Topic: Extreme Sports.
Extreme sports are very
dangerous and should be banned.
Q: To what extent you Agree or Disagree
A: Completely Disagree
Main Topic 1: Extreme sports are very dangerous
Regulations and safety procedures
Training
Example: skydiving you should be
registered, beginners should not dive solo
Main topic 2: Extreme sports should be banned
People should be free to decide what sports
they want
Difficulty of enforcing it
Example: base jumping and big wave surfing
risky sports such as this practiced from far
away the reach of authorities.
Topic: High Salaries. Extreme high salaries are good
for the country. Government should not allow
salaries above certain level.
Q: Discuss both views and give your own opinion
Main Topic 1: Extreme high salaries are good for the
country. (weaker argument first)
They can attract talented people
Example: technology companies: Google
can employ the best programmers
End result: thriving economy and increase
tax revenues. It benefits everyone.
Main topic 2: Pay-gap between bosses and
employees can be reduced
Example: By introducing lower executive
salaries, it might become feasible to
introduce higher minimum wage.
End Result: Greater equality could be the
fall of poverty and criminal rates because
most people experience standard of living.
Topic: Climate Change. Prevent climate change. Find
a way to live with it.
Q: To what extent you agree or disagree
A: Completely disagree
Main topic 1: Ways to prevent /mitigate climate
change
Introduce laws to limit CO2 emissions that
lead to global warming
Example: impose green taxes on drivers,
invest in renewable energy production
Voting for politician who propose to tackle
climate change
Main topic 2: Live with it
Disastrous
Example: we will not able to cope with
small rise in sea levels. People will be
displaced by flooding
Human suffering is likely. Increase in famine
and outbreaks of diseases.
Topic: Economic progress. It is the most important
goal of government. Other types are equally
important.
Q: Discuss both views and Give your opinion
Main topic 1: It is the most important goal of
government.
Results in job creation, employment and
better salaries
More budget for public services and
infrastructure
Example: Countries with higher revenues
can invest in transport network, education
system and public health
Can help a countrys standing in global
stage, in political power and trading
influence
Main point 2: Other types of progress are equally
important
In particular, social justice, human rights,
equality and democracy.
Example: Treatment to minority groups is a
reflection of moral standards
Protection of natural environment that
leads to environmental sustainability
Health, well-being and happiness of its
residents.
Topic: Business responsibilities. As well as making
money, businesses also have social responsibilities.
Q: To what extent you agree or disagree
A: Completely agree
Main Topic 1: Business for making money
In order to survive in a competitive world
 Cover its running costs, such as employees
wages and payments for buildings and
utilities
Invest in improvements and innovations
It can be a positive contribution to the
society if it is in good financial health
Main topic 2: Social responsibility of business
Treat their employees well rather than
exploiting them
Example: employers can pay living wage to
ensure that workers have a good quality life
Use part of the profits to help local
charities, environmental projects
Should be happy to contribute to society
through the tax system.
Topic: People in the cities. More and more people
are migrating to cities in search of a better life, but
city life can be extremely difficult. Explain some of
the difficulties of living in a city. How can
governments make urban life better for everyone?
Q: Problem and Solution
Main Topic 1: Difficulties of living in a city.
Main problem: cost of living pay much
higher prices for housing, food and
transport.
Social problems compare to rural areas
Example: increase criminal rate and poverty
Air quality is poor due to pollution
As a result, city life can be unhealthy and
stressful
Main topic 2: How can governments make urban life
better for everyone?
Invest money in building affordable housing
from city centres
Promote the use of cleaner public transport
to decrease pollution
Example: introduction of congestion charge
in London has helped curb the traffic
problem
Develop provincial towns, by moving
industries and jobs to reduce pressure in
major cities.
Topic: Living alone. In some countries, many more
people are choosing to live alone nowadays than in
the past. Do you think this is a positive or negative
development?
Q: Is it a positive or negative development
A: Both
Main Point 1: Positive side of living alone
Individual level independent, self-reliant
Example: learn to cook, pay bills and
manage his or her budget
Economic perspective greater demand in
housing
Main point 2: Negative side of living alone
Individual loneliness, isolation and worry
Economic rise in demand for housing is
likely to push up property prices
Topic: University subjects. Students should study
whatever they like. They should be only allowed to
study subjects that will be useful in the future.
Q: Discuss both views and give your opinion
Main topic 1: They should be only allowed to study
subjects that will be useful in the future.
Certain university courses are more likely to
be beneficial than others medicine,
information and technology
Personal perspective- Provide more job
opportunities, career growth, better
salaries
Societal level any knowledge and skill gaps
in the economy are covered
Focus in technology can lead to new
inventions, economic growth, and greater
future prosperity
Main topic 2: Students should study whatever they
like.
Society will benefit more if they are
passionate about what they are learning
no one can really predict which areas will be
most useful in the society
Employers might begin to value creative
thinking skills rather than practical or
technical skills
Topic: Tourism. Do the benefits of tourism outweigh
the drawbacks?
Q: Benefits outweigh the drawbacks
A: Partly agree
Main topic 1: Benefits of tourism
Personal perspective popular leisure
activity for relaxation, having fun, learning
other cultures (sight-seeing, visiting
monuments, tasting new cuisine) It opens
our minds. It can broaden our horizons
Economic it is vital for some countries.
