TOPICS FOR DEBATES

International tourism has greatly benefited many places. However, there have
been major concerns about its impact on the local environment and
inhabitants. Do the negative impacts of international tourism outweigh the
benefits?

Some countries have recently passed laws to restrict daily working hours of
employees. Explain whether this will have a positive or negative impact.

More and more people today are visiting extreme places such as Antarctica or
the Sahara desert. What are the advantages or disadvantages of such travels?

Social media is gradually replacing in-person face-to-face contact with many

people worldwide. Do the benefits of social media outweigh the
disadvantages?

The internet is a great invention that brings a host of advantages for the world
population. However, there are several issues in terms of security and control
of personal data. Do you agree or disagree with this?

Advertising prevents the originality in people and makes them look the same
and do the same. Do you agree or disagree with this?

Parents today often tend to organise extra classes on weekends or even after
school. Do you believe this is at all useful? Or, do you think the education
provided in school is sufficient?

Many believe living in big cities comes with more advantages than residing in
the countryside. Do you agree or disagree with this?
The shopping habits of people depend more on their age group than on any
other factors. Do you agree or disagree with this?

More and more children and minors are becoming overweight in developed
nations. This is a major problem for most wealthy countries. Explain the
causes and impacts of this issue.

Some people believe that capital punishment should be done away with. Do
you agree or disagree with this?

Most teenagers today own a smartphone. Provide your opinion to discuss the
advantages and disadvantages.

Crime novels and TV series have become quite popular in recent years. What
is your opinion about these crime dramas?

Developing nations often require international assistance. Many believe that

this assistance should be monetary, while some think practical help and advice
would be more beneficial. Discuss both these views along with your opinion.

Many consider automobiles to be the biggest source of pollution in urban

areas, while some believe industries are responsible for it. Explain both views
and provide your opinion.

Many people believe individuals involved with creative arts should be

financially supported by the government. Some others believe they should find
separate resources. Discuss each of the views and give your opinion.
Some believe success in life comes from hard work, dedication, and
motivation. While many believe success depends on other important factors
like money and appearance. Discuss both views and provide your opinion.

Many think that governments should fund programs in search of life on other
planets. However, others believe governments should focus on unresolved
issues on the planet. Provide your opinion and discuss both views.

Some of the methods used in advertising are unethical and unacceptable in

today’s society. To what extent do you agree with this view?

Many animals are facing extinction in the wild. Why is this happening? What
can be done to protect them?

Some people think that keeping pets is good for children while others think it
is dangerous and unhealthy. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Zoos are sometimes seen as necessary but poor alternatives to a natural

environment. Discuss some of the arguments for and against keeping animals
in zoos as an IELTS topic and give your own opinion.

Many countries spend a lot of money on art. Some people think investment in
art is necessary, but others say the money is better spent on improving health
and education. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Some people believe that handwriting is no longer useful in the modern world
and should not be taught in schools. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

These days the internet is easily accessible to children. Is this a positive or a

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

All criminals should have access to education and rehabilitation programs

while in prison. To what extent do you agree or disagree on this IELTS topic?

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?

In many countries, an increase in crime has been blamed on violent images on

television and in computer and video games. To what extent do you agree or
disagree?

Differences between countries become less evident each year. Nowadays, all
over the world people share the same fashions, advertising, brands, eating
habits and TV channels. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the
disadvantages?

Some people believe that governments should ban dangerous sports. Others
claim that they should have the freedom to choose their favourite activities.
Discuss both views and present your opinion.

In 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.

In many countries, schools have severe problems with student behaviour.

What do you think are the causes of this? What solutions can you suggest?
Many people say that the only way to guarantee a good job is to complete a
course of university education. Others claim that it is better to start work
after school and gain experience in the world of work. Discuss both views and
give your own opinion

Many people prefer to watch foreign films rather than locally produced films.
Why could this be? Should governments give more financial support to local
film industries?

In most developed countries shopping is not only about buying the goods you
need, it is also perceived as entertainment. Is it a positive or negative
development?

Some people think that it is important to use leisure time for activities that
improve the mind, such as reading and doing word puzzles. Other people feel
that it is important to rest the mind during leisure time. Discuss both views
and give your opinion.

With deforestation, urban development and illegal hunting, many animal

species are becoming endangered and some are even facing extinction.

Do you think it is important to protect animals? What can be done to deal

with this problem?

