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IELTS Writing Task 2

IELTS Writing Task 2 questions (page 8)

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 governments should protect local businesses from foreign competition, while others think businesses should compete freely in the global economy. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Discussion (both views)

  1. As countries become more connected through international trade, some people believe this creates more opportunities for workers, while others think it can lead to job losses. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  2. Some people believe that students learn better when they can study at their own pace online, whereas others think regular contact with teachers and classmates is more important. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  3. There is debate about whether modern zoos and aquariums are still necessary. Some people argue that they should be closed, while others believe they provide important benefits. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  4. Some people think the best way to deal with plastic waste is to improve recycling, while others believe that reducing plastic production is more effective. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  5. Some people think that international trade benefits a country's economy, while others believe it can harm local businesses and workers. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  6. Some people believe that schools should teach children how to develop healthy sleep habits, while others think this is a responsibility for families. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  7. Some people believe that electric vehicles should replace petrol and diesel cars as soon as possible, while others think this change should happen gradually. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  8. Some people argue that zoos and aquariums should focus mainly on educating visitors, while others think their main purpose should be entertainment. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  9. Some people think employers should provide online training for their staff, while others believe workers should be responsible for developing their own skills. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  10. In many countries, large international companies employ a growing number of people. Some believe this creates better opportunities for workers, while others think it can lead to poor working conditions and less secure employment. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  11. Some people believe that happiness is best achieved by accepting life as it is, while others believe people should constantly try to improve their circumstances. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  12. Some people argue that public money should be spent on expanding electric vehicle charging networks, while others believe it would be better used to improve public transport. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  13. Some people believe that online learning is suitable for academic subjects but not for practical skills, such as cooking or repairing equipment. Others think that people can learn these skills just as effectively online. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Advantages and disadvantages

  1. In recent years, clothing styles from earlier periods have become popular again. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?
  2. Electric vehicles are becoming a more common choice for private and public transport. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this development?
  3. Zoos and aquariums attract many visitors each year. Do the advantages of these attractions outweigh the disadvantages?
  4. Some employers are considering providing quiet rooms where staff can sleep briefly during the working day. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this change?
  5. Some employers are considering allowing staff to choose their own start and finish times so that they can follow a sleep routine that suits them. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this approach?
  6. Historic clothing collections require considerable public funding to preserve. Do the advantages of spending public money on these collections outweigh the disadvantages?

Problems, causes and solutions

  1. Online shopping has led to a rise in the amount of plastic waste produced. What problems does this cause, and what measures could be taken to reduce this waste?
  2. Prices of food and other essential goods in one country can be affected by economic events in distant parts of the world. What problems can this cause for ordinary people, and what can governments do to reduce these effects?
  3. Many people who enrol in online courses do not complete them. What are the main reasons for this, and what measures could be taken to encourage learners to finish their courses?
  4. In some zoos and aquariums, animals show signs of stress or unusual behaviour. What are the causes of this problem, and what measures could be taken to improve the animals’ wellbeing?
  5. In many places, the number of electric vehicles is rising faster than the number of public charging points. What problems can this cause, and what measures could governments and businesses take to solve them?
  6. Some countries rely on exporting only a few types of goods to earn income from the global economy. What problems can this cause, and what measures could these countries take to reduce their dependence?

Two-part questions

  1. In many countries, households throw away large amounts of plastic and other packaging every week. What causes this problem, and what can governments and individuals do to reduce it?
  2. Poor-quality sleep can make it harder for people to manage their emotions and perform everyday tasks. What factors may cause people to sleep poorly, and what can individuals and governments do to improve sleep quality?
  3. In some societies, people have access to more entertainment and consumer goods than ever before, yet many report feeling dissatisfied. Why might this be the case, and what could individuals do to feel more satisfied with their lives?
  4. Many people now use online courses to learn skills needed for their jobs. What are the main reasons for this? Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
  5. Many people today find it difficult to feel happy, even when they have a comfortable standard of living. Why might this be the case? What can individuals and society do to improve people's happiness?
  6. In recent years, museums and schools have given more attention to the history of clothing and fashion. What are the reasons for this interest, and is it a positive or negative development?
  7. In many cities, road transport contributes significantly to air pollution. How can electric vehicles help reduce this problem, and what challenges might prevent people from using them?
  8. In some countries, governments focus mainly on increasing national income, while others argue that improving people's happiness should be an equally important goal. Why might happiness be difficult for governments to measure? What actions could governments take to improve the well-being of their citizens?
  9. Many people choose to study through recorded online lessons that they can watch at a convenient time. Why has this way of learning become popular, and what difficulties might it cause for students?
  10. The quality of sleep can affect people’s health, concentration and relationships. What are the main reasons why many people fail to get restful sleep, and what can individuals and society do to address this problem?
  11. People often compare their lives with others, especially on social media. Why can this reduce people’s happiness, and what can individuals do to avoid this problem?
  12. Clothing from earlier periods is often displayed in museums. Why are people interested in seeing these clothes, and should museums spend more money preserving them?
  13. In many places, people buy bottled water even when safe tap water is available. Why is bottled water so popular, and what could be done to reduce the plastic waste caused by it?
  14. Electric vehicles are attracting attention as an alternative to petrol and diesel cars. However, many drivers remain unwilling to use them. What are the main reasons for this, and how could these problems be addressed?
  15. Some people choose to live with fewer possessions and less pressure to earn a high income because they believe this leads to greater happiness. Why do some people make this choice? Do you think this way of life is suitable for everyone?
  16. In many places, efforts to encourage people to recycle plastic have had only limited success. Why might this be the case, and what could be done to increase recycling rates?
  17. Many people now use apps or wearable devices to monitor their sleep. Why has this become popular, and do these tools generally improve people’s wellbeing?
  18. In many societies in the past, the clothes people wore showed their social position. Why was clothing used in this way, and is this still true today?
  19. In some countries, children visit zoos and aquariums as part of their education. What can children learn from these visits? Do you think such visits are more useful than learning about animals in the classroom?
  20. Some people use online learning to study subjects that are not available in their local area. Why has this become more common, and what challenges can learners face when studying in this way?
  21. In some places, residents are charged according to how much household rubbish they produce. Do you think this is an effective way to reduce waste, including plastic waste?
  22. In many places, zoos and aquariums are replacing some live animal displays with videos and interactive technology. Why is this happening? Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
  23. Many clothes are made from synthetic materials that release tiny plastic fibres when washed. What problems can this cause, and what can be done to reduce these problems?
  24. Old photographs and personal clothing collections are used to study fashion history. What can these sources tell us about life in the past, and what difficulties might researchers face when using them?
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IELTS Writing Task 2 questions by type (page 8) | ielts.coach