IELTS Essay Topics: Most IELTS Writing Task 2 candidates are concerned about the IELTS essay topics that will be assigned to them. They are concerned about being assigned an unfamiliar topic and not having enough good ideas or vocabulary to complete the task. This article will assist you by providing the most common IELTS essay topics and demonstrating how to write an essay and how to use them to achieve higher scores.
- Why is it Important to be Familiar with IELTS Essay Topics?
- How does Vocabulary Help in IELTS Essay?
- IELTS Essay Questions Types
- Recent IELTS Writing Topics and Questions
Why is it Important to be Familiar with IELTS Essay Topics?
You will have a huge advantage if you are familiar with the most common topics because you will be better at two of the most important things:
- Consideration of relevant ideas
- Vocabulary
Generating Ideas
One of the most common concerns is a lack of sufficient ideas to complete the essay. However, keep in mind that IELTS is not a test of your knowledge; rather, it is a test of your English. The examiners do not expect you to be an expert on the essay topic; instead, they expect you to demonstrate your ability to write clearly and persuasively in English.
You should also understand that IELTS is a global exam, and when exam writers write the questions, their main concern is writing questions that nearly everyone in the world can understand. Common IELTS essay topics include education, crime, and health. Everyone in the world has an opinion on these everyday topics, and you must understand that the examiners are not looking for the ‘best’ ideas, but rather for ideas that are relevant.
How about we take an example question about development aid
You don’t have to come up with the “best” ideas; just come up with two that are relevant to this question. The following are some of the reasons why wealthy countries should pitch in:
- It is morally correct to do so.
- They are legally bound by international law.
- Failure to assist will result in many deaths and suffering.
- They have more than enough cash to do so.
- It is in their best interests to do so for the sake of global peace and security.
- Some of their own citizens may have been involved in the disaster.
- Every wealthy country has a disaster relief fund in its budget.
- They, too, may face a disaster and require assistance from the international community.
How does Vocabulary Help in IELTS Essay?
Vocabulary accounts for 25% of your marks and is directly related to IELTS essay topics. Topic-specific vocabulary is one of the main ways the examiner will judge your vocabulary. The idea is that someone with a broad vocabulary should be able to easily discuss any of the common essay topics using topic-specific words.
If the question was about development aid, you would be expected to use words such as ‘international aid,’ ‘wealthy,’ ‘developed,’ ‘developing,’ ‘earthquake,’ ‘hurricane, “relief fund,’ ‘obligation, “moral,’ and so on. These are the words you use specifically to discuss the essay topic. You are not required to use these words, but they would be beneficial.
Therefore, the more familiar you are with the topic, the more ‘topic-specific’ vocabulary you will know, and the higher your score. By knowing the most common IELTS essay topics, you can focus on key vocabulary. Here are some of the most common topics and keywords you should know.
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IELTS Essay Questions Types
IELTS essay writing topics are typically divided into sections. The IELTS exam will include essays of the following types:
- Essays of Opinion: In this type of essay, you must express your thoughts on the given topic. Naturally, having prior knowledge of common IELTS exam topics is the best way to score high in such essays.
- Essays for Debate: In the case of discussion essays, candidates must present an argument for or against any given topic. These types of essays are the most common in the IELTS exam.
- Essays on Solutions: You must provide a solution to a specific problem in solution essays. At times, candidates may be asked why a particular issue occurred, and they must provide their opinion on the matter.
- Essays on Advantages and Disadvantages: Students must write about the positive and negative aspects of a specific topic in this type of essay. Such essays put your argument construction skills to the test, as well as your ability to use English to make your point as clearly and coherently as possible.
- Essays on Direct Questions: The topics for this type of essay will be provided as a direct question to which students must respond based on their experiences and thoughts.
Recent IELTS Writing Topics and Questions
The answer is both yes and no. You will obviously be unable to predict the exact topic that will be discussed. Simply put, there are too many to do this, and if you knew exactly what the topic would be, it would be an easy test. So, if you’re wondering, “What kind of essays are asked in IELTS?” don’t be concerned. Here is a list of IELTS essay topics for all candidates preparing for the IELTS exam.
Culture and Tradition IELTS Essay Topics
- The government spends money on arts in the same way that it does on music and theatre, which is considered a waste of money. Do you believe the government should invest more in improving public services? Do you concur? If not, why not?
- Many monuments that contribute to our cultural diversity are legally protected and rebuilt. Some people believe that these structures should be demolished and replaced with new ones. How important is it to put more effort into maintaining monuments? Do you believe that by preserving them, history is impeding progress?
Environment Essay Topics for IELTS
- What are the major issues that have led to developed countries becoming major contributors to global warming, in your opinion? What are the primary causes of global warming?
- Global warming is one of the most pressing issues confronting the environment. What steps can the government take to address such issues?
- Overpopulation in the country is a serious problem that has caused a slew of issues. Elaborate on one or two serious issues and propose a viable solution that governments can implement.
IELTS Essay Topics on Media
- Do you believe that celebrities are mistreated by the media, or that it is the price they must pay for their celebrity? Regardless of celebrity, should their privacy be respected or not?
- Unintentionally, the media has had a negative impact on children. They frequently end up watching violence, which is not recommended at such a young age. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
- What are your thoughts on media agencies’ use of deceptive advertising?
- What effect do computer games have on today’s children? Is it promoting or hindering their development? Why? Why not? Support your answer with specific reasons and examples.
Education-Related IELTS Essay Topics
- Education is a basic human right. As a result, it should be free for everyone, regardless of personal wealth. Do you agree with it or disagree?
- While few people believe that a university education helps graduates get better jobs. Others believe that education through universities has numerous broader benefits. Explain these points and express your opinion.
- Do you agree that educational activities should be included in children’s free time? What are your thoughts on this debate?
- Co-educational schools are thought to be superior to separate education for boys and girls. Discuss both sides and express your own viewpoint.
IELTS Essay Topics on Food
- Many of the children in our neighborhood are obese or overweight. What, in your opinion, has caused this widespread problem among children? What steps can be taken to address this?
- To keep up with the fast-paced world, many of us have begun to substitute fast food for main meals. What are the advantages of this step, in your opinion, that outweigh the disadvantages?
- The media has portrayed the image of a young woman as a thin lady in recent years. What, in your opinion, are the problems caused by this conception?
IELTS Essay Topics on Crime and Punishment
- People believe that rather than incarcerating certain criminals, they should be forced to perform community service. To what extent do you concur?
- To what extent do you believe technology has aided in the reduction of crime?
- Teenagers are increasingly committing crimes in some societies. As a result, they believe they should be punished as adults. What are the disadvantages, in your opinion?
- Do you believe that having more police officers on the streets will reduce a country’s overall crime rate?
- According to studies, the majority of young children who commit crimes have been abused in some way by their parents.
Other IELTS Essay Topics
- Some people believe that parents should teach their children how to be good citizens. Others, on the other hand, believe that school is the best place to learn this. Discuss both points of view and express your own.
- Some argue that the government should not invest in the construction of theatres and sports stadiums. Others argue that more money should be spent on medical care and education. Discuss both points of view and express your opinion.
- Violence-themed films and computer games are popular. Some argue that they are harmful to society and should be prohibited, while others argue that they are simply harmless recreation. Discuss both sides and express your own viewpoint.
Conclusion
We hope that this blog on IELTS essay topics has given you a better understanding of the types of questions that may be asked of you during the exam.