IELTS Writing Task 2 topics and questions
121 essay questions grouped by the topic families IELTS returns to. Questions marked with a band score link to three sample answers.
Task 2 topics change from test to test, but they come from the same sixteen families. Practise across all of them: pick a question, plan for five minutes, write for 35, then compare your essay with a band 9 answer on a similar question. Every question here is original, written in the exact wording style of the real test.
Education essay questions
What gets asked: Who should pay for university, what schools should teach, exams versus coursework, and technology in the classroom.
An increasing number of students choose to complete their university degree in a foreign country rather than at home. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this trend.
Advantages and disadvantagesBand 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersSome schools teach children of all abilities together in the same class, while others divide students into groups according to how well they perform. Discuss both approaches and give your own opinion.
Discussion (both views)Band 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersSome governments now fund university places only in subjects that lead directly to employment. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Opinion (agree or disagree)Band 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersAt many universities, live lectures are being replaced by recorded material which students watch in their own time. Do you think this is a positive or a negative development?
Positive or negative developmentBand 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersIn many countries, fewer school leavers are choosing to study science and mathematics at a higher level. Why is this happening? What could be done to encourage more young people into these subjects?
Two-part questionBand 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersSome people believe that students should be assessed mainly through coursework and projects completed during the year. Others argue that final written examinations remain the fairest way to measure what a student has learned. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Discussion (both views) · practice question
In many countries, schools are struggling to recruit new teachers, and many of those who do join the profession leave within a few years. What are the causes of this problem and what measures could be taken to solve it?
Problem and solution · practice question
Some schools now allow pupils to use artificial intelligence tools to help them research, plan and draft their written assignments. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
Advantages and disadvantages · practice question
A growing number of parents are choosing to educate their children at home instead of sending them to school. Is this a positive or negative development?
Positive or negative development · practice question
Environment essay questions
What gets asked: Whose responsibility climate action is — individuals, companies or governments — and the trade-offs between growth and protection.
As countries try to reduce their carbon emissions, some argue that nuclear power must be part of the solution, while others believe that only renewable sources such as wind and solar should be developed. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Discussion (both views)Band 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersSome people believe that individual efforts to live more sustainably achieve nothing while governments fail to regulate polluting industries. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Opinion (agree or disagree)Band 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersIn many wealthy countries, a large proportion of the food that is produced is never eaten and ends up being thrown away. What problems does this cause? What measures could be taken to reduce the amount of food that is wasted?
Problem and solutionBand 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersLarge quantities of plastic waste end up in the world's oceans every year. What do you think are the main reasons for this, and what could be done to address the situation?
Problem and solutionBand 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersMost people are now aware of the environmental damage caused by air travel, yet the number of flights taken each year continues to rise. Why do people keep flying? What should be done about this?
Two-part questionBand 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersSome people think that households should pay for rubbish collection according to the amount of waste they throw away, rather than through a fixed local tax. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Opinion (agree or disagree) · practice question
In many regions, rivers, lakes and underground water supplies are shrinking because more water is being taken for farming, industry and growing cities than nature can replace. What are the main causes of this problem, and what can be done to tackle it?
Problem and solution · practice question
Some governments are paying farmers to stop growing crops on part of their land and to return it to forest, wetland or meadow. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
Advantages and disadvantages · practice question
Many species of animals and plants are disappearing faster than at any other time in recorded history. Why is this happening? Whose responsibility should it be to protect them?
Two-part question · practice question
Work essay questions
What gets asked: Job security, working from home, career changes, work–life balance and whether money or satisfaction matters more.
Some countries are considering reducing the standard working week from five days to four, with no reduction in pay. Do the advantages of this change outweigh the disadvantages?
Advantages and disadvantagesBand 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersMany companies now allow their staff to work from home for most of the week. Some people think this arrangement benefits employees, while others argue that it harms teamwork and the training of younger staff. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Discussion (both views)Band 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersIn many countries, companies are employing fewer permanent staff and are using more short-term contractors and gig workers. Do you think this is a positive or a negative development?
Positive or negative developmentBand 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersMany countries invest heavily in training doctors, engineers and other skilled professionals, only for large numbers of them to emigrate soon after qualifying. Why does this happen, and what measures could reduce it?
