Ideas in IELTS Essays & in IELTS Speaking

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Are your ideas marked in IELTS Writing and IELTS Speaking? How do you find and prepare ideas for your IELTS essays and for IELTS Speaking topics? Certainly, both IELTS writing and speaking tests are topic based and require you to have ideas to write about and talk about, but are those ideas marked and how do you prepare properly?

Ideas & Knowledge in IELTS Writing Task 2?

In IELTS Writing Task 2, you will be marked on

  1. Task Response (addressing the task, ideas, developing ideas and relevancy)
  2. Coherence & Cohesion (organisation & linking)
  3. Grammar
  4. Vocabulary

As you see, the key marking criterion for ideas is Task Response. That is all about your answer and the ideas you use in your answer. It counts for 25% of your writing task 2 marks. For more information & tips, see this page: IELTS Writing Task 1 Marking Criteria & Band Score Tips.

Let me explain more about Task Response:

Task Response: Your Answer & Ideas

This is about answering the question with relevant ideas, which are well-developed and supported. This means the ideas you present are marked. How relevant and developed your ideas are will affect your band score:

Band Score 8ideas are relevant, well-extended and supported
Band Score 7ideas are extended and support, but may be over-generalised or slightly lacking in focus.
Band Score 6ideas are relevant but may not be sufficiently developed and may lack clarity
Band Score 5ideas are limited, not developed enough and may contain irrelevant details

As you see, the more relevant, focused, detailed and well developed your ideas are, the higher your band score. People who get a low score present ideas that aren’t explained well or connected to the task or that lack focus.

Finding Ideas for IELTS Essays

Here are some things you should do to improve your band score relating to ideas:

Step 1: Have knowledge of common IELTS Writing Task 2 topics. You must know what type of topics you are likely to be given and what the questions are likely to be. You must check if there are any topics that you don’t know much about. If there are topics you don’t know about, learn about them before your test. For example, are you familiar with these topics: factory farming (intensive farming), package foods and preservatives in foods? All these topics are part of the main topic of Food for IELTS essays. See this page for a list of topics and essay questions: 100 IELTS Essay Questions

Step 2: You must prepare ideas for as many topics as you can. In the writing test, you only have around 40 mins for writing task 2 so you can’t waste time thinking about ideas – you must have those ideas already in your mind. You can learn ideas for topics from looking at model essays online, but that takes time.

To speed up learning ideas for topics, I created an e-book to help you. You can find it in my store: IELTS Essay Topics E-books. This e-book contains ideas for over 150 common essay topics with relevant vocabulary so you can learn ideas for topics. Click here to see a sample: Ebook Ideas for Topics Sample Chapter

Ideas for IELTS Essay Topics E-book

Step 3: You must be ready to think about how to present those ideas to address the points in your essay. This means you think carefully how to explain those ideas and link them to the task given. This means both ideas and how you present them are important. 

Step 4: You must explain those ideas thoroughly in your essay. You can add extra details, further information, more explanation, illustrations, examples and more. You add whatever you need to add to explain the idea fully. This is required for a high score.

Step 5: Planning your essay before you start writing is essential. Because you are marked on your ideas, you should spend time to think carefully about which ideas you will use and how you will present them. You should also plan how to explain those ideas fully for a high score. Plan all mains ideas and supporting points, then start writing.

Do you get a higher score for interesting ideas in IELTS Essays?

 

This video is an oldie but a goodie. It is still 100% relevant today.

Don’t get side tracked thinking ideas need to be juicy.

Ideas & Knowledge in IELTS Speaking?

In the IELTS Speaking test, you are marked only on your language skills. You are marked on your Fluency, your Grammar, your Vocabulary and your Pronunciation (each one is worth 25% of your marks). Ideas are not marked, but ideas or topic knowledge are still crucial to a high score. Why? To understand, you must look at each part of the test:

Ideas in IELTS Part 1 Speaking

For part 1, it is common to be asked many questions relating to usually three different topics. This will require you to have ideas for those topics. However, the questions are about your personal life or popular things in your country. This means you don’t really need ideas and knowledge for the topics, but you do need to know all the topics and prepare your opinions, past experiences etc. 

Ideas in Part 2 Speaking:

For part 2, you’ll be given a topic card (a cue card). You should aim to speak for 2 mins about the topic. Most topics are about your past or your present, such as your favourite book, your favourite place to relax, a childhood friend or a time you were late for something. Yes, you will need ideas but the ideas are more about your personal life (similar to part 1). Occasionally, you might get a more difficult topic such as a museum or a good law. For such topics, you will need vocabulary for those topics and relevant vocabulary. But your ideas are not marked and ideas are still about your own personal thoughts and experiences.

Ideas in Speaking Part 3:

This part of the test is different. This part is no longer about your personal experiences. It is about world issues and broader topics such as the environment, communication, skills, education, crime etc. You definitely need ideas and vocabulary to be able to speak about these topics. The questions are similar to writing task 2 essay questions so it’s easy to use ideas from writing task 2 for your speaking part 3. Your ideas and knowledge are not marked – but they are both needed to be able to speak easily in the test.

