LIST OF TOPICS IN IELTS WRITING EXAM TASK 2

* tip: Use in conjunction with the thematic vocabulary exercises in the

book Check Your Vocabulary for IELTS

CONTENTS
- THE MEDIA
- EDUCATION
- WORK AND JOBS
- MONEY AND FINANCE
- POLITICS
- THE ENVIRONMENT
- HEALTH CARE
- TRAVELLING AND TOURISM
- LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
- CRIME AND LAWS
- SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
- FOOD AND DIET
- CHILDREN AND THE FAMILY
- TRANSPORTATION
- THE ARTS, MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT
- TOWN AND COUNTRY
- GLOBALIZATION
- MEN AND WOMEN
- SPORTS
- ANIMALS
- NATURAL DISASTER AND HUMANITARIAN
ORGANIZATION
- ADVERTISING
- UN-CATALOGED
- THE MEDIA
1. New editors decide what to broadcast on television and
what to print in newspapers. What factors do you think
influence these decisions? Do we become used to bad news?
Would it be better if more good news was reported? Discuss.
(Cambridge IELTS 1)
2. The mass media, including television, radio and
newspapers, has the biggest influence in shaping peoples
opinions. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this
statement? (Model tests for the IELTS)
3. Television is dangerous because it has destroyed family
structures and communication between people. Some people

say that it takes up too much of peoples time. To what extent

do you agree or disagree?
4. Some people believe that the age of books has past.
Instead, in the future information will be presented in the form
of video, computer media, television shows and films. Others
think that books and the written words will be necessary to
spread information and help people complete their education.
Discuss.
5. Television has had a significant influence on the culture of
many societies. To what extent would you say that television
has positively or negatively affected the cultural development
of your society?
6. We can acquire knowledge from news, but some people
think we cant trust journalists. What do you think are the
important qualities that a journalist should have?
- EDUCATION
1. In many countries schools have severe problems with
student behavior. What do you think are the causes of this?
What solutions can you suggest? (Cambridge IELTS 4)
2. Subjects such as Art, Sport and Music are being dropped
from the school curriculum for subjects such as Information
Technology. Many children suffer as a result of these changes.
To what extent would you support or reject the idea of
removing these subjects from school curriculum? (IELTS
Practice tests with answers)
3. Because of the pressure of new subjects such as business
studies, many high schools have dropped sport or physical
education (PE) from their curriculum. How important is sport
or PE to a young persons education? (Ielts on Track)
4. Studying the English language in an English-speaking
country is the best way to learn the language. Do you agree
with this statement? (Model tests for the IELTS)
5. The idea of going overseas for university study is an
exciting prospect for many people. But while it may offer some
advantages, it is probably better to stay at home because of
the difficulties students inevitably encounter living and
studying in a different culture. To what extent do you agree or
disagree? (IELTS to success)
6. In order to learn a new language well, you should also get
to know the culture and the lifestyle. To what extent do you
agree with this idea?
7. Only formal examinations, written or practical, can give a

clear picture of a students true knowledge and ability at

university level. Continuous assessment like course work and
projects are poor measures of student ability. To what extent
do you agree or disagree? (Academic writing practice)
8. Academic achievement at school or university is the only
true measure of a persons intelligence. To what extent do you
agree or disagree with this statement? (Ielts Foundation)
9. Some people think that university should not provide
theoretical knowledge, but rather focus purely on practical
training for the benefit of society. To what extent do you agree
or disagree? (China writing)
10. Some people say that universities should be concerned
with educating people so that they will have wide general
knowledge and be able to consider important matters from an
informed viewpoint. Other people say that universities should
simply train students to do the jobs required by society and
not concern themselves with broader issues. Discuss.
(Insearch prepare for Ielts)
11. The wealth of a nation is said to depend on the health of
its citizens. Yet, in the modern knowledge-based economies of
the world, education is more and more being seen as the main
force in the development of all countries. To what extent do
you agree or disagree? (Academic writing practice)
12. Education is the single most important factor in the
progress of a developing country. To what extent do you agree
or disagree? (Passport to Ielts)
13. Too much emphasis is placed on testing these days. The
need to prepare for tests and examinations is a restriction on
teachers and also exerts unnecessary pressure on young
learners. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Focus on
Ielts)
14. Most education systems rely on examinations to encourage
children to study, but as a result, children suffer from too
much stress and they never learn to be creative. Therefore,
examinations should be abolished. To what extent do you
agree or disagree? (Essay Writing)
15. All educational facilities should be funded by the
government. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
(Passport to Ielts)
16. Who should be responsible for childrens education: the
school or parents? Give your opinion and reasons. (Model tests
for the IELTS)
17. Firm discipline is a necessary part of teaching children. To
what extent do you agree or disagree? (Passport to Ielts)

