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IELTS Writing questions and answers 2018

You asked, and we acted! Here is the list of the latest IELTS writing questions that we compiled from all the recent IELTS exams that you share with us daily. The list below includes IELTS writing questions from 2018. The answers are coming – some essay topics link to their answers, and we are adding more.

Why are these helpful? Because whenever you sit down to practice for your exam, you don’t have to waste time looking for the most recent IELTS writing questions – bookmark this page and come back, because we are constantly adding new writing questions at the top of the list. If you get one of these in your own exam, that would feel like winning the lottery!

All our appreciation goes to the wonderful IELTS test takers who shared these – guys, you rock! Your sharing really makes a difference, and your contribution is always appreciated.

Everyone, you’re welcome to put writing questions from your own IELTS exams in comments (or email them to info@ielts-blog.com) – we will keep adding them to this page.

IELTS Essay Questions from 2018

Remember to spend no more than 40 minutes on one essay, and write at least 250 words.

Essay Question 1

School teachers are more responsible for social and intellectual development of students than parents. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Read IELTS Band 8 essay sample here.

Essay Question 2

Some people believe that preserving natural environment is crucial. However, most make no effort to do so. Why do you think this is happening? What are some simple actions that could help the environment?

Read IELTS Band 8 essay sample here.

Essay Question 3

Many people believe that reducing speed limits is the best option for road safety improvement. Do you think there are other measures that could be put in place? What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?

Read IELTS Band 8 essay sample here.

Essay Question 4

In many countries the proportion of older people is steadily increasing. What problems will this cause for individuals and society? Suggest some measures that could be taken to reduce the impact of ageing populations.

Read IELTS Band 8 essay sample here.

Essay Question 5

Some believe that people should not continue to work once they reach the age of retirement. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer and include relevant examples from your experience.

Read IELTS Band 8 essay sample here.

Essay Question 6

Nowadays families move to different countries for work. Some people think it has a negative effect on children, while others disagree. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Read IELTS Band 8 essay sample here.

Essay Question 7

Childcare training courses should be mandatory for all parents. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give your own opinion and include relevant examples.

Read IELTS Band 8 essay sample here.

Essay Question 8

Some believe that modern technology is increasing the gap between rich and poor people, while others disagree. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Read IELTS Band 8 essay sample here.

Essay Question 9

Nowadays more and more people want to live by themselves. What are the reasons? Is it a positive or negative trend?

Read IELTS Band 8 essay sample here.

Essay Question 10

Some people use the Internet to search for solutions to their medical problems. Is it a positive or negative development? Give your own opinion and examples from your experience.

Read IELTS Band 8 essay sample here.

Essay Question 11

In many countries senior positions have higher salaries compared to those of young workers of the same company. Some people think this isn’t justified. Do you agree or disagree?

Read IELTS Band 8 essay sample here.

Essay Question 12

Some people believe that it’s not necessary to have internet access to live a full life. What is your opinion? Give reasons for your answer and include examples from your own experience.

Essay Question 13

Many people believe that parents should teach their children about money matters. What are the best ways to teach a child about money, in your opinion? Give some examples from your own experience.

Essay Question 14

Some people think cars are a better way of transportation around the city, while others prefer cycling. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Essay Question 15

Nowadays the most important task is the environmental protection of our planet for future generations. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Essay Question 16

Some people think that the government should invest money in arts and cultural events, while others believe that the government should spend money on more important things. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Essay Question 17

In the modern world it is possible to shop, work and communicate with people via 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?

Essay Question 18

The trend of increased consumer goods production is damaging the natural environment. Why is it still happening? What are the solutions for this situation?

Essay Question 19

Nowadays people are influenced by fashion, in particular when choosing their clothes and hairstyle. Is this a positive or a negative development? Give reasons for your answer and include examples from your own experience.

Essay Question 20

Some cities have vehicle-free days when private cars, trucks and motorcycles are banned from the city center. People are encouraged to use public transportation such as buses, taxis and metro on vehicle-free days. To what extent do you think the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

Read a model essay here

Essay Question 21

Some people think that hobbies should be linked with technology, while others believe that it is not necessary for hobbies to be involved with technology. Discuss, what is your opinion? Give reasons for your answer and include relevant examples from your experience.

Essay Question 22

Some people say that artists such as painters, writers and musicians affect our life more than scientists. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer and include relevant examples from your experience.

Read a model essay here here.

Essay Question 23

These days free music and free films are available online. Is this a positive or a negative development? Give reasons for your answer and include examples from your own experience.

Essay Question 24

Many people prefer to live in their own house, while others are prepared to live in rental properties. Discuss both views, give you own opinion and examples.

Essay Question 25

In many countries plastic bags are the main source of rubbish causing pollution in oceans and on land; therefore they should be banned. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Essay Question 26

Some people think that only the society should be blamed for any anti-social activities. What are the causes for these activities? Who is responsible for them?

Essay Question 27

The best way to reduce traffic congestion in cities is to provide a free public transport service. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give your opinion and examples from your own experience.

Essay Question 28

Nowadays people use social media to keep in touch with others and be aware of news. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

Essay Question 29

Some people believe that it is better to live and work in a vertical city with multiple tall buildings, as compared to a horizontal city with fewer tall buildings. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Essay Question 30

Some people think that one should plan detailed activities for their leisure time, others disagree with that. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Essay Question 31

Some people feel that robots are very important to humans’ future development, while others think they are dangerous and have negative effects on the society. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Essay Question 32

The trend of online shopping is increasing significantly. What effect does it have on the environment and society in general?

Essay Question 33

Nowadays the importance of teachers is diminishing due to increased availability of alternative resources to students. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the statement?