Preparing Ideas for IELTS Speaking

  1. Get used to all the past, current and trending topics for IELTS Speaking. The more topics you prepare for the better. I often have lists of trending topics for IELTS Speaking, but those lists are never complete and you must prepare common topics as well. IELTS does not release the topics to the public. Topics are kept confidential and secure for the test.
  2. Remember, you only have time to prepare your answer in part 2. For part 1 and part 3, your answers must be immediate, which is why knowledge of topics is crucial.
  3. Click below to access common topics:
  4. For part 1 and part 2 of the IELTS Speaking Test, you should prepare the following for each topic:
    • your favourites / likes / dislikes
    • your abilities (things you can do or not do)
    • your habits & routines (how often and when you do things)
    • your childhood memories
    • your past experiences as an adult
    • your future hopes and goal
    • popular choices in your country
    • your personal opinions about common topics
  5. For part 3, you should prepare the following for each topic:
    • your personal opinions (based on your knowledge and experience of the world, not your personal life)
    • popular opinions in your country 
    • evaluations – deciding the pros and cons of something – deciding if something is a good idea or not
    • comparing the past with the present such as “do people holiday differently today than in the past”. Think about all the ways your country has changed over the last few decades for all topics.
    • predicting future trends such as “how will people holiday in the future?”
    • comparisons between age groups and categories (such as the difference between independent travel and package holidays)

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Topics 2024

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Below are essay topics and questions for IELTS Writing Task 2. They comprise of previous topics, common topics and trending topics in the world today. You must prepare all topics fully because ideas for topics are marked in the IELTS writing task 2 test. 

However, you must review these essay topics as well:  100 REPEATED ESSAY TOPICS FOR IELTS.

IELTS Essays Topics for 2024

These essay questions may be reworded and the tasks changed (for example an opinion essay changed to a discussion essay). These are guides for your preparation this year. The essay question changes with each test and different questions are used each day.

Advertising

  1. Some people think that adverts control what we purchase, while others think they are useful sources of information on products. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
  2. Fast food advertisements can be found on TV and throughout social media which tempts people to eat unhealthy food. Should fast food ads be banned?
  3. Many adverts target children. What problems does this create? And how can these problems be solved?

Buildings

Business

  1. More companies should employ older people. Do you agree?
  2. More business meetings are being conducted online rather than person to person. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?
  3. Some companies use a lot of packaging when selling their products. Why is this? Is it a good thing?
  4. Some people think that next day delivery services are a good thing, while others think such services are having a negative impact on the environment and so should be stopped. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
  5. Companies should relocate their factories to rural areas. Is this a good idea?
  6. Some companies encourage workers to be competitive, while others encourage teamwork. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
  7. Large supermarkets will be the death of small, local shops. Do you agree?

Crime and Punishment

  1. Parents should be punished for the crimes of their children. To what extent do you agree?
    1. (note: frequent topic in IELTS and also a real life case in US of a parent being found guilty of a crime committed by their child this year: read article)
  2. Do developments in technology make crime easier to detect or do they make people more vulnerable to crime? Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
  3. Many people who commit crime have a low level of education. Are education courses in prison the best way to reduce crime rates?
  4. Some people think that teenagers should be given the same punishment for crimes as adults. What is your opinion?
  5. Some films glorify criminal behaviour which might tempt some people into crime. Do you think such films should be banned?

Culture

  1. Tourism is increasing in many far to reach places around the world. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages of this trend?
  2. Traditional ways of life are being lost in the modern world. Why is this happening? Do you think it is a positive or negative trend?
  3. The government should support local artists financially. Do you agree?
  4. People should adapt how they live to fit into a new country. Do you agree?
  5. The world would be a better place with only one culture and no cultural misunderstandings. Do you agree?

Family

  1. Children can benefit from spending more time with their grandparents. Do you agree?
  2. Parents have a responsibility to help children with their homework, but others believe children should do it on their own. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
  3. Adult children are choosing to live with their parents longer. Why is this happening. Is it a positive or negative trend?
  4. Parents should be solely responsible to keep their children safe online. To what extent do you agree?

Food

Education

Note, most of these questions are repeated each year.

  1. More people are educating themselves with online educational sources. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
  2. Schools, not parents, should be responsible for teaching children good behaviour. Who should be responsible for teaching children good behaviour? What can be done to promote good behaviour in children?
  3. Some schools no longer teach children handwriting skills. Do you think this is a positive or negative trend?
  4. Online education is better than classroom education. Discuss both methods of education and give your opinion.
  5. University education should be free for all. Do you agree?
  6. Having a university education is the best way to guarantee a successful career. To what extent do you agree?
  7. While some parents think homework puts too much pressure on children, others believe it is essential for a child’s educational development. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
  8. Some people think that children who fail in school will have a limited future. Do you agree?
  9. Computers and smart phones will be the death of handwriting, grammar and spelling. Do you agree?
  10. Schools should put more emphasis on sport and exercise, while others believe that schools should focus on science subjects. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
  11. Some people think tests are better than continual assessment as a way to evaluate school children. What is your opinion?
  12. Many children and adults enjoy watching historical films and serial dramas. What are the advantages and disadvantages of learning about historical events or characters from such sources?
  13. Some children are home schooled. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages of home schooling?
  14. Reading books is essential for a child’s development. Do you agree?

Environment

  1. Recycling is an important part of protecting the environment. Why is this? How could more people be encouraged to recycle?
  2. Environmental problems should be tackled internationally, not nationally. Do you agree?
  3. The government should take full responsibility for environmental issues, but others believe it ought to be the responsibility of individuals. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
  4. Plant and animal diversity is declining around the world. Why is this happening? Why is this a problem? (this question might also be a cause/solution essay)
  5. Some people believe the world is getting hotter. What are the causes and possible solutions for global warming?
  6. The government should encourage people to use electric cars. What are the advantages and disadvantages of electric cars?
  7. Low-cost airline travel is damaging the environment. Do you agree?

