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IELTS Writing Task 2 Questions

35 practice questions, grouped by essay type. Write at least 250 words in 40 minutes. On IELTS HACKER you write them on the test screen and get an instant band estimate.

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Opinion essays

In many countries, admission to university is decided almost entirely by students' results in a single national examination. Some people argue that this is the fairest way to select students. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Some people think that students should not be allowed to use artificial intelligence tools, such as chatbots, for their coursework, because these tools discourage independent thinking. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Some people believe that university education should be free for all students, regardless of their financial circumstances. Others believe that students should contribute towards the cost of their education. To what extent do you agree or disagree that university education should be free for everyone? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Some people believe that individual actions have little impact on protecting the environment, while others argue that individual choices can make a significant difference. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Some people believe that job satisfaction is more important than earning a high salary, while others consider salary to be the most important factor when choosing a job. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used to perform tasks that were previously carried out by humans. Is this a positive or negative development? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Some people believe that governments should invest more money in public transport than in building new roads. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Discussion essays

Some people believe that teenagers who commit serious crimes should be punished in the same way as adults. Others think that young offenders should be treated differently. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Some people think that city centres should be closed to private cars and reserved for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport. Others believe this would harm local businesses and make life more difficult for residents. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Some people believe that children learn more effectively in traditional classrooms, while others think that online learning is more effective. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Some people believe that environmental problems can only be solved through international cooperation, while others think that individual countries should be responsible for addressing their own environmental problems. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Some people believe that children should be taught to be competitive in order to succeed in life, while others think that cooperation is more important. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Some people believe that employees should be allowed to work from home whenever possible, while others think that working in an office is better for both employees and employers. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Some people believe that governments should spend more money on scientific research, while others think that public funds should be prioritised for healthcare and education. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Advantages and disadvantages essays

Some popular tourist cities have started charging visitors a daily fee simply for entering the historic city centre. Do the advantages of this policy outweigh the disadvantages? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Thanks to the internet, a growing number of young people now work for companies based in other countries without leaving their home country. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
An increasing number of students choose to complete their university education in a foreign country rather than in their home country. What are the advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Many companies now allow employees to work remotely rather than attend a workplace every day. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
In many cities, governments are encouraging people to replace petrol and diesel vehicles with electric vehicles. Do the advantages of this change outweigh the disadvantages? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
People increasingly use social media platforms to maintain relationships and share information instead of meeting others in person. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this development? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Online shopping has become increasingly popular, and many people now purchase goods online instead of visiting physical shops. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Problem and solution essays

In many countries, young adults are getting far less sleep than they need. What are the causes of this problem, and what measures could be taken to solve it? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
In many cities, large quantities of food are thrown away every day by households, restaurants and shops. Why does this happen, and what can be done to reduce the amount of food that is wasted? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Many large cities are experiencing serious traffic congestion. What are the main causes of this problem, and what measures could be taken to solve it? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
The amount of household waste produced by people is increasing in many countries. What are the main causes of this increase, and what effects does it have on the environment and society? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
In many countries, an increasing number of people are becoming overweight. What are the main causes of this problem, and what measures could governments and individuals take to address it? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
In many cities, housing costs have increased to the point where ordinary working people struggle to afford suitable accommodation. What problems does this situation cause, and what solutions could governments introduce? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Many children spend several hours a day using smartphones, computers and other digital devices. What problems can this cause, and what measures could parents and schools take to address them? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Two-part question essays

In many countries, fewer adult children now live with or close to their elderly parents than in the past. Why is this happening? Is it a positive or negative development? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Many people, particularly the young, now get most of their news from social media rather than from newspapers or television. Why is this happening? What problems might this cause? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
In many countries, fewer young people are choosing to study science subjects at university. Why is this happening? What could be done to encourage more students to study science? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
People in many countries are living longer than they did in the past. Why has life expectancy increased? What challenges can an ageing population create for society? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Children are increasingly using digital devices from an early age. Why has this become common? Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
People in many countries are buying more goods than they need. Why has this become common? What effects can this trend have on individuals and society? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Some people believe that young adults should gain work experience immediately after finishing school, while others think that they should continue their education. What are the reasons for these different views? Which approach do you think is better for young people? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Band 8+ sample answer

In many countries, admission to university is decided almost entirely by students' results in a single national examination. Some people argue that this is the fairest way to select students. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

In many education systems, a student's university place depends almost entirely on how well they perform in one nationwide examination. Supporters claim that no method is fairer. While I accept that a common examination has genuine strengths, I largely disagree that relying on it so heavily is the fairest way to select students.

Admittedly, a single national test offers a level of transparency that other methods struggle to match. Every candidate answers the same questions under the same conditions, and scripts are usually marked anonymously, which makes it difficult for personal connections or wealth to influence the outcome directly. Where corruption in admissions is a real concern, this impartiality is valuable, and it is understandable that families trust a clear score more than an interview or a reference letter.

However, equal treatment on examination day does not guarantee equal opportunity. Students from wealthier families can afford months of private coaching in exam technique, whereas those in rural or low-income areas often prepare with limited resources. As a result, the score frequently reflects access to tutoring as much as genuine ability. Furthermore, a single sitting magnifies the role of chance: illness, anxiety or a family crisis on one particular morning can undo years of consistent effort. A system that ignores a student's school record and personal circumstances therefore measures only a narrow slice of their potential.

In conclusion, a national examination is a useful safeguard against favouritism, but treating it as almost the only criterion is not genuinely fair. A more effective approach would be to combine exam results with continuous assessment and some recognition of disadvantage, so that admission reflects what students have achieved over time rather than on a single day.