IELTS Writing Task 2 Common Topics 2024: 30+ Samples & Tips

The International English Language Testing System, or IELTS, is an international standardized test that assesses a candidate based on four skills Writing, Speaking, Reading, and Listening.

Having taken the IELTS, I know how crucial it is to understand IELTS Writing Task 2 topics like education, technology, immigration, health, culture, and the environment. 

Task 2 carries double the weight of Task 1 in the writing section, requiring essays that discuss advantages and disadvantages, debate different views, propose solutions to problems, or argue for or against opinions. 

So, to stand out among the 4 million annual test-takers, I extensively practiced these essay types. This preparation helped me become familiar with the format and structure, improving my ability to effectively address various topics within the allotted time. 

Dedicating sufficient practice time to IELTS Writing Task 2 topics to achieve a higher score would be my quick advice to you all as I discuss some common topics for the task 2 of the writing section today.

IELTS Writing Task 2 for Academic

Your ability to articulate and support/oppose an argument or viewpoint on a specific topic will be assessed on IELTS Writing Task 2.

It can be attempted in a formal, semi-formal or neutral tone. The prompts raised are usually the ones that are commonly understood by undergraduate, graduate aspirants, and also by those seeking professional registrations, since the Task 2 is the same for both IELTS Academic and General Training. 

Types of Essay Questions in IELTS Writing Task 2

IELTS Writing Task 2 involves writing a descriptive essay in response to a given statement or situation. Essay types include discussing advantages and disadvantages, debating viewpoints, proposing solutions, or arguing for or against opinions. Practicing these essay types is essential for performing well on the exam.

IELTS Cause (Reasons) and Solutions Essay: 

Give reasons for an issue or problem. The question will state a problem, and applicants need to provide the probable causes and relevant reasons for the problems. 

IELTS Solution Essay: 

Give solutions to problems. Essay topics will outline a specific problem. Applicants will be asked to address the best solutions to stop or solve problems. 

IELTS Agree/Disagree Essay: 

In Writing Task 2, candidates respond to a statement by either agreeing or disagreeing. They must justify their stance in the essay, explaining why they agree or disagree with clear reasons.

IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essays: 

Here, applicants need to draft an essay with advantages and disadvantages and cannot express an opinion or be reasonable. It will be informative.

IELTS Essays Based on Data: 

In IELTS Writing Task 2, candidates may need to write an essay using facts and figures to explain reasons for a situation and analyze its causes. This essay type focuses on providing clear information and discussing why certain events occur.

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Tips for IELTS Writing Task 2: Gear to Score Higher 

For the majority of test-takers, the IELTS Writing section is the most difficult part of the exam. Many English speakers make mistakes with vocabulary, phrase structures, or even spellings when they lose count of time or fudge their essays. 

However, the following advice will help you strengthen your IELTS writing test abilities: 

• Understand the question prompt and make sure you answer the question directly.
• Plan your essay by creating an outline or a mind map to organize your ideas.
• Write an introduction that introduces the topic and presents a clear thesis statement.
• Develop the body paragraphs by providing supporting details and examples that relate to the thesis statement.
• Use transitional words and phrases to connect your ideas and make your writing coherent.
• Use a variety of sentence structures and vocabulary to demonstrate your language proficiency.
• Provide a conclusion that summarizes your main points and restates your thesis in a new way.
• Review your work for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and clarity of expression
• Time management is key; ensure you allocate sufficient time for planning, writing, and reviewing your work.
• Follow a clear essay structure (Introduction, Body Paragraphs, and Conclusion), and ensure you have a clear topic sentence for each body paragraph.

Some Very Common IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics With Questions

IELTS Writing Task 2 requires the aspirant to write a 250-word essay in 40 minutes. Below are some of the common topics for IELTS Writing Task 2. The essay question may change, but the subject of the essay will remain unchanged. 

Each topic will have subtopics that the IELTS test takers must prepare. Start developing ideas and understanding by practicing the most common IELTS essay topics to write a winning essay within the time limit for Band 8.

Art and Design Topic Questions

• Question 1: For a long time, art has been considered an essential part of all cultures in the world. However, people’s values have changed nowadays, and we tend to consider science, technology, and business more important than arts. What do you think are the causes of this? What can be done to draw people’s attention to art?
• Question 2: Studying art in school improves students’ performance in other subjects because it is easier for multi-skilled students to learn new things. That’s why art should be obligatory in schools. Do you agree or disagree?

Education Questions

• Question 1: Students work while studying. This often results in not investing enough time in education and constantly feeling under pressure. What do you think are the causes of this? What solutions can you suggest?
• Question 2: Some people argue that girls and boys should be educated separately, while others think it is more advantageous for children to study at the same school. What is your opinion?
• Question 3: Many feel that the common educational system of teachers and students in a classroom will be replaced by the year 2050. Do you agree with this view? Give your opinion.

