recent topics for essay 2021

Essay Papers Writing Online

Exploring interesting essay topics for your next writing assignment.

In the ever-evolving landscape of academia, selecting a compelling essay topic is crucial to engage readers and showcase your analytical skills. As we step into 2021, it’s essential to explore contemporary issues and trends that resonate with the current societal and global context. Whether you’re passionate about technology, environment, social justice, or culture, there are numerous thought-provoking essay topics to choose from.

1. The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health: With the rise of social media platforms, exploring the psychological effects of excessive screen time and online interactions has become a pressing topic. Analyze the correlation between social media usage and mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.

2. Climate Change and Sustainable Development: With the increasing threat of climate change, discussing the importance of sustainable practices and policies is more relevant than ever. Delve into the role of renewable energy sources, conservation efforts, and international agreements in addressing the climate crisis.

Exploring Trending Essay Topics

As we navigate through the complexities of the 21st century, there are numerous trending essay topics that capture the essence of our evolving society. From discussions on climate change and sustainability to explorations of artificial intelligence and the future of work, there is a wealth of compelling subjects to delve into. Delving into these current trends can provide valuable insights and perspectives on the pressing issues of our time, offering new dimensions for critical analysis and debate. Whether you are interested in social justice, technological advancements, or cultural shifts, there is a wide array of essay topics to explore in 2021. By engaging with these trending topics, writers can not only enhance their understanding of the world around them but also contribute to the ongoing dialogue on important issues facing society today.

Analyzing Social Media Impact

Social media platforms have transformed the way we communicate, share information, and interact with one another. The impact of social media on society is undeniable and worth analyzing to understand its full implications.

Here are some key points to consider when analyzing the impact of social media:

• Reach and Influence: Social media allows information to spread rapidly and reach a global audience within seconds. This has a profound impact on how news is disseminated and how opinions are formed.
• Communication and Connection: Social media platforms provide a way for people to connect and communicate, breaking down geographical barriers and facilitating relationships across the globe.
• Marketing and Branding: Businesses leverage social media to promote their products and services, engage with customers, and build brand awareness. The impact of social media on marketing strategies cannot be overstated.
• Mental Health and Well-being: The constant exposure to social media can have negative effects on mental health, leading to issues such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Understanding and addressing these impacts is crucial.
• Privacy and Security: Social media raises concerns about data privacy and security, as personal information is shared online and vulnerable to misuse. Analyzing the impact of social media on privacy laws and user security is essential.

As we continue to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of social media, it is important to critically analyze its impact on individuals, communities, and society as a whole.

Unveiling Environmental Sustainability Importance

Environmental sustainability is a critical issue that has gained immense importance in recent years. With increasing awareness about climate change, pollution, and natural resource depletion, the need for sustainable practices has never been more urgent.

One of the key reasons why environmental sustainability is important is to ensure the well-being of future generations. By preserving the environment and its resources, we are safeguarding the planet for our children and grandchildren.

Furthermore, environmental sustainability promotes the efficient use of resources, reducing waste and minimizing the negative impact on ecosystems. This not only benefits the environment but also contributes to the overall health and stability of society.

By adopting sustainable practices in industries, agriculture, and daily life, we can mitigate the effects of climate change, preserve biodiversity, and protect our natural habitats. This, in turn, leads to a more resilient and thriving planet for all living beings.

• Preserving biodiversity
• Reducing carbon footprint
• Conserving natural resources
• Promoting green energy

Ultimately, environmental sustainability is crucial for maintaining a harmonious relationship between humans and nature. It is our responsibility to be good stewards of the Earth and strive towards a sustainable future for generations to come.

Delving into Mental Health Awareness

Mental health awareness is a crucial topic that needs to be discussed and understood. It’s important to break the stigma surrounding mental health issues and promote a more open and supportive environment for those struggling.

Why is mental health awareness important?

Many people suffer in silence due to fear of judgment or lack of support. By raising awareness about mental health, we can encourage individuals to seek help, reduce the stigma, and promote early intervention and treatment.

Discussing mental health openly can also help create a more compassionate and understanding society, where individuals feel empowered to speak up about their struggles without fear of discrimination or shame.

Ways to promote mental health awareness:

– Organize events and seminars to educate the public about mental health issues and how to support those in need.

– Share personal stories and experiences to break down stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding mental health.

– Advocate for mental health resources and services in schools, workplaces, and communities to ensure access to proper care and support.

By delving into mental health awareness, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for everyone, promoting mental well-being and resilience among individuals.

Investigating Technological Advancements Impact

In today’s rapidly evolving world, technological advancements have had a profound impact on various aspects of society. From communication to healthcare, education to transportation, technology has revolutionized the way we live, work, and interact with one another.

One area where technological advancements have had a significant impact is in the field of artificial intelligence. As AI continues to advance, it raises important questions about the implications for job security, privacy, and ethics. Exploring the ethical considerations of AI and its potential societal effects can provide valuable insights into the future of this technology.

Furthermore, the rise of social media and its influence on society is another compelling topic to investigate. Social media platforms have transformed the way we connect and communicate, but they also raise concerns about data privacy, misinformation, and online harassment. Analyzing the impact of social media on mental health, politics, and culture can shed light on the benefits and challenges of this technology.

In conclusion, investigating the impact of technological advancements on society is a rich and dynamic topic that offers numerous avenues for exploration and discussion. By delving into the implications of new technologies, we can better understand their effects on individuals, communities, and the world at large.

Discussing Global Economic Challenges

In the rapidly changing global landscape, economic challenges continue to be a pressing issue that affects countries around the world. From the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to trade disputes and economic inequality, there are numerous factors that contribute to the complexities of the global economy.

One key challenge that many countries face is the issue of economic recovery post-pandemic. The disruptions caused by the pandemic have led to job losses, supply chain disruptions, and reduced economic activity. Finding ways to stimulate economic growth and rebuild industries will be essential in the coming years.

Another significant challenge is the issue of trade relations between countries. Trade disputes, tariffs, and protectionist policies can hinder global economic growth and lead to strained relationships between nations. Finding a balance between protecting domestic industries and promoting international trade is a delicate balancing act that requires careful consideration.

Economic inequality is another pressing challenge that affects countries at different levels of development. The gap between the rich and the poor continues to widen, creating social unrest and economic instability. Addressing issues of income inequality and promoting inclusive economic growth will be crucial in creating a more stable and sustainable global economy.

In conclusion, discussing global economic challenges is essential for understanding the complexities of the modern world. By addressing issues such as economic recovery, trade relations, and inequality, countries can work towards building a more resilient and prosperous global economy for the future.

Debating Gender Equality Issues

Gender equality has been a prominent topic of debate in recent years, with discussions centering around various issues affecting women and men in society. Here are some key points to consider when debating gender equality:

• The gender pay gap: Should measures be taken to address the disparity in wages between men and women?
• Representation in leadership: Are there enough women in top leadership positions in business, politics, and other sectors?
• Gender stereotypes: How do traditional gender roles impact individuals and their opportunities in society?
• Access to education: Are there equal educational opportunities for both genders, especially in STEM fields?
• Work-life balance: How can society better support both men and women in balancing work and family responsibilities?

These are just a few of the many complex issues surrounding gender equality that warrant further exploration and discussion.

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IELTS Preparation with Liz: Free IELTS Tips and Lessons, 2024

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IELTS Essay Topics for 2021

Below is a list of predicted IELTS essay topics for Writing Task 2 based on topics that have appeared recently, current world events and common topics that frequently appear in IELTS essays. Both GT and Academic IELTS candidates should prepare all topics from this list.

On this page, you will find:

• Tips for Preparing Essays
• Essay Topics 2021 List

Message from Liz

Ielts essay topics – preparing ideas.

• Be aware of the range of possible topics and prepare them all. Be aware of current world issues – IELTS likes to stay up-to-date.
• Prepare strong main ideas for all topics. Main ideas should be ones you can easily explain and develop. 
• Prepare supporting points. These make up the supporting sentences in your body paragraphs. The examiner will mark these carefully.
• Practice planning paragraphing and links. See these pages:   paragraphing and  Linking Words for Essays
• Source ideas in model essays online by google topics. You can find some model essays and free tips on this site. Click here: Free Model Essays etc
• IDEAS E-BOOK. I wrote an e-book covering 150 essay topics with ideas and vocabulary. Get that if you need the help. Visit my store: Liz’s Ideas E-book
• Target 7 and above. If you need more help reaching your goal for IELTS writing, I have Advanced Writing Task 2 Lessons in my online store: Liz’s Store .

Below is a list of predicted IELTS writing task 2 topics for 2021. The predictions are based on recurring essay topics, recent topics and world events which are all important in IELTS essay questions. The topics are not written as full IELTS essay questions, they are written as topics without the instructions. GT and Academic candidates should prepare all topics – even if you don’t get them in Writing Task 2, you might get them in Speaking Part 3. I’ve highlighted interesting essay topics for 2021 that are based on recent world issues that you might struggle with if you don’t prepare for them. Also note, topics change with each test, on one test day there can be a number of essay questions used, and essay topics are often recycled.

• importance of the arts for society
• supporting the arts – government funding 
• theatre and live events
• freedom of speech and freedom of expression
• children learning art 
• museums and galleries – importance
• local business vs international businesses
• supporting local businesses – buying local produce
• business skills – important skills / learning skills
• family run businesses
• buying goods or saving money
• the power of advertising in business
• shopping online
• businesses supporting local communities
• how online communication has changed our lives
• are people becoming more isolated because of only meeting online
• face to face or online communication
• pros and cons of meeting people online
• has the internet brought people closer or not
• how to stop criminals re-offending
• fixed punishment for one crime or not
• children – should parents be punished for their children’s crime
• prison or rehabilitation
• foreign cultures – learning through language, learning by travel, adapting to another culture
• music – importance of music, international music
• fashion – following trends and spending money
• films – should historical films be accurate, learning about culture from films, foreign films, subtitles
• how online media has changed local cultures
• global warming
• solving pollution – internationally or domestically
• major problems and solutions
• importance of nature for our well being
• responsibility for problems – government or individual
• urban nature 
• protecting wild species / endangered species – funding, reasons,
• why people don’t change their life styles to help environmental problems
• air / noise pollution in cities
• putting children into groups based on age or ability
• importance of children reading books (types of books)
• science or art / sciences or music
• how children learn 
• schools providing meals for children
• making lessons more interesting
• importance of science / history / technology in schools
• disadvantages for children from poorer backgrounds
• how to improve education in rural areas
• what age to learn a foreign language
• exams or on-going assessment / project work
• university education – costs, funding, courses
• home schooling / studying from home
• online education
• extra curricular activities
• single parent families
• importance of family for old people
• roles of grandparents
• supporting vulnerable members of the family: elderly, sick
• peer pressure for children
• children growing up in city or countryside
• children with both parents working
• childhood obesity – reasons, solutions
• healthy diet
• vegetarianism
• junk food – problems, solutions
• funding – prevention or cure 
• taking care of sick people – government or family
• funding – health care or other society problems
• good health – exercise or diet
• free health care for everyone
• cosmetic surgery – reasons, value
• mental health – stress, positive mindset, meditation
• lack of housing – building in cities or rural areas
• using space in cities for housing or parks
• funding affordable housing or other problems in society
• living in flats – pros and cons
• importance of hobbies / free time
• leisure time – importance, activities,
• spending time with family and friends
• leadership – innate or learned
• talent – innate or learned
• ambition – pros and cons
• important character traits
• famous world leaders – skills and traits
• family, society or government – taking care of the elderly
• the generation gap
• city living – positive or negative
• people moving to cities – reasons, problems, solution
• spending money on weddings – pros and cons
• respecting older people
• traditions – food, clothing, festivals
• protecting old buildings
• isolation among people in society
• supporting vulnerable people in society – government or community
• roles models in society for children
• ideal society
• online media stars
• reality TV stars
• importance of charities and charity work
• importance of green spaces and urban environment
• exploration – funding, importance
• communicating with other planets
• space travel for common people
• international sporting event – importance
• business sponsoring sporting events – pros and cons
• exercising and health
• children and sport – importance, who is responsible
• indoor sports
• smart phones – pros and cons, functions, limitations
• the internet – pros and cons
• online security (also for children)
• the future of the internet
• e-books – pros and cons, libraries
• children spending too much time online
• plane travel vs train travel
• cars in city centres – pros and cons
• using bicycles rather than cars
• walking – pros and cons
• pros and cons of tourism for rural communities
• tourism and economy
• working mothers
• doing volunteer work / charity work
• work / life balance
• working long hours – pros and cons
• experience or education or skills
• four day working week
• importance of promotion, salary, job satisfaction
• working online – pros and cons
• earning large salaries – films stars, sports people doctors etc
• richer countries should help poorer countries 
• types of international aid
• increasing number of old people
• gap between rich and poor countries
• violence on TV
• tackling world issues domestically or internationally
• news online – reliability of news, sources of news, fake news
• people becoming similar 
• loss of culture (protecting traditions)
• loss of local language (protecting language)
• one language

Sharing your IELTS Writing Task 2 Experience

• Did you get an essay topic you hadn’t prepared for?
• What preparation tips do you have for others?
• How did you manage your time in your writing test?
• What score did you get in your writing test?
• Sharing is caring 🙂 

2021 is our chance to start fresh, to move forward and to build a strong future. Forget your difficult experiences and be proactive about your future. Each positive step forward takes you towards your goal and towards success.  Be focused and strategic in your preparation for IELTS. You can find lots and lots of free lessons, tips, topics, model answers on this website – go to the HOME page to access it all. I wish you all lots of luck !! All the best, Liz 🙂

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I just want to say a big thank you for all you do. It is so kind of you to share your knowledge with us at not cost. I am inspired. God bless you and grant your heart’s desire.

I wrote the test on 30th October. My result just came out on Friday and I scored an average of 8. I appreciate your help in achieving that.

During my speaking test I was asked to talk about a café I had been to. I was to describe it and say what I went there to do.

During my writing Task 2, the question was something like: Some people believe that parents should be able to punish their children when they behave badly. However, others say there should be laws that govern how erring children are corrected. Discuss the two points of view and give your opinion.

Like you say, ‘sharing is caring’. Thanks for leaving me a better person.

Warm regards Nene

Great to see you’ve done so well. Good for you 🙂 Thanks for sharing

Thanks a lot

When children starting school the effect of teachers are more than parents in social and intellectual behaviour of students. To what extent do you agree? This was my topic 2 weeks ago and surprisingly, I got 6, I expected 7. I was in disagreement and give 5 reasons for it in 2 paragraphs.

Should I address social and intellectual in two separate paragraphs or I could explain them together in two paragraphs?

There are a number of points ton consider: 1. if you disagree then your essay must show why you think parents have more effect and why teachers have less effect – you must cover both within your opinion 2. you need to tackle both social and intellectual – you can tackle them together or separately – it depends on your point of view. For example, you might think teacher have a more intellectual effect and parents still have the most social effect 3. you should organise your ideas logically. Usually this means one single central theme per paragraph. If you had five main ideas – how can you have only two body paragraphs? When you brainstorm ideas – make a list of all the ideas you can think of and then choose the best to use. You don’t need to use all of them. Choose just two or three and organise them into separate body paragraphs

The three points above are just an example of things to consider for this essay and exemplify why you might have got a lower score than expected.

Just to share the question I got for my IELTS exam today. The words below are based on my memory.

The number of tall buildings in cities is increasing.

What are the reasons?

Is this a positive or negative development?

Share examples from your experience.

Hi Liz! Thank you so much for your site and great lessons. I bought your advanced writing classes and they were so helpful. I am a mom, working a full time job, and looking to apply for postgraduate study overseas. I barely had time to practice, but I do believe your website, tips and classes made an impact in my score. I got an 8.5 overall and 7.5 in the Writing section. Thank you for sharing your knowledge! Also, I wrote down the Writing Task 2 – Essay Question to share it with you and your students (I took the IELTS Academic on August 2021, quite recently).

Topic: In both studying and working, there are people that work harder than others. What makes people work hard? Is it a good thing to be a hard working person?

A great score – very well done 🙂 I’m glad you found my website useful 🙂

Cleared my exam and got my desired scores on the first attempt thanks to this site, Thank you so much Liz, all the best!

