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IELTS Writing Task 2 Environment Band 9 Essay: Samples & Tips

How to write an environmental essay for IELTS band 9 Click here for an environmental sample essay, outline vocabulary score perfect marks in IELTS writing task 2!

8/24/2023 3 min read

In the ever-evolving landscape of language proficiency tests, IELTS Writing Task 2 stands as a crucial component for assessing a candidate's ability to express ideas coherently and effectively. Especially in the context of environmental concerns, this task assumes a significant role. This article delves into the nuances of crafting a Band 9 essay for IELTS Writing Task 2, offering valuable samples and insightful tips.

Understanding IELTS Writing Task 2

What is ielts writing task 2.

IELTS Writing Task 2 is a pivotal component of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam. It requires candidates to write an essay in response to a given prompt. This task assesses their ability to present arguments, provide evidence, and express ideas logically and coherently within a formal essay structure.

The Importance of Environment-related Topics

In recent years, environmental issues have garnered global attention, making them a common theme in IELTS Writing Task 2 prompts. The ability to discuss and analyze these topics effectively not only showcases language proficiency but also awareness of crucial global matters.

The Structure of a Band 9 Essay

Introduction: setting the stage.

The introduction sets the tone for the essay. It should succinctly introduce the topic, provide background information, and present a clear thesis statement that outlines the essay's main points. For instance, when addressing an environment-related prompt, the introduction could highlight the significance of environmental preservation and its relevance to society.

Body Paragraphs: Articulating Key Ideas

The body paragraphs delve into the essay's core arguments. Each paragraph should start with a topic sentence, followed by supporting evidence and examples. Ensure a logical flow between paragraphs, allowing the essay to unfold seamlessly. If discussing environmental challenges, you might explore topics like climate change, pollution, and resource depletion.

Conclusion: Summarizing the Argument

The conclusion summarizes the key points made in the essay and restates the thesis in a nuanced manner. It should not introduce new ideas but instead provide a sense of closure. When concluding an essay about the environment, you might emphasize the urgency of collective action and highlight potential solutions.

Sample Essays for Environment Topics

Essay sample 1: climate change mitigation.

Climate change remains one of the most pressing global challenges. To mitigate its impact, governments must enact stringent policies to reduce carbon emissions. For example, imposing carbon taxes on industries and promoting renewable energy sources can pave the way for a sustainable future.

Essay Sample 2: Balancing Economic Growth and Environmental Protection

The dilemma between economic growth and environmental conservation requires delicate balancing. Developing nations can embrace eco-friendly technologies to minimize industrial harm. By fostering green entrepreneurship, countries can nurture both economic prosperity and environmental integrity.

Tips for Achieving a Band 9 Essay

Develop a clear thesis statement.

Your thesis statement should present a concise overview of your essay's main argument. It guides the reader and anchors your writing.

Coherence and Cohesion Matter

Ensure a seamless flow between sentences and paragraphs. Use transitional phrases to connect ideas and enhance readability.

Vocabulary and Lexical Resource

Incorporate a diverse range of vocabulary to avoid repetition. Precise and sophisticated word choices elevate the quality of your essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

Display mastery over grammar and sentence structure. Varied sentence lengths and types showcase your language proficiency.

Time Management is Key

Allocate sufficient time to planning, writing, and revising. Rushing through any of these stages can compromise the essay's quality.

Practice Exercises to Enhance Skills

Exercise 1: brainstorming environment essay ideas.

Engage in brainstorming sessions to generate ideas on various environmental topics. This practice fosters creativity and prepares you for diverse prompts.

Exercise 2: Outlining Your Essay Effectively

Master the art of outlining by organizing your thoughts into a coherent structure. A well-structured outline accelerates the writing process.

Expert Insights from IELTS Tutors

Advice on enhancing vocabulary.

Read extensively to expand your vocabulary repertoire. Engage with different genres to encounter diverse words and phrases.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Beware of repetitive language, vague arguments, and poor time management. Addressing these pitfalls enhances your essay's quality.

Importance of Environment-related Topics

The global relevance of environmental issues.

Environmental problems transcend borders. Proficiency in discussing such topics prepares candidates for international communication and cooperation.

Addressing Environment in Academic Essays

Professors value students who can tackle contemporary issues in essays. Environmental discussions exhibit critical thinking and relevance to societal challenges.

Crafting a Band 9 essay for IELTS Writing Task 2 demands a blend of language proficiency and insightful analysis. By understanding the essay's structure, practicing essential skills, and embracing expert advice, candidates can confidently navigate environment-related prompts and make meaningful contributions to the ongoing global conversation on environmental sustainability.

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• Academic practice
• General practice
• Task 1 Academic
• Task 1 General
• Task 2 (essay)

Environment essay questions for IELTS

Here you can find common IELTS essay questions for "Environment" topic.

Climate change is a big environmental problem that has become critical in last couple of decades. Some people claim that humans should stop burning fossil fuels and use only alternative energy resources, such as wind and solar power. Others say that oil, gas and coal are essential for many industries, and not using them will lead to economic collapse.

What is your opinion?

Support your point of view with relevant examples.

Influence of human beings on the world's ecosystem is leading to the extinction of species and loss of bio-diversity.

What are the primary causes of loss of bio-diversity?

What solutions can you suggest?

The planet's population is reaching unsustainable levels, and people are facing shortage of resources like water, food and fuel.

To what consequences may overpopulation lead?

In your opinion, what measures can be taken to fight overpopulation?

Production of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases has a heating effect on the atmosphere and results in global warming.

Why global warming is considered one of the most serious issues nowadays?

How can this problem be solved?

Forests produce fresh oxygen and participate in regulating climate. But every year tree cover of our planet is lessening due to deforestation.

What are the primary causes of deforestation?

To what results may it lead?

Pollution of air, water and soil has become critical in last years and it takes millions of years to recoup.

What are the main causes of pollution?

How can we tackle this problem individually and globally?

Nowadays genetically modified food is widespread all over the world. While proponents of GM crops ensure that these foods are safe for human consumption and help to increase food supplies, others argue that their effects on health have not been studied long enough.

Describe pros and cons of genetically modified foods.

Water pollution has been an increasing problem over the last few decades.

What causes water pollution?

How can we prevent this problem?

The air we breathe has a major impact on our health and the environment. However, the air pollution is constantly growing and at current levels it can be fought only globally. That is to say, individual efforts to improve air quality will not give any results, and it's solely responsibility of our governments to reduce air pollution.

Do you agree or disagree?

Atomic energy is becoming more and more popular energy source. However, some people argue that nuclear power puts life on the Earth to danger.

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Recent Questions

In this article, we outline over 250 recent IELTS Writing Task 2 topics and sample questions.

The IELTS Writing Task 2 is an essay writing task that assesses your ability to express and develop an argument in response to a given prompt. As an essential part of the IELTS exam, a high score in writing task 2 can help you achieve your desired overall score.

To score well in the IELTS Writing Task 2, you need to be familiar with all the possible topics that may come up.

Table of Contents

What is the basic structure for ielts writing task 2 in the ielts exam, ielts writing task 2 topics on education, ielts task 2 questions on globalisation, ielts task 2 questions on equality, ielts task 2 questions about the environment, ielts task 2 questions on technology, task 2 questions on travel and transport, task 2 questions on health, task 2 questions on law and order.

• Task 2 questions on Language and Culture
• Task 2 Questions on Government and Society

Task 2 Questions on Sports and Pastimes

Recent writing task 2 questions: january 2024, recent writing task 2 questions: october 2023, recent writing task 2 questions: july 2023, recent writing task 2 questions: april 2023, recent writing task 2 questions: january 2023, recent writing task 2 questions: october 2022, recent task 2 questions: july 2022.

• January to March 2022 recent task 2 questions
• October to December 2021 sample task 2 questions

Sample Task 2 Questions: September 2021

Sample task 2 questions: february / march 2021.

• Sample Task 2 Questions: January 2021
• Task 2 Sample Questions: October/November 2020

IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics: August 2020 

Task 2 questions: march 2020, task 2 essay questions: january 2020, recent exam task 2 questions: october 2019, task 2 sample questions: september 2019, task 2 questions: august 2019.

• Task 2 questions: June 2019

Task 2 questions: January 2019

Writing task 2 questions: december 2018, task 2 questions: november 2018.

• Writing task 2 questions: October 2018
• Writing task 2 questions: September 2018

Writing task 2 questions: August 2018

Latest writing task 2 questions: july 2018 (education), latest writing task 2 questions: july 2018.

• March – April 2019 task 2 questions

VIDEO: Recent 2022 questions and sample answers for IELTS Writing Task 2 

• Frequently Asked Questions

The IELTS writing exam is split into two parts and task 2 is worth 66% of your score.

The IELTS writing task 2 is an essay writing task that assesses your ability to express and develop an argument in response to a given topic.

You are allocated 40 minutes to write it.

On the official British Council site there are documents that state your essay must contain at least 250 words, however, in the official criteria, there is no mention of 250 words.

The basic structure for IELTS writing task 2 in the IELTS exam is as follows:

• Introduction : Be sure to state the question in your own words in your introduction so that you introduce the topic of your task 2. Task 2 statements are often a paraphrasing of the initial question.
• Support your opinion : Once you have made your opinion clear, you have to provide facts to justify your choice
• State the opposing point of you . You do not have to persuade the examiner about the opposing opinion, but it is important to state what it is. 
• Summarise your opinion.

Below you will find a variety of task 2 essay topics that have been seen by students on their IELTS exams. By practising with these writing task 2 topics, you prepare yourself to write an essay about a wide range of topics.

Get your IELTS essay evaluated online for free using our new essay checker service. 

For a FREE ebook PDF of our top 10 sample essays, click here!

Common Essay Topics for IELTS Writing Task 2

Preparing for the IELTS Writing Task 2 requires familiarizing yourself with common essay topics that may appear on the IELTS exam.

Having knowledge of these topics can help you prepare well and increase your chances of scoring high.

Below are some of the most common essay topics for the IELTS Writing Task 2 exam.

• Globalisation
• Environment
• Travel and transport
• Law and order
• Language and culture
• Government and society
• Sports and pastimes

In IELTS writing task 2, test takers may be presented with essay topics related to education.

Some writing task 2 education topics may focus on the benefits and drawbacks of traditional education or the role of technology in modern learning.

Here’s a sample task 2 question about education:

Some people think that a person improves intellectual skills better when doing group activities.  To what extent do you agree? Use specific details and examples to explain your view. 

Read more IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics on Education here

Writing task 2 often features essay topics related to globalisation, requiring test takers to express their views and opinions on the subject.

The essay question themes may include the far-reaching impacts of globalisation on economies, societies, and cultures around the world.

Here’s a sample task 2 question about globalisation:

Many people say that globalisation and the growing number of multinational companies have a negative effect on the environment. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

Read more IELTS Task 2 questions on Globalisation here

In IELTS writing task 2, test takers are often presented with essay topics related to equality, asking them to explore issues such as gender equality, racial equality, and economic inequality.

Here’s a sample task 2 question about equality:

Nowadays both men and women spend a lot of money on beauty care. This was not so in the past. What may be the root cause of this behaviour? Discuss the reasons and possible results.

Read more IELTS task 2 questions on Equality here

Writing task 2 often features environment-related essay topics, requiring test takers to discuss issues such as pollution, conservation, and sustainable development.

Here’s a sample task 2 question about the environment:

Environmental issues such as climate change have always been an international problem because governments are not imposing harsh punishments against offenders. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Support your answer with specific reasons and examples.

Read more IELTS task 2 questions on the Environment here

In IELTS writing task 2, test takers are often given essay topics related to technology, requiring them to explore topics such as the benefits and drawbacks of technology, the role of technology in society, and the potential impact of emerging technologies.

Here’s a sample task 2 question about technology:

What technologies did you use to help you in your studies? Describe how it has helped you. Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

Read more IELTS Task 2 questions on Technology here

In the IELTS writing exam, test takers may be required to discuss and write about travel and transport essay topics.

Here’s a sample task 2 question about travel and transport:

In many countries, people tend to move overseas or move to a different part of their country after their retirement. Discuss why they do so and what the outcome of this situation is. Provide specific reasons and examples to support your opinion

Read more Task 2 questions on Travel and Transport here.

Some people think that keeping pets is good for children while others think it is dangerous and unhealthy. Which opinion do you agree with? Discuss both options and give examples.

Read more Task 2 questions on Health here

Some people believe that once a person becomes a criminal, he will always be a criminal. Do you agree with this statement? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Read more  Task 2 questions on Law and Order here.

