`IELTS

A-Level Education Center

The IELTS essay

Problem solution prompts
1. Overpopulation of urban areas has led to numerous problems.
Identify one or two serious ones and suggest ways that
governments and individuals can tackle these problems.
2. The internet has transformed the way information is shared
and consumed, but it has also created problems that did not
exist before. What are the most serious problems associated
with the internet and what solutions can you suggest?
3. People naturally resist change in their lives. What kinds of
problems can this cause? What solutions can you suggest?
4. In cities and towns all over the world the high volume of traffic
is a problem. What are the causes of this and what actions
can be taken to solve this problem?
5. Stress is now a major problem in many countries around the
world. What are some of the factors in modern society that
cause this stress, and how can we reduce it?

6.

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A-Level Education Center

Opinion essay prompts

1. In many countries people working in sport and entertainment
earn much more money than professionals like doctors,
nurses and teachers. Why do you think this happens in some
societies and do you consider it is good or bad?
2. In recent years, people watch more movies from overseas?
What are the reasons for this? Should the government give
financial support to local cinema to produce local films?
3. Most people agree that money cannot buy happiness. Why is
happiness difficult to define? What can we do to achieve
happiness?
4. Art and music are considered some of the fundamental
elements of all societies. Do you think art and music still have
a place in todays modern world of technology? Should
children spend more time learning art and music in school?
5. Success if often measured by wealth and material belongings.
Do you think wealth is the best measure for success? What
makes a successful person?

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A-Level Education Center

Advantages/Disadvantages prompts
1. More and more students are choosing to study at colleges and
universities in foreign countries.
Do the benefits of studying abroad outweigh the drawbacks?
2. It is becoming increasingly popular to take a year off between
finishing school and university. What are the advantages and
disadvantages of this?
3. With the rise of e-books comes the decline of paper books.
Some people see this as a step forward, others do not. What
are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?
4. The rise of convenience foods has helped people keep up with
the speed of modern life style. What are the advantages and
disadvantages of this trend? Do the advantages outweigh the
advantages?
5. There is an increasing trend around the world to have a small
family rather than a large family. Compare and contrast the
advantages and disadvantages of having a small family rather
than a large family.

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A-Level Education Center

Discussion essay prompts

1. Some people think that environmental problems should be
solved on a global scale while others believe it is better to
deal with them nationally.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
2. There seems to be an increasing number of serious crimes
committed each year. While some think the best way is to
use the death penalty as a deterrent, many people believe
that other measures will be needed.
Discuss both sides.
3. Some people think that exercise is the key to health, while
others feel that having a balanced diet is more important.
Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
4. It is thought by some that it is better to live in a city while
others believe that life is better in the countryside.
Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
5. Some people think that the Internet has brought people
closer together while others think that people and
communities become more isolated.
Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

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A-Level Education Center

Agree/Disagree essay prompts

1. There is a good deal of evidence that increasing car use is
contributing to global warming and having other undesirable
effects on peoples health and well-being.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
2. Some aspects of celebrity culture have a bad influence on
young people.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
3. Some people think that parents should teach children how to
be good members of society. Others, however, believe that
school is the best place to learn this.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
4. When a country develops its technology, the traditional skills
and ways of life die out. It is pointless to try and keep them
alive. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
5.

Many people decide on a career path early in their lives and

keep to it. This, they argue, leads to a more satisfying working
life.
To what extent do you agree with this view? What other things
can people do in order to have a satisfying working life?