100 IELTS Task 2 Questions by Type (Organised for Practice)

Overview

IELTS Task 2 Questions by Type is one of the most effective ways to practise smart — not just hard.
When students understand how different question types work, their writing becomes more focused, structured, and exam-ready.

“Back when I started mentoring IELTS students, I noticed something strange…
Most learners didn’t struggle with ideas — they struggled with identifying the question type.”

Hi there 👋
I’m your mentor on this journey to IELTS Writing success — and if you’re like most students I’ve worked with, you’ve probably asked yourself:

“Why does my essay score stay stuck, even when I write regularly?”

You’re not alone.

Just a few months ago, one of my students — Anita from India — said something that really stuck with me:

“I feel like I write okay, but I never know what the examiner really wants.”

When I looked at her essays, I realised what was missing: she wasn’t matching her structure to the question type.
She was writing an opinion-style response for a discussion essay — and losing marks for Task Response, even though her ideas were solid.

Once she started practising by essay type, her writing transformed. Within four weeks, she went from a Band 6.0 to a Band 7.5 — just by changing how she practised.

That’s exactly what this guide is built for.

Below, you’ll find 100 real-style IELTS Task 2 questions, carefully grouped into the 5 main essay types used in the official exam.

Each type requires a different strategy — and when you practise with that in mind, you build structure-based writing habits that actually stick.

Let’s get you writing with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
And don’t worry — I’ll guide you like we’re studying together.

How to Use This List Effectively

Before you jump into the questions, let me share the same step-by-step strategy I use with students like Anita.

Don’t just scroll and pick one that sounds interesting. That’s like going to the gym and randomly jumping on machines — you might feel productive, but you’ll miss the muscle memory part.

Here’s the game plan:

📅 Pick 1–2 questions per week from each essay type.
This helps your brain recognise patterns. Over time, you’ll stop second-guessing yourself and start responding naturally — like muscle memory for writing.

⏱️ Set a timer for 40 minutes — no distractions, no drafts.
Write like it’s test day. Treat every essay as real practice. You’ll build speed, structure, and confidence.

🧱 Use the correct structure for each question type.
Each essay type has a different layout. Using the wrong one can cost you points — even if your grammar and vocabulary are great.

🎯 Self-assess using IELTS Band Descriptors.
Ask: Did I fully address the task? Are my ideas clearly organised? Am I using linking phrases and topic sentences properly?

🗒️ Track your writing.
Keep a notebook or spreadsheet. Include: question used, essay type, your score, and what you’d improve. That little habit makes a big difference.

Opinion Essays (Agree or Disagree)

Let’s start with one of the most common — and deceptively tricky — essay types: Opinion Essays.

These are the ones where the question asks:
👉 Do you agree or disagree?
👉 To what extent do you agree or disagree?

A lot of students assume these are easy — “Just say what you think, right?”
Well… yes and no.

My student Hamza, a civil engineering graduate from Pakistan, once told me,

“I always write what I believe. But I keep scoring 6.5.”

When we sat down to look at his writing, I saw the issue:
He had great ideas, but his essay lacked a clear position in the introduction and conclusion.
Plus, his body paragraphs were arguing both sides — which is more suitable for a discussion essay.

So here’s your golden rule for Opinion Essays:
🎯 Choose one clear side — and support it throughout.
Even if you’re slightly in the middle, you must lean clearly toward agree or disagree. The examiner wants clarity, not confusion.

Here are 20 authentic-style Opinion Essay questions for you to practise.
For each one, ask yourself:

• What’s my opinion?
• What’s the clearest way to structure it?
• Can I support each body paragraph with one strong reason and example?

Now you’re ready. Let’s jump in 👇

Instruction keywords: Do you agree or disagree? / To what extent do you agree or disagree?

