# IELTS Writing Task 2 topics

150 practice questions in the IELTS style, written by Testmigo, by essay type and theme, each with a plan.

## Opinion

- Some people believe that university education should be free only for students who agree to work in their home country for several years after graduating. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Education)
  Plan: Partly agree: linking free tuition to a period of work at home is fair for public courses, but it should not be the only route. The condition returns the public investment, keeping doctors, engineers and teachers in the country that paid for their training. However, it limits graduates' freedom, and students who cannot accept the condition still need affordable fees or loans. Example: A medical graduate who works in a rural hospital for three years in return for free training. Service-linked free tuition is a sensible option alongside loans, not a requirement for every student.

- Some educators argue that homework for primary school children should be replaced by activities that families do together, such as cooking, reading or visiting a museum. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Education)
  Plan: Largely agree: shared activities teach young children as much as worksheets, though a little regular reading practice should remain. Cooking, shopping and museum visits practise maths, vocabulary and curiosity in a setting children enjoy, and strengthen family relationships. However, not every family has the time or money for outings, so schools must suggest simple, free activities. Example: A child who practises fractions by halving a recipe with a parent instead of completing a worksheet. Family activities should replace most primary homework, with short reading practice kept for every child.

- Universities should allow students to complete the first year of any degree online before deciding whether to move to the campus. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Education)
  Plan: Partly agree: an online first year would lower costs and risks, but students would miss the social start that helps many succeed. An online start lets students study cheaply from home, keep part-time jobs and confirm their interest before paying to relocate. However, the first year builds friendships, study habits and practical skills that are hard to develop alone at a screen. Example: A student who completes a first year of computing online and then moves to the campus with confidence. An online first year should be offered as an option, not as a replacement for campus life.

- Governments should ban single-use plastic items such as bags, straws and cutlery. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Environment)
  Plan: Largely agree: bans on items with easy alternatives are effective, though exemptions are needed for medical and accessibility uses. Single-use plastics are used for minutes but pollute for centuries, and alternatives such as cloth bags already exist. Some items, such as bendable straws for disabled people and sterile medical packaging, still need exceptions. Example: Shoppers quickly adapting to carrying their own bags after supermarkets stopped giving free plastic ones. Bans are justified where alternatives exist, with sensible exemptions.

- Some people believe that asking individuals to recycle and save energy distracts attention from the much larger changes that only governments and industries can make. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Environment)
  Plan: Partly agree: personal actions can create a false sense of progress, but they also build public support for larger changes. Industry and energy policy produce most emissions, so focusing on household recycling can let large polluters avoid responsibility. However, people who change their own habits are more likely to support and accept stronger environmental policies. Example: A company advertising its recyclable cups while continuing to expand its use of fossil fuels. Individual action should be promoted alongside, never instead of, pressure on governments and industry.

- Zoos should be allowed to keep only animals from endangered species that are part of breeding programmes. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Environment)
  Plan: Largely agree: conservation should be every zoo's main purpose, though a few common species may be kept for education. Limiting zoos to endangered species directs space and money to animals whose survival may depend on captive breeding. However, common animals that adapt well to captivity can teach children about nature without the pressure of breeding programmes. Example: The Arabian oryx, which survived through captive breeding and was later returned to the wild. Zoos should focus on endangered species, with only limited exceptions for well-suited common animals.

- Some people believe that pictures and music created by artificial intelligence cannot be considered art. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Technology)
  Plan: Partly agree: output produced with no human intention is not art, but work where a person directs and shapes AI tools can be. Art traditionally expresses human experience and intention, which a program generating images automatically does not have. However, artists who write prompts, select and edit results use AI as a tool, much as photographers use cameras. Example: Photography was once dismissed as mechanical but is now accepted as an art form. Whether AI work is art depends on the human creativity behind it.
  Band 6-9 samples: https://testmigo.com/ielts/writing/topics/task-2/ai-generated-art

- Children under the age of twelve should not be allowed to own a smartphone. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Technology)
  Plan: Largely agree: younger children gain little from owning a smartphone, though a basic phone for safety is reasonable. Smartphones expose children to social media pressure, unsuitable content and constant distraction from play and sleep. However, parents want to contact children who travel alone, and a basic phone without internet meets that need. Example: A ten-year-old with a simple phone for calls who borrows a family tablet for homework. Children should wait for smartphones, but not for the safety of a basic phone.

- Some shops and cafés no longer accept cash and take only card or phone payments. Do you think this is a positive or negative development? (Technology)
  Plan: Mostly negative, because refusing cash excludes some customers and makes everyone dependent on electronic systems. For businesses, card-only payment is faster, safer and cheaper to manage, with no cash to count or transport. However, older and poorer people without bank cards are excluded, and a network failure can stop all sales. Example: A pensioner who cannot buy a coffee because the café accepts only phone payments. Shops may encourage digital payment, but they should still accept cash.

- Governments should tax sugary drinks and unhealthy foods in order to improve public health. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Health)
  Plan: Agree, as long as the money raised is spent on making healthy food cheaper and easier to get. Higher prices discourage consumption, especially among young people, and push manufacturers to reduce sugar. Critics say such taxes hit poorer families hardest, so the revenue should subsidise fruit, vegetables and school meals. Example: Drinks companies reducing the sugar in their recipes to avoid paying the tax. A sugar tax works best as part of a wider plan to make healthy choices easier.

- Some people think that secondary schools should start later in the morning because teenagers need more sleep. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Health)
  Plan: Agree: a moderately later start would suit teenagers' sleep patterns, though family and transport schedules must be considered. Teenagers naturally tend to fall asleep later, so early starts leave many tired and less able to concentrate. A later start may complicate parents' working hours and school bus timetables, but these can be adjusted. Example: A school moving its start from eight to nine o'clock so that students arrive more alert. Schools should start later wherever practical arrangements allow.

- Health insurance should be cheaper for people who can show that they exercise regularly and do not smoke. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Health)
  Plan: Partly agree: rewarding healthy habits can motivate people, but it must not penalise those whose health is limited by illness or income. Lower premiums give people a clear reason to exercise and quit smoking, which reduces future medical costs for everyone. However, disabled, older and poorer people may be unable to qualify, and proving healthy habits requires intrusive monitoring. Example: An insurer offering discounts for gym attendance, which a wheelchair user or night-shift worker may struggle to achieve. Discounts for healthy habits are acceptable only if they are voluntary and fair to those who cannot qualify.

- Some people think that all companies should introduce a four-day working week for their employees. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Work and economy)
  Plan: Mostly disagree with "all companies": it suits many office firms, but hospitals, small shops and round-the-clock services cannot simply adopt it. For many office-based firms, a shorter week can maintain output while improving wellbeing and staff retention. Hospitals, shops and continuous services need staff every day, and small businesses may not afford extra workers. Example: A software company that can close on Fridays, compared with a hospital ward that cannot. The four-day week should be encouraged where it works, not imposed on every company.
  Band 6-9 samples: https://testmigo.com/ielts/writing/topics/task-2/four-day-working-week

- Employers should be required to state the salary in every job advertisement. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Work and economy)
  Plan: Agree: published salaries save applicants' time, reduce unfair pay differences and make hiring more transparent. Applicants avoid wasting time on jobs that cannot meet their needs, and employers receive more suitable applications. Employers fear losing flexibility in negotiation, but a published range still allows pay to reflect experience. Example: Two applicants for the same role who, with the range published, cannot be offered very different pay for the same experience. Salary ranges in every advert would make the job market fairer and more efficient.

- Instead of stopping work completely at a fixed age, older workers should be able to reduce their hours gradually over several years. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Work and economy)
  Plan: Largely agree: gradual retirement benefits workers, employers and pension systems, though it cannot suit every job. Workers adjust to retirement slowly and keep income and purpose longer, while employers retain experience during handovers. However, some roles, such as shift work or senior management, are hard to divide, and part-time work may reduce pensions. Example: A senior engineer who works three days a week for two years while training a younger colleague. Gradual retirement should be a widely available option, not a requirement.

- Famous sportspeople and entertainers earn far more than people in essential jobs such as nurses and teachers. Some people think this is unfair. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Society and culture)
  Plan: Largely agree the gap is unfair in terms of social value, though stars' pay reflects market demand; essential workers should be paid better. Unfair: nurses and teachers provide services society cannot function without, yet earn a tiny fraction of stars' incomes. However, celebrities' pay reflects the huge audiences and revenue they attract, and their careers are often short. Example: A top footballer earning more in a week than many nurses earn in a year. The answer is to raise essential workers' pay, not simply to limit celebrities' earnings.
  Band 6-9 samples: https://testmigo.com/ielts/writing/topics/task-2/celebrity-pay-vs-essential-workers

- Traditional festivals should be protected from commercial advertising and sponsorship. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Society and culture)
  Plan: Partly agree: the central customs of a festival should stay free of branding, but sponsorship can fund events that might otherwise disappear. Advertising can turn a meaningful celebration into a marketing event and gradually change the traditions themselves. However, many local festivals struggle to pay for security, stages and cleaning, and sponsors can keep them alive. Example: A village harvest festival funded by a local business that does not display its logo on the procession. Sponsorship should be allowed with limits that keep the heart of each festival free from advertising.

- Children should be expected to help with household chores without being paid. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Society and culture)
  Plan: Agree: unpaid chores teach responsibility and teamwork, though occasional rewards for extra jobs are acceptable. Helping at home teaches children that everyone contributes to family life and builds practical skills. Paying for every task may teach children that helping others is only worth doing for money. Example: A ten-year-old who sets the table each evening and gradually learns to cook simple meals. Basic chores should be part of family life, with payment kept for extra tasks.

- Governments should spend more money on exploring the deep ocean than on exploring outer space. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Science and research)
  Plan: Partly agree: ocean research deserves far more funding than it receives, but cutting space research would sacrifice its own benefits. The deep ocean is largely unexplored, directly affects climate and fisheries, and may hold new medicines. However, space research supports satellites for weather, communication and climate monitoring that benefit everyone. Example: Satellites that measure sea temperatures, showing that ocean and space research often support each other. Ocean exploration should receive a larger share, without being treated as a competitor to space.

