Below are practice IELTS essay questions and topics for writing task 2. The 100 essay questions have been used many times over the years. The questions are organised under common topics and essay types. IELTS often use the similar topics for their essays but change the wording of the essay question.
In order to prepare well for writing task 2, you should prepare ideas for common topics and then practise applying them to the tasks given (to the essay questions). Also see model essays and tips for writing task 2.
Below you will find:
- Essay Questions By Topic
- Essay Questions by Essay Type
Please also note that my new Grammar E-book is available in my store along with my Ideas for Essay Topics E-book and Advanced Writing Lessons. To visit store, click here: IELTS LIZ STORE
1) Common IELTS Essay Questions
.
IELTS practice essay questions divided by topic. These topics have been reported by IELTS students in their tests. Essay questions have been recreated as accurately as possible.
- Art (5 essay questions)
- Business & Money (17 essay questions)
- Communication & Personality (20 essay questions)
- Crime & Punishment (12 essay questions)
- Education (17 essay questions)
- Environment (12 essay questions)
- Family & Children (8 essay questions)
- Food & Diet (13 essay questions)
- Government (6 essay questions)
- Health (9 essay questions)
- Housing, Buildings & Urban Planning (8 essay questions)
- Language (6 essay questions)
- Leisure (1 essay question)
- Media & Advertising (12 essay questions)
- Reading (5 essay questions)
- Society (10 essay questions)
- Space Exploration (3 questions)
- Sport & Exercise (6 essay questions)
- Technology (6 essay questions)
- Tourism and Travel (11 essay questions)
- Transport (7 essay questions)
- Work (17 essay questions)
2) IELTS Essay Questions by Essay Type
There are 5 main types of essay questions in IELTS writing task 2 (opinion essays, discussion essay, advantage/disadvantage essays, solution essay and direct question essays). Click on the links below to see some sample essay questions for you to practice with at home.
- Opinion Essay Questions
- Discussion Essay Questions
- Solution Essay Questions
- Direct Questions Essay Titles
- Advantage / Disadvantage Essay Questions
Biggest Mistakes in IELTS Essay Writing
- Not analysing the precise meaning and language in the question.
- Not addressing the specific key issue or issues directly.
- Not having a clear opinion when asked. This means that for Opinion Essays, you must use “I” or “my” to express your opinion.
- Not planning main ideas and ALL supporting points as well. Your supporting points also essential to a high score.
- Including irrelevant or unfocused detail, going off topic. Don’t be wordy. Be concise and be precise.
- Not having body paragraphs of equal length. See this free video lessons about paragraphs: PARAGRAPHS ESSENTIAL TIPS VIDEO
- Not writing enough or writing too much.
- For FREE model essays and more tips see this page: IELTS WRITING TASK 2 MODEL ESSAYS & TIPS
All the best, Liz