1. Governments should invest more in public transport than in roads. Do you agree or disagree?
2. The best way to learn about life is by travelling. Do you agree or disagree?
3. Social media has more negative impacts on society than positive ones. Do you agree or disagree?
4. Zoos are cruel and should be banned. Do you agree or disagree?
5. Advertising encourages people to buy unnecessary things. Do you agree or disagree?
6. University education should be free for everyone. Do you agree or disagree?
7. Working from home benefits employees more than employers. Do you agree or disagree?
8. Young people today are more influenced by celebrities than by parents. Do you agree or disagree?
9. Success is more about luck than hard work. Do you agree or disagree?
10. It is better to live in cities than in rural areas. Do you agree or disagree?
11. Technology has made our lives more complicated. Do you agree or disagree?
12. Art and music should be compulsory in schools. Do you agree or disagree?
13. Fast food is a major cause of global health problems. Do you agree or disagree?
14. It is more important to spend public money on healthcare than on space research. Do you agree or disagree?
15. Books are a better source of knowledge than the internet. Do you agree or disagree?
16. Parents should control children’s internet usage. Do you agree or disagree?
17. The voting age should be lowered to 16. Do you agree or disagree?
18. Online learning is more effective than classroom learning. Do you agree or disagree?
19. Physical education is just as important as academic subjects. Do you agree or disagree?
20. Celebrities deserve the high salaries they earn. Do you agree or disagree?

Discussion Essays (Discuss Both Views + Your Opinion)

Next up: Discussion Essays — one of the most common essay types, and also one of the easiest to get wrong if you’re not careful.

Here’s what I mean.

My student Anita, who was aiming for a Band 7.5 to study in the UK, once said:

“I thought I was doing great because I mentioned both views… but my score stayed at Band 6.”

When I looked at her writing, the problem jumped out instantly:
She was discussing both views really well — but she never clearly gave her own opinion. That cost her points in Task Response, even though the rest of her essay was solid.

So if you’re practising this type, remember:
✅ Discuss both views in detail — one paragraph per view
✅ Give your opinion clearly (in the introduction and conclusion — and ideally in a separate body paragraph too)
✅ Don’t just explain — compare and evaluate

 

Instruction keywords: Discuss both views and give your opinion

Here are 20 practice questions for you to work with. As you go through them, practise writing balanced, fair arguments — then make your own view shine through like a highlighter.

Ready to build that Band 7+ structure? Let’s go 👇

1. Some believe exams are the best way to assess students, while others think continuous assessment is better. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
2. Some people think job satisfaction is more important than salary. Others believe a high salary is essential. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
3. Some people say children should start school at an early age. Others believe they should start later. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
4. Some believe it is better to learn practical skills, while others prefer academic study. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
5. Some think teachers should be replaced with technology. Others say teachers are essential. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
6. Some people think history is the most important subject. Others believe science and technology are more valuable. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
7. Some argue that parents should teach children discipline. Others say schools should be responsible. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
8. Some believe children should do homework daily. Others argue homework should be minimal. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
9. Some believe public libraries are no longer useful. Others disagree. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
10. Some people think it’s better to raise children in the countryside. Others prefer urban environments. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
11. Some say the government should support artists. Others think this money should be spent elsewhere. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
12. Some believe reading fiction is a waste of time. Others think it develops creativity. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
13. Some think sports should be a compulsory part of education. Others think it distracts from academic learning. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
14. Some think shopping online is better. Others prefer traditional stores. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
15. Some believe that elderly people should live with family. Others think they should live in care homes. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
16. Some argue higher education should prepare students for work. Others believe its purpose is personal development. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
17. Some think people should save money. Others believe we should enjoy our income. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
18. Some believe owning a car is essential. Others think it’s better to use public transport. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
19. Some say parents should limit children’s screen time. Others say it helps learning. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
20. Some people think tourism is harmful. Others think it helps local economies. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Problem-Solution Essays

Now let’s talk about Problem-Solution essays — one of the most practical and real-world focused tasks in the IELTS Writing exam.

These questions usually ask two things:
👉 What are the problems?
👉 What are the solutions?

Sounds simple, right? But there’s a catch — and my student Carlos from Spain learned this the hard way.

He told me:

“I gave three great solutions in my essay — but I still got Band 6.5.”

When we reviewed his writing, I noticed he had jumped straight into solutions without clearly explaining the problems first.
Even worse, some solutions didn’t directly match the problems he briefly mentioned.

