happiness ielts essay topics

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Happiness is Considered Very Important in Life – IELTS Writing Task 2

Updated On Dec 26, 2023

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In IELTS Writing Task 2, students are asked to write a formal essay of at least 250 words, in 4-5 paragraphs based on the given writing task 2 essay topics. The task is similar for both Academic and General Training with regards to the type of questions and the scoring, but the topics given for General Training will be slightly easier than Academic. Given below is a direct question essay with sample answers that will help you to practise and get a good score.

Happiness is considered very important in life. Why is it difficult to define? What factors are important in achieving happiness?

Direct Question Essay

Introduction

Sentence 1: Everybody considers happiness as an essential part of leading a happy life but the perception of happiness completely differs from one another.

Sentence 2: It is tough to define happiness, not because of complexity but because every person has their type of definition for happiness.

Paragraph 1: Everyone is searching for happiness, and for some people, achieving happiness is the ultimate goal. But the way of achieving happiness differs from one another.

Paragraph 2: Despite the definition of happiness varying from one another and remaining a mystery, many factors help an individual achieve felicity.

Restate your views

Sample Essay 1

In the materialistic world, happiness is the primary requisite of every individual on earth as it is a fundamental ingredient to lead a quality of life. Happiness varies from person to person, and it cannot be explained in one word as every individual has a different definition of happiness. Therefore it isn’t easy to describe the actual purpose of happiness. However, physical and psychological factors are regarded as crucial to acquire happiness in life.

Everyone is in search of happiness, and for some people, achieving happiness is the ultimate goal. But the way of achieving happiness differs as every individual has a different perspective towards living a quality life. For some people, happiness is when they start earning and receive their salary or achieve their dream. Some people have a sense of satisfaction when their health is fit and fine. There are others who associate peacefulness and excitement as an idea of happiness. Therefore, humans are never satisfied with what they have. For example, if one accomplishes their goal or aim in life, they’re not content with it. They want it more and continue hustling. As a result, this cycle continues. Thus, the term ‘happiness’ is indefinite and cannot be measured by any standards.

Despite the definition of happiness varying and remaining a mystery, many factors help an individual achieve felicity. For instance, some of them attain greatest joy in sharing life experiences with loved ones, family and friends. Some believe that happiness is when their basic survival needs are fulfilled. Others assume that money is the most obvious resource that would bring joy in their lives. Therefore, happiness is merely based on a person’s state of mind.

To conclude, happiness is one of the essential feelings in everyone’s life. Although it’s complicated to delineate this emotion, people have their ways and requirements to accomplish happiness. However, my definition of joy in life is having sound health, an understanding family, and a sense of freedom.

Sample Essay 2

Undoubtedly, happiness is an  indispensable  emotional factor that human beings generally  pursue  in their day-to-day lives. When it comes to describing happiness, it would be  ungovernable , as the meaning of happiness depends upon people, and it varies  tremendously . But, there is an array of contributing factors that help people to  incur   elevated  psychological patience and satisfaction.

To begin with, happiness could have varying definitions that are influenced by  a gamut of  opinions. Although I believe it is quite a simple need for humans, it can be incurred from any material or living substance. Some people seek pleasure from material possessions, some from wealth and some from companionship. Furthermore, there are people who  conquer  happiness by driving an expensive car or owning a mansion or having a higher social status. A caring and supportive family offers the utmost peace and happiness that is difficult to achieve if you stay alone. If you have a family and want the best for them, you may seek happiness from growing revenue or income.

Seemingly, there are plenty of points that play a  vital  role in a  delightful  and happy life. First and foremost, I think money could be the  eminent  resource that can bring a smile to anybody’s face. Second, a loving family, raising a child or being a good citizen with a top position can also make some people happier than ever.

In conclusion, happiness is an essential part of everybody’s lives, and people delineate this specific emotion by  interlinking  it with a variety of  stimulating  factors and the surrounding environment.

Band 9 Sample Essay

Happiness is a characteristic that  vastly  governs the functions of human lives. The idea of a happy and fulfilling lifestyle is one of the greatest, if not the only objectives, of a person’s existence. It is difficult to ascertain a definitive source of joy or the very  denotation  of the word itself, as it may significantly vary from one individual to another due to personal preferences. However, several aspects of a person’s life are  consequential  in determining the degree of  jubilation  one enjoys.

First and foremost, it is essential to understand that happiness is unique to every human being. What might be cheerful to a person may be dull and even  unpalatable  to another. The reason behind such  variance  lies in the fundamental nature of human beings, which  inherently  differs from person to person. One might derive tremendous delight from merely being in the company of loved ones, whereas the same might only be attainable with the aid of expensive possessions and  bourgeois  practices for many.

Nevertheless, there are  avenues  available that greatly refine the general quality of life led by people. Before seeking happiness, one must make sure to maintain physical and mental well-being. The virtue of leading a  robust  way of life that involves physical exercise, a proper diet and healthy socialising must be recognized before pursuing materialistic or even abstract joys. Furthermore, supporting and being  congenial  to loved ones, acquaintances and strangers alike help bring about a level of pleasure that is found nowhere else.

Finally, an absolute  fount  of contentment will always remain a mystery to the human race. However, to enjoy a naturally blissful existence, we must care for the people around us and ourselves at the same time.

Vocabulary 

Meaning: Intense happiness Eg:   I was highly felicitated when I got the first rank.

Meaning: describe or portray something precisely. Eg: The tourist guide delineated with us about the magnificent palace.

Meaning: the state or fact of continuing to live or exist  Eg: The survival rate in the tribal area is less.

Meaning: made necessary by particular circumstances or regulations. Eg: All the students must pay the requisite amount  of fee before appearing for the exams.

Meaning: a large or excessive amount of something Eg: There were a plethora of books in the library.

Meaning: Something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain. Eg: There’s a mystery about this haunted house.

Meaning: being or happening at the end of a process; final Eg: His ultimate goal in life is to become a doctor and serve the people.

Meaning: differ in size, amount or degree or nature from something else of the same general class. Eg: The stitched clothes vary in size.

Meaning: meet the expectations, needs or desires of someone. Eg: The boss was extremely satisfied with his employees.

Meaning: push roughly: jostle Eg: Johnny was tired of hustling between his 9 to 5 job.

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Janice Thompson

Soon after graduating with a Master’s in Literature from Southern Arkansas University, she joined an institute as an English language trainer. She has had innumerous student interactions and has produced a couple of research papers on English language teaching. She soon found that non-native speakers struggled to meet the English language requirements set by foreign universities. It was when she decided to jump ship into IELTS training. From then on, she has been mentoring IELTS aspirants. She joined IELTSMaterial about a year ago, and her contributions have been exceptional. Her essay ideas and vocabulary have taken many students to a band 9.

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Sylvia Taruna

Posted on Mar 13, 2022

Every person will probably agree that life is all about being happy. However, the meaning of the word ‘happiness’ itself can be quite complex for some and I think there are a few things that matter for people to be able feel happy.

For some people, they find happiness in small things. For example, parents who feel grateful to witness their children’s first steps or students who feel at ease when they achieve good scores to show to their parents. These situations that are commonly found in human life may be the most important ones for some to feel as if they are living a good life. However, there are also those who expect more in life, and so somehow think happiness can be difficult to gain. They probably want to be wealthy to be able to travel around the world or to have high positions at work and have controls of everything. As a result, they do not feel enough with small things and aim for the bigger dreams. Thus, different goals eventually show the diverse perceptions of happiness.

In terms of factors, there are several that usually affect the achievement of happiness. Firstly, people should have motivations in living their lives. It does not necessarily mean that they should always dream big, but at least have purposes to live. For instance, a father who work hard to earn money for his family must have realized his responsibility and may feel even more motivated when seeing his child grows. Nevertheless, feeling motivated is not enough. People should also have the sense of perseverance. They should not feel easily swayed by their one-time success and do not maintain their best afterwards. Instead, they should keep in mind that the feelings of happiness when they have achieved one of their goals will not come again if they do not work for it all the time. Clearly, without these two factors, people may not be able to achieve and maintain their happiness in life.

To sum up, it can be conceded that there is no exact definition of happiness because it depends on the individuals themselves. However, every of them should probably realize that without motivation and perseverance, it may be hard to actually feel the content feeling in their lives.

Posted on Mar 14, 2022

Band Score – 5.5

Concentrate on the correct usage of preposition, articles, subject verb agreement and punctuation.

Apply more linkers or transitional words.

Use the C2 level of words.

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IELTS Writing task 2 band 8 essay | Happiness

This model answer about happiness is very strong at band 8.0. Read on below to find out why this answer doesn’t quite get top marks!

Happiness is considered very important in life

Why is it difficult to define?

What factors are important in achieving happiness?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Happiness is one of the most important things in life, and yet it is almost impossible to define due to the fact that it is completely subjective, and unique to individuals. However, in order to achieve happiness, there are some broad factors that most people require, and these are based around the fulfilment of human needs. This essay will explain the difficulty in defining happiness and explore some of the broad aspects which can contribute to achieving it.

