IELTS essay sample questions

These are some of the sample questions you may encounter in IELTS essay writing:

• ‘Failure is proof that the desire wasn’t strong enough.’ To what extent do you agree with this statement? Give reasons for your answer.

• “Fatherhood ought to be emphasized as much as motherhood. The idea that women are solely responsible for deciding whether or not to have babies leads on to the idea that they are also responsible for bringing the children up. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

• “Important truths begin as outrageous, or at least uncomfortable, attacks upon the accepted wisdom of the time”, to what extent do you agree or disagree with this?

• “Never, never give up” means to keep trying and never stop working for goals. Do you agree or disagree?

• “People succeed because of their hard work; luck has nothing to do with success.” Do you agree or disagree with the above quote?

• “Prevention is better than cure” Out of a country’s health budget, a large proportion should be diverted from treatment to spending on health education and preventive measures. Do you agree or disagree?

• A balanced diet, or eating balanced meals, is the key to a health life. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give reasons for your answer.

• A company has announced that it wishes to build a large factory near your community. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of it. Do you support or oppose the factory? Explain your position.

• A government’s role is only to provide defence capability and urban infrastructure (roads, water supplies, etc.). All other services (education, health, social security) should be provided by private groups or individuals in the community.

• A healthy person is often described as someone who has a good diet, gets lots of exercise and avoids stress. What should people do to stay fit?

• A lot of films are now being made strictly for the DVD market and we are able to download films directly from the internet web sites. How do you think this development is affecting cinema audiences? Is this a positive or a negative development?

• A new restaurant is being built in your neighbourhood. Do you support or oppose?

• A number of different medical traditions are now widely known and used: Western medicine (using drugs and surgery), herbal medicine, acupuncture ( using needles at certain points of the body), homoeopathy (using minute doses of poisons), and so on. How important is the patient’s mental attitude towards his/her treatment in determining the effectiveness of the treatment?

• All students should stay at school (hostel) until they are eighteen years old. How far do you agree with this policy?

• An increased number of people today change their career and living places in their lives. Is it a positive or negative development?

• Are computers essential features of modern education? What subjects can be better taught using computers? Are there aspects of a good education that cannot be taught using computers?

• As most people spend a major part of their adult life at work, job satisfaction is an important element of individual wellbeing. What factors contribute to job satisfaction? How realistic is the expectation of job satisfaction for all workers.

• Business should hire employees for life. Do you agree or disagree?

• Can computerized data collection on individuals be justified even though it endangers the rights of

individuals?

• Children below the age of sixteen should not be allowed in public places after midnight unless they are accompanied by an adult who is responsible for them. How far do you agree with this suggestion?

• Children should start learning a foreign language as soon as they start school.

• Compare the advantages and disadvantages of three of the following as media for communicating information. State which of the following do you consider to be the most effective?[ Comics, Books, Newspaper, Radio, Television, Internet, Film, Theatre, Library ]

• Creative artists should be given the freedom to express their own ideas (in words, pictures, music or film) in whichever way they wish. There should be no public or government restrictions on what they do. As a part of the public, what is your view? Discuss.

• Do you agree or disagree that progress is always good? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

• Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? A zoo is not of any avail.

• Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Grades (marks) encourage students to learn.

• Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Only those who earn a lot of money are successful.

• Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Parents are the best teachers.

• Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Sometimes it is better not to tell the truth.

• Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? The best way to travel is in a group led by a tour guide.

• Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? There is nothing that the youth can teach the old.

• Do you agree or disagree with the statement that people should read only those books that are about real events, real people, and established facts?

• Ever country has poor people and every country has different ways of dealing with the poor. What are some of the reasons for poverty? What can we do to help the poor?

• Every country should have a free health service; even if that means that the latest medical treatments may not be available through this service e because they are too expensive. To what extent do you agree with this statement?

• Explain why the movies are as popular as a means of entertainment. Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer.

• For some people, the ideal holiday is to get away from their normal routine by staying in a hotel or camping in countryside. Others prefer to stay at home and do things they do not normally have time for. What do you think are the benefits of going away on holidays?

• Happiness is considered very important. Why is it difficult to define? What factors are important in achieving happiness?

• How can society reduce the problems of people with disabilities?

• How is your generation different from your parents’ generation?

