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IELTS Writing Task 2

IELTS Writing Task 2 questions (page 6)

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. Some people believe that homeowners should be allowed to use force to protect their homes from people who enter without permission. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
  2. Some people think that schools should spend more time teaching music to students. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
  3. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Some people think that working from home is better than working in an office. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
  4. Some people believe that journalists should report more positive news and less bad news. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
  5. Some people believe that children should learn about wildlife conservation at school. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
  6. Some people believe that archaeology should be taught in schools. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
  7. Some people believe that archaeologists should not dig up ancient burial places, even when they may contain important information about the past. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Discussion (both views)

  1. Some people think that newspapers and television news are still the best ways to learn about current events, while others believe that online news is better. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  2. Some people believe that zoos are important for protecting wild animals, while others think that animals should live only in the wild. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  3. Some people think that objects found at archaeological sites should remain in the country where they are discovered, while others believe they should be displayed in museums around the world. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  4. Many people now get news from social media instead of professional news organisations. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  5. Some people think local communities should take the main responsibility for protecting wildlife, while others believe international organisations should lead this work. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  6. Some people believe that listening to music is the best way to relax, while others prefer activities such as reading or playing sports. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  7. Some people believe that more facilities should be built in mountain areas to make hiking safer and more comfortable. Others think mountains should be kept as natural as possible. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  8. Some people believe that traditional music is more valuable than modern music, while others prefer modern music. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  9. Some people think that news organisations should focus more on local news, while others believe they should give more attention to international news. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  10. Many companies allow their employees to work from home instead of going to an office. Some people think this is a positive change, while others believe employees work better in an office. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  11. Some people think that hiking in mountain areas should be limited to protect the natural environment. Others believe that people should be free to hike in these areas. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  12. Some people believe that live music concerts are an important part of modern life, while others prefer to listen to recorded music at home. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  13. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Some people believe that governments should invest in renewable energy to create new jobs, while others think they should support other industries instead. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
  14. Some people believe governments should spend money on making deserts suitable for farming, while others think this money should be used for other needs. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  15. Some people believe that wildlife conservation should focus on protecting a small number of rare species, while others think it is better to protect all wildlife equally. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
  16. Some people believe that governments should control what is published in the news, while others think journalists should be free to report any story. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  17. Many employers allow staff to work remotely, while others prefer them to work in an office. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  18. Write about the following topic: Some people think that hiking in the mountains is a good way to spend free time, while others prefer activities that can be done indoors. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
  19. Some people believe that mountain hiking is an important way to support local communities, while others think it causes more harm than good. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
  20. Some people believe that governments should provide financial support to musicians, while others think public money should be spent on more important services. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Advantages and disadvantages

  1. In some workplaces, staff are allowed to play chess or other board games during their breaks. Do the advantages of this practice outweigh the disadvantages?
  2. Some retired people spend a lot of time helping to care for their grandchildren. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this arrangement.
  3. In many countries, more people are choosing to hike in the mountains during their free time. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?
  4. Working from home has become more common in recent years. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this change.
  5. In some places, local people are becoming involved in archaeological projects. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?
  6. Many countries are building solar farms in desert areas. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this development?
  7. In some countries, more tourists are visiting desert areas. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this development?
  8. Many people now listen to music through online streaming services instead of buying albums. Do the advantages of this change outweigh the disadvantages?

Problems, causes and solutions

  1. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic: In some places, local residents oppose plans to build wind turbines or large solar farms near their homes. What problems can this cause, and what measures could help increase public support for these projects?
  2. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Many countries still rely heavily on coal, oil and gas, even though renewable energy sources are becoming more widely available. What problems does this reliance cause, and what measures could governments take to encourage greater use of renewable energy?
  3. In some countries, the illegal trade in wild animals is increasing. What problems does this cause, and what measures can be taken to reduce it?

Two-part questions

  1. In some cities, large areas are used mainly for offices, and few people live there. What problems can this cause? How can city planners improve these areas?
  2. Deserts are becoming larger in some parts of the world, causing problems for people and wildlife. What are the main causes of this problem, and what can governments and individuals do to reduce it?
  3. Allow approximately 40 minutes for this task. Some countries still depend heavily on coal and oil for their energy, even though renewable sources are becoming more available. What problems can this dependence cause, and what can governments and individuals do to encourage the use of renewable energy?
  4. Write about the following topic: In some mountain areas, hikers leave rubbish and damage the natural environment. Why do people enjoy hiking in the mountains, and what can be done to reduce these problems?
  5. In many countries, young people are not very interested in archaeology. Why is this the case, and what could be done to encourage them to learn more about archaeology?
  6. In some desert areas, people have limited access to clean water. What problems can this cause, and what can governments and communities do to improve the situation?
  7. In some countries, people buy products made from wild animals, such as ivory or animal skins. Why do people buy these products, and what can be done to reduce this trade?
  8. In many places, people do not trust the news they read or watch. What are the reasons for this, and what can news organisations do to build public trust?
  9. Remote work can make it difficult for people to keep a clear boundary between their job and their personal life. Why does this happen, and what can workers and employers do to improve the situation?
  10. In many countries, fewer young people are choosing to study archaeology at university. Why is this happening? What could be done to encourage more young people to study archaeology?
  11. News reports often include details about crimes and accidents. Why do news organisations report these details? Do you think this is helpful or harmful to the public?
  12. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. As internet access improves, more workers can do their jobs from locations outside the office. What benefits can this bring to workers and businesses? What difficulties might it create?
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IELTS Writing Task 2 questions by type (page 6) | ielts.coach