Task 2 Questions on Language and Culture

Compared to the past, more people are now trying to learn a foreign language to increase their chances of landing a better job in their native country or having better opportunities to work abroad. To what extent do you agree with this point of view? Give specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Read more Task 2 questions on language and culture here.

Task 2 Questions on Government and society

Should the government support artists, such as musicians, writers, and painters? Is it economically beneficial or is it just a waste of money? Why or why not?

Read more Task 2 questions on Government and society here.

International sporting events are costly and bring problems to the hosting country. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give specific reasons and examples to support your position.

Read more Task 2 questions on Sports and Pastimes here

Sample IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics and Answers 

• Band 6.5 essay about marriage (includes ex-ielts examiner commentary)
• Band 9 essay about education (includes ex-ielts examiner commentary)

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Instructions to get your essay evaluated for free

• Write an IELTS essay answering one of the questions below
• Copy and paste the question into the new online IELTS essay checker .
• Get your estimated band score (free)

Recent IELTS Writing Task 2 Questions from July 2018 till date

Below are past essay questions from previous years as seen by students in their exams.

These sample questions will help you prepare and better know what to expect in your task 2 exam.

Feel free to send us your task 2 questions if you have recently taken the IELTS exam.

• In many countries, it is mandatory for school children to wear uniforms. Do the advantages of this policy outweigh the disadvantages? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
• Many museums charge for admission while others are free. Do you think the advantages of charging people for admission outweigh the disadvantages?
• Ambition is a positive quality for people to have in society today. How important is it for people who want to succeed in life? Is it a positive or negative characteristic?
• Research has shown that the transportation of products and people are the main source of pollution. Some people believe the government should be in charge of this, while others believe it is the fault of individuals. Discuss both views and give your opinion. Give reasons for your answer and include relevant examples from your knowledge or experience. 
• Extreme sports such as skydiving and rock climbing are very dangerous and should be banned. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?
• These days more people put their personal information, such as names, addresses and telephone numbers, online for everyday activities such as socialising on social networks or banking purposes. Do you think it is a positive or negative development?
• The leaders or directors of organizations are often older people. But some people say that young people can also be a leader. Do you agree or disagree?
• Some people believe that people living in the twenty-first century have a better standard of living as compared to previous centuries. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give reasons for your answer and include relevant examples from your knowledge or experience.
• A portion of the human population believes that criminal behaviour has its roots in genes. Others think that circumstances lead people to commit crimes. Discuss your take on both views and put forward your opinions. 
• Some people think the government should provide free housing, while others believe it is not the government’s responsibility. Discuss both views and give your opinion
• Some people believe the purpose of education is to prepare individuals to be beneficial to society. Others say the purpose of education is to achieve personal ambitions. Discuss both views and give your own opinion
• With the growing population of cities, more and more people live in homes that have little or no outdoor area. Is this a positive or negative development? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your knowledge or experience.
• It has been suggested that all young adults should be required to undertake a period of unpaid work helping people in the community. Would the drawbacks of such a requirement be greater than the benefits to the community and the individual young adults?
• Some think dangerous extreme sports such as skydiving and rock climbing should be banned. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Nowadays, most countries improve their living standards through economic development. However, some social values are lost as a result. Do you think the advantages of the phenomenon outweigh the disadvantages?
• Although countries with long average working hours are economically successful, this often has some negative social consequences. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• In many countries, the number of animals and plants is declining. Why do you think this is happening? How can this issue be solved? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your knowledge or experience.
• Some people think that activities during free time should be planned while others disagree. Discuss both sides and include examples and relevant data from your own experience.
• The tendency of news reports in the media to focus more on problems and emergencies than on positive developments is harmful to individuals and society as a whole. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your knowledge or experience.
• Some people think the government should support artists like painters, musicians, and poets, while others believe this wastes money. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Earlier technology developments brought more benefits and changed the lives of ordinary people more than recent developments ever will. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• These days more and more people are going to other countries for a significant period either to find a job or study. There are clearly many benefits to doing this, but people who live abroad can also face some difficulties.Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of living and working in a foreign country. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
• Nowadays online shopping is extremely popular. Discuss the impact of it on the environment and on people who lost their jobs because of it.
• In some countries the government promotes public transport as the primary means of transportation, and discourages private vehicle ownership. Do you think the advantages of this policy outweigh the disadvantages?
• Nowadays, most children prefer to spend several hours playing with electronic devices over doing more traditional leisure activities.What problem does this cause? What do you think are possible solutions?
• It is believed that secondary school children should study international news as one of their school subjects. Others think that this is a waste of valuable school time. Discuss both views and give your opinions.
• Some people think it’s better to choose friends who always have the same opinions as them. Other people believe it’s good to have friends who sometimes disagree with them. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
• Fast food is a part of life in many places. Some people think this has bad effects on lifestyle and diets. Do you agree or disagree?
• Some people encourage watching sports as a way of learning about teamwork and strategy, while others believe that one can learn these skills only through playing sports. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• New technologies have changed the way children spend their free time. Do you think the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?
• Some people prefer to spend their lives doing the same things and avoiding change. Others, however, think that change is always a good thing. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
• Although parents are responsible for raising a child, outside influence plays a key role in their development. To what extent do you agree or disagree
• Movies and tv shows are a good way to study history despite their lack of historical accuracy at times. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Nowadays, instead of locally sourced produce, many supermarkets sell a variety of foods imported from countries all across the world. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?
• Rising university fees and scarce employment prospects for graduates have led some people to say that universities should not teach arts subjects, like philosophy and history, and only offer practical degree courses that maximise chances of employment. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give a reason for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
• In some parts of the world, traditional festivals and celebrations have disappeared or are disappearing. Why is this happening? What measures could be taken to ensure they do not disappear?
• Some people believe that using taxpayer funds to look for life on other planets is important. Others, however, think that it is a waste of public money because there are many more important issues requiring funding on our own planet. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• In recent years, there has been growing interest in the relationship between equality and personal achievement. Some people believe that individuals can achieve more in egalitarian societies. Others believe that high levels of personal achievement are possible only if individuals are free to succeed or fail according to their individual merits. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
• Our personalities are predetermined as a result of our genes before we are born and there is nothing that can be done to change our character traits. To what extent do you agree?
• Some people believe that teaching children at home is best for a child’s development while others think it is important for children to go to school. Discuss both the advantages of each method and give your own opinion
• As the number of cars increases, more money has to be spent on road systems. Some people think the government should pay for this. Others, however, think that drivers should cover the costs. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• Some people suggest that a country should try to produce all the food for its population and import as little food as possible. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Museums and art galleries should concentrate on local works rather than showing the cultures or artworks from other countries. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Online currencies have become more common in recent years. Why is this? Is this a positive or negative development?
• Many customs and traditional ways of behaviour are no longer relevant to the modern life and not worth keeping. Do you agree or disagree?
• Some think secondary and high school students should be allowed to choose academic courses leading to university or practical courses leading to careers such as carpenters. To what extent do you agree or disagree？
• Some people say that to prevent illness and disease, governments should focus more on reducing environmental pollution and housing problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Nowadays, distance-learning programs have gained popularity, but some people argue that online courses can never be as good as those taken at a college or university in person. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• The increase in the production of consumer goods results in damage to the natural environment. What are the causes of this? What can be done to solve this problem?
• Some people think international events such as the Olympic Games are important and can bring nations together. Others, however, think that they are a waste of money as the money could be spent elsewhere on more important issues. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
• Some people think that dangerous sports should be banned. Others, however, believe that people should be free to choose sports activities. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
• In today’s world, people spend a lot of money on appearance because they want to look younger. Why does this happen? Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
• In many countries, people now wear western clothes such as suits and jeans rather than traditional clothing. Why is this the case? Is this a positive or negative development?
• Many governments think that economic progress is their most important goal. Some people, however, think that other types of progress are equally important for a country. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
• Some people think visual images, such as photographs and videos, can most accurately inform people about a news story. Others believe they are not reliable sources of information. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• These days, older people who have retired often choose to spend money on themselves (for example on holidays) rather than save money for their children. Is this a positive or negative development?
• Advanced technology has brought many beneficial changes to the world. However, some old people today struggle with the use of technologies such as mobile phones and the Internet. How can the elderly benefit from using advanced technologies? How can the elderly be encouraged to use consumer electronics more often?
• Recent advances in medicine have resulted in an increase in life expectancy over the past four years. Do you think that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
• The best way to make the road transport of goods safer is to ask drivers to take a driving test each year. To what extent do you agree or disagree ?
• Although, it is generally illegal corporal punishment continues in many countries. Others argue that parents should have the right to punish their children in this way. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Listen to the sample answer to this question here .
• The increasing demand for oil and gas has made it necessary to look for these energy sources in remote and untouched natural places. Do you think the advantages of locating oil and gas in these areas outweigh the disadvantages of damaging these places? Listen to the sample answer to this question here .
• Some people think the primary purpose of schools is to turn children into good citizens and workers, rather than to benefit them as individuals. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
• Some people think it is a better way to leave their home country to improve their work and living opportunities, while others think staying in their own country is a better choice. Discuss both views and give your own opinion . Listen to the sample answer to this question here .
• In many cities, planners tend to arrange shops, schools, offices, and homes in specific areas and separate them from each other. Do you think the advantages of this policy outweigh the disadvantages?
• It’s more important for school children to learn about their local history than world history. To what extent do you agree or disagree？
• Nowadays many people prefer to buy famous brands of clothes, cars and other items. What are the reasons for this? Do you think it is a positive or negative development ?
• In many workplaces, online communication is becoming more commonplace than face-to-face meetings. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Listen to the sample answer to this question here .

January to March 2022 Recent Task 2 Questions

• Some people believe that violence in the media, such as in television programs and films, directly results in violent behaviour. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• In the future, all cars, buses and trucks will be driverless. The only people travelling inside these vehicles will be passengers. Do you think that the advantages of driverless vehicles outweigh the disadvantages?
• In many countries, children are becoming overweight and unhealthy. Some people think that the government has the responsibility to solve this problem. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• In some countries, there has been an increase in the number of advertisements that try to persuade children to buy snacks, toys, and other goods. Some people claim this is unfair as parents feel under pressure to buy these kinds of things for their children. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Some believe that younger family members should be legally responsible for supporting older family members when they become physically, mentally and financially unable to look after themselves. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• In the 21st century, contact between many different parts of the world has developed rapidly through air travel and telecommunications. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
• Weddings are getting bigger and more expensive. What is the reason for this? Is it a positive or negative development?
• Educating young people is naturally important. However, some think governments ought to invest more in education for adults in need. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• In some places, old age is valued, while in other cultures youth is considered more important. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• A rise in the standard of living in a country often only seems to benefit cities rather than rural areas. What problems can this cause? How might these problems be reduced?
• Some people think that personal happiness is directly related to economic success. Others argue that happiness depends on different factors. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

October to December 2021 Sample Task 2 Questions

• Some people think that the best way to succeed in life is to get a university education, while others disagree and say that it is no longer true nowadays. Discuss both views and give your own opinions.
• In many countries, plastic shopping bags are the main source of rubbish. They cause water and land pollution, and so they should be banned. To what extent do you agree with this statement?
• Information technology is changing many aspects of our lives and now dominates our home, leisure and work activities. To what extent do the benefits of information technology outweigh the disadvantages?
• Some people think that schools are no longer necessary because people can acquire information on the Internet. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Some people believe that university students should pay all the costs of studies because university education only benefits students themselves, not society as a whole. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Some think increasing business and cultural contact between nations is positive. Others think it leads to the disappearance of the national identity. Discuss both views and state your own opinion.
• Some people think that schools should select students according to their academic abilities, while others believe that it is better to have students with different abilities studying together. Discuss both views and state your own opinion.
• Many people like to eat unhealthy food even though they know it’s bad for them. Why? What are the most effective ways to improve people’s eating habits?
• Some people think there are not many things individuals can do to resolve environmental problems, while others believe that in order to tackle environmental problems individuals also need to take action. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• There is too much noise in many public places in cities. What are the causes of this problem? What can be done to solve the problem?
• Crime rates will fall as advances in technology make it easier to detect and prevent crimes. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• In many situations, people who break the law should be warned instead of punished. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Some people think employers should not care about the way their employees dress, but the quality of work. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Some people think children should have the freedom to make mistakes, while other people believe that adults should prevent children from making mistakes. Discuss both sides and give your opinion
• Although more and more people read news on the Internet, newspapers will remain the most important source of news for the majority of people. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Some students take one year off between finishing high school and going to university, in order to travel or to work. Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
• Today, many people do not know their neighbours in large cities. What problems does this cause? What can be done about this?
• An increasing number of developing countries are expanding their tourist industry. Why do you think it is the case? Do you think it is a positive or negative development?
• Nowadays, more and more people from different cities are spending more time away from their families. What are the possible reasons and the effects on the people themselves and their families?
• Some people say that nowadays children have an easy life, and some people think that the life of children was easier in the past. Discuss both points of view and also provide relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
• Some people say that all popular TV entertainment programmes should aim to educate viewers about important social issues. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
• Some people believe the purpose of education should be to help the individual to become useful to society, while others believe it should help individuals to achieve their ambitions. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
• Many people believe that a person’s culture is defined by their country of origin, while others believe that it has only minor influence. Discuss both these views and give your opinion.
• More and more people are finding it increasingly important to wear fashionable clothes. Is this attitude to wearing clothes a positive development or negative?
• The movement of people from villages to cities for work can cause serious problems in both places. What are the serious problems associated with this? What measures can be taken to solve these problems?
• In the world of the internet, people write product reviews of products and services. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
• Some people prefer to buy local products while others prefer international products. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Some believe that more action should be taken to prevent crime, while others feel that crime is being tackled effectively now. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
• Some people say it is more important to plant trees in the open spaces in towns and cities than to build more housing. To what extant do you agree or disagree?
• Some scientists think that computers will soon become more intelligent than humans.To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
• Some people think that dangerous extreme sports such as rock climbing and sky-diving should be banned. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?
• Young people are often influenced by their peers. Do the advantages of peer pressure outweigh the disadvantages? 
• Some people believe that nowadays too much money is being spent on weddings and birthdays. Why do you think it is happening? What can be done to improve the situation?
• In many countries, the legal driving age is 18 years old. Some people believe it is the right age to learn how to drive a car, whereas others say that the minimum age should be 25. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• Some people think that instead of preventing climate change , we need to find a way to live with it. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Sample Task 2 Questions: January 2021  