Technology Questions

• Question 1: In today’s advanced science and technology world, many still highly value artists such as musicians, painters, and writers. What can art tell us about life that science cannot?
• Question 2: In the digital age, video games, and TV consumption has increased. The same can have deleterious effects on a child's mental health. To what extent would you support this idea? 

Communication and Personality Questions 

• Question 1: With the rise of various social media platforms and text messaging, face-to-face communication will lose its essence. To what extent do you agree?
• Question 2: Some students might not perform well in school but end up doing exceedingly well in life. Why do you think it's the case? 

Economics Questions 

• Question 1: Developing the economy will have ill effects on the environment. To what extent do you agree with the statement?
• Question 2: Many countries now face an economic downturn, so each country should focus on its problems rather than helping other countries. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

Law and Order Questions

• Question 1: In many countries, the age of criminals is going down. Write an answer with reasons and solutions to the problem. 
• Question 2: Some people believe that once a criminal will always be a criminal. Do you speak for or against this statement? 
• Question 3: Many people are behaving very violently in society. Are there ways to prevent them? Speak in support and give solutions to stop such behavior. 

Equality Questions

• Question 1: Nowadays, women and men spend equally on beauty products and cosmetics. This was not so in the past. What is the reason behind such behaviors?

Language and Culture Questions

• Question 1: Some people believe that watching television is good for children. Some think that watching television is not good for children. Which one do you support and why? 
• Question 2: Some people say that success comes with hard work. While some people think that success comes from luck. Which one do you agree with and why? 

Health Questions

• Question 1: Even when rich countries help poor countries economically, there are still issues related to hunger and diseases. What are the causes and solutions to these issues? 
• Question 2: Obesity is a serious problem. Discuss the causes and the solutions to obesity.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics, Answers and Ideas 

Here are a few Writing Task 2 topics with answers that are frequently asked and would be helpful to students.

• Learning English at school is often seen as more important than learning local languages. If these are not taught, many are at risk of dying out. 
• In your opinion, is it important for everyone to learn English? Should we try to ensure the survival of local languages, and if so, how?

Technology

Question: Some people are of the opinion that robots are imperative for the future development of human beings. Whereas some others think that robots have negative effects on society. Discuss both views and give your opinion. 

Ideas: Can talk about its importance, big advances, productivity enhancement, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and more.

Can have negative effects: Unemployment – automation – safe nets need to be in place – the death of citizens – Tesla accident autonomous driving 

Conclusion: Robotics has a lot of advantages that cannot be ignored. More precautions and government legislation are necessary so we don’t have to forego these advances.

Sports

Question: Some people become spendthrifts during cultural or sports events. What is your notion about it? Give your opinion and examples from your experiences.

Good development encourages people to look forward to aspiring for something. This, in turn, begets higher revenues for promoters and performers and contributes to greater monetary and cultural wealth for society.     

Take, for example, the English Premier League (EPL); this entertainment spectacle has brought considerable wealth into cities such as Liverpool, Manchester, and London. When the audiences spend their money to buy the tickets, the football stars get their remuneration. This would lead to qualitative players wanting to play in the EPL, leading to a considerable increase in high-net-worth individuals residing in these cities.     

Following the increasing ticket prices, there has been a positive self-fulfilling cycle of improvement and quality. As the higher prices of tickets would lead to higher tax revenues for the government, this is beneficial for society.

Society

Question: There is a tussle between two sections of people, one of them is that new houses in the local area should be built by following the same method in which the old ones were built. At the same time, others disagree and say that local authorities should allow people to build houses of their own choice. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Introduction: Justify the reason why it should be kept in the same style. Highlight points like higher property values, conformity, uniformity, and cohesion.      
Example: For instance, due to the immense cultural heritage, certain villages of England, such as Cheshire, The Cotswolds, and Howarth, have extreme rules. Starting a McDonald's-style restaurant in one of these areas is considered equal to architectural vandalism.     
Idea: Put a cross argument - Innovates an area with the prospect of highlighting one’s personality - introduces new flavors, styles, and ideas into stale and old areas - can also be made more environmentally friendly - installation of technical innovations like solar cells or even solar panels in roof tiles.      
Conclusion: Both are viable and fair. However, the law should be clear from the beginning, and authorities should ensure that citizens strictly abide. 

Education

Question: Are you of the view that students should work before their university studies? Why?  Use relevant examples and reasons to support your choice.     
Introduction: Elaborate on your position in an easy-to-read style.      
Paragraph 1: This would help in gaining practical experience, contacts, and on-the-job skills. Example: Studies on students in the UK prove that graduates with work experience are twice as likely to find employment.     
Paragraph 2: Chance to improve social skills - bridge the gap between the private sector and academics - help students to decide on their future career paths - for example, 1/6 students will change their higher education course while studying at university after gaining work experience. 