Great to hear!! Well done 🙂

Could you check and give me a score Task 2 The expansion of multinational companies and increase in globalization produces positive effects to everyone. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement. In this contemporary world, Change is the law of nature but trying to abolish the natural arena is discomforting and disturbing. The overruling of multinational companies and firms and the sudden rise of globalization have led to many problems in human lives. So I partially disagree with the above notation.

To begin with, the building of new projects and the tech companies have greatly affected the vegetation grounds and most parts of the cities such as residential colonies are taken also away to form new offices. Deforestation has led to major pollution in the cities as well. Another factor that has been affected due to this is the weather conditions of the country. The rainfall patterns which were fixed in the older days are not disturbed due to global warming. Besides that, even the summers are unbearable due to the rise of temperature up to 40 degrees Celsius and all these are the results of modernization.

Some people may disagree with me due to the fact that this new tech world has given them the opportunity to get good jobs and a lifestyle but at the same time, life is not all about getting rich.

To conclude, many factors have impacted the current situation of the world such as erosion of vegetation lands, pollution due to global warming, deforestation and all this is due to the expansion of cities and factories so people need to slow down their speed to save our future kids.

Hi! I got the band score I needed. Thank you so much for this site. I’ve learned a lot from you, guys!

Anyway, let me share the question I encountered last October 2020. “Some people believe that History subject should not be taught anymore because it is already old and outdated. Others think that it should still be kept. To what extent do you agree/disagree?”

I apologize as these were not the exact words, but they delivered the same thought.

Good luck to everyone who’s about to take the exam. 🙂

Recently i gave my IELTS exam and i got 5.5 band in writing. It wasn’t the score i expected but my writing task 2 topic was very tricky. It was to mention drawbacks of the same thing shown by films, ads, brands and tv channels over the years on people’s mind. But they aren’t the same they have changed and their content has changed drastically. This question was really contradictory and tricky. Reply mam if possible. Regards

Can you remember the essay question more clearly? It’s quite vague. I would need to see a more accurate recording of the question to comment.

Hi Madam, Can you please help me with the tricks to differentiate the Opinion and Non-opinion Essays, which don’t have the ‘Do you agree or Disagree’ keywords? My doubt is with the question of having the keywords like: 1. Question X, Discuss both the views and give your opinion? 2.Question X, Discuss both the views? 3.Question X, Do you think the advantage outweigh the disadvantages? 4.Question X, Does this development bring more advantages or disadvantages? Example: Many things that used to be done in the home by hands are now being done by machines. Does this development bring more advantages or disadvantages?

I’ve already written a page about this. Here is a link to the main Writing Task 2 section of the website and you’ll find this mentioned in a link: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/

hi liz, i really need your help regarding this question task 2.”Countries around the world will be facing significant challenges relating not only to the environment but population and education as well. What problems will your country face in the next ten years? How can these problems be overcome? im having problem paraphrasing this question for my background statement. i hope you can help me. thank you!

regards, jnet

Where did you get this question from? Was it from official sources? It doesn’t look like an official IELTS essay. The background statement does not include paraphrase the question for this essay question. You only paraphrase the first sentence:

Many countries worldwide might struggle in tackling issues such as environmental problems, education and population growth.

As you can see, when you paraphrase, you do NOT need to change all words. Just express the same ideas your own way and some words will be the same.

Hello everyone ,

I am going to give the exam of IELTS on 21 st Jan , so i am little bit confuse in choosing the topic for the writing task 2 , so can anyone help out with that , which topics can be used and what can i read it

You don’t choose the topic. You are given an essay question which you must answer. This means you need to prepare ideas for many topics. This can’t be done in one day. Instead, read over the topics are you not familiar with and do quick brainstorms.

Thank you Liz for your guidance. I got desrired results by following your lessons. I got overall band with 9 in both listening & reading. I had my GT IELTS exam on 9th Jan 2021.

My writing task 2 topic – Some people think that hard work helps in achieving Financial success while others think it is not the only thing which contributes to financial success. I was asked to discuss both of them & give my opinion.

Great scores – well done 🙂

Thank you Ma’am Liz! I’m glad that I found your website as I searched about IELTS. Its really a big help to me during this pandemic as I studied your lessons. Thank you so much for your generosity, I’ve got my desired band score. May you continue to be a blessing to everyone. I hope that your health will improve better. Take care always and God bless!

So glad to hear you’ve got the scores you needed – well done 🙂

Dear mam, I am a general training aspirant. I am practicing writing task 2. I am uncertain of how good i am while writing essay. I request you to please review my essay and tell me how much band will i score writing this way.

Ques. Today, high sales of popular consumer goods reflect the power of advertising and not the real needs of the society in which they are sold. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Ans. Effective marketing plays a major role in increasing the demand of the product. On account of this , vast scale selling of famous products is the result of efficient marketing and not requirement of the public. This essay will attempt to objectively examine all significant components in detail. (47 words)

Objectivity being of the essence, the following words will weigh one side of the issue against the other. In my opinion, right form of marketing makes us trust specific brands. On the other hand , i feel that everything that glitters is not gold. The following two paragraphs will delve effectively into both aspects. (54 words)

First, advertisements make us know about the products in demand sitting at home that tends to increase sales. Second well advertised brands are often topic of discussions among our acquaintances and that creates virtual impression of specific goods on our minds. To substantiate the above. highly marketed brands like Patanjali have become extremely popular amongst middle and upper class. They have made a huge network in a very short span of time. (72 words)

However, many popular brands that are advertised well are of no good use and creates hoax among public. Furthermore, many trusted companies are making business without much marketing only because they are fulfilling the needfulness of people by selling genuine products. To corroborate what has just been stated , brands like Mother dairy and Amul still hold their positions well even after introduction of many popular well marketed dairy firms. ( 70 words)

In light of above, it is true that proper advertising plays a distinct role in producing sales. Still i believe that fulfillment of public needs is equally important for successful vending. Bringing this essay to a close, there are at least two ways to examine any situation. In this instance, i disagree to the statement given. (56 words)

(total- 296 words)

Happy new year Liz. Hope you are much stronger now? I pray you have a quick recovery. I had my exam last year September. In my speaking, especially in part one, my examiner always cut me short, she never gave me time to add a conditional in my responses. Although I got a 6.5 band score, could it have equally affected my score in addition to my other mistakes.

It is 100% normal for your answers to be cut short. The examiner will interrupt when they want to ask another question. There are only 4-5 mins for 12 questions to be asked and answered in part 1. Take this into consideration when you answer. Give a direct answer and then add a little more until the examiner interrupts. Be ready for this and don’t let it affect your confidence. You must show willingness to speak at length – show as much fluency as you can. You haven’t asked me a question in your comment. But if you are asking if this is the reason for a lower score, the answer is “no”. Being interrupted is a natural part of IELTS speaking test.

Hi Liz, I follow your lessons since 2017. You have helped me crack Ielts 3 times already. Last time my score was overall 8.5 band with 9 in both listening and speaking. Hoping a good one this time too! Happy new year 🎉

Brilliant to hear – very well done 🙂 Wishing you a great 2021 !!

Thanks a lot ma’am Your effort for helping and guiding us is much more than excellent. Each and every module is explained in a very easy as well as much from point to point Today 9th January 2021 I have my IELTS Academic Exam I am from India Pray for me I have learned much from your offerings Thank you LIZ ☺️☺️ Love from INDIA

Hi Liz, hope and pray you’re doing well and in good health. Have a blessed New Year and more blessings to come throughout the year 2021. Thank you so much of your untiring effort to guide and teach us for our IELTS test preparation. I might take IELTS-GT test next month. To be honest, I am not very good with speaking in English yet I found your website very helpful. Your teaching was really inspiring, easy to understand tremendously and guiding us accordingly. My goal is to reach 6 band at least. Help me God. Take care and keep safe. God bless you relentlessly.

I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you 🙂

Your book IELTS writing topics is really brilliant!!

I am having my exam next week, hopefully, I will get my desired score

Good luck!! 🙂

Happy new year Liz.. and thank you so much for these materials. 😊

Wishing you all the best for 2021 🙂

Thanks for all your loyal support Liz! I wish you a very happy New Year and speedy recovery.

Thanks. I hope 2021 turns out to be a year of positive change 🙂

Have a mind-blowing new year liz

Happy New Year Liz

Same to you 🙂

thanks Liz. . . .

Hi Liz Im one of your followers and Found out that you have a good information in regards to ielts. I’m planning to take my ielts and I’m encouraged with the comments I read. I’m a nurse by profession but I need to take the band score intended in order for me to practice nurse in the uk. And I know you will be of great help.

Lots of luck! Go to the HOME page of this site to learn how to access all materials.

Thank you so much Liz for your effort! Happy New year

Happy 2021 🙂

Thank you Liz for your part. I got the desired result. I feel very happy to express my gratitude to all the people who had contributed, helped and encouraged me to get good band score. Thank you everyone. I got 7 5 overall with 8.5 in reading which I think is a great achievement in IELTS Academic. A little unhappy with my speaking score, if you can, please suggest something to improve my speaking. Regards

Great to hear your scores. Well done 🙂 For speaking, your score is based only on your language skills which is different to how the writing test is scored. See this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-band-scores/ and this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2-band-scores-5-to-8/ . The key is to showcase your language in a natural way. For example, did you show the examiner a second conditional during the test? If not, why not? Your task is to show your range and this includes grammar which is equally as important as vocabulary. If the question isn’t a direct prompting for a second conditional, you can just add one yourself. Here’s an example: Part 1 Q: Do you often go swimming? Answer: No, I don’t. I don’t really have much time because of my work so I can only go swimming once in a while. But if I had more time, I’d definitely go swimming at least twice a week.

As you can see, the question was straight forward, but the answer showcased a direct use of the present simple with a flexible time phrase and a second conditional statement. These are the skills the examiner is looking for. The other thing to consider is developing your fluency in part 2. Take your talk beyond the prompts and take control of your talk. This is the time to think about what language to showcase and how to incorporate that. You have 1 min to plan this. So, prepare loads of ideas for topics before the test and then during part 2 you can prepare language to showcase for your talk during that prep time. Success in IELTS is about having and showing excellent use of English in a natural way. But, as with most exams, there are strategies to learn and techniques to help you present the best of yourself. I hope this helps 🙂

Thank you Liz, you are such a nice person apart from a wonderful coach, I think world needs more angels like you , STAY BLESSED ALWAYS

Happy New Year Liz, I hope your health is in great spirits.

You are the best and Fabulous teacher, Lots of prayers and Love 🙂

Wishing you all the best for 2021 !! 🙂

Thanks alot liz for these stuff

You’re welcome 🙂

I did my exam on 12-12 and because of you I got the score that I wanted! It was my first attempt and I only studied from your website 😍 Can’t thank you enough Liz.

My Ielts writing task 2 topic was : Some people think that a good teamwork makes a company successful, other think that a good leadership is the reason behind the success of a company.

I was asked to discuss both of them and share my opinion.

So glad to hear you did well. Congratulations. The topic of Business is a common one in IELTS Writing Task 2, particularly what leads to success in business. Sometimes it might relate to key aspects of business such as marketing and advertising vs good product. Sometimes its about staff or character traits. This is the reason it’s so important to prepare as many ideas as possible for as many topics. Anyway, well done with your results 🙂

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The 2021-2022 Common App Essay Prompts Are Here

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What’s Covered:

2021-2022 common app prompts, what has changed, tips for writing your common app essay.

• How to Get Your Essay Reviewed for Free

The Common App recently released their essay prompts for the 2021-2022 admissions cycle, and unlike the past several years, the prompts are not the same as before.

In this post, we’ll go over the prompts, the changes, and tips for writing a strong Common App essay.

Here is a list of the prompts for this cycle. While they are largely unchanged, Prompt #4 is different this year (which is kind of a big deal, considering that the prompts have been the same since 2017).

Prompt #1: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

Prompt #2: The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Prompt #3: Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Prompt #4 (NEW): Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Prompt #5: Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Prompt #6: Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Prompt #7: Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

As usual, there are six prompts, with the seventh allowing you to write on a topic of your choice. The prompts are all the same except for Prompt #4. 

Here’s a side-by-side of the old and new versions of the prompt.

Before: Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma – anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.

After: Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

While all Common App essays should be personal, the old prompt was more “scientific” and analytical than the new one. The focus of the essay was a problem, its relevance to your life, and how you found a solution (or how you would find a solution).

The theme of the new prompt is gratitude, and it is inherently more reflective than the old prompt, as the focus is a personal story. The new prompt is likely to apply to more students, but there are some potential tripwires to keep in mind.

A common mistake is to spend too much time elaborating on the “thing” that was done, or on the person who did it. While you should absolutely provide some context, the essay should mainly be about you and how this event impacted your life.

It’s also important to note that the prompt asks for an act that “made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. ” Admissions officers don’t want just a classic feel good story about an act of kindness. This act of kindness can be small or significant, but it should have a relatively big impact on your life that you may not have expected. The act itself may have also been surprising, or maybe your response to it was the unexpected part. 

While this prompt may seem straightforward, it’s actually encouraging a reflection on a nuanced situation. Some examples of good topics would be: 

• Your friend signs you up for robotics even though you didn’t want to join at first, but then you discover a love for programming and want to use it to help build medical devices and prosthetics.
• Your parents don’t approve of your artistic pursuits due to their immigrant background and desire for stability in “practical” careers, but after years of showing no interest in your art, they attend your gallery opening. This leads to a mutual understanding and inspires you to create art based on your parents’ struggles.

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1. Get a head start

The topics are out, so you should consider drafting your Common App essay before the rush of the fall semester. Once senior year begins, you’ll be dealing with schoolwork, supplemental essays, extracurriculars, and other responsibilities. Your Common App essay will go to most, if not all, of the schools on your list, so it’s important that you take the time to write, edit, and get feedback on your essay. 

Read our ultimate guide to the Common App essay (which will soon be updated with the new prompt) and take a look at some strong essay examples to get a better idea of what admissions officers are looking for.

2. Know what topics are good, and which ones to avoid

There are two ways to brainstorm your essay. You can either pick a prompt that resonates with you and look for a matching story from your life, or come up with a story essential to who you are and find a prompt to match.

Keep in mind that there are some essay topics to avoid, however. Some cliche college essay topics include:

• Sports injury story
• Working hard in a challenging class
• Immigrant story
• Tragedy (death, divorce, illness)
• Volunteer trip
• Your religion
• Romantic relationships
• Family pressure to pursue a particular field

In general, these topics are bad because they’re extremely common and too often focus on the event itself rather than you and your personality. This doesn’t mean you can’t cover these topics, but it’s very difficult to do so in an effective way (see the post linked above for tips on how to revamp these cliche topics).

On the flip side, some good topic ideas are:

• A unique extracurricular activity or passion
• An activity or interest that contrasts heavily with your profile
• A seemingly insignificant moment that speaks to larger themes within your life
• Using an everyday experience or object as a metaphor to explore your life and personality
• An in the moment narrative that tells the story of a important moment in your life

These topics are much broader and allow for greater creativity. 

3. Answer the 4 core questions

The point of the Common App essay is to humanize your application and put a face to your transcript. That’s a tall order for only 650 words max! 

To make sure you’re sharing the fullest range possible of who you are, try to answer these four core questions in your essay:

• Why Am I Here?
• What is Unique About Me?
• What Matters to Me?

4. Consider the different college essay structures

The Common App essay is a piece of creative storytelling, and not your typical analytical paper for school. You don’t necessarily want to write an essay with the standard introduction, thesis, and supporting body paragraphs. 

How should you structure your essay, then? Here are a few ideas:

• In-the-moment narrative: Take us to a specific moment in time and share your story as it’s unfolding, using this moment as a segue into broader themes of your life.
• Narrative told over an extended period of time: This structure allows you to cover several experiences, and is well-suited for those looking to highlight their long-term development.
• Series of anecdotes, or montage: Use several scenes (that aren’t necessarily related or chronological) to highlight an element of your life or personality.

There are also unconventional essay structures that you may consider, such as writing a movie script or a poem. These are high risk, but also high reward if executed correctly.

Learn more about essay structures and see examples in our blog post.

5. Show, don’t tell

One common mistake students make is to simply state what happened in their essay, rather than to use storytelling techniques like imagery and dialogue. To keep your essay as engaging as possible, you need to bring us to these experiences and allow us to be there with you, rather than telling us what happened. 

