WRITING PRACTICE FOR IELTS

EDUCATION

University students and jobs

Topic 1: Some people believe the aim of university education is to help graduates get better jobs.
Others believe there are much wider benefits of university education for both individuals and society.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Topic 2: It is widely accepted that people who have post-school qualification earn higher salary than
those less educated do. University students should, therefore, pay all the full cost incurred over the
course of obtaining a college education. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Topic 3: Some people who have been successful in the society do not attribute their success to the
theoretical knowledge they learned at university. What is your opinion on the factors contributing to
one’s achievement?

Topic 4: Some people believe that students who graduate from high school should have one year’s
time to obtain work experience before going to university. Do you agree or disagree?

Nature or nurture

Modern schooling or traditional schooling

The role of education

Topic 1: Education is not a luxury, but a basic human right and as such should be free for everyone
irrespective of personal wealth. Do you agree or disagree?

Topic 2: It is generally believed that education is of vital importance to individual development and
the well-being of societies. What should education consist of to fulfill both these functions?

Topic 3: Education used to be a short period of training, but today, people treat it like a lifelong
practice. Do you agree or disagree?

Teaching and Nurturing method

Topic 1: Some people think that children's free time must include educational activities otherwise they
will waste their time. What is your opinion?

Topic 2: Some people think that children should learn to compete, but others think that they should be
taught to cooperate with others. What’s your opinion?

Topic 3: Opinions divide concerning what plays a more important role in people’s personality
development, nature or nurture. What is your opinion?

Topic 4 : Some people believe that educating children altogether will benefit them. Others think
intelligent children should be taught separately and given special courses. Discuss those two views.

Topic 5: Some people think that teachers should be responsibility for teaching students to judge right
and wrong and to behave well. Some say that teachers should only teach students about academic
subjects. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Topic 6 : Do you think middle school students should study international news as a subject?

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Topic 7: Some people argue that it is good for children to stay away from their families and go to a
boarding school. Others suggest that children live with their families and attend a day school. What is
your opinion?

Topic 8: Some people think that students benefit greatly from going to private secondary schools, but
others assert that private secondary schools have a negative impact on the young generation and the
society alike. Discuss both views.

Topic 9: In order to improve the quality of education, high school students should be encouraged to
evaluate and criticize their teachers, but others think it will result in loss of respect and discipline in
classroom. What is your opinion?

Topic 10: Wearing uniform is popular in schools, but some people argue that it might cause damage
to children’s individually. What is your opinion?

Examination

Topic 1: Formal examinations are the only effective way to assess a student’s performance. Continual
assessment such as course work and projects is not a satisfactory way to do this. To what extent do
you agree or disagree with this statement?

Study aboard

Topic 1: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Biotechnology

Topic 1: Genetic engineering is an important issue in modern society. Some people think that it will
improve people's lives in many ways. Others feel that it may be a threat to life on earth.
Discuss both opinions and give your opinion?

Topic 2: Biotechnology companies all over the world are developing different types of genetically
modified (GM) crops. However, not enough is known about these crops on our health and the
environment. Interfering with nature in this way should be prohibited. To what extent do you agree or
disagree?

Topic 3: As people live longer and longer, the idea of cloning human beings in order to provide spare
parts is becoming a reality. The idea horrifies most people, yet it is no longer mere science fiction. To
what extent do you agree with such a procedure?
Have you any reservations?

Effects of technology

Topic 1: In the last 20 years there have been significant developments in the field of information
technology (IT), for example the World Wide Web and communication by email. However, future
developments in IT are likely to have more negative effects than positive.
To what extent do you agree with this view?

Topic 2: There are social, medical and technical problems associated with the use of mobile phones.
What form do these problems take? Do problems of using mobile phones outweigh the benefits?

Topic 3: Do you agree that modern technology has given us more leisure time than before?

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Topic 4: Earlier technological development brought more changes to the life of ordinary people than
recent technological development do. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Topic 5: Many employees may work at home with modern technology. Some people claim that it
benefits only workers, but not employers. Do you agree or disagree?

Topic 6: The leisure industry is growing rapidly. The active role of modern technology in people’s
leisure lives nowadays has made them less creative. Do you agree or disagree?

