IELTS Writing Task 2 Questions and Model Essay for Education: School Subjects.

Below you will find:

1. IELTS essay question for education
2. Model Essay Answer
3. List of more practice essay questions
4. Tips for Writing Task 2 Preparation

Take your time to read through this page and make the most of the tips and links.

Please note: these are past essay questions which have been used this month. They are not predictions. To prepare for IELTS writing task 2, you should prepare ideas for recent questions and common questions. See below for recent questions and here is a link to common essay questions: 100 IELTS Essay Questions

IELTS Essay Question: School Subjects

Some people think that the teenagers should concentrate on all subjects at school. Others believe that teenagers should focus on the subject they are best at or they are most interested in. To what extent do you agree?

Model IELTS Essay

While it is thought that adolescents ought to focus on a broad range of school subjects, others feel it would be better for them to concentrate only on chosen subjects. I believe the number of subjects they study should depend on their age.

One reason adolescents from around the age of 13 to 15 ought to focus on learning as many different subjects as possible is that they are not mature enough to make serious decisions regarding their education that could affect their future. Therefore, by studying various subjects, they will gain a broad foundation education and also develop a clearer understanding of their individual skills and interests, which often change as a child ages. Secondly, teenagers need to vary what they learn to help them develop into well rounded adults. For example, they need sport to encourage health, they need maths to be able to perform simple arithmetic in life, and they need languages to help them learn communication skills. At a young age they are not mature enough to be responsible for their own development by selecting only what they enjoy learning.

However, by the age of 16, most adolescents know not only what subjects they most enjoy or excel at, but also which subjects are most useful for their future prospects in life. For this reason, from the age of 16, children should focus on those specific subjects that they need to eventually enter the degree course or work they would like to aim for. Furthermore, older teenagers have the capacity for concentration, unlike those of a younger age, which enables them to study only a few chosen subjects in depth. Lastly, older adolescents have the ability to manage their own schedule to continue certain subjects in their own time, such as sport and art, without having these subjects made compulsory.

To conclude, younger teenagers are not ready to specialise and require a broad framework of subjects to help them develop, but at the age of 16, this is no longer the case and focused learning is more beneficial for them.

More IELTS Essay Questions To Practice

1. Nowadays, people move from one country to another for work. Some people think children of these families suffer because of this, while others think it is helpful for them. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
2. Adults do less exercise these days. Some people think that showing sports events on the television such as the Olympics and international tournaments is the best way to encourage adults to do exercise. Others believe there are more effective ways to do so. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
3. Some parents, specially mothers, stay at home instead working, and some people think that they should receive monetary compensation from the government. Do you agree or disagree?
4. Some people use technology to take advice for their medical problems rather than seeing a doctor. Why this is so? It is positive or negative development according to you?
5. Although more and more people are reading the news on the internet, most people still prefer reading the news in a newspaper. What are your views?
6. EDUCATION ESSAY QUESTIONS: Collection of Essay Questions on Education

VOCABULARY FOR THIS TOPIC: Word List for Education Topic

How to Prepare for IELTS Writing Task 2

1. Prepare ideas for topics. You can do this by googling online. Here is a list of common essay questions and topics for IELTS writing task 2: 100 Essay Questions
2. Make sure you have learned your list of linking words which must be used flexibly: Linking Words for IELTS WT2
3. Learn about essay length and paragraphing:
   1. essay length
   2. structure and importance of conclusions
4. Learn how to add examples to your essay: Adding Examples Language

All the best

Liz

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Hi guys,

When you prepare for IELTS writing task 2, you need to understand the scoring system for your essay.

IELTS have published the IELTS Writing Task 2 Band Score Descriptors which show you the four marking criteria (each 25% of your marks) and also the requirements for each band score in those criteria. As you know the four marking criteria are:

1. Task Response (your answer, position, ideas, relevancy and ability to develop ideas)
2. Coherence & Cohesion (organisation, paragraphing, linking)
3. Grammar (this is both your range and accuracy)
4. Lexical Resource (the range and accuracy of your vocabulary)

To see a copy of the band descriptors for writing task 2 published by IELTS, click here: IELTS Band Descriptors WT2

I have also made my own page which explains the scores and also gives you tips for improving your score. Click here: Liz’ Band Score Information & Tips for Improving

Take your time to get to know the differences between the band scores. Most people who do not get the score they want, often do not fully understand the scoring and requirements.

Below are two IELTS model essays for May 2018 in writing task 2. There is one essay for the Academic test and one for the General Training test. You can all benefit from both of them.

IELTS Essay Question May 2018

Caring for children is very important for our society. Therefore all mothers and fathers should take a childcare training course. To what you extent agree or disagree?