Defining happiness is deeply problematic due to its individual nature. One approach used by many economists has been to approximate happiness to the standard of living, which is defined by material wealth.

However wealth and happiness are not the same thing: for certain individuals greater wealth will indeed result in increased happiness but for many people other issues are more important. One definition that has been applied is based around a person’s perceived quality of living , which accounts for personal differences, and accepts that there is not a single definition of happiness.

An individual’s quality of living is affected by a range of important factors. Socially, friends, family, and a spouse are all essential for someone to feel a sense of belonging and to feel loved.  People also need to be given status and esteem, which may be obtained through material wealth, an important job, or power and responsibility. Finally, people need to feel that they are constantly improving themselves and progressing with their life in a meaningful way. At some level, most people must meet each of these needs to some extent in order to feel happy.

In conclusion, happiness is impossible to define due to its subjective nature, although the standard of living is definitely a less satisfactory definition than quality of living . It is also determined by a mixture of factors, with the priority given to each of these depending on the individual. Of these factors, the main ones required by most people are meeting their social needs, achieving an acceptable level of social status, and feeling that their lives are constantly improving.

The coherence here is very strong. The use of connecting and linking words (cohesive devices) is effortless and shows good variety, including the use of comment adverbs (e.g. Socially, / Finally,). There are no mistakes with referencing or substitution, and the writer’s meaning is always clear.

There is, however, one issue with paragraphing which prevents this essay from scoring a band 9. The short paragraph on defining happiness and the following paragraph about wealth, happiness and quality of life is a development of the topic in the previous paragraph (‘Defining happiness’), and it should not be separated. This small slip prevents the essay from meeting the requirement to ‘skilfully manages paragraphing’ laid out in band 9.

• Sequences information and ideas logically
• Manages all aspects of cohesion well
• Uses paragraphing sufficiently and appropriately

Task Response

Both parts of the question have been addressed fully and the writers position is clear, fully developed and extended, and has relevant, detailed supporting ideas. Nothing more could reasonably be expected to answer this question by a non-expert in the time limits and conditions of the test.

• Fully addresses all parts of the task.
• Presents a fully developed position in answer to the question with relevant, fully extended and well supported ideas.

There are some very minor slips that prevent this answer from scoring top marks for lexical resource. The writer has used a wide range of vocabulary with flexibility and precision. There are no errors in spelling.

The writer misses a band 9 because there are very small slips with word form and collocation. The writer has collocated the words ‘deeply problematic’. This is a slightly unusual collocation, and ‘highly problematic’ would sound more natural. The writer also refers to ‘quality of living’ rather than ‘quality of life’, which is a word form slip, probably caused by confusion with the concept of ‘standard of living’.

• Uses a wide range of vocabulary flexibly and fluently to convey precise meanings
• Skilfully uses uncommon lexical items but there may be occasional inaccuracies in word choice or collocation
• Produces rare errors in spelling and/or word formation

The grammar here is very strong, and there are no obvious mistakes. There is a wide range of very complex grammar and the majority of sentences are error-free.

The issue that prevents this answer from scoring band 9 for grammar is a slightly noticeable slip in punctuation with one sentence in the body paragraph on wealth and happiness missing commas (,) in appropriate places. This sentence should read:

“However, wealth and happiness are not the same thing: for certain individuals, greater wealth will indeed result in increased happiness, but for many people, other issues are more important.

As several commas are missing which one would expect a native speaker to include, this makes these rare minor errors slightly more than the native-level slips allowed in band 9.

• Uses a wide range of structures
• The majority of sentences are error-free
• Makes only very occasional errors or inappropriacies .

That brings an end to this essay rating. If you are preparing for your IELTS test and want to find out a bit more about task 2, check out our post giving five tips to improve your IELTS writing task 2 ! Our candidate would have scored 8 for coherence, lexis and grammar with a 9 for task achievement, giving an overall score of 8.0. The band 9.0 version of this answer which fixes the small errors in the essay can be found on the IELTS writing task 2 essay question in the question bank.

Is there anything that surprised you about this essay’s score? Have your say, and comment in the section below! Click here for the full public IELTS task 2 writing descriptors .

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Essay 100 – Happiness is considered very important in life

Gt writing task 2 / essay sample # 100.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Happiness is considered very important in life.

Why is it difficult to define? What factors are important in achieving happiness?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Model Answer 1:

Happiness is deemed paramount in life and it means different things to different people. This essay will explore the reasons why it is difficult to denote happiness, and then discuss the major factors contributing to the pursuit of happiness, followed by a reasoned conclusion.

Happiness barely fits any definition. This is because it is an abstract notion. Each individual, therefore, has his own different happiness in each phase of life. As people live in different conditions, they are influenced by different factors, like family, relationships, friends, living standards and even knowledge, so each person has a different concept of what happiness is. For instance, with homeless people, happiness means that they can buy a home or apartment but people who have a house think thank they would be happy when they can buy a large mansion in a posh area. Similarly, for the unemployed, a job is the definition of their happiness while for executives, happiness may mean moving swiftly up the corporate ladder.

Likewise, several factors are taken into account in pursuit of happiness. Firstly, it seems hard for an individual to achieve happiness if there is a lack of basic needs, like food, shelter, cloth, and education for example. Secondly, relationships have been considered to be an eminent factor when it comes to pursuing happiness. In simple words, strong family ties or a close circle of friends can lead to a happy life. A good chunk of studies has discovered that people who have a network of close friends with whom they can rely in challenging times are more likely to lead happy life. Last but not least, the key to achieving happiness is to enjoy what people already have.

In conclusion, happiness is regarded as an eminently desirable phenomenon in humans’ lives. Although it is difficult to give a precise definition of happiness because the phenomenon is relatively subjective, I believe that basic needs and sound relationships are the minimum prerequisites of a happy life.

Model Answer 2:

Happiness is widely recognized as a crucial aspect of life, yet defining it can be a complex task due to its subjective and multifaceted nature. Various factors contribute to the difficulty in defining happiness, including its subjective nature, its varying interpretations across cultures and individuals, and its multidimensional aspects. Additionally, achieving happiness is influenced by several key factors, including personal well-being, positive relationships, and a sense of purpose and meaning in life.

One reason defining happiness is challenging is its subjective nature. Happiness can be understood differently by different individuals based on their unique perspectives, values, and life experiences. What brings happiness to one person may not necessarily do the same for another. Thus, attempting to establish a universal definition that encompasses the diverse range of human experiences and preferences can be elusive.

Cultural differences also contribute to the difficulty in defining happiness. Different cultures have distinct norms, values, and ideals, which can shape their perceptions and definitions of happiness. For instance, some cultures prioritize collective well-being and harmony, while others emphasize individual achievement and personal fulfilment. These cultural variations make it challenging to establish a singular definition applicable to all societies. Moreover, happiness is a multidimensional concept. It encompasses various aspects of human life, including emotional well-being, satisfaction with life circumstances, and a sense of purpose and meaning.

To achieve happiness several factors play a significant role. Firstly, personal well-being, which includes physical health, mental well-being, and self-care practices, contributes to overall happiness. Taking care of one’s physical and mental health through regular exercise, proper nutrition, and stress management techniques can enhance well-being and happiness. Positive relationships and social connections are also crucial for happiness. Meaningful connections with family, friends, and a supportive community provide a sense of belonging, emotional support, and fulfilment. Cultivating and nurturing these relationships can contribute significantly to one’s happiness. Furthermore, having a sense of purpose and meaning in life is vital for happiness.

In conclusion, while happiness is considered essential in life, its definition is challenging due to its subjective nature, cultural variations, and multidimensional aspects. Recognizing and embracing the diverse interpretations and factors that contribute to happiness can guide individuals in their pursuit of a fulfilling and meaningful life.

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Ielts essay # 1387 - people are fully responsible for their happiness, ielts writing task 2/ ielts essay:, some believe that people are fully responsible for their happiness and they can be happy if they want. others, however, feel that happiness depends on other factors in their life than just their wishes., discuss both these views and give your own opinion..

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100 IELTS Essay Topics for IELTS Writing

Let me start by saying that by far the best resource for authentic IELTS essay topics are the Cambridge 1 – 13 books. These are real past IELTS exam papers and, therefore, provide students with the highest quality questions for all parts of the test. However, what do you do if you have finished the Cambridge books? Or you struggle with one particular type of question and want a lot of that specific type of practise?

Well, until now, people have relied on questions that were “memorised” by test-takers(often incorrectly), or written by well-meaning teachers who have no specific education in test creation. As a result, many of the “IELTS questions” on the Internet are worded incorrectly. And, as a professional exam writer ( yes, I work creating academic exams for universities ), I know how damaging it can be if even one word in a question is changed.

So, today I am sharing my list of 100 IELTS writing topics. Some are taken from old exam papers, a few are from the Cambridge books, but most are from my own course .  More importantly, I can guarantee that each of these questions is as “authentic” as a question can be.  Have fun (and let me know your favourite question in the comments!) 