• Some people feel that the effects of advertising are positive for individuals and businesses, while others think they are negative. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
• Some people say that TV advertisements are helpful for viewers, while others disagree. What is your opinion?
• Some people think the spread of multinational companies and globalization produce positive outcomes for everyone. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
• In some countries, there are fewer young people who listen to or play classical music these days. Why is this? Should young people be encouraged to play or perform classical music?
• Directors of large organizations earn much higher salaries than ordinary employees do. Some people think it is necessary, but others are of the opinion that it is unfair. Discuss both views and give your own opinions.
• Prison is the common way in most countries try to solve the problem of crime. However, a more effective solution is to provide people with a better education. Do you agree or disagree?
• Some think that climate change reforms will negatively affect business. Others feel they are an opportunity for businesses. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
• Some people argue that holding sporting events is beneficial to a country’s development. However, other people hold the opposite opinion. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• The first man to walk on the moon claimed it was a step forward for mankind. However, it has made little difference in most people’s lives. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Some people think that good teamwork makes a company successful, others think that good leadership is the reason behind the success of a company. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

Take a look at some of our IELTS vocabulary to help you write about the above topics.

Task 2 Sample Questions: October/November 2020  

• Nowadays more and more people want to get things done instantly. Why is it? Do you think it is a positive or negative development?
• Some people think that it is a waste of time for high school students to study literature, such as novels and poems. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• In some countries the elderly are highly valued and respected, while in others youth is more highly valued. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
• The personal information of many individuals is held by large internet companies and organisations. Do you think the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
• Some people believe that handwriting is no longer useful in the modern world and should not be taught in schools. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Some believe that advances in technology are increasing the gap between rich and poor while others think the opposite is happening. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
• Some people believe that smart phones are destroying social interaction today. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Some people believe that governments should ban dangerous sports. Others claim that they should have freedom to choose their favourite activities. Discuss both views and present your opinion.
• Nowadays employment options are changing and employees cannot rely on having the same job and working conditions throughout their life. What are some possible causes? Suggest some ways to plan for the future under these circumstances.
• Many companies sponsor sports as a way of advertising themselves. Some people think this is good for the world of sport, while others think it is negative. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Governments in many countries have recently introduced special taxes on foods and beverages with high levels of sugar. Some think these taxes are a good idea while others disagree. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• Many people think technological devices such as smartphones, tablets and mobile phones bring more disadvantages than advantages. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• It is better for children if the whole family including aunts, uncles and grandparents are involved in a child’s upbringing, rather than just their parents. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Most people prefer shopping in supermarkets nowadays. How does this affect the local shops? What are the positive and negative impacts of this development?
• In many countries, fast food is becoming cheaper and more widely available. Do the disadvantages of this outweigh the advantages?
• The government should lower the budget on the arts in order to allocate more money to education.To what extent do you agree?
• Many people argue that eating junk food has led to an unhealthy lifestyle. This problem has become more common among young people these days. Do you agree or disagree that junk food is the cause of the issue?
• Some people think that in order to produce a happy society, it is necessary to ensure that there is only a small difference between the earnings of the richest and poorest. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• The manufacturing and use of cars damage the environment but their popularity is increasing. Why is this happening? How could this be controlled?
• Some people think that young people should go to university to further their education while others think they should be encouraged to work as car mechanics or builders etc.to serve society. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Some people believe that to give opportunities to the new generation companies should encourage high-level employees who are older than 55 to retire. Do you agree or disagree?
• Nowadays celebrities earn more money than politicians. What are the reasons for this? Is it a positive or negative development?
• Many people believe that countries should produce food for the whole population and import as little food as possible. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Some people think that it is necessary to travel abroad to learn about other countries, but others think that it is not necessary to travel abroad because all the information can be seen on TV and the internet. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Why are some people who leave school early more successful compared with those who complete their studies. Provide reasons why they are more successful and what are the requirements for success?
• Countries with long average working hours are economically more successful than those countries which do not work long hours. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
•  Many students around the world don’t choose science subjects at university. Give the reasons for this and describe the impact on the community?
• It is better for young people to get advice from old people than young ones. Do you agree or disagree?
• Some people think that music plays an important role in society. Others think it is simply a form of entertainment. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
• Some people think that job satisfaction is more important than job security. Others think that people cannot expect to enjoy a job and that having a permanent job is more important. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• Some people say that technologies such as mobile phones are disrupting social interaction. Do you agree or disagree?
• Some people think history has little or nothing to offer, while others say the study of the past helps us understand the present. Write on both views and give your opinion, citing examples from your experience
• Some people think that zoos are cruel and all the zoos should be closed. However, others think that zoos are useful to protect rare animals. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Some people think that the best way to stay fit is to join a gym/health club while others think doing everyday activities such as walking and climbing stairs is sufficient. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• Nowadays online shopping is extremely popular. Discuss the impact of it on the environment and on people who lost their jobs because of it
• Nowadays celebrities earn more money than politicians. What are the reasons for this? Is it a positive or negative development
• Many people think that every individual is responsible for their happiness, but some people believe there are other external factors that influence us. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• It is too expensive to look after and repair old buildings. This money should be spent on building modern buildings instead. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
• Scientific research should be the responsibility of governments rather than commercial organizations. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
• Some people believe that women should be treated as equal to men when applying for a job with police or the military. Others think women are less suitable for this kind of job. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• Some people prefer to work in the same type of job throughout their lifetime while others like to change the type of job they do. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• Some people think that it is fine for professional sportsmen and sportswomen to misbehave on or off the field, as long as they are playing well. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
• People are becoming too dependent on the Internet and phone. Is it a positive or negative development?
• Some people suggest that it is better for children to be brought up by the whole family including uncles, aunts and grandparents, rather than just the parents. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give your opinion and examples.
• Some people think that the government should increase tax on unhealthy food to encourage people to start eating healthy. Do you agree or disagree?
• Nowadays, people are spending more time away from their homes because they spend longer in their workplace. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
• Nowadays a few people take their family with them abroad whenever they go on a business trip. What are the advantages and disadvantages for them and for their family
• Many parents complain about violence promoted to their children through video games, TV programs and other media. Why is it happening? What can be the solution for it?
• Nowadays most people are not as fit and active, as they were in the past. What are the main causes of this situation? Suggest some possible solutions.
• Nowadays, international tourism is the biggest industry in the world. Unfortunately, it creates tension rather than understanding between people from different cultures. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
• Fossil fuels (e.g. coal, oil and gas) are the main source of energy for most countries. However, alternative sources of energy (e.g. wind and solar) have been encouraged for use by some countries. To what extent is this a positive or negative development?
• Nowadays media should include more good news in their publications. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
• Fossil fuels are the main source of energy around the world. However, people are being encouraged to use alternative energy sources such as wind energy, solar energy and so on. Do you think this is a positive or negative development? Why?
• Some people believe that elderly employees are more useful to a company, while others believe that young employees are better. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• The number of older people is increasing. Some people think that this will cause problems in their countries, while others believe this group is important to society. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Some think that teenagers should follow older people’s rules. Others think that it is natural for them to challenge what older people say. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• Television Sporting shows such as the Olympics motivate the youth who do not like to exercise much. Do you agree or disagree? Include relevant examples in your answer and provide your own opinion.
• Nowadays many people want to buy famous brands of clothes, cars and other items. What are the reasons for this? Do you think it is a positive or negative development?
• More people live alone today than they did in the past. Do you think this is a positive or negative development? Give your opinion and relevant examples to support your view.
• Some people believe that price is the only consideration when buying something. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give your opinion and include relevant examples.
• Some people believe that educational success depends on good teachers, while others believe that students’ attitudes are important. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• People in the current generation are not fit and active. This will cause health problems in the future. What could be the reasons for the inactivity and suggest solutions for this issue?
• Parents, usually mothers, stay at home to look after their families. People believe that for this they should receive a salary from the government. Do you agree or disagree and why?
• Some people think that they can go to the gym to remain fit, while others think that there are other better ways to do this. Discuss both views along with your opinion.
• Some people say companies should require all employees to wear uniforms at work. Others think it is unnecessary. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Because of modern technology , some people believe that it is no longer necessary for people to learn handwriting skills, but others believe that handwriting is still an important skill. Discuss both views and give your opinion based on your experience.
• Nowadays many people work from home. Some think it is beneficial, while others think it may distract the family routine. What is your opinion?
•  It is necessary for parents to attend a parenting training course to bring their children up. Do you agree or disagree?
• Nowadays people work too hard. What is the reason for this? What should employers do to prevent employees from overworking?
• Nowadays people get married and have children after the age of 30. Is it a positive or negative development?
• Today, some young people say that their mobile phones are the most important thing they own. Do you think that the popularity of mobile phones is a good or bad thing?
• Nowadays, people believe that governments should invest tax-payers money in healthcare, while others believe that money should be used in other areas. Discuss both points of view and give your opinion.
• Adults do less exercise nowadays. Some think that people can be encouraged to live healthy lives through sporting events such as the Olympics or the World Cup. Others think that there are better ways to encourage adults to exercise. Discuss both views and state your opinion.
• Modern cultures around the world have become similar when compared to the past. What are the reasons? Is it a positive or negative development?
• People are using a lot of online language translation apps. Are there more advantages than disadvantages to such services?
• Demand for food is increasing worldwide. What is the cause of this? What measures can the international community take to meet this demand?
• Many companies sponsor sports as a way of advertising themselves. Some people think that this is a good thing, while others think that it has disadvantages. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Some people believe that to be successful at a sport you need natural ability and others think that hard work and practice can make you successful. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• Nowadays, adults do little exercise. Some people believe that the best way to address this issue is by covering great sports events such as the Olympics on television. Others think that it is more beneficial to take other measures. What is your opinion?
• These days some people spend a lot of money on tickets to go to sporting or cultural events. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
• Some people believe that technology has made man more social and others think that it has made him less social. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• Experts say older people were happier and healthier in the past because they did more exercise and spent more time with family and friends, whereas many now suffer from loneliness and health problems. What are the causes of this and what are some solutions?
• Some people believe that to be successful at a sport you need a natural ability and others think that hard work and practice can make you successful. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• Some people believe that there will be a reduction in air travel in the future. Do you think that this trend is a positive or negative development?
• Some people believe that technology has made man more sociable and others think that it has made us less sociable. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• At the present time, the population of some countries includes a relatively large number of young adults, compared with the number of older people. Do you think that the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
• Some people believe that it is important to give gifts to friends and family to show that we care about them. Others think that there are better ways to show that we care. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• Today much of the food people eat gets transported from farms that are thousands of miles away. Some people believe it would be better for the environment and the economy if people only consumed food produced by local farmers. Would the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
• With internet improvements, people can share views or opinions on certain goods or services that they have purchased. Is this a good or a bad thing? Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• The qualities and skills that a person requires to become successful in today’s world cannot be learned at a university or any other academic institution. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Shopping has become a new favourite pastime for the younger generation. Why is this the case? Should we encourage them to develop other hobbies too?
• Courses and general online study have recently become very popular. However, some people still prefer to attend classes in person. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Some people think that prison sentences should not be used to deal with criminals. Education and skills training should be used instead. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• It is often said that it is not necessary to have a tertiary education to become a successful businessman. To what extent to you agree or disagree with this statement? Give your opinion and relevant examples.
• Today it is common practice for many business meetings and business training to take place online. Do the advantages of this new development outweigh the disadvantages?
• Nowadays, the internet and television have given ordinary people a chance to become famous. Is this a positive or negative development?
• Some people from poor and rural backgrounds find it difficult to get a university education. Universities should make it easier for such groups to enrol. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Some people think that it is the responsibility of governments to take care of the environment, while others believe that it is the responsibility of the citizens. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• Many people believe that family has a greater influence on a child’s life and development than other factors, such as friends, TV, music and so on. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
• Science can now offer people a life expectancy of close to one hundred years or even more. Some people view it in a positive light, but others believe it creates some problems. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• These days, many people prefer ready-to-eat food outside of their homes rather than homemade food. Do you think this has more advantages or disadvantages?
• Certain personal qualities cannot be achieved through university studies. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give your opinion and relevant examples.
• In some countries, the quality of life in larger cities is declining. Why do you think this is happening? What measures can be taken to stop it?

