Before your test for your preparation, you need to find and develop ideas for IELTS writing task 2 topics. Your ideas and the way you present ideas make up 25% of your marks in writing task 2. So, you need to prepare ideas for common topics.

Follow the links to find a list of common topics for writing task 2 and also to get a list of over 100 IELTS essay questions. You can also follow the next link to see recent IELTS topics and questions posted by students after their IELTS test. Use these questions and topics as a starting point to develop ideas.

Developing Ideas For IELTS Essays?

There are two ways you can find ideas for topics before your test. Below are your two options:

1.  Using the Internet for Ideas

Take an essay question or topic and type it into google. Then start researching. There are always plenty of model essays, which although not always safe to use as models for IELTS, are good for gaining ideas and vocabulary. You can also visit debate websites which show you pros and cons of different topics or different world issues. 

2. Ideas for Essay Topics E-book

You can purchase an e-book which contains ideas and vocabulary for over 150 IELTS essay topics. 

The method you choose for developing ideas will largely depend on the time you have before your test. If you like convenience, get the e-book. If you have lots of time, do your own research.

Planning Ideas During Your Test

It is important that you take time to analyse the essay question and plan your ideas properly. You are being marked not using relevant ideas, presenting them clearly and explaining them fully. Use at least 5 mins to make plans before you start writing. Remember – you control the time during the writing test. You have 1 hour for task 1 and task 2. It is your choice how long you spend on each one and which order you do them in. Click here: IELTS essay planning tips.

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Practising Background Statements for IELTS Introductions

Below are four essay questions that appeared this month (December 2018) in IELTS writing task 2. Under each essay question are model background statements. You will see the different ways you can paraphrase the essay question.

All IELTS writing task 2 essay introduction paragraphs contain:

1. Background statement = a paraphrase of the essay question
2. Thesis statement = your position or main points

This lesson will give you practice at paraphrasing essay questions to make a background statement. Below you will find 4 essays with model background statements and a list of tips to help you.

IELTS Background Statement Practice

Paraphrase the essay questions below to create one background statement. The first one has been done for you as an example with three possible options. I would like you to write a background statement for questions 2-4.

Essay Question 1

Science will soon result in people living to an average of 100 years or more. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

Model Background Statement for IELTS:

1. People’s lifespan is increasing due to developments in science and it is thought that people will soon have an average life expectancy of 100 years or longer.
2. Due to the development of science, people’s lifespans might be extended to 100 years or even longer.
3. People may one day live to be 100 years old or more owing to the development of science.

Essay Question 2

Some people prefer online classes, while others think it is better to be in a traditional classroom. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

Model Background Statements:

1. While there are people who prefer to take part in online courses, others believe that traditional classroom teaching is by far superior.
2. Online course are very popular with some people, however others still consider teacher led classrooms as the most effective way to learn.
3. Although online courses are preferred by some people, there are others who firmly believe that learning should take place in a classroom face to face with a teacher.

Essay Question 3

Many people try to find a balance between their work and other aspects of their life. However, few actually achieve this. What solutions can you suggest?

Model Background Statements:

1. It is a common problem that people struggle to find a healthy balance between their work and other areas of their life.
2. Finding a balance between work and other areas of life can be a challenge that some people struggle with.
3. While many people wish for a healthy work-life balance, few are able to realise this.

Essay Question 4

There has been an increase in the number of children and youngsters committing crime. What are the reasons for this and punishments should they receive?

Model Background Statements:

1. The number of crimes involving children and adolescents has risen over recent years.
2. Children and teenagers appear to be involved in an increasing number of crimes.
3. It has been observed that juvenile crime is on the rise.

Tips for IELTS Background Statements

1. Don’t write a very long background statement. It doesn’t help your score to do that and wastes valuable time.
2. Try to write your background statement as one complex sentence. to do that, use a clause and correct linking.
3. Don’t paraphrase unless you are 100% sure your word is perfect. Not all words can be changed in English. Be selective when you paraphrase. Paraphrasing is a skill about when to change something and also when NOT to change something.
4. Don’t aim to impress – aim for accuracy instead.
5. You don’t always need to start your background with “some people..”. See all the options above.
6. You should not start your essay with overused expressions that are popular with low level English users, such as “In the modern era,” or “With the advent of modern technology..”
7. Avoid learning expressions which you think will impress the examiner “A hot debate..” / “a burning question..” “a highly controversial issue..”. The examiner is trained to spot these learned expressions. They don’t help your score and show a lack of individuality in your language. You need to write each sentence in your own words, unique to yourself.

I hope you found this lesson useful 🙂

All the best

Liz

Spelling is part of the IELTS writing task 2 marking criterion of vocabulary, which is 25% of your final marks. Spelling mistakes will lower your score for writing task 2.

The passage below is based on the Advantages & Disadvantages of Zoos. A common topic in IELTS writing task 2.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Zoo

Spelling Practice: Read the paragraphs below and spot the 14 spelling mistakes. What is the correct spelling? Please note, this is NOT a full essay. 