Topic 7: Some people think that radio has become out-of-date, and there is no need to listen to the
radio for entertainment and news. Do you agree or disagree?

Topic 8: It is said that the fast pace of our everyday life, as a direct result of the rapid development of
telecommunications technology and travel industry, has negative effects on individuals, nations and
the globe. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

GLOBALIZATION

Topic 1: Aircrafts have been increasingly used to transport fruits and vegetables to some countries
where such plants hardly grow or are out of season. Some people consider it a good trend, but some
people oppose it. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Topic 2: When international media (including movies, fashion shows, advertisements and other TV
programmes) convey the same messages to the global audience, people argue that the expansion of
international media has negative impacts on cultural diversity. What is your opinion?

HEALTH

Alternative medicine

Topic 1: Currently there is a trend towards the use of alternative forms of medicine. However, at best
these methods are ineffective, and at worst they may be dangerous.
To what extent do you agree with this statement?

Effects of passive life style

Topic 1:The percentage of overweight children in western society has increased by almost 20% in the
last ten years.
Discuss the causes and effects of this disturbing trend.

Topic 2: Many of the medical problems that people are experiencing in today's world are due to the
fact that we have a very sedentary lifestyle.
To what extent to you agree?

Food and diet

Topic 1: Eating a balanced diet is the most important factor for a healthy life.
To what extent do you agree?

Topic 2: Do the dangers derived from the use of chemicals in food production and preservation
outweigh the advantages?

Topic 3: Food can be produced much more cheaply today because of improved fertilisers and better
machinery. However, some of the methods used to do this may be dangerous to human health and
may have negative effects on local communities. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

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Smoking

Topic 1: Smoking not only harms the smoker, but also those who are nearby. Therefore, smoking
should be banned in public places.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Topic 2: Smokers have rights too, so they should be allowed to smoke in public places.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

CRIME

Crime solutions

Topic 1: Some people think that the best way to reduce crime is to give longer prison sentences.
Others, however, believe there are better alternative ways of reducing crime.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Topic 2: Do you think it is better to send criminals to jail or let them receive education or job
training?

Topic 3: Many people are afraid of leaving their houses because of the spread of crimes. Some think
that more actions can be taken to prevent crime from occurring, but others think little can be done.
What is your opinion?

Topic 4: There are more and more effective security measures in large cities to reduce the crime. Does
this endeavour bring more benefits than problems?

Juvenile crime

Topic 1: In recent years, the proportion of the crimes committed by youngsters is on the rise. Discuss
causes to this problem and suggest solutions.

ENVIRONMENT

Wildlife protection

Topic 1: A growing number of people feel that animals should not be exploited by people and that
they should have the same rights as humans, while others argue that humans must employ animals to
satisfy their various needs, including uses for food and research. Discuss both views and give your
opinion.

Topic 2: Blood sports have become a hot topic for debate in recent years. As society develops it is
increasingly seen as an uncivilized activity and cruel to the helpless animals that are killed. All blood
sports should be banned.
Discuss the main arguments for this statement and give your own opinion.

Topic 3: Logging of the rain forests is a serious problem and it may lead to the extinction of animal
life and human life. Discuss.

Pollution

Topic 1: Developed countries have created many environmental problems in the World, particularly
in their contribution to global warming.
What can be done to reduce the dangers of global warming?

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Topic 2: Global warming is one of the most serious issues that the world is facing today.
What are the causes of global warming and what measures can governments and individuals take to
tackle the issue?

Topic 3: Some industrialised countries have serious environmental problems. The damage to the
environment is an inevitable result when a country tends to improve the standard of living. To what
extent do you agree or disagree?

Topic 4: Environmental problems are serious in many countries. It means that the only possible way
to protect the environment is at an international level. To what extent do you agree or disagree on this
hypothesis?

Topic 5: Some people believe that air travel should be restricted because it causes serious pollution
and will use up the world’s resources. Do you agree or disagree?

Topic 6: It is said that the best way to solve the world’s environmental problems is to increase the
price of fuel. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Topic 7: Water resources around the world are falling deficient. Analyse the possible reasons and
provide your suggestions.