Task 2 Questions: June 2019

• Shopping is now one of the most popular forms of leisure activity in many countries for young adults. What do you think is the reason for this? Is this a positive or negative development?
• In many countries, people are living in a “throwaway society” where things are used for a short time and thrown away. What are the causes of this and what problems does it lead to?
• In some countries, people follow the latest fashion and hairstyles. In your opinion, what is influencing this? Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
• In some countries, children under 16 years old are not allowed to leave school by law and get full-time work. Is this a good or bad thing? Discuss your opinion.
• Nowadays, people have adopted an unhealthy lifestyle. Why do think this is? How could this problem be solved?
• Some young people are leaving the countryside to live in cities and towns, leaving only old people in the countryside. Why do think this is? Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
• In many countries, people have more health problems because they choose to live an unhealthy lifestyle. What do you think are the reasons for this and how can it be solved? Give relevant examples from your experience.
• Countries with a long average working time are more economically successful than those countries which do not have a long working time. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Nowadays, people of all ages from certain parts of the world spend the most time at home rather than going outdoors. Discuss the reasons, is this a negative or positive development?
• With the development of technology and science, some people believe that there is no great value of artists such as musicians and painters. What are the things artists can do but scientists cannot? Should art be encouraged more?
• While recruiting a new employee, the employer should pay more attention to their personal qualities, rather than qualifications and experience. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give your opinion and include relevant examples.
• Money should be spent on creating new public buildings such as museums or town halls rather than renovating the existing ones. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• All the people in a company should be treated equally and provided with the same number of holidays in a year or people doing different jobs enjoy a different amount of holiday time. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Some people say that a person’s success is a result of the way he has been brought up by his parents. Do you agree or disagree?
• Public celebrations (such as national days, festivals etc) are held in most countries. These are often quite expensive and some people say that governments should spend money on more useful things. Do you agree or disagree?
• Some people say that children given pocket money every week will have lesser money problems when they become adults. Do you agree or disagree?
• The global demand for oil and gas is increasing. Some people believe that we should therefore encourage the exploitation of remote areas. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
• Today, many big cities in the world are increasing in size. What are the problems associated with it? What are the solutions to these problems?
• Some young people are leaving the countryside to live in cities or towns, it leaves only old people in the countryside. What are the problems with this issue? What can be done to solve this problem?
• Many people believe that learning a foreign language is a very difficult task. What are the most difficult things about learning a foreign language? What is the best way to overcome them? Explain and include your personal experience or knowledge of these problems.
• Some people think high-end technology can prevent and cut down the rate of committing a crime. Do you agree or disagree?
• Some people feel that courses can make anyone a teacher, while others feel an excellent teacher cannot be made by pursuing a course. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• Some people think that a high salary is important when choosing a company to work for, while others think that a good working atmosphere is more important. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• Some people encourage young children to leave their parents’ house as soon as they become adults while others say children should stay at their parents’ house as long as possible. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• Many countries thought that children have to do homework in their free time while other say children should do more outdoor activities. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Some people say that art subjects such as music, drama and creative writing are an essential part of education, and every school should include them in its syllabus. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give your opinion and examples from your own experience.
• Nowadays in many countries, women have full-time jobs. Therefore, it is logical to share household tasks evenly between men and women. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
• Some people think that public health within a country can be improved by the government making laws regarding nutritious food. Others, however, think that health is a matter of personal choice and responsibility. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• Some people believe that the construction of new public buildings such as museums, town halls and sporting facilities is more important than the renovation of the existing ones, while others disagree. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Nowadays the crime rate is increasing, especially among teenagers. What are the reasons behind it? How can we reverse this trend? What punishment methods should be used, in your opinion?
• Nowadays online education has become popular as more institutes and companies are offering courses online. However, many people prefer traditional, classroom training or study. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both methods.
• Some people believe that the government should take care of old people and provide financial support after they retire. Others say individuals should save during their working years to fund their own retirement. What is your opinion? Give reasons for your answer and include examples from your own experience.
• In some cultures, old people are valued more, while in other cultures youth is considered more valuable. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• Nowadays people waste a lot of food that was bought from shops and restaurants. Why do you think people waste food? What can be done to reduce the amount of food they throw away?
• In today’s times, the internet is making it easy to study online from home. Some prefer online courses to study and they think it is better. Others prefer classroom education. Discuss both views and share your opinion.
• Successful companies use advertising to make more sales. What can make an advertisement very effective? Do you think this is a bad thing or a good thing for society?
• Science will soon make people live up to 100 or even 200 years. Some believe this is a good thing while others disagree. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Some people believe that after hundred years life will be easier for most of people, while others are unsure. What is your opinion?
• Some people think it is important to spend a lot of money on a wedding celebration, while others disagree. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• Some people think that giving gifts and presents to friends and family is important to show them that we care. Others think that there are more important ways. Discuss both and give your opinion.
• The media is increasing interest in famous people who have ordinary backgrounds. Why do you think people are interested in the lives of famous people? Do you think this is a good thing?
• Some people prefer activities and lifestyles in hot climates while others prefer activities and lifestyles in cold climates. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• Online education and training is becoming increasingly popular in the business world. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?
• More and more parents are allowing their children to play on computers and tablets as they think that children should learn technology skills. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?
• People are living in a ‘throwaway society’, using things for a short time and then throwing them away. What are the causes of this? What problems does it lead to?
• Nowadays children mostly spend time playing computer games rather than sports. What are the reasons for this? Is it a positive or negative development?
• Scientists agree that many people eat too much junk food and it is damaging their health. Some people think that this problem can be solved by educating people, while others believe that education will not work. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Many people believe that TV news and media, in general, have a detrimental effect on our life. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give your own opinion, including relevant examples.
• Many famous athletes advertise different products. What are the advantages and disadvantages of it?
• Nowadays people try to balance their work with other things in life, but only some could actually achieve it so far. What are the reasons for that? How can we solve this problem?
• Some people say that online study is the most effective and convenient way to learn. Others believe that online study will never be as effective as learning at school, or in person. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Children and teenagers are committing more and more crimes in many countries. Why is this happening? How can we stop or at least reduce youth crime?
• Some people prefer cold weather conditions, while others don’t. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Some people think subjects taught in school are a waste of time, while others disagree and believe that this type of education is useful for students. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Some people think that the only way to relax is to rest or sleep, while others say people need to do exercise or sports to relax. Discuss both viewpoints and give your own opinion.
• Some parents and teachers think that children’s behaviour should be strictly controlled. While some think that children should be free to behave. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• In many countries, day by day rubbish (garbage) is increasing. Why is it happening? What can be done?
• Some people see shopping as a leisure activity mostly for young adults, while others disagree. Do you think this has a positive or negative effect on economic development? Give your opinion and include relevant examples.
• Shopping has become a favourite pastime among young people. What do you think it is like that? Do you think they must be encouraged to do other things rather than shopping?
• Some people think that the main factors influencing a child’s development these days are things such as television, friends, and music. Others believe that the family still remains more important. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• Food travels thousands of miles from producers to consumers. Some people think that it would be better for the environment and economy if people only ate the local food produced by farmers. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Some people argue that the fittest, strongest individuals and teams can achieve the greatest success in sports. But other people think that success is as much related to mental attitude. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• Some people become famous when they were at a young age. Do you think this is positive or negative?
• Some people believe it is important to give gifts and presents to friends and family to show that we care about them. Others think that there are better ways to show affection to them. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Many people believe that spending a lot of money on weddings is fine, while others completely disagree. Discuss both views and give your own opinion and examples .
• Many people believe the government should spend money on faster public transport. Others think that money should be spent on different aspects of public transportation, such as cost reduction and environmental conservation. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Some people believe that manufacturers should be responsible for reducing the large amounts of packaging they use. Others say consumers should avoid buying heavily packaged items. Discuss both views and state your opinion. Give reasons for your answer and include examples from your experience.
• Some people think that family has the most important influence on children’s development, while others believe that factors such as TV, friends, music and books have a more significant impact. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Task 2 questions (October 2018)

• Today, most people get married and give birth in their thirties rather than when they are younger. Is this a positive or negative development?
• Shops should give preference in selling local food rather than imported food. Do you agree or disagree?
• A growing population is a big problem in developing countries. Should the government provide new homes in the cities or the countryside?
• Some people think that the media (newspapers) have the right to publish details of people’s private lives, while others think it should be controlled. Discuss both views.
• Some people think that activities during the free time should be planned while others disagree. Discuss both sides and include examples and relevant data from your own experience.
• In some countries, an increasing number of people are suffering from health problems as a result of eating too much fast food. It is therefore necessary for governments to impose a higher tax on this kind of food? To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion? You should use your own ideas, knowledge and experience and support your arguments with examples and relevant evidence.
• Today more people are overweight than ever before. What in your opinion are the primary causes of this? What measures can be taken to overcome this epidemic?
• In most parts of the world, people are living longer. What are the possible causes of this situation? Is this a negative or positive development?
• Today, the internet and TV have created that chance for ordinary people to become famous. Is it a positive or negative development?
• Nowadays food has become easier to prepare. Has this change improved the way people live? Give reasons for your answer using your own ideas and experience.
• Nowadays many people believe that children should be taught history in schools, however, others argue that children should learn subjects that are more helpful for modern everyday life. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Some parents believe that a child should not waste time by reading entertainment books instead, they should spend time reading educational books only. What is your opinion about this?
• Some people think that young children need to attend nursery before primary school. While others believe young children can spend all day at home. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• Some people believe school children should be given multiple short vacations while others believe they should get one long vacation. Give advantages of both and your point of view.
• Some people think that the advantages of advertising sports products through famous sports players outweigh the disadvantages. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• In our society, there is far more attention on men’s sport than women’s sport. What are the reasons for this? Do you think that this is positive or negative development?
• It has been said that reading for pleasure is better in developing imagination and language skills than watching TV. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Advertisements are influencing us in a negative way. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• School teachers are more responsible for the social and intellectual development of students than parents. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Some people spend a lot of money on their wedding ceremonies. However, others feel like it is unnecessary to spend a lot. Discuss both view points and give your own opinion.
• Since travelling abroad became relatively inexpensive, more countries opened their doors for foreign tourists. Is it a positive or negative trend? Give your opinion and include relevant examples.
• Many countries consider eighteen-year-olds to be adults, while other countries don’t. What do you think about it? Give your opinion and some relevant examples based on your own experience.