IELTS Model Essay 2018

It is thought that all parents should attend a childcare training course in order to properly understand how to bring up their children. In my opinion, while I agree that parents should learn about childcare, it is not realistic to have mandatory childcare training courses for all parents.

Firstly, it is certainly essential that parents learn the basics of childcare, particularly in the early months and years when they first have a child. Understanding a baby’s needs and the possible medical problems that can arise is essential for the baby’s safety. Without such knowledge they could easily put their baby at risk or not be ready to respond to critical situations in the right way.

However, although childcare is important, it would be practically impossible to have obligatory childcare training courses for all parents due to the large number of new parents each year. For example, there are over half a million children born annually in the UK at present which means that over 750,000 parents would have to attend a childcare training course each year. Both the large scale and cost of such a training course makes this option very difficult to implement.

Finally, a more practical solution to teaching parents, therefore, would be to provide easily accessible information on a website with a free online video training course. This would ensure all parents have access to the necessary information at a fraction of the cost. This would also allow parents to decide which information is useful and still bring up their children according to their own culture or religion.

In conclusion, it is best to provide a free video training course and website which is cheap to make and accessible to all parents rather than a training course which parents need to attend in person.

IELTS Essay Question May 2018 (GT)

Some people believe that travelling within a city is better by car while some other think bicycle is a better means. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

IELTS Model Answer May 2018 (GT)

People hold different opinions about whether a car or a bicycle is the best form of transport in a city. I believe within the city centre a bicycle is best, but a car is better if someone must travel further.

On the one hand, it is commonly thought that a car is the best option for transport in a city as it offers great comfort in terms of seating, air conditioning and other features. A further reason for people preferring cars is that they can easily transport a number of people at the same time and is especially safe for children. Cars are, moreover, time effective. being able to cover long distances in less time.

On the other hand, bicycles are healthier options for getting around a city centre according to some. The majority of people lead a sedentary life style with little or no exercise which can cause serious health problems. This is often due to the lack of time available in their daily routine for exercise. By using a bicycle to travel, people will get the necessary physical activities without any inconvenience.

Finally, in my opinion, bicycles are certainly an asset in a city centre where traffic jams are frequent. They can pass through congestion with minimal effort and offer health benefits. However, if a person lives in the suburbs, the most logical option would be a car for travelling longer distances into the city centre, particularly with more than one person to transport.

In conclusion, both bicycles and cars offer advantages depending on whether the travel is only with the city centre or outside the centre. However, for families travelling together, a car will always be the best option.

Comments

These essays are possibly longer than essays you might aim to write in your real test. There is no actual upper word limit for IELTS writing task 2. However, there is a time limit which will prevent you writing a long essay. Also errors will lower your score. This means you should aim for quality rather than quantity. Most people will aim for between 270 and 290 in writing task 2.

To learn more about the length of your essay, click here: Tips on IELTS Essay Length  If you would like to see more tips on writing task 2, click here: IELTS Writing Task 2 Tips, Info and Answers

Below you will find a list of IELTS writing task 2 questions which appeared in the IELTS test in the last two months: March and April IELTS writing task 2 topics, You can see some interesting trending topics.

The questions below have been reported by people taking their IELTS writing task 2 in March and April 2018.

Do IELTS repeat questions?

It is possible to have an essay question repeated. But it is more likely that topics will be repeated with questions written differently. You should prepare all topics below and also ALL common topics: 100 IELTS Essay Questions

March IELTS Writing Task 2

1. Due to the use of the computers and mobile phones, letter-writing ability is disappearing. To what extent do you agree?
2. Social media has replaced the traditional methods of communicating, and people use more and more social media to communicate, and to follow news and events. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
3. Some people believe bicycles have a lot of advantages, whereas others believe bicycles have more disadvantages. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
4. Some people prefer to plan activities for their free time very carefully, while others disagree. Discuss both views, and give you opinion.
5. Some people think that the government should take care of disadvantaged people such as the unemployed and homeless people. Do you agree or disagree?
6. Museums and art galleries should concentrate on local works of art, not showing the cultures or artworks from other countries. To what extent do you agree?
7. Some people spend a lot of money on sports and cultural events. Do you think this is this good or bad?
8. The government should provide free public transportation facilities 24/7 to reduce the traffic congestion. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
9. Some people believe that robots are important for humans to develop their future, while others think that it is a dangerous invention that will impact society negatively. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
10. When designing a building the intended use of the building should be taken into account rather than its outward appearance. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
11. Nowadays people show more anti-social behaviour and a lack of respect to others. What are the causes of this? How could we improve the situation?
12. Some people believe that sleeping is the only method which allows people to get enough relaxation. Others believe that physical activities such as playing games and exercises also provide enough relaxation. Discuss both views and provide your opinion.
13. Some people think that dangerous sports should be ban? Do you agree or disagree?
14. In many countries, plastic shopping bags are the main type of rubbish. They cause water pollution and land pollution, so they should be banned. To what extent do you agree?
15. Some people believe that houses should be built in same style as other houses in the area, while others believe people should be allowed by the council to build houses in any style they like. Discuss and give your opinion.