There are a number of reasons why it is wrong to put wild animals in zoos. Firstly, wild animals are not domisticated and should be free to rome around their natural habitate. Putting them in confinned spaces in zoos means that they will never be able to return to the wild again. Secondly, animals have natural instinkts which they develop from living in the wild and pass down to their own off spring. These instincts will gradually fade and never return if they are kept in capivity.

On the other hand, keeping animals in zoos does serve some useful porposes. Zoos can serve a way to protect indangered species. Many species are facing dwinling numbers due to the distruction of their habitat or from disease so by keeping them in zoos, they are protected from extinction. Another reason why zoos can be useful is that they can serve as a way to educate the public. Most people will never come into contract with such a range of species in their lives. So, by having zoos, people are able to experiance seeing them and also learn about them. Hopefully this will help with the pretection of animals in the future as people will learn to appreciate animals.

Answers 

The answers are now available for this lesson. Click below:

Answers for Spelling Zoo Vocabulary Lesson: Answers

All the best

Liz

This lesson was suggested by a student called Karamdeep. If you have any ideas for lessons, please let me know by posting your ideas in the comments box below.

Fill in the gaps below with the correct linking words. This is useful practice for your IELTS writing task 2 essay. Using linking words requires you to be careful with the grammar structure of your sentences – this lesson will review your ability to do that.

Questions

Choose the correct letter to complete each sentence. It is possible to have more than one letter for an answer.

1. ……………. the government building more homes in city centres, there is still a lack of housing.
   1. Answers: A) Although   B) Despite   C) So
2. ………….. the government is increasing the amount of money spent on dealing with environmental pollution, individuals must still play their part.
   1. Answers: A) But    B) Although  C) Despite
3. People should eat a balanced diet ……………..  avoid serious health problems.
   1. Answers:  A) due to    B) so     C) in order to
4. …………… there are children who may not find it easy to live abroad, for others it can be an experience that helps them mature and become more independent.
   1. Answers: A) While  B) In spite of  C) Even so
5. ………………….. more and more people moving to the city to find jobs, housing has become a serious problem in city centers.
   1. Answers A) Consequently   B) As a result  C) As a result of  D) Owing to

Answers

Answers are now available:

Click here:  Answers Linking Word Lesson

All the best

Liz

 

Below is a list of IELTS Essay Questions July 2018 reported in writing task 2.

Will these questions be repeated?

• IELTS often repeat topics but change the questions and instructions.
• To prepare for IELTS writing task 2, you should prepare ideas for the topics below and common topics which you will find on this page: 100 IELTS Essay Questions.
• No one can predict the question you will get in your test. So, prepare as many common and recent topics as possible.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Questions July 2018

The questions below have been reported by IELTS candidates and may not be accurately remembered.

1. Some people think that modern technology is making people more sociable, while others think it is making them less sociable. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
2. Online, people write product reviews and opinions about services. Is it a good thing or bad thing?
3. Some people argue that formal education should start for children as early as possible, while others think that it should not start until 7 years of age. Discuss both these views and give your opinion.
4. Some people believe that teachers have a important role to play in the educational success, while others think it is the students’ attitude that matters. Discuss both views and share your opinion.
5. Some physiologists recommend that it is important to overcome stresses by spending time do nothing. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
6. The education of young people is the main priority in countries around the world. Some people believe that educating adults who cannot read or write is essential for the society and more funding should be made available for it. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
7. The only way to solve the increasing crime rate of young offenders is to teach parents better parenting skills. To what extent do you agree?
8. Scientist have been warning for many years about the importance of protecting the environment and that we must limit the use of energy in our daily lives. Despite warnings, many people do not do this. What are the reasons for that and how people can be encouraged to take an interest in protecting the environment?
9. Some people believe that a great difference in age between parents and children is more beneficial. Do you think the advantages of a greater difference in age between them outweigh the disadvantages?
10. Some people think the government should be responsible for solving the pollution problems which result from heavy traffic. To what extent do you agree?
11. Some people believe that universities should only offer places to students with high marks, while others believe that people of all ages should be allowed even if they don’t do well in school. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
12. People are less fit and active nowadays than in the past. What are the reasons for this? What measures can be taken to fix this?
13. The world of work is changing rapidly. Working conditions today are not the same as before and people no longer rely on taking one job for life. Discuss the possible causes for these changes and give your suggestions for how people should prepare for work in the future.
14. Some people find it beneficial to sent young children to nursery school before they go to primary school, while others think it is good to keep children at home with their family. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
15. Some people think that to reduce traffic and pollution, the government should increase tax on petrol (gasoline).  Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
16. It is believed that young people are more interested in international pop singers and movie stars than in history and historical people. Why is this? (June)
17. Nowadays, culture is more or less the same around the world compared to in the past. Is this a positive trend or negative trend? (June)