Health

  1. Obesity is a growing problem around the world. Why is this? What can be done about it?
  2. Mental health problems are having a greater impact on people. Why is this? What solutions can you suggest?
  3. Having a good work-life balance is the key to a healthy life. Do you agree?
  4. To ensure children’s health, schools should provide free nutritious meals. To what extent do you agree?

Language

Life & Lifestyle

  1. People were happier in previous generations compared to now. To what extent do you agree. Note: This question can also be about stress.
  2. Some people think that teenagers are happier than adults, but others do not agree. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
  3. People should donate part of their income to charity. Do you agree?
  4. Some people like change, while others prefer stability. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
  5. Some people live in the moment, while others prefer to plan for the future. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
  6. People living in communities are less socially connected with each other than in the past. Do you agree?
  7. Fewer people are visiting shops to make their purchases. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?
  8. People knew how to relax in a healthier way in the past than now. Do you agree?
  9. People in the past had more hobbies which made their lives interesting compared to people today. Do you agree?
  10. More and more elderly people are living at home alone with very little social contact. Why is this happening? What can be done to improve the situation?

Media & News

  1. Some people think national news is more important than international news, while others disagree. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
  2. More and more people are accessing the news online. Is all online news trustworthy?
  3. Celebrities are often in the press. Should they have the right to total privacy whenever they want?
  4. Some people think celebrities are poor roles models for children? Do you agree?
  5. Social media promotes luxurious lifestyles. Is this a bad thing?
  6. Social media promotes appearance over character. Do you agree?
  7. Social media provides a convenient outlet for people to vent their negative feelings about a situation or a person. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
  8. More and more people are streaming films and serial dramas online. Is this a positive or negative development?

Money

  1. Some people think saving money is the most important thing, while others believe it is better to spend money and enjoy life. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
  2. Spending money on luxury items or special occasions is very expensive. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
  3. Money management should be taught in schools. Do you agree?
  4. Schools should be responsible to teach children money management. Do you agree with this?

People & Personality

Space

  • For this topic, see the essay questions on this page: Space 
    • Note, even though this topic might not appear in the GT test, it could appear in IELTS Speaking Part 3 so everyone should prepare ideas and vocabulary for it.

Technology

  1. In many areas of work, robots are being given more roles. Is this a positive or negative trend?
  2. Smart phones provide an instant way to video record or photograph someone. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this development?
  3. People are spending too much time on their smart phones. Why is this? Is it a positive or negative trend?
  4. Online translations will one day make learning foreign languages obsolete. What is your opinion?
  5. Some companies rely 100% on technology for calculations and other such functions. What advantages does technology bring to the workplace? Is there a downside to relying too much on technology?

Travel and Tourism

World Issues

Note, these topics appear most years in the test.

  1. The gap between rich and poor countries is expanding. How can it be resolved?
  2. With the growing gap between rich and poor countries around the world, some people think that rich countries should economically support poorer countries more than they have in the past. Do you agree?
  3. Homelessness is a problem only the government can tackle. To what extent do you agree?
  4. More and more people are migrating from rural to urban areas. Why is this? What problems does it create?
  5. Green spaces should be prioritised in urban areas. Do you agree?
  6. Overpopulation is an increasing problem in urban areas around the world. What is the main reason for this? What could be done to tackle it?
  7. Littering is an increasing problem in many countries. What is the reason for this? What measures can be taken to tackle it?
  8. With a growing population, families should be prepared to take responsibility for their elder family members. To what extent do you agree?

Work

  1. Companies should employ more old people. What are the advantages and disadvantages of doing this?
  2. Having a good education is the best way to secure a good job. Do you agree?
  3. Some people think it is good to socialise with work colleagues, while others believe in maintaining a professional distance. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
  4. Some companies prefer people to work in the office, while others facilitate their employees to work from home. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
  5. Being self-employed is becoming more common these days. Is this a positive or negative development?
  6. Some people think that working fewer days per week actually increases productivity in workers. To what extent do you agree?
  7. Older people make better managers and company directors than younger people. To what extent do you agree?

More IELTS Essay Topics, Model Essays & Tips

For further preparation, see 100 IELTS REPEATED ESSAY QUESTIONS

Click here: ALL FREE Writing Task 2 MODEL ESSAYS & TIPS

For Advanced IELTS Lessons & E-books in my Store: Liz’s Store

Speaking Topics: IELTS Speaking Part 1 Topics 2024

SHARE YOUR TEST EXPERIENCE

Feel free to post your test experienced to share with others in the comments below.

Note:

  • did you take the GT or Academic Test
  • when you took the test
  • what you found challenging
  • was the topic difficult or easy

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IELTS Model Essay -Two Questions Essay Type

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Two Questions Essay is basically a Direct Questions Essay where you are given one, two or three direct questions to answer. Instead of being given task, such as “Discuss both sides.”, you are given specific questions to answer about a given topic.

IELTS Two Question Essay Task Sample

Below you see a two question essay for IELTS Writing Task 2.

More and more adults are playing computer games.

Why is this happening? Is it a positive or negative trend?