Writing task 2 questions (September 2018)

• Some people think that the only way to judge someone’s success in business is by the amount of money they make. Is this a true indicator of the success of a business and in what other ways could success in a business be measured?
• The restoration of old buildings in major cities around the world costs enormous amounts of money. This money would be better spent on providing new housing and road development. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
• Employers should give their workers at least one month’s holiday a year as it makes them to do better at their job. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Some people believe the Olympic Games don’t belong to the 21st century anymore. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Some parents believe that reading books for entertainment is a waste of time for children and they think that their children should only read serious educational books. What is your opinion?
• Some people think that advertising on TV is useless and others disagree. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
• Some people think money is the best gift to give it to youngsters, while others disagree. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• For school children, their teachers have more influence on their intelligence and social development than their parents. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• In the modern world, it is possible to shop, work and communicate with people via the internet and live without any face-to-face contact with others. Is it a positive or negative development in your opinion? To what extent do you support this development?
• Many university students live with their families, while others live away from home because their universities are in different places. What are the advantages and disadvantages of both situations?
• In the modern world, it is no longer necessary to use animals for food, clothing or medicine. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer and include examples from your own experience.
• Some businesses observe that new employees who just graduated from a college or university seem to lack the interpersonal skills needed for communication with their colleagues. What could be the reason for this? What solutions can help address this problem?
• Some people believe that we should start giving formal education to students at a much earlier age, while others think we should wait until the age of 7. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Discuss and give reasons for your answer.
• Nowadays in many countries, young people leave rural areas to study or work in cities. What are the reasons for this? Do the benefits of this outweigh the disadvantages?
• Some parents believe that reading entertainment books is a waste of time. In their opinion, children should only read serious, educational books. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer and include relevant examples from your own experience.
• Nowadays there is a growing trend of private car ownership. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages or environmental problems associated with this?
• Some people believe that companies should pay for the damage they cause to the environment, while others say that the government should be responsible for such expenses. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer and include examples from your experience.
• Nowadays there are many medical surveys of treatments to reduce health problems. Who should conduct them, governments, individuals or private companies, in your opinion? Give reasons for your answer and include relevant examples from your experience.
• The international community must act immediately to ensure that all countries reduce their consumption of fossil fuels such as gas, oil and coal. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give your own opinion.
• Many people believe that it is a good idea to have a dress code at workplaces. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give your opinion and examples from your own experience.
• Some think that private companies should pay for pollution clean up, while others say it should be a government’s responsibility. Discuss, and state your own opinion.
• Many people think that more having more money will make them happier. How important is money to happiness?
• Many people believe that the use of new technology improves the lives of employees. Others think it is a disadvantage for them. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Some people say that sport is very important for a nation’s development, while others believe that sport is no more than a leisure time activity. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Some people think that children should start school sooner while others believe they should not start it before the age of seven. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Some people argue that competitive sports are good for bringing together different people and cultures. Others argue that these sports can cause problems and increase conflicts between nations. Discuss both points of view and give your own opinion.
• In some countries, it is illegal for employers to reject job applications on the basis of age criteria. Is it a positive or negative development? Give reasons for your answer and include examples from your own experience.
• Many young people regularly change their jobs over the years. What are the reasons for this? Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
• Some people think that new technologies benefit the life of workers whereas some deny the statement. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
• Scientists agree that many people are eating too much junk food and it is damaging to their health. Some people think that these problems can be solved by educating people to eat less junk food. Other people believe that education will not work. Discuss both opinions and give your own opinion.
• Some people think that companies and private individuals should pay to clean up the pollution that they produce, not the government. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• As more and more students enter universities, academic qualifications are becoming devalued. To get ahead in many professions, more than one degree is now required and in future, it is likely that people will take a number of degree courses before even starting work. This is an undesirable situation. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Many people are involved in sports when they are young but stop once they are adults. Why do many adults stop doing physical exercise? What can be done about this problem?
• Some people think that it is a good idea for all employees to wear a uniform at work. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Some people think that new technology always improves the lives of workers. Other people believe that it results in disadvantages for workers. Discuss both opinions and give your own opinion.
• Some people think that international competitive sports such as football bring conflict between people of different age groups and nationalities. Others think the sport is helping reach understanding between people and nations. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• Some people think that only staff who worked in the company for a long time should be promoted to higher positions. What is your opinion on this? Give reasons and relevant examples for your answer.
• Some people think it’s a good idea to wear a uniform at work. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer with relevant examples from knowledge or experience.
• Some people think it is more important to spend time in developing a successful career while others think it is more important to spend time with friends and family. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
• There is less social contact between young and old. What are the reasons? What measures can be taken?
• Do you agree with the following statement: home schooling protects students from a number of challenges faced by non-home-schooled children?
• Does distant learning make it easier for students to balance their everyday lives?
• Learning in one’s native tongue yields better school scores than learning in a medium language. Do you agree or disagree? Argue your point of view.
• Should there be a variety of learning methodologies implemented within the school learning curriculum?
• Some believe that modern technology has made people less socially active, while others disagree. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• The best way to reduce crime among young people is to teach parents good parenting skills. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give your own opinion and examples.
• Some psychologists think that the best way to overcome the stress of everyday life is to spend a portion of the day doing absolutely nothing. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• There is a trend of increasing amounts of consumer goods, which leads to environmental problems. What are the reasons for this trend? Give your own opinion and solutions.
• The difference in age between parents and their children has increased compared to the past. Do you think advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?
•  Scientists have been warning for many years already that in order to protect the environment people should use less energy. However, most people do not change their ways of living. What is causing this behaviour? How can people be encouraged to change?
• Some people think that children should go to kindergarten before attending primary school, while others believe that is better for children to stay all day with their families. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Some people believe that trade and cultural relationships between the countries is a positive development, while others disagree. Discuss both the views and include your own opinion.
• Recently there are more gas stations being built as opposed to diesel ones in rural areas. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?
• Many parents (mostly women) decide to stay home and take care of the family members instead of going out for work. Some people suggest that they should be paid by the government for doing that. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer and include examples from your own experience.
• Different cultures are mixing today and the world is becoming a global village. Is it a positive or a negative development? Give your own opinion and examples.
• Nowadays people’s life is changing rapidly and, as a result, family relationships are affected. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages? Give your opinion and examples from your own experience.
• Measures have been put in place to improve road safety by reducing the speed limits. Some people believe there are better alternatives. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Some people think that the range of technology available to people is increasing the gap between the rich and the poor. Others think it has the opposite effect. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• Some of the methods used in advertising are unethical and unacceptable in today’s society. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
• People nowadays are not as fit and active as they were in the past. What are the reasons for this? What measures can be taken for this?

Click here for IELTS task 2 topics and answers.

For above band 7 you will need IELTS vocabulary, this page shares some useful strategies and sources to improve your lexical resource.

To improve your opinion-forming skills, check out the BBC , and get a rough overview of the current affairs in each topic. For example, at the moment, regarding the environment the main topic is climate change -could you write 250 words about global warming? Likewise, for the topic of technology, what do you know about artificial intelligence ? You don’t have to be an expert but you do need to have an opinion, and that can only come from getting informed about the topics.

In summary, it is advisable to be well-versed in current affairs, have a global view of events, and have a bit of knowledge about each topic.

IELTS writing tips The writing part of the IELTS can prove to be a little overwhelming; especially, if you don’t know how to approach it. Below is a list  of writing tips to help you feel less overwhelmed.

IELTS writing samples If you aren’t quite sure how to approach your writing section of the IELTS and want some ideas from those who have succeeded click here.

IELTS essay topics with answers IELTS essays are a great opportunity for you to show off your English abilities in written form. We have put together a great archive of IELTS essay topics with the answers!

Essay writing topics Practice is truly the mother of preparation, so why not make sure you are ready to tackle the IELTS essay by going through our list of essay topics you might encounter during the exam.

Try our new online IELTS Essay Checker for instant essay correction

Preparing for the IELTS exam? We have a helpful tool for you! Check out our online IELTS Essay Checker . This tool uses smart technology to look at your essays. It can tell you where you made mistakes and how to fix them.

This way, you can learn faster. Plus, it’s quick! Instead of waiting for a teacher to check your essay, this tool gives you feedback right away. Another great thing is that it’s cheaper than many other study methods. Many students spend a lot of money on IELTS classes and books.

Our online IELTS Essay Checker is a good way to save some money. So, as you practice with the IELTS Task 2 questions on this page, remember to use the AI Essay Checker. It will help you get better at writing and save you both time and money. 

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How to write ielts writing task 2.

• Read the question and understand what the examiner is asking
• Take a few minutes to think about what you’re going to write
• Write your introduction
• Developing the essay ideas, your approach, and your explanations
• Conclude your essay with a summary that completes the circle
• Read the essay and make sure you didn’t make any mistakes

Read this post for more

How to generate ideas for writing task 2?

• Write a possible answer to the question
• Mind gone blank? Put the topic of the question into Google or Youtube
• Summarise different opinions on the topics
• Attempt more questions and you will find you now have more ideas

Read this post for more tips

For more help with your IELTS tutorials, take a look at our tutorials here:

• IELTS Task 2
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• Sample answers for IELTS Globalisation Essays
• Score higher in IELTS Writing Task 1 and Task 2
• Problem Solution Essays in IELTS Writing Task 2
• Sample Answers: discuss the advantages and disadvantages
• Extremely Useful Sentences for Task 2
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Sample task 2 IELTS essays and 240 task questions ebook

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How to Crack Environment Essays For IELTS Writing Task 2? A Guide to Enhance Your Writing Skills

The environment essay for IELTS writing tasks 2 is a nightmare to many students. Aspirants have to write a 250 words essay in approximately 40 minutes. It is very important to maintain the quality of the essay while the candidates must aim for finishing it up within time.

The aspirant has to keep calm, focused and manage his/ her time perfectly to get closer to achieving his/ her desired Band score in the IELTS examination. Good hold on the English vocabulary is also very important for writing great content for the writing task.

The aspirant must be careful enough to avoid any silly mistake or grammatical error while he/ she might try to finish the writing within time. 

A Guidance on Environment Essay for IELTS

The environment essays genre is one of the topics you can expect in your writing task 2. The essay will focus on different aspects related to the environment. Instead of being overwhelmed, it is better to be prepared. 

Look through the main ideas and questions that can be expected. Probably, read up a little more on the subject. Most importantly, always maintain a relevant list of phrases, keywords, and observations to add in your essay. It is essential to have a trusted mentor to guide you along with this task.

Focus on Topics

The natural environment has now become a global concern. Every economy is trying to find a way to secure future generations or life on earth. The trending topics on environment essays will require insight and depth as you put your points forth. Following are the few topics related to the natural environment that you could consider.

• The impact of global warming. This issue about the environment includes noise pollution, and different other environmental pollution. You can also show statistics here for highlighting the impacts. 
• The harsh impact of consumerism on the environment. Here the sufferings of the natural environment can be talked about.
• Developing and developed economies and their individual roles in protecting the climate. Talk about how countries are spreading awareness.
• The illegal import and export of leather and other animal body parts.
• Natural disasters and if there is a way to combat their destruction.
• Man Made destruction through nuclear weapons.
• Vegetarianism or non-vegetarianism.
• Disturbance in the ecological balance.

Also Read: Top 10 Blogs on IELTS Lessons You Should Read To Get The 8 Band

Previous and Probable Questions Based on Environment Essay for IELTS Writing Task 2

• Climate change is an urgent issue and it is believed that the utilization of fossil fuels should be stopped and alternative energy resources should be used instead. It is however believed that oil, gas, and coal are indispensable. What is your opinion? Support your point of view with relevant examples.
• Forests are abundant in oxygen, fertility and animal habitation. The rise of population and consumption has led to deforestation. What are the primary causes of deforestation? To what results may it lead?
• It is believed that the importance given to wildlife by the government weighs higher, and other important issues go unnoticed. Do you agree or disagree ?

Some More Questions from Environment Essay

• Some people think that international car-free days will help in reducing fuel usage and air pollution. Others believe there is an effective alternative to this. To what extent do you agree with this opinion?
• With growing urbanization and concentration of population in the cities, these places are losing their natural beauty spots. Are there any benefits in protecting these spots? How can this be solved?
• Global warming is one of the biggest threats to our environment at present. What causes global warming? How can we prevent it from growing further?

Other Important Question on Environment Includes

• Water pollution is now on a rise, recycling is of little help. What causes water pollution? How can we prevent this problem?
• Atomic energy is one of the most popular sources of energy at present. However, most believe nuclear power is dangerous to human and natural life. What is your opinion?
• Global environmental protection is the responsibility of rich nations and not poor nations. To what extent do you agree with this opinion?

Lexical Resource for Education Genre

This will help you maintain a list of phrases, keywords, terms to express observations and trends.

• Emissions; conservation; climate change; solar power
• To be under threat: to be in danger of becoming extinct
• Endangered species; environmentally friendly; fossil fuels
• Global warming; environmental pollution; humanitarian Aid
• Human activities; natural disaster; poaching; pollution levels
• Toxic waste; wildlife conservation; deforestation; save our environment
• To be extinct; a threat to the human race; chemical consumption
• Industrial waste; land mining; environmental policies
• Sustainability; responsible living; ecological balance
• Optimum utilization of natural resources; recycling waste; upcycling

Important Factors to Get Better Score

Understand the exam format:.

No matter which exam you are preparing for, this part is completely unavoidable. To score better in any paper or exam, it is absolutely necessary to have detailed knowledge about the exam pattern.