- Scientists who use animals in research should be required to publish how many animals they used and why. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Science and research)
  Plan: Agree: openness about animal use builds public trust and encourages scientists to reduce numbers, provided researchers' safety is protected. Publishing numbers lets the public judge whether research is justified and puts pressure on laboratories to use alternatives. Some fear published details could make individual scientists targets of harassment, so figures should be published without names. Example: A university reporting each year how many mice it used and which studies replaced animals with cell cultures. Transparent, anonymous reporting should be standard for all animal research.

- The results of all scientific research that is paid for by governments should be freely available to the public. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Science and research)
  Plan: Agree: publicly funded research belongs to the taxpayers who paid for it, with limited exceptions for security and privacy. Free access lets doctors, teachers and researchers in poorer countries use findings without expensive subscriptions. Some data, such as personal medical records or defence research, must remain protected. Example: A doctor in a small clinic reading a new treatment study without paying for a journal subscription. Openness should be the default for public research, with clear exceptions.

- Penalties for dangerous driving, such as speeding and using a phone while driving, should be much more severe. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Crime and law)
  Plan: Agree, provided tougher penalties come with consistent enforcement, because dangerous driving causes serious harm. Dangerous driving kills and injures innocent people, so penalties should reflect how serious the risk is. However, harsh penalties only work if drivers expect to be caught, so cameras and police checks are essential. Example: Losing a driving licence for a year for using a phone at the wheel. Severe, consistently enforced penalties would make roads safer.

- The police should be allowed to use facial recognition cameras in public places to identify people wanted for crimes. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Crime and law)
  Plan: Partly agree: the technology can help catch serious offenders, but only under strict legal limits and independent oversight. Facial recognition can locate dangerous suspects or missing people quickly in crowded places. However, errors can lead to innocent people being stopped, and the system could be used to track ordinary citizens. Example: A station camera that identifies a wanted suspect but also wrongly matches an innocent traveller. Use should be limited to serious crimes, with clear rules and regular checks on accuracy.

- Parents of teenagers who repeatedly commit minor crimes should be required to attend parenting classes. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Crime and law)
  Plan: Largely agree: required classes can help struggling parents, as long as they are offered as support rather than punishment. Many parents of young offenders lack skills or support, and classes can teach consistent rules and better communication. However, some parents already do everything they can, and compulsory classes may feel humiliating to them. Example: A single father who learns at evening classes how to set limits without constant arguments. Classes should be required when needed but presented as help, not blame.

- People should be willing to pay for online news in order to support quality journalism. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Media and communication)
  Plan: Agree, because reliable journalism is costly to produce, though some essential news should remain free for everyone. Investigative reporting requires trained journalists and time, which advertising alone increasingly cannot fund. However, if all news is behind paywalls, poorer people may turn to unreliable free sources. Example: A newspaper that charges for in-depth articles but keeps emergency and public health news free. Paying for news is worthwhile, as long as key information stays freely available.

- Toys and snacks should not be advertised on video platforms that children use. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Media and communication)
  Plan: Largely agree for unhealthy snacks and young children, though complete bans are hard to enforce online. Young children cannot easily tell adverts from videos, and they pressure parents to buy products they see. However, children also watch general platforms, and some toy adverts inform rather than mislead. Example: A cartoon-style video that is in fact a long advertisement for a sugary cereal. Strict limits, especially on unhealthy snacks, are justified.

- Famous people who share details of their private lives on social media should not complain when newspapers report on their personal affairs. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Media and communication)
  Plan: Partly agree: sharing parts of one's life invites attention to those parts, but not to everything, especially family members. Celebrities who publish their relationships and homes profit from public interest and cannot expect it to stop on demand. However, choosing what to share is different from losing all privacy, and children and partners have not chosen fame. Example: A singer who posts holiday photos but objects when photographers follow her children to school. Shared content may be reported, but privacy should still protect what was never made public.

- City-centre car parks should gradually be replaced with housing, parks and other public spaces. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Cities and travel)
  Plan: Largely agree: car parks waste valuable central land, but replacement must follow better public transport, not come before it. Housing and parks on former car parks make centres livelier, cut traffic and use scarce land for people rather than vehicles. However, shops lose customers and disabled or rural visitors struggle if parking disappears before buses and park-and-ride improve. Example: A multi-storey car park rebuilt as flats above a small park, with a park-and-ride service on the edge of town. Cities should replace central car parks step by step, keeping disabled parking and improving public transport first.

- Hotels and tourist attractions should be required to employ mostly local people. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Cities and travel)
  Plan: Partly agree: tourism should benefit local communities, but a strict quota could leave businesses without the skills they need. Local hiring keeps tourism income in the area and gives residents a reason to welcome visitors. However, some roles need language or specialist skills not available locally, so training works better than strict quotas. Example: A resort that trains village residents as guides and chefs instead of bringing staff from abroad. Governments should encourage local hiring with training support rather than rigid rules.

- Old factories, warehouses and railway stations should be converted into homes and cultural centres rather than demolished. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Cities and travel)
  Plan: Largely agree: conversion keeps a city's history and saves materials, though unsafe or unsuitable buildings may need replacing. Converted buildings preserve local character, reuse existing materials and often become popular places to live and visit. However, conversion can cost more than new construction, and some structures cannot meet modern safety standards. Example: The Musée d'Orsay in Paris, a former railway station turned into a celebrated art museum. Conversion should be the first option considered, with demolition only when reuse is impractical.

## Discussion

- Some people think that universities should require every new student to spend a year doing community work before starting their degree. Others believe this would delay their education unnecessarily. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (Education)
  Plan: Community work before university is valuable, but it should be encouraged and rewarded rather than made compulsory for every student. Supporters: a year helping in schools, hospitals or charities builds maturity, empathy and a clearer sense of what to study. Opponents: a compulsory year delays qualifications, costs students a year's income and may produce reluctant, unhelpful volunteers. Example: A student who volunteers at a care home and later chooses to study nursing with confidence. Universities should give credit for community work without forcing every student to delay their studies.

- Some people believe that schools should give pupils a grade for their behaviour on school reports, while others think that behaviour should not be formally graded. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (Education)
  Plan: Behaviour should be reported to parents in words, not as a grade, because a grade labels children without showing them how to improve. Grading view: a grade makes behaviour count like academic work, warns parents early about problems, and motivates some pupils to behave well. Against: behaviour grades are subjective, can label a child as difficult for years, and give no guidance on how to change. Example: A pupil given a low conduct grade who stops trying, compared with one whose report suggests specific ways to listen more in class. Schools should comment on behaviour regularly and specifically, but should not reduce it to a single grade.

- Some people believe that every secondary school should teach a compulsory course in personal finance, covering topics such as budgeting, taxes and loans. Others think this time would be better spent on traditional academic subjects. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (Education)
  Plan: A short compulsory finance course is worthwhile, because the cost in academic time is small and the benefit lasts a lifetime. Finance view: many young adults misunderstand payslips, interest and loans because nobody taught them, and some fall into debt. Academic view: timetables are already full, and families or online resources can teach money matters instead. Example: A school leaver who understands interest rates and avoids an expensive phone contract. Schools should give personal finance a small, protected place without reducing core academic subjects.

- Some people believe that economic growth is the most important goal for any country, while others think that protecting the environment should come first. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (Environment)
  Plan: Protecting the environment should come first because long-term prosperity depends on it, though poorer countries' need for growth is legitimate. Growth view: it funds jobs, healthcare and education and lifts people out of poverty. Environment view: pollution and the loss of natural resources eventually destroy the basis of the economy itself. Example: Overfishing that brings short-term income but then collapses the fishing industry it supported. Countries should pursue cleaner growth rather than choose between the two.
  Band 6-9 samples: https://testmigo.com/ielts/writing/topics/task-2/economic-growth-vs-environment

- Some people think that money for protecting wildlife should go mainly to saving well-known animals such as tigers and pandas, while others believe it should be spread across less famous species and their habitats. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (Environment)
  Plan: Funding should focus on habitats, which protects famous and less famous species together, while popular animals are used to attract donations. Famous-animal view: well-known species attract public interest and donations that might otherwise never be given. Wider view: insects, amphibians and plants are often as important to ecosystems yet receive far less attention. Example: A tiger reserve that also shelters countless smaller species living in the same forest. Popular animals should raise the money, but habitats should decide how it is spent.

- Some people think that people who fly many times a year should pay a higher tax on each additional flight, while others believe all passengers should be treated equally. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (Environment)
  Plan: A rising tax for frequent flyers is fair, because a minority of travellers take a large share of flights and their emissions. Frequent-flyer view: it targets heavy users, keeps occasional family holidays affordable and encourages alternatives such as video calls. Equal-treatment view: some business travellers have no choice, and tracking every passenger's flights raises privacy concerns. Example: A consultant who replaces some monthly flights with video meetings once each extra flight costs more. Taxing the most frequent flyers balances fairness with environmental responsibility.

- Some people think that new technology should be introduced into daily life as quickly as possible, while others believe society should wait until its long-term effects are better understood. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (Technology)
  Plan: The speed should depend on the risk: low-risk tools can spread quickly, but technologies affecting health or safety need careful testing first. Fast view: delays deny people useful benefits, and many effects only become clear once a technology is widely used. Cautious view: harms such as addiction, privacy loss or accidents are hard to reverse once a technology is everywhere. Example: A new photo-editing app compared with a new medical device, which must pass safety trials first. Society should move quickly on low-risk tools and slowly on those that could cause lasting harm.

- Some people believe that sharing personal information online is a fair price to pay for free services such as email and social media. Others think it puts users at unacceptable risk. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (Technology)
  Plan: The exchange can be fair only if users understand it and data is protected by strong laws; at present the risks are underestimated. Fair price: free services provide great value, and targeted advertising funds them without direct payment. Risk: data can be leaked, sold or misused, and most users do not read or understand privacy terms. Example: A data breach that exposes millions of email addresses and passwords to criminals. Stronger regulation and clearer choices would make the exchange fair.

