Updated October 2026

IELTS Writing Task 2 questions

82 practice questions by topic and essay type. Plan one step by step, then write it and see your estimated band.

82 questions

OpinionEducation
Some people believe university education should be free for all students. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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OpinionEnvironment
Some people believe individuals can do little to protect the environment and that only governments and large organisations can make a difference. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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OpinionTechnology
Some people believe social media does more harm than good for young people. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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DiscussionEnvironment
Some people say recycling is the best way to help the environment. Others believe reducing consumption is more effective. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
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DiscussionCrime and law
Some people think young people who commit crimes should be punished in the same way as adults. Others believe they should be given education and support instead. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
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Problem / solutionHealth
Obesity rates are rising among children. What are the causes of this problem and what solutions can you suggest?
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Advantages / disadvantagesWork
Many people now work remotely from home. What are the advantages and disadvantages? Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
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Direct questionsFamily and children
Nowadays more people are choosing to live alone than in the past. Why is this the case? Is this a positive or negative development?
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Direct questionsTechnology
Nowadays, more tasks at home and work are being performed by robots. Why do you think this is happening? Is it a positive or negative development?
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DiscussionWork
As artificial intelligence becomes more advanced, some believe it will replace human jobs. Others think it will create new opportunities. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
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Problem / solutionCities and transport
Traffic congestion in major cities is worsening each year. What are the causes of this issue, and what measures can be taken to tackle it?
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OpinionEducation
Some people think schools should teach practical skills such as cooking, managing money and repairing things, rather than only academic subjects. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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OpinionEducation
Online courses will soon replace traditional universities. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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OpinionEducation
Teachers should be paid more than other professionals because their work shapes the future of society. Do you agree or disagree?
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DiscussionEducation
Some people believe students should take a year off between school and university to work or travel. Others think this wastes time. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
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DiscussionEducation
Some people think children should be taught to compete, while others believe they should be taught to cooperate. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
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Problem / solutionEducation
In many countries, a growing number of students leave school without finishing their studies. What are the causes of this, and what measures could be taken to solve it?
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Advantages / disadvantagesEducation
More parents are choosing to educate their children at home instead of sending them to school. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
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Direct questionsEducation
Many students choose a university subject because it leads to a well-paid job rather than because they enjoy it. Why do students make this choice? Is it a sensible way to choose?
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OpinionTechnology
Mobile phones should be banned in schools. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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DiscussionTechnology
Some people say that the internet has made it easier to make friends, while others think it has made real friendships harder to form. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
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Problem / solutionTechnology
Children are spending more and more time in front of screens. What problems does this cause, and what can be done to reduce it?
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Advantages / disadvantagesTechnology
In some countries, cash is rarely used and most payments are made by card or phone. Do the advantages of a cashless society outweigh the disadvantages?
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Direct questionsTechnology
Technology companies now collect large amounts of personal data about their users. Why do people allow this? Should governments limit how this data is used?
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OpinionTechnology
Modern technology has made people more isolated from each other. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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OpinionEnvironment
The best way to reduce environmental damage is to increase the price of fuel. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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OpinionEnvironment
Governments should ban all single-use plastic products. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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DiscussionEnvironment
Some people think economic growth is the most important goal for a country, while others believe protecting the environment matters more. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
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Problem / solutionEnvironment
Many animal and plant species are in danger of disappearing. What are the main causes of this, and what solutions can you suggest?
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Advantages / disadvantagesEnvironment
Some people think we should only buy food that is grown or produced locally. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?
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Direct questionsEnvironment
Air travel is one of the fastest-growing sources of carbon emissions. Why do people continue to fly so often? What could persuade them to fly less?
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OpinionHealth
Governments should tax sugary drinks and unhealthy food to improve public health. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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OpinionHealth
Healthcare should be free for everyone and paid for by the government. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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DiscussionHealth
Some people think governments should spend money on preventing illness, while others believe treating people who are already ill is more important. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
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DiscussionHealth
Some believe that staying healthy is each person's own responsibility. Others say governments should play a bigger role. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
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Problem / solutionHealth
Stress at work is becoming a common health problem. What are the causes of this, and how can it be tackled?
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Advantages / disadvantagesHealth
Many people now use apps and smart watches to track their health and exercise. Is this a positive or negative development?
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OpinionHealth
Good communication skills are more important for a doctor than deep medical knowledge. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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OpinionWork
A four-day working week would benefit both employees and employers. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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DiscussionWork
Some people prefer to stay in the same job for their whole career, while others prefer to change jobs often. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
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Problem / solutionWork
In many countries, young people find it difficult to get their first job. What are the causes of this problem, and what measures can be taken to help them?
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Advantages / disadvantagesWork
More people are choosing to work for themselves rather than for a company. Do the advantages of self-employment outweigh the disadvantages?
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Direct questionsWork
Some people choose a job for the salary, while others choose one they enjoy. Which is more important when choosing a job? Why do people's priorities change as they get older?
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OpinionWork
People should be required to keep working until they are seventy. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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OpinionCrime and law