• How would you ensure children watch only useful and suitable programs on television?

• If you could ask a famous person one question, what would you ask? Why?

• If you could change one important thing about your hometown, what would you change?

• If you could invent something new, what product would you develop? Explain the need of this invention.

• If you could study a subject that you have never had the opportunity to study, would you do that? Explain your choice.

• Improvements in health, education and trade are essential for the development of poorer nations. However, the government of richer nations should take more responsibility for helping the poorer nations in such areas. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the author?

• In general, people are living longer now. Discuss the causes of this phenomenon.  Use reasons and details to develop your essay.

• In many countries children are engaged in some kind of paid work. Some people regard this as completely wrong, while others consider it as valuable work experience, important for learning and taking responsibility. What are your opinions on this?

• In many countries schools have severe problems with student behavior. What do you think are the causes of this? What solutions can you suggest?

• In recent years some countries have experienced very rapid economic development. This has resulted in much higher standards of living in urban areas but not in the country sides. This situation may bring some problems for the country as a whole. What are these problems? How might they be reduced?

• In some countries children have very strict rules of behavior, while in other countries they are allowed to do almost anything they want. To what extent should children have to follow rules?

• In some countries young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between finishing high school and starting university studies. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decide to do this.

• In some countries, government safety laws include things such as wearing a hard hat on a building site or wearing safety clothes in certain factories. To what extent are laws of this kind good idea? What sort of safety law would you introduce, if you were given a chance?

• In some countries, teenagers have jobs while they are still students. Do you think this is a good idea?

• In the bygone days, many had skills such as making their own clothes and doing repairs to things in the house. In many countries, nowadays, skills like these are disappearing. Why do you think this is happening? How far is this situation true in your country?

• In the past sporting champions used to be motivated by the desire to win a match or to break world records. These days, they are more likely to be motivated by prize money and the opportunity to be famous. What message does this send to young people and how does this attitude to sport affect the sports themselves? Give reasons for your answer.

• In the recent years the proportion of the world’s population living in cities has increased substantially. People have moved in ever growing numbers from rural to urban areas. As migration from rural areas to cities continues, it is inevitable that the infrastructure on these cities will collapse.

• In the recent years there has been an increase in the number of people killed on the road. Traffic designers blame drivers fir driving too fast and drivers say the roads are bad. Which/Who is to be blamed for the accidents deaths caused on roads? Give reasons and justify your answer.

• Is it better to rear children in joined family or a nuclear family? Which do you think has greater positive impact on the child’s future?

• Is it more important to be able to work with a group of people on a team or to work independently?

• Is the ability to read and write more important today than in the past? Why or why not?

• It has been said, “Not everything that is learned is contained in books.” Compare and contrast knowledge gained from experience with knowledge gained from books. Which source of information, do you think, is more important? Why?

• It has recently been announced that a new high school may be built in your community. Do you support or oppose this move? Why?

• It is always an individual who is the impetus for innovation; the details may be worked out by a team, but true innovation results from the enterprise and unique perception of an individual. Do you agree or not?

• It is better for children to grow up in the countryside than in a big city. Do you agree or disagree?

• It is better to enjoy your money when you earn it or is it better to save your money for the future?

• It is frequently remarked that success is easy to attain but difficult to maintain. How far do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

• It is generally accepted that families are not as close as they used to be. Give some reasons why this change has happened and suggest how families could be brought closer together. Include any relevant examples from your experience.

• It is generally believed that some people are born with certain talents, for instance for sport or music, and others are not. However, it is sometimes claimed that any child can be taught to become a good sports person or musician. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

• It is the responsibility of a government to protect its citizens from natural disasters. How far do you agree?

• It is very important that children should study hard at school. Time spent playing sport is time wasted. Do you agree?

• Laws should not be rigid or fixed. Instead, they should be flexible enough to take account of various circumstances, times and place of the offence.” Do you agree or disagree?

• Learning about the past has no value for those who live in the present. Do you agree or disagree?

• Many businesses find it very difficult to assign enough time and resources to research and development. What could a government do to encourage more company spending in this area?

• Many of the diseases which afflict people who do office jobs are the direct result of a sedentary lifestyle. Do you agree?

• Many people find it difficult to balance their responsibilities at home and in the work place. What advice would you give?