- Some schools now use video games to teach subjects such as history and mathematics. Some people welcome this, while others think games have no place in the classroom. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (Technology)
  Plan: Well-designed educational games are a useful classroom tool, provided they support the teacher rather than replace explanation and discussion. Supporters: games motivate reluctant students, give instant feedback and let learners practise skills at their own pace. Critics: games may entertain more than teach, add to screen time and reduce face-to-face discussion. Example: A history game in which students manage a medieval town and then discuss the choices they made. Games deserve a limited place in lessons when they are chosen for learning rather than entertainment.

- Some people think that doctors should spend more of their time advising healthy people on how to stay well, while others believe doctors' time should be reserved for treating people who are ill. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (Health)
  Plan: Doctors' time should go mainly to the sick, but prevention advice should be shared with nurses, pharmacists and health educators. Prevention view: advice on diet, smoking and exercise can stop illness developing, saving suffering and money later. Treatment view: doctors are scarce and highly trained, and sick patients already wait too long for appointments. Example: A pharmacist running quit-smoking sessions so that doctors can see patients who need a diagnosis. Prevention matters, but it does not always need a doctor to deliver it.

- Some people think that employers should take responsibility for their staff's health, for example by providing healthy meals and time for exercise during the working day. Others believe that health is a private matter for each individual. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (Health)
  Plan: Health is mainly a personal responsibility, but employers should support it because working conditions strongly affect employees' health. Employer view: staff spend most waking hours at work, and healthier employees take less sick leave and work better. Private view: adults should make their own choices, and workplace health schemes can feel intrusive or pressure staff. Example: A company offering healthy canteen food and flexible lunch breaks for exercise without monitoring anyone's weight or habits. Employers should create healthy conditions and offer support, while leaving personal choices to individuals.

- Some people believe that medical research should concentrate on common diseases that affect millions of people, while others think rare diseases deserve equal attention. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (Health)
  Plan: Common diseases should receive most funding, but rare diseases deserve protected support because their patients would otherwise have little hope. Common-disease view: research on heart disease or diabetes helps the greatest number of people for the money spent. Rare-disease view: each rare disease affects few people, but together they affect many, and research often reveals wider biology. Example: Research into a rare inherited condition that improves scientists' understanding of how genes control growth. A fair system funds mainly common diseases while guaranteeing a share for rare ones.

- Some people think that employees who stay with one company for many years should receive extra rewards, such as additional holiday, while others believe rewards should depend only on performance. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (Work and economy)
  Plan: Loyalty deserves modest rewards, such as extra holiday, but pay and promotion should depend mainly on performance. Loyalty view: experienced staff hold valuable knowledge, and rewards reduce the high cost of replacing employees. Performance view: rewarding time served can frustrate talented newcomers and keep unproductive staff comfortable. Example: A company giving an extra day's holiday after five years, while bonuses still depend on results. Small rewards for loyalty can sit alongside a system based mainly on performance.

- Some people think that companies which replace workers with machines should pay a special tax to fund retraining, while others believe this would discourage progress. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (Work and economy)
  Plan: A modest automation tax is justified if it funds retraining, because workers who lose jobs to machines need help moving into new work. Tax view: companies gain from automation while society pays for unemployment, so firms should share the cost of retraining. Opposing view: a tax could slow useful innovation and push companies to automate in countries without such taxes. Example: Factory workers retrained as machine technicians through a programme funded by the firms that automated their jobs. A small, well-targeted tax can spread the benefits of automation more fairly.

- Some people think that governments should spend as much money on apprenticeships and vocational colleges as they do on universities, while others believe universities deserve more funding. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (Work and economy)
  Plan: Vocational education deserves funding much closer to that of universities, because economies need skilled technicians as much as graduates. Vocational view: electricians, care workers and technicians are in short supply, and their training is often underfunded. University view: research and professions such as medicine require expensive facilities and long training. Example: A college that cannot afford modern equipment for training electric-car mechanics. Funding should follow national skill needs, not the prestige of universities.

- Some people think that employers should give staff paid leave to care for elderly parents, while others believe this is a private family matter. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (Society and culture)
  Plan: Employers should offer some paid carer's leave, because supporting staff through a parent's illness keeps experienced workers in their jobs. Leave view: many workers, especially in mid-career, quit or cut their hours to care for parents, losing income and skills. Private-matter view: small firms cannot afford long absences, and arranging care for parents is a family's own responsibility. Example: An engineer who takes paid leave after her father's stroke, arranges his care and then returns to work full-time. A limited, government-supported leave allowance balances family duty with the needs of employers.

- Some people think that international streaming services should be required to invest part of their income in local films and series, while others believe this would reduce choice and raise prices. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (Society and culture)
  Plan: A modest investment requirement is justified, because streaming companies earn from local audiences and can afford to support local production. Investment view: local studios struggle to compete with large foreign budgets, and new funding keeps local stories, languages and jobs alive. Opposing view: the cost may be passed on to subscribers, and forced investment can produce shows that audiences do not want. Example: A streaming service that funds a crime series in the local language, which later finds viewers abroad. Requiring a small share of income for local production supports culture without limiting what viewers can watch.

- Some people think that museums should put photographs of their entire collections online for free, while others believe this would discourage people from visiting in person. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (Society and culture)
  Plan: Putting collections online is beneficial, because it reaches people who could never visit and can encourage visits rather than replace them. Online view: students, researchers and distant audiences gain free access, and objects kept in storage can finally be seen. Visiting view: a screen cannot show an object's size and texture, and fewer visitors would mean less income. Example: A student in another country who studies ancient pottery online, then saves up to visit the museum. Museums should share collections online while making the in-person experience worth the journey.

- Some people believe that governments should fund only research that is likely to produce practical benefits within a few years, while others think long-term research with no obvious use also deserves funding. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (Science and research)
  Plan: Long-term research deserves protected funding, because many practical breakthroughs began with research that had no obvious use. Quick-results view: urgent problems such as disease and climate change need solutions, and public money should show returns. Long-term view: fundamental research produces unexpected discoveries that later prove extremely useful. Example: Early research into electricity and magnetism, which later made electric power possible. Governments should fund both, keeping a fixed share for research without immediate goals.

- Some people think that research paid for by companies, for example on the safety of their own products, cannot be trusted, while others believe company scientists are as reliable as independent ones. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (Science and research)
  Plan: Company research can be reliable, but it should be trusted only when its methods and full results are published and independently checked. Distrust view: firms have strong reasons to hide unfavourable results, and some industries have published misleading research in the past. Reliability view: company scientists are well trained, follow regulations and know their products best. Example: A drug company publishing all its trial results, including those that showed no benefit. Transparency and independent review, not the funder's identity, should decide whether research is trusted.

- Some people believe that genetically modified crops are the answer to feeding the world's growing population, while others think they carry too many risks. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (Science and research)
  Plan: GM crops can play a useful part under strict testing, but they are not the whole answer to world hunger. Supporters: crops can resist pests and drought, increase yields and contain extra nutrients. Critics: concerns about effects on wild plants, dependence on seed companies and long-term ecological effects. Example: Rice developed to contain vitamin A, intended to address deficiency in poorer regions. GM crops should be one tool alongside reducing waste and improving food distribution.

- Some people believe that the main purpose of prison is to punish criminals, while others think it should be to rehabilitate them so that they do not reoffend. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (Crime and law)
  Plan: Rehabilitation should be the main aim, because the loss of liberty is itself the punishment. Punishment view: criminals deserve to suffer for the harm they caused, and tough prisons may deter crime. Rehabilitation view: education and work inside prison reduce reoffending and protect the public in the long term. Example: A prisoner who learns carpentry inside and finds a job after release. Prisons that prepare inmates for life outside make society safer.
  Band 6-9 samples: https://testmigo.com/ielts/writing/topics/task-2/purpose-of-prison

- Some people believe that judges should consider an offender's difficult childhood when deciding on a sentence, while others think the sentence should depend only on the crime. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (Crime and law)
  Plan: Judges should consider an offender's background, but it should shape the type of sentence more than its length, and never excuse the crime. Background view: abuse and poverty shape behaviour, and understanding them helps choose sentences that prevent reoffending. Crime-only view: victims suffer equally whatever the offender's past, and equal sentences treat everyone fairly. Example: A young offender raised in care who receives a training order rather than a long prison term. Background should inform the type of sentence more than its severity.

- Some people think that the police should focus only on serious crimes, while others believe they should also deal with minor offences such as littering and graffiti. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (Crime and law)
  Plan: Serious crime must come first, but ignoring minor offences damages communities, so they should be handled proportionately. Serious-crime view: limited police resources should protect people from violence and major theft. Minor-offence view: tolerating disorder makes areas feel unsafe and may encourage more serious crime. Example: Local council wardens fining people who drop litter, so police officers can focus on burglary. Minor offences matter, but other officials can deal with many of them.

- Some people believe that television programmes for children should be made mainly to educate them, while others think their main purpose should be entertainment. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (Media and communication)
  Plan: The best children's programmes combine both, but entertainment should lead, because children learn little from shows they do not enjoy. Education view: children watch many hours, so programmes should teach language, science and values. Entertainment view: children need relaxation and imagination, and preachy programmes are simply switched off. Example: A nature series for children that teaches through humour and adventure. Programmes should entertain first and educate through the story.

- Some people think that written messages, such as texts and emails, have made communication more efficient, while others believe they cause more misunderstandings than face-to-face conversations. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (Media and communication)
  Plan: Messages are efficient for simple information, but sensitive or complex matters should be discussed in person. Efficient: messages are quick, recorded, can reach many people at once and can be read at a convenient time. Misunderstandings: there is no tone of voice or body language, so short messages may seem rude or unclear. Example: A brief work email read as angry when the sender was simply busy. People should choose the medium according to the message.

- Some people believe that following the news every day is essential for being an informed citizen, while others think that following it too closely is harmful to people's wellbeing. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (Media and communication)
  Plan: Staying informed is important, but checking the news constantly is harmful, so a limited daily routine is best. Essential view: citizens need to understand events, public decisions and risks that affect their lives. Harmful view: constant negative headlines increase anxiety and often add little useful information. Example: Reading a trusted news summary once a day rather than checking headlines every hour. Being informed requires quality and moderation, not constant attention.

