January 2018 IELTS Writing Task 2 Questions

Two-Part Expository: Causes and Solutions / Problems and Solutions

Nowadays, people living in large cities face problems on a daily basis. What are these problems?

Should governments encourage people to move to smaller towns? (13 th Jan) (AC)

Science says that some activities are unhealthy. Despite this, the number of people all over the

world who are doing these activities is increasing. Why this is happening? What can be done to

reduce it? (18th Jan) (AC)

Two-Part Expository: Mixed

Companies use a variety of methods to increase the sales of their products. What are these

methods? Which is the most effective? (13th Jan) (AC)

Opinion

In many countries, senior positions have higher salaries compared with other workers of the

same company or organization. Some people think that this is not justifiable. To what extent do

you agree or disagree? (6th Jan) (AC)

Some people consider the price as the most important thing in buying a product (e.g. mobile

phone) or a service (e.g. medical treatment or insurance). Do you agree or disagree? (6 th Jan)

(GT)

Some people believe that maintaining public libraries is a waste of time because nowadays,

computer technology can easily replace their purpose. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

(18th Jan) (AC)

Everywhere we go, we are surrounded by advertisements. Some people think that advertisements

can affect our thinking and that it can have a negative influence on our lives. To what extent do

you agree or disagree? (20th Jan) (AC)

Some people argue that the government should not partake in giving international aid if it is

being plagued by problems such as unemployment and homelessness. To what extent do you

agree or disagree? (20th Jan) (AC)

In some countries, people have more and more money to buy things. Do you think this is a

positive or negative development? (20th Jan) (GT)

Some people become famous at a very young age. Do you think this is a good or bad

development? (20th Jan) (GT)

Discussion

Many people think that taking part in team sports e.g. basketball or football, is beneficial. Others,

however, think that engaging in individual sports like tennis or swimming is better. Discuss both

views and give your own opinion? (6th Jan) (AC)

In some countries, some people believe that teenagers should be encouraged to do part-time jobs.

Others, however, disagree. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. (6 th Jan) (GT)

Some people say it is the government’s responsibility to fund school buses, while others think

that parents are responsible for bringing their kids to school. Discuss both views and give your

own opinion. (20th Jan) (AC)

Some people think that giving homework to students is not a good idea. Others, however, believe

that giving homework to students is good and helps students achieve better grades. Discuss both

views and give your own opinion. (20th Jan) (GT)

Some people believe that air travel should be allowed to grow without limit. Others, however,

think that the government should limit air travel. Discuss both these views and give your own

opinion. (20th Jan) (GT)

Others: Advantages and Disadvantages (Opinion)

In many cities today, most people live in large apartment blocks. Does this kind of

accommodation have more advantages or disadvantages? (6th Jan) (GT)

Research shows that many business meetings and trainings nowadays are increasingly taking

place online rather than in real offices. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

(20th Jan) (AC)

Others: Two-Part Expository and Opinion

The tendency of human beings to copy one another in terms of fashion and consumer goods is

increasing in popularity. Is this a positive or negative development? What can be done about it?

(6th Jan) (AC)

January 2018 IELTS Speaking Part 1-3 Questions

Speaking Part I

Work/Job

• Did you have any training for your current job?

• What are the advantages of taking part in such training?

• How important is your job to you? • Have your work habits changed over

time? • What’s the best way to deal with changes

at work?

Home

• Can you describe your home a little bit? • How would you change your apartment or

house? • Do you enjoy living with your family? • Do you like to live by yourself in the

future? • Is the transport around your home

convenient?

Time

• How important is it for you to be on time for an appointment?

• Has the significance of punctuality changed over time?

• What do you do if you have to wait for a long time?

• Do you get tense if you do not reach your destination on time?

• What time of the day are you most productive?

Wild Animals

• What animals/wild animals do you like? • Which wild animal would you like to see?

Why? • Do you think it’s important for children to

see wild animals? Why? • Do you like going to zoos? How often do

you go there? • Do you think wild animals can be good

pets? Why?

Dictionary

• How often do you use a dictionary? • Do you prefer an electronic dictionary or

a dictionary made of paper? Why? • How would you feel if someone gave you

a dictionary? • Do you want to be part of a team that

writes/creates dictionaries? Why or why not?

• How helpful is a dictionary in our day to day lives?

Applications

• What kind of applications do people use nowadays?

• What applications do you prefer? • Do you prefer computer or phone

applications? Why? • Would you like to create an app someday?

