IELTS Essay Questions by Essay Type What should I plan before I start writing? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. You should have a clear outline of the following before you start your essay: identifying the issues in the essay question brainstorming main points choosing the best main points planning supporting points organising paragraphs IELTS Essay Questions by Essay Type Opinion Essay Questions Discussion Essay Questions Solution Essay Questions Direct Questions Essay Titles Advantage / Disadvantage Essay Questions Opinion Essay Questions Below are some IELTS opinion essay sample questions which can come in writing task 2. Another name for these essays is argumentative essays. Opinion Essays Tips 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. spend at least 5 minutes analysing the words and ideas in the statement make sure your answer is a complete answer which addresses all parts of the task give a clear opinion stay true to your opinion throughout your essay follow a safe opinion essay model IELTS Opinion Essay Sample Questions a) "Prevention is better than cure". Researching and treating diseases is too costly so it would be better to invest in preventative measures. To what extent do you agree. b) With the increased global demand in oil and gas, undiscovered areas of the world should be opened up to access more resources. To what extent do you agree? c) We live in a world of technology these days. While the internet brings with it clear advantages, the problems in terms of control and security of information outweighs the advantages. To what extent do you agree? d) In many countries today, parents are able to choose to send their children to single-sex schools or coeducational schools. Some people think that children going to single-sex schools have disadvantages later in life. To what extent do you agree? e) Scientists and technology experts seem to be more valued by modern society than musicians and artists. To what extent do you agree? f) Some people think that success is the best measure for intelligence, while others think that intelligence can be measured in other ways. What is your opinion? g) Some people believe that men and women are equal and so women should be able to do any job they want. Others feel that men and women are not equal and therefore there are certain jobs which are not suitable for women. What is your opinion? h) Some people think that more money should be spent on protecting endangered species while others think it is a waste of valuable money. What is your opinion? Discussion Essay Questions Below is a list of IELTS discussion essay sample questions for IELTS writing task 2. These are also known as two sided essays. Discussion Essay Tips 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. identify both sides find supporting points for both side only give your opinion if the task asks for it use discussion essay language follow a safe discussion essay model IELTS Discussion Essay Sample Questions Some people think that environmental problems should be solved on a global scale while others believe it is better to deal with them nationally. Discuss both sides and give your opinion. All parents want the best opportunities for their children. There are some people who think that schools should teach children skills but others think having a range of subjects is better for a children's future. Discuss both sides and give your opinion. There seems to be an increasing number of serious crimes committed each year. While some think the best way is to use the death penalty as a deterrent, many people believe that other measures will be needed. Discuss both sides. Some people think that getting a degree from university is the best way to guarantee a good job, others believe that it would be better to go straight into work and get experience instead. Discuss both sides and give your opinion. Some people think that exercise is the key to health while others feel that having a balanced diet is more important. Discuss both sides and give your opinion. It is thought by some that its is better to live in a city while others believe that life is better in the countryside. Discuss both sides and give your opinion. Some people think that the internet has brought people closer together while others think that people and communities are become more isolated. Discuss both sides and give your opinion. Solution Essay Questions Below is a list of IELTS solution essay sample questions. These types of essays are usually ask you to either give solutions or causes and solutions. IELTS Solution Essay Tips 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. read the instructions carefully — do you need to give only solutions or both causes and solutions spend time planning your main points and supporting points put the causes in one body paragraph and the solutions in another use flexible language of cause and consequences use a safe solution essay model to follow IELTS Solution Essay Sample Questions In many developing countries, there is a problem with declining quality of air and water from both industry and construction. What measures could be taken to prevent this? With the development of social media, more and more youngsters are being allowed unsupervised access to the internet in order to meet and chat with friends which can lead to potentially dangerous situations. What solutions can you suggest to deal with this problem? Overpopulation in many major urban centers around the world is a major problem. What are the causes of this? How can this problem be solved? More and more wild animals are on the verge of extinction and others are on the endangered list. What are the reasons for this? What can be done to solve this problem? Many small, local shops are closing as they are unable to compete with large supermarkets in the area. How does this effect local communities? How could this situation be improved? An increasing number of professionals, such as doctors and teachers, are leaving their own poorer countries to work in developed countries. What problems does this cause? What solutions can you suggest to deal with this situation? Direct Questions Essay Titles Below is a list of sample essay questions for IELTS direct questions essays which can come in writing task 2. These essay types are also known as two question essays (although it is possible to get more than two questions) Direct Questions Essay Tips 1. 2. 3. 4. spend time planning the answers to the questions each question must have one main point as an answer put the answer to each question in a separate body paragraph follow a safe direct questions essay model Direct Questions Sample Titles News plays an important part of most people's lives. Why is news so important to people? Why is so much news dedicated to bad news? Should the news focus on good news instead? Most people agree that money cannot be happiness. Why is happiness difficult to define? How can people achieve happiness? Success is often measured by wealth and material belongings. Do you think wealth is the best measure of success? What makes a successful person? The internet is a great course of information and has opened up opportunities for people to learn all over the world. Is all information reliable on the internet? What could be done to control information online? Art and music are considered some of the fundamental elements of all societies. Do you think art and music still have a place in today's modern world of technology? Should children spend more time learning art and music at school? It is often said "when is Rome, do as the Romans do". Do you think people should adapt and accept the culture of the country they are visit? do you think it is possible to learn a culture without learning the language? Advantage / Disadvantage Essay Questions Below is a list of IELTS sample essay questions for advantage / disadvantage essays in writing task 2. These essay types are often taught together with discussion essays but I think it is worth studying them separately to be better prepared. Advantage / Disadvantage Essay Tips 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. spend time planning the benefits and drawbacks of the statement given make sure you have relevant supporting points put your advantages together in one body paragraph and the same with the disadvantages follow a safe advantage disadvantage essay model IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Sample Essay Questions It is becoming increasingly popular to have a year off between finishing school and going to university. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this? Some people think that it would be better for large companies and industry to move to regional areas outside large urban centers. Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? With the rise of e-books comes the decline in paper books. Some people see this as a good step forward while others do not. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend? The rise of convenience foods has helped people keep up with the speed of the modern life style. What are the advantages of this trend? Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? There seems to be an increasing trend towards assessing students through exams rather than continual assessment. What are the advantages and disadvantages of exams as a form of assessment? Space exploration costs tax payers an exorbitant amount of money each year. What are the advantages and disadvantage of spending money on space exploration? Many elderly people are no long looked after by their families but are put in care homes or nursing homes. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend? It is often considered that change is more beneficial to people than trying to avoid it and have everything remain the same. Do you think the advantages of change outweigh the disadvantages?