18. Many parents use punishment to teach the different

between right and wrong to kids. Many think punishment is
necessary to help children learn the distinction between right
and wrong. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (China
writing)
19. Too much education is dangerous. If people receive more
education than they need to function in their job, it only
breeds dissatisfaction. To what extent do you agree or
disagree? (Reading and Writing module)
20. Parents and family background have more influence than
teachers of a young persons learning and academic
achievement. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Ielts
Foundation)
21. To be successful in education, it is more important to be a
good student than to have good teachers. To what extent do
you agree or disagree? (Essay Writing)
22. Most people think that teachers should teach students how
to judge right and wrong and how to behave well. Some feel
that people should just teach students academic subject.
Discuss. (China writing)
23. Some people think that there are benefits in going to
private secondary schools. Others feel that private secondary
school can have negative effects on the society as a whole.
What is your opinion? Justify and give examples according to
your knowledge and experience. (September 6th, 2006)
(China writing)
24. Education is a lifelong task. To what extent do you agree
or disagree? (September 12th, 2002)
25. Government should spend more money on education than
on recreation and sport. To what extent do you agree or
disagree? (March 7th, 2003)
26. As reading is important for good education, we should
encourage children to read whatever appeals to them. Discuss.
(China writing)
27. University graduates receive higher salaries than those
who have a lower education. Therefore, some people say such
students should pay for all their tuition fees. To what extent do
you agree or disagree? (China writing)
29. Some people think educating children of different abilities
together will benefit them. Others think intelligent children
should be taught separately and given special courses.
Discuss. (China writing)
30. Some people believe that students who want to go to
university after graduation from high school should have about

one years time to get a job to obtain work experience or

travel to enlarge their vision. To what extent do you agree or
disagree? (China writing)
31. People who have original ideas are of much greater value
to society than those who are simply able to copy the ideas of
others well. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Insight
into Ielts)
32. Should there be a minimum school leaving age, or should
students and their parents be free to decide when they leave
school?
33. Some say that it is good for children to stay away from
their families and go to boarding school. Others say that
children had better live with their families and attend a day
school. Discuss.
- WORK AND JOBS
1. The idea of having a single career is becoming an old
fashioned one. The new fashion will be to have several careers
or ways of earning money and that further education will be
something that continues throughout life. To what extent do
you agree or disagree? (Cambridge IELTS 1)
2. In many countries, children are engaged in some kind of
paid work. Some people regard this as completely wrong,
while others consider it as valuable work experience, important
for learning and taking responsibilities. Discuss. (Cambridge
IELTS 3)
3. It has been claimed that workers over 50 are not responsive
to rapidly changing ideas in the modern workplace and that for
this reason younger workers are to be preferred. To what
extent do you agree or disagree? (IELTS Practice tests with
answers)
4. In some countries the average worker is obliged to retire at
the age of 50, while in other countries people can work until
they are 65 or 70. Meanwhile, we see some politicians
enjoying power well into their eighties. Clearly, there is little
agreement on an appropriate retirement age. Until what age
do you think people should be encouraged to remain in paid
employment? (Model tests for the IELTS)
5. People today move to new cities or new countries more than
ever before and experience many challenges. What strategies
are there to meet these challenges? (Ielts on Track)
6. Some people argue that the government should give every
unemployed person a mobile phone and should make sure

