IELTS Writing Task 2 - Topics with Questions, Sample & Preparation Tips

IELTS Writing Task 2: Overview

IELTS exam 2023 comprises four sections: reading, listening, writing and speaking. It is one of the most widely recognised examinations for study and immigration purposes in English-speaking countries. 

The writing section of the test is divided into two tasks. One is the IELTS writing task 1 which is of 20 minutes while the IELTS writing task 2 is of 40 minutes. In task 2, a point of view, argument or problem is provided and candidates are supposed to write a response to it in form of an essay. The essay must comprise 250 words and must be written in a formal style. 

The factors that are considered while assessing the task 2 topics are lexicon, word limit, grammar, sentence construction, etc.

This IELTS section can be challenging for students if not prepared and practised properly. To get a score of band 7 or more it is important to have a strong grammatical foundation. Only exceptionally written essays get a band score of 9.

Most institutions require candidates to score at least band 7 or 8 in the IELTS writing task 2. Therefore it is important to know how to fetch high scores. Let us briefly check out what the IELTS academic and general training writing tasks are.

IELTS Writing Task 2 for Academic and General Training

The IELTS Writing exam task 2 is the same for both the General IELTS exam and Academic IELTS exam, and applicants are evaluated using the same criteria. The second section of the writing test, IELTS Writing Task 2, requires you to write an essay in response to a perspective, reasoning, or problem.

Your IELTS Writing Task 2 topics should be written in a formal tone, contain at least 250 words, and be completed in less than 40 minutes. You will be given an IELTS Writing Task 2 question and asked to respond by expressing and supporting your point of view, summing up details, addressing the topic, and pointing out obstacles.

You must also identify potential solutions and support your perspective with arguments, information or experience, justifications, and pertinent examples. In IELTS Writing task 2, you will be assessed based on the following characteristics:

• Task Response (25%)

• Lexical Resource (25%)

• Coherence and Cohesion (25%)

• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (25%)

Topics Under IELTS Writing Task 2

Now that we know what IELTS writing task 2 entails and its evaluation criteria, let us discuss the various types of IELTS essay topics and questions you will face. You should have a comprehensive understanding of the IELTS writing topics and accordingly answer the questions related to that topic. Check out the recent IELTS writing task 2 and the questions given below:

IELTS Task 2 Topics on Education 

• Some individuals think that girls and boys should be educated separately, while others believe that children should attend the same school. What are your thoughts on the matter?

• Students work and study simultaneously. This frequently leads to a lack of time for education and a constant sense of pressure. What do you think are the causes? What solutions do you have to offer?

• Many countries are currently experiencing economic difficulties, so it is preferable for each country to concentrate on its own issues rather than assisting other countries. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? To back up your claim, give concrete arguments and examples.

IELTS essay writing topics on Equality 

• Nowadays, both men and women spend the same amount of money on cosmetics and beauty goods. This was not the case in the past. What is the motivation behind such actions? Support your answer.

Recent writing task 2 on Health 

• Obesity is a serious problem. Discuss the causes and the solutions to obesity.

 Art and Design Topics 

• Students' performance in other courses improves when they study art in school because multi-skilled students find it easier to learn new things. This supports the idea that students should be required to study art in school. 

• Art has always been seen as an integral aspect of all cultures around the world. However, people's priorities have shifted in recent years, and we now place a higher emphasis on science, business, and technology, than on the arts. What do you believe the causes are? Can art be brought to the public's attention in any way?

IELTS essay writing topics on Law and Order 

• Some people feel that a criminal is a criminal forever. Do you agree with or disagree with this statement?

• The average age of criminals is decreasing in several countries. Write a response to the problem that includes both arguments and solutions.

• In today's world, many people are behaving violently. Is there a way to avoid them? Speak up in support and offer suggestions for how to put an end to this type of behaviour.

Writing task 2 topics Language and Culture 

• Some individuals assume that youngsters should watch television. Some people assume that children should not watch television. Which do you prefer, and why?

Most Recent IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics

IELTS writing task 2 topics are rather broad and cover a lot of ground. These are frequently based on current events and international concerns. For successful essay writing for IELTS on exam day, applicants must focus and prepare for all types of essays in IELTS.

To help you prepare better, here are some recent IELTS writing task 2 topics:

Besides the fields stated above, recent IELTS writing task 2 can also be found in subjects such as space, crime, technology, work, etc.