• Many people now have personal computers, and the use of electronic services such as the internet is becoming more widespread. Some parents are concerned about children using the internet to gamble or buy goods on credit. How can access to electronic services be controlled?

• Many people visit museums when they travel to new places. Why do you think people visit museums?

• Men have destructed the universe as they have been ruling this world ever since the beginning. If this opportunity is given to women, what would the status be?

• Modern life is very stressful. People have to manage their time and other resources very carefully. How can they look after themselves when they are so busy?

• Modern societies need specialists in certain fields, but not in others. Some people therefore think that governments should pay university fees for students who study subjects that are needed by society. Those who choose to study less relevant subjects should not receive government funding. Would the advantages of such an educational policy outweigh the disadvantages?

• Music is played in every society and culture in the world today. Some people think that music brings only benefits to the individuals and societies. Others however, think that music can have a negative influence on both. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

• Name a very important skill a person should learn in order to be successful in today’s world. Choose one skill and use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

• News editors decide what to broadcast on television ad what o print in news papers. What factors do you think influence these decisions? Do we become used to bad news? Would it be better if more good news was reported?

• Nowadays we are producing more and more rubbish. Why do you think this is happening? What can governments do to help reduce the amount of rubbish produced?

• Nowadays, food has become easier to prepare. Has this improved the way people live?

• Originality does not mean thinking something that was never thought before: it means putting old ideas together in new ways. Discuss your opinion.

• People always remember the special gifts they have received. Why? Use specific reasons to support your answer.

• People attend college or university for many different reasons. Why do you think people go to university?

• People do many different things to stay healthy. What do you do for good health?

• People hardly forget the special gifts or presents that they have received. Why one should giver presents?

• People in all modern societies use drugs, but today’s youth are experimenting with both legal and illegal drugs, and at an early age. Some sociologists claim that parents and other members of society often set a bad example. Discuss the cause and effects of wide spread drug abuse by young people. Make any recommendations you feel are necessary to help fight youth drug abuse.

• People recognize a difference between children and adults. What experiences or events make a person an adult?

• People should sometimes do things that they do not enjoy doing. Do you agree or disagree with the statement?

• People who travel to another country to live, work or study for a period of time often suffer badly from homesickness. Why is this? What are the best ways to reduce this problem?

• People who watch a lot of violent television programs will find that this influences their behavior when they are angry or upset. Do you agree or disagree?

• Plants can provide food, shelter, clothing, or medicine. Which is important to you or the people in your country?

• Popular events like football world cup and other international sports are essential in easing international tensions and releasing patriotic emotions in a safe way. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion.

• Popular hobbies and interests change over time and are more a reflection of trends and fashions than an indication of what individuals really want to do in their spare time. To what extent do you agree with this statement? Give reasons for your answer.

• Raising children is the most important thing an adult ever does. Do you agree or disagree?

• Research indicates that the characteristics we are born with have much more influences on our personality and development than any experiences we may have in our lives. Which do you consider to be the major influence?

• Schools and libraries should ban computer games from their premises to stop students from wasting time. Do you regard this as a good idea?

• Schools should ask students to evaluate their teachers. Do you agree or disagree?

• Should governments spend more money on improving roads and highways, or on improving public transportation (buses, trains, subways etc.)? Why?

• Should wealthy nations be required to share their wealth and resources among poorer nations by providing such things as food and education? Or is it the responsibility of the governments of poorer nations to look after their citizen themselves! Discuss.

• Some companies say that if an employee wants to smoke they must leave the building and smoke outside. This takes time away from work, and the employers insist that this time be counted as break time. This may not be fair to the smokers who may have to wait a long time to get out of the building. How could this problem be resolved? Give reasons to your answers.

• Some employers reward members of staff for their exceptional contribution to the company by giving them extra money. This practice can act as an incentive for some but may also have a negative impact on others. To what extent is this style of management effective? Are there better ways of encouraging employees to work hard?

• Some people believe that children are given too much free time. They feel that this time should be used to do more school work. How do you think children should spend their leisure time?

• Some people believe that children should be allowed to stay at home and play until they are six or seven years old. Others believe that is important for young children to go to school as soon as possible. What do you think are the advantages of attending school from a young age?