People rely on it for their income. It attracts
investments and creates employment due
to demand of goods and services (hotels,
entertainment)
Main topic 2: Negatives of tourism
Environment excessive buildings destroys
natural habitats. It creates pollution and
waste
Economic can raise the cost of living.
Prices and services can go up. It affects local
people
Cultural Traditional jobs and skills die out
(farming, fishing) local traditions may be
lost. Locals are forced to work in tourist
industry
Topic: Ex-Prisoner. Some people who have been in
prison become good citizens later, and it is often
argued that these are the best people to talk to
teenagers about the dangers of committing a crime.
Q: To what extent do you agree or disagree
A: Completely agree
Main topic 1: Best people to talk to teenagers about
the dangers of committing a crime.
Teenagers are more likely to accept advice
from someone who speak from their
experience
Example: they can tell how they become
involve in a crime, dangers or criminal
lifestyle, what is life in prison really like
Dispel the ideas of the glamorous life of a
criminals
Even if teenagers have different take on
guidance given by adults, most of them
would be extremely keen on hearing stories
Main point 2: Make your point even more stronger
Alternatives to using reformed criminals
would be much less effective
Option 1 police officers informing the
teens about what happened to law breakers
(teens are reluctant to get an advice from
authorities)
Option 2 school teachers ( they dont see
them as credible sources of info about this
topic)
Option 3 educational films (no opportunity
to interact and ask questions
Topic: Traditional views. The older generations
tend to have very traditional ideas about how people
should live, think and behave. However, some
people believe that these ideas are not helpful in
preparing younger generations for modern life.
Q: To what extent you agree or disagree
A: Partially
Main topic 1: Traditional ideas that are outdated
Learn a profession and find a secure job
Today, there are variety and diversity of
careers
Rules about relationships people make
their own choices about who and when to
marry
Greatest disparity between generations are
Gender roles the traditional roles are not
accepted as necessary by most younger
people
Main topic 2: Traditions that should not be forgotten
Greater importance to working hard, doing
ones best, taking pride of ones work
benefit in competitive job market
Politeness and good manners it is
important to treat others with respect
Old fashioned sense of community and
neighborliness
Topic: Foreign films. Many people prefer to watch Investing in better public transport fewer
foreign films rather than locally produced films. Why people need to travel by car
could this be?
Should governments give more financial support to Topic: Parental roles. These days more fathers stay
local film industries? at home and take care of their children while
Q: Two questions mothers go out to work. What could be the reasons
Main topic 1: Why many people prefer foreign over for this? Do you think it is a positive or a negative
local films development?
Established film industries have huge Q: Two questions
budget Main point 1: Reasons for increasing househusband
Example: James Bond films roles
They starred the most famous actor and Equal rights movement normal for woman
actresses and made by accomplished to gain qualifications
directors and producers Socially acceptable for men to stay at home
Main topic 2: Should government finance these Rising cost of living
movies?
They should support them financially Main point 2: Positive or Negative development
because there may be talented amateur
It is a progress. Men and women have equal
film makers who just need to be given
opportunities
opportunity
Women are not put under pressure to
They need big-budget productions to
sacrifice their careers
produce high-quality films
Men should be free to leave their jobs if
Result: Increase in employment, income
they wish to
from film sales or perhaps even rise in
Couples make their own decisions which
number in tourists
parental role
Example: Increase in tourism related to Lord
of the Rings which were partly funded by
Topic: Wild animals. Have no place in 21st century,
govnt.
protecting them is a waste of resources.
Topic: Road safety. Strict offences are the key to
Q: To what extent do you agree or disagree?
reducing traffic accidents. Other measures would be
A: Completely disagree
more effective in improving road safety
Main topic 1: Have no place in 21st century
Q: Discuss both views and give your opinion
Planet Earth does not exists only for the
Main topic 1: Strict punishments
benefit of humans
Encourage people to drive more safely
No compelling reason why we should let
Discourage dangerous drivers to avoid
animals die out
repeating same offence
There is a plenty of room for us to exist side
Examples of driving penalty: small fines,
by side with animals.
license suspension, prison sentences
Main topic 2: Animals are waste of resources
The aim is to show that their actions have
Protection of natural habitats is also crucial
negative consequences
to human being
Result: disciplined and alert. Follow rules
Example: rainforests produce oxygen,
carefully
absorb carbon dioxide and stabilize the
Main topic 2: Other measures would be effective
climate.
Educate drivers done in schools or part of
Result: If we destroy these areas, the cost
even difficult driving test
of changes far outweigh the cost of
Safe road designs
conservation.
Example: to warn people, speed bumps,
We maintain natural balance of life on Earth
road bends, speed cameras
 Topic: Happiness. It is considered very important to
life. Why is it difficult to define? What factors are
important in achieving happiness?
Q: Two questions
Main topic 1: Why is it difficult to define?
Different from person to person
Example: some people derive satisfaction from
earning money or achieving success, while
others, health and family are much more
important
Range of other feeling, from excitement to
peacefulness, may be associated with the
idea of happiness.
Main topic 2: What factors are important in
achieving happiness?
Safe place to live and have enough food to
eat
Greatest joy in life is found in shared
experiences with loved ones.
Other key factors- individual freedom and
sense of purpose in life.
Topic: Private schools. Families who send their