CULTURE

The OLD and the NEW

Topic 1: It is inevitable that as technology advances, traditional cultures will be lost. It seems that we
cannot have these two things together. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Topic 2: Some people argue that history is of little or no use to us. Others believe that studying history
gives many benefits. Discuss those views and give your own opinion.

Music

Topic 1: There are many types of music in the world today. Why do we need music? Is the traditional
music of a country more important and should it be preserved or is international music that is heard
everywhere nowadays more useful to a society?

Building and Architecture

Topic 1: Many old buildings protected by law are part of a nation’s history. Some people think they
should be knocked down and replaced by news ones.
How important is it to maintain old buildings? Should history stand in the way of progress?

Topic 2: It is more important for a building to serve its purposes than to look beautiful. Architects do
not need to worry about whether it is a real work of art. Do you agree or disagree?

Cultural protection

Topic 1: Some people believe that culture will be ruined if it is used to earn tourism revenue, but
others consider that tourism is the only way of protecting a culture. Discuss both sides and give your
own opinion.

Language

Topic 1: The advantages of the spread of English as a global language will continue to outweigh its
disadvantages. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

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Topic 2: Some people argue that learning a second language involves learning the culture of the
country where this language is spoken (including lifestyles). What is your opinion?

Dressing

Topic 1: People in many countries do not wear their traditional costume. Some argue that they would
forget their history and tradition. Do you agree or disagree?

The role of Arts

Topic 1: The advance of science and technology has a significant impact on people, but the role of
artists is also important, such as musicians, painters and writers. What can the arts tell us about life
that science cannot?

MEDIA

Impacts of media

Topic 1: These days, we are seeing an increasing amount of violence on television, and this is having
a negative impact on children's behaviour.
Do you agree or disagree?

Topic 2: These days, we are seeing an increasing amount of violence on television, and this is having
a negative impact on children's behaviour.
Do you agree or disagree?

Topic 3: Are famous people treated unfairly by the media? Should they be given more privacy, or is
the price of their fame an invasion into their private lives?

Topic 4: People think that the news media has influenced people’s lives nowadays and it is a negative
development. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Advertising

Topic 1: There are many advertisements directed at children. Parents argue that children are misled,
while advertisers consider advertising a source of useful information. What is your opinion?

Topic 2: Do the positive effects outweigh negative effects, when advertising gains in popularity?

Topic 3: Some people argue that advertising is discouraging people from being different individuals,
and makes people to be or seem to be the same. Do you agree or disagree?

Topic 4: The high sales of popular consumer goods reflect the power of advertising but not the real
need of the society where such products are sold. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Topic 5: Advertising encourages customers to buy in quantity not in quality. To what extent do you
agree or disagree?

POLICY MAKING

Security protection

Topic 1: Police in Britain do not carry guns. Some people believe that unarmed police are unable to
protect citizen, but some suggest that arming the police will lead to a surge in violence in society.
Discuss those two views.

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Topic 2: What are the benefits of requiring young people to serve the army? Does participation in
community work qualify as an alternative?

Governmental investment

Topic 1: Some people hold that we should spend money and time on the protection of wild animals
while others suggest that the money should be spent on populations living in the poorest areas of the
world. What is your opinion?

Topic 2: Millions of dollars are spent on space research every year. Some people argue that money
should be spent on improving living standards on Earth. Do you agree or disagree?

Topic 3: Some people argue that the government should spend money on public services and
facilities, but not on the arts. Do you agree or disagree?

Topic 4: Some people argue that the government should spend money only on medical care and
education but not on theaters and sport stadiums. Do you agree or disagree?

Topic 5: Good facilities can be found in cities but not in the countryside. Therefore, new doctors and
teachers should be sent to the countryside. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Tax

Topic 1: People should keep all the money they earn and should not pay taxes to the state. Do you
agree or disagree?

Governmental control

Topic 1: Only government action can solve housing shortages in big cities. To what extent do you
agree or disagree?

Topic 2: Creative artists should be given freedom to express their ideas through words, pictures,
music or films. Some people nevertheless think that the government should restrict artists’ freedom of
expression. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Topic 3: The government should control the amount of violence in films and on television in order to
control violent crimes in society. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this action?