Employment

Question: Working parents strive to achieve a balance between career and family, but only a few manage to achieve it. What is the reason according to you? Discuss possible solutions and provide examples.

Introduction - State your position: It is true that working professionals who have a child find it difficult to balance between career and family. Though very few manage it, most people fail at it. This is because the latter section employs certain techniques by which the balance between career and family is maintained. 

Paragraph 1 – The reason for the imbalance: Increased competition in the workplace - families face strain with an increase in the number of working mothers - changes in society. For example, Studies in the US show that families with two full-time parents are more likely to separate, concluding that maintaining a work-life balance is difficult.

Paragraph 2 – Possible Solutions: Regulations from the government - increasing maternity leave - more flexible working practices - reducing working hours per week - Example: France has a 35-hour working hour per week.  

Public Infrastructure

Topic: Should governments spend more on public transportation or roads?     
Answer Outline: Discuss the benefits of investing in public transportation, such as environmental sustainability, and compare them to the advantages of road development.

Education

Topic: Is homeschooling better than traditional schooling?  
Answer Outline: Weigh the personalized approach of homeschooling against the social and extracurricular benefits of traditional schooling. 

Healthcare & Technology

Topic: The impact of technology on children’s physical health. 
Answer Outline: Explore how excessive screen time and a sedentary lifestyle can affect children's health negatively. 

Arts & Culture

Topic: Should museums and art galleries be free of charge for the general public? 
Answer Outline: Argue for increased accessibility to art and culture, highlighting the societal benefits of free public access to museums and galleries. 

Cultural Heritage

Topic: The importance of preserving historical buildings. 
Answer Outline: Discuss the cultural, historical, and aesthetic value of maintaining historical structures. 

Environment & Wildlife 

Topic: The effects of global warming on wildlife. 
Answer Outline: Examine the impact of climate change on biodiversity, habitat loss, and the survival of various species. 

Education & Society 

Topic: Are uniforms necessary in schools? 
Answer Outline: Debate the merits of school uniforms in promoting equality versus the importance of individual expression. 

Marketing & Media 

Topic: The influence of social media on consumer behavior. 
Answer Outline: Discuss how social media platforms impact consumer choices and spending habits. 

Environmental Policy 

Topic: Should plastic packaging be banned? 
Answer Outline: Explore the environmental repercussions of plastic waste and the feasibility of banning plastic packaging. 

Arts & Society 

Topic: The role of art and music in society. 
Answer Outline: Reflect on how art and music enrich community life, influence culture, and contribute to emotional well-being. 

Career Development 

Topic: Is remote work the future of employment? 
Answer Outline: Discuss the advantages and challenges of remote work in terms of productivity, work-life balance, and the future job market. 

Healthcare 

Topic: The impact of universal healthcare on society. 
Answer Outline: Evaluate the benefits and potential drawbacks of universal healthcare, including its impact on public health and economic implications. 

Technology & Ethics 

Topic: The ethical implications of artificial intelligence. 
Answer Outline: Delve into the ethical concerns around AI, such as privacy, job displacement, and decision-making. 

Urban Development 

Topic: The importance of green spaces in urban areas. 
Answer Outline: Discuss the health, environmental, and social benefits of incorporating green spaces in urban planning. 

Global Economy

Topic: The effects of globalization on local economies. 
Answer Outline: Explore how globalization impacts local businesses, cultural identity, and economic disparities. 

Education & Technology 

Topic: The role of online learning in modern education. 
Answer Outline: Examine the effectiveness, accessibility, and challenges of online learning platforms in contemporary education. 

Renewable Energy 

Topic: The future of renewable energy sources. 
Answer Outline: Discuss the potential of renewable energy sources to meet global energy needs and combat climate change. 

Mental Health 

Topic: The importance of mental health awareness in schools. 
Answer Outline: Highlight the need for mental health education in schools to support student well-being and academic success. 

Tourism 

Topic: The impact of tourism on local communities. 
Answer Outline: Assess the economic benefits versus the cultural and environmental impacts of tourism on local communities. 

Consumer Behavior 

Topic: The influence of advertising on consumer choices. 
Answer Outline: Analyze how advertising shapes consumer perceptions, preferences, and spending habits.

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Conclusion

The IELTS Writing Task 2 covers global issues such as the environment, technology, and social changes. Candidates must discuss these topics clearly and propose solutions. Sample essays and tips are essential for developing critical thinking, organized writing, and language skills necessary for success.  

For IELTS aspirants in 2024, mastering these topics prepares them for academic and professional achievement in a complex, interconnected world, helping them tackle challenges effectively during the exam and in their careers.

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