children to private schools should not be required to
pay taxes that support educational system.
Q: To what extend do you agree or disagree?
A: I completely disagree
Main topic 1: sent children in private should not be
taxed.
It is wrong to reduce taxes for families who
pays for private education
Difficult to calculate amount of tax
reduction of these families
We all pay certain amount of tax for public
services that we dont use.
Example: people who are fortunate enough
does not have to call cops or fire brigade at any
time of their lives but it does not show any
reduction of their taxes
If wealthy families were given tax discount
for sending their child to school, we might
have a situation were poor people pay
higher taxes than the rich.
Main topic 2: Happy to share money that supports
public schools
Beneficial to all members of the society
high quality education = equal
opportunities
Result: Well educated workforce, productive
and prosperous nation
Parents of children in private school who
own a company will see an advantage to
this in their lives
Example: company owner need qualified and
competent staff, and a well-funded education
system ca provide such employees like this.
Topic: Celebrities. They are famous for their wealth
and glamour than their achievements and this sets a
bad example to young people
Q: To what extent you agree or disagree?
A: Partially
Main topic 1: Celebs set bad example to young
people (agree)
Achieve fame and wealth without really
working hard for it inherit money from
parents, born in a family of celebrities,
married a famous or wealthy person
Example: Paris Hilton She lived a well-off life
spending her time in parties and night clubs. Her
behavior promotes the idea that appearance
and media profile are more important than
hardwork.
Main topic 2: Other famous people that makes
excellent role models.
Actors, musicians, athletes become famous
because they work hard to develop real
skills and abilities
Demonstrate determination, ambition and
great effort to achieve success
Example: Jackie Chan years of practice and
hard work
Topic: Salary. When choosing a job, salary is the
most important consideration
Q: to what extent do you agree or disagree?
A: Disagree that it is the MOST
Main topic 1: Money is needed
To meet the basic needs
Example: to pay for housing, food, bills and
healthcare
Consider it as a priority to have reasonable
quality of life
If people find jobs based on employment,
they might find it difficult to support
themselves
 Example: Musicians and artists, are known to
choose a career that they are passionate about
but does always provide them enough money to
live comfortably and raise a family.
Main topic 2: Other factors to consider that are
equally important
Personal relationship and the atmosphere
Example: friendly colleagues and good
managers can make huge difference
Peoples feeling of job satisfaction skills
they learn, position they reach
To contribute positively in the society
Topic: Independence. Some people think that in the
modern world we are more dependent to each
other, while others think that people have become
more independent
Q: Discuss both views and give your opinion
Main point 1: More dependent
Life is more complex and difficult, especially
the cost of living increased dramatically
Example: Young adults rely on their parent to
buy a house
People seem to be ambitious and want a
quality life both parents usually worked
full time and they depend on grandparents
and babysitters for child care
Main point 2: Independent
In most countries, families are becoming
smaller that people cannot count on
relatives as much as they used to
More freedom to travel and live far away
from our home
Example: students who choose to study abroad
instead of going to local univ.
Another factor is technology allows to
work alone and from any part of the world
Topic: Foreign tourists. Foreign visitors should pay
more than locals in visiting cultural or historical
attraction.
Q: To what extent you agree or disagree?
A: Completely disagree
Main point 1:
Population/ residents pay subsidies to keep
the sites going
Foreign tourist contribute to the economy
by spending money for other goods and
services
Government should be happy to subsidize
the tourists spots and encourage to visit
them
Main point 2:
If tourists realize that they have to pay
more, they will decide not to go there
instead
Example: Philippines, Intramuros and National
Museum of the Phils have the same charge for
local and foreign visitors. Many people rely on
tourism and other related jobs
If tourist stops to visit these places due to
higher prices, it might result to shortage of
finances to sustain the maintenance of
these places.
Topic: Economic progress. It is a measure of
countrys success. What other factors to be
considered when measuring countys success? Do
you think one factor more than important than
others?
Q: Two questions
Main topic 1: Other factors
Standards of education, health and human
rights.
Education system vital for a nation
bearing the responsibility of quality of
future generations of workers
Health indicator of standard of living in
the country. Expectancy rates and
availability of medical services.
Human rights and equality equal
opportunities of men and women in the
society
Main topic 2: One factor that s more important than
others
Countrys education it has considerable
effect in two other factors mentioned
above
It affects health in a sense that nurses and
doctors should be well-trained
It also affects economy in a sense that well-
educated workforce will allow companies to
flourish
Topic: Artists. Governments should give financial
support in creative artist. Others believe they should
be funded by alternative sources
Q: Discuss both views and give your opinion
A: Come from both
Main topic 1: Funded by the govnt
Definitely require help ffrom the state
Example: Artwork in public places such as in
the UK, new statues and sculptures have
been developed recently.
It represent culture, heritage and history
They serve to educate people and act as a
landmark
The city would be much less interesting and
attractive
Main point 2: funded by others
Main reason govnt have more important
concerns
Example: budget for education, health and
security. These are vital to the society than
the work of artist that are most of the time,
luxurious.
It is like any other professional and
therefore earn their own money by selling
their work

