IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics 2025: Predicted Questions & Model Essays

Knowing which topics are likely to appear in your IELTS Writing Task 2 exam gives you a significant advantage. While you cannot predict the exact question, IELTS consistently draws from a set of recurring themes. By preparing vocabulary, ideas, and arguments for these themes, you walk into the exam ready to tackle almost any question with confidence.

This guide presents 20 predicted and commonly tested topics for 2025, organized by theme, with brief essay outlines for each and two complete model essays to study.

How IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics Work

Task 2 questions always ask you to write a formal academic essay of at least 250 words in 40 minutes. The question types include:

1. Opinion (Agree/Disagree): "To what extent do you agree or disagree?"
2. Discussion: "Discuss both views and give your opinion."
3. Problem/Solution: "What problems does this cause? What solutions can you suggest?"
4. Advantages/Disadvantages: "Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?"
5. Two-part question: Two related questions to answer

Technology Topics (2025)

1. AI and Employment

"Artificial intelligence will lead to widespread job losses. Do the advantages of AI outweigh the disadvantages?"

Outline: Advantages — increased productivity, new job creation in tech, reduction of dangerous tasks. Disadvantages — job displacement in routine work, widening inequality, ethical concerns. Position — advantages outweigh if governments invest in retraining.

2. Social Media and Mental Health

"Social media has a negative impact on young people's mental health. To what extent do you agree or disagree?"

Outline: Agree — cyberbullying, unrealistic comparisons, addiction, reduced face-to-face interaction. Partially disagree — provides community for isolated individuals, platform for self-expression. Position — largely agree but nuanced.

3. Remote Work

"Working from home has become more common. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages."

Outline: Advantages — flexibility, no commute, better work-life balance. Disadvantages — isolation, blurred work-life boundaries, reduced team collaboration. Conclusion — benefits both employers and employees when balanced with office time.

4. Screen Time and Children

"Children are spending too much time on electronic devices. What problems does this cause and what solutions can be proposed?"

Outline: Problems — reduced physical activity, impaired social development, sleep disruption, exposure to inappropriate content. Solutions — parental time limits, schools teaching digital literacy, government regulation of children's content.

Environment Topics (2025)

5. Individual vs Government Responsibility

"Environmental protection is the responsibility of governments, not individuals. To what extent do you agree or disagree?"

Outline: Government role — legislation, investment in infrastructure, international agreements. Individual role — consumer choices, recycling, reducing carbon footprint. Position — shared responsibility, both essential.

6. Renewable Energy Transition

"All countries should switch to renewable energy sources immediately. Do you agree or disagree?"

Outline: Arguments for — climate urgency, falling costs, job creation. Arguments against — infrastructure limitations, economic disruption, energy security during transition. Position — gradual but committed transition is more realistic.

7. Urban vs Rural Environmental Impact

"Urbanisation is the biggest cause of environmental problems. Discuss."

Outline: Urban impact — pollution, waste, habitat loss. Counter — cities are more energy-efficient per capita, rural agriculture also causes damage. Conclusion — both contribute, solutions needed for each context.

8. Plastic Pollution

"Governments should ban all single-use plastics. To what extent do you agree or disagree?"

Outline: Arguments for — devastating environmental impact, alternatives exist, successful bans elsewhere. Arguments against — economic impact on businesses, not all alternatives are practical, individual responsibility also matters. Position — largely agree with phased implementation.

Education Topics (2025)

9. University Education Value

"A university degree is no longer necessary for a successful career. To what extent do you agree or disagree?"

Outline: Agree — entrepreneurship, vocational skills, self-taught tech professionals. Disagree — career opportunities, critical thinking development, networking. Position — degree still valuable but not the only path.

10. Online vs Traditional Learning

"Online education will replace traditional classroom learning in the future. Do you agree or disagree?"

Outline: Online advantages — flexibility, accessibility, cost-effective. Classroom advantages — social interaction, hands-on learning, discipline. Position — blended approach is most likely and effective.

11. Arts vs Sciences in Education

"Schools should focus more on science and technology than arts and humanities. Discuss both views."

Outline: Sciences — economic competitiveness, problem-solving, career preparation. Arts — creativity, cultural understanding, emotional intelligence. Position — balanced curriculum is essential.

12. Testing and Assessment

"Standardised tests are not an effective way to assess students. To what extent do you agree?"

Outline: Problems with testing — stress, narrow curriculum, does not measure all abilities. Benefits — objective measurement, accountability, comparability. Position — useful as one tool but should not be the only assessment method.

Health Topics (2025)

13. Government Role in Health

"Governments should make unhealthy food more expensive to encourage healthy eating. Do you agree?"

Outline: Agree — proven effectiveness of sugar taxes, public health benefit, reduced healthcare costs. Disagree — regressive for low-income families, personal choice, education more effective. Position — taxation combined with subsidies for healthy food.

14. Mental Health in the Workplace

"Employers have a responsibility to protect the mental health of their employees. Discuss."

Outline: Employer responsibilities — workload management, support services, positive culture. Limits — personal responsibility, cannot address all issues, cost concerns. Position — shared responsibility with employers taking a proactive role.

15. Exercise and Public Health

"Governments should provide free access to sports facilities to improve public health. To what extent do you agree?"

Outline: Agree — removes financial barriers, preventive health, community building. Disagree — costly for taxpayers, people may not use them, other priorities. Position — agree for basic facilities, with targeted programmes for at-risk groups.

Society Topics (2025)

16. Gender Equality

"Gender equality has been achieved in most developed countries. To what extent do you agree?"

