Writing Test 1
Academic Writing
Writing Task 2
Check a Task 2 essayThe best way to provide enough homes in large cities is to build tall apartment blocks.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Browse IELTS Task 2 opinion essay questions from Academic and General Training task banks, including agree-disagree prompts.
Switch between opinion, discussion, problem-solution, advantages-disadvantages, two-part, and positive-or-negative development essays.
Jump to every prompt classified as opinion essay topics across Cambridge IELTS and Official Guide task banks.
These opinion prompts help learners practise taking a clear position, supporting it with reasons, and staying consistent through the essay.
1 prompt in this book.
Academic Writing
The best way to provide enough homes in large cities is to build tall apartment blocks.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
1 prompt in this book.
Academic Writing
Access to clean water is a basic human right. Therefore, every home should have a water supply that is provided free of charge.
Do you agree or disagree?
Academic Writing
The working week should be shorter and workers should have a longer weekend.
Do you agree or disagree?
Academic Writing
It is important for everyone, including young people, to save money for their future.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
1 prompt in this book.
Academic Writing
The most important aim of science should be to improve people’s lives. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
1 prompt in this book.
Academic Writing
Many manufactured food and drink products contain high levels of sugar, which causes many health problems. Sugary products should be made more expensive to encourage people to consume less sugar.
Do you agree or disagree?
1 prompt in this book.
Academic Writing
Some people say that music is a good way of bringing people of different cultures and ages together.
To what extent do you agree of disagree with this opinion?
Academic Writing
Living in a country where you have to speak a foreign language can cause serious social problems, as well as practical problems.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Academic Writing
Some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Academic Writing
Governments should spend money on railways rather than roads.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Academic Writing
Some people claim that not enough of the waste from homes is recycled. They say that the only way to increase recycling is for governments to make it a legal requirement.
To what extent do you think laws are needed to make people recycle more of their waste?
Academic Writing
Some people believe that unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school programmes (for example working for a charity, improving the neighbourhood or teaching sports to younger children).
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Academic Writing
Every year several languages die out. Some people think that this is not important because life will be easier if there are fewer languages in the world.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
1 prompt in this book.
Academic Writing
Some people think that universities should provide graduates with the knowledge and skills needed in the workplace. Others think that the true function of a university should be to give access to knowledge for its own sake, regardless of whether the course is useful to an employer.
What, in your opinion, should be the main function of a university?
1 prompt in this book.
Academic Writing
Today, the high sales of popular consumer goods reflect the power of advertising and not the real needs of the society in which they are sold.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Academic Writing
Universities should accept equal numbers of male and female students in every subject.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Academic Writing
Research indicates that the characteristics we are born with have much more influence on our personality and development than any experiences we may have in our life.
Which do you consider to be the major influence?
1 prompt in this book.
Academic Writing
Creative artists should always be given the freedom to express their own ideas (in words, pictures, music or film) in whichever way they wish. There should be no government restrictions on what they do.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
1 prompt in this Official Guide collection.
Academic Writing
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?
1 prompt in this book.
General Training Writing
It is important for children, young adults, working people and the retired to have at least one hobby.
What's your opinion about this?
1 prompt in this book.
General Training Writing
Some people say that it is better to work for a large company than a small one. Do you agree or disagree?
1 prompt in this book.
General Training Writing
It is better to buy just a few expensive clothes, rather than lots of cheaper clothes.
Do you agree or disagree?
General Training Writing
In the future, more people will choose to go on holiday in their own country and not travel abroad on holiday.
Do you agree or disagree?
General Training Writing
In many countries, paying for things using mobile phone (cellphone) apps is becoming increasingly common.
Does this development have more advantages or disadvantages?
General Training Writing
The growth of online shopping will one day lead to all shops in towns and cities closing.
Do you agree or disagree?
General Training Writing
Many people work long hours, leaving very little time with leisure activities.
Does this situation have more disadvantages or disadvantages?
General Training Writing
In some areas of the US, a 'curfew' is imposed, in which teenagers are not allowed to be out of doors after a particular time at night unless they are accompanied by an adult.
What is your opinion about this?
General Training Writing
Some people say it is important to keep your home and your workplace tidy, with everything organized and in the correct place.
What is your opinion about this?
General Training Writing
Today more and more tourists are visiting places where conditions are difficult, such as Sahara Desert or the Antartica.
What are the benefits and disadvantages for tourists who visit such places?
General Training Writing
In many places, new homes are needed, but the only space available for building them is in the countryside. Some people believe it is more important to protect the countryside and not build new homes there.
What is your opinion about this?
General Training Writing
Some people say that all levels of education, from primary schools to universities, too much time is spent on learning facts and not enough on practical skills.
Do you agree or disagree?
General Training Writing
News stories on TV and in newspapers are very often accompanied by pictures.
Some people say that these pictures are more effective than words.
What is your opinion about this?
General Training Writing
Some people say that it is possible to tell a lot about a person's culture and character from their choice of clothes. Do you agree or disagree?
1 prompt in this book.
General Training Writing
Being a celebrity – such as a famous film star or sports personality – brings problems as well as benefits.
Do you think that being a celebrity brings more benefits or more problems?
General Training Writing
Some people think it would be a good idea for schools to teach every young person how to be a good parent.
Do you agree or disagree with this opinion? Describe the skills a person needs to be a good parent.
General Training Writing
Using a computer every day can have more negative than positive effects on young children.
Do you agree or disagree?
1 prompt in this book.
General Training Writing
Some people believe that children are given too much free time. They feel that this time should be used to do more school work.
How do you think children should spend their free time?
1 prompt in this book.
General Training Writing
Some people believe that children should be allowed to stay at home and play until they are six or seven years old. Others believe that it is important for young children to go to school as soon as possible.
What do you think are the advantages of attending school from a young age?
General Training Writing
You have been asked to
Some people believe that children’s leisure activities must be educational, otherwise they are a complete waste of time.
Do you agree or disagree?
General Training Writing
You have been asked to
It is generally accepted that families are not as close as they used to be.
Give some reasons why this change has happened and suggest how families could be brought closer together.
1 prompt in this book.
General Training Writing
Some governments say how many children a family can have in their country. They may control the number of children someone has through taxes.
It is sometimes necessary and right for a government to control the population in this way.
Do you agree or disagree?
1 prompt in this Official Guide collection.
General Training Writing
It is sometimes said that people should be encouraged to get married before they are 30, as this is best both for the individual and for society.
Do you agree or disagree?