elts.coach
Practice ▾
Start free
IELTS Writing Task 2

IELTS Writing Task 2 questions (page 3)

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

Discussion (both views)

  1. Some people believe that countries should aim to produce most of their own food, while others think that importing food from other countries is a better way to ensure a reliable food supply. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  2. Some people believe that professional success depends mainly on having academic qualifications, while others think that practical experience is more important. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
  3. Some people believe that future space missions should carry human crews, while others argue that exploration should be conducted mainly by robots. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  4. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Some people think it is better to volunteer in their own neighbourhood, while others believe it is better to help communities in other parts of the country. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  5. Some people believe that admission to museums should be free for everyone, while others think visitors should pay an entrance fee. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  6. Some people believe that graphic design and advertising make everyday environments more attractive and informative, while others argue that they encourage unnecessary consumption and create visual clutter. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  7. In many countries, preventable illnesses place increasing pressure on health services. Some people believe public health campaigns should focus mainly on changing individual lifestyles, while others argue that efforts should concentrate on improving the conditions in which people live and work. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  8. Some people believe that business owners should focus mainly on making a profit. Others think they should also help their local community. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  9. In many countries, competitive gaming has become a popular leisure activity. Some people see this as a positive development, while others are concerned about its effects. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  10. Some people think that increasing the number of police officers is the best way to reduce crime. Others believe that improving education and job opportunities is more effective. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
  11. Some people believe that online learning gives students greater flexibility, while others think that face-to-face classes provide a better learning experience. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  12. Some people believe that governments should focus on making healthy food affordable for everyone, while others think their main priority should be protecting food supplies from future threats such as climate change. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  13. Some people argue that international cooperation is essential for successful space exploration, while others believe that countries should pursue independent space programmes to protect their national interests. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  14. In an age when consumers can access extensive information about products independently, some argue that advertising remains essential for helping people make informed choices, while others believe that it primarily manufactures demand and distorts consumer priorities. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  15. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Some people believe that governments should spend more money on renewable energy, while others think public services such as transport and healthcare are more important. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  16. Some people believe that individuals should take the main responsibility for reducing plastic waste, while others think businesses and governments should lead these efforts. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  17. Some people believe that archaeological research should focus on structures and objects associated with powerful rulers, while others think it is more important to investigate evidence of ordinary people’s lives. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  18. In some workplaces, artificial intelligence is used to evaluate employees and recommend who should be promoted. Some people believe this can make decisions fairer, while others argue that it creates new risks. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  19. Some people argue that migrants should make every effort to adopt the customs and values of the society they settle in, while others believe that host communities should accommodate cultural differences. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  20. Some people think schools should teach children drawing and painting, while others believe schools should focus on subjects that are more useful for future jobs. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Advantages and disadvantages

  1. As internet access becomes more widespread, an increasing number of people are choosing to study remotely rather than attend classes in person. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?
  2. Some governments provide financial support for films made in their own country. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this policy?
  3. Many people use fitness apps and wearable devices to track their exercise and health. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using these technologies to improve fitness?
  4. Public aquariums allow people to observe marine animals at close range, but keeping these animals in captivity raises ethical concerns. Do the advantages of public aquariums outweigh the disadvantages?

Problems, causes and solutions

  1. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic: In many communities, fewer residents are taking part in voluntary activities that support local people and services. What factors may have caused this decline, and what measures could encourage more people to volunteer?
  2. Plastic packaging is widely used for food and other products, but much of it is thrown away after only a short time. What problems does this create, and what measures could help reduce plastic waste?
  3. In some countries, increasing numbers of highly skilled professionals are migrating abroad. What problems can this trend create for the countries they leave, and what measures could governments take to address these problems?
  4. Many rivers and lakes are becoming polluted, reducing the amount of water available for people and wildlife. What are the main causes of this problem, and what measures could be taken to protect these water sources?

Two-part questions

  1. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Many communities located far from major cities still rely on diesel generators despite the falling cost of renewable technologies. What factors explain this continued reliance, and what measures could governments and energy companies take to make renewable power more accessible in these areas?
  2. As the proportion of older adults rises, communities must adapt housing, transport and public services to meet changing needs. What challenges can this create, and how can communities address them?
  3. Many companies now use advertising that blends seamlessly into entertainment, news and other online content, making it difficult for audiences to distinguish promotional material from independent content. Why has this form of advertising become so widespread, and what measures, if any, should be taken to ensure that consumers can identify it?
  4. The proliferation of international films and television programmes has made them widely accessible in many countries. What effects has this had on local cultures, and should governments take measures to protect domestic productions?
  5. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. In some towns, fewer people are taking part in local community activities. What problems can this cause, and what can be done to encourage more people to volunteer?
  6. Many people find it difficult to control their anger in everyday situations. Why does this happen, and what can individuals and society do to help people manage their anger?
  7. Many older people find it difficult to use digital services, such as online banking and health appointments. What problems can this cause, and how could these problems be reduced?
  8. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic: Many countries share rivers that cross their borders. What problems can this create, and how can these countries manage the rivers fairly?
  9. Archaeological excavations can take many years and require substantial funding. Why do societies continue to invest in this work, and how can its findings be made relevant to people today?
  10. Urban planners increasingly have to decide how much land should be allocated to roads, housing and public spaces. What factors should influence these decisions, and how can cities ensure that development meets the needs of different groups of residents?
  11. Irregular work schedules, digital devices and demanding lifestyles have made it difficult for many adults to obtain sufficient sleep. What are the main causes of inadequate sleep, and what steps can individuals and employers take to protect people’s wellbeing?
  12. In many countries, people are eating more processed food and fewer fresh meals than in the past. What are the reasons for this change, and what could individuals and governments do to encourage healthier eating?
  13. In many regions, roads and new buildings are dividing natural areas into smaller habitats. What problems can this cause for wildlife, and what can governments and local communities do to reduce these problems?
  14. In some countries, young people are encouraged to choose a career based on salary rather than personal interest. Why does this happen? Is this a positive or negative development?
  15. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. In many countries, investment in renewable energy is increasing, yet fossil fuels remain central to electricity generation. What factors explain this continued dependence, and what measures could governments take to accelerate the transition to renewable sources?
  16. In many countries, the cost of supporting an ageing population is rising. What factors are contributing to this increase, and what measures could governments take to manage these costs without reducing older people’s quality of life?
  17. Why do some people choose renewable energy for their homes? What can governments do to encourage more people to use it?
  18. Many people put off important tasks even when they know this may cause problems. Why do people do this, and what can be done to help them complete tasks on time?
  19. Many towns depend on volunteers to organise events and support local residents. Why do people choose to volunteer, and how can communities encourage more people to take part?
  20. Many cities are redesigning their streets to give priority to pedestrians and cyclists rather than private cars. What are the reasons for this change? Do you think it is a positive development?
  21. Sleep is widely recognised as essential to physical and psychological health, yet many people treat it as expendable. What factors lead individuals to sacrifice sleep, and what measures could employers and governments take to reduce the resulting harm to wellbeing?
  22. Public health campaigns often encourage people to adopt healthier lifestyles, yet rates of preventable disease remain high in many societies. What factors limit the effectiveness of these campaigns, and what measures could make them more successful?
Get your essay marked in 20 seconds

Write your answer in the app and get a band for each of the four criteria, line-by-line corrections and a rewrite at your target band.

Start free — 2 weeksTake the free mock test
IELTS Writing Task 2 questions by type (page 3) | ielts.coach