As you see, there are two tasks:

  1. to explain what the causes are for this topic
  2. to decide whether you think this is a positive trend or negative trend

These two tasks are of equal importance. This means that for your body paragraphs, you must address each question equally and explain each with equal length. This is actually part of the Task Response marking criterion, which counts for 25% of your writing task 2 marks. Click here: WRITING T2 MARKING CRITERIA WITH TIPS

Useful Tips: IELTS Two Direct Questions Essay

The main topic in the essay question is Technology and the specific topic is Computer Games and Adults.  I’ve provided a list of tips to help you tackle this type of essay question.

  1. There is only one issue to tackle: computer games. This is lucky. It is an easy essay question. Some essay questions are more complex and have two separate issues to tackle.
  2. The issue is specific: This means it is specifically relating to adults and your essay should not discuss why children play computer based. All IELTS essays must be very focused to the precise task you are given.
  3. There are two questions to answer. I call this type of question a “Direct Question Essay”. The first question is about causes of the trend. You might have one main cause or two causes. The second question is about evaluating whether this trend is good or bad. Whenever you are asked to choose, it means you must give your opinion.
  4. Analyse & Brainstorm:
    • Think of some examples of computer games that adults play. You need to spend time on this aspect of the question. The deeper you think about this, the more relevant your main ideas will become. For example, are there any computer games that require intelligence? How have computer games changed over the years? Is this a reason why so many adults now play games? The more you think, the better your ideas for tackling this essay will be.
    • Think about what attracts adults to these computers games. What do they get out of it?
    • Then think about whether you, personally, think this is good or bad. Do adults gain anything from playing computer games or are computer games a complete waste of time for them? Are there any negative consequences of adults doing this?
  5. After you brainstorm, choose the ideas that are the most relevant and the easiest to explain well. You don’t get a high score because you have lots of ideas. You get a higher score for presenting specific ideas which are well developed and highly relevant.
  6. Body Paragraphs: f you have two questions to cover. It is logical to have two body paragraphs. Being logical in your choice of paragraphing is important.
  7. Provide a clear position in your introduction as to whether you think this is a positive or negative point. Being clear in the introduction helps the examiner follow your body paragraphs more easily and this will increase your score. If you think it is positive – make it clear. If you think it is negative – say so. If you think “it depends” – make sure you word it clearly and explain it clearly in the body paragraphs – never sit on the fence when you are asked to choose. The easiest approach is a positive or negative one (a one-sided approach). The “it depends” approach is harder and requires stronger language skills.

Model Essay for IELTS  Two Direct Questions

It seems that the current trend is for an increasing number of adults to enjoy playing computer games in their free time. With the development of game technology, it is hardly surprising that adults are playing games, but whether it is positive or negative depends on the games played and the time spent on them.

In terms of why so many adults are choosing to spend time playing computer games, it is mainly because the technology behind the games is becoming more sophisticated. Initially, when games first came out, they were very simplistic and appealed mainly to children. However, things have moved on since then and games have become visually appealing, very absorbing, require great dexterity and some also have a strategic challenge to them which adults particularly like. Such games can attract professional adults looking to hone tactics and skills to other adults wishing just to relax and switch off.

However, whether this trend in adults towards computer games is beneficial or not can be challenged. Some adults use complex, challenging games as a form of escapism which keeps their mind sharp and helps them relax at the same time. As long as the time spent on such games is balanced with other healthier pursuits, it can be constructive. Unfortunately, adults who ignore their physical health and spend too much time on mindless, repetitive games develop a sedentary lifestyle which can be detrimental to their wellbeing.

In conclusion, computer games have become more fascinating and tempting to adults. While games that help develop tactics and knowledge might be advantageous, no game, particularly senseless games, should be played to excess and certainly should not replace healthier leisure activities.

Word count = 276

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IELTS Topic: Urban Planning

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The IELTS topic of Urban Planning in IELTS Speaking and Writing Task 2. This topic has appeared in the IELTS test a number of times. For this reason, it is a good topic to prepare for. Many people find this topic challenging because they don’t have many ideas about it. Below you will find:

  • What urban planning means
  • Speaking Part 3 Questions
  • Speaking Model Answers
  • Writing Task 2 Essay Questions
  • Useful Vocabulary and Ideas

This topic might also be called Urban Design.

What is Urban Planning / Urban Design

Before we look at questions and model answers, lets first understand what urban planning is.

  • Urban planning is about planning where houses and buildings are located in a city.
  • It is about ensuring there will be enough housing for the residents both now and in the future.
  • It is about planning the infrastructure of roads, bridges, overpasses etc to ensure a good flow of traffic.
  • It is also about the design of buildings and their function.
  • It’s about protecting some buildings and knocking others down.
  • It’s about how space is used in a city.
  • It helps ensure that a city can meet the needs of its citizens.
  • Before someone builds a house, it means they would require building permission which ensures their plans are acceptable.

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Urban Planning

Speaking Part Questions for Urban Planning with Model Answers. As you can see from the title of this section, this is most likely to appear in Speaking Part 3. If you had a topic in part 2 about your city, an interesting place in your country, or a crowded place, it is very possible to get this topic in part 3. Below are some questions:

