IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Topics 2024

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 also review all common topics which are likely to be repeated and repeated most years. Click here: 100 Common Essay Questions. I’ve also put a link to free model essays and tips at the bottom of the page.

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

• For these essay topics, see my list of essay topics for Housing, Buildings and Urban Planning. The questions are likely to be repeated.

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

• For this topic, see my list of essay questions: IELTS Essay Questions for Topic of 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

• For this topic, see previous reported questions as they are likely to be repeated: Language Essay Questions

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

• For this topic, see the essay questions on this page: People, Personality & Communication

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

• See this page for essay questions for this topic: 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?

Share Your Test Experience

Feel free to post your experience after you finish your test. Sharing tips with others is useful.

More IELTS Essay Topics, Model Essays & Tips

For further preparation, see 100 Common Essay Questions

For free model essays, tips etc: ALL WRITING TASK 2 MODEL ESSAYS & TIPS

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