IELTS Writing Task 2 is a test of English language proficiency and is a part of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam. In this task, test takers are presented with a prompt and are asked to write a 250-word essay in response to it. The prompt may be an opinion statement, a discussion of a problem or issue, or a statement of fact. The task is designed to assess a test taker’s ability to write a clear, well-organized, and coherent essay in English.
It is scored on four criteria:
Task Achievement (how well you address the task and present key features and trends).
Coherence and Cohesion (how well you organize your response and use appropriate language to connect ideas).
Lexical Resource : (your use of vocabulary and range of language).
Grammatical Range and Accuracy (your use of grammar and sentence structure).
Different Types of IELTS Writing task
IELTS Writing Task 2 is divided into different types of prompts or question types, which test different skills and require different approaches. The main types of IELTS Writing Task 2 prompts include:
- Opinion essay: In this type of prompt, test takers are asked to give their opinion on a particular topic or issue. This type of essay tests a test taker’s ability to express and support their own point of view.
- Discussion essay: In this type of prompt, test takers are asked to discuss both sides of an issue or problem. This type of essay tests a test taker’s ability to analyze and evaluate different points of view.
- Advantage/Disadvantage essay: In this type of prompt, test takers are asked to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a particular topic or issue. This type of essay tests a test taker’s ability to identify and explain different perspectives on a topic.
- Problem and Solution essay: In this type of prompt, test takers are asked to describe a problem and suggest solutions for it. This type of essay tests a test taker’s ability to analyze a problem and propose effective solutions.
- Direct Question essay: In this type of prompt, test takers are asked to respond directly to a question. This type of essay tests a test taker’s ability to understand and respond to a specific question.
It’s important to note that you will be given only one task out of these 5 types in your IELTS writing test.
10 opinion based sample questions
Here are ten sample IELTS Writing Task 2 opinion essay prompts:
- Some people argue that homework is necessary for students to succeed, while others argue that it is an unnecessary burden. What is your opinion on homework and why?
- Many people believe that traditional forms of art, such as painting and sculpture, are becoming less relevant in the digital age. Do you agree or disagree with this statement and why?
- Some people argue that the use of animals in scientific research is necessary for medical progress, while others believe that it is cruel and unnecessary. What is your opinion on the use of animals in research and why?
- Some people believe that the internet has had a negative impact on society, while others believe it has had a positive impact. What is your opinion on the impact of the internet on society and why?
- Some people argue that the government should provide free college education, while others argue that it should be the responsibility of individuals to pay for their own education. What is your opinion on government funding for college education and why?
- Some people argue that the use of drones for military operations is an effective way to minimize risk to human soldiers, while others believe that it is unethical and inhumane. What is your opinion on the use of drones in military operations and why?
- Some people argue that the use of genetically modified crops is necessary to feed the growing population, while others believe that it is dangerous and unnecessary. What is your opinion on the use of genetically modified crops and why?
- Some people believe that the rise of online shopping has had a negative impact on local businesses, while others believe it has had a positive impact. What is your opinion on the impact of online shopping on local businesses and why?
- Some people argue that capital punishment is a necessary deterrent to crime, while others believe that it is inhumane and ineffective. What is your opinion on capital punishment and why?
- Some people believe that the use of artificial intelligence in various industries will lead to job displacement, while others believe it will lead to new job opportunities. What is your opinion on the impact of artificial intelligence on job market and why?
Please keep in mind that these are just sample prompts and the actual prompts you will receive in the actual IELTS test may vary.