Essay Question 34

Some people think that new houses should be built in the same style as older houses in the local area. Others disagree and say that local authorities should allow people to build houses in the styles of their own choice. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Essay Question 35

Some people spend a lot of money attending cultural or sports events. Is it a good or a bad thing? Give your opinion and examples from your own experience.

Essay Question 36

Life in the 21st century is better compared to the previous century. To what extant do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer and include relevant examples from your own experience.

Essay Question 37

The old tradition of a family having a meal together is disappearing. Why do you think is this happening? How does it affect individuals and the community?

Essay Question 38

In some countries people think women should have equality with men, in particular equal rights to work as police officers or serve in the Army. Others think women are not suitable for such jobs. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Essay Question 39

Some people believe we need to pay higher taxes in order for the government to build population’s basic needs services. Others say the government should find other means to get funds for it. What should the government do, in your opinion?

Essay Question 40

Some people want the government to spend money on researching life on other planets. Others, however, think it is a waste of public funds and there are too many problems on our own planet to be fixed first. Discuss both views and give you own opinion.

Essay Question 41

Some people think that the effective way to reduce pollution is to tax the companies which cause it. Others think that there are better ways to achieve this. Discuss both the sides and give your own opinion.

Essay Question 42

Some people think parents are responsible for transporting their children to school. Others think it is the government’s responsibility. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Essay Question 43

Some people think that several short holidays from school are better, while others think one long summer holiday for the year is better for children. Discuss and include your own opinion and relevant examples from your experience.

Essay Question 44

More and more people nowadays are buying fashionable clothes. Does it have more negative or positive effects? Give reasons for your answer and include relevant examples from your experience.

Essay Question 41

In some counties younger people are increasingly losing interest in teaching. Why is this happening? What can be done to improve the situation? Give reasons for your answer and include examples from your own experience.

Essay Question 45

Some people think that air travel should grow without a limit, while others believe that governments should limit it. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Essay Question 46

Nowadays many business meetings and training are happening online and not in real offices. Do you think the advantages of this approach outweigh the disadvantages?

Essay Question 47

Some people think that giving homework to students is not a good idea. Others believe that homework is good and helps students achieve better grades. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Essay Question 48

Some people believe that children’s success in adulthood is related to the way they have been raised by their parents. Do you agree or disagree? Give your own opinion and examples.

Essay Question 49

Some exercises are good, but not all, and without knowing the difference people who do all kinds of exercises can harm themselves. Do you agree or disagree? Give your own opinion and include examples from your experience.

Essay Question 50

Some people want academic subjects such as history and physics to be taught in secondary school. Others want practical skills such as mechanical and gardening to be taught. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Essay Question 51

Nowadays people living in large cities face problems in their daily lives. What are these problems? Should governments encourage people to move to smaller towns?

Essay Question 52

The tendency of human beings to copy one another is increasing in popularity. Is this a positive or a negative development? What can be done about it?

Essay Question 53

Nowadays people are affected by social media and the Internet. Is it a good or a bad trend, in your opinion? Explain it by giving your own examples.

16 thoughts on “IELTS Writing questions and answers 2018”

  1. Ogunleye olufunmilola

    Thanks a lot ielts blog for this task 2 .I believe this is to inform us ahead to be able to develop ideas or probably search for ideas before the examination day… This is really helped

  2. Glad this helps. Even if you only practice in brainstorming ideas and thinking of suitable vocabulary for each topic, that will definitely lift your score. Not to mention writing a complete essay on each topic!

  3. Hi Simone,

    Just wondering, will all the topics will change from August? Though I know that these all topics are for our brainstorming and get ideas.
    Regards
    Shruti

  4. Dear Simone,

    Thanks heaps for your Noble work. This page and your teaching guidance is really helping me a lot. I am your one of the serious follower and student. You are one of the best teacher I ever experienced in my life. God is with you…
    My IELTS will be on August. So, need to start practicing from now:)

    Please accept my regards and gratitude.

    Regards,
    Shruti

  5. Hi Shruti, we can’t predict the topics of course… But if you are subscribed to our daily emails, even if they do change topics in August people will keep sharing their most recent ones, so you’ll get them as soon as we do. Practicing brainstorming has a lot of value regardless of topics – it’s the technique that matters. Very often people sit down to write an essay and experience a ‘writers block’, they can’t think of anything to write about, and they may spend 10-15 minutes just overcoming that. You don’t have that luxury of time in IELTS! So the habit of brainstoming ideas straight away helps you get over that. The importance of being able to come up with ideas within 5 minutes or so cannot be overstated.

  6. Sir I never use complex sentences while writing I write only whatever I m thinking about the topic.So is that a right way to write task 2

  7. Hi Roop, sentence structure affects your score, so if you are trying to get a better score in Writing, adding complex sentence structure will help. It may not be a very easy thing to do at first, but with practice you can start using complex sentences in every essay, without struggle.

  8. Thanks, Simone,

    How are you? Unfortunately, I did not score as I required. Have to appear again next month. It was just 0.5 under what I needed 🙁
    Rgds
    Shruti

  9. Although there is a lot of transportation software available, learning a new language still could be advantageous. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

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Author

Simone Braverman is the founder of IELTS-Blog.com and author of several popular IELTS preparation books, including Ace the IELTS, Target Band 7, the High Scorer's Choice practice test series, and IELTS Success Formula. Since 2005 her work has helped 100,000's of students worldwide achieve their target IELTS scores and live their dream lives. When Simone isn't working on her next IELTS book, video lesson, or coaching, she enjoys playing the guitar or rollerblading.