IELTS Writing Task 2 topics for November 2026

Some people want governments to spend money looking for life on other planets. Others, however, think this is a waste of public money when there are so many problems on earth. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Academic · Discussion · Band 8 sample essay

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 own opinion. (2017, 2022)

General Training · Discussion · Band 8 sample essay

The government is spending a lot of money to discover life on other planets. Some people think that the government is wasting money and should spend more money addressing the problems of the public. To what extent do you agree? (2017, 2020)

General Training · Opinion · Band 8 sample essay

Some people think that space exploration is a waste of resources, while others think that it is essential for mankind to continue to explore the universe in which we live. Discuss both sides and give your opinion. (appears most years in the test)

General Training · Discussion · Band 8 sample essay

Many people around the world use social media to keep in touch with other people and get the news. Do you think the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

Academic · Advantages and disadvantages · Band 8 sample essay

Many people believe that watching a live performance is more enjoyable than watching the same event on television. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Academic · Opinion · Band 8 sample essay

Some people think that e-books are the death of paper books, while others think that paper books will never disappear. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

General Training · Discussion · Band 8 sample essay

Libraries should focus on improving their technological resources rather than building a larger collection of paper books. To what extent do you agree?

General Training · Opinion · Band 8 sample essay

Public libraries will soon no longer be housed in a building as all facilities and books will be available online for everyone to access. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of public libraries only existing online.

General Training · Two-part question · Band 8 sample essay

In some countries, university students live at home with their families while they study, whereas in other countries students attend university in another city. Do you think the benefits of living away from home during university outweigh the disadvantages?

Academic · Advantages and disadvantages · Band 8 sample essay

It is observed that in many countries not enough students are choosing to study science as a subject. What are the causes? And what will be the effects on society?

Academic · Problem and solution · Band 8 sample essay

Parents are putting a lot of pressure on their children to succeed. What are the reasons for this? Is it a positive or negative development?

Academic · Two-part question · Band 8 sample essay

Children who start reading earlier in life perform better later on in their school studies. How important are early reading skills in a child's academic performance? What other preschool factors influence a child's academic success?

General Training · Two-part question · Band 8 sample essay

Some people think that children who spend a lot of time reading children's story books are wasting their time which could be better used doing other more useful activities. To what extent do you agree?

General Training · Opinion · Band 8 sample essay

Most countries aim to improve their standard of living through economic development, but many important social values can be lost as a result. Do the advantages of economic development outweigh the disadvantages?

Academic · Advantages and disadvantages · Band 8 sample essay

Some people say that to prevent illness and disease, governments should focus more on reducing environmental pollution and housing problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Academic · Opinion · Band 8 sample essay

Some people say that when deciding how taxes should be spent, governments should prioritize health care. Other people believe that there are more important priorities for taxpayers' money. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Academic · Discussion · Band 8 sample essay

People believe that they should be able to keep all the money they earn and should not pay taxes to the state. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Academic · Opinion · Band 8 sample essay

More developing countries are given aid from international organizations to help them in their development plans. Some people argue that financial aid is important but others suggest that practical aid and advice are more important. Discuss both views and give your opinion. (Reported 2017, Academic Test)

General Training · Discussion · Band 8 sample essay

It is important for all towns and cities to have large public outdoor places like squares and parks. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Academic · Opinion · Band 8 sample essay

Nowadays people use bicycles less as a form of transport. Why is this the case? What can we do to encourage people to use bicycles more?

Academic · Two-part question · Band 8 sample essay

In many countries, people are moving away from rural areas and towards urban areas. Why do you think that is? What problems can this cause?

General Training · Problem and solution · Band 8 sample essay

The population of most cities is growing as people move to cities to find work and new opportunities. What problems does overpopulation in cities cause? How can these problems be solved?

General Training · Problem and solution · Band 8 sample essay

In many cities, there is a lack of space to develop and as a result, in order to modernize, old buildings are demolished and replaced with new buildings. What are the disadvantages of knocking down old buildings? Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

General Training · Advantages and disadvantages · Band 8 sample essay

In many countries today, if people want to find work, they have to move away from their friends and their families. Do you think the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

Academic · Advantages and disadvantages · Band 8 sample essay

Nowadays, more people move away from their friends and families for work. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

Academic · Advantages and disadvantages · Band 8 sample essay

Some countries have introduced laws to limit working hours for employees. Why are these laws introduced? Do you think they are a positive or negative development?

Academic · Two-part question · Band 8 sample essay

People who decide on a career path early and keep to it are likelier to have a satisfying working life than those who change jobs frequently. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Academic · Opinion · Band 8 sample essay

It is a good idea for people to continue working in their old age if it is possible for them to do so. Do you agree or disagree?

Academic · Opinion · Band 8 sample essay

Some people think that it is a good thing for senior management positions to have much higher salaries than other workers in a company. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Academic · Opinion · Band 8 sample essay

Some people think that in modern society individuals are becoming more dependent on each other, while others say that individuals are becoming more independent of each other. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Academic · Discussion · Band 8 sample essay

In many countries, women no longer feel the need to get married. Some people believe that this is because women are able to earn their own income and therefore do not require the financial security that marriage can bring. To what extent do you agree?

General Training · Opinion · Band 8 sample essay

Most societies has its homeless people. Some people think that the best way to help them is to give them money. To what extent do you agree?

General Training · Opinion · Band 8 sample essay

Globalization has both advantages and disadvantages. Discuss both and give your opinion.

General Training · Discussion · Band 8 sample essay

With the development of modern society is the loss of traditional ways of life. Is it important to keep our traditional ways of life? How can this be achieved?

General Training · Problem and solution · Band 8 sample essay

Every culture, throughout time, has recorded its history in one way or another. In what ways can history be passed on to the next generation? Why is history important to society?

General Training · Two-part question · Band 8 sample essay

All societies have their own music and art. In what way are music and art important for society and for the individual?

General Training · Two-part question · Band 8 sample essay

Some people think that life is good for people while others believe that constant change can be too demanding on people. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

General Training · Discussion · Band 8 sample essay

It is sometimes thought that people who travel outside of their own country are more tolerant and understanding of others. To what extent do you agree?

General Training · Opinion · Band 8 sample essay