Topic 4: Some people suggest that there should be restrictions on a detailed description of crimes in
the newspaper and on television. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Aging population

With the ageing of society, we are now beginning to see a growing interest in further abolishment of
mandatory retirement. Do you think that mandatory retirement is obsolete or should be sustained?

Traffic

Topic 1: In order to solve traffic problems, governments should tax private car owners heavily and use
the money to improve public transportation. What are the advantages and disadvantages of such a
solution?

Topic 2: The only way to improve road safety is to impose severe punishment for driving offences.
Do you agree or disagree?

SOCIETY

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Family issues

Topic 1: Do you think that parents should be punished if their five-year-old child commits a crime?
From what age should children be held responsible for their own behaviours?

Topic 2: Although it is generally prohibited, corporal punishment persists in many families. Do you
think corporal punishment is an acceptable way to regulate children’s behaviours?

Topic 3: It is not uncommon that children are required to obey the rule of their parents and teachers.
Some people are worried that too much control over children will not prepare them well for their adult
life. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

Topic 4: The children who grow up in a family short of money are more capable of dealing with
problems in adult life than children who are brought up by wealthy parents. To what extend do you
agree or disagree?

Topic 5: One’s character traits are strongly influenced by the place where he or she grew up. Discuss
the impacts of an urban environment and those of rural environment on a child’s character
development. One’s character traits are strongly influenced by the place where he or she grew up.
Discuss the impacts of an urban environment and those of rural environment on a child’s character
development.

Topic 6: Nowadays, families are not as close as in the past and a lot of people have become used to
this. Explain the reasons for this and discuss any possible effects it may have on society.

Topic 7: There is an increasing trend around the world to have a small family rather than a large
family.

Topic 8: What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of having a small family rather than a
large family?

Topic 9: Currently more and more people respect elders and become convinced that older people
should live with their families, which is in contrast to the view that older people should live at a
nursing home. What is your opinion?

Life style

Topic 1: Many people believe that the human society has developed into a throw-away society, which
is filled with plastic bags and rubbish. What are the causes and solutions?

Topic 2: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of playing sports and participating in physical
exercises.

Population issues

Topic 1: In many countries, the proportion of older people is increasing steadily. Do you think it is a
positive or negative change to the society?

Topic 2: Some findings have revealed that cities around the world are growing large. Could you
outline the possible causes and predict consequences?

Topic 3: Overpopulation of urban areas has led to numerous problems. Identify one or two serious
ones and suggest ways that governments and individuals can tackle these problems.

Gender equality

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Topic 1: In many countries, women join the army as men do. However, some people argue that the
army solely needs males. What is your opinion?

Topic 2: Gender imbalance has long been a general phenomenon not only in the labour market but
also in formal education. Some analysts argue that it is impossible of women in some subjects in the
university. Do you agree or disagree?

Topic 3: Throughout the history, male leaders often made the society more violent and conflicting. If
women governed, the world would be more peaceful. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Morals and values

Topic 1: Discuss the reasons why people define happiness differently and how to obtain happiness?

Topic 2: Some people think that telling the truth is not always essential. It is necessary to tell lies
sometimes. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Topic 3: Today, people are getting greedy and selfish. Some people argue that we should go back to
the old days, and show respect for the family and community, so that we can make the world a better
place to live in. to what extent do you agree or disagree?

Topic 4: Fashion is difficult to follow, and some people argue that we should not follow it. They think
that we should dress what we like and feel comfortable. Do you agree or disagree?

Working life

Topic 1: People tend to work longer hours nowadays. Working long hours has a negative effect on
themselves, their families and the society, so working hours should be restricted. Do you agree or
disagree?

Topic 2: As most people spend a major part of adult life at the place of work, job satisfaction is an
important part of individual well-being. What are the factors that contribute to job satisfaction? Are
all the expectations for job satisfaction realistic?

Topic 3: Some people think that changing jobs periodically is good. What is your opinion?

Topic 4: People tend to believe that all young adults should undertake a period of unpaid work for the
good of the community. Do you agree or disagree?

Topic 5: Today, more school leavers are unable to find jobs. Discuss the causes of rising
unemployment among young adults and suggest any solutions.