IELTS Essay Topics 2018

It is difficult for many people to create a balance between their professional and their personal life.

What are the causes of this?

What can be done to solve this problem?

(India)

Online education and training is becoming increasingly popular in the business world.

Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

(Iran)

More and more parents are allowing their children to play on computers and tablets as they think that children should learn technology skills.

Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

(Oman)

Model Answer >>>

People are living in a 'throwaway society', using things for a short time and then throwing them away.

What are the causes of this?

What problems does it lead to?

(Iran)

Some people view giving presents as an important way to show care to family and friends. Others think there are more important things that can be done to show care and appreciation.

Discuss both views and give your opinion. 

(India - General Training)

Some people feel that manufacturers and supermarkets have the responsibility to reduce the amount of packaging of goods. Others argue that customers should avoid buying goods with a lot of packaging.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

(Zimbabwe)

Some people think that the main factors influencing a child’s development these days are things such as television, friends, and music. Others believe that the family still remains more important. 

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

(Zambia / UK)

Food travels thousands of miles from producers to consumers. Some people think that it would be better for the environment and economy if people only ate the local food produced by farmers.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

(India)

Some people argue that the fittest, strongest individuals and teams can achieve the greatest success in sports. But other people think that success is as much related to mental attitude.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

(Iran)

Some people become famous when they are at a young age.

Do you think this is positive or negative?

(India)

In many countries day by day rubbish (garbage) is increasing.

Why is it happening?

What can be done?

(Iran - General Training)

It is common these days to see famous sports persons advertising sport's products.

Do the advantages of this development overweight the disadvantages?

(Tunisia)

In our society there is far more attention on men's sport than women's sport.

What are the reasons for this?

Do you think that this is positive or negative development?

(Libya & India)

It has been said that reading for pleasure is better in developing imagination and language skills than watching TV.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

(Tunisia)

Advertisements are influencing us in a negative way.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

(Canada)

School teachers are more responsible for the social and intellectual development of students than parents.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

(Australia)

Some people spend a lot of money for their wedding ceremonies. However, others feel like it is unnecessary to spend a lot.

Discuss both view points and give your own opinion.

(Iran - General Training)

Some people think that the only way to judge someone’s success in business is by the amount of money they make.

Is this a true indicator of the success of a business and in what other ways could success in a business be measured?

(Canada)

The restoration of old buildings in major cities around the world costs enormous amounts of money. This money would be better spent on providing new housing and road development.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

(UK)

Employers should give their workers at least one month holiday a year as it makes them to do better at their job.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

(Zambia)

Some people believe the Olympic Games doesn't belong to the 21st century anymore.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

(United States - General Training)

Some parents believe that reading books for entertainment is a waste of time for children and they think that their children should only read serious educational books.

What is your opinion?

(General Training)

Some parents believe that reading books for entertainment is a waste of time for children and they think that their children should read only read serious educational books.

What is your opinion?

(UAE / Qatar - General Training)

In some cities people can build and design homes and office buildings however they like. This is preferable to having strict controls over the design and construction of housing and office buildings.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

(South Korea)

Many young people regularly change their jobs over the years.

What are the reasons for this?

Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

(Canada)

In some countries it is now illegal to reject someone applying for a job because of his or her age.

Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

(UK)

Model Answer >>>

Scientists agree that many people are eating too much junk food and it is damaging their health. Some people think that this problems can be solved by educating people to eat less junk food. Other people believe that education will not work. 

Discuss both opinions and give your own opinion.

(UK)

Some people think that companies and private individuals should pay to clean up the pollution that they produce, not the government. 

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

(UK)

As more and more students enter universities, academic qualifications are becoming devalued. To get ahead in many professions, more than one degree is now required and in future it is likely that people will take a number of degree courses before even starting work. This is an undesirable situation.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

(Kenya)

Many people are involved in sports when they are young but stop once they are adults.

Why do many adults stop doing physical exercise?

What can be done about this problem?

(India - General Training)

Some people think that it is a good idea of all employees to wear a uniform at work. 

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

(UK - General Training)

Some people think that new technology always improves the lives of workers. Other people believe that it results in disadvantages for workers. 

Discuss both opinions and give your own opinion.

(UK / Nigeria / India - General Training)

Some of the methods used in advertising are unethical and unacceptable in today's society.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

(Pakistan)

Some people think that children should be sent to nursery school before they go to primary school, while others think it is better if they stay at home.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

(India - General Training)

Some people think that the Internet makes a person more sociable, while others think it makes a person less sociable.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

(India - General Training)

People nowadays are not as fit and active as they were in the past.

What are the reasons for this?

What measures can be taken for this?

(China - General Training)

Some people think that zoos are all cruel and should be closed down. Others however believe that zoos can be useful in protecting wild animals.

Discuss both opinions and give your own opinion.

(UK & Nigeria)

Model Answer >>>

Although more and more people read news on the internet, newspapers will remain the most important source of news.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

(UK)

Model Answer >>>
 

People no longer use newspapers and television because The Internet plays the same role as them.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

(Bangladesh)

These days many families move abroad for work. Some people believe that this benefits the children in these families. Others believe that it makes their lives more difficult. 

