EdMIUMThe IELTS writing test is a 60-minute duration module where candidates are required to write two tasks. The IELTS paper pattern in writing is designed to assess how well you write a response, appropriately structure your ideas and use a range of vocabulary and proper grammar. IELTS essay topics cover a wide range of subjects organized under common topic and essay types. IELTS essay topics often use similar questions for their essays but change the wording in the questions.
In this article, let us look at:
- Academic
- General
- IELTS Essay Topics
- List of Essay Topics
- IELTS Essay topics with answers
- IELTS Latest Essay Topics
- Latest IELTS topics
1. Academic
Academic writing has two tasks. You are required to spend 20 minutes writing approximately 150 words to complete task 1 and 40 minutes to write 250 words for Task 2.
IELTS Essay-Task 1- You are required to describe the given graph, table, chart or diagram or summarize and explain the data and the stages of a process on how something works or describe an object or event.
Task 2- In the IELTS essay task 2 topics will be given to write an essay in the form of an argument or respond from a point of view in a formal style.
2. General
The IELTS General Test writing has two tasks. You are required to spend 20 minutes writing approximately 150 words to complete task 1 and 40 minutes to write 250 words for Task 2.
Task1- You are required to write a letter requesting information or explaining the situation based on the given situation. The letter can be semi-formal, formal or maybe personal in style.
Task2-In the IELTS essay task 2 topics will be given to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or a problem. This essay may be personal in style.
3. IELTS Essay Topics
The IELTS essay topics are divided into various categories. The topics have been reported by the students in the test. The IELTS essay writing topics for the task 2 can be by topic and by essay type. IELTS Essay topics for Academic and general essay topics are cumulatively mentioned below.
This is a list of 20 IELTS topics that often appear in the IELTS exam. Have look through the IELTS essay writing topics and plan on how you would write down the IELTS essay for that IELTS essay topic. If you are not familiar with that IELTS essay topic, search through the internet to understand more about the topic.
4. List of Essay Topics
Here are the common IELTS essay topics which you can expect in the exam.
· Animals
· Arts
· Communication
· Crime
· Culture/society
· Education
· Entertainment
· Environment
· Family
· Food and training
· Global Issues
· Health
· Media
· Money
· Science/Technology
· Space
· Sport
· Transport
· Travel
· Work
The questions for various IELTS topics for both academic and general essays are given below.
Animals
· Many animals are facing extinction in the wild. Why is this happening? What can be done to protect them?
· Some people think that keeping pets is good for children while others think it is dangerous and unhealthy. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
· Zoos are sometimes seen as necessary but poor alternatives to a natural environment. Discuss some of the arguments for and against keeping animals in zoos as an IELTS topic and give your own opinion.
Art
· Many countries spend a lot of money on art. Some people think investment in art is necessary, but others say the money is better spent on improving health and education. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
· All students ought to study art and music in school. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
· Creative artists should always be given freedom to express their own ideas (in words, pictures, music or film) in whichever way they wish. There should be no government restrictions on what they do. To what extent do you agree or disagree on this IELTS topic?
Communication
· Some people believe that handwriting is no longer useful in the modern world and should not be taught in schools. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
· These days the internet is easily accessible to children. Is this a positive or a negative development?
· Nowadays people use social media to keep in touch with others and be aware of the news. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
Crime
· All criminals should have access to education and rehabilitation programs while in prison. To what extent do you agree or disagree on this IELTS topic?
· Many criminals re-offend after they have been punished. Why do some people continue to commit crimes after they have been punished, and what measures can be taken to tackle this problem?
· In many countries, an increase in crime has been blamed on violent images on television and in computer and video games. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Culture/ Society
· Differences between countries become less evident each year. Nowadays, all over the world people share the same fashions, advertising, brands, eating habits and TV channels. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?
· Some people believe that governments should ban dangerous sports. Others claim that they should have freedom to choose their favourite activities. Discuss both views and present your opinion.
· In the developed world, average life expectancy is increasing. What problems will this cause for individuals and society? Suggest some measures that could be taken to reduce the impact of ageing populations.
Education
· Only formal examinations, written or practical, can give a clear picture of students’ true knowledge and ability at university level. Continuous assessment like course work and projects are poor measures of student ability. To what extent do you agree or disagree on this IELTS topic?
· In many countries, schools have severe problems with student behaviour. What do you think are the causes of this? What solutions can you suggest?
· Many people say that the only way to guarantee a good job is to complete a course of university education. Others claim that it is better to start work after school and gain experience in the world of work. Discuss both views and give your own opinion
Entertainment
· Many people prefer to watch foreign films rather than locally produced films. Why could this be? Should governments give more financial support to local film industries?
· In most developed countries shopping is not only about buying the goods you need, it is also perceived as entertainment. Is it a positive or negative development?