Latest IELTS Writing Task 2 Questions

The latest IELTS writing task 2 questions can help students with their practice of the common IELTS essay topics that have been asked previously. This will give them an idea of how to practice IELTS essay topics effectively. To make it easier for candidates, we have presented the 10 latest IELTS task 2 questions:

• It is more important for school children to learn about their local history rather than world history. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

• More and more young people from wealthy countries are spending time in communities in poorer countries doing unpaid work such as teaching or building houses. Why is this? Who benefits more from this, the communities or these young people?

• 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?

• Some people feel that equality between the genders has already been achieved while others feel there is considerable progress to be made. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

• Prison is the common way most countries try to solve the problem of crime. However, a more effective solution is to provide the public with a better education. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

• Some people believe using modern technology (digital photographs, blogs) is the best way to record and remember important personal events. Others think the traditional method (making photo albums, writing diaries) is better. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

• As major cities around the world are growing, so are their problems. What are these problems for young people living in cities? What are possible solutions to these problems?

• Some people believe that the experiences children have before they go to school will have the greatest effect on their future life. Others argue that experiences gained when they are teenagers have a bigger influence. Discuss both views and give your own opinions.

• Some people think it is better 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.

• Boxing is a blood sport which often results in physical injury. It is inappropriate for this sport to exist in the modern age. Do you agree or disagree?

You can follow these IELTS essay writing topics and questions and practice them beforehand. 

Steps to Score a Band 8 in IELTS Writing Task 2

To get a band 8 in IELTS Writing task 2, you must write an essay in IELTS that has all of the positive characteristics listed in the band 8 writing evaluation criteria. The following are steps to score a band 8 in the writing task 2 topics with answers strategies:

Step 1: Relevance of the answer to the question of IELTS academic writing task 2

Answer the question in the manner in which it was posed to you. Do not write an essay on a topic that you have already thought about. Always make sure the examples and ideas you use are applicable and practical. If you generalise too much and are really not particular enough with examples, the examiner may not get convinced with your ideas.

Step 2: Utilise linking phrases to structure your essay logically and clearly

Starting with an introduction and working through to a conclusion, ideas must be properly defined and arranged. If you are requested to present both points of view as well as your perspective, start with your opinion and then move on to the other viewpoints. In the end, you can return to your own point of view and finish the essay.

Step 3: Divide your essay into paragraphs

Use paragraphs to divide your writing into distinct sections. Make sure each paragraph has a clear and well-developed theme that is at least two sentences long. When writing your essay, you can use the abbreviation "PEEL":

P - Introduce your topic or topic sentence with a point

E - A good example is one that demonstrates your idea

E - Explain why this evidence backs up your claim

L - Link your text to another paragraph or topic

You must include a sufficient number of paragraphs to clearly demonstrate a structured response to IELTS writing task 2 questions. This will showcase that you can logically organise and communicate your thoughts and ideas.

Step 4: Choose to use uncommon words

Old-fashioned words that are not utilised in ordinary conversation should be avoided. Make sure the synonym you use has the same meaning and does not change the meaning of the topic you are discussing. ‘Adolescent’ and ‘teenager’, for example, have similar connotations and can be used interchangeably; on the other hand, ‘toddler’ and ‘baby’ have very different meanings.

For a band 8 score, collocation writing in IELTS writing topics can play a crucial role. You know which words go together and which phrases are appropriate for various topics. If you are talking about child crime, you may use the term 'minor', which is a legal term for kids under the age of 18. If you are going to employ phrasal verbs, make sure you use the right preposition because it can modify the meaning.

Step 5: Use a range of complex sentence structures

You should be able to communicate your views and opinions accurately using a variety of frameworks. Demonstrate to the examiner that you can employ a variety of structures and that your sentences are free of errors.

It is crucial to mix sophisticated and simple sentences in your writing. However, keep in mind that complex sentences should not be too long or convoluted. Punctuation must be flawless, with proper capitalisation, commas, as well as full stops. 

The IELTS writing task 2 topics are extremely important on the test, so stay calm and confident. There is no method of gaining a high score by cheating, and you should never squander your energy or time thinking that way. Simply practise IELTS writing task 2 topics with answers writing frequently, have an open mind, and give it your best.