More and More Practice:

There is no harm in practising more. Get hold of some practice sets and keep practising as much as you can.

Compact Writing:

No matter how many creative ideas are roaming inside your head, you must remember not to write too much. Time management is the key to better score here so manage it smartly and write accordingly.

Also Read: How to Improve Pronunciation for the IELTS Speaking Questions? Tips to Boost Your Preparation

Keep the things mentioned in this article in your mind while you are preparing for the exam and keep practising with a timer beside you because as you already might know that in exams like IELTS, time plays a big role. Hopefully, this article will help you in achieving your desired Band in the IELTS examination. All the best!

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IELTS Writing Task 2 – Topic: THE ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL SOURCE

ielts writing topics 2019

1.  Nowadays environmental problems are too big to be managed by individual persons or individual countries. In other words, it is an international problem. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Sample Answer

An essential problem of the 21st century is world pollution. Currently the environment is  so much contaminated that urgent measures should be taken. The single individual  cannot be blamed for the world pollution, however every person should take care of his  or her habitat. In addition, it is vital that environmental issues should be treated  internationally.

Lately, many presentations, conferences and international summits are held regarding  waste treatment, recycling, soil and water contamination. For sure joint efforts and  consolidation can only help in the mutual war towards the environmental disaster, which  is going on. For instance, governments should offer support to companies and  organizations, involved in manufacturing, industry or agriculture in order to find  environment friendly approaches. These could be special law regulations, recycling  programs, helping courses in order to implement ISO certificates and many more.

However, the influence of individuals over environment should not be ignored. If we do  not confess that our planet is our home, we will never be able to take adequately care of  it. We have to contribute every day to the preservation of nature and environment. For  example, always remember to save energy by switching off lamps, computers and  everything that we do not use. Our next obligation is to separate waste and throw bulk  only in the designated areas. Driving vehicles can also be environment friendly. For  example, we have to avoid accelerating the engines too rapidly or using the air  condition in the country, where it will be better to save energy and simply open the  windows.

To sum up, environmental problems should be handled by local and international  authorities also. Every single person should take care of environment and moreover we  have to bring up our children to be conscious citizens of a clean and preserved planet.

 (296 words)

2.  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?

I think it is true that in almost every country today each household and family produces  a large amount of waste every week. Most of this rubbish comes from the packaging  from the things we buy, such as processed food. But even if we buy fresh food without  packaging, we still produce rubbish from the plastic bags used everywhere to carry  shopping home.

The reason why we have so much packaging is that we consume so much more on a  daily basis than families did in the past. Convenience is also very important in modern  life, so we buy packaging or canned food that can be transported from long distances  and stored untill we need it, first in the supermarket, and then at home.

However, I think the amount of waste produce is also a result of our tendency to use  something once and throw it away. We forget that even the cheapest plastic bag has  used up valuable resources and energy to produce. We also forget that it is a source of  pollution and difficult to dispose of.

I think, therefore, that governments need to raise this awareness in the general public.  Children can be educated about environmental issues at school, but adults need to take  action. Governments can encourage such action by putting taxes on packaging, such as  plastic bags, by providing recycling services and by thing households and shops that do  not attempt to recycle their waste.

With the political will, such measures could really reduce the amount of rubbish we  produce. Certainly nobody wants to see our resources used up and our planet poisoned  by waste.

 (270 words)

3. Scientists and the news media are presenting ever more evidence of climate change. Governmnets cannot be expected to solve this problem. It is the responsibility of individuals to change their lifestyle to prevent further damage. What are your views?  

Recently scientists worried about climate change have urged governments to introduce  measures to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that are seen as its main cause.  Simultaneously, politicians and environmentalists have urged individuals to make  changes to their lifestyle. I shall argue that governments and individuals should take join  responsibility for this problem.

Firstly, industry accounts for a large proportion of the greenhouse gas emissions, and  this can only be controlled by government action. Measures could be taken to  discourage pollution, such as limiting or taxing the use of fossil fuels. Alternatively,  subsidies could be offered to industries to clean up their production processes. If these  ideas were adopted, I believe that businesses would regard pollution as a financial issue.

Secondly, only discussion between governments can ensure that solutions are  successful. The Kyoto agreement, for example, tried to reach global agreement on how  to address the problem. Without such co-operating, it seems to me that efforts to reduce  fuel consumption are unlikely to be effective.

However, national and international policies will only succeed if individuals also change  their lifestyle. For example, people could think more carefully about how they use  energy in their homes. By using less electricity, installing energy-efficient light bulbs and  electrical appliances, or investing in solar panels, individuals can make a real difference.

In addition, I think individual attitudes to transport need to change. Instead of making  short tips by car, people could choose to walk, cycle, or take a bus. Since cars are a  major source of the problem, changing our behaviour in this area would have a major  impact.

In conclusion, I would maintain that only a combination of international agreement,  national policies, and changes in individual behaviour will succeed in preventing further  damage to the environment.

 (291 words)

4. Many parts of the world are losing important natural resources, such as forests, animals, or clean water. Choose one resource that is disappearing and explain why it needs to be saved. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.  

As human’s population is dramatically rising every year, people’s requirements are  increasing too. We need more food, more fresh water, more places to live. As a result of  this many parts of the world are losing essential and sometimes irreplaceable  resources, such as forest, animals, or fresh water. In this essay I will focus on the threat  of disappearing many wild animals.

The reason why I think that animals should be preserved is that all living creatures on  this planet are connected with each other. So, the disappearance of only one species  can cause dramatic changes in the planet and even death of many other living  creatures. For example, the disappearance of bats will cause the huge increasing of  insect population and this will reflect on all animals and plants. Another example is that  if the population of bats increases, the population of insects will decrease significantly,  and this will cause the disappearance of many plants because insects are the main  pollinators. So, I think it is very important to preserve all species on our planet and live  in harmony with our environment.

Another important reason why I think that animals should be saved is that I, personally,  do not want my child to learn about different animals from books and not be able to see  them alive. I think it is shameful for humankind to explain our children that we are the  reason why those animals disappeared.

In conclusion, I would like to say that the issue about losing important natural resources  is topical and open for debate nowadays. I believe that together people can make a  difference. From my point of view, the first problem we should find a solution for is  human’s overpopulation. As I mentioned above people’s demands are growing and this  means we consume more and more natural resources. The second question, which is on the list of most important issues, is pollution including the air pollution, water  pollution, etc.

 (325 words)

5. The rising levels of congestion and air pollution found in most of the world’s cities can be attributed directly to the rapidly increasing number of private cars in use. In order to reverse this decline in the quality of life in cities, attempts must be made to encourage people to use their cars less and public transport more. Discuss possible ways to encourage the use of public transport.  

Anyone who lives in a city is aware of the increasing number of cars on the road and the  kinds of problems this creates: traffic jams, air pollution and longer commuting periods.  As economies grow and access to cars spreads to increasing numbers of people, this  trend is likely to worsen. The solution, it would seem, is for government to encourage  the use of public transport in urban areas, thus decreasing dependence on the car.

One way to stimulate public transport use is to make private car use more expensive  and inconvenient. The introduction of tolls along urban motorways has been  successfully employed in many cities. Other such measures are high-priced permits for  parking in urban areas and the restriction of parking to a limited number of cars. Faced  with high costs or no place to park, commuters would perhaps be more willing to  abandon their cars in favour of buses or trains.

There are also less punishing ways of spurring public transport use. The construction of  free carparks at suburban train stations has proven successful in quite a number of  countries. This allows commuters to drive part of the way, but take public transport into  the central, most congested, urban areas.

Indeed, making public transport more comfortable and convenient should work to attract  more commuters and decrease traffic congestion. Public transport that is convenient  and comfortable retains its passengers, much like any business that satisfies its  customers. The more commuters committed to taking public transport, the less  congestion on city streets.

 (252 words)

6.  The earth is being filled with waste material such as plastic bags and other rubbish. Is this really happening? What are some solutions to this problem?

Over the past few decades, the increasing amount of industrial wastes and household  garbage has become a major problem in many countries. People have questioned what  caused this problem and what can be done to improve the situation. In my opinion, two  of the most critical causes of this waste material problem are the increased  consumption and a shortage of space for landfill.

To begin with, modern lifestyle has contributed greatly to the increasing amount of  waste and garbage we produce everyday. In other words, we have turned into a  materialistic and mass-consumption society where we use more and throw away more  than ever before. Moreover, countries are running out of space to store garbage and  waste material. In fact, securing land for waste disposal raises controversies in many  countries.

To solve this intractable problem, every citizen needs to participate in producing less  garbage. For example, we can bring our own personal shopping bags instead of using  plastic bags provided by stores and shops. Besides, the government can enforce  stricter laws on companies to use biodegradable packaging or use recycled material.  Indeed, this alone can eliminate much of the waste which is sent to at land fills.  Companies can also contribute by developing new raw material which is recyclable and  will ultimately lead to less garbage. One good example of this is that tire companies  develop new tires for cars which are not made of rubber but of new biodegradable  material.

As discussed above, individuals, business and the government can share the  responsibility to reduce the amount of waste material and to save the earth. I hope that  in the future our offspring will be better off with the well-preserved environment.

 (281 words)

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Environment Band 9 Essay: Samples & Tips

• Updated On December 14, 2023
• Published In IELTS Preparation 💻

Non-native speakers looking to work, migrate or study in an English-speaking country need to appear for IELTS to establish their English proficiency. This exam is accepted by more than 11,000 institutions worldwide. 

Table of Contents

One of the most common queries that aspirants have is- How to score a band 9 in IELTS writing task 2? Apart from this, several candidates are confused about its level of difficulty. The following sections will attempt to answer this question. It is a detailed overview of all sections of the environment essay IELTS band 9 and how to tackle it expertly. In addition, we have added a section on vocabulary for writing task 2. 

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What is IELTS Writing Task 2? 

Most students find scoring in IELTS writing task 2 to be challenging due to the time constraint. In this task, students are expected to write an essay of 250 words in 40 minutes. They must present a clear response to a statement given and address all parts of the task. However, candidates must also present different points of view and justify their opinion.  They must summarise all the necessary details and identify solutions to the problem to attain a high band score. Moreover, students must prepare very well for this section as it accounts for 66% of one’s score.  Furthermore, they will be marked on four criteria: 

• Lexical Resource – This assesses one’s ability to use a wide range of vocabulary and paraphrase the information. Here, the candidate is expected not to use repetitive words or phrases. 
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy – This assesses the range of grammar one uses. These include the usage of compound and simple sentences and punctuation. 
• Coherence and Cohesion – This criterion tests the students’ ability to present their ideas logically. Transition, usage of cohesive devices, formation of paragraphs all are taken into consideration. 
• Task Response – This assesses one’s ability to answer the question correctly. Here, candidates must present hisher opinions and substantiate them with examples. 

How to Approach Writing Task 2? 

There are primarily five types of essay in IELTS writing task 2: 

• Opinion 
• Advantage and Disadvantage 
• Problem, Cause and Solution 
• Discussion 
• Double Question 

The key to nailing IELTS writing task 2 band environment 9 is following a systematic process. First and foremost, students’ need to understand the type of question asked and if it is from the list mentioned above. After that, they need to identify the keywords in the question and follow the instructions diligently.  Secondly, students can write in bullet points and elaborate these in the answer sheet. This is a part of structuring the answer and can help in time management.  Thirdly, they must structure the essay into paragraphs. One must begin with an introduction that states the opinion, followed by a topic and supporting sentences in two or three paragraphs. Lastly, they must summarise the points stated in the body paragraphs.  Remember that the introduction and title must be linked as it shows the flow of ideas. This is a part of the task achievement criteria. Furthermore, students can also make use of linking devices to connect the introduction and title. For example, they can begin with ‘The main cause of this’ or ‘The main factor is’.  Last but not the least, one must utilise a wide range of clauses. Some of them are underlined below: 

• In contrast 
• Additional information 
• Consequence 
• Cause 
• Effect 
• Purpose 

Students must also keep questioning themselves like,

• ‘What points should I include in the topic sentences?’
• ‘What examples go with the fact that I already mentioned?’ 
• ‘What do I mean by this statement?