- Some people think that growing up in a big city is better for children, while others believe that children are better off growing up in the countryside. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (Cities and travel)
  Plan: On balance the countryside is better, especially for younger children, although cities offer teenagers more opportunities. City view: wider choice of schools, activities, museums and diversity prepares children for modern life. Countryside view: space, safety, nature and a slower pace support health and independence. Example: A child who explores woods and fields freely before moving to a city for secondary school. The countryside gives the best start, but cities can offer more in the teenage years.
  Band 6-9 samples: https://testmigo.com/ielts/writing/topics/task-2/children-city-or-countryside

- Some people think that cities should spend money on making buses and trains more frequent, while others believe the money would be better spent on making fares cheaper. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (Cities and travel)
  Plan: Frequency should come first, because people abandon public transport mainly when it is slow or unreliable, although fares must stay affordable. Frequency view: short waits and reliable connections make public transport a convenient alternative to driving. Fares view: low prices help poorer residents and attract people who currently drive for cost reasons. Example: A bus route that gains passengers after services increase from every thirty minutes to every ten. Cities should improve service first and use discounts to protect low-income passengers.

- Some people believe that travellers have a responsibility to learn about local customs before visiting another country, while others think it is the host country's role to make visitors feel welcome as they are. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (Cities and travel)
  Plan: Travellers should learn basic customs, because respect is the visitor's duty, though hosts benefit from tolerating honest mistakes. Visitor view: learning greetings, etiquette and local rules shows respect and avoids offending local people. Host view: tourism earns money for host countries, so they should welcome visitors and explain expectations clearly. Example: A traveller who learns how to greet older people politely before staying with a host family. Respect should come from visitors first, with patience and clear information from hosts.

## Advantages and disadvantages

- An increasing number of students choose to go to university in another country. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages? (Education)
  Plan: The advantages outweigh the disadvantages for most students, although costs and the loss of talent from home countries are serious concerns. Advantages: independence, fluency in another language, an international outlook and qualifications valued by employers. Disadvantages: high fees and living costs, homesickness, and some graduates never returning to their home country. Example: A graduate who returns home and uses her language skills and contacts to work for an international firm. Studying abroad is worth it for most students who plan carefully for its costs and challenges.
  Band 6-9 samples: https://testmigo.com/ielts/writing/topics/task-2/studying-abroad

- In some schools, students of all abilities are taught together in the same class rather than being grouped by ability. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this approach? (Education)
  Plan: Mixed-ability classes have clear social and academic benefits, but they make teaching harder for both the strongest and weakest students. Advantages: weaker students learn from stronger peers, no child is labelled as slow, and students mix socially. Disadvantages: teachers struggle to challenge everyone, so able students may be bored and weaker ones left behind. Example: A mathematics lesson in which one teacher must explain basic fractions and also stretch a gifted student. The approach works best with small classes and extra classroom support.

- In some countries, young children spend their first years at school learning mainly through play, and formal reading and writing lessons do not begin until about the age of seven. Do the advantages of this approach outweigh the disadvantages? (Education)
  Plan: The advantages outweigh the disadvantages, provided that play is well planned and children at risk of falling behind receive early support. Advantages: play builds language, concentration and social skills, and children start reading when they are ready and motivated. Disadvantages: some children, especially from homes with few books, may fall behind, and parents may worry about slow progress. Example: A five-year-old who learns letter sounds through games and songs rather than daily writing exercises. A play-based start is beneficial when teachers watch closely for children who need extra help.

- In many countries, more people are buying electric cars instead of petrol or diesel vehicles. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages? (Environment)
  Plan: The advantages outweigh the disadvantages, especially as more electricity comes from clean sources. Advantages: no exhaust fumes in cities, lower running costs and quieter streets. Disadvantages: high purchase prices, too few charging points and the environmental cost of producing batteries. Example: A city delivery company that switches to electric vans and cuts both fuel costs and street-level pollution. Electric cars are a positive trend if charging networks and clean power keep expanding.

- More and more people are choosing to eat less meat for environmental reasons. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages? (Environment)
  Plan: The advantages clearly outweigh the disadvantages, as long as people replace meat with nutritious alternatives. Advantages: livestock farming uses large areas of land and water and produces greenhouse gases, so less meat reduces pressure. Disadvantages: poorly planned diets may lack protein, iron or vitamin B12, and livestock farmers may lose income. Example: A family that replaces meat with lentils and beans on several days each week. Eating less meat is positive when diets stay balanced and farmers are helped to adapt.

- Some supermarkets now label each product with the distance it has travelled to reach the shop. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this? (Environment)
  Plan: Distance labels raise awareness and support local farmers, but they can mislead because transport is only part of food's environmental impact. Advantages: shoppers can make informed choices, local producers gain attention, and long-distance air freight becomes visible. Disadvantages: food shipped by sea may have a smaller impact than local food from heated greenhouses, and labelling adds costs. Example: Tomatoes from a heated local greenhouse that appear greener than imported ones grown outdoors in the sun. Distance labels are useful only when combined with fuller information about how food is produced.

- Many homes now contain devices such as smart speakers and thermostats that can be controlled by voice or by phone. What are the advantages and disadvantages of these devices? (Technology)
  Plan: Smart devices bring convenience and energy savings, but they raise privacy and security concerns. Advantages: convenience, saving energy through automatic heating control, and help for elderly or disabled people. Disadvantages: devices may record conversations, can be hacked, and may stop working without the internet. Example: An elderly person who turns on the lights by voice instead of walking across a dark room. The benefits are worth having if users protect their privacy settings.

- Many online shops allow customers to return items free of charge. Do the advantages of this policy outweigh the disadvantages? (Technology)
  Plan: The disadvantages outweigh the advantages, because free returns encourage careless buying that wastes resources and raises costs. Advantages: shoppers can buy confidently without seeing items, and small online businesses can compete with physical shops. Disadvantages: extra deliveries and packaging, returned goods that are sometimes thrown away, and higher prices for all customers. Example: A shopper who orders three sizes of the same shoes, knowing two pairs will be sent back. A small return fee would keep the benefits while discouraging wasteful ordering.

- Some cities are testing buses and taxis that drive themselves without a human driver on board. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages? (Technology)
  Plan: The advantages are likely to outweigh the disadvantages in the long term, provided safety is proven and affected drivers are retrained. Advantages: services can run more often and at night, costs may fall, and accidents caused by tired drivers could decrease. Disadvantages: many drivers could lose their jobs, passengers may feel unsafe without staff, and software can fail. Example: A late-night driverless bus that lets shift workers travel home safely and cheaply. Driverless public transport should be introduced gradually, with strict testing and support for drivers.

- Many people now use smartwatches and phone apps to monitor their exercise, sleep and diet. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages? (Health)
  Plan: The advantages outweigh the disadvantages for most users, provided they treat the data as a guide, not an obsession. Advantages: motivation from daily goals, awareness of habits and early warning of some health problems. Disadvantages: anxiety about numbers, inaccurate readings, and personal health data shared with companies. Example: An office worker who starts walking more after noticing how few steps she takes each day. Trackers are useful tools when they are used with balance.

- Many patients now speak to their doctor by video call instead of visiting a clinic. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this development? (Health)
  Plan: Video consultations are valuable for routine care, but they cannot replace in-person visits for diagnosis. Advantages: convenience, access for rural or less mobile patients, and less risk of infection in waiting rooms. Disadvantages: no physical examination, missed signs, and difficulties for older patients without technology. Example: A patient in a remote village discussing test results with a specialist by video. Online appointments should complement face-to-face care, not replace it.
  Band 6-9 samples: https://testmigo.com/ielts/writing/topics/task-2/online-medical-consultations

- More and more families rely on ready-made meals and takeaway food rather than cooking at home. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages? (Health)
  Plan: The disadvantages outweigh the advantages, mainly because of the effects on health and family routines. Advantages: time saved for busy working parents, and variety without needing cooking skills. Disadvantages: more salt, sugar and fat, higher costs over time, and children who never learn to cook. Example: A family that saves time on weekdays but spends more and eats less fresh food. Convenience food is useful occasionally but should not replace home cooking.

- More people are working as freelancers rather than as full-time employees. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages? (Work and economy)
  Plan: The disadvantages outweigh the advantages for most workers, because insecurity is a high price to pay for flexibility. Advantages: control over working hours, choice of projects and the freedom to work from anywhere. Disadvantages: unstable income, no paid holidays or sick pay, and no employer pension. Example: A freelance designer who earns well one month and almost nothing the next. Freelancing suits some skilled workers, but most people need the security of employment.

- Some developing countries offer tax breaks to attract large foreign companies to build factories there. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this policy? (Work and economy)
  Plan: Tax breaks can bring jobs and skills, but they reduce public revenue and may attract companies that leave when the breaks end. Advantages: new jobs, training for local workers, new technology and business for local suppliers. Disadvantages: lost tax income for schools and hospitals, unfair competition for local firms, and companies leaving when incentives expire. Example: A car factory that trains local engineers who later start their own supplier companies. Tax breaks work best when they are temporary and tied to training and local hiring.

- Many companies now use open-plan offices in which employees work together in one large room. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this? (Work and economy)
  Plan: Open-plan offices help communication and save money, but noise and distraction reduce concentration. Advantages: easier teamwork, quicker answers to questions, lower costs and more approachable managers. Disadvantages: noise, interruptions, lack of privacy and the faster spread of colds. Example: A programmer who cannot concentrate because of phone calls at nearby desks. Mixed spaces with quiet rooms combine the benefits of both designs.

- In some countries, the government pays grandparents a small allowance for looking after their grandchildren while the parents work. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this policy? (Society and culture)
  Plan: The allowance recognises valuable work and supports working parents, but it costs public money and may pressure grandparents into caring. Advantages: grandparents' work is valued, parents can return to work, and children are cared for by family. Disadvantages: public cost, pressure on tired grandparents, and unfairness to families without grandparents nearby. Example: A retired grandmother who can afford to stop part-time work and care for her grandson. A modest, voluntary allowance is worthwhile if it does not replace funding for nurseries.