10 Discussion essay sample questions
Here are ten sample IELTS Writing Task 2 discussion essay prompts:
- Some people believe that the increasing use of technology in the workplace has led to increased productivity, while others argue that it has led to decreased face-to-face communication and social skills. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
- The use of renewable energy sources is becoming increasingly popular, but some argue that it is not yet feasible to rely solely on renewable energy. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
- Some argue that the use of standardized testing is the best way to measure a student’s knowledge and aptitude, while others argue that it is a flawed and unreliable method. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
- The use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food production is a controversial topic. Some argue that it is necessary to feed the world’s growing population, while others argue that it is unsafe and unnecessary. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
- Some people argue that the internet has had a negative impact on privacy and security, while others argue that it has improved communication and access to information. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
- The use of self-driving cars is becoming increasingly popular, but some argue that it is not yet safe for widespread use. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
- Some argue that the use of nuclear energy is necessary to meet the world’s energy needs, while others argue that it is too dangerous and should be phased out. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
- The use of social media is becoming increasingly popular, but some argue that it has led to a decline in face-to-face communication and real human connection. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
- Some argue that the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture is necessary to feed the world’s growing population, while others argue that it is unsafe and unnecessary. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
- The use of video surveillance in public places is becoming increasingly popular, but some argue that it is an invasion of privacy. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Please keep in mind that these are just sample prompts and the actual prompts you will receive in the actual IELTS test may vary.
10 Advantage/Disadvantage essay sample questions
Sure, here are ten sample IELTS Writing Task 2 advantage/disadvantage essay prompts:
- Advances in technology have brought many benefits, but they have also brought some drawbacks. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of technology and give your own opinion.
- The use of renewable energy sources is becoming increasingly popular, but it has both advantages and disadvantages. Discuss both and give your own opinion.
- The use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food production has both advantages and disadvantages. Discuss both and give your own opinion.
- The use of social media has both advantages and disadvantages. Discuss both and give your own opinion.
- The use of video surveillance in public places has both advantages and disadvantages. Discuss both and give your own opinion.
- The use of self-driving cars has both advantages and disadvantages. Discuss both and give your own opinion.
- The use of nuclear energy has both advantages and disadvantages. Discuss both and give your own opinion.
- The use of artificial intelligence has both advantages and disadvantages. Discuss both and give your own opinion.
- The use of standardized testing has both advantages and disadvantages. Discuss both and give your own opinion.
- The use of drones has both advantages and disadvantages. Discuss both and give your own opinion.
10 Problem and Solution essay sample questions
Here are ten sample IELTS Writing Task 2 problem and solution essay prompts:
- Traffic congestion is a major problem in many cities around the world. What are the causes of this problem and what solutions can be proposed to alleviate it?
- Climate change is a global problem that affects all of us. What are the causes of this problem and what solutions can be proposed to address it?
- Air pollution is a major problem in many cities around the world. What are the causes of this problem and what solutions can be proposed to reduce it?
- The gap between rich and poor is a growing problem in many countries. What are the causes of this problem and what solutions can be proposed to address it?
- Increasing numbers of people are living in poverty. What are the causes of this problem and what solutions can be proposed to address it?
- Cyber crime is becoming a growing problem. What are the causes of this problem and what solutions can be proposed to address it?
- The problem of waste management is becoming increasingly important. What are the causes of this problem and what solutions can be proposed to address it?
- The problem of overfishing is becoming increasingly important. What are the causes of this problem and what solutions can be proposed to address it?
- The problem of deforestation is becoming increasingly important. What are the causes of this problem and what solutions can be proposed to address it?
- The problem of water scarcity is becoming increasingly important. What are the causes of this problem and what solutions can be proposed to address it?
10 Direct Question essay sample questions
Here are ten sample IELTS Writing Task 2 direct question essay prompts:
- To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “The most important thing a government can do for its citizens is to provide them with a good education.”
- To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “The best way to reduce crime is to increase the number of police on the streets.”
- To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “The best way to improve public health is to increase taxes on unhealthy foods.”
- To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “The best way to address climate change is to invest in renewable energy sources.”
- To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “The use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food production is necessary to feed the world’s growing population.”
- To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “The use of social media has had a negative impact on our ability to communicate and connect with others.”
- To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “The use of video surveillance in public places is necessary to ensure public safety.”
- To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “The use of self-driving cars will make our roads safer.”
- To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “The use of nuclear energy is necessary to meet the world’s energy needs.”
- To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “The use of artificial intelligence in various industries will lead to job displacement.”