IELTS Master Guides

50+

Task 2 Writing Topics

from Real IELTS Tests

- IELTS Master Guides: Task 2 Writing Topics -

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Opinion
Questions
3
Discussion
Questions
6
Problem-Solving
Questions
10
Two-Part
Questions
12

- IELTS Master Guides: Task 2 Writing Topics -

Opinion Questions
To what extent do you agree or disagree...
As well as making money, many people believe that businesses also have
responsibilities to society. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Because funding for postgraduate research is limited, some people think that
the government should provide some financial support. However, only
scientific research should be funded rather than other, less useful subjects. To
what extent do you agree or disagree?
Some people who have been in prison become good citizens later, and it is
often argued that these are the best people to talk to teenagers about the
dangers of committing a crime. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
In some countries, many more people are choosing to live alone nowadays
than in the past. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
Some people think that the only purpose of working hard is to earn money. To
what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
Students learn more from their school teachers than from other sources such
as the Internet or television. To what extent you agree or disagree with this
statement?

Page 3

- IELTS Master Guides -

Opinion Questions...
Rich countries help poor countries financially. Some people, however, think
that rich countries should help in other ways as well. To what extent do you
agree or disagree?
People under the age 18 who commit crimes should be re-educated rather
than punished. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
Some people think that giving children a certain amount of money every week
will help them have fewer financial problems in the future. To what extent do
you agree or disagree?
Some think that buildings should be constructed with practical functionality in
mind, as it is more important than design. To what extent do you agree or
disagree?
The news media has a strong negative influence on peoples lives. To what
extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
Although more and more people read news on the Internet, newspapers will
remain the most important source of news. To what extent do you agree or
disagree with this statement?
Countries are becoming more and more similar because people are able to buy
the same products anywhere in the world. Do you think this is a positive or
negative development?

Page 4

- IELTS Master Guides -

Opinion Questions...
Sports programmes are very popular on television nowadays. Some people
argue that these programmes are the reason for the poor health of many
young people as they prefer to watch sports rather than partake in them. To
what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?
New parents should attend a parenting course to learn how to bring up their
children well. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Peoples shopping habits depend more on the age group they belong to than
any other factor. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
When new towns are planned, it is more important to build more public parks
and sports facilities than shopping centers. To what extent do you agree or
disagree?
Multicultural societies, where people of different groups live together, bring
more benefits than drawbacks to a country. To what extent do you agree or
disagree?
In the modern world, it is no longer necessary to use animals as food and in
other products like clothing and medicines. To what extent do you agree or
disagree with this statement?
In many countries, women are allowed to take maternity leave from their jobs
during the first month after the birth of their baby. Do the advantages of this
outweigh the disadvantages?

Page 5

- IELTS Master Guides -

Discussion Questions
Explain both sides and give your opinion...
Some people think that all university students should study whatever they like.
Others believe that they should only be allowed to study subjects that will be
useful in the future, such as those related to science and technology. Discuss
both views and give your own opinion.
Some people believe that punishment is the only purpose of prisons, while
others believe that prisons exist for various reasons. Discuss both views and
give your opinion.
While in some countries children start school at the age of four, in other
countries they start at the age of seven. Some people believe that starting
school early affects the relationship between parents and their children.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of starting school early and give
your own opinion.
Some people think that city governments should spend more money to
promote bicycle use in cities. Others, however, believe that cities should focus
on investing in public transportation systems like trains or buses. Discuss both
views and give your own opinion.

Page 6

- IELTS Master Guides -

Discussion Questions...
Some people say that computer games are bad for children while others
believe that these games can contribute to their development. Discuss both
views and give your opinion.
Some people believe countries have a moral obligation to help each other
while others worry that aid money never reaches the poor people that it is
supposed to help. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
Some people think children of different ability levels should be taught together
while others think intelligent children should be taught separately and given
special treatment. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Some people think basic healthcare should be free for everyone. Others
believe people should pay their own medical costs. Discuss both sides and give
your own opinion.
Human activities have had negative effects on plant and animal species. Some
people think it is too late to solve this problem while others believe that
effective measures can still be taken to improve this situation. Discuss both
views and give your opinion.
Some people think that cultural traditions will be destroyed when they are
used to make money from tourists. Other people believe that this is the only
way for some places to survive in todays world. Discuss both sides and give
your own opinion.

