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IELTS Writing Task 2

IELTS Writing Task 2 questions (page 5)

500 practice essay questions in the official wording, grouped by question type. Every question ends with the same instruction: “Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.” Give yourself 40 minutes.

How to write: opinion (agree or disagree)
How to write: discussion (both views)
How to write: advantages and disadvantages
How to write: problems, causes and solutions
How to write: two-part questions

Opinion (agree or disagree)

  1. Some people think public libraries should provide chess and board games for visitors. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
  2. Some people believe that reading books is the best way to learn about other cultures. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
  3. Some people think schools should teach children how to protect bees and other insects. Do you agree or disagree?
  4. Some people think that local libraries should stay open for longer hours. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Discussion (both views)

  1. Some people think farmers should use fewer chemicals to protect bees and other insects. Others believe chemicals are needed to grow enough food. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  2. Some people prefer games such as chess, which need careful thinking, while others prefer board games that depend more on luck. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  3. Some people believe that children should learn about space exploration at school, while others think school time should be used for more practical subjects. Discuss both views and give your opinion. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
  4. Some people think that the punishment for a crime should depend on why the person committed it. Others believe that the same crime should always have the same punishment. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  5. Some people think that retired people should do unpaid work in their community. Others think they should use their time for themselves. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
  6. Some people believe adults should play chess and other board games to keep their minds active, while others think these games are mainly for fun. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  7. Some people think that young people who break the law should be given help and education. Others believe they should receive the same punishment as adults. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  8. Some people think clothing advertisements make people buy things they do not need. Others believe these advertisements help people choose what to wear. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  9. Some people think students should choose the books they read at school, while others believe teachers should choose them. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
  10. Some people prefer to borrow books from a library, while others prefer to buy their own books. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  11. Some people think retired people should live with their adult children, while others think they should live independently. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
  12. Some people think more people should buy second-hand clothes, while others prefer to buy new clothes. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  13. Some people think that retired people should live with their adult children, while others think they should live in their own homes. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  14. Some people think that schools should teach children about laws and crime. Others believe this is the responsibility of parents. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
  15. Some people think winning is the most important part of playing chess and other board games, while others think enjoying the game with other people is more important. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Advantages and disadvantages

  1. Many people now play chess and other board games online instead of playing with people in the same room. Do the advantages of this change outweigh the disadvantages?
  2. Some space missions use robots to explore planets instead of sending people. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?
  3. In some towns, local groups offer free clubs where people can play chess and other board games. What are the advantages and disadvantages of these clubs?
  4. Some inventions developed for space exploration are now used in everyday life. Do the advantages of these inventions outweigh the disadvantages? You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
  5. Some countries want to build places where people can live on the Moon. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this plan?
  6. In some places, people can rent clothes for special events instead of buying them. Do the advantages of renting clothes outweigh the disadvantages?
  7. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. In some cities, people keep beehives on rooftops and in gardens. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?

Problems, causes and solutions

  1. In some cities, there are not enough public toilets in busy areas. What problems can this cause, and how can city planners solve this problem?
  2. In many countries, retired people have difficulty getting the health care they need. What problems can this cause, and what can be done to solve them?

Two-part questions

  1. Retirement gives people more free time. What activities can retired people do to enjoy this time? How can families and communities support them?
  2. Some cities experience flooding after heavy rain. What problems can this cause for people living there, and what can city planners do to reduce the risk?
  3. More people are moving to large cities every year. Why is this happening? What can city planners do to make life better for people in these cities?
  4. In many countries, people throw away clothes after wearing them only a few times. Why does this happen, and what can people and governments do to reduce clothing waste?
  5. In many cities, people spend a long time travelling between their homes and places such as shops and workplaces. What problems can this cause, and how can city planners reduce these problems?
  6. Some children do not enjoy reading books. Why might this be? What can parents and libraries do to make reading more enjoyable?
  7. In some countries, people move to a different town or country after they retire. Why do they do this? Do you think this is a positive or negative change?
  8. Some people think schools should teach children more about space exploration. Why is it important for children to learn about space? How can schools make this subject interesting?
  9. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Many people know little about how insects help the environment. Why is this a problem, and what can be done to help people understand the value of insects?
  10. Some farmers use chemicals to kill insects that damage their crops. What problems can this cause, and what other ways can farmers protect their crops?
  11. Some people commit crimes again after they have been punished. Why does this happen? What can be done to help them stop?
  12. Some people who leave prison commit crimes again. Why does this happen? What can be done to stop it?
  13. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic: In the future, people may travel to Mars to live there. Why might people choose to move to Mars? What problems would they face?
  14. Some clothing brands use famous people in their advertisements. Why can this encourage people to buy their products, and should this kind of advertising have limits?
  15. In some cities, planners are limiting the height of new buildings. Why might they do this? Do you think this is a good idea?
  16. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. In some cities, people grow flowers and plants on roofs and balconies. How can these places help bees and other insects? What could local governments do to encourage more people to create them?
  17. Why do many people choose to buy clothes from well-known fashion brands? Is this a positive or negative development?
  18. Some people are afraid of bees and other insects, while other people enjoy learning about them. Why do people have different feelings about insects? How can people learn to feel safer around them?
  19. In some cities, factories and homes are built close to each other. What problems can this cause, and what can city planners do to reduce them?
  20. Some cities have community centres where people can meet, learn, and take part in activities. Why are these centres important? Where should city planners build them?
  21. Space journeys can last for many months and may be difficult for astronauts. What problems might astronauts face on these journeys, and how can these problems be reduced?
  22. In some places, fewer people visit libraries to read or borrow books. Why is this happening? What could libraries do to encourage more people to read?
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IELTS Writing Task 2 questions by type (page 5) | ielts.coach