Here’s the mindset shift I gave him — and now I’m sharing it with you:
🎯 Treat your essay like a report to a city mayor. First, explain the problem clearly. Then suggest one or two strong, relevant solutions. Keep it realistic and logical — not just general advice.

Instruction keywords: What are the problems? What solutions can you suggest?

Here are 20 practice questions that deal with issues many people face every day. Use them to practise explaining causes clearly and solving them with well-developed ideas.

As always, aim for clarity over complexity. Let’s jump in 👇

1. Many people in cities suffer from stress. What are the causes and what solutions can you suggest?
2. Air pollution is becoming a serious problem. What are the causes and what can be done?
3. Many students struggle with debt after university. What are the reasons? What can be done?
4. Childhood obesity is on the rise. What are the causes and what can parents do?
5. Unemployment among young people is a growing issue. What are the causes and solutions?
6. Many people are addicted to social media. What problems does this cause? What are the solutions?
7. Road traffic is increasing. What problems does this create and what can be done?
8. Some cities suffer from a lack of green space. What are the consequences and what can be done?
9. Crime among teenagers is increasing. What are the causes and solutions?
10. Water shortage is a global concern. What causes it and how can it be resolved?
11. Many people suffer from poor work-life balance. What problems arise and how can it be fixed?
12. Online fraud is a growing concern. What problems are caused and what can be done?
13. Homelessness is a major problem in many countries. What causes this and how can it be tackled?
14. Food waste is a global issue. What causes it and how can it be reduced?
15. Many students dislike school. What are the reasons and what can be done to improve this?
16. Cyberbullying affects many young people. What are the problems and how can it be prevented?
17. Plastic pollution is damaging our planet. What are the causes and solutions?
18. Noise pollution is increasing in cities. What problems does this cause and how can we address it?
19. Illiteracy remains a problem in some countries. What are the causes and what can be done?
20. Some workers feel unmotivated in their jobs. What problems does this cause? How can motivation be improved?

Advantages and Disadvantages Essays

Let’s move on to one of the most balanced essay types: the Advantages and Disadvantages essay.

This task wants you to explore both sides of a situation — not just give your opinion. The real challenge? Doing it without sounding like a list.

My student Li Wei from China faced exactly that issue.

“I wrote five advantages and five disadvantages — still got a Band 6. Why?”

When we reviewed his essay, the problem was clear:
His paragraphs were too shallow — short points without any explanation or examples.
In IELTS Writing, it’s not about how many ideas you list…
👉 It’s about how clearly and fully you develop each one.

So here’s my advice:
🎯 Choose one or two strong points for each side, and go deep. Explain, give a reason, and include a realistic example.
And if the question asks “Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?” — make sure your opinion is crystal clear.

Instruction keywords: What are the advantages and disadvantages? / Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

Below are 20 IELTS-style questions to help you practise writing balanced, thoughtful responses. For each one, try to develop your points with care — like you’re explaining it to someone unfamiliar with the topic.

Let’s build that structure one essay at a time 👇

1. Working remotely is becoming more common. What are the advantages and disadvantages?
2. Using technology in classrooms is increasing. What are the benefits and drawbacks?
3. Studying abroad is becoming popular. What are the pros and cons?
4. Online shopping is replacing in-store shopping. Discuss advantages and disadvantages.
5. Many people rely on cars for transport. What are the benefits and problems?
6. Children watching TV at an early age. What are the advantages and disadvantages?
7. Tourism brings both benefits and problems. Discuss both.
8. Using credit cards instead of cash. What are the pros and cons?
9. Online learning for university students. What are the advantages and disadvantages?
10. Having a small family vs large family. Discuss the benefits and drawbacks.
11. Internet access everywhere: advantages and disadvantages.
12. Relying on GPS for navigation: benefits and problems.
13. Solar energy as an alternative to fossil fuels. Pros and cons.
14. Studying multiple languages in school. Benefits and challenges.
15. Having CCTV in public spaces. Discuss both sides.
16. Travelling solo vs with a group. What are the pros and cons?
17. Freelancing instead of full-time employment. Advantages and disadvantages?
18. Gap years after school. What are the advantages and disadvantages?
19. Watching news online instead of TV. Pros and cons?
20. City life vs rural life. Discuss both benefits and drawbacks.