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

(UK / India / Nigeria - General Training)

Some people believe that lowering the speed limit will lead to maximum road safety. Other people believe that there  are many other ways to improve road safety.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

(India - General Training)

Some people think that in the modern world we are more dependent on each other, while others think that people have become more independent.
 

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

(India)

People should focus more on solving problems related to the future, and should not spend time thinking about the past. 

To what extent do you agree or disagree.

(Japan)

In many countries, prison is the most common solution for crimes. However, many think that better education is the most effective way to prevent people from committing further crime.

To what extent do you agree or disagree.

(Canada)

Some people think that in this modern world, getting old is entirely bad. However, other people believe that the life of old people is much better now than it was in the past. 

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

(Pakistan)

It is not necessary to have access to the Internet to live a full life.

What is your opinion?

(India)

Some people prefer to travel by car while others prefer to take the bicycle.

Which of these do you prefer?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of traveling by a car and a bicycle?

(Pakistan - General Training)

Some governments spend a lot of public money training up individuals to be successful in international sporting events. Some people believe that this money should be spent on things that will benefit the general public instead.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

(India)

Pollution and other environmental problems are resulting from the way that many countries are developing and becoming richer. Some think this cannot be avoided.

To what extent do you agree or disagree? 

(Sri Lanka)

Some people believe that employment over the age of 60 is not right and creates lots of problems. So people should retire after 60 and not work.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

(Canada)

Some people spend a lot of money on tickets to go to sporting or cultural events.

Do you think this is positive or negative development?

(Ukrain - General Training)

In some societies, more and more people choose to live on their own.

What are the reasons people choose to do this?

Is it a positive or negative trend?

(Saudi Arabia & India - General Training)

Some people believe that living and working in vertical cites where most the buildings are tall is best, while others believe that living and working in horizontal cities where there are few tall buildings is better.

Discuss both opinions and give your own opinion.

(Nepal)

Many people use social media on a regular basis in order to keep in touch with the news and with other people. 

Do you think that the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

(UK)

Some people think that new houses should be built in the same style as older houses in the local area. Others believe that local governments should allow people to build houses in the styles of their own choice.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

(India)

In many countries, plastic bags are one of the main sources of damage to the environment, and so they should be banned.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Teachers are not as important as they used to be because of the choice of other alternatives for students, such as online teaching.

To what extent to do you agree of disagree?

(Nepal)

The trend of online shopping is increasing significantly.

What effect is this having on the environment and society in general?

(Philippines)

The best way that a government can reduce the traffic congestion in cities is to provide public transport free of cost to people 24/7 and 7 days a week.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

(India)

Some people think that it is a good idea to have a detailed plan for activities to do in their free time. Other disagree with this. 

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

(UK & India - General Training)

Some people think women should play an equal role as men in the country's police force, military and the army, while others believe that women are not suited for this work.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

(Bangladesh)

People no longer use newspapers and television because The Internet plays the same role as them.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

(India)

People living in the 21st century generally have better quality of lives than people born in earlier centuries. 

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Some people think it's better to put a tax on companies which produce pollution while other think that there are other solutions. 

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

(India)

Science tell us which activities are good for our health and which ones are bad for us. Despite knowing this, millions of people still do activities which are bad for them.

Why is this the case and what can be done to change it?

Some people believe that governments should not provide international aid when they have unemployment and homelessness in their country.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

(India)

It is a positive thing for people who are in senior management positions in companies to have much higher salaries than other employees in the same company or organisation.  

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

It is common for young people to have different attitudes and ideas to those of their parents and grandchildren. 

In your society, how to these attitudes and ideas differer between the generations?

In your view, do these differences lead to any problems?

These days many young people leave school with a negative attitude towards learning.

Why is this happening?

What can be done to help young people to leave school with more positive attitude towards learning?

Some people think that is is necessary to travel abroad in order to learn about other countries. Others think that this is not necessary as you can learn everything from The Internet or television.  

Discuss both opinions and give your own opinion.

The most important things in life are free of any cost.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

(Saudi Arabia - General Training)

Some people think that children should be taught at school how to avoid waste and recycle. Others think that children should learn this at home.

Discuss both opinions and give your own opinion.

Some people think that having a high number of young people graduating from university is beneficial for a country. Others, however, believe sending a high number of young people to university leads to high levels of graduate unemployment.

Discuss both opinions and give your own opinion.

Advertising discourages us from being different individuals by making us all want to be and look the same as each other. 

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

In many countries, a few people earn very high salaries. Some people think that this is a positive thing for the country. Other people believe that governments should not allow salaries to be over a certain level. 

Discuss both opinions and give your own opinion.

Many people are involved in sports when they are young but stop once they are adults. 

Why do many adults stop doing physical exercise?

What can be done about this problem?

Shopping is now a popular pastime for many young people. 

What are the reasons for this?

Should young people be encouraged to do more useful activities in their spare time?

Some people are happy to spend the whole of their life living in the same area. However, others prefer to live in many different areas over their life time. 

Discuss both opinions and give your own opinion.

Some governments spend a lot of public money training up individuals to be successful in international sporting events. Some people believe that this money should be spent on things that will benefit the general public instead.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

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