IELTS Opinion Essay Questions

1) The best way to deal with the rising problem of traffic and transportation is to
encourage people to live in cities rather than in the suburbs or in the countryside.
To what extent do you agree?
2) In the past, museums stored information about culture and history. However,
nowadays this information can be found through the Internet, so there is no need
for museums. Do you agree or disagree with this view?
3) Nowadays, the media focuses on problems and emergencies rather than positive
developments. Some people think it is harmful to individuals and to society. To
what extent do you agree?
4) Some people think parents should be forced to attend childcare course to learn
how to take care of their children. Do you agree?
5) Some people believe that women should play an equal role as men in a
country’s police force or military force, while others think women are not suitable
for these kinds of jobs. What is your opinion?
6) Some people believe that if people are allowed to work after the age of 60, it
would cause problems for younger people. To what extent do you agree?
7) Housing is essential for people. Some argue that the government should offer
free housing for people who cannot afford it. Do you agree or disagree with this
statement?
8) Many employers are employing people with good social skills as well as good
qualifications. Do you agree that good social skills are as important as good
qualifications to succeed in a job?
9) Some people think that learning the language and culture of a country is
essential when you live in a country for a long time. To what extent do you agree
or disagree?
10) Some people believe that the radio is more enjoyable and practical than TV.
Do you agree?
11) Some people think that government spending on the restoration of old
buildings in cities should be stopped. They should spend the money for new
housing and road development instead. To what extent do you agree?
12) Studies have shown that many criminals have a low level of education. For this
reason, some people believe that the best way to reduce crime is to educate people
in prison, so that they can get a job when they leave. Do you agree or disagree?
13) It is believed that children from countries with a high level of unemployment
should be offered only primary education and should not be offered secondary
education as it is unlikely they will get a job in the future anyway. Do you agree or
disagree with this statement?
14) It is a natural process that animal species such as dinosaurs become extinct.
There is no reason for people to prevent this from happening. To what extent do
you agree or disagree?
15) When a new town is planned, it is more important to develop public parks and
sports facilities than shopping centres for people to spend their free time in. To
what extent do you agree or disagree?

Discussion
16) Some people think that manufacturers and shopping malls should sell products
with less packaging, while others argue that people have the responsibility to buy
products with less packaging. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
17) Some people think that economic growth is the only way to end world poverty
and hunger. Others think that economic growth is causing damage to the
environment and should be stopped now. Discuss both views and give your
opinion.
18) Some people think that cultural traditions may be destroyed when they are used
as money-making attractions aimed at tourists. Others believe it is the only way to
save these traditions. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
19) Nowadays people make friends through social networks and internet chat
groups. Some people like this idea. Others think that face-to-face interaction is
essential. Discuss both views and give your opinion
20) Some parents think it is good to give their children mobile phones, while others
disagree. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
21) Some people think that competitive sports should be included as a subject in
school, while others believe that it has a negative effect on children. Discuss both
views and give your opinion.
22) In some countries, secondary schools aim to provide a general education across
a range of subjects. In others, children focus on a narrow range of subjects related
to a particular career. Which do you think is appropriate in today’s world?
23) Due to advances in science, it is now possible for people to live to 100 years
old or even longer. While some people think it is a good thing, others do not agree.
Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
24) Some people think that young people should spend their free time with their
families instead of enjoying outside entertainment, others do not agree. Discuss
both views and give your opinion.
25) Some people believe that it is important to give presents to friends and family
to show that we care about them. Others think there are better ways to show that
we care. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
26) 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.
27) Some people think that technology has made people more social, while others
think people have become less social. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
28) Some people think the government should spend money on faster public
transportation, while others think there are other more important priorities of
public transport. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
29) Scientists believe that finding other life forms in space by sending messages is
a good idea, while others disagree. Discuss both views and give your opinion. 30)
Some people think that people can be encouraged to take up sport through sporting
events such as the Olympics. However, others think there are better ways to
encourage adults to exercise. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
31) Some people believe that universities should only accept young students with
high marks. Others believe that universities must accept students of all ages
regardless of their previous grades. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
32) Some people think that zoos are cruel and all zoos should be closed. However,
some people think zoos can help protect rare animals. Discuss both views and give
your own opinion.
33) The number of older people is increasing. Some people think it will cause
problems in their countries, others believe this group is important to society.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Two Part Questions

34) Many grandparents play a big role in bringing up their grandchildren. Do you
think it is useful for grandparents to be involved? Should they play the main role?
35) Ordinary people try to copy famous people either reading magazines or
watching TV. Why do they do this? Do you think it is a good idea to copy famous
people?
36) Nowadays the increasing amount of garbage is a real concern. Why is this
happening? What can be done to resolve this?
37) These days many of us prefer to throw damaged things away, whereas in the
past people used to repair damaged items and keep them for a long time. Why has
this change happened? What are the effects of this change in attitude?
38) In many countries, the cost of living is on the rise. What effects do higher
prices have on individuals and society? How can people deal with higher costs?
39) Experts say that if older people spend their time with others and exercise daily,
they will be healthier and happier. However, many elderly people do not exercise
and spend time alone. What are the reasons for this? How can this be resolved?
40) Nowadays, the quality of life of many people in big cities is getting worse.
What are the causes of this problem? What measures could be taken to solve them?
41) Cultures all around the world have become more similar than they used to be.
What are the reasons for this? Do you think it is a positive or negative
development?