Problem and solutionBand 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersIt is now common for people to change careers several times during their working lives. Why is this happening? Do you think it is a positive or a negative development?
Two-part questionBand 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersSome people believe that companies should be required to publish what they pay each of their employees, while others think salaries should remain a private matter between employer and employee. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Discussion (both views) · practice question
In many workplaces, a growing number of employees say they feel exhausted and overworked, and some take long periods of sick leave because of stress. Why is this happening, and what could employers and governments do about it?
Problem and solution · practice question
In a number of countries, the age at which people can receive a state pension is being raised, so that many will work until they are nearly seventy. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
Advantages and disadvantages · practice question
Many young people now say they would rather work for themselves than for an employer. Why is self-employment becoming more attractive? What difficulties might these young people face?
Two-part question · practice question
Technology essay questions
What gets asked: Whether technology connects or isolates people, automation and jobs, and how much children should use screens.
In many companies, software and artificial intelligence now carry out routine administrative work that was previously done by employees. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?
Advantages and disadvantagesBand 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersSome people think that children should not be allowed to own a smartphone until they start secondary school. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Opinion (agree or disagree)Band 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersEmployers are now able to record everything their staff do on company computers. Some people believe that employers should be free to do this. Do you agree or disagree?
Opinion (agree or disagree)Band 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersPeople in many countries now depend heavily on their smartphones. Why has this happened? What effects does this dependence have on individuals and on society?
Two-part questionBand 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersSome people believe that the companies which develop artificial intelligence systems should be held legally responsible for any harm those systems cause. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Opinion (agree or disagree) · practice question
Many free apps and websites collect detailed information about the people who use them. Some regard this as a fair price for a free service, while others believe personal data should be strictly protected by law. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Discussion (both views) · practice question
More and more household items, from heating systems to fridges, can now be connected to the internet and controlled by phone. Why are people choosing these devices? What risks might they bring?
Two-part question · practice question
In some countries, robots are beginning to help care for elderly people, for example by reminding them to take medicine and keeping them company. Is this a positive or negative development?
Positive or negative development · practice question
Health essay questions
What gets asked: Prevention versus treatment, the state's role in personal choices such as diet, and why people ignore health advice.
Some people believe that governments should place a heavy tax on foods that are high in sugar and fat in order to improve public health. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Opinion (agree or disagree)Band 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersGovernments have limited budgets for health care. Some people believe that public money should always be spent on preventing illness rather than on treating it. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Opinion (agree or disagree)Band 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersIn many countries the number of overweight children and teenagers has risen sharply in recent decades. What are the causes of this trend, and what measures could be taken to reverse it?
Problem and solutionBand 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersMany patients do not follow the advice they are given by their doctors. Why does this happen? What are the consequences of this behaviour?
Two-part questionBand 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersSome people think that every adult should automatically be registered as an organ donor unless they choose to opt out. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Opinion (agree or disagree) · practice question
Many people now wear devices that track their sleep, heart rate and daily exercise. Some believe these gadgets help people take better care of their health, while others think they make users anxious and obsessed with numbers. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Discussion (both views) · practice question
In many places, patients have to wait months for routine operations and specialist appointments. What are the causes of this problem and what measures could be taken to solve it?
Problem and solution · practice question
More and more people now see a doctor through a video call rather than visiting a clinic in person. Is this a positive or negative development?
Positive or negative development · practice question
Government essay questions
What gets asked: What the state should pay for, how much it should regulate, and how decisions are made and trusted.
Some governments are moving ministries and other public bodies out of the capital city to smaller towns and regions. Do the advantages of this policy outweigh the disadvantages?
Advantages and disadvantagesBand 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersSome people believe that voting in national elections should be compulsory for all adult citizens. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Opinion (agree or disagree)Band 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersIn many countries, services that were once run by the state, such as prisons, railways and rubbish collection, are now operated by private companies under government contracts. Do you think this is a positive or a negative development?
Positive or negative developmentBand 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersIn many countries, public confidence in politicians has fallen sharply in recent decades. What has caused this loss of trust? How might it be rebuilt?