• Some people believe that children’ leisure activities must be educational; otherwise they are a complete waste of time. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your experience.

• Some people believe that there should be fixed punishments for each type of crime. Others, however, argue that the circumstances of an individual crime, and the motivation for committing it, should always be taken into account when deciding on the punishment. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

• Some people believe that university students are required to attend the classes. Others hold the view that going to classes should be optional for students. Which point of view do you personally subscribe to?

• Some people believe that visitors to other countries should follow local customs and behavior. Others disagree and think that the host country should welcome cultural differences. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

• Some people feel that entertainment (e.g. film stars, pop musicians or sports stars) are paid too much money. Do you agree or disagree? Which other type of job should be highly paid?

• Some people prefer manual work to machines. Which do you prefer?

• Some people prefer to live in a house, while others feel that there are more advantages to living in an apartment. Are there more advantages than disadvantages of living in a house compared with living in an apartment?

• Some people prefer to live in a small town. Others prefer to live in a big city. Which place would you prefer to live in?

• Some people prefer to spend their lives doing the same things and avoiding changes. Others, however, think that change is always a good thing. State your preferences and justify.

• Some people say domestic animals, like cats, should not be reared in cities. Others say that such companion animals are beneficial to the community. Which attitude do you believe to be correct?

• Some people say that smoking should be permitted in places where people gather to eat or drink. Others find the smell of smoke unpleasant, and fear it is bad for everybody’s health. What is your opinion?

• Some people think it would be a good idea for schools to teach every young person how to be a good parent. Do you agree or disagree with this opinion? Describe the skills a person needs to be a good parent.

• Some people think men and women have different natural abilities that make them suitable for different types of work. Others, however, believe that both men and women can be equally suited to do any type of work. Discuss both these views and give your own experience or opinion.

• Some people think that a sense of competition in children should be encouraged. Others believe that children who are taught to co-operate rather than compete become more useful adults. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

• Some people think that it is important to use time for activities that improve the mind. Such as reading and doing word puzzles. Other workers feel that it is important to rest the mind during leisure time. Discuss both these views and give your opinion.

• Some people think that they can learn better by themselves than with a teacher. Others think that it is always better to have a teacher to guide them. Which do you prefer?

• Some people think that universities should provide graduates with the knowledge and skills needed in the work place. Others think that the true function of a university should be to give access to knowledge for its own sake, regardless of whether the course is useful to an employer. What, in your opinion, should be the main function of a university?

• Some people think that we should not worry that children do not listen to us rather we should worry for they always observe us. How far do you think the parent’s behavior influences their child’s behaviour?

• Some prefer to eat at food stands or restaurants. Others prefer to prepare and eat food at home.

• Some students prefer to study all by themselves. Others prefer to study with their classmates.

• Some vegetarians say it is selfish and unnecessary for people to eat meat in a world where food resources are growing increasingly scarce. Write a report for an association which sells meat.

• Some work places do not ensure the safety of workers who use dangerous equipment. What can be done?

• Sometimes it is very difficult to learn the way people do things in a new culture. What can we do to make life easier for newcomers?

• Students can become very tired both emotionally and physically when they are preparing for an examination. How can they look after their health while they are studying?

• Students have to absorb a great deal of information. Describe quick and efficient ways to do this.

• Studying the English language in an English-speaking country is the best but not the only way to learn the language. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

• Successful sports professionals can earn a great deal more money than people in other important professions. Some people think this is fully justified while others think it is unfair. Discuss both the views and give reasons to your opinion.

• Television, newspaper, and other media pay too much attention to the personal lives of famous people such as public figures and celebrities. State your view.

• The exploration and development of safe alternatives of fossil fuels should be the most important global priority today. To what extents do you agree or disagree?

• The growth in job market is demanding for exit interviews with the employees. How far do you think it is relevant? To what extent do you support these views?

• The highways department blames the high road toll on poor vehicle maintenance. However, there are strict laws regarding vehicle maintenance and road worthiness, and there are frequent inspections. The roads are very poor and badly maintained.

• The idea of having a single career is becoming an old fashioned one. The new fashion will be to have several careers or ways of earning money and further education will be something that continues throughout life. Do you agree or disagree?