they have access to the Internet. They believe this is the best
way of using public money to reduce the problem of
unemployment. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
(Focus on Ielts)
7. As there is increasing unemployment in the world, while at
the same time those who have jobs are working harder and
harder, it would be better to have a four-day working week for
everyone, so as to create more jobs. To what extent do you
agree or disagree? (Essay Writing)
8. Some people prefer to stay in the same job for the same
company, whilst others prefer to change jobs frequently. Which
do you recommend. (China writing)
9. Some employers reward members of staff for their
exceptional contribution to the company by giving them extra
money. This practice can act as an incentive for some but may
also have a negative impact on others. To what extent is this
style of management effective? Are there better ways of
encouraging employees to work hard? (Ielts practice plus).
- MONEY AND FINANCE
1. Many people judge success solely by money and material
possessions. However, success can be achieved or measured in
other ways. Discuss. (Ielts Foundation)
2. Money can not buy happiness it is often claimed. But with
money you can buy most of the things that are necessary for
happiness: good food, accommodation, entertainment, travel,
quality health care No wonder most people want to make as
much money as possible. To what extent do you agree or
disagree? (Essay Writing).
- POLITICS
1. A countrys first duty to its citizens is to protect them.
Therefore, it is logical that defense should take up a significant
proportion of the national budget. To what extent do you agree
or disagree? (Reading and Writing module)
2. Overpopulation of urban areas has led to numerous
problems. Identify one or two serious ones and suggest ways
that governments and individuals tackle these problems. (Ielts
Foundation)
3. Future plans such as designing design for learning and
working, with bigger cells containing computers that will
enable study and communication, have been criticized for

trying to turn prisons into holiday camps and wasting

taxpayers money. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
(Ielts Foundation)
4. A governments role is only to provide defense capability
and urban infrastructure (road, water supplies). All other
services (education, health, social security) should be provided
by private groups or individuals in the community. To what
extent do you agree or disagree? (Insearch prepare for Ielts).
- THE ENVIRONMENT
1. The world is consuming natural resources faster than they
can be renewed. Therefore, it is important that products are
made to last. Governments should discourage people from
constantly buying more up to date or fashionable products. To
what extent do you agree with this statement? (Model tests for
the IELTS)
2. One day the worlds oil and gas reserves will run out. The
search for alternative energy sources like wind power, solar
power, burning waste and water power are causing as much
environmental damage as the oil and nuclear power sources
they are intended to replace. To what extent do you agree or
disagree? (Academic writing practice)
3. At present we rely on oil for most of our energy needs.
However, oil is a fossil fuel and causes air pollution, and it will
eventually run out. Nuclear energy is the only practical and
clean source of energy for the world. To what extent do you
agree or disagree? (Essay Writing)
4. Trees are essential for the existence of the human race as
they provide the oxygen that we need to survive. Yet, daily all
around the globe, large areas of woodland are being
destroyed. Many people feel that they as individuals can do
nothing and that only governments and large companies can
halt the destruction. To what extent do you agree with this?
(Academic writing practice)
5. Climate change is now an accepted threat to our planet, but
there is not enough political action to control excessive
consumerism and pollution. To what extent do you agree or
disagree? (Ielts on Track)
6. The environment is one of the most important issues in the
world today, but governments are not doing enough about it.
To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Essay Writing)
7. Damage to the environment is an inevitable consequence of
worldwide improvements in the standard of living. To what

extent do you agree or disagree? (Passport to Ielts)