If you are new to IELTS, then check out my FREE  Introduction to Writing Task 2  👈 video lesson. It contains everything you need to know to get started on your IELTS journey   🚀

IELTS Discuss Both Views and Give your Own Opinion Writing Topics

• Some people think that illegal Internet downloads are having a negative effect on the music   industry . Others feel that they have little or no impact on artists. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
•   Some people think that exams are a good way of assessing a student’s level . Other people believe that they put unnecessary pressure on young learners and tell us very little about their actual ability.  Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Successful sportsmen can earn a great deal more than people in other important professions. Some people think this is fully justified while others think it is unfair. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Some people feel that there should be a fixed punishment for each type of crime . Others feel that the circumstances of an offence should be taken into account when deciding on a punishment. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Some people believe that all children should learn a foreign language  from the time they start school, while others believe it is better to wait until a child is at secondary school. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Some people believe that in the near future there will be no borders between countries , while others feel that national borders will always remain. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Some people feel that the cost of space exploration  is far too high for the benefits it brings while others argue that we space programmes should continue no matter what the cost. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Some people believe that advertising has a strong effect on a person’s decision-making process. Others feel that it has little or no real impact. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Some people believe that every human can create art . Other people think that art can only be created by people with special talents. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
• Some people feel that the media has the strongest impact on people’s lives . Others feel that it is politicians who have the most control over the way people lives. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Some people feel that the primary function of a university should be to prepare students for the working world. Others argue that the purpose of a university education is to provide knowledge for knowledge’s sake. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Some people think that the teenage years are the happiest times of most people’s lives . Others think that adult life brings more happiness in spite of greater responsibilities. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Some people prefer to spend their lives doing the same things and avoiding change. Others, however, prefer to take risks and think that change is a positive thing. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Some people think that boys and girls should attend school together . Others feel that they should be educated separately. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
• Some people feel that  global warming should be dealt with by governments. Others feel that it is the responsibility of individuals in society to solve the problem. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Some people think that all university students should study whatever they like . Others believe that they should only be allowed to study subjects that will be useful in the future, such as those related to science and technology. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Some people think that a sense of competition should be encouraged in children . Others believe that children who are taught to cooperate rather than compete become more useful adults. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Some people think that economic development is the only way to end poverty  while others believe that it is causing damage to the environment and so should be stopped. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• Some people think that new houses should be built in the same style as the older houses in an area . Others believe that the government should allow people to build houses in the style they want. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• Some people like to spend their leisure time with their colleagues . Others think it is better to keep their private life separate from their work life. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Want to know how the examiner will apply the band descriptors when marking your IELTS essay?

Th en download a copy of our FREE e-book, which explains how each of the four marking criteria is applied and includes the most common errors made by test-takers. Just click here for your copy.

  T o What Extent Do you Agree or Disagree Writing Topics

• University education s hould be free for all students. To what extent do you agree or disagree
• Men and women are capable of doing all jobs  equally well. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Some people believe that nowadays we have too much choice . To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Advertising that targets children  should be banned from our televisions. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Some people say it is important to keep your home and your workplace tidy , with everything organised in the correct place. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• In some countries it is common for school leavers to take a year off  between finishing school and starting university. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this practice?
• Open plan offices offer a better working environment for staff than a normal office. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Universities should accept equal numbers of male and female students  in every subject. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• The recent popularity of online shopping will result in the end of high street shops. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• International sporting events promote peace between countries. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Some people think it is a good thing for senior managers to have much higher salaries than the other workers in a company. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• People who read for pleasure in their free time have a better imagination than those who prefer to watch TV. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Some people believe that children who are given pocket money every week have less problems managing money when they become adults. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Some people believe that eventually all jobs will be done by artificially intelligent robots . What is your opinion?
• Nowadays environmental problems are too big for individual countries or people to solve. We have reached the stage where we need cooperation on an international level to protect the environment. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Some people say that  a person’s success is as a direct result of the way they were brought up by their parents. Do you agree or disagree?
• Some people think that plastic shopping bags should be banned because they contribute to land and sea pollution. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Some people who have been in prison become good citizens later, and so it is often argued that these are the best people to talk to teenagers about the dangers of committing a crime. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Some people believe that children should be taught how to manage money at school. Do you agree or disagree?
• Some people believe that in order for a hobby to be enjoyable , it needs to be difficult. Do you agree or disagree?

Looking for an IELTS school run by native speakers who have a proven track record of helping students achieve their potential in IELTS? Then come join the students at  My IELTS Classroom  who are using our unique video courses, live lessons and marking service to maximise their scores. 

Best Way IELTS Essay Topics

•   One of the biggest problems facing the world today is growing enough food to feed the ever-expanding population .  Genetically Modified foods are the best way to solve this issue . To what extent do you agree or disagree?
•   The main cause of global warming   is pollution from cars.  To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Playing computer games   only has negative effects on children.  To what extent do you agree or disagree
• The main reason for the high sale of consumer goods in today’s society is advertising .  To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Good marketing is the key to running a successful business .  To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• The best way to tackle the problem of obesity   is to educate people about healthy eating.  To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• The most important factor in job satisfaction is salary .  To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Many people use  customer reviews on the Internet to make decisions about what they  buy. A re customer reviews the most useful tool to use when making a purchase ?
• Many governments think that economic progress is their most important goal . Some people, however, think that other types of progress are equally important for a country.  Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Some people say that the only reason for learning a foreign language is in order to travel to or work in a foreign country . Others say that these are not the only reasons why someone should learn a foreign language.  Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.

When you are writing an IELTS essay, it is important to always think about how your answer will satisfy the IELTS Band descriptors. Don’t know what they are or how the examiner uses them to check your work?  Watch my free video lesson to find out how you can use the band descriptors to achieve a high score.

Cause / Problem / Solution IELTS Essay Topics

• The increase in the number of privately-owned cars is having a negative impact on both our towns and the environment .  What can individuals and the government do to reduce this problem?
• Many people play sport when they are young, but then stop when they become adults. Why do so many adults stop doing physical exercise ? What can be done to solve this problem?
• Fewer people today visit museums than in the past. Why is this? What can be done to encourage more people to visit museums in the future?
• Many animals today are being hunted to the point of extinction. What can be done to tackle this problem?
• In many countries today,  the average weight of people is increasing . What has led to this situation? What can be done to solve it?
• Global warming is one of the most serious issues facing the world today. What are some of the causes of global warming? What can governments and individuals do to solve the problem?
• The gap between the rich and poor  is growing. What difficulties does this cause? How can these problems be overcome?
• More people are stressed  today than ever before. What are the causes of this stress? What can be done to address this problem?
• Many young people today are leaving their homes in the countryside to move to cities . Why is this happening? What can be done to encourage young people to stay in rural areas?
• Many people today are choosing to stay in rented apartments rather than hotels  when they travel. What led to this change? What problems could it cause the travel industry?
• Children today spend a lot of time on social media . What potential problems could this cause and how could they be addressed?
• Many young people today will never be able to afford to buy a house . What has led to this situation? What can be done to remedy it?
• In many countries, the tradition of having family meals together is disappearing. Why is this happening? What will the effects of this be on the family and society?
• Nowadays we are producing more and more rubbish . Why do you think this is happening? What can the government do to help reduce this amount of rubbish produced?
• In many countries, the level of crime is increasing. What do you think are the main causes of crime? How can we deal with those causes?
• People today are spending more and more time outside of the home . What are the reasons for this trend? What effects is it having on individuals and society?
• In spite of the advances made in agriculture, many people around the world still go hungry . Why is this the case? What can be done about this problem?
• People today know fewer of their neighbours  than in the past. Why is this? What can be done to solve this problem?
• The quality of life in many large cities is currently becoming worse. Why is this? What measures can be introduced to tackle this issue?
• Many people have jobs that involve working shifts (i.e. working at night). What are some of the problems that shift workers might face? What can be done to solve them?

IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essay Topics

• Thanks to low-cost airlines , many people can travel abroad.  What advantages and disadvantages do tourists bring to the countries they visit?
• People today are able to take out loans from the bank or get a credit card very easily. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this practice?
• Many people use the Internet as their main educational resource . What are the advantages and disadvantages of this practice?
• In some countries, teenagers have part-time jobs while they are still at school. What benefits does this bring a child? Are there any drawbacks?
• Schools in some countries require their students to wear a uniform . What are the positives and negatives of this rule?

One of the most important things you should do in an IELTS essay is support your argument with relevant examples. But what are good examples for an IELTS essay ? – well, let me give you a clue: they do NOT include fake statistics and they are NOT personal! 

Outweigh Advantages and Disadvantages Essay Topics

• Being a celebrity – such as a film star or singer – brings problems as well as benefits. Do you think that being a celebrity brings more benefits or more problems?
• As a country develops, more people are able to purchase a car . Do you think that the positive for the individual outweigh the negatives for the environment?
• Many museums charge an admission fee  while others are free. Do you think that the advantages of charging admission to museums outweigh the disadvantages?
• Today, it is common to see famous sports people advertising sports products . Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?
• More and more people are choosing to eat ready-made meals rather than freshly cooked food. Does this trend have more advantages than disadvantages?

