Common Topics for IELTS Writing Task 2 — Master Them with Confidence!

You never know exactly what question you’ll face in IELTS Writing Task 2, but here’s a secret: certain topics appear over and over again. That’s why familiarising yourself with these themes is a smart strategy to boost your confidence and score.

In this guide, we highlight the most frequent IELTS essay topics, provides sample questions, and shares smart strategies to help you prepare like a pro.

What is IELTS Writing Task 2?

In Task 2, you’re expected to write a formal essay of at least 250 words in about 40 minutes. You could be asked to:

• Give your opinion
• Discuss both views
• Explain problems and solutions
• Evaluate advantages and disadvantages

The topics are usually broad and related to everyday issues. Let’s explore the most common ones.

1. Education

Education is one of the most frequently tested topics. It’s familiar, but questions can be surprisingly complex—covering schooling methods, online learning, teacher roles, and government responsibility.

Sample Questions:

• Many feel that the traditional classroom setup will be obsolete by 2050.
  Do you agree or disagree?
• Education should be free and funded by the government.
  Discuss your opinion.

Have arguments ready for both sides—technology in education, private vs public schooling, and access to education.

2. Technology

Technology influences nearly every part of our lives, which makes it a frequent IELTS topic. Questions often focus on social impact, privacy, or how tech affects children.

Sample Questions:

• Children today watch too much TV and play video games. These are not good for their mental health.
  To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Access to information through technology is becoming too rapid and uncontrolled.
  Is this a threat to society?

Use topic-specific vocabulary like innovation, digital age, surveillance, mental stimulation, screen time.

3. Health

Health-related questions are common, especially around exercise, diet, healthcare systems, and government responsibility.

Sample Questions:

• Older adults are advised to exercise, yet many don’t.
  What are the reasons?
  What solutions can be offered?
• Rising healthcare costs are a concern. Should healthcare be free or privately funded?

Be ready to discuss public health policies, personal responsibility, fitness trends, and access to healthcare.

4. Environment

Environmental issues are a global concern, which is why they often show up in IELTS essays. You might need to write about pollution, sustainability, climate change, or eco-friendly policies.

Sample Questions:

• Some people say economic growth cannot happen without damaging the environment.
  Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• Water pollution is rising.
  What causes it?
  How can we reduce it?

Use environmental terms like sustainability, carbon footprint, renewable energy, conservation, emissions.

5. Government Spending

Who should decide how public money is spent? These questions test your ability to evaluate priorities in society, especially around education, arts, health, and infrastructure.

Sample Questions:

• Governments should cut arts budgets to invest more in education.
  Do you agree?
• Should governments invest more in public transport or road systems?

Use balanced arguments with examples from your country or others to support your ideas.

6. Sociology & Society

These questions focus on people’s behaviour, traditions, societal roles, and cultural shifts.

Sample Questions:

• Many parents put too much pressure on their children to succeed.
  To what extent do you agree?
• Laws are essential for society. Without them, it wouldn’t function.
  Agree or disagree?

Stay formal, even with emotional topics. Avoid personal stories—focus on general trends and social analysis.

Strategies to Tackle Any Topic

Knowing the topics is helpful—but here’s how to get truly comfortable with them:

1. Read the News

Stay informed with articles about global education, health, tech, and society. News reading improves vocabulary and helps you form opinions.

2. Build Topic-Specific Vocabulary

Create mini word banks for each topic. Practice using academic terms in your writing. For example:

• Education: curriculum, tuition, pedagogy, remote learning
• Health: nutrition, fitness, healthcare system, preventive care

3. Practice with Past Questions

Write essays on real IELTS topics. Time yourself. Then review and rewrite using better vocabulary or clearer structure.

4. Prepare for All Essay Types

For each topic, brainstorm how you’d answer:

• Opinion-based essays
• Problem/solution questions
• Advantages vs. disadvantages
• Discussion of two viewpoints

❓FAQs About Writing Task 2

Q: Can I use personal examples?
A: Yes, but they should be generalised—not personal stories. Keep the tone academic.

Q: What is a good structure for Task 2?
A: Introduction → Body Paragraph 1 → Body Paragraph 2 → Conclusion. Use clear topic sentences and linking words.

Q: What’s the ideal length?
A: Minimum is 250 words. Aim for 260–280 for clarity and depth without going off-topic.