  1. Is urban planning useful? (Why do we need urban planning?)
    1. I think it’s essential for any growing city. If there wasn’t any planning, people would be able to build what they want, where they want. There would be chaos, blocked traffic and unsafe buildings. I think that if any city wants to become successful in the modern world, it needs careful planning so that it remains efficient and appealing.
      1. Alternative answer: I think urban planning is really important, but too much control isn’t good. What I mean is, planning is important for big buildings, historical buildings and the infrastructure, but I think people should still be able to build the house they want for themselves without the government saying no.
      2. I’ve been to cities with good urban planning. They are really a joy to be in. There are wonderful city gardens, cycle paths, well-spaced buildings, trees and roads wide enough for the traffic, good facilities all easily accessible and much more. I think urban planning is essential if a city is to attract visitors, residents and businesses.
  2. Do you think it is interesting living in a crowded area?
    1. Personally, I’m not very keen on crowds. I mean, crowds are ok for concerts or festivals because they are exciting. But I wouldn’t want to live that way on a daily basis. I prefer cities that are more tranquil.
      1. For me, I think all modern cities with the best job opportunities are crowded. You can’t get away from that. It shows how popular the city is. Also, the more crowded it is, the more facilities and entertainments there probably are. I’d love to live in a bustling city. Such cities, feel really alive and fun.
  3. Are cities better to live in than the countryside?
    1. I suppose it depends on who you are talking to. I mean, people who have a family might prefer to live in the countryside where it’s more peaceful and also cheaper. But young people who are trying to get ahead with their careers might prefer a city because there are so many more opportunities and the salaries would be higher.
  4. Is it important for a city to have facilities for amusements?
    1. I think all cities should be designed to have amusements. I can’t imagine so many people living in a city that had nothing to offer for their free time. I mean, cities are the best places to go for nightclubs, cinemas, restaurants and concerts. Also, people come to the city to earn money and most of them probably would want to enjoy their income in their leisure time.
  5. Does urban planning make a city more boring? (Does urban planning take the character out of a city?
    1. I think it depends on the government and the aims of their urban planning. That is to say, some governments are only interested in cheap, unattractive, functional buildings which have no character and no charm. This would definitely make a city pretty boring to visit and live in. But other governments understand that a city should be appealing, with impressive buildings, historical buildings and beautiful parks. So, if urban planning is done correctly, it can make a city more attractive, not only to the residents there, but also to foreigner travellers. After all, tourism is good for the economy.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Question: Urban Planning

Below are examples of essay questions that have appeared in the IELTS test about buildings and city planning.

Some people think that cities should be designed to be beautiful rather than functional. Do you agree?

Some people think urban centres need more green spaces, while others believe more housing is needed. What do you think?

As cities have increased in size and building work has expanded in a haphazard way, there should be more careful planning. Do you agree or disagree?

Some people think it is better to pull down old buildings and replace them with modern ones. However, others believe old buildings still have value. Discuss bot sides and give your opinion.

Some cities locate shops, housing, schools and entertainment in different areas of the city. What are the advantages and disadvantages of doing so?

Useful Vocabulary for Buildings and Urban Planning Topic

  • requalify existing city buildings
  • create new urbanisations
  • improve the quality of life of the inhabitants / residents
  • ensure a logical and efficient city layout
  • plan commercial centres
  • ensure building safety
  • plan infrastructure, such as roads, airports, railways, public transport system, cycle paths etc
  • planning for the increase in traffic on roads to avoid congestion
  • make educational and health care facilities easy to access
  • without planning, future city growth might become unsustainable
  • protect heritage sites and places of historic significance
  • create national pride through buildings and layout of key buildings
  • plan parks and other green spaces for health benefits
  • ensure that housing and buildings do not encroach on natural resources, places of beauty and other protected areas
  • prohibit development that might threated wildlife and natural habitats
  • to ensure the capacity for future urban growth
  • relocating business outside urban areas
  • decentralising services, such as schools, shops and companies
  • helping with carbon emissions by developing cycle paths and efficient public transport
  • to ensures a good urban landscape
  • waste management and sanitation must be well planned for hygiene reasons
  • it makes a city more liveable / more accessible / more interesting / more appealing
  • people will feel more prosperous in a well planned city
  • it attracts investment for business
  • ensures that the city is well connected with other cities and other countries

IELTS Writing Task 2 Useful Links

Click here for: IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Essays, Tips and Lessons

Click here for: IELTS Writing Task 1: Model Answers, Tips and Lessons

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Vocabulary for Government Topic

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Below is a list of vocabulary relating to the topic of “Government”. This word list will help refresh your memory and also expand your range to learn new words. Although the topic of politics doesn’t appear in IELTS, questions relating to general government policies do appear frequently in both IELTS Writing and IELTS Speaking.

On this page, you will find:

  1. Word Forms
  2. Synonyms and Types of Government
  3. Useful Government Vocabulary
  4. IELTS Speaking Questions & Model Answers
  5. IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Questions

1. Word Forms:

  • government (n)
  • to govern (vb)
  • governmental (adj)

Common Errors 

There are two common errors when using the word “government”.

  1. “n” – don’t forget the spelling – goverNment.
  2. article “the” – when we refer to the government, we usually use the article “the”.
    1. For example:
    2. Wrong = Many people think government should improve the infrastructure in rural areas.
    3. Correct = Many people think the government should improve the infrastructure in rural areas.

2. Synonyms & Types of Government

Below is a useful word list for synonyms. However, please note that is fine to repeat the word “government” in your essay even for high band score candidates.

  • the political system
  • the administration
  • the central government
  • the local government
  • the authorities
  • the people in authority
  • the leadership
  • those in power

Note, as with all synonyms, they cannot all be used in the same context in the same way. They do differ.

Types of Government and Governing

Below are words relating to types of government and the way countries are run.

