.

What are the solutions?

Some people think that governments should invest mainly in making public transportation faster while other think there are more important priorities (cost, the environment).

Travel and Tourism

Some think that students must travel to another country in order to learn its language and customs.

Many people today are choosing to travel to other countries.

After graduation many students take a year to travel. Some think that it would be more useful to work for a year.

Some believe that tourism does more to create tension between countries rather than helping individuals better understand other cultures.

Some people believe that professionals, such as doctors and engineers, should be required to work in the country where they did their training. Others believe they should be free to work in another country if they wish.

Discuss views and give your own opinion.

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

Do the advantages of taking these risks outweigh the disadvantages?

Some countries have introduced laws to limit working hours for employees.

Why are these laws introduced?

Do you think they are a positive or negative development?

In the past, most people worked for small businesses, while more people now work for large businesses.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of working for large businesses?

Some people argue that job satisfaction is more important than job security, while others believe that they cannot always expect job satisfaction and a permanent job is more important.

Some think that governments should support retired people financially while others believe they should take care of themselves.

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Will this questions be a possibleb once in ilets writing

Of course – they are all possibilities!

I need 8.5 band

Thank you! This is gem!

You’re welcome!

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IELTS Academic is your key to studying abroad.

You can take the IELTS Academic at a test centre or remotely online. The test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes , and the format is the same wherever it is taken.

Choose the IELTS Academic test if you wish to study at undergraduate or postgraduate levels, or if you are seeking professional registration, e.g. doctors and nurses.

In IELTS, there are four papers: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The Speaking and Listening tests are the same in both the Academic and the General Training tests, but the Reading and Writing tests are different.

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IELTS Speaking Part 1: Overview, Topics, Introduction Questions for IELTS

21 August, 2024

IELTS Speaking Part 1 covers topics you are already familiar with, and it is considered one of the easiest. IELTS Speaking Part 1 lasts for a total of four to five minutes. This section consists of about twelve questions covering three different topics. The goal is to evaluate your abilities to engage in a casual conversation and to discuss common topics with fluency, coherence, and rich vocabulary.

In this blog, we have covered the general overview of IELTS speaking part 1, commonly asked topics and questions related to it, different question types and much more.

What is IELTS Speaking Part 1?

Different questions types in ielts speaking part 1, commonly asked topics and questions of ielts speaking part 1, ways to practise for ielts speaking part 1, tips for ielts speaking part 1.

The first section of the IELTS Speaking test is called IELTS Speaking Part 1, or the "Interview" section. In this section, the examiner will ask you a number of questions about your experiences, hobbies, and personal life. The procedure is quite simple: you will speak with the examiner briefly, during which the interviewer will pose questions and expect you to answer them succinctly yet thoroughly.

Understanding the types of part 1 speaking questions is crucial before diving into the topics. The following are the main question types:

Situational questions

These questions could involve hypothetical situations or ask you to share ideas and opinions about certain situations.

Open-ended questions

You can demonstrate your ability to speak clearly and concisely by answering these questions in detail.

Follow-up questions

The examiner may ask follow-up questions to gain additional information or clarify specific points based on your initial or overall response on the given topic.

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In the table given below, some of the commonly asked topics and questions of IELTS speaking part 1

Here are a few points that you should keep in mind while practising for the IELTS speaking part 1:

Spend time daily for IELTS Speaking preparation

From the beginning till test day, you should stick to a regular study schedule. Learn to improve your skills every day while keeping the marking criteria in mind. Further, you will acquire the trust to speak throughout the test as you consistently practice several warm-up questions.

Record, Listen and Improve

Try recording your responses as you prepare for the first speaking section of the IELTS exam. When you're done, listen to the tape and evaluate your responses in the context of the assigned marking criteria. Further, make a note of your errors and focus on your weak points.

Know the Format of the IELTS speaking section

There is a specific format for the IELTS Speaking Part 1 , which is scheduled as a face-to-face interview with an experienced IELTS examiner. The interview will begin once the interviewer verifies your identity and makes an introduction. The interviewer can ask about things like where you live and what you do. You will be asked a series of random topic-related questions, and the exam will end in five minutes.

Do not give memorised answers

Avoid giving answers you've memorised in the exam. If you find any topic challenging to respond to, focus on practising such topics more. Try to be impromptu and confident while responding to any question.

Be aware of all the marking criteria

Four marking criteria, fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation, account for the band score in the IELTS speaking test. Your score is going to range between bands 0 and 9. You should refer to the IELTS speaking band explanations for a thorough explanation. Moreover, to identify your areas of weakness and strengthen them, get the assistance of an IELTS trainer at Prepare IELTS Exam (PI) to assess you before the test.

Also read an IELTS Speaking Cue Card: Describe a development in your country

Stay calm and focused

Example: Don’t stay on it if you stumble or make a mistake. Remain composed and go to the next question.

Practice with sample questions

Example: Learn how to answer example questions and get comfortable answering them in the allotted time.

