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IELTS Writing Task 2

IELTS Writing Task 2 questions (page 2)

500 practice essay questions in the official wording, grouped by question type. Every question ends with the same instruction: “Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.” Give yourself 40 minutes.

How to write: opinion (agree or disagree)
How to write: discussion (both views)
How to write: advantages and disadvantages
How to write: problems, causes and solutions
How to write: two-part questions

Opinion (agree or disagree)

  1. In many societies, people increasingly compare their achievements and lifestyles with those of others on social media. Some people believe this behaviour can motivate individuals, while others argue that it harms their mental well-being. To what extent do you agree or disagree that the effects of such comparisons are mainly negative?
  2. As countries seek to reduce carbon emissions, some argue that governments should prioritise investment in renewable energy, even if this leads to higher costs for consumers. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Discussion (both views)

  1. Some people believe that children learn how to behave mainly from their parents. Others think friends and teachers have a greater influence. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  2. Some people think local governments should spend more money on public sports facilities, while others believe this money should be used for other services. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
  3. In some countries, farmers are encouraged to grow crops for export rather than food for local communities. Some people think this benefits the country, while others believe it creates problems for local people. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  4. Some people believe that starting a business is a more valuable career choice than working for an established company, while others disagree. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  5. Some people believe that restoring damaged coral reefs should be the main priority in protecting ocean life, while others argue that preventing plastic waste from entering the sea is more important. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
  6. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Some people believe that employers and schools should take greater responsibility for ensuring that people get enough sleep, while others think that sleep is a matter of personal responsibility. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  7. Some people believe that playing video games is a good way to relax, while others think that people should use their free time for activities such as sport or meeting friends. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  8. Some people believe that schools should provide healthy meals to students, while others think parents should be responsible for their children's diets. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  9. Some people believe that advertising aimed at children should be restricted, while others think parents should decide which advertisements their children see. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  10. Some people believe that a person’s behaviour is shaped mainly by their upbringing, while others argue that individual personality has a greater influence. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
  11. Some people believe that local communities should rely more on volunteers to provide services for residents, while others think these services should be delivered by paid professionals funded by the government. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  12. There is disagreement over whether films and television dramas should primarily portray social realities or provide audiences with an escape from everyday life. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  13. Some people believe that people behave differently in groups because they want to fit in. Others think people feel more confident when they are with a group. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  14. Some people think that older people should be allowed to work for as long as they want, while others believe they should retire at a fixed age. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  15. Some people believe that people can change their personality through effort, while others think personality is mostly fixed. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  16. Some people think schools should encourage students to volunteer in their local communities, while others believe young people should focus on their studies. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  17. Some people believe that modern technology has improved farming, while others think it has caused harm to the environment and traditional ways of life. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  18. Some people believe that museums and art galleries should prioritise displaying traditional works, while others think they should give more space to contemporary art and design. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  19. In some families, grandparents play a significant role in raising children, whereas in others parents prefer to bring up their children independently. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  20. In many countries, increasing numbers of people are moving from rural areas to cities. Some believe this trend creates opportunities for individuals and society, while others argue that it causes serious problems. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  21. Some people believe that following a vegetarian diet is the best way to stay healthy, while others think that eating meat is important for good nutrition. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  22. Some people believe that allowing tourists to visit wildlife reserves helps protect animals, while others think tourism can harm wildlife. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  23. Some people believe that advertising on social media helps consumers discover products that suit their needs, while others think it mainly encourages unnecessary spending. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Advantages and disadvantages

  1. In many communities, volunteers now carry out tasks that were once the responsibility of local authorities, such as supporting older residents and maintaining public spaces. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this development?
  2. The use of renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, is increasing in many countries. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this development?
  3. In recent years, space tourism has become possible for a small number of people. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

Problems, causes and solutions

  1. In some countries, the number of retired people is growing faster than the number of working people. What problems can this situation cause, and what measures could governments take to deal with them?
  2. In many parts of the world, people do not have enough clean water for their daily needs. What are the main causes of this problem, and what measures can be taken to solve it?
  3. In many countries, the number of people who own a car is increasing. What problems can this cause, and what measures can be taken to address them?
  4. A significant amount of food is wasted during production, transport and in households. What are the main causes of this problem, and what measures could be taken to reduce food waste?
  5. The amount of debris in Earth’s orbit is increasing, posing risks to satellites and future space missions. What problems can this cause, and what measures could be taken to address them?
  6. Museums and historic sites help preserve a country’s cultural heritage, but they often receive limited public funding. What problems can this cause, and what measures could be taken to protect this heritage?

Two-part questions

  1. In many professions, employees are increasingly expected to remain available outside normal working hours. What factors have contributed to this expectation, and what effects might it have on workers and their careers?
  2. In some countries, people are living longer than before. What problems can this create for society? What can governments do to address these problems?
  3. Many museums now offer virtual tours and make parts of their collections available online. Why is this happening? Is this a positive or negative development?
  4. Governments must decide whether to allocate more public funding to artificial intelligence research or to strengthen services delivered primarily by people. Which area should receive greater investment, and what factors should guide this decision?
  5. In many cities, large-scale murals and interactive art installations are becoming more common in public spaces. Why has this trend become popular, and what effects might it have on local communities?
  6. In many societies, traditional family customs are becoming less important to younger generations. What factors have contributed to this change, and do you think it is a positive or negative development?
  7. New housing areas are sometimes built far from city centres. What difficulties can this create for residents, and how can urban planners make these areas better places to live?
  8. Many universities now offer degree courses that students can complete entirely online, without attending a campus. What are the main reasons for this trend, and do you think it is a positive or negative development?
  9. Despite advances in renewable technologies, many countries continue to depend heavily on fossil fuels for energy. What factors account for this dependence, and what measures could governments take to speed up the transition to renewable sources?
  10. Scientists are searching for signs of life on other planets. Why are they doing this, and what effects could the discovery of life beyond Earth have on people?
  11. Fresh water is used in agriculture, industry and homes, and demand for it is rising in many countries. What are the main reasons for this increase in demand, and what can governments and individuals do to encourage more responsible water use?
  12. In many countries, young people are increasingly encouraged to start their own businesses rather than seek employment with established companies. What factors have contributed to this trend, and is it a positive development?
  13. Advances in technology have changed the way archaeologists investigate the past. What benefits do these developments bring to our understanding of ancient societies, and what drawbacks might arise from relying on them?
  14. In many countries, a substantial proportion of adults regularly obtain less sleep than health experts recommend. What factors contribute to this pattern, and what measures could individuals and employers take to reduce its effects on wellbeing?
  15. Artificial intelligence is now used in many areas of daily life. What benefits can it bring, and what problems might it cause?
  16. More people are choosing to spend their free time playing online games. Why is this becoming popular, and what other leisure activities could offer similar benefits?
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IELTS Writing Task 2 questions by type (page 2) | ielts.coach