  • republic = a country with no monarch and has an elected leader, usually a president
  • democracy = the government is elected by the people, each person has a single vote
  • autonomy = a self-governing country or region
  • dictatorship = a country ruled by one person who has not been elected and uses force to keep control
  • totalitarian state = a country with only one political power and people are forced to do what the government tells them
  • regime = an authoritarian government
  • capitalist = a free-market country
  • communist = a political and economic system with a classless society where business, factories, farms etc are publicly owned
  • monarchy = a country has a king or queen – in traditional monarchies, the monarch has absolute power but in a a constitutional monarchy (such as the UK), there is a democratic government, and the monarch is largely symbolic and politically neutral
  • anarchy = a situation where there is no government
  • constitutional government = a government which is limited in its power by a constitution
  • coalition government = with no direct winner after elections, a government can be formed in which two or more parties cooperate

3. Useful Government Vocabulary

Within a Government

  • politicians = people who hold an office within politics
  • branches of government- legislative, executive and judicial
  • executive branch = this is the part of the government which carries out the law
  • legislative branch = this part of the government makes the laws and raises money to run the government
  • judicial branch = this part of the government decides laws and settles disputes
  • state government = a local government within a particular region or area of a country
  • enforcement agencies = bodies within a government which can enforce the law, for example, the police
  • political party = a group of people with similar political aims that hopes to have a member elected to government
  • diplomats = people who represent their country in communication with other countries

 Useful Government Vocabulary

  • to pass a law / to enable a law / to bring in a new law = to have a law accepted
  • to abide by a law = to follow a law without breaking it
  • to elect = to choose
  • to have political influence / political power = the extent of a group’s or person’s ability to change the way political decisions are made
  • a citizen = a person living within a country
  • election = the process of voting for someone to come into power or into a role
  • laws = rules for governing a country
  • liberty = freedom
  • maintain order = providing organisation and safety for the people of a country
  • rights = freedoms which are protected and should be guaranteed
  • taxes = money paid by citizens to run and maintain a country
  • raise / lower taxes – to increase or decrease the money paid by citizens to the government
  • budget = money that is allocated to spend in a particular area
  • to increase the budget on X = to give more money to X
  • defence spending = the money that the government spends on the defence of its country
    • note that the word “defence” can also be spelled as “defense” in American English
  • policies = action proposed by an organisation
  • charismatic = a characteristic that attracts and appeals to other people – many successful politicians are charismatic
  • long term / short term goals
  •  to be proactive = doing something rather than just waiting for something to happen

Citizen’s Actions

  • campaign for something
  • demonstrations
  • to be involved in protests
  • organise a petition
  • speak at public meetings
  • put up posters
  • organise a public meeting
  • write to politicians

4. Government Topic Questions for IELTS Speaking 

IELTS Speaking doesn’t have one single topic called “the Government”. But most topics in IELTS Speaking, do contain questions that relate to how official organisations, such as the government, can improve aspects of life. Below are some examples of questions with model answers. Most of these questions are more likely to appear in Speaking part 3 which deals with broader issues.

  • Q) What is the role of a government?
  • A) A government is responsible to decide how a country is run and for managing how it is run. It rules and governs a body of people to make sure that those people abide by laws.
  • Q) Do you think the government should be responsible for public health?
  • A) While the government should be proactive in opening more exercises facilities for the public and to raise awareness of public health, I think it is ultimately the role of the individual to improve their own health.
  • Q) Do you think the government should pay to support the Arts?
  • A) Yes, in a way. I think the government should definitely provide some support for the Arts as a way to promote our cultural heritage. For example, local people can learn about their own culture from watching the dramatic arts and also from paintings and sculptures. This is also a huge draw for visiting tourists who wish to experience local culture. However, I do think that artists also need to be responsible for ensuring their own income and not just rely on the government.
  • Q) What do you think the government could do to protect natural beauty spots in your country?
  • A) Well, I suppose one of the key things that those in power could do is to establish stricter laws to ensure people treat places of natural beauty with respect. For example, littering is a huge problem in my country and this needs to be taken more seriously. Another thing is for the government to spend more money on conservation as well as raising awareness among the local population of the importance of these places.

5. IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Questions Samples

  1. Many people think people should pay for their education, while others think the government should fund all education. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
  2. Some people believe the government should be responsible for the homeless and that society is not responsible. Do you agree?
  3. Do you think artists should have the right to express any opinion through their work or do you think the government should censor their work?
  4. Do you think the government should focus on supporting science or the Arts?
  5. Do you think the government should be solely responsible for public safety or do you think individuals should also be held responsible for their own safety?
  6. Some people believe that the government should spend more money on protecting wildlife. Do you agree or disagree?
  7. Some people think that the government is wasting essential funds on space research and that these funds would be better allocated to health care. To what extend do you agree?

Tip: Don’t suggest in your essay that the government could introduce a particular law if there is already one in place. If you know a law is already in place, then you can suggest that the law serves harsher punishments and give examples of that. Try to keep your essay real. Think your ideas through and be sincere in your essay for a high score.

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New IELTS Essay Topics for 2023

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Below are new IELTS essay topics in 2023 for Writing Task 2. I’ve also included useful ideas for each topic so that you can prepare for your test more quickly.

The majority of essay questions you will get in IELTS writing task 2 will be recycled topics from previous years. This is because there are so many common topics to choose from. However, occasionally new topics are introduced which reflect our changing world and new current issues in society. I haven’t put the precise wording for the essay questions as IELTS often rephrase their essay questions using different wording.

To prepare fully for your test, you must also prepare ALL common essay questions. Please click here: 100 IELTS Essay Questions

In addition, please note that all the topics below can also appear in the speaking test as well (part 3).