Manage your time effectively

Example: Watch the clock and avoid rambling or long pauses, which can lower your fluency score.

Stay relevant

Example: While giving thorough answers is crucial, be sure they still relate to the issue asked.

Maintain a positive attitude

Example: Approach the test politely and confidently. Remember that the examiner is assessing your level of English competence as well as your attitude.

Clarify if needed

Example: If a question is unclear, please ask the examiner to clarify or repeat it.

Provide detailed responses

Example: Don't just respond, "I like to read," when someone asks about your hobbies. Rather, give details about the kinds of books you like to read, the authors you like, and the reasons you find reading rewarding.

Expand your vocabulary

Example: To expand your vocabulary range, read a lot, watch and listen to English-language videos/audio, and pick up new terms from the content.

Practice speaking fluently

Example: To gain confidence and fluency, talk regularly with friends or join an English-speaking club.

To conclude, the trick to succeeding in the  IELTS speaking section part 1 is to be well-prepared, self-assured, and proficient in English communication. You may perform your best in this area and raise your chances of getting the IELTS score you want with consistent practice and the right tactics.

If you are also ready to appear for IELTS, we suggest you sign up for our IELTS Courses designed by our experts. Please contact Prepare IELTS Exam (PI) expert counsellors if you need further guidance. Our team of education experts is dedicated to providing you with the best guidance in the IELTS exam. You can also get a one-on-one counselling session online via our platform. Contact us at [email protected] or call us at +91 9773398388 .

You cannot choose the topics for the IELTS speaking part 1 or ask them to change the topic. You must answer whatever questions are asked of you.

When questioned about yourself, you can talk. During the interview, You can ask questions like "What is your name?" or "Where are you from?". You may need to discuss your home, studies, employment, or family.

Understanding the marking criteria is necessary if you want to perform well on the IELTS Speaking Part 1. After that, you must practice responding to questions based on those standards.

Yes, the examiner records the whole IELTS speaking examination, including Speaking Part 1. This is done to guarantee an accurate and fair administration of the test. In addition, the recording serves as a quality control tool and a point of reference for any unusual events or problems that might come up during the test. You must speak fluently and clearly during the test because the examiners will determine your band score after reviewing the recording.

For the IELTS Speaking test, having a rich vocabulary base is beneficial, but avoiding using technical terms unnecessarily is crucial. Instead, concentrate on using language that you feel comfortable with and clearly conveying your ideas. It's preferable to use basic terms you know rather than complicated ones you don't. Try speaking in a natural tone and use terms that you find easy to utilise.

Boost your IELTS Speaking score

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IELTS Speaking Part 1: Overview, Topics, Introduction Questions for IELTS Since Indian students are writing and speaking in English with Indian accent, with not much exposure to foreign accent, it can be the cause of

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Describe a lake, a river or a sea you like to visit: IELTS cue card Since Indian students are writing and speaking in English with Indian accent, with not much exposure to foreign accent, it can be the cause of

Top 10 UK Universities Which Accept IELTS Score 6 Since Indian students are writing and speaking in English with Indian accent, with not much exposure to foreign accent, it can be the cause of

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

• Test Information FAQ
• Band Scores
• IELTS Candidate Success Tips
• Computer IELTS: Pros & Cons
• How to Prepare
• Useful Links & Resources
• Recommended Books
• Speaking Part 1 Topics
• Speaking Part 2 Topics
• Speaking Part 3 Topics
• 100 Essay Questions
• On The Day Tips
• Top Results
• Advanced IELTS

Ideas in IELTS Essays & in IELTS Speaking

Are your ideas marked in IELTS Writing and IELTS Speaking? How do you find and prepare ideas for your IELTS essays and for IELTS Speaking topics? Certainly, both IELTS writing and speaking tests are topic based and require you to have ideas to write about and talk about, but are those ideas marked and how do you prepare properly?

Ideas & Knowledge in IELTS Writing Task 2?

In IELTS Writing Task 2, you will be marked on

• Task Response (addressing the task, ideas, developing ideas and relevancy)
• Coherence & Cohesion (organisation & linking)

As you see, the key marking criterion for ideas is Task Response. That is all about your answer and the ideas you use in your answer. It counts for 25% of your writing task 2 marks. For more information & tips, see this page: IELTS Writing Task 1 Marking Criteria & Band Score Tips .

Let me explain more about Task Response:

Task Response: Your Answer & Ideas

This is about answering the question with relevant ideas, which are well-developed and supported. This means the ideas you present are marked. How relevant and developed your ideas are will affect your band score:

As you see, the more relevant, focused, detailed and well developed your ideas are, the higher your band score. People who get a low score present ideas that aren’t explained well or connected to the task or that lack focus.

