These are some recent IELTS Academic and General Task 2 essay questions. The questions are from many sources including past test takers and public sources. We try to keep this list as up-to-date as possible.
Please use these questions to practice writing your IELTS writing task 2 essays. If you would like feedback from me regarding your essay please follow this link.
It is important that you get feedback on your IELTS writing to help you improve and to make your answers as good as possible for when you take the IELTS test.
Task 2 Essay Questions
Some people feel that cities should allow spaces for graffiti while others feel it should be banned.
Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
Graffiti/Art
Type: Discussion
In many countries, people increasingly talk about money such as how much they earn or how much they pay for things in their daily conversations. Why?
Is this a positive or negative trend?
Money
Type: Double Question
Some think newspapers are the best method for reading the news while others think other media is better. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
News/Media
Type: Discussion
Some believe that new science related to criminal forensics should be used to look at old cases. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Crime
Type: Opinion
Car ownership has increased so rapidly over the past thirty years that in many cities around the world, there are constant traffic jams. How true do you think this statement is?
What measures can governments take to discourage people from owning cars?
Cars/Traffic
Type: Double Question
Some countries have legal ages at which people can drink. Other countries believe not have strict laws is a better policy.
Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
Drinking/Government
Type: Discussion
Some people think young people should be required to have full-time education until they are at least 18 years old. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Education
Type: Opinion
The noise level around us is constantly increasing and affecting the quality of our lives. What causes the noise? What should be done about it?
Environment
Type: Problem Solution
Some think that too much money has been spent looking after and repairing old buildings, so we should knock down old buildings and build modern ones instead. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Legacy; building
Type: Opinion
Some people think that robots are very important to human’s future development, while others believe they are dangerous and negatively affect society. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Technology
Type: Discussion
In some countries, small town-centre shops are going out of business because people tend to drive to large out-of-town stores. As a result, people without cars have limited access to out-of-town stores, which may increase the use of cars. Do you think the disadvantages of this change outweigh its advantages?
Shopping
Type: Advantages & Disadvantages
Many first-year university students discover that their chosen subjects do not suit them. Why does this happen? What can be done to ensure that students can choose a suitable subject?
University
Type: Problem/Solution
Some people think that dangerous sports should be banned. Others, however, believe that people should be free to choose sports activities. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Sports
Type: Discussion
Some people think that the increasing use of computers and mobile phones for communication has a negative effect on young people’s reading and writing skills. Do you agree or disagree?
Communication
Type: Agree & Disagree
The increase in the production of consumer goods results in damage to the natural environment. What are the causes of this? What can be done to solve this problem?
Environment
Type: Problem Solution
In more and more countries, people choose to give money on special occasions rather than personally giving gifts. Why might this be the case? Is it a positive or negative development?
Gift
Type: Opinion
Some people think visual images (like photographs and videos) can accurately tell information in a news story. Others believe they are not reliable sources. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
News
Type: Discussion
More and more people are leaving the countryside to live in cities. Does this development have positive or negative effects on the environment?
Environment
Type: Opinion
Some people think the Olympic Games are exciting and can bring nations together. Others, however, think that it is a waste of money. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Money
Type: Discussion
It is difficult for people who live in cities to get enough physical exercise. What are the causes? And what is the solutions can solve the problem?
Cities
Type: 2 Question
In today’s world, people spend a lot of money on appearance because they want to look younger. Why does this happen? Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
Money
Type: 2 question
Good education is more important for academic success than individual ability. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Education
Type: Opinion
The increasing demand for oil and gas has made it necessary to look for these energy sources in remote and untouched natural places. Do you think the advantages of locating oil and gas in these areas outweigh the disadvantages of damaging these places?
Environment
Type: Advantages & Disadvantages
Some people think the primary purpose of schools is to turn children into good citizens and workers, rather than to benefit them as individuals. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
Schools &children
Type: Opinion
Today people live longer after retiring from work. What problems does this cause for individuals and society? What can be done to deal with them?
Life
Type: Problem Solution
It’s more important for school children to learn about their local history than world history. To what extent do you agree or disagree？
History
Type: Opinion
In today’s cities, people continue to use cars and motorcycles, which have made transportation increasingly difficult. Why? What is the best way to stop people from using cars and motorcycles?
Tansport
Type: 2 Question
It has been suggested that everyone in the world wants to own a car, a TV, and a fridge. Do you think the disadvantages of such a development outweigh the advantages?
Car
Advantages & Disadvantages
Some people believe using modern technology (digital photographs, blogs) is the best way to record and remember important personal events. Others think the traditional method (making photo albums, writing diaries) is better. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Technology
Type: Discussion
Some people think it is a better way to leave their home country to improve their work and living opportunities, while others think staying in their own country is a better choice. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Life-style
Type: Discussion
Nowadays, more and more people from different cities are spending more time away from their families. What are the possible reasons and the effects on the people themselves and their families?
Family
Type:Problem Solution
In many cities, planners tend to arrange shops, schools, offices, and homes in specific areas and separate them from each other. Do you think the advantages of this policy outweigh the disadvantages?
Living
Type: Advantages & Disadvantages
In some countries, too much money is spent by both the government and individuals on national festivals, such as the new year. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Money
Type: Opinion
More and more people are using computers and electrical devices to access information, therefore there is no need for printed books, magazines, and newspapers. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Technology
Type: Opinion
In the past, people ate local, in-season food, but now, people tend to consume out-of-season food from different parts of the world. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
Food
Type: Advantages & Disadvantages
Make sure that you practice answering the 5 types of IELTS writing task 2 question to ensure you are ready to take the test. More information can be found about the 5 types of question here.
It is very important to get feedback on your IELTS writing. This is something that I do regularly for my students but If you would like feedback from me regarding your essay please follow this link.
Thanks for reading and good luck with the IELTS test!