- Some companies offer long paid parental leave to both mothers and fathers. Do the advantages of this policy outweigh the disadvantages? (Society and culture)
  Plan: The advantages outweigh the disadvantages, because shared leave benefits children, parents and, in the long run, employers. Advantages: fathers bond with babies, mothers' careers suffer less, and companies keep staff who might otherwise leave. Disadvantages: costs and staff shortages, especially for small companies, and colleagues covering extra work. Example: A father who takes four months of leave and then shares childcare equally when both parents return to work. Shared paid leave is worth the cost, with public support for small employers.

- In some families, young adults who live at home are expected to pay rent to their parents. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this arrangement? (Society and culture)
  Plan: Paying rent at home teaches responsibility, but if the amount is too high it prevents young adults from saving for independence. Advantages: young adults learn to budget, contribute fairly to household costs, and feel treated as adults. Disadvantages: it can slow saving for a home and cause resentment if the rent feels like a penalty rather than a fair contribution. Example: Parents who charge a small rent and quietly save it to help with their son's first deposit. A modest rent works well when its purpose is learning rather than income.

- Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used to help doctors diagnose diseases. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages? (Science and research)
  Plan: The advantages outweigh the disadvantages, as long as doctors remain responsible for final decisions. Advantages: AI can analyse scans quickly, spot patterns doctors may miss and reduce waiting times. Disadvantages: errors from biased data, privacy concerns and the risk of doctors relying too heavily on machines. Example: Software that highlights possible signs of disease on X-rays for a radiologist to check. AI should assist doctors, not replace their judgement.

- Members of the public are increasingly taking part in scientific projects, for example by counting birds or classifying images online. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this? (Science and research)
  Plan: Public participation greatly expands research and understanding of science, though the quality of data must be carefully checked. Advantages: large amounts of data collected cheaply, wider geographic coverage and greater public interest in science. Disadvantages: untrained volunteers may make mistakes, and checking their data takes time and expertise. Example: Annual garden bird counts in which thousands of households record the birds they see. With good training and checks, public participation strengthens science.

- More and more scientific research is carried out by large international teams rather than by individual scientists. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages? (Science and research)
  Plan: The advantages outweigh the disadvantages, because modern problems need shared resources and varied expertise. Advantages: shared costs and expensive equipment, different kinds of expertise and faster progress on global problems. Disadvantages: slow coordination, communication problems and individual contributions going unrecognised. Example: Physicists from many countries sharing a particle accelerator in Europe. International collaboration is the most effective way to tackle large scientific questions.

- In some countries, police officers wear cameras that record their interactions with the public. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this? (Crime and law)
  Plan: Body cameras improve accountability and evidence, though privacy and cost concerns must be managed. Advantages: reliable evidence, better behaviour from both officers and the public, and fewer false complaints. Disadvantages: recording people at vulnerable moments, storage costs, and officers choosing when to switch cameras off. Example: Footage settling a dispute about whether an officer used reasonable force. Cameras are worthwhile with clear rules on recording and storage.

- In some legal systems, offenders are given the chance to meet the victims of their crimes and apologise. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this approach? (Crime and law)
  Plan: Meetings between victims and offenders can help both sides, but they must be voluntary to avoid harming victims. Advantages: victims get answers and a sense of closure, and offenders face the human impact of their actions. Disadvantages: meetings may upset victims, and some offenders may apologise insincerely to gain lighter treatment. Example: A burglar meeting an elderly victim and understanding the fear his crime caused her. The approach is valuable when carefully managed and fully voluntary.

- Some offenders are now required to wear electronic tags that track their location instead of being sent to prison. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages? (Crime and law)
  Plan: For minor, non-violent offenders the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, but tagging is unsuitable for dangerous criminals. Advantages: lower costs than prison, offenders keep jobs and family links, and they avoid contact with hardened criminals. Disadvantages: tags can be tampered with or ignored, the public may feel unsafe, and the punishment may seem too light. Example: A first-time offender who keeps his job while obeying a night-time curfew. Tagging should be used selectively for low-risk offenders.

- Many companies now pay popular social media users, known as influencers, to promote their products. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages? (Media and communication)
  Plan: The disadvantages outweigh the advantages, because audiences, often young, cannot always tell paid advertising from honest opinion. Advantages: cheap, targeted reach for companies, especially small brands, and income for creators. Disadvantages: hidden advertising, promotion of unsuitable products, and pressure on young followers to buy. Example: An influencer praising a skincare product without clearly stating that she was paid to do so. Without clear labelling rules, influencer marketing harms consumers more than it helps them.
  Band 6-9 samples: https://testmigo.com/ielts/writing/topics/task-2/influencer-marketing

- News websites and apps increasingly use computer programs to choose which stories each user sees. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this? (Media and communication)
  Plan: Personalised feeds save time and match interests, but they narrow people's views and can promote sensational content. Advantages: relevant stories, less time spent searching, and discovering more about topics people care about. Disadvantages: users mostly see views they already agree with, and sensational stories may be promoted for clicks. Example: Two neighbours who see completely different stories about the same local event. Users should be able to see how their feed is chosen and switch to a general view.

- Some international companies require all employees to use English at work, even in offices in their home countries. Do the advantages of this policy outweigh the disadvantages? (Media and communication)
  Plan: The advantages outweigh the disadvantages for international teams, but the policy harms communication where colleagues share another language. Advantages: clear communication across countries, shared documents, and better opportunities for staff to work abroad. Disadvantages: less confident staff stay silent, local customers may be poorly served, and misunderstandings increase. Example: Engineers in three countries using English for every meeting and report on a joint project. English should be the shared language between offices, not a rule for every local conversation.

- Some governments offer money and cheap housing to encourage young people to move from cities to rural areas. Do the advantages of this policy outweigh the disadvantages? (Cities and travel)
  Plan: The advantages outweigh the disadvantages when incentives are linked to jobs and services; otherwise newcomers soon leave. Advantages: shrinking villages gain young residents, schools and shops stay open, and cities become less crowded. Disadvantages: public cost, few rural jobs for newcomers, and possible tension with existing residents. Example: A remote village that offers cheap homes to families who open a business or work remotely. Rural incentives work when combined with internet access, jobs and services.

- Some cities now require new apartment buildings to include shared spaces for residents, such as gardens, kitchens and play areas. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this requirement? (Cities and travel)
  Plan: Shared spaces build community and improve wellbeing, but they raise costs and need careful management. Advantages: neighbours meet, children have safe places to play, and residents without gardens gain outdoor space. Disadvantages: higher building costs and rents, and disputes over noise, cleaning and maintenance. Example: A rooftop garden where residents of a tower block grow vegetables together. The requirement is worthwhile if management and costs are planned from the start.

- Some people think that the Olympic Games should be held in the same permanent location every time instead of moving between cities. Do the advantages of this idea outweigh the disadvantages? (Cities and travel)
  Plan: The advantages outweigh the disadvantages, because a permanent site would end wasteful building, though other countries would lose the chance to host. Advantages: no repeated construction or debt, venues used every time, and a lower environmental impact. Disadvantages: one country gains most of the benefits, others lose a source of pride, and distant fans face longer journeys. Example: Olympic venues in some host cities that were abandoned within a few years. A permanent, internationally funded site would be more sensible than building anew every four years.

## Problem and solution

- In many countries, a significant number of students leave school without completing their secondary education. What are the causes of this problem, and what measures could be taken to solve it? (Education)
  Plan: Early leaving is mainly caused by financial pressure and disengagement, so solutions should combine financial support with more relevant teaching. Causes: some families need teenagers to earn money, and students who struggle academically lose motivation. Solutions: small allowances for staying in school, vocational courses, and early support for students who are falling behind. Example: A school offering a mechanics course alongside core subjects to keep a practical-minded student enrolled. Addressing both money and motivation would keep more young people in school.

- Many countries are finding it difficult to attract and keep enough qualified teachers. Why is this the case, and what could be done to solve this problem? (Education)
  Plan: The shortage stems from heavy workloads and modest pay compared with other graduate jobs, so improving both is the main remedy. Causes: long hours of marking and paperwork, challenging classes, and salaries below other professions that require degrees. Solutions: competitive pay, less administrative work, and mentoring for new teachers in their first years. Example: A new teacher who stays in the profession because an experienced colleague supports her through her first year. Making teaching manageable and fairly paid would attract and keep more teachers.

- Many secondary school students suffer from high levels of stress because of examinations. What are the causes of this, and how could the problem be reduced? (Education)
  Plan: Exam stress comes mainly from high-stakes testing and pressure from adults, so relying less on single exams would ease it. Causes: one final exam can decide university places, and parents and schools compare results constantly. Solutions: combine exams with coursework, teach study and relaxation skills, and encourage parents to value effort. Example: A system in which projects completed during the year count towards the final grade. Spreading assessment and changing attitudes would lower stress without lowering standards.

- Large areas of forest are being cut down around the world. What are the causes of this problem, and what can be done to solve it? (Environment)
  Plan: Deforestation is driven mainly by demand for farmland and timber, so solutions must change economic incentives as well as laws. Causes: clearing land for cattle and crops such as soy and palm oil, illegal logging, and road building. Solutions: enforce protection laws, pay communities to keep forests standing, and make companies prove their supply chains are deforestation-free. Example: Labels that certify wood or paper comes from responsibly managed forests. Forests survive when keeping them standing pays more than cutting them down.

- In many parts of the world, there is not enough fresh water to meet people's needs. What are the causes of this problem, and what measures could be taken to address it? (Environment)
  Plan: Water shortages result from growing demand, waste and pollution, and are best tackled through efficiency and better management. Causes: growing populations, wasteful farm irrigation, leaking pipes, and pollution of rivers and groundwater. Solutions: drip irrigation, repairing distribution networks, recycling wastewater and pricing water to discourage waste. Example: Farmers switching from flooding fields to drip irrigation that delivers water directly to plant roots. Managing existing water carefully can meet people's needs without finding new sources.

