Recent IELTS Essay Questions

Nowadays more people are choosing to live with friends or alone rather than with their families. This trend is likely to have a negative impact on communities.

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

In some parts of the world it is becoming popular to research the history of one's own family. Why might people want to do this? Is it a positive or negative development?

Families who send their children to private schools should not be required to pay taxes that support the state education system.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Nowadays celebrities are more famous for their glamour and wealth than for their achievements, and this sets a bad example to young people.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

When choosing a job, the salary is the most important consideration. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Should governments make decisions about people's lifestyle, or should people make their own decisions?

Early technological developments helped ordinary people and changed their lives more than recent developments. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Nowadays it is easy to apply for and be given a credit card. However, some people experience problems when they are not be able to pay their debts back. In your opinion, do the advantages of credit cards outweigh the disadvantages?

Throughout history, people have dreamed of living in a perfect society. However, there is still no agreement about what a perfect society would be like. What, in your opinion, would be the most important element of a perfect society? What can people do to help create an ideal society?

Governments should not have to provide care or financial support for elderly people because it is the responsibility of each person to prepare for retirement and support him or herself.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Foreign visitors should pay more than local visitors for cultural and historical attractions. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Many people say that we now live in 'consumer societies' where money and possessions are given too much importance. 
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Economic progress is often used to measure a country's success. However, some people believe that other factors are more important. What other factors should also be considered when measuring a country's success? Do you think one factor is more important than others?

The subjects that children are taught in schools are decided by central authorities. Some people say that teachers, not politicians, should be responsible for this task. To what extent you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Some people think that governments should give financial support to creative artists such as painters and musicians. Others believe that creative artists should be funded by alternative sources. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Nowadays animal experiments are widely used to develop new medicines and to test the safety of other products. Some people argue that these experiments should be banned because it is morally wrong to cause animals to suffer, while others are in favour of them because of their benefits to humanity.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Some experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a foreign language at primary school rather than secondary school. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

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

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.

After leaving school or university, young people should choose a job or career that they love, rather than one that pays the best salary. To what extent do you agree with this statement?

n the developed world, average life expectancy is increasing. What problems will this cause for individuals and society? Suggest some measures that could be taken to reduce the impact of ageing populations.

Increasing the price of petrol is the best way to solve growing traffic and pollution problems.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

What other measures do you think might be effective?

Some people regard video games as harmless fun, or even as a useful educational tool. Others, however, believe that videos games are having an adverse effect on the people who play them. In your opinion, do the drawbacks of video games outweigh the benefits?

More houses are needed in many countries to cope with increasing populations. Would it be better to build houses in existing towns and cities, or to develop new towns in rural areas?

There are many different types of music in the world today. Why do we need music? Is the traditional music of a country more important than the international music that is heard everywhere nowadays?

The role of prisons should be to punish criminals who have committed serious crimes. Training courses and education offered to prisoners are a waste of taxpayer's money. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

In many countries nowadays, young single people no longer stay with their parents until they are married, but leave to study or work somewhere else.
Do you think this trend has more advantages or disadvantages?

Some people think that all teenagers should be required to do unpaid work in their free time to help the local community. They believe this would benefit both the individual teenager and society as a whole.
Do you agree or disagree?

The range and quality of food that we can buy has changed because of technological and scientific advances. Some people regard this change as an improvement, while others believe that it is harmful.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

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 function of a university?

Some people believe that hobbies need to be difficult to be enjoyable.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Nowadays the way many people interact with each other has changed because of technology.
In what ways has technology affected the types of relationships that people make? Has this been a positive or negative development?

These days people pay more attention to artists (writers, painters and so on) and give less importance to science and technology.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Many people decide on a career path early in their lives and keep to it. This, they argue, leads to a more satisfying working life.
To what extent do you agree with this view?
What other things can people do in order to have a satisfying working life?

In many cities, security measures, such as the use of video cameras in public places, are being increased in order to reduce crime, but some people believe that these measures restrict our individual freedom.
Do the benefits of increased security outweigh the drawbacks?

We cannot help everyone in the world that needs help, so we should only be concerned with our own communities and countries.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

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.
What is your view of the relationship between equality and personal success?

Some people believe that studying at university or college is the best route to a successful career, while others believe that it is better to get a job straight after school.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.

In some countries, governments are encouraging industries and businesses to move to regional areas outside the big cities.
Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?

In the last century, the first man to walk on the moon said it was "a giant leap for mankind”. However, some people think it has made little difference to our daily lives.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

In the last century, the first man to walk on the moon said it was "a giant leap for mankind”. However, some people think it has made little difference to our daily lives.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

It is right that university graduates should earn more money than less well educated people, but they should pay the full cost of their education.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

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

Universities should accept equal numbers of male and female students in every subject. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Some people believe that the salaries paid to professional sportspeople are too high, while others argue that sports salaries are fair.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Some people think that museums should be enjoyable places to entertain people, while others believe that the purpose of museums is to educate.
Discuss both views and give you own opinion.

Some people believe that studying at university or college is the best route to a successful career, while others believe that it is better to get a job straight after school.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.

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

Some people think that in the modern world we have become more dependent on each other, while others think that people are now more independent.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Competitiveness is considered to be a positive quality among people.
How does competitiveness affect individuals?
Is competitiveness a positive or negative quality?

Several languages are in danger of extinction because they are spoken by very small numbers of people. Some people say that governments should spend public money on saving these languages, while others believe that would be a waste of money.
Discuss both these views and give your opinion.