Page 7

- IELTS Master Guides -

Discussion Questions...
Some people think that professionals working in creative art jobs should be
financially supported by their government while others think they should find
support from other sources. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
Many people are afraid to leave their homes because of their fear of crimes.
Some people believe that more action needs to be taken to prevent crime.
However, others feel that little can be done. Discuss both views and give your
own opinion.

Some people regard the increasing business and cultural contact between
countries as a positive development. Others, however, feel that this leads to
loss of national identities. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Some people say that governments should consider healthcare as their first
priority when spending tax money while others believe there are more
important priorities. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Some people prefer to provide help and support directly to those in their local
community. Others, however prefer to give money to national and
international charities. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
To improve the quality of education, some people think that we should
encourage our students to evaluate and criticise their teachers. Others believe
that this will result in a loss of respect and discipline in the classroom. Discuss
both views and give your own opinion.

Page 8

- IELTS Master Guides -

Discussion Questions...
Developments in technology are causing environmental problems. Some think
the solution is for people to adjust to a simpler life while others believe that
technology itself can solve these problems. Discuss both views and give your
opinion.
Some people believe that the support of celebrities for international aid
organizations draws attention to their causes while others think celebrity
support makes their causes seem less important. Discuss both views and give
your opinion.
Some say the purpose of education is to prepare individuals to be useful to
society. Others say the purpose of education is to help people achieve personal
ambitions. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Many governments think that economic progress is their most important goal.
Some people, however, think that other types of progress are equally
important for a country. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Page 9

- IELTS Master Guides -

Problem Solving Questions

What are the causes? Solutions?
More and more people are migrating to cities in search of a better life, but city
life can be extremely difficult for some. Explain the difficulties of living in a city.
How can governments make urban life better for everyone?
Nowadays, some businesses face problems with new employees who have just
finished their education and may lack interpersonal skills such as the ability to
work in a team. What do you think is the main cause of the problem? How can
it be resolved?
Nowadays many young people are attracted to dangerous sports. What makes
these activities so attractive? What measures should be taken to regulate such
sports and minimise their risks?
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?
Consumption of the worlds resources (such as oil, fresh water, etc.) is
increasing at a dangerously fast rate. What are the causes of this increased
consumption? What can people do to reduce it?

Page 10

- IELTS Master Guides -

Problem Solving Questions...

In some countries there is not enough recycling of waste materials (eg. paper,
glass and cans.) What are the reasons for this and some potential solutions?
Natural resources such as oil, wood, and fresh water are being consumed at an
alarming rate. What problems does this consumption cause? How can we solve
these problems?
In some countries, a high proportion of criminal acts are committed by
teenagers. Why is this? What can be done to deal with it?
Nowadays, older people who need employment have to compete with younger
people. What problems does this cause? What are some potential solutions?
Many museums and historical sites are visited mainly by tourists, not local
people. Why is this the case and what can be done to attract more local
residents?
Many young people leave school with a negative attitude towards education.
What are the reasons for this? How can we encourage young people to study
harder?
In many places around the world, the number of plants and animals is
declining. Explain this problem and suggest some solutions.

Page 11

- IELTS Master Guides -

Two-Part Questions
Answer both questions...
Many people around the world are choosing to move to live in cities. What
problems do people experience in big cities? Should governments
encourage people to move to smaller towns?
In some countries, the role of a mother differs in some ways from the role
of a father. Why do you think these differences exist? How might parental
roles develop in the future?
In some countries around the world men and women are having children
later in life. What are the reasons for this development? What are the
effects on society and family life?
Television advertising aimed at children nowadays. What are the effects of
television advertising for children? Should television advertising for
children be controlled?

Page 12

- IELTS Master Guides: Task 2 Writing Topics -

Share this Guide!

If you liked this guide, please share it with
your friends and classmates.
More free IELTS practice: www.ielts-master.com

IELTS Writing Correction: lee@ielts-master.com

Facebook Page: facebook.com/ieltsmastersite

Thank you for reading!

Go to IELTS Master

Page 13