Quick answer: IELTS Writing Task 2 topics cover 5 main categories: Education & Work, Technology & Society, Environment & Health, Government & Society, and Culture & Globalization. The 5 question types are: Opinion (Agree/Disagree), Discussion (Both Views), Advantages & Disadvantages, Problem & Solution, and Two-Part Question. Mastering the structure for each type is more important than memorizing topics.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics 2026: 100+ Practice Questions by Category
IELTS Writing Task 2 topics change every test, but they always fall into the same categories. Below are 100+ real and predicted topics organized by theme, with actual question formats so you can practice under exam conditions.
Last verified: April 2026. New topics added each quarter based on reported exam content.
Pick a 2026 topic and get your essay scored
Choose a question from this list, write at least 50 words, and the free scorer will mark your essay against that exact question. No account needed.
Opens the free essay scorer with your essay and question filled in.
Education & Work
Online vs. traditional education
University as a necessity
Remote work impact
Lifelong learning
Don't just collect topics — find out what you'd score
Pick any topic above, write your answer, and receive an automated practice estimate across all 4 IELTS criteria with sentence-level feedback before test day.
Technology & Society
Social media effects
AI and jobs
Screen time for children
Technology dependence
Environment & Health
Climate change responsibility
Healthy diet costs
Mental health awareness
Sports funding
Government & Society
Censorship of internet
Age of criminal responsibility
Public transport investment
Space exploration spending
Culture & Globalization
Globalization and identity
Tourism impact
English as global language
Traditional vs. modern values
Practice These Topics Now with AI Feedback
Pick any topic above, write your essay, and get instant examiner-aligned scoring on all 4 criteria. Most students discover their actual band is 0.5-1.0 lower than they expected.
Start WritingStart for free · No credit card required
The 5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Question Types
Topics change, but question types don't. Every Task 2 essay falls into one of these 5 formats. Understanding the structure for each type is the single most effective preparation strategy.
| Question Type | How to Identify It | Essay Structure |
|---|---|---|
| Opinion (Agree/Disagree) | "To what extent do you agree or disagree?" | Introduction -> Your position -> Reason 1 -> Reason 2 -> Concession -> Conclusion |
| Discussion (Both Views) | "Discuss both views and give your opinion" | Introduction -> View 1 -> View 2 -> Your opinion -> Conclusion |
| Advantages & Disadvantages | "Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?" | Introduction -> Advantages -> Disadvantages -> Your view -> Conclusion |
| Problem & Solution | "What problems does this cause and what solutions exist?" | Introduction -> Problem 1 -> Problem 2 -> Solution 1 -> Solution 2 -> Conclusion |
| Two-Part Question | "Why is this happening? What can be done about it?" | Introduction -> Answer Q1 -> Answer Q2 -> Conclusion |
5 Mistakes That Cost You a Full Band in Task 2
- 1.Memorizing essays. Examiners are trained to spot memorized content. You'll be penalized heavily — potentially dropped a full band. Learn structures, not essays.
- 2.Writing under 250 words. You lose marks in Task Response automatically. Aim for 270-300 to give yourself a buffer.
- 3.No clear position. If the examiner can't tell what you think by the end of paragraph 1, you've already lost marks. State your position clearly in the introduction.
- 4.Using big words incorrectly. "Utilize" instead of "use" doesn't impress — it signals unnatural vocabulary. Simple, accurate words score higher than complex, misused ones.
- 5.Running out of time. Spend 5 minutes planning, 35 writing, and 5 checking. Most students skip planning — then write disorganized essays that lose Coherence marks.
Band 7+ Model Answers
Below are three sample essays written at Band 7.5 level. Study their structure, vocabulary, and argument development — then practice applying these patterns to other topics.
Sample 1: Opinion Essay (Agree/Disagree)
Sample 2: Discussion Essay (Both Views)
Sample 3: Problem & Solution Essay
Practice these structures with AI feedback →