- Large amounts of food are wasted every day in homes, shops and restaurants. Why does this happen, and what can be done to reduce it? (Environment)
  Plan: Food is wasted mostly through poor planning and strict appearance standards, so better planning and redistribution would reduce it. Causes: households buying too much, confusion about date labels, and shops rejecting imperfect produce. Solutions: clearer labels, selling misshapen fruit cheaply, and requiring supermarkets to donate surplus food. Example: Supermarkets giving unsold food to local food banks at the end of each day. Simple changes in shopping habits and retail rules could save much of the food now thrown away.

- People replace their phones, computers and other electronic devices more often than ever before, creating large amounts of electronic waste. Why do people replace their devices so often, and what can be done to reduce the problem? (Technology)
  Plan: Frequent replacement is driven by marketing and short product lives, so longer-lasting, repairable devices are the solution. Causes: new models every year, persuasive advertising, updates that slow older devices, and expensive repairs. Solutions: right-to-repair laws, longer software support, trade-in recycling schemes and buying refurbished devices. Example: A phone with a replaceable battery that can be kept for several more years. Designing devices to last would cut electronic waste significantly.

- Many older people find it difficult to use modern technology such as online banking and smartphones. What problems does this cause, and what could be done to help them? (Technology)
  Plan: The digital gap cuts older people off from services and family; training and keeping non-digital options would help. Problems: difficulty using banking and government services, vulnerability to scams, and loneliness. Solutions: free classes in libraries, simpler device designs, and keeping telephone and in-person options available. Example: Young volunteers teaching older residents to video-call their grandchildren. Technology should include older people rather than leave them behind.

- Many people find it difficult to concentrate on work or study because of constant notifications and other digital distractions. Why is this a problem, and what can be done about it? (Technology)
  Plan: Constant interruptions damage focus and productivity, and individuals and employers can reduce them with simple limits. Problems: after each interruption focus is slow to return, so work takes longer, mistakes increase and stress rises. Solutions: turn off non-essential notifications, set focused work periods, and agree workplace rules on messaging after hours. Example: A student who leaves her phone in another room while revising for exams. Taking control of notifications protects both attention and wellbeing.

- The number of children who are overweight is increasing in many countries. What are the causes of this problem, and what measures could be taken to solve it? (Health)
  Plan: Childhood obesity is caused by diet and inactivity in modern environments, so schools, governments and families must all act. Causes: cheap, heavily marketed processed food and sugary drinks, less active play, more screen time and busy families. Solutions: healthier school meals and daily activity, limits on junk-food marketing to children, and safe places to play. Example: A school that replaces sugary drinks in its canteen with water and milk. Changing food environments and activity levels together offers the best chance of reversing the trend.
  Band 6-9 samples: https://testmigo.com/ielts/writing/topics/task-2/childhood-obesity

- Many adults spend most of the day sitting at a desk and get very little exercise. What problems does this cause, and what solutions can you suggest? (Health)
  Plan: Long hours of sitting harm physical and mental health, and small changes at work and in commuting can reduce it. Problems: back pain, weight gain, a higher risk of heart disease, and lower energy and concentration. Solutions: standing desks, regular movement breaks, walking meetings, and encouraging people to walk or cycle to work. Example: A company that reminds employees to stand up and stretch every hour. Building movement into the working day is the most practical solution.

- In many countries, patients have to wait a long time to see a doctor or receive hospital treatment. What are the causes of this problem, and how could it be solved? (Health)
  Plan: Long waits result from rising demand and staff shortages, so more staff and better use of other services would reduce them. Causes: ageing populations, too few doctors and nurses, and people using hospitals for minor problems. Solutions: train and keep more staff, expand pharmacies and community clinics, and use online booking efficiently. Example: Pharmacists treating minor infections so that patients do not need a doctor's appointment. Spreading demand across the whole health system would shorten waiting times.

- In many countries, young people find it hard to get a job after finishing their education. What are the causes of this problem, and what can be done to solve it? (Work and economy)
  Plan: Young people struggle mainly because of lack of experience and a mismatch of skills, so practical routes into work are the solution. Causes: employers want experience, courses do not match employers' needs, and entry-level roles are fewer. Solutions: apprenticeships and paid internships, closer links between schools and employers, and incentives for hiring first-time workers. Example: An apprenticeship that lets a school leaver earn a wage while training as a technician. Bridging education and work would give young people a fair start.
  Band 6-9 samples: https://testmigo.com/ielts/writing/topics/task-2/youth-unemployment

- Many people get into debt by using credit cards and loans to buy things they cannot afford. Why does this happen, and what can be done to solve the problem? (Work and economy)
  Plan: Debt grows from easy credit and social pressure to spend, so financial education and stricter lending rules would help. Causes: easy access to credit, buy-now-pay-later offers, advertising and the desire to match other people's lifestyles. Solutions: teach money management at school, require lenders to check affordability, and limit misleading credit offers. Example: An online shop offering to split payments into instalments without explaining the late fees. Responsible lending and better financial knowledge would reduce problem debt.

- Many small businesses close within their first few years. What are the causes of this, and what measures could be taken to help more of them succeed? (Work and economy)
  Plan: Small businesses often fail because of cash-flow problems and inexperience, so advice and access to finance would help. Causes: underestimating costs, customers who pay late, a lack of business skills and competition from large chains. Solutions: free business mentoring, low-interest start-up loans, and rules requiring large firms to pay suppliers promptly. Example: A new café owner who receives advice on pricing and budgeting from an experienced mentor. Practical support in the early years would help more small firms survive.

- Many people living in large cities feel lonely, even though they are surrounded by other people. Why does this happen, and what can be done to reduce it? (Society and culture)
  Plan: Urban loneliness comes from busy lives and weak local ties, so community spaces and activities can help. Causes: long working hours, frequent moves, more people living alone, and little contact with neighbours. Solutions: community centres, local clubs and events, shared gardens, and building designs that encourage residents to meet. Example: An apartment block that organises a monthly shared dinner for its residents. Cities can reduce loneliness by creating places and reasons for people to meet.

- In many countries, traditional crafts and skills such as weaving and pottery are disappearing. Why is this happening, and what can be done to preserve them? (Society and culture)
  Plan: Crafts disappear because mass production is cheaper and young people see no future in them, so making crafts pay can preserve them. Causes: cheap factory goods, few young apprentices and low incomes for craftspeople. Solutions: funded apprenticeships, selling crafts to tourists and online, and teaching crafts in schools and museums. Example: A pottery village that runs workshops for tourists and sells its products online. Crafts survive when they provide a living for the next generation.

- Many people say that customers are becoming less polite towards staff in shops, restaurants and call centres. What are the causes of this, and what can be done to encourage better behaviour? (Society and culture)
  Plan: Rudeness to service staff grows from stress, impatience and anonymity, so businesses and the public must make respect the norm. Causes: long queues and automated systems frustrate customers, staff seem anonymous, and rude behaviour online feels normal. Solutions: businesses supporting staff who face abuse, public campaigns, and parents modelling polite behaviour in shops. Example: A supermarket that displays signs reminding customers that abuse of staff will not be tolerated. Respect for service workers is learned by example and protected by clear rules.

- In many countries, fewer students are choosing to study science subjects at university. What are the causes of this, and what measures could be taken to encourage more students to study science? (Science and research)
  Plan: Students avoid science because it seems difficult and its careers unclear, so better teaching and visible opportunities would attract them. Causes: abstract school teaching, a shortage of specialist teachers, and unclear or less well-paid career paths. Solutions: practical, relevant lessons, more specialist teachers, scholarships, and links with industry and role models. Example: A school partnership with a local laboratory where students carry out experiments alongside scientists. Making science engaging and rewarding would bring more students into the field.
  Band 6-9 samples: https://testmigo.com/ielts/writing/topics/task-2/fewer-science-students

- Many people do not trust scientists and scientific experts. Why is this, and what can be done to improve public trust in science? (Science and research)
  Plan: Distrust grows from misinformation and poor communication, so open, clear communication by scientists would rebuild trust. Causes: false information online, technical language, advice that changes during new crises, and suspicion of funding sources. Solutions: explain uncertainty honestly, communicate simply, publish funding sources and teach how science works. Example: Scientists explaining on television why advice changed as new evidence emerged. Transparency and clear communication are the keys to public trust.

- Antibiotics are becoming less effective because bacteria are developing resistance to them. What are the causes of this problem, and what measures could be taken to solve it? (Science and research)
  Plan: Resistance is caused mainly by overuse and misuse of antibiotics, so careful use and new research are the solutions. Causes: prescriptions for viral illnesses, antibiotics sold without prescription in some countries, and routine use in livestock farming. Solutions: stricter prescribing, limits on farm use, public education and funding for new antibiotics. Example: A doctor explaining that a common cold is caused by a virus and will not respond to antibiotics. Using antibiotics wisely now protects their effectiveness for the future.

- In some cities, criminal gangs are recruiting teenagers to carry out crimes for them. Why does this happen, and what can be done to protect young people? (Crime and law)
  Plan: Gangs recruit teenagers because they are cheap, easily influenced and punished less, so protection needs youth support and tough action on recruiters. Causes: teenagers seeking money, status or belonging, few local opportunities, and lighter sentences for minors. Solutions: youth clubs and mentoring, school lessons on gang tactics, and heavier penalties for adults who recruit children. Example: A youth worker who helps a fifteen-year-old leave a gang by finding him an apprenticeship. Young people are safest when they have better options and recruiters face serious consequences.

- Online fraud, such as fake shopping websites and scam emails, affects a growing number of people. Why is this happening, and what can be done to reduce it? (Crime and law)
  Plan: Online fraud grows because criminals can reach millions cheaply and many users miss the warning signs, so awareness and technology can reduce it. Causes: more people online, convincing fake websites, a low risk of being caught, and users unaware of warning signs. Solutions: public awareness campaigns, banks blocking suspicious payments, and international police cooperation. Example: A bank that delays a large first-time payment and calls the customer to confirm it. Combined action by individuals, banks and police can make fraud much harder.