Women should have an equal role alongside men in both police and armed forces. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Some people think schools should group pupils according to their academic ability, but others believe pupils with different abilities should be educated together. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Despite improvements in vehicle technology, there are still large numbers of road accidents. Explain some of the causes of these accidents, and suggest some measures that could be taken to address the problem.

Marriages are bigger and more expensive nowadays than in the past. Why is this the case? Is it a positive or negative development?

Many people say that we now live in 'consumer societies' where money and possessions are given too much importance. Others believe that consumer culture has played a vital role in improving our lives.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Water is a natural resource that should always be free. Governments should ban the sale of bottled water.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

The money spent by governments on space programmes would be better spent on vital public services such as schools and hospitals. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Despite huge improvements in healthcare, the overall standard of physical health in many developed countries is now falling. What could be the reason for this trend, and what can be done to reverse it?

More and more people are migrating to cities in search of a better life, but city life can be extremely difficult. Explain some of the difficulties of living in a city. How can governments make urban life better for everyone?

Some people prefer to live in hot climates, whereas others love the lifestyle in countries with cold climates.
Discuss both views and explain which climate you prefer.

Some people believe that the range of technology available to individuals today is increasing the gap between rich people and poor people, while others say that technology has the opposite effect. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

It has been said that the world is becoming a global village in which there are no boundaries to trade and communication. Do the benefits of globalisation outweigh the drawbacks?

Some people think that school children need to learn practical skills such as car maintenance or bank account management along with the academic subjects at school. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Many criminals re-offend after they have been punished. Why do some people continue to commit crimes after they have been punished, and what measures can be taken to tackle this problem?

More and more students are choosing to study at colleges and universities in a foreign country. Do the benefits of studying abroad outweigh the drawbacks?

Explain some of the ways in which humans are damaging the environment. What can governments do to address these problems? What can individual people do?

Many people believe that parents are not as close to their children as they used to be. Suggest some reasons why this could be true.

Can you think of any social benefits of immigration? Are there any economic or social disadvantages?

Traffic congestion is becoming a huge problem for many major cities. Suggest some measures that could be taken to reduce traffic in big cities.

Essay 49 (Mobile Phones in Public)

Some people believe that mobile phones should be banned in public, especially in public transport, restaurants, and cinemas.  Others think that people should be allowed to use mobile phones anywhere.  Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Although using mobile phones in public may be of some nuisance to people in rare instances, it would be very unfair to ban them in such places, especially when we consider their enormous advantages for emergency communication.

(Another introduction: The use of mobile phones can sometimes become a nuisance, as people sometimes talk loudly and disturb others in public places.  Nonetheless, I tend to believe that it is unreasonable to prohibit the use of such a useful communication device in public.)

On the one hand, important messages need to be communicated to people even when they are in public places.  To explain, when people are away from home they are often found in places like shopping malls, cinemas and public transportation systems and cell phones have played a very significant role in keeping individuals connected with each other.  For example, only when people are always accessible on a mobile device, information about a theft, accident or death can be conveyed to them immediately, so that required action can be taken by the people concerned.  This would clearly emphasis the need for people to be accessible to each other electronically at all times.

On the other hand, in some instances, the indiscriminate use of mobile phones has become a serious concern, as people speak loudly, disturbing the privacy of others.  We sometimes witness people talking loudly on mobile phones in theatres and movie halls and deny the enjoyment of the people who sit nearby.

Although we are concerned about the misuse, I believe that most people are aware of the public behaviour required for mobile use, and they talk softly or move to an empty corner to carry on their conversation.  Moreover, through educational institutions and the media, government can give awareness about the proper use of mobile phones, instead of banning them altogether in public.

In summary, sometimes people use mobile phones irresponsibly causing inconvenience to others, but prohibiting them in public is unwise as they help people to communicate with each other at all times and more efficiently.

Essay (48) Moving Industries from Cities

In some countries, governments are encouraging industries and businesses to move to regional areas outside the big cities.  Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?

The presence of many businesses and factories in large cities has created enormous problems for urban life.  Although there may be minor inconveniences, it would be greatly advantageous if governments would encourage the management to shift or start their establishments in less crowded regions.

An obvious benefit of this strategy is that overcrowding of cities can be reduced to a great extent.  It is clear, that increasing number of commercial enterprises has attracted a large number of professionals and workers to urban areas, which has resulted in problems like traffic congestion, inefficient waste-management and pollution.  For instance, during the morning and evening peak commuting time, the roads in a metropolis like Bangalore in India are jam-packed and it is one the most polluted cities in India.  The tax incentives offered by the state government for companies that would establish labour intensive software facilities in the satellite cities like Mysore and Hosur, attracted many companies.  This initiative has helped the administration to handle the growing urban problems and distribute the available resources more efficiently in this fast growing city.

On the other hand, operating businesses and industries in regional areas would be challenging for companies, in attracting skilled professionals, servicing clients and dealing with poor infrastructural facilities.  This would mean that many highly skilled engineers and business professionals would hesitate to relocate to smaller towns or regional areas, for lack of superior educational facilities and lifestyle opportunities.  The inadequacy of efficient logistic and communication systems would also be a serious problem.


In conclusion, considering the enormity of problems faced by huge cities, on account of increasing population growth, moving businesses and factories to rural or less crowded areas would be a logical idea.  The drawbacks would be less consequential, and can be handled by effective management strategies and governmental support.

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