8. Most pollution, especially air and water pollution, is caused
by industry. If we want to protect the environment, we should
make factories and other forms of industry pay of all the
pollution that they cause. That is the only way to make sure
that the owners will make a serious effort to reduce the
pollution that they cause. To what extent do you agree or
disagree? (Essay Writing)
9. Nowadays, environmental problems are too big to be
managed by individual person or individual country. In other
words, it is an international problem. To what extent do you
agree or disagree? (October 4th, 2003)
10. Waste disposal presents increasing problems, especially in
urban areas. Discuss causes and effects and propose solution.
(China writing)
11. The best way to solve the worlds environmental problems
is to increase the cost of fuel. To what extent do you agree or
disagree? (China writing).
- HEALTH CARE
1. Prevention is better than cure. Out of a countrys health
budget, a large proportion should be diverted from treatment
to spending on health, education and preventative measures.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
(Cambridge IELTS 2)
2. A number of different medical traditions are now widely
known and used: Western medicine (using drugs and surgery),
herbal medicine (using needles at certain points of the body),
homoeopathy (using minute doses of poisons), and so on. How
important is the patients mental attitude towards his/her
treatment in determining the effectiveness of the treatment?
(Model tests for the IELTS)
3. Most developed countries spend a large proportion of their
heath budgets on expensive medical technology and
procedures. This money should be spent instead on health and
education to keep people well. To what extent do you agree or
disagree? (Ielts on Track)
4. The quality of health care a person receives should not
depend on the size of their bank balance. The government is
responsible for providing a high level of heath care for all its
citizens. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Reading
and Writing module)
5. Some people claim that using tobacco has resulted in a

number of social problems and that smoking should be

banned. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (China
writing)
6. Currently there is a trend towards the use of alternative
forms of medicine. However, at best these methods are
ineffective, and at worst they may be dangerous. To what
extent do you agree or disagree? (Ielts Foundation)
- TRAVELLING AND TOURISM
1. Tourism is a modern form of colonialism. It distorts local
economies, causes environment damage and ruins the places
it exploits. To what extent do you agree? (IELTS Practice tests
with answers)
2. Most of the worlds poor live in countries where tourism is a
growing industry. The issue is that tourism does not benefit
the poorest. How can the income generated by tourism benefit
the poor? And how can we ensure that tourism does not
destroy traditional cultures and ways of life? Discuss. (Focus
on Ielts)
3. According to those in the travel business, the nature of the
average holiday is changing. Rather than seeking a relaxing
break in a far away place, people now want excitement on
their holidays and are keen to participate in unusual and
challenging activities. To what extent do you agree or
disagree? (Insight into Ielts).
- LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
1. The increasing role of English in the world today means that
the learning of other languages is being neglected. This will
have serious results for the continued use of these languages,
and of their cultures. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
(Essay Writing)
2. Young people are said to have lost many of the traditional
values of the older generation. This does not matter, because
the old values have no relevance in the modern world. We
need to develop a whole new set of values. To what extent do
you agree or disagree? (Essay Writing)
3. Multicultural society brings more benefits to the country
than drawbacks. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
(September 3rd, 2006)
4. Over the past fifty years, young people began to gain status
and power lost by old people. What is the cause of this and is

it a good development or bad? (China writing)

5. Some people think visitors to other countries should imitate
local custom and behaviors. Others think the host country
should welcome cultural diversity. Discuss both views and give
your opinion. (China writing)
6. The cultures of different countries are becoming similar so
there is no point for people to go traveling abroad because
they could have the same experience at home. To what extent
do you agree or disagree? (China writing)
7. Will the popularity of English and tourism harm minorities
and minor languages? Discuss (China writing)
8. Some people think that it is more important to have one
language to be adapted as the official international language.
Others say that this will lead to the loss of culture and identity
of their country. Discuss.
- CRIME AND LAWS
1. Without capital punishment (the death penalty) our lives are
less secure and crimes of violence increase. Capital
punishment is essential to control violence in society. To what
extent do you agree or disagree? (Cambridge IELTS 2)
2. Tobacco and alcohol are drugs that cause addition and
health problems. Should they be made illegal? Or should all
drugs be legalized? (Essay Writing)
3. Should criminals be sent to prison or should they do
something else as a punishment? (China writing)
4. Recent statistics show that the crimes by young people in
the major cities of the world are increasing. Discuss causes
and effects and propose solutions. (China writing)
6. Crime is nearly always related to the environment in which
it occurs. For this reason, international laws and international
law courts are unrealistic and will not succeed in reducing
crime levels in different countries. Discuss. (Insight into Ielts)
7. Under British and Australian laws a jury in a criminal case
has no access to information about the defendants past
criminal record. This protects the person who is being accused
of the crime. Some lawyers have suggested that this practice
should be changed and that a jury should be given all the past
facts before they reach their decision about the case. To what
extent do you agree or disagree? (Ielts practice plus)
8. The use of CCTV (close circuit television) cameras in streets,
stations, shops and other public places has increased rapidly in
recent years. Although we are told that these cameras help in