Finding Ideas for IELTS Essays

Here are some things you should do to improve your band score relating to ideas:

Step 1: Have knowledge of common IELTS Writing Task 2 topics. You must know what type of topics you are likely to be given and what the questions are likely to be. You must check if there are any topics that you don’t know much about. If there are topics you don’t know about, learn about them before your test. For example, are you familiar with these topics: factory farming (intensive farming), package foods and preservatives in foods? All these topics are part of the main topic of Food for IELTS essays. See this page for a list of topics and essay questions: 100 IELTS Essay Questions

Step 2: You must prepare ideas for as many topics as you can. In the writing test, you only have around 40 mins for writing task 2 so you can’t waste time thinking about ideas – you must have those ideas already in your mind. You can learn ideas for topics from looking at model essays online, but that takes time.

To speed up learning ideas for topics, I created an e-book to help you. You can find it in my store: IELTS Essay Topics E-books . This e-book contains ideas for over 150 common essay topics with relevant vocabulary so you can learn ideas for topics. Click here to see a sample: Ebook Ideas for Topics Sample Chapter

Step 3: You must be ready to think about how to present those ideas to address the points in your essay. This means you think carefully how to explain those ideas and link them to the task given. This means both ideas and how you present them are important. 

Step 4: You must explain those ideas thoroughly in your essay. You can add extra details, further information, more explanation, illustrations, examples and more. You add whatever you need to add to explain the idea fully. This is required for a high score.

Step 5: Planning your essay before you start writing is essential. Because you are marked on your ideas, you should spend time to think carefully about which ideas you will use and how you will present them. You should also plan how to explain those ideas fully for a high score. Plan all mains ideas and supporting points, then start writing.

Do you get a higher score for interesting ideas in IELTS Essays?

This video is an oldie but a goodie. It is still 100% relevant today. Don’t get side tracked thinking ideas need to be juicy.

Ideas & Knowledge in IELTS Speaking?

In the IELTS Speaking test, you are marked only on your language skills. You are marked on your Fluency, your Grammar, your Vocabulary and your Pronunciation (each one is worth 25% of your marks). Ideas are not marked, but ideas or topic knowledge are still crucial to a high score . Why? To understand, you must look at each part of the test:

Ideas in IELTS Part 1 Speaking

For part 1, it is common to be asked many questions relating to usually three different topics. This will require you to have ideas for those topics. However, the questions are about your personal life or popular things in your country. This means you don’t really need ideas and knowledge for the topics, but you do need to know all the topics and prepare your opinions, past experiences etc. 

Ideas in Part 2 Speaking :

For part 2, you’ll be given a topic card (a cue card). You should aim to speak for 2 mins about the topic. Most topics are about your past or your present, such as your favourite book, your favourite place to relax, a childhood friend or a time you were late for something. Yes, you will need ideas but the ideas are more about your personal life (similar to part 1). Occasionally, you might get a more difficult topic such as a museum or a good law. For such topics, you will need vocabulary for those topics and relevant vocabulary. But your ideas are not marked and ideas are still about your own personal thoughts and experiences.

Ideas in Speaking Part 3 :

This part of the test is different. This part is no longer about your personal experiences. It is about world issues and broader topics such as the environment, communication, skills, education, crime etc. You definitely need ideas and vocabulary to be able to speak about these topics. The questions are similar to writing task 2 essay questions so it’s easy to use ideas from writing task 2 for your speaking part 3. Your ideas and knowledge are not marked – but they are both needed to be able to speak easily in the test.

Preparing Ideas for IELTS Speaking

• Get used to all the past, current and trending topics for IELTS Speaking. The more topics you prepare for the better. I often have lists of trending topics for IELTS Speaking, but those lists are never complete and you must prepare common topics as well. IELTS does not release the topics to the public. Topics are kept confidential and secure for the test.
• Remember, you only have time to prepare your answer in part 2. For part 1 and part 3, your answers must be immediate, which is why knowledge of topics is crucial.
• IELTS Speaking Part 1 Topics
• IELTS Speaking Part 2 Topics
• IELTS Speaking Part 3 Topics
• your favourites / likes / dislikes
• your abilities (things you can do or not do)
• your habits & routines (how often and when you do things)
• your childhood memories
• your past experiences as an adult
• your future hopes and goal
• popular choices in your country
• your personal opinions about common topics
• your personal opinions (based on your knowledge and experience of the world, not your personal life)
• popular opinions in your country 
• evaluations – deciding the pros and cons of something – deciding if something is a good idea or not
• comparing the past with the present such as “do people holiday differently today than in the past”. Think about all the ways your country has changed over the last few decades for all topics.
• predicting future trends such as “how will people holiday in the future?”
• comparisons between age groups and categories (such as the difference between independent travel and package holidays)

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

• ALL MODEL ESSAYS & TIPS FOR IELTS WRITING TASK 2
• ALL MODEL ANSWERS, TIPS AND TOPICS FOR IELTS SPEAKING

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I had problems with my speaking score. Now I understand. I thought ideas were important in speaking test for high score. I love your website. Hope your health improving.

This is a common misconception in the IELTS test. It’s important to know the difference between the marking and role of ideas for IELTS writing and IELTS speaking.

Very detailed. The information about ideas and band scores is very useful. Thanks Liz

I’m glad it was helpful 🙂

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