Here’s an example of telling: “Running a half marathon was a challenge.”

And here’s an example of showing: “My shoe became untied at mile 11, so I paused and bent over to lace it back up. Pain shot through my lower back. I grimaced and let out an audible groan.”

Where to Get Your Essay Edited for Free

Once you clear the academic threshold for selective schools, your essays and extracurriculars are the deciding factors for admissions officers. In fact, your essays and extracurriculars matter almost as much as grades and test scores at top schools. Why is this? Most students applying to top schools will have stellar academics. Your essays and extracurriculars are your chance to stand out and share your personality.

This is especially true for the Common App essay, as the prompts invite reflection and personal storytelling. It’s vital that your essay is engaging and presents you as someone who would enrich the campus community.

Before submitting your application, you should have someone else review your Common App essay. It’s even better if that person doesn’t know you personally, as they can best tell whether your personality shines through your essay. 

That’s why we created our Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. We highly recommend giving this tool a try!

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The Best Reviewed Essay Collections of 2021

Featuring joan didion, rachel kushner, hanif abdurraqib, ann patchett, jenny diski, and more.

Well, friends, another grim and grueling plague year is drawing to a close, and that can mean only one thing: it’s time to put on our Book Marks stats hats and tabulate the best reviewed books of the past twelve months.

Yes, using reviews drawn from more than 150 publications, over the next two weeks we’ll be revealing the most critically-acclaimed books of 2021, in the categories of (deep breath): Memoir and Biography ; Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror ; Short Story Collections ; Essay Collections; Poetry; Mystery and Crime; Graphic Literature; Literature in Translation; General Fiction; and General Nonfiction.

Today’s installment: Essay Collections .

Brought to you by Book Marks , Lit Hub’s “Rotten Tomatoes for books.”

1. These Precious Days by Ann Patchett (Harper)

21 Rave • 3 Positive • 1 Mixed Read Ann Patchett on creating the work space you need, here

“… excellent … Patchett has a talent for friendship and celebrates many of those friends here. She writes with pure love for her mother, and with humor and some good-natured exasperation at Karl, who is such a great character he warrants a book of his own. Patchett’s account of his feigned offer to buy a woman’s newly adopted baby when she expresses unwarranted doubts is priceless … The days that Patchett refers to are precious indeed, but her writing is anything but. She describes deftly, with a line or a look, and I considered the absence of paragraphs freighted with adjectives to be a mercy. I don’t care about the hue of the sky or the shade of the couch. That’s not writing; it’s decorating. Or hiding. Patchett’s heart, smarts and 40 years of craft create an economy that delivers her perfectly understated stories emotionally whole. Her writing style is most gloriously her own.”

–Alex Witchel ( The New York Times Book Review )

2. Let Me Tell You What I Mean by Joan Didion (Knopf)

14 Rave • 12 Positive • 6 Mixed Read an excerpt from Let Me Tell You What I Mean here

“In five decades’ worth of essays, reportage and criticism, Didion has documented the charade implicit in how things are, in a first-person, observational style that is not sacrosanct but common-sensical. Seeing as a way of extrapolating hypocrisy, disingenuousness and doubt, she’ll notice the hydrangeas are plastic and mention it once, in passing, sorting the scene. Her gaze, like a sentry on the page, permanently trained on what is being disguised … The essays in Let Me Tell You What I Mean are at once funny and touching, roving and no-nonsense. They are about humiliation and about notions of rightness … Didion’s pen is like a periscope onto the creative mind—and, as this collection demonstrates, it always has been. These essays offer a direct line to what’s in the offing.”

–Durga Chew-Bose ( The New York Times Book Review )

3. Orwell’s Roses by Rebecca Solnit (Viking)

12 Rave • 13 Positive • 1 Mixed Read an excerpt from Orwell’s Roses here

“… on its simplest level, a tribute by one fine essayist of the political left to another of an earlier generation. But as with any of Solnit’s books, such a description would be reductive: the great pleasure of reading her is spending time with her mind, its digressions and juxtapositions, its unexpected connections. Only a few contemporary writers have the ability to start almost anywhere and lead the reader on paths that, while apparently meandering, compel unfailingly and feel, by the end, cosmically connected … Somehow, Solnit’s references to Ross Gay, Michael Pollan, Ursula K. Le Guin, and Peter Coyote (to name but a few) feel perfectly at home in the narrative; just as later chapters about an eighteenth-century portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds and a visit to the heart of the Colombian rose-growing industry seem inevitable and indispensable … The book provides a captivating account of Orwell as gardener, lover, parent, and endlessly curious thinker … And, movingly, she takes the time to find the traces of Orwell the gardener and lover of beauty in his political novels, and in his insistence on the value and pleasure of things .”

–Claire Messud ( Harper’s )

4. Girlhood by Melissa Febos (Bloomsbury)

16 Rave • 5 Positive • 1 Mixed Read an excerpt from Girlhood here

“Every once in a while, a book comes along that feels so definitive, so necessary, that not only do you want to tell everyone to read it now, but you also find yourself wanting to go back in time and tell your younger self that you will one day get to read something that will make your life make sense. Melissa Febos’s fierce nonfiction collection, Girlhood , might just be that book. Febos is one of our most passionate and profound essayists … Girlhood …offers us exquisite, ferocious language for embracing self-pleasure and self-love. It’s a book that women will wish they had when they were younger, and that they’ll rejoice in having now … Febos is a balletic memoirist whose capacious gaze can take in so many seemingly disparate things and unfurl them in a graceful, cohesive way … Intellectual and erotic, engaging and empowering[.]”

–Michelle Hart ( Oprah Daily )

5. Why Didn’t You Just Do What You Were Told by Jenny Diski (Bloomsbury)

14 Rave • 7 Positive

“[Diski’s] reputation as an original, witty and cant-free thinker on the way we live now should be given a significant boost. Her prose is elegant and amused, as if to counter her native melancholia and includes frequent dips into memorable images … Like the ideal artist Henry James conjured up, on whom nothing is lost, Diski notices everything that comes her way … She is discerning about serious topics (madness and death) as well as less fraught material, such as fashion … in truth Diski’s first-person voice is like no other, selectively intimate but not overbearingly egotistic, like, say, Norman Mailer’s. It bears some resemblance to Joan Didion’s, if Didion were less skittish and insistently stylish and generated more warmth. What they have in common is their innate skepticism and the way they ask questions that wouldn’t occur to anyone else … Suffice it to say that our culture, enmeshed as it is in carefully arranged snapshots of real life, needs Jenny Diski, who, by her own admission, ‘never owned a camera, never taken one on holiday.’” It is all but impossible not to warm up to a writer who observes herself so keenly … I, in turn, wish there were more people around who thought like Diski. The world would be a more generous, less shallow and infinitely more intriguing place.”

–Daphne Merkin ( The New York Times Book Review )

6. The Hard Crowd: Essays 2000-2020 by Rachel Kushner (Scribner)

12 Rave • 7 Positive Listen to an interview with Rachel Kushner here

“Whether she’s writing about Jeff Koons, prison abolition or a Palestinian refugee camp in Jerusalem, [Kushner’s] interested in appearances, and in the deeper currents a surface detail might betray … Her writing is magnetised by outlaw sensibility, hard lives lived at a slant, art made in conditions of ferment and unrest, though she rarely serves a platter that isn’t style-mag ready … She makes a pretty convincing case for a political dimension to Jeff Koons’s vacuities and mirrored surfaces, engages repeatedly with the Italian avant garde and writes best of all about an artist friend whose death undoes a spell of nihilism … It’s not just that Kushner is looking back on the distant city of youth; more that she’s the sole survivor of a wild crowd done down by prison, drugs, untimely death … What she remembers is a whole world, but does the act of immortalising it in language also drain it of its power,’neon, in pink, red, and warm white, bleeding into the fog’? She’s mining a rich seam of specificity, her writing charged by the dangers she ran up against. And then there’s the frank pleasure of her sentences, often shorn of definite articles or odd words, so they rev and bucket along … That New Journalism style, live hard and keep your eyes open, has long since given way to the millennial cult of the personal essay, with its performance of pain, its earnest display of wounds received and lessons learned. But Kushner brings it all flooding back. Even if I’m skeptical of its dazzle, I’m glad to taste something this sharp, this smart.”

–Olivia Laing ( The Guardian )

7. The Right to Sex: Feminism in the Twenty-First Century by Amia Srinivasan (FSG)

12 Rave • 7 Positive • 5 Mixed • 1 Pan

“[A] quietly dazzling new essay collection … This is, needless to say, fraught terrain, and Srinivasan treads it with determination and skill … These essays are works of both criticism and imagination. Srinivasan refuses to resort to straw men; she will lay out even the most specious argument clearly and carefully, demonstrating its emotional power, even if her ultimate intention is to dismantle it … This, then, is a book that explicitly addresses intersectionality, even if Srinivasan is dissatisfied with the common—and reductive—understanding of the term … Srinivasan has written a compassionate book. She has also written a challenging one … Srinivasan proposes the kind of education enacted in this brilliant, rigorous book. She coaxes our imaginations out of the well-worn grooves of the existing order.”

–Jennifer Szalai ( The New York Times )

8. A Little Devil in America by Hanif Abdurraqib (Random House)

13 Rave • 4 Positive Listen to an interview with Hanif Abdurraqib here

“[A] wide, deep, and discerning inquest into the Beauty of Blackness as enacted on stages and screens, in unanimity and discord, on public airwaves and in intimate spaces … has brought to pop criticism and cultural history not just a poet’s lyricism and imagery but also a scholar’s rigor, a novelist’s sense of character and place, and a punk-rocker’s impulse to dislodge conventional wisdom from its moorings until something shakes loose and is exposed to audiences too lethargic to think or even react differently … Abdurraqib cherishes this power to enlarge oneself within or beyond real or imagined restrictions … Abdurraqib reminds readers of the massive viewing audience’s shock and awe over seeing one of the world’s biggest pop icons appearing midfield at this least radical of American rituals … Something about the seemingly insatiable hunger Abdurraqib shows for cultural transaction, paradoxical mischief, and Beauty in Blackness tells me he’ll get to such matters soon enough.”

–Gene Seymour ( Bookforum )

9. On Animals by Susan Orlean (Avid Reader Press)

11 Rave • 6 Positive • 1 Mixed Listen to an interview with Susan Orlean here

“I very much enjoyed Orlean’s perspective in these original, perceptive, and clever essays showcasing the sometimes strange, sometimes sick, sometimes tender relationships between people and animals … whether Orlean is writing about one couple’s quest to find their lost dog, the lives of working donkeys of the Fez medina in Morocco, or a man who rescues lions (and happily allows even full grown males to gently chew his head), her pages are crammed with quirky characters, telling details, and flabbergasting facts … Readers will find these pages full of astonishments … Orlean excels as a reporter…Such thorough reporting made me long for updates on some of these stories … But even this criticism only testifies to the delight of each of the urbane and vivid stories in this collection. Even though Orlean claims the animals she writes about remain enigmas, she makes us care about their fates. Readers will continue to think about these dogs and donkeys, tigers and lions, chickens and pigeons long after we close the book’s covers. I hope most of them are still well.”

–Sy Montgomery ( The Boston Globe )

10. Graceland, at Last: Notes on Hope and Heartache from the American South  by Margaret Renkl (Milkweed Editions)

9 Rave • 5 Positive Read Margaret Renkl on finding ideas everywhere, here

“Renkl’s sense of joyful belonging to the South, a region too often dismissed on both coasts in crude stereotypes and bad jokes, co-exists with her intense desire for Southerners who face prejudice or poverty finally to be embraced and supported … Renkl at her most tender and most fierce … Renkl’s gift, just as it was in her first book Late Migrations , is to make fascinating for others what is closest to her heart … Any initial sense of emotional whiplash faded as as I proceeded across the six sections and realized that the book is largely organized around one concept, that of fair and loving treatment for all—regardless of race, class, sex, gender or species … What rises in me after reading her essays is Lewis’ famous urging to get in good trouble to make the world fairer and better. Many people in the South are doing just that—and through her beautiful writing, Renkl is among them.”

–Barbara J. King ( NPR )

Our System:

RAVE = 5 points • POSITIVE = 3 points • MIXED = 1 point • PAN = -5 points

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Recent IELTS Writing Task 2 Questions

What are the best essay topics for IELTS? Looking at recent IELTS Writing Task 2 questions can help. In this post, I’ll show you real official IELTS Writing Task 2 topics that have been released in the past several years, and I’ll help you predict which new Task 2 topics you’ll see on test day!

Table of Contents

How to be well prepared for any ielts essay topic.

• Possible IELTS Essay Topics for 2021
• Recent IELTS Writing Task 2 Questions (with links!)
• Frequently Asked Questions About Recent IELTS Essay Topics
• Additional Resources

Before we get into specific Task 2 topics that are found on the real IELTS exam, let’s look at some general “best practices.” These tips and tricks can help you get a winning score in IELTS Writing Task 2, no matter what the topic is!

• Learn the most basic info on Task 2: the format of the task, time limit, instructions, and so on. You can find these in our IELTS Writing Task 2 Basics post . (There’s so much more to this task than just the recent IELTS Writing Task 2 questions.)
• Mind your word count! This is the easiest way to avoid losing points. For more information, see our article on how many words to write on the IELTS and our guide to the IELTS Writing word count penalty .
• Look at model answers. The best essay topics for IELTS come with model responses. Sample high-scoring IELTS Writing Task 2 responses can help you see how to write top-scoring responses of your own. Magoosh’s guide to the most common IELTS Writing Task 2 question types includes links to practice questions with full Band 9 example responses.
• Don’t forget to brainstorm. As you write your own response, take a few minutes at the beginning to come up with ideas and plan your essay. Our post on brainstorming your Writing Task 2 response guides you through this important step! Learn it before you start to answer recent IELTS writing topics.
• Don’t just brainstorm, though . Also plan your Task 2 essays by using a template. For an example of this, try out Magoosh’s best IELTS Writing Task 2 template . This template is flexible, designed to work for any recent IELTS Writing Task 2 questions.
• Don’t stop at the essay template; plan your paragraphs too! Planning is especially important for body paragraphs. Here again, Magoosh has you covered, with our Task 2 body paragraph tutorial .
• Make sure you take a tone that sounds professional and academic , to match the kind of formal writing you’ll do at your future school or workplace once you pass the IELTS. This article on formal vs. informal language on the IELTS should help you use the right language.
• Know the rubric! The makers of the IELTS have an official score guide for IELTS Writing Task 2. Here on the blog, you can also read advice on how how to get an 8-9 rubric score for Writing Task 2 and benefit from a detailed explanation of the official IELTS Writing Task 2 rubric . In addition to that, I’ve also written up some special guides to each of the four IELTS Writing Task 2 rubric categories: Task Response , Coherence and Cohesion , Lexical Resource , and Grammatical Range and Accuracy .

IELTS Essay Topics for 2021: How to Predict Them

How can we predict best essay topics for IELTS prep if you’re taking the exam in 2021? Well, IELTS topics often repeat themselves, and all-new IELTS topics are usually related to recent events, or recent topics of public debate around the world. So by looking at recent IELTS Writing Task 2 topics and looking at the news over the past year, it’s possible to put together a list of topics you could easily see on test day this year.

Below are my predictions for categories and topics, based on the news of the world, and based on an analysis of about 60 recent IELTS Writing topics. I found these latest IELTS essay topics on the official websites and in official IELTS books. The topics that may be new to this year have been highlighted in bold .

The 17 Best Essay Topics for IELTS, with Subtopics (2021)

1. advertising.