2023 New IELTS Essay Topics with Useful Ideas 

These essay questions could appear in both the IELTS Academic and GT writing task 2 test. Please remember, these are topics with ideas so that you can use them and adapt them to the question in the test because questions will usually be paraphrased and tasks will vary from test to test.

  1. Essay Topic: Poor concentration due to social media
    • Short attention spans can affect us by not focusing on detail and poor performance at school or work
    • Pop up ads are intrusive and interrupt our focus
    • Temptation to chat on social media cuts into people’s concentration
    • Social media encourages a shorter attention spam with short punchy media, such as on TikTok and Instagram
    • Social media is all about excitement and pleasure viewing. Due to this we are training ourself to switch off from anything that isn’t offering pleasure and this impacts our ability to focus on work tasks.
      • Note: I’ll post a page with useful language for the topic of concentration in a few weeks as this topic is very common in the speaking test. 

2. Essay Topic: Children learn how to grow vegetables or farming

    • Growing vegetables and caring for livestock is part of essential life skills for a healthy future
    • As a species we should never forget our basic life skills for future survival
    • Homegrown vegetables have more nutrition which children should learn about
    • Vegetables can be grown on balconies as well as patios
    • It allows children to reconnect to nature which is important in a world where they are so focused on gadgets
    • This might encourage children to also take an interest in cooking, which is another essential life skill

3. Essay Topic: Taking risks in personal and professional life

    • + New challenges to keep people on their toes
      • “to keep people on their toes” – idiom – keep people alert and prepared for potential problems (an idiom suitable for WT2)
    • + Risks help us grow and learn new skills
    • + Life is always changing and full of risks so people should embrace this aspect of life rather than try to avoid it
    • – Risk can lead to negative consequences for individuals and families
    • – It is better to be safe than sorry
    • – Avoiding risk is the responsible thing to do
      • (note: this topic is very similar to the topic about “people who like change vs people who do not like change in their life” – that topic has been used for years by IELTS

4. Essay Topic: Streaming Films Online vs cinema

    • Streaming online is cheaper and more accessible
    • Streaming online is more enjoyable at home
    • Streaming online offers a wider choice of options
    • Cinema has better sound systems and bigger screens
    • Cinema allows you to share emotional responses with an audience
    • Cinema is a special experience for groups and couples

5. Essay Topic: Children & active or passive leisure activities

    • Active activities: sport, photography, hiking, camping
    • These activities help children get fresh air, build physical health, learn new skills and engage in socialising with others face to face.
    • Passive activities: reading, watching TV, social media
    • These activities help children gain insight, can be educational or inspirational, help children develop creativity and technological skills.

6. Essay Topic: Men’s and women’s sports shown on TV and social media

    • Traditionally most sports were male based so audiences are historically more attracted to male sports
    • Women’s sports are just as exciting as male sports
    • Women’s sports don’t often get the same amount of sponsoring from companies which impacts their sport
    • Women’s football already has large followings on social media

7. Essay Topic: Truth in people’s communication is most important

    • + Truth helps people develop honest, meaningful relationships
    • + Truth develops open communication instead of repressed relationships
    • + Without truth, there is only deceit which is toxic to relationships and erodes trust
    • + Truth leads to trust
    • – Social media encourages people to present a version of truth rather than the whole truth in order to impress others and create a particular impression – this can lead to misconception and lead others in the wrong direction
    • – Sometimes the truth can be hurtful and needs to be approached step by step rather than directly
    • – Some people are not ready to hear the whole truth
    • – Truth may be something that needs time to emerge in cases such as abuse or where someone may be at risk
    • – Truth sometimes has to be edited for children

8. Essay Topic: Sense of Community

    • + People used to know their neighbours well and have a sense of community
    • + Community meant that people took care of each other and looked out for one another
    • +/- Doctors and teachers used to live in the community and become leaders of the community but now they often live in other areas and play little part in the community as a whole
    • – Social media does not encourage relationships with neighbours but rather between people at a distance
    • – Online shopping means fewer people socialise whilst shopping locally
      • Note: a similar essay topic is one such as “adults should be required to do obligatory community service for a period of time”. That essay leans towards the benefits of community service vs time and obligation.

9. Essay topic: Graffiti on city walls

    • + Freedom of expression
    • + Some graffiti can be a work of art
    • + It creates a colourful environment in a drab urban setting (drab = dreary, dull, lifeless)
    • + Graffiti can stimulate creativity in others
    • + Graffiti can be cultural which benefits society
    • – It is often unregulated art
    • – Graffiti could contain indecent or violent images or words
    • – It could incite racism, hatred or political unrest

10. Vaping and Children (Predicted Topic)

    • Vaping was originally introduced to help smokers quit, but now vaping is becoming popular amongst people who never previously smoked.
    • Vaping can be addictive and their use has grown dramatically in the last five years, particularly in high school children
    • E-cigarettes are less harmful than normal cigarettes, but they do still contain harmful ingredients such as nicotine, flavourings and other chemicals
    • Vaping could lead to increase in asthma
    • Could lead to people choosing to take up smoking normal cigarettes later on
      • While this is only a predicted topic, it is something you can easily introduce into essays or into your speaking test as it is a current world issue