Prisons should focus on educating and training prisoners rather than punishing them. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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OpinionCrime and law
Police officers should always carry guns. Do you agree or disagree?
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DiscussionCrime and law
Some people believe longer prison sentences are the best way to reduce crime. Others think there are better ways. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
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Problem / solutionCrime and law
Crimes committed online, such as fraud and identity theft, are increasing. What are the causes of this, and what can be done to protect people?
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Advantages / disadvantagesCrime and law
Security cameras are now installed in many public places. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
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Direct questionsCrime and law
News programmes often focus on reports of crime. Why do they do this? What effect does it have on the public?
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OpinionCrime and law
People who commit minor crimes should do community service instead of going to prison. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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OpinionGovernment and society
Governments should spend money on public services such as hospitals and schools rather than on the arts. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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DiscussionGovernment and society
Some people think money spent on space exploration is wasted, while others believe it brings important benefits. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
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Problem / solutionGovernment and society
The gap between rich and poor is growing in many countries. What problems does this cause, and what can be done to reduce it?
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Advantages / disadvantagesGovernment and society
In many countries, the proportion of older people is increasing. Is this a positive or negative development?
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OpinionGovernment and society
Voting in elections should be compulsory for all adults. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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Direct questionsGovernment and society
Some cities have made public transport free for everyone. Why might a city do this? Do you think the benefits are worth the cost?
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DiscussionGovernment and society
Some people think all young people should do unpaid community work as part of their education. Others feel this should be their own choice. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
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OpinionMedia and advertising
Advertising aimed at children should be banned. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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OpinionMedia and advertising
Printed newspapers will soon disappear completely. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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DiscussionMedia and advertising
Some people believe famous people have a responsibility to be good role models, while others think their private lives are their own business. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
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Problem / solutionMedia and advertising
False information spreads quickly online. What are the causes of this, and what measures can be taken to stop it?
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Advantages / disadvantagesMedia and advertising
Many companies now pay social media influencers to promote their products. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?
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Direct questionsMedia and advertising
Most news stories in the media are negative. Why is this the case? Should the media report more positive news?
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OpinionCities and transport
Private cars should be banned from city centres. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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DiscussionCities and transport
Some people think living in a big city is better for young people, while others believe life in the countryside is better. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
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Problem / solutionCities and transport
In many cities, housing has become too expensive for ordinary people. What are the causes of this problem, and what solutions can you suggest?
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Advantages / disadvantagesCities and transport
In many cities, more people now live in tall apartment buildings. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?
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Direct questionsCities and transport
Many young people are leaving rural areas to live in cities. Why is this happening? What effects does it have on the places they leave?
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OpinionCities and transport
City governments should use land for parks and green spaces rather than for new housing. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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OpinionFamily and children
Parents are the best teachers for their children. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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OpinionFamily and children
Children should be given household chores from an early age. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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DiscussionFamily and children
Some people think elderly people should live with their families, while others believe care homes are a better option. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
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Problem / solutionFamily and children
Families today spend less time together than in the past. What are the causes of this, and what can be done to improve the situation?
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Advantages / disadvantagesFamily and children
More people are waiting until their thirties or later to have children. Is this a positive or negative development?
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Direct questionsFamily and children
Children today have less freedom to play outside than children in the past. Why has this changed? How does it affect their development?
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OpinionCulture and tourism
Museums and art galleries should be free for everyone to visit. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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DiscussionCulture and tourism
Some people think globalisation is making cultures around the world more similar, which is a loss. Others think it brings people together. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
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Problem / solutionCulture and tourism
Some popular tourist destinations receive more visitors than they can handle. What problems does this cause, and what measures could be taken to manage it?
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Advantages / disadvantagesCulture and tourism
International tourism has grown rapidly in recent decades. Do the advantages for local communities outweigh the disadvantages?
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Direct questionsCulture and tourism
Traditional crafts and skills are disappearing in many countries. Why is this happening? Is it important to keep them alive?
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OpinionCulture and tourism
Learning about a country's history is a waste of time for students. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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Questions by essay type

Agree or disagree (opinion)
Look for “agree or disagree”, “to what extent”, or “what is your opinion”.
Discuss both views
Look for “discuss both views” or “discuss both sides and give your opinion”.
Problem and solution
Look for “causes”, “solutions”, “how can this be solved”, or “what can be done”.
Advantages and disadvantages
Look for “advantages”, “disadvantages”, “outweigh”, or “positive or negative development”.
Two-part questions
The task asks separate questions. Give each one a clear answer.

Questions by topic

Education Technology Environment Health Work Crime and law Government and society Media and advertising Cities and transport Family and children Culture and tourism

Questions

Are these real IELTS exam questions?

They are practice questions written in the style of real Task 2 questions, on the topics that come up again and again. They are not leaked or predicted questions. Nobody can honestly promise those, and recent exam questions are often repeats of older themes anyway.

How do I know which type of essay a question is?

Each question is labelled with its type, and the label is checked against the same rules our planner uses. The wording gives it away: “to what extent do you agree” is an opinion essay, “discuss both views” is a discussion, and so on.

What is the best way to practise with these questions?

Pick one question and plan it before you write: decide your position and one main idea for each body paragraph. Then write it in 40 minutes and check it. One essay checked and rewritten teaches more than three written and forgotten.