IELTS Writing Task 2

Essay Topics Selected from Outside China
From May 2011 to April 2012
Edited by Jeenn Lee Hsieh
海外大学教师谢振礼整理

Do you agree or disagree with the following statements (1-100)?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

100>Computer games for children are supported by some families because of their advantages while other parents are against them. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

99>Nowadays people are forgetting national celebrations and enjoying themselves on other days that are important to them personally.

98>Is playing computer games by youngsters a good or bad thing?

97>Men and women in full-time jobs have to share evenly household chores and caring for children at home.

96>Some say that people should continue to work in the same jobs for a lifetime; others say that they should change the job at least once in their career.

95>In certain cultures old age is considered to be more important while in others it is the opposite, children are thought to be more important.

94>Some people think that spending a lot on wedding parties, birthday parties and other celebrations is just a waste of money. Others, however, think that these are necessary for individuals and the society.

93>Parents in jobs that require a lot of traveling have no time for their family. How does this affect the family and the parents?

92>Some think that computer games are dangerous for children in every way; while others think that computer games help children's development.

91>Many university students live with their families while others need to live away from home because their universities are in different cities. What are advantages and disadvantages in both situations?

90>Some people say that for a hobby to be enjoyable it should be difficult to a degree.

89>Nowadays children have too much freedom.

88>Most people prefer shopping in supermarkets to small shops or local markets. Is this a positive or negative development?

87>Nowadays in many countries the proportion of older people is higher than that of younger people. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

86>Some people believe that children should be brought up in cities. Others believe that countryside offers a better environment for children. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

85>Many experts hold the opinion that the increasing demand for oil and gas means people should should look for new sources of energy for the future. Others feel that the damage to the land would be a major disadvantage of such search. What is your opinion?

84>Television has the biggest impact on our life because it is the most popular way of getting information.

83>These days people pay more attention to artists (writers, painters and so on) and give less importance to science and technology.

82>Why do criminal programs and films on TV have become so popular? What are the reasons for it and the effect on the society?

81>Many people say that companies and private tour operators should pay the bills for cleaning up pollution, instead of the government.

80>Some say young people should choose the career they want to follow on their own. Others on the contrary say that the choice should be made by teachers and parents. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

79>Some people say that younger children should follow their instincts and be allowed to behave as freely as they want, while others disagree. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

78>In many countries prices of airplane tickets have dropped. Is it a positive or negative development?

77>Our life has become more complex due modern technology. Some think that we should do without modern technology and live a simpler life.

76>Due to the new technologies and the internet, radio is going to disappear in a few years.

75>Some think that developing countries should invite large foreign companies to open offices and factories in order to help their economy. However, others feel that foreign companies should be shut out, and instead the government should help the local companies to contribute to the economic growth.

74>Employers now tend to prefer employees with good social skills in addition to good qualifications. Social skills are getting more and more important compared to qualifications.

73>Nowadays companies put more emphasis on social skills in the recruitment process.

72>Nowadays, young people are admiring media and sports stars even though they do not set a good example. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

71>Some people say that to become a good teacher, you should acquire enough training, while others say that teaching capabilities can be developed on experience. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

70>Why do you think that artists like writers, musicians and painters still have value in our society?

69>Some people believe that students work better if the teacher is strict; others think it is better for students if the teacher has a friendly approach. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

68>Economic growth helps to improve the standard of living. However, some researchers show that people in developing countries are happy with this trend, while people in developed countries are not happy about it.

67>Nowadays both scientists and tourists can go to remote natural environments such as the South Pole. Do you think the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

66>Today food is traveling thousands of kilometers from where it is produced. Is this a positive or negative trend?

65>Public transport could be made free of charge. Are there more advantages or disadvantages to this change

64>Richness is an important factor in helping people.

63>Some people think that advertising is good for economy; others say it can cause people to desire something unnecessary or completely useless. What is your opinion?

62>Nowadays people spend too much money on clothes, hairstyles and beauty products. Some say it is a necessity while others think this is a waste of money. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

61>Some people prefer planning for the future while others think we should focus on the present.

60>People aim to achieve the balance between their work and lives, but few people achieve it. What are the causes of the problem? How to overcome the problem.

59>The aging populations of some developed countries are going to cause social and economic problems in the future, especially for the younger generation.

58>Full-time university students need to spend a lot of time on studying, but it is essential to get involved in other activities.

57>Many countries are paying attention to environmental problems, but the attention is not making environmental situations better.

56>The development of modern technology has made people's life more complex and stressful, so people should choose to have a simple and easy life without using technology.

55>Some people think that spreading multinational companies and the increasing globalization produce positive effects to everyone.

54>Many shops work 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Some people see it as a good idea, while others think that this is a bad idea. Discuss both sides.

53>Some people think that young people should follow traditions of their society while others think that young people should be free to behave as individuals.

52>Are famous people treated fairly by the media? Should they be given more privacy, or the price of their fame an invasion into their private lives?

51>Some people think that to have a successful life you have to have a university education, while others think that it is not that important.

50>Some people believe that a staff who has been working for long time in the company should be promoted to the senior level. What is your opinion about this matter?

49>Developments in technology have caused environmental problems. Some say this can be solved by living a simple life. Others think that technology can solve these problems. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

48>Often new commercial centers are planed with respect to green areas and sport facilities. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why?

47>Some argue that teaching students of different abilities in one classroom is not beneficial. Discuss and give your opinion.