· Some people think that it is important to use leisure time for activities that improve the mind, such as reading and doing word puzzles. Other people feel that it is important to rest the mind during leisure time. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Environment
· With deforestation, urban development and illegal hunting, many animal species are becoming endangered and some are even facing extinction.
· Do you think it is important to protect animals? What can be done to deal with this problem?
· Many people think it is very important to protect the environment but they make no effort to do it themselves. Why do you think this is the case? What actions should individuals take to protect the environment?
· Explain some of the ways in which humans are damaging the environment. What can governments do to address these problems? What can individual people do?
Family
· Children are influenced by their friend’s opinions. In what ways are children affected by their friends? How can parents make sure this influence is positive?
· Parents often buy their children many toys. What are the advantages and disadvantages of children having a large number of toys?
· Young people spend less of their free time with their family nowadays. What are the reasons for this? Are there more negative or positive sides to this IELTS topic?
Food & farming
· All people should be vegetarian. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
· Some people claim that genetically modified (GM) food can be dangerous while others feel that it may bring enormous benefits to the world. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
· Junk food advertising has a harmful effect on society and should be banned. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Global issues
· The wealth gap between 1st world countries and 3rd world countries seems to be increasing. How can we reduce this gap? Do you think that developed countries have a duty to assist developing countries in every way?
· The money given to help poor countries does not solve the problem of poverty, so rich countries should give other types of help instead. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
· The exploration and development of safe alternatives to fossil fuels should be the most important global priority today. To what extent do you agree and disagree?
Health
· Despite huge improvements in healthcare, the overall standard of physical health in many developed countries is now falling. What are the reasons for this and how can the problem be tackled?
· Some people claim that using tobacco has brought several social problems and smoking should be banned. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
· Childhood obesity is a serious problem in many countries. What are the causes of it and how can the problem be managed?
Media
· The tendency of news media to focus on problems and emergencies rather than good news has a negative effect on individuals and society. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
· “Newspapers and books are outdated.” Why do some people believe this? What is your opinion?
· Many people believe that media coverage of celebrities is having a negative effect on children. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
Money
· Many people say that we now live in ‘consumer societies’ where money and possessions are given too much importance. Others believe that consumer culture has played a vital role in improving our lives. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
· Successful sports professionals can earn a great deal more money than people in other important professions. Some people think this is fully justified while others think it is unfair. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
· Some people believe that money is the most important factor for achieving happiness. However, others believe that happiness has nothing to do with money. What is your opinion?
Science/Technology
· The Internet has transformed lives and economies but it is turning the world into a global village. Soon everybody will think and behave in the same way. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
· Some people think that computer games are bad for children, while others believe that they are useful. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of computer games and give your own opinion.
· Some people believe that the range of technology available to individuals today is increasing the gap between rich people and poor people, while others say that technology has the opposite effect. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Space
· Some people think space research is a waste of money. The government should spend that money on the improvement of people’s living conditions. What is your opinion on this IELTS topic?
· In the last century, the first man walking on the moon said: “It is a giant leap for mankind”. However, some people think that space travel makes little difference to our daily lives. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
· Some scientists think that there are intelligent life forms on other planets and messages should be sent to contact them. Other scientists think it is a bad idea and would be dangerous. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Sport
· Some sports are considered extremely dangerous, but many people still like them. Why do people take part in dangerous sports? Give some suggestions on how to deal with these dangers.
· Popular events like the football World Cup and other international sporting occasions are essential in easing international tensions and releasing patriotic emotions in a safe way. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
· Because of the pressure of new subjects such as business studies, many schools have dropped sport or physical education (PE) from the curriculum. How important is sport or PE in a young person’s education?
Transport
· Despite improvements in vehicle technology, there are still large numbers of road accidents. Explain some of the causes of these accidents and suggest some measures that could be taken to address the problem.
· Some people think that strict punishments for driving offences are the key to reducing traffic accidents. Others, however, believe that other measures would be more effective in improving road safety. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion on this IELTS topic.
· It is predicted that in the future cars will be driven by computers. What are the reasons behind this? Would it be a positive or negative development?
Travel
· In many countries, tourism is a major part of the economy, but it also causes environmental damage and ruins the places it exploits. It is argued that tourists should pay an additional tax to compensate for this damage. Do you agree?
· Some people think the advantages of international tourism outweigh its disadvantages. To what extent do you agree?
· It is said that travel broadens the mind. What can we learn by travelling to other countries? Should we first explore our own countries?
Work
· Nowadays employment options are changing and employees cannot rely on having the same job and working conditions throughout their life. What are some possible causes? Suggest some ways to plan for the future under these circumstances.
· Some say job security is more important than job satisfaction. What is your opinion on this IELTS topic?
· Nowadays many jobs are more stressful and the working day is longer. What are the reasons for this? What can employers do to help employees?