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Vocabulary for Writing Task 2 

Candidates must use a wide range of vocabulary as this accounts for 25% of the overall band score. Usage of cohesive devices is equally important. However, they must not be overused as that can hamper the overall band score.  One can begin by stating their point of view in the introduction to respond to the question in IELTS writing task 2 band environment 9. They can start by: 

• It may seem that 
• The essay will show that 
• The essay will argue that 
• To examine this problem, the essay will highlight both this and that 
• First, this essay will state this and secondly, it will talk about that 
• It appears that 

One can use these transition words while writing the topic sentence: 

• For example 
• For instance 
• However 
• Conversely 
• In addition 

In the primary paragraph for IELTS writing task 2 environment vocabulary, candidates can use: 

• I strongly opine that 
• I strongly disagree with the given topic 
• I think 
• My opinion is 
• In my view 

For the second paragraph in writing task 2 essay, one can focus on phrases such as: 

• Some people think that 
• According to many 
• Some people believe that 
• On that one hand 
• Many are of the view that 

For the third and fourth paragraph, sticking to the below-mentioned phrases are beneficial: 

• Moreover 
• Furthermore 
• Consequently 
• Apart from that 
• Most people believe that 
• Last but not the least 
• What’s more 

However, just using these phrases is not all. Candidates must also make use of collocations. These are generally two or three words that are placed in a sentence together. For example, ‘To make the bed’, ‘To catch a cold’, To do homework, ‘To come on time’ sounds natural.  However, one cannot write ‘To do the bed’ as this sounds grammatically incorrect.  One can pair: 

• Adverb + Adjective 
• Adjective + Noun 
• Noun + Noun 
• Noun + Verb 
• Verb + Noun 

Moreover, to learn collocations, candidates can refer to ‘English Collocations in Use’.  It is instrumental and can help in widening the vocabulary.  Remember, redundancy must be avoided and hence can resort to using synonyms of the given words such as: 

• Advantages- benefits
• Disadvantages- drawbacks 
• Many- plenty, numerous, a large number of 
• Some people- several 
• Some people think that- some people argue that hold the view of the opinion believe 
• Children- Youngsters 
• Teenagers- Adolescents 
• Interesting- engaging entertaining 
• Increased- dramatically, surge, rise 
• Go to work- commute 

Sample Questions with Answers for Environment Topic 

The environment essay IELTS band 9 is one of the most common topics that come in IELTS . However, many students do not feel the need to prepare this as they find it as one of the most straightforward topics. Consequently, this approach results in losing marks. That is why we have underlined below samples and answers that students can refer to and practice before their exam. 

The best way to solve the world’s environmental problem is to increase the price of fuel.  To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words. 

Today, the Earth is facing a massive threat in the form of a climate crisis and it is believed by many that the most efficient way to tackle the world’s environmental issue is by augmenting fuel prices. Conservationists would deem this method to be effective and I agree with this notion; however, up to an extent, as it heavily impacts the livelihood of the poor people. On the one hand, it is a potent solution to increase the rate of crude commodities like oil since that would force people to try alternative methods of transportation and in turn reduce their carbon emissions. Fostering the habit of cycling and carpooling for instance could be the go-to method. The Netherlands is one such country to have adopted the systemic approach by inflating the fuel prices thereafter urging the nation to take up cycling and subsequently becoming a greener nation. Additionally, it would also discourage people from purchasing automobiles that run on petrol or diesel and encourage them to switch to electric vehicles.  On the other hand, the obvious reason why a hike in fuel rates would not be a better solution for humanity is that it could worsen poverty. People with meagre incomes and daily wage earners would have a hard time saving their salary for their basic needs if their travelling expenses increase. Besides, the fuel price determines the market prices of other essential commodities, and increasing the price can affect poor and middle class families. If this practice were to take place in India, for instance, there would be a spike in the number of families struggling to afford food and household essentials.  In conclusion, increasing the price of petrol can certainly help reduce environmental pollution to some degree ; however, I feel that educating people about the ill effects of the overuse of natural resources and encouraging them to use alternative methods would be a better solution in handling this issue as it will not further deteriorate the life of the poor.

Tips to Write Writing Task 2 

Discussed below are some tips to help improve your IELTS scores: 

Analyse the question carefully 

First and foremost, students must understand the question that is being asked. One must differentiate between the different types of essays. 

Practice brainstorming 

The examiner will be grading based on vocabulary and the ability to organise their ideas. To do this, one must brainstorm and develop ideas in a short time. Therefore, it is always best to write down the keywords associated with the concept and explain those with examples. 

Style the essay 

It is important to follow the academic word list and implement them in the essay. In addition, candidates must use linking devices as mentioned above. 

Prepare a study plan 

Students must strategise an effective study plan that caters to their requirements and needs. Following this plan will help them crack the IELTS exam.  

Practice 

The key to success in IELTS is practice, practice and practice. Candidates can download sources from the internet and look at sample questions. This will polish their English language skills. 

The writing task is one of the most challenging areas of the IELTS exam. However, this comprehensive guide on IELTS writing task 2 band environment 9 will allow candidates to prepare for the said question easily and more efficiently. Students aspiring to pursue a foreign degree abroad can now finance their dreams with ease due to Leap Scholar. It provides financial assistance in the form of education loans with simple and flexible terms to help students fulfil their dream of studying abroad. 

1. Is 7.5 a good score in IELTS?

Ans: Yes, 7.5 is a desirable score in IELTS. It indicates that the candidate has a good command over the English language.

2. By when can I get my result? 

Ans: It depends on the type of IELTS taken. If it is computer-based, you will get the result in 3 to 5 days. If you have opted for pen and paper mode, the result will be available after 13 days from taking the exam. 

3. Who owns IELTS? 

Ans: The British Council, Cambridge Assessment English and IDP: IELTS  Australia  jointly own the test.

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The best way to solve the world’s environmental problems is to increase the cost of fuel Sample Essay

Updated On Dec 01, 2023

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IELTS Writing Prediction Questions for 2024

This article contains The best way to solve the world’s environmental problems is to increase the cost of fuel sample essays.

Given below is a real IELTS Writing Part 2 Essay question. We have provided sample essays as well as an essay outline so that you can practice writing your own!

Not sure how to approach IELTS Essay questions? Take a look at IELTS Writing Task 2 Preparation Tips and Tricks !

Learn how to write the perfect conclusion to your essay with the guide below!

Read the sample essay for

IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic

The best way to solve the world’s environmental problems is to increase the cost of fuel. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Some people think that government should increase the cost of fuel for cars and other vehicles to solve environmental problems. Give your opinion.

Sample Answer

The overconsumption of fossil fuels has become a major topic of concern recently. Some people suggest that increasing the fuel price can be the solution to cope with environmental issues.  Personally, I believe that other measures should also be given equal consideration.

Firstly, increasing fuel expenses cannot minimise the global dependence on fuel. It should be first noted that even when the price of fuel increases significantly, people still cannot cut down the tremendous demand for petrol at once. For example, in daily life, people still need to use their cars despite the fluctuation in the petrol price. Another clear reason is that petrol is also intended for other applications in manufacturing industries and agricultural purposes. If the price of fuel increases, the national economy could suffer many unfavourable consequences.

When it comes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, some measures should be taken to mitigate the problems of overconsuming fuel. The most practical measure at the moment is to reduce the demand for resources in daily activities like travelling or production.  This can be done by encouraging people to turn to mass-producing energy-efficient products like hybrid cars or implementing new saving energy technology in manufacturing. Besides, the most sustainable solution is to lower the reliance on fuel by taking advantage of alternative resources. Wind and tidal power in the Netherlands, nuclear power in Japan, and solar power in the United States have all proven their efficiency in energy in energy production. These could be employed in other parts of the world to minimise global dependence on fossil fuels .

All existing data above shows that only increases the fuel price will not reduce the global warming effects. Some strong alternative measures need to be implemented to tackle this situation.

Useful expressions:

• Tremendous (adj.) very great in amount or level, or extremely good.
• Mass-produce (v.) to produce a lot of goods cheaply using machines in a factory.
• Energy-efficient (adj.) using little electricity, gas, etc.
• Hybrid (adj.) (also hybrid car) a vehicle with an engine that uses both petrol and another type of energy, usually electricity.
• Implement (v.) to start using a plan or system.
• Solar power: energy from the Sun.
• Fossil fuel: fuels, such as gas, coal, and oil, that were formed underground from plant and animal remains millions of years ago.

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• Advertisements Are Becoming More and More Common in Everyday Life
• There is a General Increase In Anti-Social Behavior and Lack of Respect for Others
• Many Offenders Commit More Crimes After Serving The First Punishment
• Some People Prefer to Spend Their Lives Doing The Same Things and Avoiding Change
• Some People Believe That Reading Stories From a Book is Better Than Watching Tv or Playing Computer Games for Children.

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Proven tips to score Band 9 in IELTS Writing

Janet had been an IELTS Trainer before she dived into the field of Content Writing. During her days of being a Trainer, Janet had written essays and sample answers which got her students an 8+ band in the IELTS Test. Her contributions to our articles have been engaging and simple to help the students understand and grasp the information with ease. Janet, born and brought up in California, had no idea about the IELTS until she moved to study in Canada. Her peers leaned to her for help as her first language was English.

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Post your Comments

10 comments.

Zhan-han-han

Posted on Dec 19, 2023

Overconsumption of fuel has been prevalent over the last few decades as the uncontrolled activity has led to environmental hazard world widely. As a remedy, fuel prices should be raised based on someone’s opinion to curb worldwide environmental degradation. Based on my viewpoint, I partially consider this alternative as other measures should be given equal consideration.

From the past generation until present, fuel is a necessity as its consumption is spanning widely from transportation industry to manufacturing or service industry. To its details, the electricity consumption is heavily associated with the demand of fuel. Also, every person needs petrol to fuel one’s mode of transportation. Without fuel, the transportation vehicles cannot function properly. Therefore, fuel is an indispensable thing that most people starve for in terms of economic perspectives. The decrease supply of fuel certainly dampens the global economy severely due to heavy dependence on fuels to keep various industries on run. Hence, the sole rise in fuel prices just palliates the environmental issues, but more heavy negative consequences will arise.

As fuel dependence can’t be entirely eradicated, the other fuel alternatives should be discovered proactively to reduce the reliance on fuels in reducing greenhouse gases emission. For instance, the use of renewable energy must be scaled up effectively to meet the population demand besides preserving environmental sustainability. In Japan, the government encourages the solar projects expansion to replace fuel as major source of electricity generation. To achieve that, the private and government sectors should undertake coordinated effort in commercialising the renewable energy market. Besides, the mass-producing electric vehicles will significantly reduce the use of non-renewable fuels in supercharging the vehicles which emit less poisonous gases into atmosphere. Meanwhile, the legislators can put a cap on the price of electric cars to enhance public affordability to purchase environmental-friendly cars.

In a nutshell, other measures should be discovered such as promotion of renewable energy use in cost-competitive way apart from escalating the fuel prices. The progressive environmental efforts should be implemented in holistic ways to relieve environmental risk.

IELTS Expert

Posted on Dec 20, 2023

Overall Band: 5 Writer needs to work on Grammar and Vocabulary, as the written answer has a limited range of Vocabulary and Grammar.

To enhance your IELTS Score, Avail a FREE Expert-Led session here.

Trần Nguyễn Gia Khang

Posted on May 25, 2022

Hi IELTSMaterial, I’d like to submit my essay of the above topic for evaluation. I’d like to know my band score if this was an IELTS test and feedbacks. Thanks for helping!

Essay: According to some raising the charge of fuel is an optimal way to resolve worldwide environmental issues. In my opinion, I disagree that this is the most excellent way to improve the environment, as there are still other techniques that achieve the same or even better results than this solution. A good reason to assume that this is not the best answer for pollution problems is that severe actions take a large responsibility for contamination that this measure is unable to prevent. One of the notorious causes of environmental troubles is deforestation, and fluctuating the price of fuel will not oscillate any operations of clearing the forested land, which means that this will also not develop any positivities to the environment. When it comes to resolving environmental issues, there are other measures that should be considered. One of the clearest answers in my belief is to replace disposal items with reusable items. As plastic accounts for an extensive amount of time to dissolve, even in a matter of centuries, we should recycle these items to inhibit the superabundance of redundant offal into the ocean, ambiance, and numerous other essential components of the environment that we are supplying unnecessary refuses out of it. In conclusion, operating activity of augmenting the cost of fuel is not a perfect movement to conserve the environment, instead, we ought to be concentrating on crucial actions that will ameliorate environmental problems such as implementing other procedures that are more beneficial in order to prevent serious contamination.

Posted on May 26, 2022

Band Score – 6

Concentrate on the correct usage of articles and punctuation.

Since it is an opinion essay, you are required to write about one line of contrast in a separate body after presenting two body paragraphs supporting your views.