• the effectiveness of advertising
• using real customer experiences in advertising
• the impact of online advertising

2. Education

• learning English as a second language
• financial education
• online learning vs. traditional learning
• home schooling
• the best age for children to start school
• school safety measures
• longer vacations from school vs. shorter school breaks
• education preparing students for work vs. preparing them for university
• health classes for school

3. Diet and food

• the impact of being vegetarian
• taxing unhealthy foods
• the impact of organic food
• instant food vs. home cooked food
• locally grown foods vs. non-local foods

4. Entertainment

• high budget vs. low budget movies
• celebrity lifestyles
• popularity of different types of novels and movies
• online entertainment vs. traditional broadcasting
• how celebrities communicate with their fans

5. Environment

• habitat destruction
• endangered species
• the impact of climate change
• natural disasters
• the importance of recycling
• environmental conservation laws
• taking care of the elderly
• standards of health and quality of health
• increases in human life span
• the importance of doctors
• medical technology
• lack of sleep
• preventing the spread of contagious diseases
• the effectiveness of vaccines
• public health and safety laws
• medical assistance in the home vs. medical assistance at a hospital
• how to pay for healthcare for the poor
• housing shortages
• owning a home vs. renting one
• affordable housing
• government control or subsidy of rent costs

8. Natural resources

• renewable fuels
• water as a limited resource
• clean energy
• importing and exporting natural resources
• mining and drilling vs. conservation

9. Parenting

• children being raised in wealthy households vs. poor or middle class ones
• raising children to be confident vs. raising them to understand their limitations
• controlling screen time for children
• strict discipline vs. giving children a lot of freedom

10. Personal choices

• the best age to get married
• moving out of one’s hometown
• modern moral values versus older ones
• living with parents as an adult vs. living alone as an adult

11. Population

• rise in global population
• population decline in some countries

12. Shopping and purchases

• shopping for fun vs. shopping out of necessity
• personal spending
• personal debt
• the importance of fashion
• large national stores vs. small local ones
• online shopping
• the decline of shopping malls
• watching sports vs. participating in sports
• competitive sports for children
• injuries in professional sports

14. Technology

• technology and privacy/surveillance
• reading in print vs. reading online
• paying via mobile app
• the trustworthiness of information found on the Web
• social impact of internet and social media
• multiplayer online video games
• future travel trends
• international tourism
• studying abroad
• domestic tourism
• travel health and safety
• government restrictions on travel

16. Transportation

• car ownership and use
• alternatives to car transportation
• high speed rail
• bicycles and scooters for transportation
• driverless cars
• ride-share services
• the importance of training and certification
• retirement age
• staying at the same company vs. working for different companies
• the importance of job satisfaction vs. the importance of high pay
• commuting vs. telecommuting to work
• unemployment benefits
• sick days at work

Recent Official IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics (confirmed)

In addition to the general IELTS Writing Task 2 topics listed above, there are a number of confirmed, official IELTS Task 2 prompts. These recent IELTS Writing Task 2 questions originally come from real IELTS exams. They’re the very best essay topics for IELTS, because they’re so authentic. 14 official topics are listed below, with direct links to the questions associated with the topic!

For these IELTS Writing Task 2 recent topics, click the source link below to directly see the question and model answer. When noted, the model answer is at a separate link.

14 Common Essay Topics for IELTS Writing Task 2

• Lack of fresh water around the world: causes and solutions (Source: IELTS.org )
• What makes a movie good, the budget or other factors? (Source: IELTS.org )
• Are children raised in wealthy households less well-prepared for adulthood? (Source: IELTS.org ; click here for a model response. )
• The advantages and disadvantages of international tourism (Source: IELTS.org ; model response at this link.
• Should eldercare be paid for by families or by the government? (Source: IELTS.org ; click this link for sample answers .)
• Why is shopping a popular pastime, and what is the impact of this popularity? (Source: IELTS.org ; model answer found in this document .)
• Will average health standards be lower in the future? (Source: IELTS.org ; click here for a model essay )
• Do we only judge people by their social status and class, or are traditional moral judgements still common? (Source: British Council )
• The reason there are so many well-qualified, well-educated job applicants who are out of work. (Source: British Council )
• Is it better to homeschool children or send them to a school outside the home? (Source: British Council )
• Should people in certain professions be able to retire before they’re 65? (Source: British Council )
• Are celebrities too wealthy to care about others? (source: Cambridge English Resources ; no model answer)
• Should schools teach children about the value of money? (Source: Cambridge English Resources ; no model answer.)
• Moving away from one’s hometown: advantages and disadvantages (Source: IELTS IDP ; click here for sample response .)

Past IELTS Topics: Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a number of common questions about past IELTS questions that I hear from students, along with my answers!

What are the topics in IELTS writing?

Are ielts writing topics repeated, do ielts essays repeat, can ielts papers be leaked, additional resources for the best essay topics for ielts.

Past IELTS questions are valuable, but they’re just one part of your preparation for IELTS Writing Task 2. Be sure to check out our complete guide to IELTS Writing Task 2 for the “big picture” on how to prepare for this part of the Writing section. And for more sample questions, check out our IELTS Writing Task 2 question types post . And for Task 1 tips and tricks, check out our IELTS Writing Task 1 guide !

If you want more structured IELTS prep, consider a subscription to Magoosh IELTS as your next step. (You can start by trying a free trial to IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training if you like!)

David is a Test Prep Expert for Magoosh TOEFL and IELTS. Additionally, he’s helped students with TOEIC, PET, FCE, BULATS, Eiken, SAT, ACT, GRE, and GMAT. David has a BS from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and an MA from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. His work at Magoosh has been cited in many scholarly articles , his Master’s Thesis is featured on the Reading with Pictures website, and he’s presented at the WITESOL (link to PDF) and NAFSA conferences. David has taught K-12 ESL in South Korea as well as undergraduate English and MBA-level business English at American universities. He has also trained English teachers in America, Italy, and Peru. Come join David and the Magoosh team on Youtube , Facebook , and Instagram , or connect with him via LinkedIn !

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9 responses to “Recent IELTS Writing Task 2 Questions”

Thank you so much it’s very helpful for me

Thanks for this useful sharing

Very usefull

Thanks, Jyoti! 🙂

I need writing task one vivid ideas and synonyms

We have several sample essays on our blog. Start with the examples here.

quite useful for me and i got an excellent score of 8 bands in my ielts exam by practicing these questions. Interestingly, same question came in exam.

Thanks alot for such a precious knowledge and piece of advice really very grout ful for beginners and those who want to improve themselves

You’re welcome, Shakeel! Glad we were able to help.

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Is America no longer governable? Can psychedelics cure us? What’s in a Subway tuna fish sandwich? This December, Times Opinion is looking back at the most important — and absurd — debates of 2021. From the urgent conversations we had as a nation to the minor controversies that fascinated us, these are the things that got people talking, and talking, and talking … on Twitter, in the halls of Congress, on campus and at work. Taken together, the 41 responses in this package create a timeline of the year in opinion; we hope they make you think, laugh and discuss, and maybe, just maybe, one of them will change your mind.

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In the summer, I found myself at a party on a Washington rooftop, wedged in tight among my fellow coastal elites — journalists, congressional staff members, lawyers, wonks. One of the most prominent establishment intellectuals in the country happened to be standing nearby, holding forth. So I did what any self-respecting person would do in my situation: I eavesdropped. “In this country, we have lost the shared architecture of reality,” he said.

His argument, which was ubiquitous in 2021, was that Americans have lost a common worldview because we no longer have the necessary infrastructure to produce one: news sources trusted by nearly everyone. What else could explain the conspiracism linking Jan. 6 rioters and Covid anti-vaxxers except a reality crisis — a state of affairs in which Republicans and Democrats have come to occupy separate worlds of fact? Kevin Roose warned in February that “unless the Biden administration treats conspiracy theories and disinformation as the urgent threats they are, our parallel universes will only drift further apart, and the potential for violent unrest and civic dysfunction will only grow.”

The new media ecosystem has undoubtedly changed the way Americans see themselves and the world, and probably not for the better. But conspiracism has deep roots in this country, and the idea that a reality crisis started over the past year or even decade is simplistic. Social media has given a megaphone to perspectives — ranging from the necessary to the loathsome — that have long been ignored or suppressed by the architects of American reality. Just because we couldn’t hear them before doesn’t mean they weren’t always there. In these pages, Michelle Goldberg made a related case : that social media has simply forced Americans to learn about one another, and we hate what we’ve found out. Call this, then, the too-much-reality crisis.

Of all the conversations about the lives of trans people, the one that had legs this year was about trans athletes. In 2021, bills intended to stop trans people from competing in sports consistent with their identity were introduced in dozens of states. One could be forgiven for concluding that trans athletes were overwhelming women’s sports — that the wave of legislation had arisen in response to an urgent national crisis, particularly if you follow conservative news outlets.“Media Told to ‘Ignore’ Trans Athletes’ ‘Unfair Advantage,’ Other ‘Misinformation’” read one headline in The Daily Wire.

It’s true that trans women are competing in — and occasionally winning — athletic contests; Laurel Hubbard , a weightlifter from New Zealand, won two gold medals at the 2019 Pacific Games before competing in the Olympics this summer (where she did not make the podium). But victories by trans women are rare. “Higher levels of the male hormone testosterone are associated with better performance only in a very small number of athletic disciplines — 400 meters, 800 meters, hammer throw, pole vault,” one expert told NPR, and even in those sports, the hormones trans women take mean that their advantage lessens or disappears over time.

So is it possible that these laws are about something other than fairness in sports? In defending female athletes from the supposed threat of LeBron James in a wig, conservatives have found a means of enshrining the traditional gender binary into law.

It used to mean something to be woke. From 1962 to 2008 — from when William Melvin Kelley used the word in a Times Opinion essay to when Erykah Badu sang, “I stay woke,” on her song “Master Teacher” — to be woke meant to be aware, up-to-date, observant. In 2014, during the unrest in Ferguson, Mo., after the fatal shooting of Michael Brown, #staywoke lit up the internet, urging people to open their eyes to police abuses. Being woke meant being conscious of the white supremacy embedded in everyday life. Since then, the term has been twisted and caricatured by conservatives, and it is now almost universally derided, even by liberals and leftists. Where it once might have been used to praise, it is now used to slander. Before 2021, it meant something to be woke. But by the end of it, it meant nothing at all.

Britney Spears once said in an interview that she first realized she was a sex symbol when a photographer “totally tricked” her into posing in her underwear with the dolls in her childhood bedroom. The writer and actress Tavi Gevinson quoted the exchange in February, arguing that it’s possible, sometimes, to see experiences as sexually “empowering” in the moment and discover later that they were “exploitative.”

Ms. Spears ascended the heights of pop stardom in a different America — one in which a middle-aged Kevin Spacey could moon over a teenage girl in “American Beauty” and a 20-year-old Monica Lewinsky could become a late-night punching bag for going along with what now might be seen as sexual harassment by the president. That is to say, Ms. Spears spent her youth performing a puritanical fantasy of turn-of-the-century male desire: the slutty schoolgirl who’s also a virgin, the girl-next-door who sings, “I’m not that innocent.”

Her 2007 “breakdown” was in some sense a rebellion against the way her image was being consumed: When she shaved her head in front of paparazzi, she was publicly destroying the object they wanted to photograph.

At the time, Ms. Spears was simply seen as unhinged. Soon after, a judge shunted her into a restrictive conservatorship in which her image continued to be sold, now at the behest of male managers, including her father. For those in the Free Britney movement, she was a fairy-tale princess trapped behind castle walls, unable to drive by herself, taste Champagne, have a baby or freely use the money she was earning at a prodigious rate. This year, after a legal battle, she was released from the conservatorship in a much-celebrated happy ending — and a reminder of how profoundly our ideas about women’s bodies have changed.

One person paying close attention to Ms. Spears’s predicament was a teenage Emily Ratajkowski, as she recalls in her new essay collection, “My Body.” Ms. Ratajkowski is a supermodel who made her topless debut in the music video for Robin Thicke’s 2013 song “Blurred Lines,” and she remembers being surprised to be labeled anti-feminist: “Who was anyone to tell me that I wasn’t empowered by dancing around naked?” But her thinking has evolved with the times, and she now feels that modeling “hasn’t resulted in true empowerment.” She adds, “That’s something I’ve gained only now, having written these essays.”

Her book, in other words, is framed as the solution to the problem it poses: whether a sex symbol can define her own image after having used it as her ticket to fame. “I’ve capitalized on my body within the confines of a cis-hetero, capitalist, patriarchal world,” she writes, “one in which beauty and sex appeal are valued solely through the satisfaction of the male gaze.”

Is “My Body” an attempt to reclaim a woman’s body from the male gaze or a bid to capitalize on a new cultural fantasy (once again embodied by Ms. Spears) of the empowered woman who takes back control? It might take another two decades to delineate the boundaries between the empowering and the exploitative. For now, they’re just blurred lines.

The results are in, and the data has been tallied: Social media is harming girls. According to social scientists, it is linked to eating disorders , bullying , anxiety, depression and even, mystifyingly, Tourette’s-like tics . During a pandemic that has severely limited teenagers’ real-life interactions, it’s hard to blame parents and doctors for worrying, but justified alarm has a tendency to slip into alarmism. Each new study is met with outrage, as if Instagram and other social media platforms were the equivalent of Big Tobacco or Exxon, withholding findings on the dangers of smoking or greenhouse gas emissions. In September a Wall Street Journal exposé added to the pile-on when it declared in a headline, on the evidence of internal survey results leaked by a whistle-blower, “Facebook Knows Instagram Is Toxic for Teen Girls, Company Documents Show.” Mark Zuckerberg was mostly ignored when he tried to point out that in nearly all of the categories surveyed, more girls credited Instagram with a positive impact.

Undeterred, the tech-lash lashed on. For Jonathan Haidt, a co-author of “The Coddling of the American Mind,” it was yet another example of Facebook’s unchecked villainy: “Instead of waiting for certainty and letting Facebook off the hook again,” he wrote in The Atlantic, “we should hold it and other social media companies accountable.” That’s what Senator Richard Blumenthal was trying to do when, apparently concerned by the practice (common among teenage girls) of forming second, fake Instagram accounts, he grilled a Facebook executive testifying before Congress about whether she would “commit to ending finsta.”

It feels almost glib, in this climate, to raise the possibility that Instagram’s algorithm may be doing nothing more sinister than reflecting teenage girls’ desires back to them. Can social media sell us something poisonous if we ourselves are the product?

“Critical race theory” was arguably the most important phrase of the year, but how much can we say now, at the end of it, about what it really means? Originally, the phrase described a field of study dedicated to examining the law’s role in sustaining racial inequality. Now, thanks to activists and provocateurs on the right, many voters and pundits have been convinced that C.R.T. represents, in the words of the Manhattan Institute’s Christopher Rufo, “a hostile ideology that seeks to divide the country by race and undermine the core principle of democratic control.”

It goes without saying that the right’s push to banish C.R.T. from schools amounts to a censorship campaign ⁠— an effort to keep ideas deemed dangerous away from the supposedly naïve and impressionable. But, as New York magazine’s Eric Levitz argued last month, the right’s opportunism and willingness to prohibit wholly innocuous material it has placed under the C.R.T. umbrella shouldn’t discourage progressives from speaking out against some of the genuinely dodgy ideas being advanced right now in the name of racial progress, such as the notion that certain behavioral traits and habits are intrinsically white. “A decent number of progressive groups and well-intentioned school districts do seem to be hiring quack consultants to dispense laughable race malarkey and recipes for organizational self-sabotage,” he wrote . “And progressives shouldn’t hesitate to say so.”

Any mass social movement, like the current wave of activism for racial justice, is certain to include its share of outré, misguided and counterproductive thinkers and actors; our hallowed push for civil rights in the 1960s, which promoted its own bizarre theories of whiteness and featured plenty of performative self-flagellation from affluent liberals, was no exception. It’s ultimately up to the media whether the fringes of such movements come to dominate public conversation. Far too often, the mainstream press’s coverage of activism and cultural shifts among the young has been characterized by sensationalism and shoddy reporting . The quality of our long-awaited national conversation about race probably isn’t going to improve, but it wouldn’t hurt for journalists to do some reflection about how our media environment contributed to the moral panic now sweeping the country.

This summer, Barack Obama, a Leo, planned a party at his $12 million Martha’s Vineyard mansion to celebrate his 60th birthday. Reported details of the event — its star-studded 475-person guest list (David Letterman! Oprah!) and Questlove-endorsed menu — irritated many who felt it was tone-deaf and risky to throw such a big bash during a pandemic, as the Delta variant was spreading. Eventually, the Obamas reportedly downsized the guest list to a less-than-intimate crowd of “family and close friends” that supposedly included A-listers like Beyoncé and Tom Hanks. They disinvited Larry David (he rejoiced); they disinvited Rahm Emanuel (he whined). The Times’s Maureen Dowd fittingly anointed the birthday boy “ Barack Antoinette .” Stephen Colbert, who was among the disinvited, called it “the cool kids’ party.” Washington gossip-watchers and a class of people best described as “those on Twitter” piled on. Perhaps next summer Mr. Obama will let them eat cake too.

