IELTS essay topics

Strive to produce a 5-paragraph essay in response to these prompts. Ideal timing is 40 minutes or less.

  • Doctors, nurses, and teachers make a great contribution to society and should be paid more than entertainment and sports celebrities. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • Many teenagers are encouraged by their parents to get a part time job. What are the advantages and disadvantages of teenagers working part time?

  • Some people think that fast food companies should not be allowed to advertise. Other people think that all companies should have the right to advertise. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

  • Some people think that government is responsible for the rise in childhood obesity. Other people think that childhood obesity is parents’ fault. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

  • Some people think that only the government can make significant changes in society. Other people think that individuals can have a lot of influence. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

  • Many people commit further crimes as soon as they are released from prison. What do you think are the causes of this? What solutions can you suggest?

  • Poverty is the reason behind most crimes. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • As many digital tools translate quickly and accurately, learning foreign languages is a waste of time. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • When people travel to places with a different culture, they should adopt the local customs and practices. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • The number of people working from home has grown tremendously. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?

  • Paying all workers in a company the same salary promotes harmony and respect. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • In many cities, a high volume of traffic is a problem. What are the causes of high traffic density and what can be done to reduce it?

  • The best way to support homeless people is to give them money. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • The best way to promote good health is to exercise daily. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • The government should give money to creative people like artists and musicians, because they usually don’t make very high salaries. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • Discipline is a problem in many schools. Some people think that discipline is the teachers’ responsibility. Other people think that it is the parents’ responsibility. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

  • Some children are told that if they try hard enough, they can become successful at anything. What are the advantages and disadvantages of giving children this message?

  • Some museums charge for admission while others are free. Do the advantages of charging for admission outweigh the disadvantages?

  • Some parents buy their children a large number of toys to play with. What are the advantages and disadvantages of children owning many toys?

  • Some people claim that not enough of the waste from homes is recycled. They say the only way to increase recycling is to make it a legal requirement. To what extent do you think laws are needed to make people recycle more of their waste?

  • International sporting events can be beneficial for the host country, but there can also be drawbacks. Do the benefits of these events outweigh the drawbacks?

  • For many people, work/life balance is difficult to achieve. Why is it difficult to achieve and how can people try to achieve it?

  • Some people spend very large sums of money on wedding celebrations. What are the advantages and disadvantages of spending a lot of money on a wedding?

  • Some people think that success in life comes from hard work, dedication, and motivation. Other people think that success depends on other important factors like good luck or physical appearance. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

  • Public parks could be better used for residential or commercial activities that boost the economy. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • Some people are vegetarians. What are some reasons for choosing to be a vegetarian? To what extent do you support these reasons?

  • In some schools, students wear a uniform every day. What are the advantages and disadvantages of wearing a uniform to school?

  • The most important consideration when choosing a job is the salary. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • In many nations, people live well beyond age 65. In what ways can society benefit from the contributions of older people?

  • Some people think that history is one of the most important school subjects. Other people think that science is more important than history. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

  • People have too many choices nowadays. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • In some countries, it is compulsory for drivers to retake a driving exam once every 5 years. What are the advantages and disadvantages of retaking the test every 5 years?

  • In spite of advances in agriculture, many people around the world are undernourished. Why is this the case? What can be done about this problem?

  • Living in a country where you have to speak a foreign language can cause serious social problems, as well as practical problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • Some athletes use illegal, performance-enhancing drugs in sports. What are the reasons for this? What measures should be taken to combat this?

  • Unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school programs. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • Some people think that the teenage years are the happiest time of most people’s lives. Other people think that adult life brings more happiness, in spite of greater responsibilities. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

  • Every year, several languages die out. Some people think this is not important because life will be easier when there are fewer languages in the world. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • Living in a big city provides more benefits than living in a rural place. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • It was predicted that people living in the 21st century would have more free time than ever, because of advancements in technology. To what extent is this prediction true?

  • Some people think that children should have several short breaks from school throughout the year, rather than one long break over the summer. Other people think that one longer break is best. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

  • Most people agree that money cannot buy happiness. Why is happiness difficult to define? How can people achieve happiness?

  • Nowadays the age at which women are having their first child is increasing. Why are many women delaying their first pregnancy? Is this a good thing or a bad thing for society?

  • Mental health is a growing concern for many people around the world. What are some reasons for poor mental health, and what can governments do to support citizens’ mental health?

  • Every person needs to have a meaningful hobby or recreational pursuit. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • Some people think that talent is an inborn trait. Other people think it can be learned. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

  • The demand for coaching services has grown significantly, with online coaching platforms becoming prevalent. Some people think that online coaching is a superior option to an in-person coach. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • Social media platforms make it easy for people to vent their frustrations and complaints publicly. What are the consequences of this trend? Is there any benefit to expressing complaints on social media?

  • Nowadays, a university education is essential in order to get a rewarding job and earn a high salary. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • Some old buildings are more worth preserving than other ones. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • Do the benefits of being a celebrity outweigh the disadvantages of being a celebrity?

  • Online friendships are not as meaningful as friendships where people meet face to face. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • Developing nations often require international assistance. Some people think that this assistance should be monetary. Other people think that practical help and advice would be more beneficial. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

  • The standard work week should be changed from 5 to 4 days. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • Details about the private lives of celebrities should not be shared by the media. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • Everybody should donate a fixed amount of their income to support charity. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • Schools should use films, computers, and games instead of books. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • Countries should try to produce as much of their food as possible, rather than relying on imports. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • Modern communication technology has not benefited all members of society equally. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • Some people think that using animals for research purposes is justifiable. Other people think that using animals in this way is cruel. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

  • Parents should give their teenage children a small amount of pocket money so that these teenagers can learn to manage money. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • Some people think that the family has the greatest influence over a teenager. Other people think that a teenager’s friends have more influence. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

  • Some people believe that climate change needs to be addressed on a global scale. Other people think that it should be addressed at national levels. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

  • Violence in the media promotes violence in society. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • The best way of planning a holiday is not planning at all. To what extent to you agree or disagree?

  • Always telling the truth is the most important consideration in any relationship between people. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • Attention spans are becoming shorter due to the prevalence of social media. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • Some people think that individuals in all jobs should have the right to strike. Other people think that there are exceptions. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

  • It is important for everyone, including young people, to save money for their future. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • The working week should be shortened from 5 days to 4, and workers should have a longer weekend. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • Housing is a human right. To what extent do you agree?

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