Topic: Animal testing. Some people argue that these

experiments should be banned because it is
Look through the following list of common IELTS
topics. Do you have opinions about them? Could
you discuss them in an essay or in a
conversation?
1. Advertising
2. Animal Rights: testing on animals,
vegetarianism, zoos
3. Cities: urbanisation, problems of city
life
4. Crime: police, punishments/prisons,
rehabilitation, capital punishment
5. Education: studying abroad,
technology in education, education in
developing countries, higher
education, home-schooling, bad
behaviour, corporal punishment,
single sex education, streaming
(grouping children according to
ability)
6. Environment: global warming, impact
of humans on the environment,
solutions to environment problems,
waste/rubbish, litter, recycling,
nuclear power
7. Family: family size, working parents,
negative effects on children, divorce,
care for old people
8. Gender: gender and education, gender
and work, womens and mens role in
the family
9. Genetic Engineering: positives,
negatives, genetically modified foods
10. Global Issues: problems in
developing countries, how to help
developing countries, immigration,
multi-cultural societies, globalisation
11. Government and Society: what
governments can do, public services,
censorship, video cameras in public
places
12. Guns and Weapons: gun ownership
and possession, police and guns,
nuclear weapons, armed forces
13. Health: diet, exercise, state health
systems, private healthcare,
alternative medicine, stress
14. Housing and Architecture: state
housing, old buildings, modern/green
buildings
15. International Language: English as
an international language
16. Money: money and society,
consumerism
17. Personal Development: happiness,
success, nature or nurture
18. Sport and Leisure:
professional/competitive sport, sport
salaries, sport and politics
19. Tourism: positives, negative effects
on environment, future of tourism
20. Traditions and Modern Life: losing
traditional skills, traditional customs
21. Transport: traffic problems and
solutions, public transport, road
safety
22. Television, Internet and Mobile
Phones: positives and negatives,
Internet compared to newspapers
and books
23. Water: importance of clean water,
water supply, water should be free,
bottled water
24. Work: same job for life, self-
employment, unemployment,
work/life balance, technology and
work, child labour
INTRODUCTION
Be aware of the keywords use in a question like
MOST, ALL, BEST, ONLY. You can DISAGREE to
mention both views
To what extent you agree or disagree?
Balanced sample/Partly agree
It is true that some celebrities are known for their
glamorous lifestyles rather than for the work they
do. While I agree that these celebrities set a bad
example for children, I believe that other famous
people act as positive role models.
Some people argue that we no longer remember the
original meaning of festivals, and that most of us
treat them as opportunities to have fun. While I
agree that enjoyment seems to be the priority
during festival times, I do not agree that people
have forgotten what these festivals mean.
Question
The older generations tend to have very traditional
ideas about how people should live, think and
behave. However, some people believe that these
ideas are not helpful in preparing younger
generations for modern life.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this
view?
Introduction
It is true that many older people believe in
traditional values that often seem incompatible with
the needs of younger people. While I agree that
some traditional ideas are outdated, I believe that
others are still relevant and should not be forgotten.
Discuss both views and give opinion
In many countries, a small number of people earn
extremely high salaries. Some people believe that
this is good for the country, but others think that
governments should not allow salaries above a
certain level.
Discuss both these views and give your own
opinion.
People have different views about whether
governments should introduce a maximum wage.
While in some ways it may seem reasonable to allow
people to earn as much as companies are willing to
pay, I personally believe/I agree that employee
remuneration should be capped at a certain level.
Some people think that more money should be spent
to promote the use of bicycles in cities. Others,
however, believe that cities should focus on investing
in public transport systems.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Introduction:
People have different views about how best to
