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 Identifying the Topic in an IELTS Essay

If you incorrectly identify the topic of the IELTS essay question, you are in danger of getting a very low score.

You could come down to a band 5 for Task Response. So identifying the topic is  one of the first things you need to do. Here we will learn and practice doing this. 

How do I identify the topic?

Remember, in IELTS writing, you are usually presented with some issue or problem that is currently affecting society and you need to discuss it.

So you need to read the question carefully and identify what the issue is. You will normally only be looking for one or two key words.

Have a look at the following question. What is the broad issue?

The crime rate among teenagers has increased dramatically in many countries.

Discuss some possible reasons for this increase and suggest solutions.

You should have identified teenage crime as the topic.

The crime rate among teenagers has increased dramatically in many countries.

What if I identified ‘crime’ as the topic?

Your essay would be wrong if you wrote about crime generally. When you have a topic, it may require you to talk about a particular area, group of people or place.

In this case, the question specifically wants you to address the issue of TEENAGE crime.

When you identify the topic, always look carefully to see if it is being narrowed down to a particular area that you need to focus on.

Practice

Have a look at the following essay questions and choose the best answer to identify the topic. Remember, this is not a full analysis of the question - you are just looking for the broad topic area.

Sometimes more than one answer may be possible. In this case, when you identify the topic, choose the most precise.

Choose the Correct Topic of Each Essay

  1. 'Telecommuting' refers to workers doing their jobs from home for part of each week and communicating with their office using computer technology. Telecommuting is growing in many countries and is expected to be common for most office workers in the coming decades.

    How do you think society will be affected by the growth of telecommuting?

    Working from home

    Telecommuting

    Computer technology

  2. To what extent is the use of animals in scientific research acceptable?

    Animal research

    Animals

    Scientific research

  3. We are becoming increasingly dependent on computers. They are used in businesses, hospitals, crime detection and even to fly planes.

    What things will they be used for in the future? Is this dependence on computers a good thing or should we be more suspicious of their benefits?

    The benefits of computers

    Computers in businesses, hospitals, crime detection, and flying.

    Computer dependency

  4. In what ways has information technology changed work and working practices in the past 10 years?

    Information technology and work

    Information technology

    Working practices

  5. 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.

    Animal cruelty

    Blood sports

    Blood sports and uncivilized activity

  6. 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 the arguments in favour of both these positions and state your own position on the issue.

    Satisfying human needs

    Animals and humans

    Animal rights

  7. Forests are the lungs of the earth. Destruction of the world's forests amounts to death of the world we currently know.

    To what extent do you agree or disagree?

    The Earth

    Deforestation

    Death of the world

  8. The idea of going overseas for university study is an exciting prospect for many people. But while it may offer some advantages, it is probably better to stay home because of the difficulties a student inevitably encounters living and studying in a different culture.

    To what extent do you agree or disagree this statement?

    Studying abroad

    Studying

    Living in a different culture

  9. Zoos are sometimes seen as necessary but not poor alternatives to a natural environment.

    Discuss some of the arguments for and/or against keeping animals in zoos.

    Natural environments

    Alternatives to zoos

    Keeping animals in zoos

  10. Many countries are currently witnessing an increase in criminal activity among young people.

    Discuss reasons for this phenomenon and suggest ways to deal with the problem.

    Youth crime

    Criminal activity

    Increases in crime


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