For IELTS Writing Task 2, coming up with ideas quickly and clearly is one of the hardest parts. Not having good content or language will hurt your grade, even if you use good words and grammar.
This piece goes over the following things to help you get ready better:
These are the most popular IELTS essay topics
Ideas for each theme for Bands 8 and above
Model essays and outline of arguments
Words and sentences that are related to the subjects
Why You Need Ideas That Are Already Made
You only have 40 minutes to plan, write, and go over your Task 2 essay on the IELTS test. Having thoughts on common themes ready to go lets you:
- Save time on planning
- Not get off track
- Write with more confidence
- Use more reasoning and examples to back up your claims
Common Topics for IELTS Essays
These are the most common themes on IELTS Writing Task 2:
- Learning
- Getting around
- Technology
- Well-being
- Government
- Economy and Work
- Groups
- Media
The piece is mostly about the top three: Technology, Education, and the Environment.
Subject 1: School
Common Questions for Essays
- Some people think that academic subjects should be given more weight, while others think that job training is more important. Talk about both points of view and say what you think
- Should college be free for everyone, no matter how much money they have
- Do you agree or disagree with this statement: Schools should teach kids about money
Ideas for High Scores
- Getting an education in school helps you learn theories that are useful for study and new ideas
- Vocational training gives kids useful skills, which lowers the number of young people who are unemployed
- Free college education supports equality, but it may cost taxpayers a lot
- Learning about money helps people stay out of debt and teaches them how to spend money wisely
Example of a Model (Band 8)
Some people think that science, technology, and art should be taught less and science and technology should be taught more. Should I agree or not
Sample Answer: I agree that practical subjects like science and technology are important for current progress, but I also think that subjects like art and music should be valued in schools. For a well-rounded education, these creative topics help students develop their emotional intelligence, understanding of other cultures, and ability to come up with new ideas.
Words You Need to Know for School Essays
- Subjects taught, grades, and learning results
- Vocational education vs. academic education
- Higher schooling and learning throughout life
- Learning about money, student loans
- Equal access, differences in schooling
Topic 2: The Environment
Common Questions for Essays
- Some people think it’s up to each person to protect the environment, while others say it should be the government’s job. Talk about both points of view and say what you think
- What makes the world dirty in cities and how can it be fixed
- Some people say we should only use green energy to fight climate change. Should I agree or not
Ideas for High Scores
- People can lower their carbon footprints by changing the things they do every day, like recycling, walking, and saving energy
- To control businesses and put money into green technologies, the government needs to make rules
- Pollution in cities comes from industries, cars, and bad trash management
- Some solutions are investing in public transportation, putting taxes on emissions, and creating green areas in cities
Example of a Model (Band 8)
Some people say that humans cannot significantly help the environment. Governments and big groups are the only ones who can make a change. Should I agree or not
Example Answer: I think people also have a lot of power when it comes to protecting the environment, along with states and businesses. When millions of people make small changes to their lives, like using less plastic or saving energy, those changes can have a big impact. Public desire can also change government policies and business practices.
Words to Use for Essays About the Environment
- Greenhouse gases, climate change, and sustainability
- Carbon impact, fossil fuels, clean energy
- Planning cities, being eco-friendly, and environmental rules
- Green projects, biodiversity, and conservation
Subject 3: Technology
Usual Questions for an Essay
- Some people think that technology is making people less social. Should I agree or not
- Should kids be able to use phones and computers when they’re young
- How does technology change the way we do our jobs? What do the pros and cons look like
Ideas for High Scores
- Technology makes global contact better, but it can make face-to-face interactions less common
- Using computers early in life may help kids learn faster, but it can slow down their social and physical growth
- There is more freedom and efficiency with remote work tools, but the work-life balance may become less clear
- Automation lowers the need for workers, which leads to unemployment in low-skilled areas
Example of a Model (Band 8)
How we talk to each other has changed because of modern technology. Some people think this is a good change, while others think it will lead to bad things. Talk about both points of view and say what you think
Example Answer: Smartphones and social media have changed the way people talk to each other considerably. This has made things faster and easier to get to, but it has also made people less likely to talk to each other in person and more likely to be alone online. The overall effect is good, but people need to find a balance between talking to people online and talking to people in person.
Words You Need to Know for Technology Essays
- Artificial intelligence, robotics, and digital literacy
- Virtual conversations, computer time, and being alone
- Progress in technology, safety, and working from home
- Innovation, the digital divide, and how people and machines connect
A Quick Review of the Essay Types
All of your IELTS essays should follow this normal four-paragraph format:
- In the introduction, rewrite the question and the thesis statement
- The first body paragraph has the main idea and an example
- Part 2: The second main idea and an example
- Conclusion: Restate and summarise your point of view
Tip: Before you write, plan two to three ideas for each subject
Tools to Help You Come Up with Ideas
| Tool | Use |
| IELTS Simon | Essay has a lot of good model ideas |
| Books for Cambridge | Past questions with examples of how to answer them |
| IELTS Liz | Breaks down topic ideas |
| Mind mapping apps | Like MindMeister to sort your thoughts by subject |
| Apps for IELTS Vocabulary | Learn word lists by subject |
What Not to Do When Coming Up With Essay Topics
- Going off topic → Always give the question a lot of thought
- Using personal stories → Instead of “My friend once…” use general examples or data
- Making the same point in both parts → Give two different reasons or points of view
- Different growth → Don’t make one paragraph too long or thorough compared to the others
Do the Exercise
Pick a subject from the list below and write three ideas with one example for each:
Question: Traditional ways of teaching are being replaced by technology. What do you think? Is this a good or bad development
Plan:
- Idea 1: E-learning systems give you options (Coursera, Khan Academy are some examples)
- Idea 2: Not being able to talk to other people personally makes students less interested
- Idea 3: Hybrid models can be the best of both worlds
Thoughts for Now
A high score on IELTS Writing Task 2 is based on having good writing ideas. By studying popular subjects like technology, education, and the environment, you can have a lot of arguments, words, and examples ready for the test.
Don’t just memorise answers; practise coming up with ideas, making an outline, and writing articles quickly.
Call to Action
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About the AuthorWelcome to TechIELTS. I’m Md. Jahangir Alam, an experienced engineer with over 15 years in electrical and automation systems. Alongside my engineering career, I’ve developed a strong interest in English language learning and IELTS preparation.
I hold a Duolingo English Test score of 135 (IELTS 7.5 equivalent) and am currently pursuing an M.Sc. in Cyber Security from Royal Holloway, University of London. I use my technical background to create clear, structured IELTS learning materials for students and professionals.
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