Two-Part / Direct Question Essays

You made it to the fifth and final IELTS Task 2 question type — the one that catches a lot of students by surprise: Two-Part Questions, also known as Direct Questions.

These prompts usually give you two questions in one task — and that’s where it gets tricky.

My student Sara, a nurse from Nigeria, once told me:

“I answered one part really well, but I didn’t even notice there was a second question until I had five minutes left!”

It’s a common mistake — and one that can seriously hurt your Task Response score.

So here’s what you need to remember when you see a direct question essay:

🎯 Always answer both questions fully and equally.
It’s not an opinion essay or a discussion. Each question in the prompt is independent, and both need a clear, well-developed paragraph.

Think of it like this:
You’re replying to an email with two clear bullet points. If you skip one, the person reading it won’t be impressed — and in IELTS, that means a lower score.

 

Instruction keywords:
Why is this the case? / Is this a positive or negative development? / What are the reasons? / What can be done?

Here are 20 practice questions to help you get comfortable with answering both parts completely.
Try writing a mini-plan before you start each one — that habit alone can save your score on test day.

You’ve got this. Let’s finish strong 👇

1. Many people are shopping online instead of in stores. Why is this? Is it a positive or negative development?
2. Fewer people are reading books these days. Why is this happening? What can be done?
3. Many people change careers later in life. Why? Is this good or bad?
4. Parents spend less time with children now. Why? What effects does this have?
5. Students prefer using devices over writing by hand. Why is this happening? Is it positive or negative?
6. More people are choosing to live alone. Why is this trend increasing? Is it a good thing?
7. Many people are moving to urban areas. Why? What problems can it create?
8. Fast food is gaining popularity. Why? Is it a positive or negative development?
9. Public transport is underused in some countries. Why? What can be done?
10. More people are working from home. Why is this the case? Is it a positive trend?
11. Women are taking more leadership roles. Why is this happening? Is it a positive development?
12. Some people prefer online friendships. Why is this happening? Is it good or bad?
13. Students study abroad more than before. Why? Is this a good thing?
14. Technology is changing how we communicate. Why? Is it positive or negative?
15. Many people are doing online courses. Why? Is this good or bad?
16. More people eat out than cook at home. Why? Is this a healthy trend?
17. Young people are delaying marriage. Why is this? Is it a good or bad trend?
18. People are working longer hours. Why? What are the consequences?
19. Technology is reducing physical activity. Why? What can be done?
20. The average age of retirement is rising. Why? Is this positive or negative?

🙌 That’s it — you now have a full, structured bank of 100 IELTS Task 2 questions, sorted by type, ready for smart, focused practice.

Final Words from Your Mentor

If you’ve read this far — first of all, I’m proud of you. Seriously.
You’ve just taken a huge step that most students skip: learning how to practise the right way.

Remember, writing for IELTS isn’t about being “perfect” in English.
It’s about being clear, structured, and on-point with what the examiner wants for each question type.

Whether you’re aiming for Band 6.5, 7.0, or dreaming of a Band 8+, here’s what I want you to take away from this guide:

💡 Practice by type, not just by topic.
💡 Write with structure. Not guesswork.
💡 Review. Reflect. Improve. Repeat.

And most importantly: don’t do it alone.

 

📘 What’s next?
If you’re wondering what to do after this question list, here’s your roadmap:

➡️ IELTS Task 2 Structure Guides – Learn exactly how to structure each essay type
➡️ Band 9 Sample Essays – See real examples, broken down step by step
➡️ Vocabulary for Task 2 Essays – Upgrade your word choice without sounding memorised
➡️ Task 2 Grammar Essentials – Focused grammar lessons with examples from real essays
➡️ Self-Editing Checklist – Use it after every practice essay to find easy fixes

🎯 Need help figuring out your weaknesses? I’ve also built a 100-question diagnostic quiz that analyses your performance and shows you where to focus next.

You’re not just a learner anymore — you’re building writer instincts.
Keep showing up, stay curious, and don’t stop until you get that score.

I’ll be here whenever you need guidance.
Let’s keep writing 💪