IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answers

“Some people believe that university education should be free for all students. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”

“Some people believe that individuals can do little to protect the environment, and that only governments and large companies can make a real difference. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.”

“Working from home has become increasingly common. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?”

“Many cities around the world suffer from serious traffic congestion. What are the main causes of this problem, and what measures could be taken to solve it?”

“In many countries, people are eating more fast food than ever before. Why is this happening, and what problems does it cause?”

“Some people believe that modern technology, such as smartphones and social media, is making people less sociable in real life. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”

“Some people think that the best way to reduce crime is to give criminals longer prison sentences. Others believe there are more effective alternative ways to reduce crime. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.”

“Globalisation has allowed goods, money, and people to move more freely around the world. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?”

“The amount of plastic waste produced around the world continues to rise. What are the main causes of this problem, and what measures could be taken to address it?”

“In many countries, the proportion of older people in the population is steadily increasing. Why is this happening? Is it a positive or a negative development?”

“Some people think that governments should spend public money on essential services such as healthcare and education rather than on the arts, such as museums, theatres, and galleries. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”

“International tourism has grown to become one of the world’s largest industries. Do the benefits of international tourism outweigh the drawbacks?”

“Some people believe that children should begin learning a second language in primary school, while others argue that it is better to introduce it in secondary school. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.”

“In many countries, a significant number of students fail to complete their university degrees and drop out before graduating. What are the reasons for this, and what measures could be taken to address the problem?”

“In some societies, an increasing number of people believe that practical skills should be valued more highly than academic study. Why might people hold this opinion? Do you agree that practical skills are more useful than academic knowledge?”

“Some people believe that modern technology has made our lives more complicated rather than simpler. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”

“These days, many children spend a large amount of their free time using smartphones. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?”

“Some people believe that artificial intelligence will mainly benefit society, while others fear it poses a serious threat. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.”

“Some people believe that the best way to solve the world's environmental problems is to increase the price of fuel. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”

“Vast quantities of plastic waste are polluting the world's oceans. What are the main causes of this problem, and what solutions could be adopted to tackle it?”

“Many species of plants and animals are disappearing from the planet at an alarming rate. Why is this happening, and what measures could be taken to address the problem?”

“Some people believe that governments should spend more money on preventing illness than on treating those who are already ill. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”

“In many countries, levels of obesity are rising, particularly among young people. What are the causes of this problem, and what measures could be taken to address it?”

“Some people think that individuals are responsible for their own health, while others believe that maintaining public health is the duty of governments. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.”

“Some people believe that employees today are more satisfied with their jobs than workers were in the past. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”

“Some people think it is better to work for the same organisation for their entire career, while others believe it is better to change jobs frequently. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.”

“In many countries, fewer and fewer young people are choosing to work in manual trades such as construction, plumbing and farming. Why is this happening, and what effects could it have on society?”

“Some people believe that governments should spend public money on essential services such as healthcare and education rather than on the arts. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”

“In some countries, voting in national elections is compulsory, while in others it is voluntary. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.”

“In many countries, people are living longer and the proportion of older citizens is steadily rising. Do the advantages of an ageing population outweigh the disadvantages?”

“Some people believe that imposing longer prison sentences is the most effective way to reduce crime in society. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”

“Some people think that the main purpose of prisons should be to punish those who have committed crimes, while others believe that prisons should focus on rehabilitating offenders. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.”

“In many cities around the world, crime committed by young people is on the rise. What are the causes of this trend, and what measures can be taken to tackle it?”

“Some people argue that advertising has too much influence on consumers and largely determines what they buy. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”

“An increasing number of people now use social media as their main source of news, rather than newspapers or television. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?”

“News about celebrities and famous people takes up a large part of newspapers, television and websites in many countries. Why is this kind of news so popular, and is this a positive or negative development?”

“Some people believe that families have less influence on children today than they did in the past. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”

“Some people think that both parents should share the responsibility of raising children equally, while others believe that mothers are naturally better suited to this role. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.”

“In many countries, a growing number of elderly people are being cared for in residential care homes rather than by their own families. What problems does this trend cause, and what solutions can you suggest?”

“Some people believe that globalization is eroding local cultures and traditions. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”

“Some people believe that traditional festivals are gradually disappearing, while others argue that they are simply changing to suit modern life. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.”

“Many people are interested in learning about cultures that are different from their own. Why do people enjoy learning about other cultures? What are the best ways to do this?”

“An increasing number of universities now deliver some or all of their courses online rather than in traditional classrooms. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?”

“Some people believe that homework should be abolished for primary school children because it places unnecessary pressure on them. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”

“In many countries, people are increasingly buying products online rather than in physical shops. Why is this happening? Is it a positive or negative development?”

“Some people believe that societies should move entirely to digital payments and abandon physical cash, while others think cash should be kept in use. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.”

“Environmental problems such as climate change are too big for individual countries to solve. It has now reached the stage where only international cooperation can make a real difference. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”

“Some people say that the best way to improve public health is by increasing the number of sports facilities. Others, however, believe that this would have little effect and that other measures are required. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.”

“Many people today suffer from higher levels of stress than previous generations experienced. What are the main causes of this problem, and what measures could individuals and governments take to reduce it?”

“In some countries, companies are moving to a four-day working week with no reduction in pay. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?”

“In many countries, more and more people are moving from rural areas to live in cities. What problems does this movement cause? What measures could be taken to deal with these problems?”

“Space exploration costs taxpayers an enormous amount of money. Governments should spend this money on solving problems on Earth instead. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”

“In many cities, the use of video surveillance cameras in public places is increasing rapidly. Why is this happening? Is it a positive or a negative development?”

“These days, false information and misleading stories spread quickly on the internet. What problems does this cause for society? What can be done to address this issue?”

“Some people believe that the growing use of English as a global language brings benefits to everyone, while others feel that it threatens other languages and cultures. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.”