Positive or Negative Development IELTS Essay Topics

•   Many parents today employ private tutors   to teach their children after school hours.  Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
• Today, more people are waiting until their thirties to get married and have children .  Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
• In recent years, many small local shops have closed   because customers travel to large shopping centres or malls to do their shopping.  Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
• Countries are becoming more and more similar   because people are able to buy the same products anywhere in the world.  Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
• Nowadays  many people communicate using social media .  Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

Most IELTS blog posts are full of advice about how to paraphrase. Me? I’m the opposite – I want to encourage people NOT to paraphrase? Why? Read my blog post on the Dangers of Paraphrasing to find out! ☠️

IELTS Direct Question Writing Topics

• Some students who perform badly at school   go on to have very successful lives as adults. What qualities are needed to do well at school? Are these the same qualities that help people succeed later in life?
• 100 years ago, it was felt that the human race was making progress in all areas of life . Nowadays, there is less certainty that this is the case. In what areas do you think that the most progress has been made so far?  In what area are more things needed to be done?
• Many people believe that globalisation is leading to the culture of individual countries being lost . What can be done to protect a society’s traditional values?
• Children often complain that history lessons are boring because they are about a past that is dead. How can schools bring history alive for pupils?
• Some people think that the government is responsible for looking after the elderly . Others believe that it should be family members. Who do you think should take responsibility?

Don’t know what a complex sentence is or how to write one? Well my friend, you are in the right place! Watch the lesson voted the #1 most useful by my students here (you really don’t need to be afraid!)

IELTS Two-Part Question Essay Topics

• More and more people today are moving from the countryside .  Why is this happening?  Do you think it is a positive or a negative development?
• People spend a major part of their adult life at work, and job satisfaction  is an important part of individual well-being. What contributes to a person feeling satisfied at work? How realistic is it for all people to feel satisfied?
• Many people have problems managing money . What skills does a person need to manage their money well? Who should teach children these skills?
• Technology has changed the way that people interact with each other. In what ways has technology changed the types of relationships that people make? Has this been a positive or negative development?
• Children have to be punished  to learn the difference between right and wrong. To what extent do you agree or disagree? What sort of punishments should parents be able to give their children?
• Thanks to developments in technology, many people today have lost basic skills such as how to repair clothes, etc. Why is this happening? Do you think that this is a negative development?
• Some people think that governments should try to reduce air traffic  by taxing it more heavily, Do you agree or disagree? What other methods could be used to reduce air traffic?
• Some people feel that schools should teach children how to become a good parent.  Do you agree or disagree with this opinion? What skills do people need to be a good parent?
• Nowadays, men’s sport is given far more attention in society than women’s sports. What are the reasons for this? Do you think this is a positive or a negative situation?
• Advances in technology mean that many people today work from home . What has led to this change? Is it a positive or negative development?

So, those were 100 IELTS essay topics you can use to practice your IELTS skills. I hope you found them useful. You can find out how to write every one of these 100 essay in My IELTS Classroom – the interactive writing course with 33-hours of lessons that will prepare you for any IELTS  question 🚀

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Many people feel that attention spans are becoming shorter due to the prevalence of social media. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

There is a notion that says developed countries should avoid encouraging expert workers of developing countries for emigration, because the poorer countries need their professional workers, these days, more and more people tend to procrastinate in tasks. what is the cause what is the solution, in some countries, the number of shootings increase because many people have guns at home. to what extent do you agree or disagree give specific reasons and examples to support your answer., in their advertising, businesses nowadays usually emphasise that their products are new in some way. why is this do you think it is a positive or negative development.

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20 Common Essay Topics for IELTS Writing Task 2

Below is a list of the 20 most common IELTS essay topics that appear in writing task 2 with subtopics.  Although the essay questions change, the subject of the essays often remains the same. Each topic is divided into subtopics which you should prepare.

You should practice developing ideas for all common essay topics used by IELTS so that you can write your essay within the given time limit. Follow this link to get over 100 IELTS essay questions for the topics below.

Common Essay Topics with Subtopics

• censorship of art and artists
• art at school
• the benefits of art for individuals and society
• small vs large business
• international business
• family run business
• management and leadership
• success in business
• business and technology
• skills vs knowledge for business
• materialism and consumerism
• technology and communication
• family and communication
• face to face vs long distance communication
• types of communication
• the development of character and personality
• innate or developed personalities
• female / male characters
• prisons vs rehabilitation
• capital punishment vs other types of punishment
• criminals – what makes a criminal
• major vs minor crime
• crime and technology
• teenagers and crime
• role of policemen
• men and women in law enforcement
• cash vs credit cards
• saving vs spending
• globalisation and economy
• world economic issues
• economic progress and success
• children and education
• relevant subjects
• education and technology
• role of teachers
• discipline and rules in school
• single-sex schools
• educational aid to poorer countries
• protection of endangered species
• environmental problems
• saving the environment & solving problems
• government vs individual roles
• family roles
• family size
• the generation gap
• role models
• family and education
• health diets
• education of diet
• traditional vs modern diets
• children and diet
• prevention vs cure
• health and education
• poor countries and rich countries
• dealing with global epidemics
• hospitals and treatment
• exercise and health
• having only one language in the world
• methods of language learning
• travel and language
• the disappearance of languages
• language and culture
• censorship, control and freedom of speech
• advertising methods
• children and advertising
• media and technology
• news & reporting
• Space Exploration
• Water and Oceans
• Change or Moving vs Stability and Constancy
• paper books vs ebooks
• children and reading
• books in education
• reading and leisure
• controlling the internet
• socialising online
• children and technology (safety)
• the change in society
• letter vs email
• storing data
• safety of personal information
• development of infrastructure
• comparing forms of transport
• problems with modern forms of transport
• environmental issues
• culture and travel
• understanding people and travel
• living in a global world
• overpopulation
• homeless people
• crime on the streets
• modern life styles
• budget spending
• public services
• professionals vs amateurs
• sport and learning
• sport as a school subject
•  men vs women in sport
• types of sport
• women in work
• types of jobs (blue collar / white collar)
• children and exploitation
• part time work
• work and technology

IELTS Recent Exam Topics

To get a list of recent essay questions as well as recent topics and question from all other sections of the IELTS test, follow this link: Recent IELTS Exam Questions & Topics

IELTS Writing Task 2

Get model essays, tips, free video lessons and practice exercises for IELTS writing task 2: IELTS Writing Task 2

100 IELTS Essay Questions

Get over 100 IELTS essay questions for free. The essay questions are organised into topics and also into different types of essays: 100 IELTS essay questions

IELTS Vocabulary

Develop your vocabulary for some of the above topics: IELTS vocabulary page .

Main IELTS Pages Develop your IELTS skills with tips, model answers, lessons, free videos and more. IELTS Listening IELTS Reading IELTS Writing Task 1 IELTS Writing Task 2 IELTS Speaking Vocabulary for IELTS IELTS Test Information (FAQ) Home Page: IELTS Liz

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Hi Liz.. I really appreciate your good work here and pray that God will give you more strength to continue this your great work to humanity..

My question is on writing task 2 about the way they use to ask their questions.. For example,In many countries, paying for things using mobile phone is becoming increasing common. Does this development have more advantages or disadvantages? My question now, should I just choose one and give my reasons or should I elaborate on both the advantages and disadvantages and conclude with the one that has more advantage?..

Secondly,some will ask you to what extent do you agree or disagree?

Sounds like you need my advanced lessons which take you step by step through the different types of essays. This is a link to my store: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

Why are you not active in youtube. When can we see new video of yours there ?

This is due to a serious health problem that has prevented me from making videos for many years.

Breaks my heart to here this. I’m sure everybody’s wish here is same as me and that we all hope you recover soon.

Thanks. That’s very kind. I hope that next year my health will be more stable and if so, I’ll try to make some new videos 🙂

Hi Liz, Hope your great.

Just need your opinion about increasing overal writing from 6 to 7 or above. Even though how hard i tried my writing score is not increasing beyond 6. Would be happy if you could give your overal opinion on how to increase it. Thanks in advance

This is not a simple task to explain in just a short message on my website. For this reason, I created advanced writing task 2 lessons and e-books in my online store: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/ . You can buy them individually so you can see if one of them helps you. If they do help, you can consider getting more.

I need your help in understanding this question in Task 2- writing. Some people think educated people are more valuable than people who learned skills through experience. Do you think educated people are the most valuable to society? What kinds of skills can people through experience that can benefit society? In this question, does education mean Hard Skills or formal education such a degree/ certification and skills through experience means soft skills? Thanks for your support.

Education refers to formal educational. This is about education or skills – not about different types of skills.

I’m new to this website, although reading the few comments here makes me feel secured. I hope to get the best from here. Thanks

Hello Liz You have some great content. It is extremely helpful when preparing for IELTS. Recently I came across an essay topic for GT that seemed quite vague. ‘In some areas of the US, a curfew is imposed, in which teenagers are not allowed to be out of doors after a particular time at night unless they are accompanied by an adult. What is your opinion about this?’ This is from a credible practice material. What is a good response to this?