46>These days people often feel stressed. What are the reasons for stress in people's lives? What are the solutions?

45>Several languages die every year. Many people feel this is a positive trend and that a world with fewer languages promote harmony and understanding between people. Analyze both sides of this argument and provide your opinion.

44>News is a source of knowledge about the world. How much can we trust the journalists? What are the qualities of a good journalist should have?

43>Nowadays a growing throw-away culture causes people to throw away their goods and replace them with new, latest technology ones available on the market. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of culture for our society.

42>Even though developing countries receive financial help, poverty is still an issue. Some say they should be receiving other kind of help to eliminate poverty. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give examples and suggest what other form of help can be offered.

41>Every year rare languages disappear from the world. Some people say this is not important because it is better to have fewer languages. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

40>In many countries crime is increasing. What are the main reasons for this? What can be done to improve the situation? Support your position with relevant examples and include your own experience.

39>In the past people wore their traditional clothes and followed their culture. These days people wear similar clothes and look very similar to one another. Do you think this is positive or negative development?

38>Many people believe that teachers should teach students how to judge right from wrong and how to behave, while others think they should just teach academic subjects. What is your opinion?

37>Some say that public health is important and there should be more sports facilities. Others say that they have small impact on individuals. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

36>Job satisfaction is far less important than job security in the modern workplace. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

35>Reducing the global environmental damage should be handled by the governments rather than individuals Discuss both views and include your own opinion.

34>Some people believe that keeping pets is beneficial while others believe it is a bad idea. Discuss both views and include your own opinion.

33>Some people believe that universities are producing more graduates than needed, and that less emphasis should be placed on university education. Others are of a different opinion. Discuss both views and include your own opinion.

32>Television has changed the quality of life for the ordinary person. Do you agree or disagree?

31>Environmental pollution is a serious issue and it is important to take steps on an individual level to reduce it. But now, since it is becoming an international issue, it is time to take environmental protection to a higher level. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

30>Many old cities around the world are going through major process of modernization. What are the advantages and disadvantages of modernization?

29>Theoretical subjects like mathematics, philosophy, and economics should be removed from the university education, whereas most of the students are interested in taking practical subjects such as computer engineering and so on. Do you agree or disagree with statement?

28>People in former times used to be more dependent on one another, whereas nowadays they lead a more independent life. Do you agree or disagree?

27>International sporting events are a cause of concern to the hosting country. Do you agree or disagree?

26>Most children spend a lot of time watching TV shows and playing computer games. Should parents limit the time spent in front of the TV or PC for them? Give your opinion.

25>Nowadays TV news show a lot of disaster scenes and violence. What effects on individuals and society in general can this have?

24>Some countries are providing general education in secondary schools, while others are teaching skills specific to a future career. Which type of education would be a better choice these days, in your opinion?

23>Nowadays families spend little time doing things together. What are the reasons that parents spend less time with their children? Explain the positive and negative effects of this development. Give examples from your knowledge and experience.

22>The number of older people is increasing. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?

21>Nowadays some secondary schools give children general education in a range of traditional disciplines, while others claim to be more specialized and pay attention to some particular classes, excluding some general ones. Which of two school types is better for children and why?

20>Some say that artists--musicians, writers, painters--should be supported by the government. Others think it would be a waster of money. Discuss both arguments and give your opinion. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

19>Some think that news and the media have too much influence on people's lives. Is it a negative or positive development?

18>In the past lecturers could teach a certain number of students in one lecture hall. With the development of new technology it is hard to justify the reason to participate in the lecture physically and not via the Internet. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? What is your personal opinion?

17>In some countries, grandparents play a significant role in bringing up children. Is it good or bad?

16>In the last century, the first man walking on the moon said: "It is a giant step for mankind." However, some people think it makes little difference to our daily lives. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

15>Some people think that schools are merely turning children into good citizens and workers, rather than benefitting them as individuals. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

14>Some people believe that advertisements targeting children may have negative effects on them, and suggest banning such advertisements as a solution. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

13>Parents often buy their children many toys. What are the advantages and disadvantages having a large number of toys? Use examples from your knowledge and experience?

12>Many people watch foreign films first, before locally produced films. Why is that so? If the government in your country decides to invest in the film industry, will you support them to do so and why? Include your experience in the essay.

11>There is an increase in violence in society because police officers carry guns. To what an extent do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer and include examples from your personal experience.

10>Many students take a year off in order to work before they go to college or university. Do you think this has more advantages than disadvantages?

09>All high or secondary school students should be taught how to manage money, because it is an important life skill. Do you agree or disagree?

08>Some people believe that governments should ban dangerous sports. Others claim that they should have freedom to choose their favorite activities. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

07>Nowadays we see an increase in social problems involving teenagers. Many people believe that it is because parents spend more time at work and less time with their children. Do you agree or disagree?

06>There is a trend in some countries to get married at an older age and also to have their own children later in life. Is this a positive or negative development?

05>Nowadays, many countries have advanced science and new technologies. There are also many artists, such as painters and writers. In your opinion, what things can art tell us about life that science cannot? Give reasons and examples.

04>Some think that giving a weekly allowance to children will help them to face less problems when they are adults. Do you agree or disagree?

03>Today many people tend to move to another country or a different region of the same country after retirement. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of such move.

02>In most parts of the world people are living longer. What are the possible causes of this situation? Is this a negative or positive development?

01>Early technological developments brought more benefits and changes to people to people's life than the recent technological developments. To what extent do you agree or disagree?