improve transportation in cities. While better
provision for cyclists would be a positive measure, I
would argue that further investment in public
transport should be the priority in most cities.
#2 People have different views about how much
choice students should have with regard to what
they can study at university. While some argue that
it would be better for students to be forced into
certain key subject areas, I believe that everyone
should be able to study the course of their choice.
In spite of these arguments, I believe
Strong Opinion and both sides
Here's the 'while' sentence formula:
"While I accept argument A, I favour argument B"
Early technological developments helped ordinary
people and changed their lives more than recent
developments. To what extent do you agree or
disagree?
Here's my introduction:
Technological progress has taken place throughout
the course of human history. While early
technologies certainly changed the lives of normal
people, I believe that recent breakthroughs have
had an even greater impact.
Teleworking, or the use of telecommunications to
allow people to work from home, should be adopted
by all employers in order to improve the quality of life
of their staff. To what extent do you agree or
disagree with this statement?
Here's my introduction:
The current trend towards teleworking is a positive
one in many respects. However, I strongly disagree
with the idea that it should be introduced in all work
contexts.
#2 Many people choose their jobs based on the size
of the salary offered. Personally, I disagree with the
idea that money is the key consideration when
deciding on a career, because I believe that other
factors are equally important.
#3 Climate change represents a major threat to life on
Earth, but some people argue that we need to accept
it rather than try to stop it. I completely disagree with
this opinion, because I believe that we still have time
to tackle this issue and reduce the human impact on
the Earth's climate
Two Questions
Many people prefer to watch foreign films rather
than locally produced films. Why could this be?
Should governments give more financial support to
local film industries?
It is true that foreign films are more popular in many
countries than domestically produced films. There
could be several reasons why this is the case, and I
believe that governments should promote local film-
making by subsidising the industry.
These days more fathers stay at home and take care
of their children while mothers go out to work. What
could be the reasons for this? Do you think it is a
positive or a negative development?
It is true that men are increasingly likely to take on
the role of househusband, while more women than
ever are the breadwinners in their families. There
could be several reasons for this, and I consider it to
be a very positive trend.
CONCLUSION IELTS Writing Task 2: main paragraph
methods
One sentence conclusion I always tell my students to choose a method
and stick to it. For main paragraphs, I teach
Strong Opinion them two easy ways to organise their ideas:

In conclusion, I would argue that people should be
free to enjoy extreme sports as long as they
understand the risks and take the appropriate
precautions.
#2 In conclusion, it is clear to me that we must
address the problem of climate change, and I
disagree with those who argue that we can find
ways to live with it.
Discuss both views (State your overall opinion)
1. Idea, explain, example: If you have
one main idea, this easy format will
help you to build a good paragraph.
2. Firstly, secondly, finally: If you have
two or three ideas, just use this format.
Miss the "finally" if you only have two
ideas, and remember that you can use
alternative words for the same
structure (e.g. The main reason,
another reason, also, furthermore).

In conclusion, it seems to me that it would be better,

on balance, for governments to set a limit on the
wages of the highest earners in society.

In conclusion, the economy is obviously a key marker

of a countrys success, but social, environmental and
health criteria are equally significant.

I completely agree with the idea that =

I fully support the view that

Rules in Agree and Disagree

Completely agree/disagree
Write 2 full paragraphs to support
your arguments
If you mention the other sides, try
to refute it to make your point
stronger.
Partly agree
Make a paragraph on each side of
the argument but use only: On the
one hand, I accept that... / On the
other hand, I also believe that...
Note: Do not mention other
people.. It shoud be purely about
your ideas