- In many cities, parks, bus stops and other public spaces are damaged by litter, graffiti and vandalism. What are the causes of this, and what measures could be taken to solve the problem? (Crime and law)
  Plan: Vandalism results from boredom and a lack of community ownership, so involving residents and repairing damage quickly reduce it. Causes: bored young people, a feeling that public property belongs to no one, and poorly maintained areas. Solutions: repair damage quickly, involve residents in caring for spaces, provide legal walls for street art, and fine offenders. Example: A town providing a legal wall where young artists can paint freely. People protect spaces they feel belong to them.

- Many children who enjoy reading at primary school stop reading for pleasure when they become teenagers. Why does this happen, and what could parents and teachers do about it? (Media and communication)
  Plan: Teenagers stop reading because of competing screens and exam pressure, and giving them choice and time can revive the habit. Causes: homework and exams leave little time, phones offer quicker entertainment, and assigned books feel like work. Solutions: free choice of books, protected reading time at school, and parents who read themselves and discuss books. Example: A school that allows ten minutes of free reading each morning, including graphic novels and sports magazines. Teenagers return to reading when it feels like their own choice.

- Many people receive abusive or threatening comments on social media. What are the causes of this problem, and what measures could be taken to tackle it? (Media and communication)
  Plan: Online abuse thrives on anonymity and weak enforcement, so platforms, laws and education must work together. Causes: anonymity, little chance of punishment, quick emotional reactions and group behaviour online. Solutions: faster moderation by platforms, legal consequences for threats, and teaching respectful online behaviour. Example: A platform that asks users to reconsider before posting a comment its system flags as offensive. Accountability is the key to reducing online abuse.

- False information spreads quickly on the internet. What are the causes of this, and what can be done to stop it? (Media and communication)
  Plan: False stories spread because they are emotional and easy to share, so media literacy and action by platforms can slow them. Causes: shocking headlines attract clicks, sharing takes one tap, and many readers do not check sources. Solutions: teach media literacy, label disputed content, and limit the spread of unverified viral posts. Example: Checking whether a shocking headline appears on any reliable news website before sharing it. Careful readers and responsible platforms together can limit false information.

- In many towns, traffic around schools at the start and end of the day causes congestion and danger. What are the causes of this problem, and what measures could be taken to solve it? (Cities and travel)
  Plan: School-gate traffic comes from parents' safety fears and busy schedules, so safe alternatives to driving are the solution. Causes: parents fear road danger, drop children off on the way to work, and many schools are far from pupils' homes. Solutions: car-free zones near schools at drop-off times, safe walking and cycling routes, and school buses. Example: A street closed to cars for thirty minutes each morning so children can walk safely to the gate. Making walking safe would reduce both the danger and the traffic.

- In many large cities, nurses, teachers and other essential workers cannot afford to live near where they work. What problems does this cause, and what can be done about it? (Cities and travel)
  Plan: When essential workers are priced out, public services suffer, so affordable housing for them must be part of city planning. Problems: long commutes, tired staff, difficulty recruiting, and hospitals and schools left short-staffed. Solutions: affordable homes reserved for key workers, rent support, and requiring new developments to include low-cost housing. Example: A hospital that builds subsidised flats for nurses next to its main building. Cities that house their essential workers protect the services everyone depends on.

- Some popular tourist destinations are being damaged by having too many visitors. What problems does this cause, and what solutions can you suggest? (Cities and travel)
  Plan: Too many visitors damage sites and local life, so limiting and spreading visitor numbers would protect them. Problems: crowded streets, damaged monuments and nature, rising rents, and residents forced to move away. Solutions: daily visitor limits, tourist taxes, booking systems and promoting less-visited destinations. Example: Venice charging day visitors an entry fee at peak times. Managing tourism protects destinations for both residents and future visitors.

## Two-part question

- More and more adults are returning to education later in life. Why do people decide to study as adults? Is this a positive or negative development? (Education)
  Plan: Adults return to study for career reasons and personal fulfilment, and this is a positive development overall. Why: changing job markets and technology, career changes or promotion, and the satisfaction of learning something new. Positive: it keeps skills current and benefits economies, though cost and time pressure are hard for working parents. Example: An office worker who takes an evening course in data analysis to move into a new role. Adult education reflects modern working life and should be encouraged and made affordable.
  Band 6-9 samples: https://testmigo.com/ielts/writing/topics/task-2/adults-returning-to-education

- Many students consider history to be a less useful subject than science or technology. Why might students think this? What do young people gain from studying history? (Education)
  Plan: Students undervalue history because its career benefits seem unclear, yet it teaches judgement and understanding that every citizen needs. Why: history seems to have no direct link to jobs, and memorising dates feels disconnected from modern life. Gains: weighing sources and evidence, understanding how today's institutions and conflicts arose, and a sense of shared identity. Example: A student who learns to compare two conflicting accounts of an event and later spots misleading claims online. History's value is less visible than that of science, but it is no less important.

- Some university students change to a different subject after their first year because the course is not what they expected. Why does this happen? Is changing course a sign of failure or a sensible decision? (Education)
  Plan: Students change course mainly because they chose with too little information, and switching early is usually sensible rather than a failure. Why: university subjects differ from school ones, choices are made young or under family pressure, and course descriptions can be vague. Sensible: continuing an unsuitable degree wastes more time and money, though repeated changes may reflect poor planning. Example: A student who leaves engineering for architecture after discovering she prefers design to calculation. An early change of course corrects a mistake; staying on the wrong path would be the greater failure.

- Many people now buy cheap clothes and throw them away after wearing them only a few times. Why has this become so common? What effects does this have on the environment? (Environment)
  Plan: Disposable clothing is common because it is cheap and driven by trends, and it causes serious environmental damage. Why: very low prices, constant new collections, and social media and online shopping making trends short-lived. Effects: textile waste in landfill, heavy water and chemical use, microplastics from synthetic fibres, and transport emissions. Example: A dress bought for a single party and thrown away a few weeks later. Buying fewer, better-made clothes would reduce the damage.
  Band 6-9 samples: https://testmigo.com/ielts/writing/topics/task-2/fast-fashion

- Many people believe that children should learn about climate change at school. Why is it important for young people to learn about this issue? How could schools teach it effectively? (Environment)
  Plan: Young people will live with the effects of climate change, so schools should teach it through science and practical action. Why important: today's children will face its effects and make future decisions as voters, workers and consumers. How: teach the science clearly, include local projects, and link the topic to subjects such as geography and economics. Example: A school energy audit in which students measure and reduce the school's electricity use. Teaching climate change practically prepares students to respond to it.

- Wild animals such as foxes, monkeys and birds of prey are increasingly seen in towns and cities. Why is this happening? Should people welcome these animals or try to keep them away? (Environment)
  Plan: Animals move into cities because their habitats shrink and cities offer food; people should tolerate harmless species but not feed or encourage them. Why: farmland and housing replace natural habitats, while rubbish bins and gardens provide easy food. Welcome or not: harmless wildlife enriches urban life, but feeding animals causes conflict, damage and disease risks. Example: Foxes searching rubbish bins at night in many European cities, where secure bins work better than culling. Coexistence, with secure rubbish and no feeding, is better than either welcoming or removing them.

- Some schools have stopped teaching joined-up handwriting and now teach typing instead. Why might schools make this decision? Is anything lost when children do not learn to write fluently by hand? (Technology)
  Plan: Schools choose typing because it matches how adults now write, but children do lose something when handwriting is neglected. Why: work and many exams are increasingly digital, typing is faster, and timetables have limited space. Losses: handwriting helps young children learn letters, supports memory when taking notes, and is needed when devices fail. Example: Many students find that writing notes by hand makes them summarise ideas rather than copy word for word. Schools should teach typing without abandoning fluent handwriting.

- Many people now rely on their phones for directions, remembering information and doing simple calculations. Why has this happened? Does this make people less capable than previous generations? (Technology)
  Plan: People rely on phones because they are always available and accurate; this weakens a few skills but does not make people less capable overall. Why: phones are always in our pockets, free apps are accurate, and busy lives reward speed. Not less capable: memory is freed for other tasks and errors fall, though people struggle when the battery dies. Example: A driver who cannot find the way home when the navigation app stops working. Depending on phones is fine as long as basic skills are maintained.

- Many people now use apps to learn foreign languages instead of attending classes. Why are these apps so popular? Can they replace a human teacher? (Technology)
  Plan: Apps are popular because they are cheap, flexible and game-like, but they cannot fully replace a teacher. Why: low cost, short lessons on a phone at any time, and rewards that make practice feel like a game. Cannot replace: teachers give personal feedback, correct pronunciation, explain grammar and keep learners motivated. Example: A learner who completes daily vocabulary exercises but struggles in her first conversation. Apps work best alongside teaching, not instead of it.

- Many people today say that they feel more stressed than previous generations did. Why might this be? Is modern life truly more stressful than life in the past? (Health)
  Plan: People feel stressed by work pressure, constant connection and money worries, but modern life is differently stressful rather than simply more stressful. Why: long or insecure working hours, being always reachable by phone, high living costs, and more open talk about stress. Not simply more: earlier generations faced harder physical work, illness and insecurity; today's pressures are mental and constant. Example: A grandparent who did heavy farm work but switched off at sunset, compared with an employee answering emails at midnight. The kind of stress has changed more than the amount.

- Many people now look up medical information online instead of consulting a doctor. Why do people do this? What dangers can this create? (Health)
  Plan: People search online for speed, cost and privacy, but doing so instead of seeing a doctor risks misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. Why: instant, free answers, long waits for appointments, and embarrassment about some symptoms. Dangers: unreliable websites cause needless anxiety or false reassurance, self-medication goes wrong, and serious illness is noticed late. Example: Someone who ignores a serious symptom after reading a forum post saying it is harmless. Online information should support a doctor's judgement, not replace it.