5. IELTS Essay topics with answers
Here are few IELTS essay writing topics with answers mentioned below:
Do children behave better when they are physically punished or rewarded?
Q: Children are the future of the nation and how they should be raised, is a debatable issue. Some people believe that they should be exposed to physical punishment while others say constant appreciation is required for them. According to me, these arguments need proper scrutinization before forming an opinion.
To begin with, there are many advantages of conferring rewards to children. First of all, appreciation and verbal praise can have a magical impact on the behavior of the children because when they are appreciated for good conduct they come to know about the value of good behavior and try to keep continuing with that. The more they brim with positive comments, the more they are confident. On the other hand, children who are subjected to artificial physical punishment are seen with lack of self-confidence. A survey conducted on the behavior of children revealed that a child exposed to punitive actions by his parents are more aggressive and furious than others of his age. Hence beatings to a child can never be fruitful.
On the contrary, there is no denying the fact that training to the notorious and ferocious mind is hard nuts to crack because it is true that the only logic for the fools. Moreover, some children repeat mistakes even after being warned and punished, this type of stubbornness forces parents and guardians to give them beatings. Needless to say, over-pampering may have an adverse effect on children. In this present scenario, parents have one or two children and this pampering distracts them away from their path.
To conclude, children are the tender buds and nurturing them is really a major responsibility. Therefore, a fair judgment on behavior is required for good upbringing.
Q: When a country develops its technology, the traditional skills and ways of life die out. It is pointless to try and keep them alive. Do you agree and disagree with this statement?
Technology is flourishing by leaps and bounds and undoubtedly this advancement is taking a toll on the traditional values. I do believe that in this technological world traditional values are bound to disappear.
To initiate with, there are many reasons why these conventional values have no existence in this modern world. First of all, In this fast-paced world, everyone is assisted with the mobile phone to stay connected with their family and friends. However, in olden times people used to send letters and stand in the long queues on S.T.D and I.S.D just for a maturity of one call. This advancement in the modes of communication has proved that traditional skills are worth nothing. Secondly, technology has transformed the world of fashion. Earlier people used to do knitting, stitching, and designing manually but now machines have made every task easier and comfortable. To substantiate my view, many fashion designing students were seen portraying pictures of models themselves to check the compatibility of colors but at present, this work is done in seconds on multifarious advanced software. Apart from this, hardly anyone is seen purchasing pitchers for cool water because of the invention of refrigerators.
To conclude, the evolution of modern technology is an ongoing process, so, the time consuming traditional methods will not be able to maintain their pace with these latest trends. Hence, it is useless and a waste of time to preserve them.
Q: Nowadays the way many people interact with each other has changed because of technology. In what ways has technology affected the types of relationships people make? Has this become a positive or negative development? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.
Technology is flourishing by leaps and bounds in each and every field and communication is not the exception. However, this tremendous change in the ways of interaction cannot be regarded as fruitful straightforwardly because of its certain drawbacks which spark debate on its positive and negative effects.
To embark on, with regards to positive development, one of the prominent benefits is that technology has made communication easier and comfortable. At present, people are hardly one click away from the near and dear one because of the modern developments like Skype, video conferencing, Whatsapp and social networking sites, like facebook. These advancements have made everyone social up to much extent. Secondly, there are tremendous chances in the way letters and telegrams were sent and in making calls. People used to stand in long queues on the S.T.D and I.S.D booths but now mobile phones and advanced gizmos facilitate everyone to interact freely.
On the other hand, certain drawbacks cannot be ignored like today’ people not only spend a long time using computers but also do not prefer to meet their friends and relatives face to face leading to a faded relationship. For instance, one of my childhood friends preferred to meet me personally on different occasions like a festival and on birthdays but nowadays, she sends messages wishing me and sends greetings in my mail. Even most of the family members are suffering from asphyxia, a disease sparks from isolation. This is really a worrisome issue for imitate relationships.
To sum up, despite having numerous drawbacks, no one can afford to turn face from this ever-fast modern technology that has to facilitate our lives.
6. IELTS Latest Essay Topics
Here are a few IELTS latest essay topics with answers, which help you understand the content better.
Q: Some believe that people should make efforts to fight climate change while others think it is better to learn to live with it. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Many are of the opinion that individuals should accept the reality of climate change rather than try to combat it. In my opinion, certain levels of acceptance are pragmatic but it is still important to take meaningful steps. Those who argue a passive approach point to the ineffectual impact of individuals. The vast majority of problems related to climate change cannot be countered by individual action because they primarily involve corporations and governments. For example, companies that produce packaged foods, such as potato chips and instant noodles, create far more plastic waste and industrial pollution in one day than a single person will in their entire life. Governments can make a greater difference by enacting regulations to ensure that the methods of production and materials employed are more environmentally friendly. It thus follows that the average person is justified in resigning themselves to the facts of climate change and living in an area that is not especially affected. However, the combined impact of individuals highlighting climate change will influence key policy decisions. The best examples of this are in European countries such as France and Denmark where green parties hold tremendous sway in government. Individuals empower these political parties not only by voting but also through protests and consumer decisions. Even governmental bodies that are not as eco-friendly must take the environment into account when passing laws. Furthermore, corporations are now cognizant of changes in consumer behavior. Massive conglomerates such as Starbucks frequently advertise their environmental policies. This has only happened because individuals have demanded these reforms.