• The number of overweight (obese) children is increasing. Discuss why and the solutions to reduce this effect.

• The only way to reduce the amount of traffic in cities today is by reducing the need for people to travel from home for work, education or shopping. To what extent do you agree with this opinion?

• The position of women in society has changed markedly in the last twenty years. Many of the problems young people now experience, such as juvenile delinquency, arise from the fact that many married women are employed and are not at home to care for their children. Discuss your views.

• The private motor vehicle has greatly improved individual freedom of movement. Moreover, the automobile has become a status symbol. Yet the use of private motor vehicles has contributed to some of today’s most serious problems. How can the use of private motor vehicle be reduced?

• The rising road toll is due to three factors: Vehicle roadworthiness road conditions and human errors. Do you agree?

• The television has destroyed communication among friends and family. Do you agree?

• The twentieth century saw great changes. Name a change that made remarkable changes in the twentieth century.

• The world is experiencing a dramatic increase in population. This is causing problems not only for the poor, undeveloped countries, but also for industrialized and developing nations. Describe some of the problems that overpopulation causes, and suggest at least one possible solution.

• There are many different types of music in the world today. Why do we need music? Is the traditional music of a country more important than the international music that is heard everywhere now a days? Do you agree or not?

• There has been a huge increase in the size of cities. Many cities have grown in a haphazard way. Why is careful planning important in the development of cities?

• These days noise and air pollution are serious environmental problems. Some people think that air travel is to be blamed. Others believe that we should reduce the number of vehicles on the roads. Discuss both these views and give your opinion.

• To be labelled a ‘work of art’, a painting, sculpture or other art forms should display certain qualities that are unique. However, over the past century there has been a decline in the quality of prize-winning artwork and it is now possible for quite ordinary pieces of art to be labeled ‘masterpiece’ whilst true works of art pass unnoticed. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer.

• Today the high sales of consumer goods reflect the power of advertising and not the real needs of the society in which they are sold. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

• Under the British and Australian laws a jury in a criminal case has no access to information about the defendant’s past criminal record. This protects the person who is being accused of the crime. Some lawyers have suggested that this practice should be changed and that a jury should be given all the past facts before they reach their decision about the case. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer.

• Universities should accept equal number of male and female students in every subject. Gender difference should not be encouraged in the area of education is the general opinion. Do you agree or disagree?

• Using a computer every day can have more negative than positive effects on young children. Do you agree or disagree?

• We are becoming increasingly dependent on computers. They are used in business, hospitals, crime detection and even to fly planes. What things will they be used in the future? Is this dependence on computers a good thing or should we be more suspicious of their benefits?

• We have been living in a nuclear age now for over a century. Since the first atomic bombs were developed, nuclear technology has provided governments with ability to totally destroy the planet. Yet the technology has been put to positive use as an energy source and in certain areas of medicine. To what extent is nuclear technology danger to life on Earth? What are the benefits and risks associated with its use?

• What are some important qualities of a good supervisor (boss)?

• What are some of the qualities of a good parent? Use specific details and examples to explain your answer.

• What are the advantages and disadvantages of a vegetarian diet?

• What are the features of an ideal television show for children below school age?

• What change would make your hometown more appealing to people of your age?

• What discovery in the last 100 years has been most beneficial to people in your country?

• What problems will your country face in the next ten years? How can these problems be overcome?

• What to do when other person misunderstand you. How do you think this can be amicably settled?

• When a county develops its technology, the traditional skills and ways of life die out. It is pointless to try and keep them alive. How important is traditional skills in the modern world?

• When students are in large classes it is very hard for the teachers to give every student individual attention. What can educational authorities do about this?

• Which is more important for success: the natural ability you are born with or hard work? Explain your opinion.

• Without capital punishment (the death penalty) our lives are less secure and crimes of violence increase. Capital punishment is essential to control violence in society. To what extent to you agree or disagree?

• Would you prefer to live in a traditional house or in a modern apartment? Imagine that you have received some land to use as you wish. How would you use this land?

• You have enough money to purchase either a house or a business. Which would you choose to buy?

• You have the opportunity to visit a foreign country for two weeks. Which country would you like to visit?

• Young people in the modern world seem to have more power and influence that any previous young generations. Why is this? What impact does this have on the relationship between old and the young people?