What would it be? • Is there any application which you don’t

have in your phone/PC but would like to have in the future?

Sleep

• How long should people sleep? • Should older people sleep less? Why? • What do you think of daytime naps? • How many hours of sleep is

enough/optimal for you? • What do you need to have a good night’s

sleep?

Music

• Do you prefer downloading music online or buying CDs?

• How important is music to you? • Do you think that music will change in the

future? Why? • When is the best time to listen to music? • Does music affect people’s moods? Why

and how?

Exercise

• Do you exercise? • What exercise do you usually do? • Is exercise important? Why? • Do you think the youth should exercise?

Why? • Do you think more and more people will

exercise in the future? Why?

Writing/Letters

• How often do you write letters? • As a child, did you enjoy writing? Why? • Do you prefer typing or writing a letter?

Why? • Do you think snail mail will still be

available in the future? • Do you think it’s easy to be a writer? Why

or why not?

Speaking Part II and III

Furniture

Part II

An important piece of furniture in your house.

Part III

• What factors do you keep in mind when purchasing a furniture? • What types of furniture are used in offices? How is it different from home furniture? • What qualities do you think furniture should possess? • Do you think that the climate can influence the type of furniture being produced or

purchased? • When is a good time to buy a new piece of furniture?

Memorable Journey/Transportation

Part II

A road trip that was memorable for you.

Part III

• Do you prefer public or private transportation? Why? • What are some drawbacks of public transportation? • What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of water transportation? • How is the public transportation in your country? • What do you think the government should do to promote public transportation? • Do you see driverless cars as a possibility in the future? Why?

Traditional Products

Part II

A traditional product that is very popular in your country.

Part III

• What are the benefits of traditional products to locals? • Should the government help in promoting traditional products? Why?

• Do you think that because of globalization, countries are more open to adopt each other’s traditions? Why?

• Do you think that people buy traditional products because of its traditional value or just because it is handmade?

• Which do you prefer, traditional or modern products? Why?

Public Places/Cities and countryside

Part II

A public place in your country that you think needs improvement.

Part III

• What kind of public places are there in your hometown? • What kind of public places do older and younger people prefer? • Should the government invest more money in public places? Why? • What’s the difference between living in the city and living in the countryside? • Why do you think more and more people are migrating to the city?

Knowledge/Information

Part II

A person, who in your opinion, is knowledgeable about something.

Part III

• Do think it’s important to bring together people with different types of knowledge/expertise? Why?

• Do you think it’s easier to obtain information using the internet? • In your opinion, is information obtained from the internet always trustworthy? • Why do you think some internet sites/resources give false information? • Do you think people in your social circle are easily persuaded by the media or not?

Learning/Teaching English

Part II

A memorable English lesson that you had.

Part III

• Is learning grammar important? Why? • Why is learning English important nowadays? • In your opinion, is a teacher’s job interesting? Why? • What do you think makes teaching a difficult job? • In the future, do you think it’s possible for computers to replace teachers? Why?

Photography

Part II

A time when someone took a good photograph of you.

Part III

• Do you think that photographs will replace paintings in the future? Why? • Is it good to take a lot of photographs? Why? • Which do you prefer, digital or printed photographs? Why? • Do we still need professional photographers nowadays? Why? • What should news reports consider when taking photographs? Why?

Seasons/Climate/Weather

Part II

A favorite season and time that you enjoyed the most.

Part III

• How does the weather change in your country from January to December? • What jobs do you think an extreme weather condition produces? • Has the weather or climate changed over time, especially as compared to the past? • How can the weather affect people’s jobs and moods? • In which weather condition is it comfortable to work in?

Celebrities/Popularity

Part II

A popular person whom you know.

Part III

• Is it easy to become popular nowadays? Why? • How do you think people can become popular? • Do you want to become popular? What would you do to become popular? • Do you think that people who are popular now would still be popular in 20 years? Why? • Why do you think a lot of people want to be popular? • Are celebrities good examples for young people? Why or why not?

Good Stories/Storytelling

Part II

A good story that someone told you about.

Part III

• Is it good to tell stories to kids? Why? • What kind of stories do you think are popular among children? How about among

adults? • Do you think everyone is a natural storyteller? Why? • Has storytelling changed over a period of time (e.g. 40-50 years ago)? • Which is better, traditional storytelling or the use of technology in storytelling? Why? • What makes storytelling effective?

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