For me, the question isn’t whether America is governable now; the question is whether America has ever been governable.

Inspired by the turmoil and conflict of the 1960s, the historian Richard Hofstadter approached this question more than 50 years ago in a volume on political violence, edited with Michael Wallace, appropriately titled “ American Violence: A Documentary History .” The book opens with an essay by Mr. Hofstadter on the role civil violence has played in the history of the United States. He walks his readers through the varieties of violence in American history, from race riots and lynchings to assassinations, vigilantism and the quotidian violence of a society that is and always has been saturated with lethal weapons.

Mr. Hofstadter observes, among other things, that political violence in the United States is rarely “insurrectionary,” that our “federal structure has deflected violence from the symbols of national power” and that American violence has most often been initiated with a “conservative bias,” meaning that it “has been unleashed against abolitionists, Catholics, radicals, workers and labor organizers, Negroes, Orientals and other ethnic or racial or ideological minorities and has been used ostensibly to protect the American, the Southern, the white Protestant or simply the established middle-class way of life and morals.” A high proportion of our violence, he writes, “has thus come from top dogs or the middle dogs.”

Fifty-one years later, it turns out Mr. Hofstadter was wrong about the insurrectionary character of American violence. (Although, in fairness, it took a cult of personality and the complicity of a major political party to produce the conditions that led to an attack on one of the “symbols of national power” of the United States.) Even still, the events of Jan. 6 fit the mold of his essay as much as they might break it. The rioters belonged to what one could call the petite bourgeoisie of American society, the small-time capitalists who form the backbone of the modern Republican Party: the men and women whom Donald Trump once praised as his “beautiful boaters.”

The simultaneously conservative and insurrectionary violence of Jan. 6 was followed, in relatively short order, by the Republican Party’s resistance to measures that might end or at least mitigate the Covid-19 pandemic. Which is to say that in 2021, Americans watched as their government was besieged by rioters and then watched as that government struggled to return the country to normalcy. This past year, then, raises the same question as the 1960s did for Mr. Hofstadter: Can the United States, with its stark divisions and conflict, be governed?

I am inclined to take his answer as my own. “When one considers American history as a whole,” he concludes, “it is hard to think of any very long period in which it could be said that the country has been consistently well governed. And yet its political system is, on the whole, a resilient and well-seasoned one, and on the strength of its history one must assume that it can summon enough talent and good will to cope with its afflictions.”

“The nation,” he continues, “seems to slouch onward into its uncertain future like some huge inarticulate beast, too much attainted by wounds and ailments to be robust, but too strong and resourceful to succumb.”

Could a humble tab of acid or a handful of shrooms treat everything from depression and post-traumatic stress disorder to addiction and end-of-life anxiety? Funnily enough, to figure out whether psychedelics can bring solace to many suffering Americans, we’ve got to do the very thing psychedelics help people do: get out of our own way. We’ve got to take down the legal barriers erected in the moral panic after the Timothy Leary 1960s, when potent compounds like LSD and psilocybin were classed as Schedule 1 substances — the realm of bad, bad drugs with no medical value. Last year, Oregon became the first state to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of hard drugs such as LSD and psilocybin, and attitudes toward psychedelics have softened across the country. Some 35 percent of voters now believe that they have medical uses, according to a June poll .

Even a tough-on-drugs Republican like Representative Dan Crenshaw of Texas was moved enough by veterans’ testimony about the healing power of these drugs that he filed a measure to permit the Pentagon to fund research into psychedelic therapies for military P.T.S.D. Reflecting on an experience with ayahuasca, Jesse Gould, a former Army Ranger, told The Times in November that “it defragged my brain in a way that allowed it to heal.” In October, Johns Hopkins received the first federal grant in a half-century to enable research into therapeutic uses of a psychedelic: a study on psilocybin treatment for smoking addiction.

But if you’re hoping to munch on some acid or shrooms to get well, make sure to take the right amount. While it might be in vogue in Silicon Valley, microdosing — taking psychedelics in tiny, regular doses — was shown by participants in an Imperial College London study in March to have improved their well-being, mindfulness and life satisfaction as much as a placebo.

In June, some wondered whether Eric Adams, the mayoral front-runner at the time, was a tristate two-timer. Varying residences listed in public records , nights spent in his office in Brooklyn Borough Hall and an apartment in Fort Lee, N.J., raised suspicions. Hoping to dispel the rumors, Mr. Adams led reporters on an unusual tour of the unit in a Bedford-Stuyvesant townhouse where he claimed to live. For the conspiratorially inclined, the stunt yielded more questions than answers: On the wall were boyish sneakers ( similar shoes were later spotted on his adult son Jordan Coleman’s feet); in the fridge, sausages and salmon (Mr. Adams is vegan, and the food was also apparently Mr. Coleman’s). What to make of it all? If Rudy Giuliani was “America’s mayor” and Bill de Blasio, it seems, is no one’s mayor, then perhaps Mr. Adams will find himself courting a key constituency: the bridge-and-tunnel crowd.

In “Contagion,” Steven Soderbergh’s 2011 movie about a pandemic that kills 26 million people, the final sequence is a flashback: As rainforest is razed near Macau, China, a bat flies from a tree into a slaughterhouse. It drops a piece of banana, a pig eats it off the floor, and the pig is then killed and transported to a high-end restaurant. There the new disease infects an American businesswoman played by Gwyneth Paltrow. (Even a wellness guru can be patient zero.) The montage is eerie, but it is certain — something our own pandemic origin story is not.

Last year, many scientists posited that SARS-CoV-2 had emerged from a spillover event at the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan, China, where wild animals of various kinds were sold. But soon another theory emerged: that the virus escaped from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which holds a library of bat coronaviruses. The lab leak theory quickly became a favorite, anti-China sound bite for commentators on the American right, and it gained wider interest in January after a New York magazine cover story and high-ranking scientists spoke up to support investigations. Despite little transparency or cooperation from the Chinese government, a report then emerged that several researchers at the Wuhan lab contracted Covid-19-like symptoms in the fall of 2019, before the virus was detected elsewhere.

Whichever theory proves true, both carry Icarian lessons about the consequences of global human development. Experimenting with viruses is a high-wire act, but so is crowding wild animals through habitat destruction and trade. Even in the simpler cinematic narrative of “Contagion,” it’s not just chance that introduces bat to pig. It’s bulldozers, too.

In January two Subway customers filed a class-action complaint against the sandwich megachain, alleging that its tuna — which is grayish and spreads perhaps a little too easily for comfort — has been misleadingly marketed. Rather than the “high quality” skipjack tuna Subway advertised, the suit claimed that the product was a franken-mash of “various concoctions.” Investigations ensued . The company tried to restore its good name (and put an end to the “ something’s fishy ” jokes) with SubwayTunaFacts.com , and a judge soon dismissed the lawsuit. But that didn’t stop the plaintiffs from filing a new version in November, which Subway has called “reckless and improper.” The plaintiffs’ claim this time? That samples of Subway’s tuna contained DNA from chickens, pigs or cows. Yikes.

In a year rife with supply-chain snafus, the most memorable came in late March, when a humongous boat called the Ever Given got stuck in the Suez Canal, where it sat … and sat … and sat … wreaking havoc and holding up as much as $10 billion in cargo a day . Twitter went insane, and people all around the world offered tongue-in-cheek suggestions for how to free the boat. Finally, after six days, a flotilla of tugboats managed to dislodge it.

Though the Ever Given was freed, our supply-chain problems persisted. All year, the news was dominated by reports about shortages and delays caused by the pandemic. Warehouses overflowed . Shipping containers full of treadmills lingered in ports for weeks . Unharvested produce rotted in fields . Alas, as the year comes to a close, the supply chain remains a total mess , and many of the systemic problems contributing to the crisis — including “just in time” logistics , a dearth of workers resulting from poor conditions and low pay and the fact that people simply buy an outrageous amount of stuff and we don’t have enough shipping containers — are not likely to be resolved soon.

But for a few days there, the plugged canal was a convenient scapegoat (and an elegant metaphor) for a gummed-up global system in peril. In mid-December, the Ever Given voyaged through the canal again, this time without incident . We could all learn something here.

For my entire adult life, the left has either been marginal or on the defensive, but sometime during the Donald Trump administration, that seemed to change. In March, 2019, a few months after Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was sworn into Congress, New York magazine ran a cover story asking , “When Did Everyone Become a Socialist?” The headline was deliberately hyperbolic but still reflected a sense of left ascendency. Suddenly, progressive politics was full of practical energy and optimism. The left seemed, briefly, like the future.

That moment is over. For me, much of this year has been about grappling with the politics of backlash. The left has managed to pull the center of gravity in the Democratic Party in its direction, but the party itself is in trouble, losing a number of races it expected to win and facing a future in which it will need ever-larger popular vote majorities to overcome the Republicans’ structural advantages. “Whatever we’re doing,” wrote Joan Walsh in The Nation, “it’s not working.”

Over the past year, lots of liberals and leftists alike have come to believe that the language of the social justice left is needlessly alienating . The broader left – including those who privilege class concerns over cultural ones – have had to let go of the illusion that there exists a mass of alienated potential voters waiting to be roused by a sufficiently radical message. As the editors of the socialist magazine Jacobin wrote , after undertaking an extensive survey, “We find little evidence that low-propensity voters fail to vote because they don’t see sufficiently progressive views reflected in the political platforms of mainstream candidates.”

That means progressives have to go into elections with the electorate they have, one that is more conservative than they would like. One response to this has been the rise of popularism , the idea that Democrats should tailor their policies to the preferences of voters rather than activists. Winning elections, writes the popularist Matthew Yglesias, “pretty clearly involves dropping the fantasy that everything is about mobilization and turnout and acknowledging that to win in right-of-center states, you need to annoy progressives some with noteworthy moderate positions.”

Opponents of popularism have argued both that it will lead to craven, ineffectual poll chasing and that it would mean betraying key Democratic constituencies. “Black people, our concerns and our agenda, are always the first ones to be thrown overboard, even when we’re rowing the damn boat,” wrote Elie Mystal in The Nation. Instead of accommodating themselves to the current system, the critics of popularism argue, Democrats need to drastically reform it .

The dilemma is that structural reform is at once urgent and nearly impossible. In a biting, despairing essay in The New Republic, Osita Nwanevu argued that all that’s left for the left is “a long project of ideological conversion” that might gradually encourage voters to demand “the establishment of a system that we might reasonably call American democracy.” A few years ago, I wondered how the left would try to lead. Now I wonder how it will cope with an era of thwarted hopes.

George Floyd’s death is an anomaly among police killings in that it can legally be referred to as a murder, thanks to the unanimous conviction of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in April. Mr. Chauvin’s guilty verdict is rightly viewed as a victory, given how few police officers are convicted or even charged after using deadly force, despite killing nearly a thousand people per year , a disproportionate number of whom are Black. Among the activists who organized the racial justice protests last year — one of the largest protest movements in U.S. history — the initial feelings were relief and elation.

That summer, it felt as though radical ideas were seeping into the mainstream, but after the verdict, the energy of the movement began to dissipate. Policy-level discussions of abolishing police departments have largely stalled across the country. “‘Abolish’ mutated into ‘defund’; ‘defund’ melted into ‘delay,’” wrote the Afro-pessimist Frank Wilderson in The Nation. Many activists now believe that Mr. Chauvin’s conviction ended up restoring faith in the status quo — at least until the next high-profile case, when the cycle will begin again. Of all the heartbreaks of Mr. Floyd’s story, the most perverse is this: Winning justice for him may have delayed justice for the rest of us.

When GameStop stock jumped from $17 to $347 in the month of January, a new debate opened up in the world of finance: Do stock prices represent a market consensus, or do they represent the views of a random group of Reddit commenters? No year has tested the efficient-markets hypothesis — the idea that stocks trade at fair market value based on all available information — more than 2021: Elon Musk tweeting “Use Signal” (referring to a nonprofit encrypted messaging app) sent stock in a different, obscure Texas company called Signal Advance soaring; and the useless cryptocurrency Dogecoin, disavowed by its own creator, climbed in value 100-fold between January and May. The rise of the blockchain-based NFT economy — the main innovation of which appears to be the mass production of “scarce,” tacky objects — seems to be only further evidence that asset prices don’t reflect anything but sentiment.

GameStop has corrected a bit from its baffling highs, but value investors who focus on business fundamentals and grumble at meme investors should consider that the Federal Reserve appears to be as sensitive to consumer fears of inflation as it is to the real thing. If a misleading photo of $7 gas prices can go viral, it’s clear that what matters is how people feel about the economy, not the facts. Is the economy made of memes? Always has been.

Early this year, we were repeatedly told that “everyone” was abandoning big cities — settling down in the suburbs, purpling rural districts, turning Bozeman, Mont., into “Boz Angeles.” While “everyone” rarely means everyone — and in this case it mostly meant white-collar remote workers — pundits at least agreed that major metropolises weren’t exactly growing.

According to Henry Grabar in Slate, “The model behind the urban renaissance of the last 30 years — immigrants and yuppies — is dead.” This narrative has persisted, but most of the elegies turned out to be premature: According to an August report from UBS, the recently departed were flocking back. In the third quarter of the year, apartment sales in Manhattan hit a three-decade peak . Home prices in many urban areas have crept back up to pre-pandemic heights (and higher), and housing stock has dropped in both rural and suburban areas, meaning that living space is scarcer and less affordable everywhere. Geographic horizons may be opening up for the wealthy, but they continue to close in on everyone else.

As Gen Z’s advance guard enters the work force, such as it is, their denim preferences, Slack etiquette and penchant for self-care are inspiring angst among older colleagues. Even the Zoomers’ immediate forebears — the millennials once at the white-hot center of youth culture — describe feeling fear and foreboding at the prospect of committing an emoji faux pas , fielding a request for a mental health day or staking out a companywide activist position. Some of these concerns reflect predictable anxieties about losing touch with the latest fashions; ominous “kids these days” tales have most likely circulated since our foraging ancestors were scandalized by Generation Agriculture. But others betray a sense of unease among managers who are dealing with a resurgence of worker power and a labor movement revival. The spotlight on generational trends may be obscuring a broader change in employee expectations for more humane hours, safer conditions and fairer treatment. A revolt, it would seem, is underway against a broken and oppressive corporate culture, but it’s coming from workers of all ages.

Naomi Osaka, the brightest young light in tennis, withdrew from the French Open in May, revealing that she had suffered long bouts of depression since winning the U.S. Open in 2018. She resurfaced to light the cauldron at the Tokyo Olympics, played a few more weeks and then took another hiatus, this one ongoing and indefinite. “I feel like for me recently, when I win, I don’t feel happy,” she said . “I feel more like a relief. And then when I lose, I feel very sad. I don’t think that’s normal.” Elsewhere at the Olympics, Simone Biles suddenly bailed on her vault during the team final, saying that she had the “twisties,” a loss of awareness that gymnasts sometimes feel while maneuvering in midair. Citing her mental health and naming Osaka as an inspiration, she withdrew from several more finals.

To patriots of a certain persuasion, this marked the beginning of the end — the self-care generation’s attack on merit, resilience and winning itself. (Texas Deputy Attorney General Aaron Reitz called Biles a “national embarrassment.”) To a well-adjusted person who can’t find a way to get that angry about an athlete taking a break, it was the beginning of something refreshing: A fuller definition of “health,” taking stock of both body and mind, had finally come to sports, the most physical arena in public life. This was the year we learned, rather belatedly, that the people performing transcendent feats of strength, agility and timing — returning a 110-mile-per-hour serve or completing two and a half twists in the air — must also feel mentally up to the task.

Sally Rooney, the Marxist queen of millennial literature, published her third book this September. Before its release, her publisher sent out a promotional package that included a bucket hat — a scrupulously ugly daffodil-yellow flop of a thing — with the book’s title, “Beautiful World, Where Are You,” stitched into its front. The hat soon became the summer’s literary status symbol. (Lena Dunham got one.) Certain pedants accused Ms. Rooney of betraying her Marxist beliefs because, after all, she once said she was “very skeptical of the way in which books are marketed as commodities,” but that didn’t stop her publisher’s publicity campaign. The hat itself never went on sale. Eventually, one might crop up on eBay, but until then, we normal people, I suppose, will just have to read the book.