Two-part questionBand 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersSome people argue that governments should pay every adult citizen a basic monthly income, whether or not they have a job. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Opinion (agree or disagree) · practice question
Some people believe that major national decisions should be put directly to citizens in a referendum, while others think such decisions are better left to elected representatives. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Discussion (both views) · practice question
Many governments are moving public services such as tax returns and benefit claims entirely online and closing their face-to-face offices. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
Advantages and disadvantages · practice question
Many governments pass laws that restrict personal habits, such as where people may smoke or drink alcohol. Why do governments introduce rules like these? How far should the state go in controlling the choices adults make?
Two-part question · practice question
Media essay questions
What gets asked: Where people get news, the power and duties of the press, advertising, and streaming's effect on what gets made.
Streaming platforms have largely replaced scheduled television and, for many people, trips to the cinema. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this change.
Advantages and disadvantagesBand 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersMost people now receive their news through social media rather than through newspapers or broadcasters. Some believe this has made public debate more open, while others think it has left people less well informed. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Discussion (both views)Band 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersSome people believe that newspapers and websites should be free to publish stories about the private lives of famous people. Others think that famous people have the same right to privacy as anyone else. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Discussion (both views)Band 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersNews organisations sometimes publish stories that later turn out to be false. Some people believe that the law should require corrections to be given the same prominence as the original story. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Opinion (agree or disagree)Band 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersSome people think that public broadcasters funded by taxpayers are as important as ever, while others believe they are no longer needed now that so much free content is available online. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Discussion (both views) · practice question
Many news websites now ask readers to pay a subscription before they can read articles in full. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
Advantages and disadvantages · practice question
Many children and teenagers now say they would like to become online influencers when they grow up. Why does this career appeal to young people? What problems might it cause?
Two-part question · practice question
Video clips lasting only a few seconds have become one of the most popular forms of online entertainment. Is this a positive or negative development?
Positive or negative development · practice question
Community essay questions
What gets asked: Volunteering, loneliness, how well neighbours know each other, and what holds local life together.
In some areas, libraries, parks and community centres that were once run by paid council staff are now managed by local volunteers. Some people believe this is the best way to keep such services open, while others argue that local government should pay professionals to run them. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Discussion (both views)Band 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersIn some countries, cash is being replaced almost entirely by digital payment. Do you think this is a positive or a negative development?
Positive or negative developmentBand 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersIn many societies, a growing number of older people live alone and have little regular contact with others. What are the causes of this isolation, and what could be done to reduce it?
Problem and solutionBand 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersIn many communities, local charities and clubs are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit volunteers. Why is this happening? What could be done to encourage more people to give their time?
Two-part questionBand 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersSome people believe that local businesses such as shops and cafés have a duty to support the community around them, not only to make a profit. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Opinion (agree or disagree) · practice question
In many residential areas, disputes between neighbours over noise, parking and rubbish are becoming more common. Why does this happen, and how could such conflicts be reduced?
Problem and solution · practice question
In many small towns, post offices, bank branches and independent shops have closed in recent years. Why are these places disappearing? What effect does their loss have on local residents?
Two-part question · practice question
Many people now belong to online groups for their neighbourhood, where they share news, lend and borrow items and organise local events. Is this a positive or negative development?
Positive or negative development · practice question
Crime essay questions
What gets asked: Punishment versus rehabilitation, the causes of youth crime, and new forms of crime such as online fraud.
Some people argue that offenders who have committed non-violent crimes should serve their sentences in the community rather than in prison. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Opinion (agree or disagree)Band 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersIn many countries, a high proportion of young people who are released from prison commit further offences within a short period. What are the reasons for this, and how could the situation be improved?
Problem and solutionBand 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersFraud committed over the internet has increased significantly in recent years. Why has this type of crime become so common? What can individuals do to protect themselves?
Two-part questionBand 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersSome people believe that the police should be allowed to use cameras with facial recognition software in public places to identify suspects. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Opinion (agree or disagree) · practice question
In many cities, crimes such as bicycle theft and pickpocketing are rarely solved, and many victims no longer bother to report them. Why is this the case, and what steps could the police and the public take to change it?
Problem and solution · practice question
In some areas, residents can view online maps that show where crimes have recently been reported in their neighbourhood. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
Advantages and disadvantages · practice question
More and more homeowners are fitting doorbell cameras and other security devices that record everyone who passes their house. Is this a positive or negative development?
Positive or negative development · practice question
Globalisation essay questions
What gets asked: Global languages and cultures, international events and tourism, and the movement of people and skills between countries.