- Many people now take vitamin supplements every day. Why is this practice so popular? Can supplements replace a balanced diet? (Health)
  Plan: Supplements are popular because of busy lives and marketing, but they cannot replace a balanced diet. Why: a belief that they prevent illness, busy lifestyles with poor diets, and heavy advertising. Cannot replace: food provides fibre, energy and many nutrients that tablets do not, and some supplements are unnecessary. Example: Vitamin D is often advised in dark northern winters, unlike multivitamins taken by healthy people who already eat well. Supplements help in specific cases, but good food remains the foundation of health.

- Many people now have a second job or a small business alongside their main job. Why are more people doing this? How can it affect their main job and their personal life? (Work and economy)
  Plan: People take on side work for extra income and personal interest; it can enrich their skills but often costs them rest and family time. Why: rising living costs, online platforms that make selling and freelancing easy, and a wish to pursue interests. Effects: new skills and financial security, but tiredness at the main job, conflicts of interest and less family time. Example: A teacher who sells handmade jewellery online at weekends and arrives on Monday exhausted. Side work helps most when hours are limited and it is a choice rather than a necessity.

- Many young people work in unpaid internships to gain experience. Why do they accept unpaid work? Should companies be required to pay their interns? (Work and economy)
  Plan: Young people accept unpaid internships to gain the experience employers demand; companies should be required to pay at least the minimum wage. Why: intense competition for graduate jobs, the need for experience on a CV, and valuable contacts. Should pay: unpaid work excludes those who cannot afford it and lets companies use free labour. Example: A talented student who cannot accept an unpaid placement in an expensive city. Paid internships would make opportunities fairer for everyone.

- Many employers say that the ability to work in a team is more important than technical knowledge. Why do employers value teamwork so highly? How can young people develop these skills? (Work and economy)
  Plan: Employers value teamwork because most work is collaborative; young people can build it through group activities and part-time work. Why: projects depend on cooperation, poor relationships waste time, and technical skills can be taught on the job. How: team sports, group projects, volunteering and part-time jobs that involve dealing with customers. Example: A student who learns to resolve disagreements while organising a school charity event. Teamwork is a learnable skill that young people should practise early.

- Many young people today regard celebrities as their role models. Why is this the case? What qualities should a good role model have? (Society and culture)
  Plan: Young people follow celebrities because they see them online every day, but a good role model is defined by character, not fame. Why: constant exposure through social media, the appeal of fame and wealth, and a feeling of personal connection. Qualities: persistence through failure, honesty, kindness to others, and success earned through effort rather than appearance. Example: An athlete who talks openly about years of training and setbacks, compared with a star who mainly promotes expensive products. Fame attracts attention, but character is what makes someone worth following.

- In many societies, people are buying more possessions than ever before. Why is this happening? Does owning more things make people happier? (Society and culture)
  Plan: People buy more because goods are cheap and heavily advertised, but owning more brings little lasting happiness. Why: cheap mass production, online shopping, constant advertising and the desire for status. Happiness: new purchases give brief pleasure, while relationships, health and experiences matter more. Example: The excitement of a new phone fading within weeks, while a trip with friends is remembered for years. Beyond basic comfort, experiences and relationships matter more than possessions.

- In many families, members rarely sit down to eat a meal together. Why has this happened? What effect does this have on family relationships? (Society and culture)
  Plan: Family meals have declined because of busy schedules and screens, and this weakens everyday connection within families. Why: long and irregular working hours, children's activities, convenience food and screens at mealtimes. Effect: fewer chances for conversation, parents noticing problems later, and a weaker sense of routine. Example: A teenager whose worries about school go unnoticed because the family never talks over dinner. Even a few shared meals a week can protect family relationships.
  Band 6-9 samples: https://testmigo.com/ielts/writing/topics/task-2/families-eating-together

- Many inventions that people now depend on were mocked or feared when they first appeared. Why are people often suspicious of new inventions? Is this suspicion useful? (Science and research)
  Plan: People distrust inventions because change feels risky and unfamiliar, and this suspicion is useful when it leads to careful testing rather than rejection. Why: fear of the unknown, worry about jobs or safety, and the effort of learning new habits. Useful: doubt forces inventors to prove safety and value, but excessive fear can delay helpful technology. Example: Early fears about electricity in homes, which helped lead to safety rules that still protect people today. Healthy suspicion improves inventions; only automatic rejection holds progress back.

- Private companies are now offering trips into space for tourists. Why do people want to travel into space? Should this kind of tourism be encouraged? (Science and research)
  Plan: People seek space travel for adventure and status; it should not be encouraged until it is safer and less polluting. Why: curiosity, the unique experience of seeing Earth from above, prestige and a sense of adventure. Not yet: flights are extremely expensive and risky, and they produce emissions for the benefit of very few people. Example: Short flights that give wealthy passengers a few minutes of weightlessness. Space tourism may help research later, but for now it should not be promoted.

- Scientists can now grow meat in laboratories from animal cells. Why might people be reluctant to eat this kind of meat? Do you think it will replace traditional farming in the future? (Science and research)
  Plan: People distrust lab-grown meat because it seems unnatural, and it will complement rather than fully replace farming. Why reluctant: it seems unnatural, people are unfamiliar with its long-term safety, and it is expensive. Future: it may win a large share of the market if prices fall, but traditional farming will continue for cultural reasons. Example: A restaurant offering cultivated chicken alongside traditional dishes. Lab-grown meat is likely to become one option among many.

- Some people think that young people should be taught about the law at school. What are the benefits of understanding the law at a young age? Should law be a compulsory school subject? (Crime and law)
  Plan: Understanding the law protects young people and builds responsible citizens, but it fits better inside existing subjects than as a separate compulsory one. Benefits: young people learn their rights, the consequences of actions such as online harassment, and how society works. Not a separate subject: timetables are full, so short units in citizenship or social studies lessons would reach everyone. Example: A mock trial in which students act as the judge, lawyers and jury during a citizenship lesson. Every student should learn basic law, without it becoming another examined subject.

- Many crimes are never reported to the police. Why do victims sometimes not report crimes? What effects does this have on society? (Crime and law)
  Plan: Victims stay silent out of fear, embarrassment or doubt that police will act, and this silence lets crime grow unseen. Why: fear of revenge, embarrassment, thinking the crime is too minor, or distrust of the police. Effects: offenders go unpunished and reoffend, crime figures understate the problem, and police resources go to the wrong places. Example: Repeated bicycle thefts at a station that nobody reports, so no camera or patrol is ever added there. Unreported crime harms everyone, not only the victims who stay silent.

- Many people knowingly buy counterfeit products, such as fake designer bags and watches. Why do people buy these goods? Is this a harmless crime? (Crime and law)
  Plan: People buy fakes for cheap status, but it is not harmless because it funds crime and harms workers, businesses and buyers. Why: the appeal of luxury brands, the high prices of originals, and the belief that nobody is hurt. Not harmless: profits may support organised crime, factories exploit workers, and fake products can be unsafe. Example: Fake phone chargers that overheat and can start fires. Buying fakes has hidden victims, so it should be discouraged.

- Local newspapers are closing in many areas. Why is this happening? What does a community lose when it no longer has a local newspaper? (Media and communication)
  Plan: Local papers close because advertising moved online, and communities lose scrutiny of local decisions and a shared source of news. Why: advertising has moved to online platforms, readers expect free news, and printing costs have risen. Losses: no reporting on local councils, courts and events, and fewer shared community stories. Example: A council decision on a new road going unreported because no journalist attends its meetings. Communities need new ways to fund local journalism.

- Podcasts have become a very popular source of information and entertainment. Why are they so popular? Will they replace radio in the future? (Media and communication)
  Plan: Podcasts are popular because they are flexible and specialised, but radio will survive because of its live content. Why: people can listen at any time, choose from countless niche topics, and listen while commuting or exercising. Radio survives: live news, traffic updates, music and emergency information, and it needs no internet connection. Example: A driver listening to a history podcast on a long journey, then switching to radio for traffic news. The two will coexist, each serving different needs.

- Many people now use emojis and abbreviations in their written messages. Why are they so popular? Do they have a negative effect on language? (Media and communication)
  Plan: Emojis are popular because they are quick and show emotion, and they do little harm to language in informal contexts. Why: speed, small screens, and the need to show tone and feelings that plain text lacks. Effect: little harm, since most people switch to formal language at school and work, though some lose that skill. Example: A student who texts friends with emojis but writes a formal job application correctly. Emojis add to communication rather than damage language, as long as writers know when to use them.

- Many cities have very few parks and green spaces. Why are green spaces important in cities? Should land be kept for parks even when it is needed for housing? (Cities and travel)
  Plan: Green spaces improve health, air and community life, so existing parks should be protected, with housing built upwards or on disused land instead. Why: exercise and relaxation, cleaner air, cooler streets in summer and places for neighbours to meet. Keep parks: once built on they are lost for good, and denser housing on brownfield sites can meet demand. Example: New York's High Line, a disused elevated railway turned into a public park amid dense housing. Cities need both homes and parks, and should not sacrifice one to gain the other.

- Many people spend more than an hour each day travelling to and from work. Why do people accept such long journeys? Is a cheaper or larger home worth a long commute? (Cities and travel)
  Plan: People accept long commutes for cheaper housing or better jobs, but the trade is rarely worth it once lost time and health are counted. Why: lower housing costs further out, jobs concentrated in city centres, and a preference for quieter areas. Rarely worth it: hours lost each week cut family time, exercise and sleep, unless the journey can be used productively. Example: A parent who leaves before the children wake and returns after they are asleep. A larger home is worth less than the daily hours a long commute takes away.

- Many tourists now prefer to stay in private homes rented through websites rather than in hotels. Why is this? How does this trend affect the people who live in these neighbourhoods? (Cities and travel)
  Plan: Travellers prefer home rentals for space, price and a local experience, but residents mostly bear the costs. Why: often cheaper for groups, kitchens and more space, and the feeling of living like a local. Residents: some earn extra income, but rising rents, noise and fewer long-term homes damage neighbourhoods. Example: A historic street where most flats have become holiday rentals and local shops have closed. Holiday rentals should be regulated to protect housing for residents.