Which sources did you get this from? IELTS essay questions do not relate to only one country. However, the topic of curfew is possible. With such a topic, you would write about freedom of movement, learning independence and learning about safety, against protecting children for various reasons.

I love the way you answered a question. Thank you Liz for your tutoring. Tan from Vietnam

Nice to meet you, Tan from Vietnam

Hi Liz, Is there any difference in essay topics that can appear for general and academic writing task 2? If yes, can you categorize them accordingly? Is there any difference in writing essay for academic and general ielts?

The topics are basically the same although it is unlikely GT candidates will get Space Exploration as a topic (but they could easily get this topic in the Speaking test part 3). For this reason, all candidates should prepare all topics. As for differences in the writing test, see this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-gt-academic-writing-differences/

Your trainings are very useful. For those writing the general ielts test (Not Academic), are the essay topics limited to specific areas ? Would the topics be selected from the different essay types such as opinion essay, discussion essay, solution essay, direct questions etc ?

See this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-gt-academic-writing-differences/ . If you use the RED MENU BAR at the top of the website, you’ll find links to all key pages on this site.

Hi liz, I am a trainer of IELTS. Your lessons are much beneficial for me. But I have a question that while getting training I heard from trainers that we are not allowed to use personal words like we, us, he, she, him, her, our as well as words like etc. and too, too much as it effect our writing bands. So can you tell me that is it put any effect on our band of writing or not? Thank you

“etc” is an abbreviation of “et cetera”. When you give examples, choose the number of examples to give rather than use “etc”. When you explain something, be specific rather than using “etc”. It is completely fine to use pronouns, but some pronouns are used more than others. For example, the pronouns “we” and “us” are not commonly used. Also the pronouns “he/him” or she/her” are also not used a lot because we are mostly writing about people in general rather than specific people. The word “too” is used whenever it is needed. So, you see, there are no IELTS rules about this. It is just about what the likely to be used based on the aims of the essay. I have a chapter on Pronouns in the Grammar E-book which covers this.

Task 2 academic topic: Date: August 6, 2020 Some people believe that old customs and traditions should be given up, as people do not use them now. To what extent you agree and disagree?

Hi Liz,, I would like to thank you for the great effort put in this website,, really useful. Regarding writing task 2,, what should I do if I did not get the meaning of the essay topic?!!

If you can’t understand the meaning fully, hopefully you can understand the meaning partially. Of course, it will affect your score for Task Response, but not for the other marking criteria. However, most essay questions are written quite simply so you can understand. Also, your preparation should involve reviewing all common topics and over 100 essay questions.

Hi Liz, I hope you’re doing well. I have encountered some problems in giving correct points in writing task 2. Here is the question of the task which I selected for your website. Some schools are very strict about their school uniforms and the appearance of their pupils, while other schools have a very relaxed dress code. May I know ‘strict about their school uniforms’ simply means having the same dress codes/school uniforms? Looking forward to your reply. Thank you so much

Strict implies that they follow the dress code precisely and have very specific dress codes. For example, they have very precise rules for the length of a girls skirt and they make sure these rules are followed. In South Korea, they are even strict about the length of a girls hair and if a teacher thinks the girls hair is longer than permitted, they get a pair of scissors and cut it. That is a very strict rule about appearance. However, in the school I went to, girls had to wear ties, but the ties could be tied in any way the girl wanted. There were also rules about how short a skirt could be. But, in fact, the girls often looked very sloppy with ties in a mess and skirt very short. So, my school had rules but didn’t enforce them properly. So, struct dress codes applies to both the rules and the enforcing of those rules.

Hi Liz, thank you for the very clear and informative explanation. I’ve bought your E-books and advanced lessons and I’ve noticed my improvement after following exactly what you mention in the books and the lessons. All in all, I’m more than happy that I found your website and I would highly recommend to anyone who wishes to score in IELTS follow every note and advise at your website. Thank you and stay safe.

I’m pleased you are improving 🙂

Hello Liz, I have been reluctant to send you a comment since I don’t know if you would be free to reply. I am planning to take the GT exam whenever the quarantine is over but until then, I have been practicing the writing task. my questions is: Can you have a glance at my essays and just let me know if what I am doing is right or not? I just need to know if my answering steps are in place, if I am starting my essay in the correct way and how much will I approximately score if I continued practicing in this manner. Thank you in advance and stay safe!

Unfortunately I don’t offer a marking service at present. However, I suggest you get my Advanced Writing Task 2 Lessons which take you step by step through each paragraph and will ensure you use the right techniques. I’m running a discount from about May 5th on those lessons as well as for my new Grammar E-book which will released then. Wait for that time to purchase.

Is there any important topics for GT essay? Could you please assume frequently asked essay?

There is no difference between GT essays and Academic essays except that the GT essays are easier with slightly easier essay questions, So, ALL the lessons and tips for writing task 2 on this site are for both GT and Academic Writing Task 2. If you want ideas for topics, get my Ideas for Topics E-book which you can find in my online store. Click here: Liz’s Online Store

I just started ielts preparation so please share ielts materials.

This whole website contains hundreds of page of lessons, tips etc. Go to the HOME page and read how to access them.

Hello Liz, I have a question to ask about agree or disagree essay. “In the future, it seems more difficult to live on the Earth. Some people think more money should be spent on researching other planets to live, such as Mars. To what extent do you agree or disagree?” My essay goes like this: 1. Intro: disagree, money should be spent on saving the Earth rather than doing researches on other planets 2. Body 1: no certainty about life on other planets => could waste money 3. Body 2: saving the Earth is more important => reasons 4. Conclusion Is it ok if I write like that? Thank you in advance!

You have the right approach. However, your third body paragraph is not needed. That forms part of body paragraph 1 = Earth is more important which is why more money should be spent on research.

Dear Liz, do we have to practice all the subtopics to get a good band in writing? Or working on only one subtopic will be enough?

The more you prepare, the better your chances of getting a specific question you have prepared. You can use this page for questions: https://ieltsliz.com/100-ielts-essay-questions/ and this page is a link to my Ideas for Essay Topics E-book in my online store: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

Hi Liz, Thank you for your effort in providing excellent resources. I have a strange question. If I get a question which I dont know at all in task 2, can I write something general related to that.For instance, if they asked about the importance of preserving historic places, can i just talk about history and can still get good bands for the other three criteria except for task achievement. Secondly, If I dont talk about anything about history,and I completely write offtopic, do they still consider my answer by giving 0 for task achievement,but giving appropriate band scores for the other three criteria.Thank u

1. If you don’t write about history at all, you might get band 0 for a memorised answer. Don’t change the topic because you prefer a different one. 2. If your topic is obviously off topic because you chose that – the above might apply. 3. You should always stick as close to the topic as possible. Yes, being on or off topic, only affects Task Response score – unless the above applies. 4. If you got my e-book “Ideas for Essay Topics” this is an unlikely situation: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/ . In fact, preserving old buildings and also the importance of history are both given in my e-book which actually covers over 150 common essay topics. I hope this helps 🙂

Hey Liz, Greetings. Can I agree on the first half and express my disapproval on the second half for the same essay?

For the same point? You would say “I agree in free education” and then in the next paragraph you would say “I don’t agree with free education”? This means you have confused the reader. In an opinion essay, the requirement of a high score is that you maintain a clear position throughout – this means one position from start to finish. This is clearly stated in the band score descriptors that IELTS have published to the public.

I think what you are talking about it actually a partial agreement (a balanced approach) to an opinion essay. You should only try this if you have been trained. See my Advanced Writing Task 2 Lessons which you can purchase on this page: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/ . Otherwise, stick to a one sided approach – it’s easier.

it depends on the plan followed in an essay as well as question asked. for illustration, if you are asked to give only your views then you can,,or if you are asked to discuss both pros and cons of notion.In the case,you are discuss give only one side so you have to go on one side either in favour or not. MAY YOU FIND THIS HELPFUL

Dear Liz Thanks a million for all the unconditional help and support you have given us during these years to improve our English. I have a question regarding Agree/Disagree essays. In the following essay question are we supposed to write about both positive and negative effects if we think there are more positive aspects? I mean in these types of questions we must explain both sides even if we think there are more advantages? Below is the question. In the last 20 years there have been significant development in the field of IT. However, these developments are likely to have more negative effects than positive in future. To what extent do you agree with this view? Best regards Mona

You need to look at how it is phrased: more X than Y. If you think there is more X, you will also think there is less Y. This means you will explain both from your point of view. Do you see what I mean?

MAM A Huge Thanks for providing theses topics! I have almost gone through every topic in detail and now when i check latest questions from your website, i feel like i can write ay of those tasks easily.

I have just one doubt. While studying about poverty i found that every cause of it is totally related to other one, and in this situation it becomes difficult to write two separate reasons or body paragraphs about poverty. Overpopulation, for instance, is the reason of lack of resources or services that include education, but education can be a different reason. In the similar way unemployment is another cause of pooverty, and unemploymet is also due to overpopulation.