the fight against crime, some people are opposed to their use.
They believe that the camera serve more as an invasion of our
privacy than as a protection of our safety. To what extent do
you agree or disagree? (Focus on Ielts) (Model tests for the
IELTS).
- SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. When a country develops its technology, the traditional skills
and ways of life die out. It is pointless to try and keep them
alive. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Cambridge
IELTS 3)
2. Technology can bring many benefits, but it can also cause
social and environmental problems. In relation to new
technology, the primary duty of governments should be to
focus on potential problems, rather than benefits. To what
extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? (Model
tests for the IELTS)
3. Telecommuting refers to workers doing their jobs from
home for part of each week and communicating with their
office using computer technology. Telecommuting is growing in
many countries and is expected to be common for most office
workers in the coming decades. How do you think society will
be affected by the growth of telecommuting? (IELTS to
success)
4. In the future, we will have more and more leisure time as
machines replace many of the tasks we do at home and work.
Discuss the benefits this will bring and also the problems it will
cause. (Academic writing practice)
5. The Internet is becoming more central to our lives, as it
provides more information, acts as interactive entertainment,
and as a means of votingThese functions have obvious
benefits, but there are dangers involved in the control the
Internet is exerting over our lives. To what extent do you
agree or disagree? (Academic writing practice)
6. Advanced technology is now being harnessed to help the
elderly by providing monitoring, tracking and, perhaps, one
day robots as companions. Whilst there are obvious benefits
for the elderly in these developments, some people are uneasy
about the social consequences. To what extent to you agree or
disagree? (Academic writing practice)
7. We live today in an electronic information age. It is easier to
be connected by technology yet many people seem no closer

to feeling happy in their lives. To what extent do you agree or

disagree. (Ielts on Track)
8. Advances in science and technology and other areas of
society in the last 100 years have transformed the way we live
as well and helped to postpone lifespans. There is no better
time to be alive than now. To what extent do you agree or
disagree with this opinion? (Focus on Ielts)
9. According to a recent study, the more time people spend of
the internet, the less time they spend with real human beings.
Should we worry about the effect this is having on social
interaction or should we see the internet as a way of opening
up new communication possibilities worldwide? Discuss. (Focus
on Ielts)
10. The internet will bring about a new freedom of information
and thereby narrow the technology gap between developed
and developing countries. To what extent do you agree or
disagree? (Reading and Writing module)
11. In the last 20 years there have been significant
developments in the field of IT, for example the internet and
communication by e-mail. However, future developments in IT
are likely to have more negative effects than positive. To what
extent do you agree or disagree? (Ielts Foundation)
12. We live in a technological age. However, technology can
not solve all the worlds problems. Therefore some people
argue that we need to place less emphasis on technological
solutions and more on adhering to values. In what extent do
you agree or disagree? (Essay Writing)
13. The internet has provided great benefits, but at the same
time it has also created new problems and inequalities. Is it
possible to control some of these problems? (Essay Writing)
14. Modern technology has increased our material wealth, but
not our happiness. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
(Essay Writing)
15. Soon, people who can not work with computers will be
disadvantaged. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
(June 1st,2002)
17. Computers do not help children to learn more effectively.
On the contrary, their usage has a negative effect on both the
physical and mental development of young people. To what
extent do you agree or disagree? (China writing)
18. Computers are widely used in education, and some people
think teachers no longer play an important role in the
classroom. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (China
writing)