Outline: Progress made — legal rights, education access, political representation. Remaining gaps — pay gap, underrepresentation in leadership, unpaid domestic work. Position — significant progress but equality not yet fully achieved.

17. Crime and Punishment

"Prison is not an effective punishment. Most criminals reoffend after release. What alternatives are there?"

Outline: Why prison fails — overcrowding, criminal networks, no rehabilitation, stigma after release. Alternatives — community service, rehabilitation programmes, restorative justice, education and vocational training. Position — combination of alternatives based on crime severity.

18. Ageing Population

"Many countries face an ageing population. What are the effects and what measures can be taken?"

Outline: Effects — increased healthcare costs, pension burden, labour shortages. Measures — raising retirement age, encouraging immigration, investing in automation, supporting older workers.

19. Cultural Globalisation

"Globalisation leads to the loss of cultural identity. Do you agree or disagree?"

Outline: Agree — homogenisation of culture, dominance of Western brands, loss of local traditions. Disagree — cultural exchange, technology preserves traditions, people can embrace both global and local identity. Position — partially agree, active preservation needed.

20. Housing Affordability

"In many cities, housing has become unaffordable for ordinary people. What are the causes and solutions?"

Outline: Causes — population growth, foreign investment, insufficient construction, low wages. Solutions — government-built housing, rent controls, incentives for construction, affordable housing requirements for developers.

Model Essay 1: Technology and Employment

"As technology develops, more and more jobs will be done by robots and artificial intelligence. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?"

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and robotics has sparked a global debate about the future of human employment. While the automation of routine tasks raises legitimate concerns about job displacement, I believe the advantages of this technological shift ultimately outweigh the disadvantages, provided that governments take proactive measures to support affected workers.

The primary concern regarding automation is the potential for widespread unemployment. As machines become capable of performing tasks that were previously done by humans — from manufacturing to data entry to basic customer service — millions of workers may find their skills obsolete. This could lead to increased social inequality, as those without the ability to adapt may be left behind in an increasingly digital economy.

However, the advantages of automation are substantial and far-reaching. Firstly, robots and AI can perform dangerous tasks that currently put human lives at risk, such as mining, deep-sea exploration, and handling hazardous materials. Secondly, automation dramatically increases productivity, which can lead to economic growth and lower costs for consumers. Perhaps most importantly, history has shown that technological revolutions, while disruptive in the short term, ultimately create more jobs than they eliminate. The digital revolution, for example, has generated entirely new industries in software development, digital marketing, and data science that did not exist a generation ago.

In conclusion, although the transition to automated workplaces will undoubtedly cause short-term disruption, the long-term benefits of increased productivity, improved safety, and new job creation outweigh the disadvantages. The key is for governments to invest in education and retraining programmes to ensure that workers can adapt to the changing employment landscape.

Word count: 262

Model Essay 2: Education and Practical Skills

"Some people believe that schools should focus on academic subjects, while others think practical life skills are equally important. Discuss both views and give your opinion."

There is an ongoing debate about whether schools should prioritise traditional academic subjects or allocate more time to teaching practical life skills. Both perspectives have merit, and in my view, the most effective education systems find a balance between the two approaches.

Those who advocate for a primarily academic focus argue that subjects like mathematics, science, and literature provide students with the foundational knowledge needed for higher education and professional careers. Academic rigour develops critical thinking, analytical skills, and the ability to process complex information — competencies that are essential in virtually every career path. Furthermore, academic qualifications remain a primary criterion for university admission and employment in most countries, meaning that students who lack strong academic preparation may find their future opportunities limited.

On the other hand, proponents of practical life skills education contend that schools are failing to prepare students for the realities of adult life. Many young graduates enter the workforce without knowing how to manage personal finances, cook nutritious meals, or navigate basic legal and administrative processes. Teaching skills such as financial literacy, communication, and emotional intelligence would equip students to handle challenges that academic knowledge alone cannot address. In countries like Finland, where the curriculum includes substantial practical components, students consistently perform well in both academic assessments and life satisfaction measures.

In my opinion, schools should integrate practical skills into the existing curriculum rather than treating them as separate from academic learning. For instance, mathematical concepts can be taught through financial planning exercises, and science can be made relevant through cooking and nutrition projects. This approach ensures that students develop both intellectual foundations and the practical competencies needed for a well-rounded, independent life.

Word count: 271

Practice writing your own essays on these topics with AI-powered feedback on our writing practice page. You can also try our exam simulator to practise under timed conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these the actual IELTS questions for 2025?

No. IELTS does not publish future questions, and no one can predict the exact wording. These topics are based on recurring themes that have appeared consistently in recent exams and are highly likely to appear in various forms. Preparing ideas for these themes ensures you are ready for most potential questions.

How should I use model essays in my preparation?

Do not memorize model essays — examiners will detect this and penalize you. Instead, study them for: (1) essay structure, (2) how arguments are developed, (3) useful vocabulary and phrases, (4) how the writer addresses all parts of the question. Then practice writing your own essays using similar techniques.

How many topics should I prepare for?

Preparing ideas for 8-10 major themes (technology, education, environment, health, crime, society, culture, government, work, media) will cover virtually any Task 2 question. For each theme, have 2-3 arguments and examples ready that you can adapt to specific questions.

Is 250 words enough for a good Task 2 score?

The minimum is 250 words, but most high-scoring essays are 270-300 words. Do not aim to write significantly more than 300 words, as this increases the chance of errors and wastes time that could be spent on proofreading. Quality and precision always matter more than length.