Many developing countries have built their economies around large-scale international tourism. Do the advantages of this approach outweigh the disadvantages?
Advantages and disadvantagesBand 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersEnglish has become the main language of international business, science and travel. Some people see this as a practical advantage, while others believe it threatens smaller languages and the cultures attached to them. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Discussion (both views)Band 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersMany countries spend large amounts of public money on hosting international sporting events. Some people believe that this money is wasted. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Opinion (agree or disagree)Band 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersSome people think that every country should aim to produce most of its own food rather than relying on imports from abroad. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Opinion (agree or disagree) · practice question
International restaurant and coffee chains can now be found in towns all over the world. Some people welcome the convenience and jobs they bring, while others believe they push out local businesses and make every place look the same. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Discussion (both views) · practice question
When factories move to countries where labour is cheaper, towns that depended on manufacturing can lose their main source of employment. What problems does this cause for the people who live there, and how could these problems be solved?
Problem and solution · practice question
Young people across the globe now watch the same films, follow the same online trends and wear similar clothes. What is causing this? What might be lost as a result?
Two-part question · practice question
Family essay questions
What gets asked: Childcare, parenting and discipline, having children later, and the care of older relatives.
In many countries people are having their first child at a much later age than previous generations did. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this development.
Advantages and disadvantagesBand 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersIn some families, young children are cared for during the working day by their grandparents. Others believe that professional nurseries provide a better start. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Discussion (both views)Band 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersWhen children behave badly, some people believe that their parents rather than their schools should be held responsible. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Opinion (agree or disagree)Band 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersSome people think that fathers should be entitled to exactly the same amount of paid leave as mothers after a baby is born. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Opinion (agree or disagree) · practice question
In some countries, it is becoming more common for grandparents, parents and children to share one home. Do the advantages of this arrangement outweigh the disadvantages?
Advantages and disadvantages · practice question
In many households, family members now rarely sit down to eat a meal together. Why has this change happened? How important is it for families to share meals?
Two-part question · practice question
Many parents now post photographs and details of their children's lives on social media from the day they are born. Is this a positive or negative development?
Positive or negative development · practice question
Transport essay questions
What gets asked: Congestion, public transport funding, cars in cities, and the environmental cost of travel.
Some people believe that private cars should be banned from the centres of large cities. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Opinion (agree or disagree)Band 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersSome cities have made all public transport free to use, paying for it through taxation instead of fares. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
Positive or negative developmentBand 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersTraffic congestion is becoming worse in many rapidly growing cities. What do you think are the causes of this, and what solutions could be introduced?
Problem and solutionBand 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersSome people believe that cyclists should have to pass a test and hold a licence before they are allowed to ride on public roads. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Opinion (agree or disagree) · practice question
Some people think that governments should invest in high-speed rail lines between major cities, while others believe the money would be better spent on improving local bus and train services. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Discussion (both views) · practice question
In many towns and cities, pedestrians and cyclists are killed or seriously injured on the roads every day. What are the causes of this problem and what measures could be taken to solve it?
Problem and solution · practice question
Vehicles that drive themselves without a human at the wheel are now being tested on public roads. Is this a positive or negative development?
Positive or negative development · practice question
Culture essay questions
What gets asked: Preserving traditions, museums and heritage, public funding for the arts, and globalised entertainment.
Many major museums hold objects that were removed from other countries in the past. Some people believe these objects should be returned to their countries of origin, while others argue they are better preserved and more widely seen where they are. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Discussion (both views)Band 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersA small number of global streaming companies now decide which films and television series are made. Do you think this is a positive or a negative development?
Positive or negative developmentBand 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersTraditional crafts such as weaving, pottery and woodcarving are dying out in many parts of the world. Why is this happening? Do you think it is important to keep these skills alive?
Two-part questionBand 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersIn many towns, old buildings of historical interest are being knocked down to make way for new developments or are simply left to decay. Why is this happening, and how could such buildings be protected?
Problem and solution · practice question
Some museums and galleries are putting photographs of their entire collections online so that anyone can view them free of charge. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
Advantages and disadvantages · practice question
Now that music, films and books can be shared so easily online, many musicians, writers and other artists struggle to earn a living from their work. Why has this become harder? Should the public be expected to pay more for creative work?