19. Are computers an essential feature of modern education?

What subjects can be better taught using computers? Are
there aspects of a good education that cannot be taught using
computers? (China writing)
20. Modern technology has influenced peoples entertainment
and made people less creative. To what extent do you agree or
disagree? (China writing)
- FOOD AND DIET
1. A balanced diet and eating balanced meals is the key to a
healthy life. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- CHILDREN AND THE FAMILY
2. Modern lifestyles mean that many parents have little time
for their children. Many children do not get as much attention
from their parents as children did in the past. To what extent
do you agree or disagree? (China writing)
3. Many modern children spend a great deal of time sitting in
front of a television or computer screen. This is extremely
harmful to their development. Therefore, parents should
strictly limit the time that children spend in this way. To what
extent do you agree or disagree? (Essay Writing)
4. It is often argued that children must be protected from
unsuitable material on TV and the internet by government
censorship. Others say that it is the parents responsibility to
control what their children do and watch. To what extent do
you agree or disagree? (Essay Writing)
- TRANSPORTATION
1. The burning of oil for transport, especially in private cars, is
wasteful and environmentally irresponsible. Taxation on petrol
and diesel fuel should be increased to very high levels to
discourage the use of private cars. To what extent would you
support or reject this idea? (IELTS Practice tests with answers)
2. Young drivers are careless and overconfident, and too many
are killed in accidents. To eliminate this problem, we could
teach children the skills of safe driving while they are at
school. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this
suggestion? (IELTS Practice tests with answers)
3. The rising level of congestion and air pollution found in most

of the worlds cities can be attributed directly to the rapidly

increasing number of private cars in use. In order to reverse
this decline in the quality of life in cities, attempts must be
made to encourage people to use their cars less and public
transport more. Discuss possible ways to encourage the use of
public transport. (IELTS to success)
4. Governments should not be expected to take sole
responsibility for reducing the number of road accidents,
rather individuals should share this responsibility. To what
extent do you agree or disagree? (Passport to Ielts)
5. If countries are serious about solving traffic problems, they
should tax private cars very heavily and use the money to
provide free or very cheap rail travel. To what extent do you
agree or disagree? (Reading and Writing module)
6. There are an excessive number of cars on our roads today
and this leads to many problems. Individuals and governments
should ensure that public transport plays a more important
role in modern life in order to tackle these problems. To what
extent do you agree or disagree? (Ielts Foundation)
8. The only way to improve the safety on the roads is to give
much stricter punishments for driving offences. In what extent
do you agree or disagree? (China writing)
9. The private motor vehicle has greatly improved individual
freedom of movement. Moreover, the automobile has become
a status symbol. Yet the use of private motor vehicles has
contributed to some of todays most serious problems. How
can the use of private motor vehicles be reduced? (China
writing)
10. There are more and more vehicles in the city, which is very
dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians. Besides, many gardens
have to make way for highways or expressways. How can we
make everyone satisfied? (China writing)
11. The private motor vehicle has greatly improved individuals
freedom of movement. Moreover, the automobile has become
a status of symbol. Yet the use of private motor vehicles has
contributed to some of todays most serious problems. How
can the use of private motor vehicles be reduced? (Insearch
prepare for Ielts).
- THE ARTS, MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT
1. There are many different types of music in the world today.
Why do we need music? Is the traditional music of a country
more important than the international music that is heard

everywhere nowadays? Discuss. (Cambridge IELTS 1)

2. Creative artists should always be given the freedom to
express their own ideas (in words, pictures, music or film) in
whichever way they wish. There should be no government
restrictions on what they do. To what extent do you agree or
disagree?(Cambridge IELTS 4)
3. The government spends about $220 million a year
supporting museums and galleries in the UK and a similar
amount subsidizing the visual and performing arts. This is a
huge sum to spend on minority interests, and the money
would be better spent on more important things. It should be
up to the people who enjoy cultural attractions to pay for
them. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Focus on
Ielts)
4. Some people say the government should not put money in
the Arts, such as music, opera and paintings, but instead
should spend money on construction of public facilities. To
what extent do you agree or disagree? (China writing)
5. The government should control the amount of violence in
films and on television in order to decrease the crime rate in
society. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (China
writing)
6. Some people think that strong tradition can civilize a
country and therefore government should subsidize musicians,
artists, actors and drama companies. To what extent do you
agree or disagree? (China writing)
7. People doing different kinds of work enjoy different amounts
of holiday time. Should people have the same amount of
leisure time? Discuss. (China writing)
8. To be labeled a Work of Art, a painting, sculpture or other
art form should display certain qualities that are unique.
However, over the past century there has been a decline in the
quality of prize-winning artwork and it is now possible for quite
ordinary pieces of art to be labeled masterpieces whilst true
works of art pass unnoticed. To what extent do you agree or
disagree? (Ielts practice plus)
10. Do young people today make good use of their leisure
time? Or do they spend too much time watching television and
playing video games, instead of taking part in more productive
activities? Discuss. (Focus on Ielts).
- TOWN AND COUNTRY
1. In the course of urban development, we often find ourselves

