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
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 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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