You have plenty of ideas and that’s great. Now it is your task to select and organise. You can’t put all your ideas in your essay – you need to decide which ones to use. If the essay is about poverty (lack of money), then resource depletion isn’t really relevant. However your point about limited education is a good point. You do not need to link lack of good education to overpopulation – that isn’t necessarily connected. So, one cause is – lack of good education which helps create professionals who will pull a country out of poverty. Your second point is lack of employment – this is a clearly connected to poverty and that is a another good cause. You can add as a supporting point that overpopulation leads to too much competition for jobs that are scarce in the first place. So, you see, you need to filter your ideas and cut out any point that isn’t directly related. IELTS essays are short – only 280 words on average – you can’t list everything. So, we have cut out “resource depletion” and we have decided that “overpopulation” is a supporting point which adds problems to the lack of employment. The two main causes will be: limited education and lack of jobs, which together cause poverty both for the country, for families and for individuals. Do you see how you need to plan more after you have brainstormed. Once you have ideas, sift through them to choose only two causes that you will use. This of course is advice for a cause/solution essay where you shouldn’t have more than two causes. I hope this helps.

Thanks for clearing my doubts mam You are so generous and humble. I can’t express my gratitude towards you in words.

I wish you healthy and happy life!!!

Dear Lucia, Thank you so much. It took me about 2 month to improve my skills and to be honest, I spent most of my time reading different topics. Based on Topic’s complexity and range of questions, each topic took me between 1 to 4 days to study at first.

Hi Dear Liz, I didn’t know where to say my words so i Chose this page. I just wanted to extremely express my appreciation for your great website and your efforts to help people pass the IELTS exam. I have centered around my study time on your website and I went through all the 100 essay topics and latest speaking questions in all three parts. I have succeeded in the exam with L:8.5, R:8, S:7.5, W:7.5 while my previous scores were: L:8.5, R:8.5, S:6.5 W:6 and your website was the one main way that made my dream come through. I again want to thank you a lot and I am referring your website and your courses to all the people who ask about my success path here in Iran. I hope all people understand and appreciate your hard work and thanks for all the positive energies. Regards, Danial

I’m really pleased for you, Danial. It’s great to see your scores improving so much – well done 🙂

hi liz there is no written topic about globalisation…. can u please provide

See the topic of society on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/100-ielts-essay-questions/

Hi Danial, I am also happy for you that you got that such a brilliant score.. Could you please share how you make it? I also following Liz’s website which is very helpful fo me.. But i wondering about how long did you prepare to get that much improvement?and how many topics of writing did you do everyday?

Thank you in advance

Hi Danial, What exactly you did to improve your skill by this website?

Dear Liz, I just want to know that in agree or disagree type of essay, the body paragraph should be based on one side either agree or disagree or it should be 80:20 ratio? Please guide me, I will be very thankful to you.

There are no such rules. No rules at all like that in IELTS. You decide your own personal opinion when you read the essay question.

Are calculators allowed in the IELTS exam? Thanks!

IELTS requires no calculations and, therefore, you need no calculator.

Hlo mam can u please provide last 3 months essay topics

See this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/

Hello Liz, I had this question, I saw several times in videos that while question asks about “advantages and disadvantages”, tutors write one example of for each advantage and disadvantage. I was wondering, is it OK to do so on test day? thanks in advance!

It is your choice how you expand and explain your ideas. You can use or not use examples – it’s your choice.

I had a question and would appreciate if you could kindly clarify. The below essay statement falls under which category? and Why? To me it looks like an opinion essay where we need to choose a side either positive or negative and then give points to support the view in 2 paragraphs. Is that right?

Essay Question: Some universities offer online courses for students. Do you think it is a positive or negative development for students?

The question is listed under sample essay questions on this website.

Thank you, Soumen

This is listed under the category of direct questions. It requires you to answer one question only and present your opinion. You can find a model for this on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/

Please give me last six months essay topics which came in a ielts exam..

http://www.ieltsliz.com/recent-ielts-questions-and-topics

I’m Ali , from iran and I have to say THANK YOU ! May God bless you

Advertisement reflects the power of renowned consumer products in which celebrities are act as a crowd puller by doing advertises on television screen. Youngsters attract easily due to their favourite film stars , singers advertisevent. However, it is true argument that reduces the substancial real needs of the society in which they sold their goods.

Throughout the years, the scenario has been changed due to development of technology worldwide that helps the advertise companies to launch their products efficiently. Although, there is no actual need of that goods but individual purchase it through online website for instance, http://www.amazon.com /www.eBay.com etcetera that leads to wastage of currency and also grown-ups foster their guardians for that unworthy things. Besides this, companies provide lot of benefit and offer on goods to influence the public but it might have palpable effect that create skin infection , elergy problems due to the usage of cosmetica, medicines or protein powders that are consumed to gain or lpose weight . So , generally unhealthy for people.

On the other hand, there are various aspects against this argument. It is a people’s choice to take decision to buy goods . Advertising may be not a cause of consumer’s buying habits .individuals have their own spending habits . If they have got enough disposable income then they have right to purchase that product . Before buying consumer goods they should evidently aware about it positives and negatives.

To conclude , it is quit inconvenient to say everyone is swayed by advertising. Compared with other product companies , the sensitive areas of business such as toys industries that should be curtail to advertise because children have not enough mature to judge about good or bad.

Sory I don’t comment on writing.

Hi Liz, your website is very helpful,no doubt :). My ielts test day is 15th dec and i am really confused… i wanted to ask that what i ought to do if i have no knowledge about the question in writing task 2. waiting for your response.. Thanks.

You will have a problem if you have not prepared ideas for common topics in writing task 2. See this page for a list of more topics: https://ieltsliz.com/100-ielts-essay-questions/ . You can find ideas from model essays online and debate websites.

hi Liz, today I have elaborately studied marking criteria of writing task 2. Could you please explain me these three things- 1)coherence 2)cohesion 3)referencing

looking forward to your reply thanks in advance 🙂

You can find detailed information about the writing task 2 band scores on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2-band-scores-5-to-8/ . Coherence is about your language being easy to understand with a logical flow of ideas. Cohesion is about how ideas connect to each other (ie linking). Referencing is about referring back in grammar by using “it” or “they”.

thank you : )

I have been looking for site to know writing task 2 topics with sub-topics,thanks to ieltsliz because its made my task easy.

You can find more here: https://ieltsliz.com/100-ielts-essay-questions/

You might have no idea how MANY DOCTORS around the world are thankful for your help in learning English! On behalf of all white coat wearing people, THANK YOU!.

I read many FB med group chat’s comments and other social networks, where many who want to come to the UK to practice medicine get together , and many of them recommend watching your videos.

Thousands of them, mostly from developing countries, show their gratitude to you.

we need above 7.5 in total and above 7 in each.

Personally, I have given IELTS 5 times, in 6 years. Unfortunately, I have not received the required score yet. BUT, I have received in Speaking 8, reading 7, Listening 7.5, and most horrible part-writing 6.5

Those numbers were different in each time, I just compiled them in the best shape, to show the greatest achievement I could get in those hardest ever my exams. I never got any bad marks during my 8 years of medical exams. I graduated from medical school with Honors yet ENGLISH- is my weak point.

I am proactive and will try for the 6th time, I believe it will be my last time of giving IELTS, I will achieve the required and even more band.

I have never really practice writing exactly at it is given in your explanation. But this time I WILL.

from Central Asia.

Thanks so much for your comment. I’m aware of the issues doctors face hitting their required score and am glad my site helps 🙂 I have actually replied to you at length via email using the email address you have used to post this message. Take a look as I’ve given you some extra tips and a gift. Good luck 🙂

Thank you . You are not wise only, generous and have real concerns for your students.

Heavenly rewards for your tremendous work.

Advance Merry Christmas!

Many new adventures in coming year 2017!

Thank you!!!

Merry Xmas 🙂

Thank you Liz for your help so much! I know you have probably heard it many times before but I really do appreciate your great work. In my case especially, your study materials are priceless. I am a mother of a 9 months old baby girl so you can only imagine how challenging for me is studying and taking care of her at the same time. Actually, now at the moment I am burning the midnight oil to study for my IELTS exam (Academic) which is coming in the beginning of December 2016. My English is far from being perfect and my dream is to get band 8+. I am full of doubts and totally bushed, worried about my final results but I know that I just simply cannot give up. I think many people are having the same thoughts and worries as I do. But you are here, for us and that’s amazing. I am sending my warmest greetings from Finland.

Coming soon 🙂

Thank you very much for your stunning site and I really like and benifited from it.I am a student of IELTS. My asking to you, how can I guess Argumentative written or narrative written. Some time I make mistake it . May you give me any easy way to identify it. Thank you

See the free information video on this page which explain the five types of IELTS essays: http://subscriptions.viddler.com/IELTSLizStore

4 in reading

really love your website. It’s very interactive.

In my speaking test had to speak about the last story I had watched on TV, with whom I watched and what did I liked about it and why.

Thanks for sharing 🙂 I’m glad my site is useful.

Hi, In most of the GT writing test part II in the introduction paragraph, its mentioned that “In this essay I will be describing or I explained about…..bla bla

Similarly, In conclusion part,”I/we discussed and explained so and so…….”