Advantages/Disadvantages
42) In some countries, the difference in age between parents and children is greater
than in the past. Do you think the advantages of this development outweigh the
disadvantages?
43) Food travels thousands of miles from farms to consumers. Some people believe
we should buy food from local farmers to protect the environment and support
local businesses. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
44) More and more people are buying ready to eat food instead of cooking
themselves. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
45) More and more people are using online language translations application. What
are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?
46) 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?
47) In many countries, some students live with their families while studying, but
other students prefer to attend universities in other cities. Do the benefits of living
away from home outweigh the disadvantages?

Positive/Negative
48) Many people buy new phones or laptops to keep up with the latest technology.
Is this a good or a bad thing? Famous people sometimes give their opinions on
public topics. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
49) Some people believe that there will be a reduction in air travel in the future. Do
you think that this is a positive or negative development?
50) The Internet and television are giving more opportunities for the average
person to become famous. Is it a positive or negative development?
51) People can leave their views or opinions about certain goods or services they
have purchased online. Is it a positive or negative development?
52) Fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas are used in many countries.
However, in some countries the use of alternative sources of energy has been
encouraged. Is this a positive or negative development?

IELTS Prediction in Jan-April 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics

Topic 1: Nowadays, not enough students choose science subjects in university in
many countries. What are the reasons for this problem? What are the effects on the
society?
Topic 2: University students always focus on one specialist subject, but some
people think universities should encourage their students to study a range of
subjects in addition to their own subject. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Topic 3: Some people think young people should go to university to further their
education while others think they should been encouraged to work as car
mechanics or builders etc. to serve society. Discuss both views and give your own
opinion.
Topic 4: Universities should accept equal numbers of male and female study in
every subject. Do you agree or disagree。
Topic 5: Nuclear energy is a better choice for meeting increasing demand, agree or
disagree?
Topic 6: Economic progress is one way to measure the success of one country,
while some people think there are other factors. What other factors should be
considered? Within these factors, do you think anyone is more important than the
others?
Topic 7: Most countries want to improve standard of living through economic
development,however, others think social value is lost as a result. Do you think the
advantages of economic development outweigh the disadvantages?
Topic 8: Some people think that zoos are cruel and all the zoos should be closed.
However,other people think that zoos are useful to protect the rare animals.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Topic 9: Environmental problems are too big for individual countries and
individual people to address. We have reached the stage where the only way to
protect the environment to address it at an international level. To what extent do
you agree or disagree with this statement?
Topic 10: Some people think they have right to use as much freshwater as they
want. Others believe governments should tightly control the use of fresh water as it
is limited resource. Discuss both views and give your option.
Topic 11: 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 the scientist cannot? Why should we encourage the art
area?
Topic 12: Some people think that job satisfaction is more important than job
security. Others think that people cannot expect to enjoy a job and having a
permanent job is more important. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Topic 13: 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?
Topic 14: Many people believe that counties should produce food for all
population eats and import food as little as possible. To what extent do you agree
or disagree?
Topic 15: Some people think that it is necessary to travel abroad to learn about
other countries, but other people think that it is not necessary to travel abroad
because all the information can be seen at TV and the internet. Discuss both
opinions and give your own opinion.
Topic 16: Throughout the history, people dream to build a perfect society while
they haven't agreed how the ideal society would be like. What is the most
important element you think to make a perfect society? How do people do to
achieve an ideal society？
Topic 17: Some people believe that in order to give opportunities to new
generation companies should encourage high level employees who are older than
55 to retire. Do you agree or disagree?Why?
Topic 18: Today's parents spend too little time staying with their children and use
television to make their children keep quiet. Explain the reason and results by
using your relevant experience.
Topic 19: Charities and organizations always give special names to particular days
such as 'National Children's Day' and 'National Non-smoking Day'. What are the
causes of these particular days? How effective are they?
Topic 20: It is suggested that all the young adults should undertake a period of
unpaid work helping people in the community. Does it bring more benefits or
drawbacks to the community and the young people?

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Topics

1. Describe a a teenager you know.
2. Describe an interesting website you have visited.
3. Describe a person who helps to protect the environment.
4. Describe an exciting sport you know
5. Describe something you do to (help you) stay healthy.
6. Describe a place near water (such as a river, a lake or the ocean) that you
enjoyed visiting.
7. Describe a pleasant surprise you had.
8. Describe a situation that others didn’t tell you the whole truth.
9. Describe an intelligent person that you know.
10. Describe something you really want to buy in the future
11. Describe a movie you would like to watch again
12. Describe a subject you didn’t like before but have interest in now.
13. Describe a piece of good news you heard from TV or internet
14. Describe a situation when you received some useful advice.
15. Describe a time when you got lost.
16. Describe a situation (or a time) when you helped someone.
17. Describe a project that you were once involved in (for example, a project at
work or a homework assignment at school or university).
18. Describe a historical building in your country/ hometown.
19. Describe a long journey/short trips you would like to make again
20. Describe a healthy lifestyle that you know.