There wasn’t really anyone to root for when Richard Branson raced Jeff Bezos off the planet in July. Together with Elon Musk, the men who spent much of the year locked in what some have called the billionaire space race are worth nearly half a trillion dollars . Those still inclined to believe good money comes from good sense should mull over the logistics of Mr. Bezos’ proposal that we solve our environmental problems by simply moving “all heavy industry and all polluting industry” into the heavens.

Like the other cosmic promises we’ve heard from this set, Mr. Bezos’ assertion is best understood as part of a public relations campaign: a decade after Occupy Wall Street, with a re-energized left inveighing against the rich ever more loudly, billionaires are itching to demonstrate their value to the American people. If we’re getting GM plants on asteroids, a Mars where you can raise your kids or at least some men on the moon again⁠, Americans may be more inclined to accept an economy that allows a man like Mr. Bezos to passively make over $100,000 a minute .

Some in the conservative press were willing to give that argument an assist. National Review’s editor, Rich Lowry, wrote that this year’s spaceflights were examples of “stunning human achievement” foolishly impugned by critics with “contempt for human endeavor.” In contrast, Luke Savage of Jacobin called them “not a stunning human achievement but rather a uniquely American disgrace.”

In general, the American people don’t seem quite as animated as commentators and politicians are about billionaires and their antics. In March a Vox/Data for Progress survey found that 54 percent of likely voters ⁠— including 51 percent of Democrats ⁠— view the existence of billionaires as neither a good nor a bad thing for the country. Sixty-eight percent of likely voters ⁠— and 55 percent of Democrats ⁠— similarly disagree with the idea that the wealth of billionaires is immoral. These numbers are well in keeping with polling that has long suggested that voters rarely prioritize inequality as a policy issue. So while there’s ample reason to be troubled by our new masters of the universe, we should fret a bit, too, about ordinary Americans’ seeming ambivalence to inequality.

Film editors, graduate students, Froot Loops cereal makers, nurses, coal miners. In 2021, tens of thousands of unionized workers in the United States went on strike or got very close to doing so. The labor historian Gabriel Winant described this activity as “the sharp, organized tip” of the Great Resignation: the nearly 4.3 million Americans who left their jobs in August alone. But Marianne Garneau, an organizer, warned not to mistake employment leverage for lasting power: “Labor markets don’t create actions,” she wrote. “Only organizing does.” Even a surge in strikes has limited impact when less than 11 percent of American employees belong to unions.

But there are hopeful signs. The members of two international unions — the Teamsters and the United Auto Workers — recently approved changes that could lead to mass organizing campaigns. And a growing number of nonunion workers, from truck drivers to Amazon warehouse workers and freelance food deliveristas, are experimenting with strategies outside the collective bargaining agreement. It’s that mix that characterizes this post-Occupy Wall Street moment in labor: a desire to organize but in more creative, innovative ways.

Bankers can’t even agree on a method for valuing Bitcoin, the most famous cryptocurrency, let alone on whether it’s a smart investment. In a report last year, SEBA Bank of Switzerland said, “According to the existing valuation models, the value of the Bitcoin network is between zero and 100 trillion US dollars.” That range, it noted helpfully, “is so vast that it does not provide any insight.” Taking its own shot, the bank pegged the fair value of a single Bitcoin around $10,000, which it revised up this September to somewhere between $50,000 and $75,000. Not exactly confidence-inducing.

If the outlook for habitability on our little planet grew more hopeful in 2021, a cynic might argue it was only because we were already at the limit of collective hopelessness. During the Trump years — as the United States tore up international climate deals and flood and fire consumed swaths of the globe — unrestrained alarm about the climate became the most cleareyed of takes. Things had to get better under a Biden administration, because how could they get any worse?

That view is ungenerous. In politics, business and technology, the year brimmed with genuine reasons for optimism on the climate. Congress passed an infrastructure bill with billions of dollars in funding to bolster the nation against climate disaster (though West Virginia’s Sen. Joe Manchin appears to be blocking passage of a larger bill that would commit an additional half a trillion dollars ). The price of renewable power is plummeting , and sales of electric vehicles are surging . Carbon capture, the dream of removing planet-warming gases from the atmosphere, became increasingly viable. And there is growing interest and funding for geoengineering , large-scale projects for artificially cooling the planet.

Such efforts are moving the needle : In 2014 the world was on track to warm by four degrees Celsius (about seven degrees Fahrenheit) by the end of the century — a catastrophic outcome. We have since bent the curve: Now we’re on track for three degrees. That is still really bad, but at least we’re moving in the right direction. In November, Hannah Ritchie, a climate researcher, argued that apocalypticism is neither justified or useful. “It’s time to stop telling our children that they’re going to die from climate change,” she wrote . “It’s not only cruel; it might actually make it more likely to come true.”

This was the year in which we shelved discussions of white-collar work’s free-roaming, revolutionary future and instead settled into the awkward “long now” of the pandemic office. When vaccines were authorized in the United States last winter, they seemed to promise to hasten the return to traditional, in-person jobs. Many people became guinea pigs for hybrid work , and despite the neologism, it turned out to be pretty structured after all. Dispatches from today’s workplaces paint a strange picture: you might Zoom from inside the office or need to refresh basic etiquette .

Employees looking for a drastic change soon realized they would have to make it themselves. Millions of fed-up workers quit this year — many of them to chase “postpandemic adventure,” in what the Times technology columnist Kevin Roose memorably dubbed the YOLO economy . In retrospect, it was mostly C-suite managers who were able to shape the way we did white-collar work; ordinary employees rarely had a say in the new platforms they had to learn, the dates of their return to office or even the desks they used. So it’s unsurprising that workers started to care less about futuristic ways to have the same old meetings and focus more on getting the hell out.

In the cinematic universe of the new “Dune” movie, it is the year 10191. The threat of intergalactic war looms, and the protagonist must travel to the most dangerous planet in the galaxy to fulfill his destiny and ensure the future of his people. He alone can save the world and become the next emperor of the universe. That man’s name? Paul.

When the film came out, viewers were quick to point out the unexpectedly lackluster — and seemingly anachronistic — name of its hero, causing many to wonder: Will names like Paul still be around in another generation, let alone thousands of years in the future? According to the Social Security Administration, maybe not. Its records show that the popularity of the name has been in more or less steady decline for the past century . It was No. 252 on the agency’s 2020 list of most popular names for baby boys, down from 100 in 2000 and 16 in 1965, the year the original “Dune” novel was published. The 10 fastest-rising boys’ names? Zyair, Jaxtyn, Jakobe, Kylo, Aziel, Ander, Dior, Truett and Karsyn. For those of us still acclimating to Apple and Blue Ivy, these may take some getting used to. But, hey, at least it’s not X Æ A-Xii .

Living in China this year has felt like standing on shifting ground. Since the tech mogul Jack Ma fell from the Chinese Communist Party’s good graces last year — his company’s I.P.O. suspended and his influence curtailed — the country has been transformed. In the following months, the party unleashed a set of regulations so broad in scope that it has been called a “ crackdown on everything ”: no after-school tutoring, no cryptocurrency, no real estate speculation, no superfandom, no effeminate men, no online video games for minors on weekdays. To anyone who still believed that the arc of China’s future bent toward liberalization, that economic reform would yield political opening, the past several months have made clear that the country has swerved off those teleological tracks.

Deng Xiaoping’s “exuberant reforms did start to bend China’s Leninist metal,” Orville Schell wrote in Foreign Affairs, but now, under President Xi Jinping, “China has begun to snap back into its old Maoist shape.” The old laissez-faire “ to get rich is glorious ” ethos of the Dengist era is out; highly controlled, top-down “equitable development” is back in. Faced with an onslaught of crises — deepening inequality, an aging population, ecological degradation and the coronavirus pandemic — Mr. Xi has decided to tighten the reins. No one is certain where the road will lead, other than that the party will be deciding China’s future.

Normally, losing presidential candidates don’t exert much of a continued hold on their political parties. But Donald Trump is different: His bogus but potent claim to be the legitimate winner in 2020, piled atop his unique celebrity-populist appeal, has made him a kind of king in exile for the Republican Party, awaiting restoration in 2024.

Whether this strange situation can last till 2024 is the subject of a lot of tea-leaf reading. Occasionally a poll will come along that seems to show limits to the Republican enthusiasm for another Trump campaign, and in the day-to-day he clearly lacks absolute power over his party: Republicans in Congress feel reasonably comfortable ignoring him on certain votes, Mitch McConnell continues to bestride the Senate in the face of Mr. Trump’s avowed hatred, and the former president’s primary endorsees are not all guaranteed victory.

But these concrete limits on Mr. Trump’s influence, often cited this year by observers hoping that his power will slowly ebb, haven’t yet created a situation in which some other powerful Republican can challenge him directly and expect to succeed. If, for instance, Gov. Brian Kemp of Georgia survives the primary challenge that Mr. Trump has helped instigate against him, it will probably be by avoiding confrontation rather than going the route of Representative Liz Cheney and fighting the former president head-on.

The same point applies to any imaginable Republican challenge to Mr. Trump in 2024, should he run (and we should expect him to run). There might be a path to stealing the party away from its current leader, but it will have to be the smoothest, gentlest of thefts.

For some time, the great male American novelist has been under siege. It’s been more than 20 years since John Updike was called a “penis with a thesaurus,” since Kate Millett accused Norman Mailer of being a “prisoner of the virility cult,” since Vivian Gornick asked , “Why do these men hate women?” In the spring the literary world braced itself for yet another round of debate about Philip Roth’s sexism — and whether it disqualified his work — when W.W. Norton published an authorized biography of the novelist by Blake Bailey. Some followed Cynthia Ozick in deeming the book “a narrative masterwork,” but others were less charitable. Far from interrogating Mr. Roth’s treatment of women, Mr. Bailey acts like “an adoring wingman who thinks his friend can do better,” wrote Laura Marsh of The New Republic. (In a particularly egregious passage, Mr. Bailey critiques the postchildbirth appearance of Mr. Roth’s first wife’s vagina.)

The controversy curdled into self-parody after allegations came to light that Mr. Bailey had sexually assault ed two women, one of whom had been his student. The publishing executive Valentina Rice said that she had anonymously reported to Norton executives that in 2015 Mr. Bailey raped her but it appears that Norton did not thoroughly investigate the matter. On the heels of the public outcry, however, the house took the book out of print and paused its publicity campaign, in what Mr. Bailey’s lawyer called a “drastic” response to “false and unsubstantiated” allegations. The National Coalition Against Censorship agreed. “The ongoing cultural reckoning of what to do with the art of morally compromised artists is a complicated one,” read its public statement. “Erasure and silencing can gratify the desire to punish, but it does so at the cost of constraining the circulation of ideas.”

At the height of the #MeToo movement, Claire Dederer published a viral essay with the headline “What Do We Do With the Art of Monstrous Men?” Four years later, the answer appears to be: disavow it, but only when it threatens a company’s public image. Mr. Roth’s works, of course, remain widely available, but the scandal may have defeated his aim in authorizing a biography to begin with. He had first sought out a biographer, he reportedly said before his death in 2018, in order to help counter what he saw as the gravest threat to his posthumous reputation: “This whole mad fucking misogynistic bullshit!”

Coming out of poverty and having navigated school on an empty stomach, I found this year’s debate about eliminating the SAT disappointing, even maddening. This year, the University of California announced that it would no longer use standardized test scores for admissions decisions, ​and commentators predicted that the move would lead to the demise of admissions testing throughout the country. (Just last week, Harvard extended its pandemic-era test optional admissions policy for the next four years.)

The National Education Association has described standardized tests as “instruments of racism and a biased system,” drawing on the antiracist scholarship of Ibram X. Kendi, who has long argued that the SAT is a vestige of eugenics. The SAT is biased because it is correlated with parental income, but so is the rest of the application packet: Grade point average, recommendations and personal statements have all been shown to track with class.

Dropping the SAT in the absence of any larger economic reform is a trivial victory and a potential distraction. As long as economic inequality remains — as long as poor children, who are disproportionately Black, languish in failing schools — any accurate diagnostic of our students’ abilities will reveal the effects of that inequality. Removing the diagnosis doesn’t treat the disease.

On Jan. 2, the country was post-hangover, punchy and bored from a seemingly endless quarantined life. That was also the day a foolish man tweeted a very long thread about his 9-year-old daughter trying to open a can of baked beans.

In that soon infamous (and soon deleted) story, the father did not help his daughter as she struggled with the can opener, and he portrayed the situation as a “ teaching moment ” of self-reliance for the girl, who ultimately did get at the beans. “Bean Dad” became a trending topic, then national news. Commenters accused Bean Dad of abusive and toxic behavior. He quickly apologized and said that “a dozen” people had reported him to child protective services and that his family had received a visit from the agency.

The fracas encapsulated everything that is wrong with both social media and parenting discourse. Encouraging your tween to figure out how to use a can opener by herself is not child abuse, but parents are frequently told that any number of our mundane decisions have perilously high stakes. (If you don’t believe me, check out any forum about sleep training or breast-feeding.) I wish I could say we all learned a lesson from Bean Dad’s momentary virality. Indeed, I thought Bean Dad himself had learned something, because he, for a while, deactivated his Twitter account . But he’s back on the platform , stuck in the same broken system with the rest of us, having arguments that aren’t worth a hill of beans.

This year was a violent one. At least nine major U.S. cities set homicide records, and the rise in violence has prompted many governors and mayors to call for increasing the number of police officers on the streets. There is a strong consensus among social scientists that hiring more police officers reduces crime. In a paper widely cited by law enforcement advocates and criminal justice reformers alike, the economist Aaron Chalfin and his co-authors assessed the effects of the police on serious crime in over 200 cities. They found that on average, a life is saved for every 10 to 17 officers hired.

But the more detailed the data, the more complicated the picture becomes, particularly for marginalized communities. On average, enlarging the police force is doubly effective for reducing Black homicide rates, but the trend disappears in places with high concentrations of Black people, including most Southern cities. Expanding policing also comes with real costs: Having more officers means more Black men arrested for low-level offenses such as disorderly conduct and loitering. Crime is undoubtedly oppressive for communities, but is harassment and mass incarceration any less so? As DMX wrote in the song “Who We Be,” “The options: get shot, go to jail or getcha ass kicked.” America’s current approach to rising crime simply forces marginalized communities to decide which forms of oppression are tolerable. We’ve got “options.”

When it emerged last year that Donald Trump had been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, The Atlantic published an age-old demand: “ End the Nobel Peace Prize .” The controversial designation, which has recognized efforts toward “peace” by the likes of Henry Kissinger, has long been verging on farce, and the selection committee did itself no favors with its choices in recent years. In 2019 the selection of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia, who presided over atrocities against the Tigray ethnic minority, led journalists to publish stories on his awful human rights record. Perhaps in response, the 2020 award went to the World Food Program, a totally bland choice.

But in October, something completely unexpected happened. The committee made pretty great picks: Maria Ressa, a Filipin, and Dmitri A. Muratov, a Russian, who are outstanding journalists and heavily persecuted members of a profession that is imperiled around the globe. Their selection showed a timely recognition of the dangers of “fake news” rhetoric and a welcome expansion of “peace”-promoting actors beyond bureaucratic bodies or untested leaders. The Washington Post’s editorial board summarized public opinion when it proclaimed that Ms. Ressa and Mr. Muratov had “won the Nobel Peace Prize at just the right time.” At least briefly, the Nobel Peace Prize has managed to snatch gravitas from the jaws of irrelevance.

Coined by the entrepreneur and Nasty Gal founder Sophia Amoruso in 2014, the term “girlboss” was always sort of terrible. Simultaneously infantilizing and exclusionary, it signaled a distinctly white, affluent and cutesy kind of feminism. At least for a time, the term offered a model for female success that was sorely lacking a space in the culture, but quite quickly it went from an earnest ideal to a shorthand for toxic female power. This year, with the emergence of an updated phrase, “ gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss ,” it seemed to be employed mostly to lampoon the very type of brazenly ambitious women who popularized it in the first place.