My question is that is it right to use I and We the way I used in the above example or generalised statement will be given more weightage.

None of the phrases you have listed are advisable to use. I suggest you see my advanced writing task 2 lessons: http://subscriptions.viddler.com/IELTSLizStore

Hi Liz Thank you for your great and wonderful lessons and tips that is really valuable to us. i bought your Advanced IELTS Writing task2 for different types of essay questions and its amazing,v.thanks. “people should work a fixed number of hours per week,and employers should not ask anybody to work more than this” give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples. what is this type of essay?and how to deal with it?and if any advices you can give it to me regarding my question. thank you.

That question is not complete. Where did you find it?

Cambridge 10 general training test2

Sorry..test1

That’s so badly written for an IELTS question. It’s an opinion essay. You need to comment on the opinion given by giving your own opinion. You need to explain what you think of people working a fixed number of hours in a week.

Hello mam, i done my best in ielts exam …i follow format similar trend which should be followed but unfortunately i overall got 5.5 band in writing ..Can u suggest me something ..now I’m going for it again.

See my advanced lessons: http://subscriptions.viddler.com/IELTSLizStore

I am going to give general ielts test and I need your advice before giving the test please give me some tips for general ielts test and which lessons is are good for general test from your lessons

All writing task 2 lessons are also for GT. On the writing task 1 page, you will find tips for letter writing.

I am preparing for Ilets Academic exam, It is on 31st March, I have started my preparation on 19th March 🙁 My goal is to achieve 6.5 band in writing, i am doing quite well in other sections. But i am not feeling confident in writing, kindly give me some tips on writing

Hey Liz, I know you are taking some time off. However, I have a question for you in regard to Task 1. When the question is asking you to write a letter to your friends and in your letter, thank them for the photos and for the holiday you spent overseas. Since, no names were given, how would you suggest addressing this letter ? Would you suggest simply using imaginary names? Thanks

https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/

Thank you for sharing valuable information for IELTS exam.

After going through your tips, I am a bit confused about how to write an essay for the question ‘To what extent do you agree’?

For example, “Most artists receive low salaries and should therefore receive funding from the government in order for them to continue their work. To what extent do you agree?” – – Can I disagree with the statement or I have to agree only? As I can say here that government has other priorities as well. – In addition to funding, can I write something like additional unemployment benefits for artists etc to further help artists. – Furthermore, If I agree (partially or fully) or disagree, two body paragraphs which I make, I have to justify my statement given in introduction only or can I discuss other side as well (may be in second para)? – I am getting confused over this type of question (To what extent) so please provide me with some resources on it as I have my exam on 23rd Jan.

Hi, Do you have any solve essay so that I can see all the method.

What is your opinion on giving a Title to the Essay before we begin writing it. Will that have a positive or negative impact? Please advice.

Thanks, Vijay

You should not write a title. Liz

hi madam I bit confuse about what I write in this topic some sports make use of steroids in order to boost their performance as it easy to obtain legal drugs through a medical prescription . suggest some possible measures to check such unethical practices ielts task 2 …Please reply me as soon as possible because my exam is on 7 November. .Thanks

This can be checked by regular urine and blood tests. It can also be dealt with by having harsher penalties for people using drugs to enhance their performance. This issue has been in the news a lot so you can read up on google. Good luck Liz

I can’t remember where I found an essay question that really stressed me out. It was something along the lines of “Some people believe the government should spend more money on defense while others believe social benefits should be favored. Discuss both sides.” I really can’t remember what it was exactly, but it concerned defense and social benefits and I honestly had no idea what I could write about on that topic. Would you have tips?

Thank you so much,

This is a current issue in many countries. Should a country aim to protect itself or should it spend money on providing benefits for its citizens. Defense is essential in order to ensure the security of a country and its citizens. Without defense, a country would be open to attack from terrorists or other countries. It is in the interest of the citizens to provide strong defenses. However, if many of a country’s citizens are in poverty or sick, the government has a responsibility to provide benefits and extra money to support them. Without these benefits, they might end up living below the poverty line. I hope some of these ideas help. Feel free to share your views. Liz

Thank you so much for your answer !

Also, I read that each paragraph should have one controlling idea. However, on subjects such as “Some believe a good salary is more important, others believe an enjoyable job is more important. Discuss both views and give your opinion” (something along those lines, I shortened it of course). I’m struggling on two things :

1. Is it ok if I write two paragraphs, one about good salary and the other about enjoying the job but with more than one idea for both? (ie. I wouldn’t have one single controlling idea). 2. Do I have to give my opinion in the intro or can I give it in the conclusion?

Thank you for your time!

You must put your opinion in the introduction, body and conclusion. You could have two body paragraphs and join your opinion with one of them or you could put your opinion separately. Have a think about getting one of my advanced training lessons for essay writing – they are very detailed and will help a lot: http://subscriptions.viddler.com/IELTSLizStore All the best Liz

i think you are right this will help us and our country and their would not be any problem.

The writing task 2. I came across in my IELTS general exam was

Some people thinks that radio is much more interesting and entertaining than Tv. To what extent do you agree? Or disagree?. Discuss with relevent examples.

Thanks for sharing 🙂

Hello there ! Liz, I tried writing this topic and I’m trying the For-and-Against approach, and my opinion stated at the last paragraph. However, I can’t come up with any ideas as to how is radio more entertaining? How is it more entertaining than TV? Could you please help me out?

I am not clear what topic you are referring to – you need to write it in full in your message. Also I don’t know what you mean about the “for-and-against” approach. Are you talking about the discussion essay? Liz

Oh, I’m sorry, I completely forgot to mention which essay I was talking about. I was referring to “Some people think that radio is much more interesting and entertaining than TV. To what extent do you agree/disagree?” And what I meant by “for-and-against” was that I handle those type of questions like a discussion essay. I would first write the reasons why some people think it IS better than TV, and in the next paragraph I would list the reasons why others think it IS NOT. At the end I give my own opinion. However, I couldn’t think of any ways in which radio is more interesting, so I thought I would ask you for some ideas.

Thank you for the fast reply!

It is ESSENTIAL that you follow the instructions. The instructions do not say “discuss both sides”. This is an opinion essay, you decide your opinion in the introduction and explain it in the body paragraph. Never add any information which is not your opinion. If you fail to follow instructions 100%, you will get a low mark. See my opinion essay lesson from my online course for detailed training: http://subscriptions.viddler.com/IELTSLizStore All the best Liz

Do you teach online ?

At the moment, these are the only extra lessons I offer: http://subscriptions.viddler.com/IELTSLizStore All the best Liz

Hi Liz, I found your blog very useful, I have my exam in a week time, I m looking to improve my scores in Reading and Writing Section of ielts, I m good enough in English I would say, What tips you would help me on this.

Listening: As I m from Asian, And you mentioned that on your video that most of the foreigners have issues when it comes to listening to Plurals. with S. any way i can differential or improve on identify it. if so

Reading for General: Ii have experienced issue with matching question type and matching of heading or where you have lists of headings to choice or pick from like for example ( i, ii, iv) or the case of matching with the paragraph ( A, B, D,H). one where of the problem i fixed was with use of Synonyms in passage vs question., with the crunch of time . Are the Any Traps.. to look out for or tips that can help me to do well with this kind of questions apart from skimming the text and identifying the main idea of the paragraph…

Writing: I have issue with sentence construction or paragraph building i have ideas or points in mind when i end up reading up a task question.

Speaking: I plan on using diverse vocabulary words. towards my topic, but how would be able to know when should i use , Could be/ Should be / Would be any differences on those, I m sure i m likely loose points on misuse of words in context or when it comes to pronounciation of words. is that the case

I don’t have time to give you all tips but here are some. For speaking, the issue you are talking about is not vocabulary, it is grammar. The use of the correct modals (should, could etc) and the use of conditional sentences all relates to your grammar accuracy and range. You will find a grammar website recommended on my useful website page in the IELTS Extra section. For writing, the key is preparing ideas for all common topics and also planning your essay so that each paragraph has a central point. If you mix your ideas up in paragraphs, you will not get a good mark for coherence and cohesion – so plan your ideas and then plan how to put them into paragraphs. After that, plan how to support them. All that should be done before you start writing. All the best Liz

Would you recommend to have a balanced view? Or single sided view? If I will choose a balanced view, I think I still need to state clearly which side I preferred. Is that correct? Thanks

You can get a good score with either approach. A one sided approach choose one side (either agree or disagree). The balanced approach is a specific opinion which doesn’t fully agree or fully disagree. I’ll soon be releasing a video to buy which explains in detail how to do both approaches for the opinion essay. I’ll post a link when it’s ready. Liz

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Happiness based Q&A for IELTS Speaking Part 1

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Happiness is a topic that often comes up in the IELTS speaking part 1. Below you will find a list of some example questions and answers that you could encounter during part 1 of the IELTS Speaking test.

The questions below are based on the real IELTS speaking exam. They serve as a great IELTS Speaking Part 1 prediction questions to help you prepare better before your test.