Q: In their advertising, businesses nowadays usually emphasize that their products are new in some way. Why is this? Do you think it is a positive or negative development?
It is becoming increasingly common for companies to place focus on the novelty of their products. In my opinion, this has its basis in the psychology of consumer behavior and is generally a negative development. The reason many marketing departments present products as new is they are hoping to incentivize increased consumer demand. One of the chief principles of business is that products must meet a real consumer need and, ideally, be unique in some way. For example, advertising for the electronic vehicles made by Tesla highlights that they are different from traditional automobiles and this offers novel benefits for the environment and the individual motorist. This strategy created a niche in the automotive industry that they eventually expanded to become one of the largest companies in the world. It follows that every business attempts to present their products as new to inspire interest and compel demand. There are exceptions, as in the case of Tesla mentioned above, however, this trend generally leads to disingenuous ads and consumer fatigue. Most companies framing their products as new in some aspect are actually attempting to mislead the public. This is often the case with soft drink companies like Coca Cola and Pepsi that regularly rebrand their bottles and cans to give the appearance of novelty. These tactics are recognizably dishonest and audiences are rarely convinced. In fact, the net effect is that consumers become tired of watching ads for familiar products pretending to be innovative. For many customers this leads to a growing feeling of apathy and disinterest towards the exploitive methods of advertisers.
7. Latest IELTS topics
· Some people think that individuals today are more dependent on each other. Others believe people have become more independent. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
· Some people think that there should be a complete ban on all forms of advertising. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
· Some feel governments, rather than private companies, should be in charge of medical services. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
· Large companies use sports events to promote their products. Some people think this has a negative impact on sports. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
· People these days watch TV, films and other programmes alone rather than with other people. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?
· Some feel that schools should be mixed with both girls and boys attending while others feel the genders ought to be separated. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
· Some believe that people should make efforts to fight climate change while others think it is better to learn to live with it. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
· It is a natural process for animal species to become extinct (e.g. dinosaurs, dodos, etc.). There is no reason why people should try to prevent this from happening. Do you agree or disagree?
· In many countries, crime rates amongst younger people have been rising. Discuss the causes and solutions for this problem.
IELTS Academic Essay Topics
· Some people believe that companies should manufacture products that last for a long time. Others feel that the emphasis should be placed on producing goods that are cheap. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
· Some people think that when many imported films or TV programs are shown in a country, it can improve the country’s culture. Others feel that it is better for a country to make and broadcast its own movies and TV shows. Discuss both sides and give your own view.
· Some people believe that charities should help people in need no matter where those people are in the world. Others feel that these organizations should only serve the people living in the country where they are based. Discuss both sides and give your own view.
· Some people believe that good teamwork is what makes companies successful. Others feel that it is more important to have a good leader. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
· Some people think watching TV and films makes children more creative. Others think that it can actually lower their creativity. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
· Some people believe that visual images (such as photos and videos) provide enough evidence that a crime was committed. Others think that they are not enough on their own and other evidence is needed. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
· Some scientists think that computers will soon become more intelligent than humans. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
· Although there is a lot of software available today that can translate from one language to another, it is still necessary for people to learn a foreign language. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
· In many countries, governments spend a lot of money celebrating national holidays and festivals. However, some people think that spending money on these celebrations is a waste. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?
· When designing a building, the most important thing for architects to consider is the intended use of the building rather than its outward appearance. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
IELTS General Essay Topics
· Fast food has become more common in recent years. Some people think that it has a negative effect on lifestyles and diets. Do you agree or disagree?
· Some people think that children can learn about history by visiting museums, while others feel that there are better ways to learn about history. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
· Some people believe that teacher should be strict in order to best motivate students while others say that friendly teachers are more important. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
· Some feel that good entertainers are as important to society as scientists. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
· People are annoyed or entertained by advertising but they are not affected by advertisements when making shopping decisions. To what extent you agree or disagree?
· Some people believe that wild animals should not be kept in zoos or other man-made environments as there is no longer a need for them in the 21st century. Do you agree or disagree?
· Today, many people do not know their neighbors in large cities. What problems do this cause? What can be done about this?
· Many believe that reading books is a waste of time and children would be better served doing something more useful. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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