The exact words of the CAE official page:

 You’ll be asked to explain which of the two points is more important, and to
give reasons for your opinion.
What do I have to practise?
 Developing points as fully as possible to demonstrate structures, vocabulary
and language functions, such as: evaluating, expressing opinions,
hypothesising, justifying, persuading.

36 COMMON CAE ESSAY TOPICS

1. What is the best way to improve your English skills?

Language learning: English
 spending time in an English-speaking country
 attending intensive classes
 using films, videos and audio in English
2. What are the best methods to learn a language?
Language learning
 self-study
 learn witha teacher
 live abroad

3. Which subjects could be cut from the school curriculum?

Education: curriculum - cuts
 sports
 art
 music
4. Which courses should be included in the school curriculum?
Education: curriculum – additions
 ancient Greek and Latin
 computer studies
 plumbing
5 How can schools help students develop important life skills?
Education: skills development
 encourage more competitive sports
 have off-site team-building days
 introduce home-making and parenting classes
6. Which are the most suitable trips for school or college students?
Education: travelling
 visits to places of cultural interest abroad
 excursions in their own country
 foreign sports or adventure trips
7. Should UK universities charge tuition fees?
(Higher) education: tuition fees in UK
  no
 yes, but very low ones
 yes, high ones
8. Should universities be free for everyone?
(Higher) education: tuition
 tuition fees should be reduced, not eliminated
 tuition fees are necessary to pay professors and equipment
 universities would lose exclusivity if they are free
9. Who would make the best speaker at your college?
(Higher) education (role models)
 a tv celebrity
 a politician
 a renowned scientist

10. What are the facilities most needed in your area/ town?
Hometown/ community: facilities
 car park
 sports centre
 history museum
11. What are the major benefits of a bypass around the town?
Hometown/ community: bypass
 improved transport links
 less traffic congestion in the city centre
 a welcome reduction in pollution and noise
12. Which school facilities should receive money from local authorities?
Hometown/ community: funding school facilities
 library
 catering facilities
 swimming pool
13. In what way should local companies sponsor your school?
Hometown/ community: commercial sponsorship for your school
 generous funding
 professional management
 local involvement

14. Which is the best solution to housing problems in cities and towns?
City problems/ solutions: housing
 renovate empty properties
 extend the suburbs
 build high-rise blocks
15. Which are the best ways of reducing traffic flow in the cities?
City problems/ solutions: traffic
  improve public transport
 a toll fee on cars
 build more roads
16. What are the best measures to reduce traffic and pollution in big cities?
City problems/ solutions: traffic + pollution
 exclusive lanes for public transport
 congestion charge for vehicles accessing the city centre
 ban all vehicles from the city centre during busy hours

17. Which is the best way of producing healthy food in a cost-effective way?
Healthy lifestyle problems/ solutions: affordable healthy food
 genetically engineered food
 new technological methods and new pesticides
 traditional, old-fashioned methods with no pesticides
18. What are the most effective methods for weight loss?
Healthy lifestyle problems/ solutions (obesity) + advice
 sensible eating
 slimming pills
 regular exercise
19. What methods can encourage healthier eating in schoolchildren?
Healthy lifestyle problems/ solutions (food in schools) + education + children
 subsidy of healthy foods in school canteens
 school educational programmes
 ban on unhealthy foods in school canteens

20. How could the government increase the minimum wage?

Government policies: minimal wage
 enforce laws making companies pay living wages
 let the market decide if increasing the minimum wage is affordable
 reduce taxes on companies that give lowest-earning employees raises
21. Which charities should receive governmental funds?
Government policies: charities
 sports and recreation
 health
 human rights
22. What can governments do to encourage people to exercise more?
Government policies: encouraging movement
 more sports facilities
 education
 media campaigns
23. What methods can governments use to encourage an interest in science?
Government policies: encouraging science
  tv programmes
 improved teaching facilities
 career opportunities
24. How should authorities protect children against too much screen use?
Government policies: children + media
 encouraging parents to take action
 publicising the problems
 persuading users to limit their own use
25. Which methods can governments use to save on local library services?
Government policies: public libraries (cuts)
 reduced hours
 library closures
 voluntary assistants

26. On which days should shops be open in the EU?

Everyday life: shop timetables
 7 days a week plus holidays
 closed on Sundays and all public holidays
 shop owner's choice
27. What are the foremost advantages of working from home?
Everyday life: work from home
 no travelling
 flexibility
 comfort
28. How can people turn their hobbies into careers?
Everyday life: hobbies + careers
 find a very creative hobby
 figure out how to market their hobby
 advertise themselves and what they do

29. What are the best methods for minimising the use of fossil fuels?
Environment problems/ solutions (fossil fuels)
 recycling
 increasing taxes on petrol
 increasing the use of nuclear energy
30. What initiatives can the public take to protect the environment?
Environment problems/ solutions (pollution)
 consuming less electricity
 using greener means of transport
 recycling
31. Which methods should be used to reduce plastic pollution?
Environment problems/ solutions (plastic pollution)
  ban plastic bags
 use biodegradable plastic bags
 charge customers for bags

32. Which forms of renewable energy are most suitable for a tourist island?
Tourism: renewable energy
 wind turbines
 solar panels
 nuclear power

33. What are the main aspects of reality and talent tv shows?
Society: TV, entertainment
 entertainment for viewers
 influence on young people
 effect on participants
34. What are the reasons why young people commit crimes?
Society: Crime + young people
 lack of control by parents
 influence of friends
 absence of opportunities in life
35. What are the advantages of digital technology in everyday life?
Society: Technology + everyday life
 communication
 access to information
 shopping and services
36. Why it is difficult to know the truth about historical events?
Society: History + popular culture/ politics
 evidence
 popular culture
 politics