Happiness Speaking Part 1 – Set 1

• Would you say you are a happy person? I think I am sometimes. I try to find joy in little things when I can, but, sometimes, life gets in the way and it is a bit more difficult to be positive.
• Why do you think happiness is important? Happiness is important, because without it, life would be very difficult to get through. From my personal experience, I believe it is very hard to find meaning in doing something that I hate.
• What are things that make you happy? There are many thigs that make me happy. Going for a meal with my friends, or riding my bicycle on a sunny day. Also, breathing in fresh air when stepping outside the door in the morning.

Happiness Vocabulary Speaking Part 1 – Set 1

• life gets in the way – obstacles or duties that people generally have to do, instead of doing what they would like to do.
• get through – (in this case) survive

Other IELTS Speaking Part 1 Topics

Here are other common topics that you could come across during the IELTS Speaking Part 1 test.

• Home Accommodation
• Is it important to be happy? Yes, it definitely is. Without happiness life becomes very difficult to bear, and it is harder to find meaning to it. It is important to make time for happiness in the busy world we live in.
• Did you do something recently which made you happy? A few days ago, I went to a flower shop. A lady was crying outside, on a bench. I gave her the flowers I had bought, which helped put a big smile on her face. I was equally happy to help her!
• Should people be happy all the time? I don’t think it is feasible to be happy all the time. Human emotions are complex, and we need to make room for all of them, in order to experience life to the fullest, and to feel good with ourselves.

Set 2 Vocabulary

• feasible – doable
• make room for – make time or space for something
• Would you say you are a happy person? I am. I tend to focus on the simpler gifts that life has to offer, and I think that it grounds me and makes me feel more connected to the present.
• How do you feel about sharing things with others? I enjoy sharing my food, of course! I also gladly share DVD’s or movie suggestions with other people. People in my social circle really enjoy going to the movies and watching films and TV shows, just like me!
• What makes people you are close to happy? With family, they just enjoy and quality time we spend together. When it comes to my friends are always happy when I bring them a special treat I made!

Set 3 Vocabulary

• grounds – makes a person focus on the present moment
• social circle – group of friends
• treat – (in this case) a thoughtful, special food they don’t usually get for themselves
• What are things that make you happy? There are many things that make me happy! I love spending quality time with family and friends. I get much joy out of watching a good movie or TV show. Making other people happy brings me so much happiness, as well.
• How do you deal with stress? Other than cooking! I manage my stress levels by reading lots of books and walking outside. Books are a great distraction from your problems and help de-stress me before bed. Other times, I will go for a walk in nature and relax in nature.
• How does physical exercise relieve stress? Physical exercise is a great way to reduce stress as you are activating hormones that make you feel better and more cheerful. Lots of people run as an outlet for stress and say that you can alleviate stress this way.

Set 4 Vocabulary

• alleviate – reduce suffering
• How good is your concentration? I am pretty good at focussing on the task at hand. For example, I make model planes as a hobby and I am able to sit for a couple of hours working on intricate details without getting distracted.
• What conditions help you to concentrate? The best way to concentrate on a task is to be in a quiet space with good lighting. This helps focus but also the light helps you to see what you are doing. Some people like to have music in the background but it drives me to distraction.
• Is it easy for you to concentrate when you study? The best way to concentrate on a task is to be in a quiet space with good lighting. This helps focus but also the light helps you to see what you are doing. Some people like to have music in the background but it drives me to distraction.

Set 5 Vocabulary

• the task at hand – the work someone is doing
• drive somebody to distraction – cause distraction
• to get my head down – to focus on a task
• Where are you from? I am from Granada in the region of Andalusia, in Spain. It is a very historic city and it is home to the Alhambra palace and fortress, a monument of Islamic architecture.
• How do you feel about crowded areas? I am a little more wary of them now, due to the pandemic, but prior to it, they didn’t pose any problems for me. I am a bit of social butterfly and I am therefore accustomed to being around people.
• How do you feel about living in a crowded place? Granada is a very touristy location, and it is always busy there. Sometimes it can be a little overwhelming, but you get used to it and it eventually becomes the norm. As a result, I don’t mind it too much.

Set 6 Vocabulary

• wary of – cautious
• prior to – before
• pose any problems – cause any problems
• social butterfly – a person who likes to socialise a lot
• accustomed to – used to
• overwhelming – hard to process everything at once
• norm – standard
• What do you do for a living? I work the manager of a phone store. I started off as a customer service representative, but I wanted to move up in this world. I worked very hard for two years and was eventually promoted to my current position.
• In your opinion, what makes a person open? Whenever I interact with open people, they seem to be happy to share their likes and dislikes, and sometimes talk about their personal live. They tend to be trusting people.
• Would you consider yourself an open person? I don’t think I am as open as other people I know, but I am a social butterfly. I love to interact with people and spend time with friends and family.
• What do you like to share with other people? I like to share many of my passions with other people. I am an avid reader, and I am always happy to share any new books I have read with other bookworms like me.

Set 7 Vocabulary

• move up in this world – become more successful
• social butterfly – a person who loves to socialise
• avid reader – passionate about reading
• bookworms – people who love to read and who read extensively
• Where are you from? I am from Paris, in France. I love living in a city that is so vibrant. It is a hotspot for people taking city breaks and especially for couples looking for a romantic getaway. There are lots of beautiful buildings and architecture to enjoy.
• When do you laugh a lot? I like to think that I have a good sense of humour and enjoy a giggle and a joke quite often. I can recall laughing a lot with my friends from the hotel about something silly or childish. I also laugh when I am watching TV.
• Can you make people laugh? I sometimes make my colleagues laugh by playing a trick on them or pulling silly faces behind a customer´s back. They do it back to me so it is all good fun and nobody gets offended. I can make my little cousin laugh a lot by tickling him.
• When was the last time you laughed? That is difficult to remember as I was so nervous before the exam. When I was at work yesterday one of my friends was telling a story about her mother and I was almost bent double because I was laughing so hard.

Set 8 Vocabulary

• a hotspot – a place with lots of activity
• a giggle – laugh
• play a trick on – to confuse someone as a joke
• tickling – touch a person to make them laugh
• bent double – laughing a lot

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IELTS Speaking Part 1: Happiness

01/21/2023 05:21 PM

General Rules:

Here are some general rules about Part 1 that you may find useful. The point of Task 1 is for you to answer shortly to many questions. Think of it like an interview where you need to answer questions about yourself. You should:

Keep it short. When you practice, in general try to answer in 15 to 20 seconds per question. 

Give at least 1 reason and 1 real-life example. again very general but try to have at least 1 real example in your answer., talk about yourself. this part is all related to you (if the question doesn't say another person)..

So, lets take a look at some questions:

Vocabulary related to the topic

Sentence starters and linking words, idioms and phrases, business phrases, is there anything that has made you feel happy lately.

There are many things that make me smile daily , so I don't pay much attention and sort of take them as they come . Perhaps the biggest source of happiness recently (the last year or so) was the end of the Covid 19 pandemic . That was such a relief and it made me look positively toward the future again.

My Personal Answer:

What things made you happy when you were little?

What do you think will make you happy in the future.

To be completely honest , buying my first apartment would make me truly happy . I've lived in times when the price of real estate skyrocketed all around the world , and it has been very difficult to buy something new and big enough for myself without any help or support . What will make me truly satisfied with my life is finally buying that dream apartment and then slowly decorating it to my own taste . Hopefully , this will happen in the next few years. Fingers crossed* .

*Fingers crossed - this is usually a gesture with a hand, but we can say it too. It means "lets hope so" or "I wish/I hope"

When do you usually feel happy?

Do you think people are happy when buying new things, do you think having money makes people happy.

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IELTS Speaking Topic: Happiness

Posted by David S. Wills | Jun 9, 2017 | IELTS Tips , Speaking | 0

Lately I’ve been working with my students on an IELTS topic , and I thought I’d share with you some of the questions that came up. The topic was “happiness” and I’ve collected some of the questions into a sample IELTS speaking test.

What do you like to do when you are happy?

What kinds of things make you happy?

When do you feel the happiest?

What kinds of things people in your country feel happy about?

Describe a time when you felt really happy.

You should talk about:

• What the event was
• When it occurred
• Why it was a memorable and happy event for you

And give any details of the event.

Do you think there’s any relationship between a person’s age and their level of happiness?

Do you think people were happier in the past than they are now?

What contributes to making a happy family?

What kind of people do you think are most likely to be happy?

Are talented people happier than other people?

Some people say that they happiest days of your life are when you are in school. Do you agree?

About The Author

David S. Wills

David S. Wills is the author of Scientologist! William S. Burroughs and the 'Weird Cult' and the founder/editor of Beatdom literary journal. He lives and works in rural Cambodia and loves to travel. He has worked as an IELTS tutor since 2010, has completed both TEFL and CELTA courses, and has a certificate from Cambridge for Teaching Writing. David has worked in many different countries, and for several years designed a writing course for the University of Worcester. In 2018, he wrote the popular IELTS handbook, Grammar for IELTS Writing and he has since written two other books about IELTS. His other IELTS website is called IELTS Teaching.

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