confronted with the old building problem. Some people think

we should pull down the old houses and buildings in the way.
However, others argue that it is a very rash decision to tear
them down without full consideration, and that we have to
preserve our old, historic buildings. Discuss. (China writing)
- GLOBALIZATION
1. Should wealthy nations be required to share their wealth
with poorer nations by providing things such as food and
education? Or is it the responsibilities of the governments of
poorer nations to look after their citizens themselves?
(Cambridge IELTS 1)
2. Improvement in health, education and trade are essential
for the development of poorer nations. However, the
government of richer nations should take more responsibility
for helping the poorer nations in such areas. To what extent do
you agree or disagree? (Cambridge IELTS 3)
3. The international community should reduce or eliminate the
debts of the worlds poorest countries. To what extent do you
agree or disagree? (IELTS Practice tests with answers)
4. Every country needs to remember its past. To what extent
do you agree or disagree with this statement? (IELTS Practice
tests with answers)
5. More and more qualified people are moving from poor to
rich countries to fill vacancies in specialist areas like
engineering, computing and medicine. Some people believe
that by encouraging the movement of such people, rich
countries are stealing from poor countries. Others feel that this
is only part of the natural movement of workers around the
world. Give your opinion. (Academic writing practice)
6. As most foreign aid often benefits the donor more than the
receiver, developing countries should refuse to repay their
debts. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Reading and
Writing module)
7. Many people think that countries have a moral obligation to
help each other, while others argue that the governments on
the receiving end misspend aid money. Therefore, they argue,
international aid should not give to the poor. Discuss. (China
writing)
8. Most countries spend a large amount of money on weapons
to defend themselves though they are not at war. They should
instead spend money to help the citizens of poor and
disadvantaged countries. Discuss. (China writing)

- MEN AND WOMEN

1. Fatherhood ought to be emphasized as much as
motherhood. The idea that women are solely responsible for
deciding whether or not to have babies leads on to the idea
that they are also responsible for bringing the children up. To
what extent do you agree or disagree? (Cambridge IELTS 2)
2. The position of women in society has changed markedly in
the last twenty years. Many of the problems young people now
experience, such as juvenile delinquency, arise from the fact
that many married women now work and are not at home to
care for their children. To what extent do you agree or
disagree? (Cambridge IELTS 2)
3. Many people believe that women make better parents than
men and this is why they have the greater role in raising
children in most societies. Others claim that men are just as
good as women at parenting. Write an essay expressing your
point of view. (IELTS to success)
4. Woman should give up their jobs and go back to their
traditional role of home-maker in order to reduce world
unemployment. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
(Reading and Writing module)
5. One solution to decline in moral values in todays world
would be for men and women to return to their traditional
roles. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Reading and
Writing module)
6. Women will pay an increasingly important role in the
workplace of the future. To what extent do you agree or
disagree? (Reading and Writing module)
7. Most high level jobs are done by men. Should the
government encourage a certain percentage of these jobs to
be reserved for women? (China writing)
8. More and more women are going out to work. The
government should subsidize them and provide free staff and
facilities to care for their children. To what extent do you agree
or disagree? (China writing)
9. Some people argue that there are no fundamental
differences between the way men and women approach
academic study. Others insist that there are big differences
such as organization, attitude and ambition, and that these
differences inevitably have an impact on student life. Discuss.
(Insight into Ielts)

