IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics 2026: Practice Questions by Theme + Model Essays

IELTS Writing Task 2 questions change every test, but the themes repeat. Education, technology, the environment, work, health, cities and society come up again and again. If you can write confidently about these themes, you’ll rarely be surprised on test day.

This page gives you the five essay types, 30 practice questions by theme in the style of recent exams, and all our model essays to compare your writing with.

Tip: Don’t memorise essays. Examiners spot memorised answers immediately. Instead, learn the vocabulary and ideas for each theme, and practise planning answers in 5 minutes.

The 5 types of Writing Task 2 essay#

Before you write, take 5 minutes to plan. Try the interactive 5-minute essay planner, and check your length with the word counter.

Practice questions by theme (2026)#

Education#

1. Some people think universities should provide graduates with the knowledge and skills needed in the workplace. Others think the true function of a university is to give access to knowledge for its own sake. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
2. Many schools now replace textbooks with tablets and online materials. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
3. Some people believe that children should start learning a foreign language at primary school rather than secondary school. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
4. In many countries, fewer students are choosing to study science subjects at university. Why is this happening, and what effects will it have on society?

Technology and artificial intelligence#

5. Artificial intelligence is increasingly used to make decisions in areas such as hiring and healthcare. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?
6. Some people say that social media has made people less sociable in real life. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
7. Many people now work remotely using online technology. What are the benefits and drawbacks of this for employees and companies?
8. Some believe that children under 12 should not be allowed to own a smartphone. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Environment and climate#

9. Some people think that individuals can do little to tackle climate change and that only governments and large companies can make a difference. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
10. The amount of plastic waste is increasing worldwide. What are the causes of this, and what measures could be taken to reduce it?
11. Some people argue that air travel should be more expensive to reduce its environmental impact. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
12. Many cities are planting more trees and creating green spaces. Why is this important, and how can it be encouraged?

Work and economy#

13. Some people prefer to work for a large company, while others prefer a small one. Discuss the advantages of both and give your opinion.
14. In some countries, people are retiring later than in the past. Is this a positive or negative development?
15. A four-day working week is becoming more popular. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
16. Some people think that a high salary is the most important factor in job satisfaction. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Health and lifestyle#

17. Obesity rates are rising in many countries. What are the causes of this problem, and what can be done to solve it?
18. Some people think that governments should tax unhealthy food to improve public health. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
19. People today spend more time sitting than ever before. What problems does this cause, and what solutions can you suggest?
20. Some believe that healthcare should be completely free for everyone. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Cities, transport and housing#

21. In many cities, the cost of housing is rising faster than incomes. What problems does this cause, and how can governments solve them?
22. Some people think that cars should be banned from city centres. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
23. More and more people are moving from the countryside to cities. Is this a positive or negative development?
24. Should public transport be free for everyone? Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Society, culture and media#

25. Some people believe that traditional cultures will disappear as the world becomes more globalised. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
26. Many young people today look up to celebrities and influencers as role models. Why is this, and is it a positive or negative trend?
27. Some people think that museums and art galleries should be free to visit. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
28. Online news is replacing newspapers in many countries. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?

Government and crime#

29. Some people think that the best way to reduce crime is to give longer prison sentences. Others believe there are better alternatives. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
30. Some argue that governments should spend more money on public services than on space exploration. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Model essays to compare with#

Each of these pages has a full Task 2 question, a Band 8-style model essay and notes on structure and vocabulary. Write your own answer first, then compare.

How to prepare for any Task 2 topic#

1. Collect ideas by theme. For each theme above, note two or three arguments on each side. Use them flexibly instead of memorising essays.
2. Learn topic vocabulary. Use the topic vocabulary and collocations tool and the Lexical Resource guide.
3. Practise the structure: introduction (paraphrase and position), two body paragraphs (one main idea each, with an example) and a conclusion.
4. Check your grammar: take the free IELTS grammar test to find the errors you make most often.
5. Get feedback. You can’t improve what nobody marks. Ask a teacher, or get an instant AI band score.

Frequently Asked Questions#

What are the most common IELTS Writing Task 2 topics?#

Education, technology, the environment, work, health, cities and transport, society and culture, crime and government spending. Most questions are variations on these themes.

Will these exact questions appear in my IELTS test?#

Probably not. Real questions change every test, and nobody can predict them. These are practice questions on the themes that appear most often, written in the same style as recent exams.

How many words should a Writing Task 2 essay be?#

At least 250 words. Most strong essays are around 260–300 words. Writing much more leaves less time to check for mistakes.

How long should I spend on Writing Task 2?#

About 40 minutes, including 5 minutes to plan and 3–5 minutes to check. Task 2 is worth twice as much as Task 1, so don’t spend more than 20 minutes on Task 1.