Posted on May 9, 2022

There is no doubt that the use of fuel has had a devastating impact on our environment and unless serious measures are taken we might never be able to save what we still have. That is why I believe that the most effective method to save nature is to increase fuel prices for the reasons that I will be discussing. To begin with, humans are in nature greedy beings, their own benefit will come before any other consideration. This means that if gas is an available and cheap source of energy to run their cars they will keep using it regardless of what harm it might cause. Moreover, many people believe that they will only live for some time on this planet before dying so it does not suite them to make changes that can cause them inconveniences for the benefit of future generations that do not affect them in any way. Another reason to consider is available data that we already have. It has been shown that the best motive to stop an unwanted behavior is to make it expensive. The most prominent example is that of smoking. The number of smokers in countries that made cigarettes more expensive has dropped significantly compared to countries where prices stayed the same. Therefore, if the same concept can be applied to fuel people will be forced to find other means that are less expensive namely renewables. In conclusion, it is not enough to rely on the conscious of people to help save our environment, governments must have the main role by making fuel an undesirable option, one way to do that is by making it financially repelling. However, it is still important to provide fuel substitutes that will make people happy for the plan to work out.

Posted on May 10, 2022

Band Score – 5

Concentrate on the correct usage of prepositions, subject-verb agreement and punctuation.

Some sentences lack clarity. Learn error-free sentence formation.

Pay attention to spellings and appropriate words in a sentence.

Use C2 level of words.

Posted on Apr 27, 2022

It’s often argued that the most effective way in order to tackle traffic and pollution problems is rising the cost of petrol . I completely agree that this would be the best way to approach these issues.

Firstly,by increasing the price of petrol, the number of people who use public transportation would experience a significant growth . Hence there would be less cars in the streets or highways then less traffic jams would be seen . Moreover, the amount of carbon dioxide or other toxic gasses in the in the air would be decreased.

Having said this, it must also be said that some associations may not spend as much time driving outside as before in order to save more money.For instead, there are some people who are juggling their demands and their inadequate salaries . Therefore they make every endeavour which would help them lessen their expenses.

Another point to consider can be replacing our existing vehicles by electronic ones which could be powered by a renewable power that produces zero emissions . The plan is simple but revolutionary. It starts with the installation of a home charge point , and through this, the vehicle will be plugged into the electricity grid whenever it is in the garage.

Last but not least point would be about evolving the efficient facilities or more essential than that how safe and hygien are our public transportation. This measure also have a decisive impact on the number of people who would have a tendency to use public transportation. For example, if people be ensured that the factors they are searching for ideal transporting is available while using subway they may be more tempted to buy a ticket for it .

In conclusion, I strongly agree that a rise in the price of petrol would solve many kinds of pollution and also traffic. I associate the practicality of this solution with more use of public transportation and eliminating extra or unnecessary transfers . On the other hand, producing electronic vehicles and advancing public transportation’s features are other operable solutions in order to deal with such problems.

Posted on Apr 28, 2022

Concentrate on the correct usage of article, prepositions, verb forms, quantifiers and punctuation.

Since it is an opinion essay, you are required to write about one line of contrast in a separate body after presenting two body paragraphs supporting your views. There is no need of discussing each point in separate paragraph.

Pay attention to spellings and learn error free sentence formation.

Follow the conventions. Only the first letter of the word in a sentence and proper nouns must be in capitals and there should be proper space between words.

Use C2 level words.

Malka Beenish

Posted on Nov 25, 2021

In recent times, environmental problems have always been a huge concern to a great proportion of people in many societies. There is a school of thought that the government ought to increase the price of fuel for cars and other vehicles to solve environmental issues. From my own perspective, it is a useful measure, but other measures might be more effective. On the one hand, there were many positive results if the government escalated the expense of fuel for many vehicles like cars or motorbikes. First and foremost, it could restrict the number of people using these private vehicles. Secondly, the money raised could be used to improve the quality of public transport like buses or trains. The public transport would be invested to upgrade and expand, as people would still need to go to school, go to the company, or go to the supermarket, for instance. Both these measures could cut down on carbon emissions from vehicles and help to reduce the greenhouse effect and evenly, global warming. On the other hand, while increasing the price of fuel for many private vehicles would be a useful measure, the government could adopt transport policies which would be more effective for the long term. The government could invest in the quality of public transports and encourage people to use them. Besides that, the government could introduce some free transports that support people having a low income. These measures would improve the air quality in the city and reduce the pollutants from private transports and also decrease the ability of global warming.

To conclude, the rise in the cost of fuels for vehicles would be a useful measure, although there were other ways to solve the environmental problems.

Posted on Aug 23, 2021

Increasing fuel price is the most effective way to solve environmental degradation globally. While there are certainly valid arguments to support this, I believe that this is not the solution to this problem. This paper is going to discuss my reasons.

Supporters of this argument claim that cars are the major cause of environmental degradation. Thus, raising petrol price would reduce pollution as the number of vehicles on the road would decrease. Nonetheless, I would contend that, hiking the price of fuel is not going affect fuel consumption. This is going to affect only low income earners as a huge part of their income would be used to fuel their cars. People with disposable income would not be affected as they would still be able to afford it. This can be seen in Japan where the number of car users remained the same after the hike in the price of petrol. Therefore, it is obvious that a hike in fuel price is not going to affect the number of automobiles on the road.

Furthermore, increasing the cost of fossil fuels is not a feasible solution as there are no alternatives for the society. Rather than increase the price of fuel the government should focus on making public transport better. For instance, they can create good roads, maintain public buses and make bus fares cheap in order to attract more people to use public transport. Thus, a substitute should be created for people rather than raising the cost of fossil fuels.

In conclusion, I once again reaffirm my position that making fossil fuels more costly is not the best solution to environmental issues worldwide because of its effect on a certain section of the society and the absence of better alternatives.

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15 Sample Questions for IELTS Writing Task 2. Topic: Environment .

To what extent do you agree or disagree that individual actions have little impact on global environmental problems?

Should governments prioritize economic growth over environmental protection? Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Do the benefits of nuclear energy outweigh the potential risks and environmental impact?

To what extent do you agree or disagree that the most effective way to tackle climate change is through international cooperation?

Should countries with large forests, such as the Amazon rainforest, be compensated for preserving them? Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Do the advantages of genetically modified crops outweigh the potential environmental risks?

To what extent do you agree or disagree that reducing meat consumption is essential for addressing climate change?

Is it the responsibility of individuals or governments to address the problem of plastic pollution? Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Should developed countries provide financial assistance to developing countries for environmental protection initiatives? Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Do the benefits of tourism outweigh the negative environmental impact it can have on a country?

To what extent do you agree or disagree that businesses should be required to prioritize environmental sustainability over profits?

Should governments invest more in public transportation to reduce air pollution? Discuss both views and give your opinion.

To what extent do you agree or disagree that natural disasters are becoming more frequent due to human activities?

Should governments introduce a carbon tax to encourage individuals and businesses to reduce their carbon emissions? Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Do the advantages of renewable energy sources outweigh the disadvantages?

How to Distinguish a Real IELTS Question from a Fake One

To identify if it's a typical IELTS essay prompt, consider the following:

• The prompt will be related to a broad, general topic that is relevant and engaging for a wide range of test-takers.
• It will ask you to present an argument or discuss different aspects of a topic, rather than simply recalling facts or describing a situation.
• The prompt will require a formal writing style and be written in clear, concise language.
• It will not require specific, specialized knowledge or expertise in a particular field.

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Environment Essay Titles

Below are examples of IELTS Environmental writing task 2 questions.

Human activity has had a negative impact on plants and animals around the world. Some people think that this cannot be changed, while others believe actions can be taken to bring about a change. Discuss both and give your opinion. (Reported 2017, Academic Test)

It is often said that governments spend too much money on projects to protect wildlife, while there are other problems that are more important? Do you agree or disagree? (Reported 2017, GT Test)

Some people think the best way to solve global environmental problems is to increase the cost of fuel. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Reported 2017, Academic Test)

Some people think an international car-free day is an effective way to reduce air pollution. Others think there are more effective ways do to this. Discuss both sides and give your opinion. (Reported 2017, Academic Test)

While some people consider global warming to be the most pressing environmental problem which we have at the moment, others believe that deforestation has a more devastating impact on our world. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

The government should reduce the amount of money spent on local environmental problems and instead increase funding into urgent and more threatening issues such as global warming. To what extent do you agree?

With increasing populations and ever growing urban centers, many countries are losing their natural beauty spots. What benefits are there to protecting places of natural beauty? How can this be solved?

Although many people value their public parks, this space could be better used for other purposes such as residential areas for the ever growing population or to develop business and boost economies. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this?

With deforestation, urban development and illegal hunting, many animal species are becoming endangered as they lose their habitat and some are even threatened to the point of extinction. Do you think it is important to protect animals? What measures can be taken to deal with this problem?

Global warming is one of the biggest threats to our environment. What causes global warming? What solutions are there to this problem?

Both governments and individuals are spending vast amounts of money protecting animals and their habitat. This money could be better spent dealing with fundamental issues in society such as poverty and health care. To what extent do you agree?

As a result of growth in some urban centers, the environment in those cities is deteriorating. How could this issue be tackled by both the government and individuals?

Some people think that current environmental issues are global problems and should therefore be dealt with by the government while others believe that these problems can only be tackled by individuals. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

Global environmental issues are the responsibility of rich nations not of poorer nations. Do you agree with this opinion?

Many people believe that global environmental problems should be dealt with internationally rather than domestically. What is your opinion?

 Many animals are being hunted to the brink of extinction in order to fulfil the demand and greed of mankind for decorative purposes as well as for other reasons, such as traditional medicine. How can this issue be tackled?

Restricting air travel is the only way to prevent air pollution. Do you agree?

Reported essay questions are from students who have taken their IELTS test. These questions may vary slightly in wording from the original question. 

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Environment: IELTS Agree/Disagree Essay Model Answer.

In this post, we will look at an agree/disagree essay example: Environment When designing a building, some people think that the intended use of the building should be taken into account as important rather than the outward appearance. from the IELTS writing task 2 test.

Students often ask if the questions are repeated year after year and the answer is no, but the topics are. There are so many questions written each year, you may find your practice answering various questions on different topics. For example, you could write essays to answer questions about education or the environment, which benefits you because you learn vocabulary associated with those topics and develop ideas that can help you in your writing test. Practising writing IELTS task 2 essays on a range of topics is a great way to learn new vocabulary for those topics, but also to practice your essay structures. You begin to develop your ideas around those topics, thinking of examples and giving your opinions.

If you would like to purchase a 31  page PDF download that is easy to read and print out please take a look at the bookshop >

If you would like to learn how to structure an agree/disagree essay please click the button below: How to write an agree/disagree essay

Take a look at the IELTS Agree/Disagree Essay example below:

Environment

When designing a building, some people think that the intended use of the building should be taken into account as important rather than the outward appearance. to what extent do you agree or disagree.

Take a look at the model answer.

Many people believe that when drawing up plans for a building the maximum use should be taken into consideration rather than its façade. This essay strongly agrees that building structures should maximize the area given in order to please clients, but at the same time, should also have an attractive frontage. Firstly, the essay will discuss why it is important to utilize the space in a building and secondly, how having an appealing outward design can improve the beauty of the structure and help it to integrate into its surroundings.

On the one hand, architects normally maximise the use of the space they are tasked with, in order to please clients and ensure they get the design they want. Depending on what the intended use of the structure is, the plans will reflect how to best use all of the space, so that the client or occupants are happy with their spot, whether it is a new home, office or school. For example, a documentary filmed by the BBC in 2018, called ‘The World’s Most Extraordinary Homes’ showed how architects utilize space after many meetings with their clients in order to create unique living spaces.

On the other hand, the outside of a building can also be turned into something amazing, depending on how the building is situated. Newly erected structures can be made extraordinary by design or can be seamlessly integrated into the surrounding area. Many new designs are opting for simple outward appearances, so that they may use various materials to fit into their environment or to become energy efficient. For instance, in the channel 4 program ‘Grand Designs’ many newly designed buildings are slotted into their surrounding environments using natural materials, or made environmentally friendly with the addition of solar panels.

In conclusion, I agree that both having a very efficient use of space and a beautiful façade is very important in order for the building to attain its maximum potential.

(Word count – 324 / Band score 8)

Instructor Feedback on IELTS Agree/Disagree Essay: Environment: Environment.

Task Achievement  – The essay provides an answer to the question asked, supported by relevant examples.

Coherence and Cohesion  – The answer has been divided into clear logical paragraphs and each main body paragraph only has one main idea. There are cohesive links between the main body paragraphs .

Lexical Resource  – There is evidence of a wide range of vocabulary, with no errors in the text.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy  – The answer has no grammatical errors. The sentences have a wide range of structures. 

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