- SPORTS
1. Popular events like the football World Cup and other
international sporting occasions are essential in easing
international tensions and releasing patriotic emotion in a safe
way. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Cambridge
IELTS 3)
2. Sports which depend on violence for their entertainment,
such as boxing and wrestling, have no place in a civilized
society and should be banned. To what extent do you agree or
disagree? (IELTS Practice tests with answers)
3. Professional sports involve large sums of money and
receives enormous media coverage. Meanwhile serious culture,
including music, art and theatre, is badly neglected. This is
making our society shallower. To what extent do you agree or
disagree? (Essay Writing)
4. International sports competitions are the best way to
prevent conflict. National feelings can be expressed in friendly
competition, rather than fighting, and sports heroes are better
role models than fighters. The large sums of money spent on
international sports competitions such as the Olympic Games
are therefore justified. To what extent do you agree or
disagree? (Essay Writing)
5. In some countries, sports and entertainment people earn
higher salaries than professionals like doctors, nurses and
teachers. Why do you think this happens in some societies and
do you consider this to be a good or bad thing? (China writing)
6. Some people think that the Olympic Games will not play a
role in the 21st century. To what extent do you agree or
disagree? (China writing)
7. Sports encourage competition rather than cooperation.
Therefore, sports should not be encouraged at school. To what
extent do you agree or disagree? (China writing)
8. Is it fair that sports professionals earn a great deal more
money than people in other important profession? Discuss.
(China writing)
9. In the past, sporting champions used to be motivated
primarily by the desire to win a match or to break world
records. These days, they are more likely to be motivated by
prize money and the opportunity to be famous. What message
does this send to young people and how does this attitude to
sport affect the sports themselves? (Ielts practice plus)

- ANIMALS
1. Many people keep dogs and cats as companions. Discuss
the advantages and disadvantages of pet ownership for the
animals involved and for the community as a whole. (Ielts on
Track)
2. Animals should not be used for the benefit of human beings,
unless there is evidence that the animals do not suffer in any
way. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Passport to
Ielts)
3. As public safety is one of the highest importances, it is often
necessary to test new products on animals. It is better for a
few animals to suffer than for humans to be placed at risk by
untested products. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
(Reading and Writing module)
4. Zoos are sometimes sees as necessary but poor alternatives
to a natural environment. To what extent do you agree or
disagree? (China writing)
5. Wild animals have no place in the 21st century. Some
people think that preventing these wild animals from dying out
is a waste of resources. To what extent do you agree or
disagree? (China writing)
6. Some people think killing animals for food is cruel and
unnecessary. Others think that it is essential for our daily diet.
To what extent do you agree or disagree? (China writing)
NATURAL
ORGANIZATION

DISASTER

AND

HUMANITARIAN

1. Too much attention is given to headline-grabbing disasters

such as earthquakes and floods. Government should
concentrate their resources on educating people about the risk
they face nearer to home, which can cost far more lives. To
what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion? (Focus
on Ielts)
- ADVERTISING
1. Some of the methods used in advertising are unethical and
unacceptable in todays society. To what extent do you agree
or disagree? (Ielts Foundation)
2. We are surrounding by advertising. Some people think that

this is good, because it gives us a choice as consumers. But

others argue that it makes people selfish and greedy for more
and more goods. Do you think that there should be less
advertising? (Essay Writing)
3. Advertisements are interfering in peoples lives. Discuss the
effects of advertisements of people. Should all ads be banned?
(China writing)
- UN-CATALOGED
1. Some people say that telling the truth is not always
essential. Rather, its necessary to tell lies sometimes. To what
extent do you agree or disagree? (China writing)
2. Happiness is considered important to people. Why are the
definitions of happiness different? What are the factors in
achieving happiness? (China writing)
4. In achieving personal happiness, our relationships with
other people (family, friends, and colleagues) are more
important than anything else. Issues such as work and wealth
take second place. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
(Insight into Ielts)
5. In some countries, marriages are arranged by the parents
but in other cases they are not. Discuss the pros and cons of
arranged marriage. (Insight into Ielts)
7. Research indicates that the characteristics we were born
with have much more influence on our personality and
development than experiences we had in our life. To what
extent do you agree or disagree?
8. In recent years in Europe, many extreme right wing political
parties and activists have gained prominence. What are
common causes of hatred and social prejudice? What should
everyday people do to help maintain social cohesion during
difficult times?