April IELTS Writing Task 2

1. All fathers should be entitled to time off from work when their children are born. What is your opinion?
2. Nowadays, a lot of movies and music are free to download online. Is it a negative development or a positive development?
3. Some people prefer hobbies that require technology, while some people prefer hobbies that do not require technology. Discuss the both views and give your opinion.
4. Pollution and other environmental damages are caused by a country developing and becoming richer. This problem cannot be avoided. To what extent do you agree?
5. Organised tours are choosing more and more to go to remote places and communities. Do you think this a positive or negative development for the local people and the environment?
6. The number of people interested in cosmetic surgery is increasing in order to improve their physical appearance. Why do people do operations to change the way they look? Do you think it is a positive or negative development?
7. Some cities have vehicle free days where private cars, trucks and motorcycles are banned in city centres. Only bus, bicycles and taxis are permitted in the city centre. Do you think the benefits outweigh the disadvantages?
8. In today’s world of advanced science and technology, people still value artists such as painters, musicians and writers. How can art make a difference in our society that science and technology cannot?
9. In many societies, more and more people are choosing to live on their own. What are the reasons behind this? Is it a positive or negative trend?
10. It is believed by some that people should take a yearly driving test in order to ensure safety on the roads, while others do not agree. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
11. Once children start school, teachers have more influence on their intellectual and social development than parents. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
12. Some people think that people who are over 60 years old should not work and should be made to retire. To what extend do you agree or disagree?
13. The key to solving the environmental problems is for the present generation to sacrifice their convenient lifestyle for the sake of future generations. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
14.  It is important for public money to be spent on promoting healthy lifestyle to prevent illness rather than spending money treating people who are ill. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Below is a model IELTS writing task 2 answer for an essay question reported in the IELTS test this month. The question was reported in the test on March 3rd.

You will also find on this page:

• a link to learn plastic bag facts
• useful vocabulary for this topic

IELTS Essay Question March 2018

In many countries plastic shopping bags  are the main source of rubbish, causing pollution on land and in the water, so people think they should be banned. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

IELTS Model Essay March 2018

Some people think that plastic shopping bags should be prohibited because they are one of the major pollutants of both land and water around the world. I completely agree, but I think there are other measures that can be taken before putting a complete ban in place.

The reason that plastic bags should be banned in the near future is because they do not biodegrade and continue to pollute the environment for hundreds of years after being discarded. Plastic bags are often used only once, and end up clogging the land and polluting the water, causing about 100,000 marine animal deaths each year. Even when plastic does start to break down, it fragments into micro plastic which causes even more damage to all life on Earth. The only way to prevent throw-away plastic, such as plastic shopping bags, from seriously and irreversibly damaging our planet is to prohibit it.

However, it is best to try to change consumer behaviour before completely banning plastic bags. Plastic bags are not a vitally, necessary plastic product, only a convenience and customers should learn to replace them by using bags from home. Another step to deterring people from using so many plastic bags is by putting a high price on them  which will encourage people to reuse them.  Finally, having recycle bins by which customers can get cash back for depositing used plastic bags will also help. By altering consumer behaviour, it is a good way of raising awareness of plastic pollution as a whole and this can lead to more action on other unnecessary plastic products in the future.

In conclusion, an eventual total ban on plastic bags is crucial to preserve life on this planet and protect it from the effects of throw away non-biodegradable products.

Word count – 295

Plastic Bag Facts

Learn 7 amazing facts about plastic bags on this page: Plastic Bag Facts

Useful language List

• ban / prohibit
• discard
• biodegradable / non-biodegradable
• fragment
• micro plastic
• throw away products
• marine life / marine animal
• irreversibly damage
• pollutant
• consumer behaviour
• deter
• recycle bins
• cash back
• preserve life

It is also possible to agree with one side only. See other essays posted by students for this essay question – Other Student Essays

Hi guys,

Below is an IELTS essay question which was used this month, March 3rd, in writing task 2. The essay question below is one of a few questions that were used on March, 3rd. You can see other essay questions from March 3rd on my Recent Exam Questions page.

Post your essay by writing it in the comments box below. This is a chance for you to compare your essay with other students. This is not an offer of free marking – it is a chance for you to practise and compare. I’ll post a model answer tomorrow.

IELTS Essay Question March 2018

In many countries plastic shopping bags  are the main source of rubbish, causing pollution on land and in the water, so people think they should be banned. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

I will post a model answer tomorrow.

All the best

Liz