Two-part question · practice question
People increasingly celebrate festivals and holidays that began in other cultures, often in a commercial form. Is this a positive or negative development?
Positive or negative development · practice question
Consumer essay questions
What gets asked: Advertising, shopping habits, ownership versus subscription, and the throwaway economy.
In many towns and cities, online retailers have taken a large share of the trade that once went to shops on the high street. Do the advantages of this shift outweigh the disadvantages?
Advantages and disadvantagesBand 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersSome people think that all advertising aimed at children under the age of twelve should be banned. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Opinion (agree or disagree)Band 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersIncreasingly, people pay a monthly subscription to use products such as software, cars, furniture and even clothing, instead of buying them outright. Do you think this is a positive or a negative development?
Positive or negative developmentBand 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersSome people believe that manufacturers should be required by law to make products that are easy to repair and to supply spare parts for many years. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Opinion (agree or disagree) · practice question
Some people believe that shoppers are responsible for checking that the goods they buy were produced fairly and safely. Others argue that it is the job of governments to make sure that only ethically made products reach the shops. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Discussion (both views) · practice question
Many shops and websites now allow customers to take goods immediately and pay for them later in several instalments. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
Advantages and disadvantages · practice question
Reviews written by other customers now play a major part in what people decide to buy, from restaurants to household appliances. Is this a positive or negative development?
Positive or negative development · practice question
Housing essay questions
What gets asked: Affordability, high-rise versus suburban living, and who should build the homes cities need.
In many growing cities, most new homes are now built as flats in high-rise tower blocks rather than as individual houses with gardens. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?
Advantages and disadvantagesBand 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersIn many large cities, ordinary working people can no longer afford to live near the places where they work. Why has this happened, and what can be done about it?
Problem and solutionBand 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersSome people believe that homes which are left empty for long periods should be heavily taxed or taken over by the local council. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Opinion (agree or disagree) · practice question
Some people think it is wise to buy a home as early in life as possible, while others believe that renting offers more freedom and less financial risk. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Discussion (both views) · practice question
The number of people sleeping on the streets has risen in many cities. What has caused this rise, and how could it be reversed?
Problem and solution · practice question
In many popular cities, homeowners are letting their properties to holidaymakers for short stays instead of to long-term tenants. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
Advantages and disadvantages · practice question
Travel essay questions
What gets asked: Tourism's benefits and costs, how people choose where to go, and whether travel broadens the mind.
Many people now decide where to go on holiday because of photographs and videos they have seen on social media. Do you think this is a positive or a negative development?
Positive or negative developmentBand 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersMany people with physical disabilities find it difficult to travel for pleasure, even within their own country. What problems do they face, and what measures could be taken to make travel easier for them?
Problem and solutionBand 6.5, 7.5 and 9 answersSome people think that young people should spend a year travelling before they begin university or full-time work, while others believe this simply delays the start of their careers. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Discussion (both views) · practice question
Some popular destinations now receive so many visitors that local residents feel crowded out of their own neighbourhoods. What problems does this create, and how could they be reduced?
Problem and solution · practice question
More and more people are choosing to spend their holidays in their own country rather than travelling abroad. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
Advantages and disadvantages · practice question
Travelling alone, rather than with family or friends, has become increasingly popular. Why do people choose to travel on their own? What challenges might solo travellers face?
Two-part question · practice question
Write one now, under the real clock.
40-minute Task 2 practice with an AI band for each of the four criteria.
Common questions
What are the most common IELTS Writing Task 2 topics?
Education, the environment, technology, health, work and crime come up most often, followed by government spending, the media, family life, transport and globalisation. The subject changes from test to test, but the same families return, which is why practising by topic works.
Can I predict my Task 2 topic?
No — and memorising essays for predicted topics backfires, because examiners mark down answers that do not address the exact question. What you can do is build ideas and vocabulary for each topic family, then practise answering whatever angle the question takes.
Are the Task 2 topics the same in CD IELTS and paper IELTS?
Yes. Computer-delivered IELTS uses the same question types, topics, 250-word minimum and marking criteria as the paper test. The only difference is that you type your essay, and the word count is shown on screen.
Are Academic and General Training Task 2 topics different?
The task is the same — a 250-word essay in 40 minutes, marked on the same four criteria. General Training topics tend to be slightly more everyday, but every topic family on this page appears in both modules.