Many people think it is very important to protect the environment but they
make no effort to do it themselves. Why do you think this is the case? What
actions should individuals take to protect the environment?
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?

Children are influenced by their friend’s opinions. In what ways are children
affected by their friends? How can parents make sure this influence is
positive?

Parents often buy their children many toys. What are the advantages and
disadvantages of children having a large number of toys?

Young people spend less of their free time with their family nowadays. What
are the reasons for this? Are there more negative or positive sides to this?

All people should be vegetarians. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Some people claim that genetically modified (GM) food can be dangerous
while others feel that it may bring enormous benefits to the world. Discuss
both views and give your opinion.

Junk food advertising has a harmful effect on society and should be banned.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

The wealth gap between 1st world countries and 3rd world countries seems to
be increasing. How can we reduce this gap? Do you think that developed
countries have a duty to assist developing countries in every way?

The money given to help poor countries does not solve the problem of poverty,
so rich countries should give other types of help instead. To what extent do
you agree or disagree?
The exploration and development of safe alternatives to fossil fuels should be
the most important global priority today. To what extent do you agree and
disagree?

Despite huge improvements in healthcare, the overall standard of physical

health in many developed countries is now falling. What are the reasons for
this and how can the problem be tackled?

Some people claim that using tobacco has brought several social problems and
smoking should be banned. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Childhood obesity is a serious problem in many countries. What are the

causes of it and how can the problem be managed?

The tendency of news media to focus on problems and emergencies rather

than good news has a negative effect on individuals and society. To what
extent do you agree or disagree?

“Newspapers and books are outdated.” Why do some people believe this?
What is your opinion?

Many people believe that media coverage of celebrities is having a negative

effect on children. 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. Others believe that consumer
culture has played a vital role in improving our lives. Discuss both views and
give your opinion.
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 believe that money is the most important factor for achieving
happiness. However, others believe that happiness has nothing to do with
money. What is your opinion?

The Internet has transformed lives and economies but it is turning the world
into a global village. Soon everybody will think and behave in the same way.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Some people think that computer games are bad for children, while others
believe that they are useful. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of
computer games and give your own opinion.

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.

Some people think space research is a waste of money. The government

should spend that money on the improvement of people’s living conditions.
What is your opinion on this IELTS topic?

In the last century, the first man walking on the moon said: “It is a giant leap
for mankind”. However, some people think that space travel makes little
difference to our daily lives. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Some scientists think that there are intelligent life forms on other planets and
messages should be sent to contact them. Other scientists think it is a bad idea
and would be dangerous. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Some sports are considered extremely dangerous, but many people still like
them. Why do people take part in dangerous sports? Give some suggestions
on how to deal with these dangers.

Popular events like the football World Cup and other international sporting
occasions are essential in easing international tensions and releasing patriotic
emotions in a safe way. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this
opinion?

Because of the pressure of new subjects such as business studies, many schools
have dropped sport or physical education (PE) from the curriculum. How
important is sport or PE in a young person’s education?

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.

Some people think that strict punishments for driving offences are the key to
reducing traffic accidents. Others, however, believe that other measures
would be more effective in improving road safety. Discuss both these views
and give your own opinion on this IELTS topic.

It is predicted that in the future cars will be driven by computers. What are
the reasons behind this? Would it be a positive or negative development?
In many countries, tourism is a major part of the economy, but it also causes
environmental damage and ruins the places it exploits. It is argued that
tourists should pay an additional tax to compensate for this damage. Do you
agree?

Some people think the advantages of international tourism outweigh its

disadvantages. To what extent do you agree?

It is said that travel broadens the mind. What can we learn by travelling to
other countries? Should we first explore our own countries?

Nowadays employment options are changing and employees cannot rely on

having the same job and working conditions throughout their life. What are
some possible causes? Suggest some ways to plan for the future under these
circumstances.

Some say job security is more important than job satisfaction. What is your
opinion on this IELTS topic?

Nowadays many jobs are more stressful and the working day is long. What
are the reasons for this? What can employers do to help employees?

Some people think that exams are a good way of assessing a student’s level.
Other people believe that they put unnecessary pressure on young learners
and tell us very little about their actual ability. Discuss both views and give
your own opinion.

Some people believe that in the near future there will be no borders between
countries, while others feel that national borders will always remain. Discuss
both views and give your own opinion.