The change in usage took place in tandem with the demise of the girlbosses themselves, as many of the women who once proudly claimed the title have proved to be just as bad as the male C.E.O.s they aimed to replace. An abridged list includes Steph Korey, a co-founder of the luggage company Away; Christene Barberich, a co-founder and former editor in chief of Refinery29; Leandra Medine Cohen, the founder of the fashion blog Man Repeller; Audrey Gelman, a co-founder and former C.E.O. of the Wing; and Yael Aflalo, the former C.E.O. and the founder of the clothing brand Reformation. And, of course, Elizabeth Holmes, whose spectacular downfall may just prove to be the final nail in the coffin of girlbossdom.

Havana syndrome, the Lyme disease of the geopolitical class, surpassed 200 cases this year. Strange symptoms — including migraines, hearing loss and vertigo — started afflicting American diplomats in Cuba in 2016, after embassy workers reported hearing loud buzzing noises. Marco Rubio was among the politicians quick to suggest that the diplomats had been targeted by an experimental microwave weapon. Others assumed mass psychogenic illness. This year BuzzFeed News obtained a declassified report completed by the State Department in 2018, which concluded that some of the victims may have reacted to, of all things, the chirp of the Indies short-tailed cricket. That officials have suffered from something, whether malicious or not, is certain, but some hawks in the intelligence community are not waiting for answers. In October the journalist Julia Ioffe, writing for a venture-capital-backed news site called Puck, interviewed officials in Washington who believe the symptoms to be the result of Russian attacks, in an article some viewed as irresponsibly credulous. She quoted an anonymous official hungry to retaliate: “We got Bin Laden with medium confidence.”

According to Nicki Minaj, her cousin in Trinidad has a friend who got the Covid vaccine and “ became impotent .” To wit: “His testicles became swollen.” He was “weeks away from getting married,” but because of the impotence or the swollen testicles or both, “the girl called off the wedding.” Ms. Minaj concluded that before her followers on Twitter get the vaccine, they should “just pray on it & make sure you’re comfortable with ur decision, not bullied.” Predictably, liberals such as Joy Reid attacked her, and conservatives such as Tucker Carlson defended her. Nearly a casualty in the cultural war between the pro- and anti-vaccine crowds, Ms. Minaj is back to doing her Barbie Tingz, whatever those are, and people are back to believing whatever they believed about the vaccine before she started tweeting about swollen testicles.

In August, as Americans prepared to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Sept. 11, they awoke to images of a war they had forgotten — the U.S. military leaving Afghanistan in disarray, the Taliban returning to Kabul triumphant. President Biden soon declared the end of the forever wars, and many in the media postulated the start of a new political era, but in truth they have become so vast and insidious that they may be impossible to end.

From 2018 to 2020, the United States conducted some form of counterterrorism activity in 85 countries, using drone strikes, military exercises and dubious legal frameworks. Authoritarians from Xi Jinping to Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Narendra Modi have learned from the targeting of Muslim and Arab Americans after Sept. 11, employing broadly defined antiterrorism laws to persecute their own citizens. In his book “Reign of Terror,” published in August, the journalist Spencer Ackerman argues that the ongoing wars of the past 20 years — with their xenophobia, anti-Muslim sentiment and violence — helped lead to the rise of Donald Trump. Mr. Ackerman and others have observed that homeland security laws intended to respond to foreign terrorist threats are now used against citizens protesting police violence at home.

The war on terrorism has shattered entire nations and economies, created at least 38 million refugees and killed some 900,000 people , but the dumb privilege of being a global superpower means that many Americans remain unaware of or unconcerned by how their country shapes the lives of others. No new political era can begin until that changes.

Americans would need to start caring that, across the world, the war is far from over for the maimed, the grieving, the impoverished, the stateless. “While the U.S. military can and must end its foreign wars,” the historian Ussama Makdisi writes , “native peoples and countries cannot simply ‘end’ the war; they will live in and among its consequences for generations.”

Tabloid coverage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s separation and divorce may have tarnished the monarchy’s reputation, but the damage wrought by the current royal family feud comes on the brink of a drastic change that will likely determine its fate. The crown’s survival after Queen Elizabeth’s death depends on her subjects accepting Charles — someone who has long been polarizing, even unpopular — as king.

During a blockbuster interview with Oprah Winfrey in March, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, said she was kept silent while a working member of the royal family. If so, she and her husband, Prince Harry, are now determined to finally tell their side of the story. Are Meghan and Harry long-suffering victims defending themselves from a racist and unfeeling institution? Or are they greedy hypocrites who still trade on their titles despite eschewing royal duties? The answer tends to vary based on which side of the Atlantic you call home.

So far, the British press has largely taken the royal family’s side in this dispute, but Meghan and Harry’s allegations of racism and indifference have had more purchase in countries like Jamaica and Australia, which have been considering republicanism but may be waiting to move until the death of the queen. When it comes to this media war, Harry and Meghan could lose family relationships, but the House of Windsor could lose the Commonwealth — and even the crown.

The media has to stop using the word “riot” to describe the events of Jan. 6. What happened at the Capitol was not spontaneous tumult; it was the violent peak of a protracted coup attempt that began when President Donald J. Trump lost re-election. Earlier phases of this unprecedented campaign to overthrow American democracy included Mr. Trump’s lies about the results of the vote, his intimidation of state election officials and a bus tour that riled up his base. But its roots run deeper still, through decades of far-right, white-supremacist organizing intended to break the arc of justice in favor of a regressive vision of America.

Loath to acknowledge the Republican Party’s slide toward nativism and violence, many conservative pundits have dismissed alarm about Jan. 6 as hysteria. Writing for The Wall Street Journal, Barton Swaim scorned “the left’s irrational fear of conquest by the right.” At National Review, Michael Brendan Dougherty acknowledged that Jan. 6 was a disgrace “caused by Donald Trump’s dishonesty,” but he insisted it was not a coup attempt, explaining “the Trumpers at the Capitol couldn’t have held on to a public library or a Chick-fil-A if they had tried.” In an appearance on “The View” this fall, Condoleezza Rice encouraged Americans to “move on.” Much of the country seems ready to. Polling in October found that more than one-third of Americans do not believe that Jan. 6 was an attack on the government and that more than half said enough is already known about what led to the storming of the Capitol.

Meanwhile, Trump and his allies are closing ranks and preparing for their next assault on democracy. “The Republicans who vocally denounced Trump’s attempted coup are facing purges,” Jonathan Chait wrote in New York magazine, “while those who supported the coup are getting bolder.” The historian Timothy Snyder perhaps put it best in an interview on CNN, saying, “If we’re not prepared for the attempt for people to take power undemocratically in 2024, then we’re just at this point pathetically naïve.”

In November, Ted Cruz and other well-adjusted people denounced “Sesame Street” for peddling “government propaganda” by having Big Bird get vaccinated, while the chairman of the American Conservative Union, Matt Schlapp, called PBS “insane” after “Sesame Street” announced the debut of Ji-Young, the show’s first Asian American muppet. These two developments were, to the mind of some conservatives, indisputable proof that the woke mob had seized this most important block in the intellectual street war for America’s soul. President Biden, on the other hand, was quick to send his support: “Good on ya, Big Bird. Getting vaccinated is the best way to keep your whole neighborhood safe.”

Originally funded by a mix of private and public money when it began in 1969, “Sesame Street” now first airs new episodes behind an HBO paywall. Big Bird isn’t a government agent: At best, he’s a victim of the consequences of the Reagan Revolution. At worst, he’s a corporate shill.

When I read about the Serbian hermit Panta Petrovic this summer, I liked him immediately — even as I understood that he, being a misanthropic hermit, would not like me back. For starters, the man looked the part: 70 years old, smudgy-cheeked and virile, with a beard fanning off him like the bottom of an old broom, rope for a belt and white sleeves blousing from a tattered brown vest. Aesthetically, he resembled a fiddler on the roof without the fiddle. Or the roof.

Mr. Petrovic lives in a cave. Nearly 20 years ago, he became so aggrieved by society, so irritated by other people’s existence and indignant over the wretchedness of capitalism — “Money is cursed,” he said — that he left his job as a mechanical engineer, gave away his earnings and moved into a hole in the side of a mountain. And that’s where a journalist from Agence France-Presse found him in August: subsisting mostly on mushrooms and fish, sleeping on hay, peeing and pooping in a rusty bathtub that he’d moved inside his cave (not sure why — plenty of open land outside the cave, you’d assume). His only companions were animals, and his closest one, a pig — a detail that uncannily mirrored one of this year’s most memorable fictional characters, Nicolas Cage’s equally surly hermit in the film “Pig.”

“She means everything to me,” Mr. Petrovic said of his 440-pound sow. “I love her, and she listens to me.”

What surprised me was how happy the hermit seemed . More than happy: perfectly content. “Here there is freedom,” he explained to the reporter. “I was not free in the city. There is always someone in your way.”

Like many people, I was living a fairly hermity existence this time last year. Still, I was alive to the possibility that, once 2020 sputtered into 2021, everything would change. American society would re-emerge from the strange and demoralizing isolation of the Covid pandemic with miraculous new vaccines rushing through its bloodstream instead of the same unruly adrenaline and spite and, as people got back to work, back to school, back to governing ourselves in a somewhat sensible way, under a boring new president, we even had an opportunity to do it all slightly better than before — more equitably, more decently, more joyously — and with heightened appreciation for life lived alongside others.

It didn’t happen. Instead, this year, even as we tallied the suffering created and exacerbated by a lack of connectedness, from a record-high number of drug overdose deaths to the academic and social-emotional deficits incurred by kids who couldn’t be physically together in school, it was impossible also not to concentrate on how maddening and horrible connectedness to other human beings can be. Sometimes, it was hard just to stop focusing on the simple reality that other human beings can kill you — and often, it seemed, that they can kill you without much compunction or consequence. They can kill you by refusing to pull their mask over their nostrils, by bureaucratically denying you adequate health care, by allowing you to live on the street, by keeping you at work while a tornado closes in, by shooting you with their guns just because they felt scared.

Is life better when we’re together? It used to be a question that only hermits bothered to ask. Now it’s a pressing, mainstream concern. Many Americans did bounce through the year ecstatic to be in a community again but only with certain people, people who hadn’t revealed themselves to be morons, jerkwads or fascists. Something about passing through the ordeal of the pandemic seemed to empower people to finally write those other people off. If true cohesion is impossible, it seemed permissible to scale back the project of togetherness by drawing a cozy circle around Us and a bright, flaming line between Us and Them.

Notably, Mr. Petrovic was newsworthy this summer only because he, too, was momentarily venturing out of his isolation and back into society. And he was doing it for an exquisitely noble purpose: A video captured the cave man, sitting in an antiseptically modern health care facility, rolling up the sleeve of his tunic to receive a Covid-19 vaccine.

Mr. Petrovic was a solitary and antisocial creature. He had rebuked society with his total being. Still, even he worried that, epidemiologically, he could not sever his relationship to the rest of humanity as cleanly. And if he were to get sick, he explained, no one would be around to take care of him. “I want to get all three doses,” he told the camera. When he was told about vaccine skeptics, his take was: What’s the big fuss? “I urge every citizen to get vaccinated — every single one of them,” he proclaimed. The hermit subsequently reported no significant side effects. “Two or three days later, I was drinking beer normally,” he said.

The beer comment probably sealed it: The hermit had a moment online. Commenters celebrated him as a hero, bonding around the allure of his lifestyle: a community of introverted, hermit romantics. Others, meanwhile, scoffed at his hypocrisy, dismissing him for carrying on about freedom, then choosing “to inject their bioweapon” into his arm like a dupe. (Mr. Petrovic also receives welfare; no one seemed bothered by this in the comments, though.) Other posts went further, assuming the entire story was nefarious propaganda to promote vaccinations.

It was the beginnings of something familiar, to the point of being boring: different people mapping their group identities and collective grievances onto the story of someone who wanted nothing to do with groups of people at all. Little arguments about the hermit sprouted between tribes of commenters under the video on YouTube, then branched into unrelated arguments. (Like, does Islam represent the only authoritative and universal truth?) “Open up your chakras and actually connect to other dimensions,” one commenter told another. “I think the best solution for you is to sit in your garage and let the exhaust run until the fumes take you,” another sniped.

Two other people, liking the sound of that idea, expressed their solidarity by clicking the tiny thumbs-up.

Humans have an almost unstoppable propensity to clump ourselves together into groups. We tend to understand this rationally and in flattering terms: It’s our capacity to form a community and feel invested in that community that allows us to work cooperatively and succeed. We tell ourselves that we choose to identify with a particular group because that group is meaningful, productive and right. But fundamentally, banding together may be more of a compulsion than a strategy. There’s something intoxicating about solidarity itself.

In the early 1970s, the psychologist Henri Tajfel lead a series of studies at the University of Bristol that would become known as “the minimal group experiments.” Dr. Tajfel recruited 64 teenagers from a local school and divided them into groups. In one version, he asked the subjects to estimate how many dots were flashing on a screen, then classified them as either overestimators or underestimators; in another, he showed them two sets of paintings, asked which they preferred, then assigned them to either the Paul Klee group or the Wassily Kandinsky group.

With these groups established, Dr. Tajfel instructed each person, working in isolation, to allocate money to members of their own group and to members of the other. He was curious whether these “flimsy and unimportant” collective identities, as he called them, would come into play. It seemed unlikely they would.

Dr. Tajfel was born in 1919 as Hersz Mordche, a Polish Jew, and grew up as antisemitism crusted over the country in the run-up to World War II. (He remembered walking home from school one afternoon as a boy and watching two kids attack two Jewish men on the street, ripping their beards from their faces, drawing blood.) Studying at the Sorbonne when Hitler invaded Poland in 1939, Dr. Tajfel volunteered to fight for France. When the French surrendered, he was captured and forced to march north alongside other prisoners of war. While he walked, he destroyed his Polish passport and other documents identifying him as a Jew the only way he could: He ate them very slowly.

Ultimately, Dr. Tajfel learned that his immediate family had perished; almost no one he knew before the war was alive by the end. He was troubled by how readily divisions had sprung up in society and compelled by survivors’ varied emotional responses to the atrocities that followed. He saw some become writers and artists and try to “express and reflect what had happened to them and to others,” he explained at the end of his life. But he knew he didn’t have that talent. He became a psychologist instead.

With the minimal group experiments, Dr. Tajfel was setting out to investigate the mechanics of intergroup conflict but strove, first, to create a kind of scientific vacuum, untainted by history, stereotypes or prejudices of any kind, so that he could slowly add in variables later and see what happened. That is, these first experiments, with the dots and paintings, weren’t his real experiment. He was just setting up a baseline to get started: groups that were barely even groups, that had been assembled on the spot, based on nothing.

In fact, Dr. Tajfel’s meaningless, minimal groups were even more meaningless than they appeared. He and his collaborators had actually ignored the kids’ responses to the dots and paintings. Instead, as the social psychologists Dominic J. Packer and Jay J. Van Bavel note, describing these experiments in their new book, “The Power of Us,” “in each case, the researchers had essentially flipped a coin and assigned people to groups based on chance.”

Still, biases locked in right away. Overwhelmingly, people in Dr. Tajfel’s experiment gave more of the money he put at their disposal to members of their own group than the other. Moreover, they were bent on creating as large a disparity as possible, even when offered the option of maximizing the amount of money for everyone, at no cost. Their behavior seemed vindictive, “a clear case of gratuitous discrimination,” Dr. Tajfel wrote.

Since then, other researchers have run their own minimal group experiments, pushing those findings further. Dr. Packer and Dr. Van Bavel have split people into leopards and tigers, for example. Others have gone maximally minimal and divided people into group A and group B. Still, the pride — the readiness to connect — is always there. When you tell people they’re in group A, Dr. Packer says, those people are reliably psyched to be in group A. Stick leopard people in a brain imaging machine and show them a picture of a stranger, and their brain activity changes if they know that the stranger is a leopard person, too. Their positivity toward other leopard people increases and even supersedes racial biases that cut the other way.

Dr. Packer and Dr. Van Bavel call the minimal group studies “among the most important studies in the history of psychology.” They demonstrate that “the human sense of self — your gravitational center — does not stay in the same place. With a flip of a coin, people constructed entirely new identities in a matter of minutes.”