11. Organised Tours to Remote Places (Tourism)

    • + Travellers get to see places that are largely untouched by the modern world
    • + Remote places are steeped in culture and interest
    • + Remote places can benefit from a boost in their economy
    • – The culture in such places will be altered by so many tourists
    • – Such tourism can have a negative impact on the local eco system
    • With tourism comes the threat of pollution

12. Museums should focus on local works of art

    • + Focusing on local art exhibits means local artists are supported and encouraged
    • + Part of the task of a museum is conserving local history and culture so this should be their primary goal
    • + This is a way of promoting local culture and history to tourists which could benefit the economy of the country
    • – Many museums have international collections of art that people travel from around the world to see
    • – The history of some countries is interconnected with other countries and other cultures – history is not always confined within a boarder
    • – We now live in a global world and museums should reflect that

13. Values from family and parents play a greater role in future success than skills and knowledge from schools

  • + from parents we can learn discipline and the meaning of hard work which are vital for future success
  • + from family we can learn the value of determination and never giving up
  • – schools provide the building blocks of knowledge upon which our future hangs, such as reading, writing, comprehension, maths etc
  • – without education, most people would be reduced to menial work and success would be much harder to attain
  • – some careers require specific education and training without which success would be impossible

Useful Links:

Click Below:

100 Essay Questions

Writing Task 2 Model Essays and Tips

Writing Task 1: Model Answers and Tips

Note: IELTS do not use topics based on religion or politics because IELTS is non-political and non-religious . IELTS tests tend to aim for topics that reflect the world we live in by focusing on social issues and everyday issues that are more familiar and less emotional for people to write or speak about. So, please pay attention to which resources you use online when you prepare for your test and make sure you aren’t wasting your time preparing for topics that definitely won’t appear.

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IELTS Essay Topic Ideas: Advertising to Children

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Here is an IELTS writing task 2 essay question about advertising to children in schools. This was reported a number of times in the IELTS test. Below are some ideas for your answer.

IELTS Essay Question: Advertising to Children in Schools

Don’t forget that although IELTS recycle essay topics, they usually paraphrase the question.

In some countries, fast food restaurants and companies give money to schools provided that the schools promote their products to school children.

What do you think is the positive and negative of this in the development of children?

This type of question is a Direct Question which requires you to give your opinion of whether the development is more positive than negative or vice versa.

Ideas for Essay Topic

Positive Effects of Companies Promoting in Schools

  • Companies will donate to schools as a form of advertising. This could be food, equipment or resources. Children benefit from the additional resources and facilities that schools can afford due to the funding from companies
  • Children can learn the value of money in order to buy the products being promoted
    • learning to manage money is a useful life skill
    • children learn to be selective about what they buy

Negative Effects

  • Allowing companies to promote junk food to children encourages a poor diet.
    • poor diets, which include high quantities of salt and sugar, can be harmful to a child’s health
    • this sets children up to be unhealthy adults which can be expensive for the state in the long run
  • Advertising and promoting to children can be exploitative and unethical
    • they are easily influenced
    • they are not able to criticise or form their own opinion
    • this form of advertising is aimed at the parents through their children
    • children are unable to distinguish what is promotional and what is educational
  • Advertising expensive products can encourage children to demand luxury items from their parents which may be beyond their finances.

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UK US Spelling Main Differences

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There are key differences between UK and US spelling. In IELTS, you should not mix your spelling. You should choose either British English or American English spelling. This is not the case with accents in the speaking test. In the speaking test, mixed accents are fine.

British and American Spelling Differences

Below are the key differences in spelling between American English and British English writing. However, please note this is not a complete list.I have listed some of the main words that are commonly used in English and IELTS. The list below are organised as UK spelling first and US spelling second.

1) – ise / -ize

In British English spelling, some words end with -ise whereas they end with -ize in American English spelling.

  • realise / realize
  • sympathise / sympathize
  • organise / organize
  • specialise / specialize
  • authorise / authorize
  • criticise / criticize
  • recognise / recognize
  • characterise / characterize
  • standardise / standardize

Also note words ending -yse and -yze, such as analyse / analyze and paralyse / paralyze are spelled differently.

Please note there are exceptions. Nowadays, the following words are spelled the same in both UK and US spelling: surprise, exercise, prize, seize, advise, advertise. There may be other words, but these are the most common. 

3) -re / -er

  • centre / center
  • theatre / theater
  • litre / liter
  • metre / meter (this also applies to other measurements – km, cm, mm)
  • fibre / fiber

4) ller / ler

Note that British English words ending ller have a double “l” compared to the US spelling which is only one “l”.

  • traveller / traveler
  • levelled / leveled
  • cancelled / canceled
  • fuelled / fueled
  • jewellery / jewelry (jewelery)

This same rule applies to other forms of words such as travelled, travelling.

5) -l / -ll

Now we see the opposite rule to the one above. With UK spelling, some words have one “l”, while in US spelling they have two.

  • fulfil / fulfill
  • appal / appall 
  • skilful / skillfull
  • unskilful / unskillful
  • enrol / enroll
  • instil / instill

However, the rule above is limited. Most words are actually spelled the same in both UK and US English: successful, refill, harmful, resourceful, meaningful, thoughtful. 

6) -our / -or

  • colour / color
  • behaviour / behavior
  • favourite / favorite
  • honour / honor
  • flavour / flavor
  • neighbour / neighbor
  • humour / humor
  • labour / labor

Note the word “hour” is spelled the same.

7) -ogue / -og

  • dialogue / dialog
  • catalogue / catalog
  • travelogue / travelog

I hope you found this page useful 🙂 All the best, Liz

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