The rewards of this kind of connectedness wind up driving all kinds of wonderful human behavior, sometimes less obviously than we’d assume. What initially piqued my interest in this whole phenomenon was a conversation with Mark Snyder, a University of Minnesota psychologist who has studied volunteerism in America since the mid-1980s, when he started observing volunteers caring for people with AIDS. I asked Dr. Snyder why people spend their time helping others; every year Americans spend roughly eight billion hours volunteering — an estimated more than $200 billion worth of labor, all given for free. He started by pointing out that “we’re socialized to believe that charity is selfless, that it shouldn’t feel good,” but that this is a myth. Dr. Snyder’s research demonstrates that the volunteers who stick with their volunteerism the longest are those who transcend some narrowly altruistic motivation and enjoy the inevitable, more self-interested rewards they’re reaping in the process as well.

And one of the key ones is human connectedness: Volunteering creates friendships, expands social networks and gives volunteers a greater feeling of belonging to the other volunteers and their communities at large. It’s a feedback loop, Dr. Snyder explained, an unwittingly virtuous cycle. The stronger those bonds get, the more rewarding the volunteer work becomes for the volunteers and the more committed they’ll be.

Still, Dr. Snyder added, this phenomenon is morally neutral. Togetherness is a fissile material; we can’t necessarily predict or control what reaction it will set off. “The process that leads individuals to take action — fulfilling their own motivations, connecting with other people with a shared sense of community — these processes work whether we approve or disapprove of the ends to which they’re ultimately put,” Dr. Snyder said. The group of volunteers who spend their Saturday working at a Covid vaccination clinic and the group of volunteers who spend their Saturday protesting outside the clinic are, psychologically speaking, riding the same wave. Each effort is sustainable, he explained, “because the ends are usually seen as valuable and moral in the eyes of the people working toward them.”

That drive seems even more profound during a disaster. Sociologists have long observed the formation of emergent groups — ad hoc, self-organizing communities of volunteers that spontaneously arise to address specific problems during natural disasters. These volunteers might search for victims in the rubble of a collapsed building or get on social media to systematize the dissemination of information about missing people. Disasters are disruptions, cleaving ordinary life open into vacuums of uncertainty. Falling into a community with others — particularly a community acting with purpose — helps people regain certainty and agency. In a catastrophe, taking action can feel restorative, euphoric even, and seems to help sustain survivors’ mental health.

It’s worth noting, since it may not feel that way every second of every day, that if you’re reading this, you are surviving a disaster — a horrific one but one that’s also curiously disorienting and abstract. More than five million people have died, but there haven’t always been obvious piles of rubble for the rest of us to run toward or completely satisfying ways to reclaim our agency or offer help. I don’t know how an mRNA vaccine works, for example, and, though I did sometimes wonder or even worry about their safety, I ultimately just trusted the scientific community that told me to stick one in my arm.

Imagine, under these circumstances, a group of people who rush forward to help but are given bad information by the people they trust — or even misinformation that they can’t disprove or aren’t savvy enough to question or just aren’t motivated to contradict. Maybe they’re told the rubble pile is to the east instead of west or that it’s a tsunami that’s coming instead of a fire. Imagine how unproductively they would wind up reacting. They might set off running to help in exactly the wrong direction and just keep running — for months or years, as long as the disaster lasted. Even if, objectively, their running didn’t seem to accomplish very much, they would be running as a group, which feels better than doing nothing alone.

How would you ever stop these people from running? How would you call them back?

“I’ve never seen antisocial behavior at scale in my lifetime in the United States,” Scott Gabriel Knowles told me, “never seen it raised up to the level of mainstream politics. It’s been really startling.”

Dr. Knowles is a historian and professor at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology — an American who has studied disasters for 20 years. He explained that the academic literature of disasters talks about emergent groups primarily as prosocial: people coming together to help their neighbors. And overwhelmingly, that’s been the reality.

But on Jan. 6, he turned on his television and saw an emergent group there, too — a community of grossly misinformed, if not willfully misinformed, insurrectionists who, although they had been unmistakably riled up by an authority figure at the rally beforehand, were now storming the Capitol as a self-organizing group of volunteers. “I can’t deconstruct the psychology of each one of those people,” Dr. Knowles explained. But it was clear to him from some of their own statements that many were part of “a community that’s reacting to something they see as a bigger disaster than Covid: the Black Lives Matter protests.” That is, they were responding to a perceived emergency, persuaded that they were the ones who had to get the job done. (“If you don’t fight like hell,” the about-to-be-former president had told them , “you’re not going to have a country anymore.”)

“These are groups of people who’ve done exactly what the literature said they should do,” Dr. Knowles conceded, “as much as I find it totally distasteful. If people feel that their group is in danger or that a disaster has occurred, they will take action in innovative ways.” It’s hard to imagine more antisocial behavior than attempting to undo a democratic election with mayhem and violence. But the insurrectionists were doing it together, and pretty joyously, it seemed — snapping selfies, posting them to Facebook with stupid jokes in real time. It was, within their community, a prosocial activity, too. They were like anti-hermits who, feeling the same hyperbolic disgruntlement and repulsion about where society was heading, had all found one another instead of each finding a cave.

Remember Podium Guy? Adam Johnson is the 36-year-old man who had traveled to Washington from Florida and was photographed strolling through the chaos in the Capitol Rotunda cradling Nancy Pelosi’s stolen lectern in one arm. There was nothing benign about him; he was part of a rampage. But alone at the center of the photo, waving at the camera and grinning widely, he had the bemused but cheerful expression of a roadie loading out after a crazy gig.

Last month, after Mr. Johnson pleaded guilty to “entering or remaining in any restricted building,” a federal judge, Reggie B. Walton, explained that he was considering sending Mr. Johnson to prison: “You seemed to have thought it was a fun event to be involved in,” Judge Walton scolded Podium Guy from the bench. But he did more than scold. He addressed Mr. Johnson almost as a kind of empty vessel, a weak-willed receiver and amplifier of other people’s energies — a completely impressionable sucker for the feeling of being in a group. “You were gullible enough to come all the way up here from Florida based upon a lie and then associate yourself, because of that lie, with people and try to undermine the will of the American public,” the judge insisted . And those other people are still out there, still promulgating the same lie. “So why shouldn’t I lock you up, sir? Why should I think that you won’t do this again?”

I have no answer to the problem of Podium Guys — how, on a societal level, to stop manufacturing them or to neutralize the destructive potential of the ones who already exist. It’s depressing to recognize that community, a powerful tool for solving our most intractable problems, can be a powerful incubator and accelerant of problems, too. And it’s extra-depressing because those problems keep multiplying and inflating. Even aside from the pandemic, there’s enough confusion and precariousness in our country, real and imagined and from the scale of individual families to the planetary level, to make any given day feel like a crisis, too. When a system appears to be malfunctioning, indifferent, reckless or corrupt, that’s a kind of disaster, and people are likely to come together and respond, for better or worse.

Some will be volunteers, and some will be vigilantes. But both may be reacting to a similar feeling of free fall, of tumbling. This doesn’t make them morally equivalent; in the end, morality is what keeps them from being equivalent. I know it’s important to keep drawing that distinction, to keep calling it out. I also know it’s not enough.

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics 2021 with Answers: Common Topics for Your IELTS Preparation

IELTS is a highly praised English language exam. The majority of countries and universities around the world recognise this exam as validation of the excellence of an applicant in English. It is not so straightforward to pass this test. The only thing that makes you clear up this exam is the experience of full instruction and practise. Well, here this article is very beneficial for students who are studying for their IELTS. In the article below, we will provide you with IELTS writing task 2 Question Answers. It will help you to understand how to answer every question in IELTS writing Assignment 2.

Read the 3 sample topics in this blog which will help you to get better in the IELTS writing task.

Also Read: IELTS Band 9 Essays: How to Write 9 Band Essays in IELTS

IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics with Answers

Some people claim that e-books and modern media would fully overtake conventional newspapers and magazines to what point do you agree or disagree, ielts writing task 2 topics 2021 – part one.

Technology thrives on advancements and presents us with new ways while staying up to date with the latest news and current affairs. As a result, a reasonable number of people assume that the traditional way of reading newspapers will be gone. I do not fully agree with that, because traditional newspapers are the simplest and cheapest way to get information.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics 2021 – Part Two

To get started, there are several explanations for why conventional ways to get news are still common. Firstly, reading the newspaper has been an ardent habit for many people. All, whether from the rich or middle class, are eager to wait for the newspaper in the morning and love reading it with a cup of tea.

Furthermore, this is the most compact, cheapest and fastest way to learn about global events. It can be brought from one location to another in a bag at an effective cost. It’s so convenient, and just continuing to flip pages will make you omniscient.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics 2021 – Part Three

Nevertheless, there is no question that technology has provided a progressive approach to reading news, for instance, videos offer a complete and transparent vision of reading, as well as being able to stream, upload and forward it to our relatives and colleagues. Pointless to mention, technophobes would have no room in this ever-advanced new society.

In conclusion, people’s lives are seriously impacted by advanced media versions, but, in my view, they would not pose a danger to the life of conventional magazines and newspapers.

Also Read: IELTS Writing Task 2 Samples: Exam Questions & Answers to Target Minimum Band 8

Previous Years Sample

Some people claim that teens should be expected to do voluntary service in their spare time. Teenagers and the neighbourhood will benefit as well.

And what point do you agree or disagree with that?

IELTS Writing Task 2 Samples – Part One

Children are the foundation of the world. Therefore, there are people who prefer to believe that youths should be motivated to participate in social work as it would lead to a productive society and the individualistic development of young people themselves. I, too, agree that this incentive is more valuable than its downside.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Samples -Part Two

Initially, children’s social service can easily be correlated with the growth of personality, and they have to interact with a number of individuals through this drive, which contributes to polished language ability.

For instance, once they start persuading rural people to take their children to school, they must have such a compelling mentality, along with proven communication skills, to communicate with different kinds of people there. This enhanced ability would benefit them in every arena for a lifetime.

Apart from this, real principles of life such as empathy, patience, team spirit, teamwork can be taught. Other than that, young minds represent the country with all the passion that brings them feelings of accomplishment and self-satisfaction. They are brimming with self-confidence and patriotic feelings about themselves. However, going and witnessing different cultures and customs makes their scope so wide that they add one more feather to their cap.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Samples – Part Three

Nevertheless, no rose without thorns is a true saying. Could the disadvantages of the initiation be overlooked? Children are going to school, taking part in various curriculum events, facing scrutiny from classmates, parents and teachers, and in a dynamic environment, they can not be forced to represent society without their own gains. This kind of strain could add anger to their minds.

In addition, I conclude that the idea of teens doing voluntary work is also a positive one, but careful supervision and caution should be taken to prevent undue repercussions.

Also Read: How to Write Agree and Disagree Essays in IELTS? Tips to Write the Perfect Essay

IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics 2021 with Answers

When a nation advances its technologies, traditional skills and ways of life will die out. It’s useless to try to keep them safe.

Do you agree and disagree with this statement?

IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics 2021 with Answers – Part One

Technology is thriving in advancements, and this advance inevitably places a burden on conventional values. I do agree that traditional values are likely to vanish in this world of technology.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics 2021 with Answers – Part Two

To begin with, there are many explanations of why these conventional ideals do not exist in this new world. First of all, in this fast-paced environment, everyone is enabled by a cell phone to keep linked with their family and friends. In old times, though, people used to receive cards and wait in long lines on S.T.D and I.S.D only because of the maturity of one call.

This advance in ways of communication has demonstrated that conventional abilities are worth little. Second, technology has changed the fashion industry. People originally used to knit, stitch and draw manually, but now computers have made any job simpler and more relaxed.

To help my opinion, many fashion design learners have seen pictures of models themselves for colour compatibility tests, but this study is actually being performed in seconds on multifaceted advanced apps.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics 2021 with Answers – Part Three

Apart from this, not anybody can be seen buying cool water pitchers because of the advent of fridges. In conclusion, the development of new technologies is a constant process, such that the time-consuming conventional approaches will not be able to keep pace with these latest developments. It is also pointless and a waste of time to conserve them.

If you’re striving to enhance your writing of the IELTS essay, this blog will help you learn how to write the IELTS essay in a smarter manner by testing sample questions and answering them. Several students wonder if IELTS repeats essay themes? The answer is unsure as IELTS exam papers are not given to students. Go through all the exam helpful hints and learn how to write a better essay easily.

Also Read: Is there a Fact Check in Essay Writing in IELTS? Here’s a List of Do’s and Don’ts

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Most Common IELTS Essay Topics: 100+ Essay Topics, Types of Questions, and Preparation Tips

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• Jan 11, 2024

Whether you are pondering about how to study abroad or are planning to settle there, as a part of your visa and university requirements, you have to sit for certain English proficiency tests like the IELTS. International English Language Proficiency Testing System (IELTS) is one of the most renowned English proficiency tests that has to be taken by students belonging to countries where English is not an official language. This is one of the conditions for attaining overseas education.

There are two variants of the test; IELTS General Training and Academic and depending on your purpose of visit, you can choose the variant. IELTS evaluates candidates on 4 basic parameters namely, Reading, Speaking, Listening and Writing. Out of all the four sections, writing is considered to be the trickiest one wherein lengthy essay questions can baffle you. So, if you are also looking for the answer to “What kind of essays are asked in IELTS?” then don’t worry. Here is a blog on IELTS essay topics for all aspirants who are preparing for the IELTS 2023 examination. 

IELTS Essay Topics on Culture and Tradition

• Some claim that when cultural practices are utilized as tourist attractions intended to generate revenue, they are destroyed. Some claim that this is the only way to keep certain customs alive.
• Just like the government spends funds on music and theatre, it does the same on arts too which is considered a waste of money. Don’t you think that the government should spend more on revamping public services? Do you agree? If not, then why?
• Many monuments, which are a part of our cultural diversity are protected and reconstructed by law. A few people think these structures should be destroyed and something new should be constructed. How important is it to put more effort into monument maintenance? Do you think that through their maintenance, history is coming in the way of progress?
• A single-world culture is being created due to modern technology. Do you agree or disagree?

IELTS Essay Topics on Environment

• Some people believe raising the price of fuel is the greatest way to address global environmental issues. Do you agree or disagree?
• Many animal species are becoming endangered as a result of habitat loss brought on by urbanisation, illicit hunting, and deforestation; some are even at risk of going extinct. Do you think it is necessary to protect animals?
• According to you, what are the major problems due to which developed countries have become the major contributors to global warming? What are the main problems leading to global warming?
• One of the most critical issues that the environment is facing is global warming. What are the measures the government can take to reduce such issues?
• Overpopulation in the country is a serious issue that has given rise to numerous problems. Elaborate on one or two serious issues and give a plausible solution for them that governments can implement.
• Some people think that the government should strictly control the supply of fresh water, as it is a limited resource, while others it should not be regulated.
• Fossil fuels are the main source of energy around the world today. In some countries, the use of alternative sources of energy is replacing fossil fuels.

Topics on Media 

12. Media violence encourages violence in society. To what extent do you agree?

13. Most of the news that is reported is terrible news, such as stories about wars, famines, accidents, and crime. How come, in your opinion? Do you believe there should be both good and negative news?

14. Do you believe that celebrities are ill-treated by the media or it is the price they have to pay for their stardom? Regardless of fame, their privacy should be respected or not?

15. Media has unintentionally left a negative impact on children. Often, they end up watching violence which is not advised at such a tender age. Do you agree or disagree with this?

16. What are your views on the false means of advertising used by media agencies?

17. What is the impact of computer games on the children of today? Is it helping their development or making them worse? Why and why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

18. Successful sportsmen can earn a great deal more than people in other important professions. Some people think this is fully justified while others think it is unfair. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

19. Some people believe that advertising has a strong effect on a person’s decision-making process. Others feel that it has little or no real impact. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

20. Does advertising encourage us to buy things we don’t need or does it tell us about new products that may improve our lives. Which view do you agree with?

21. In many countries today, crime novels and TV crime dramas are becoming more and more popular .

IELTS Essay Topics Related to Education

22. Much worry is being expressed about the educational divide between affluent and poorer nations. What options do you have for handling this situation.

23. The role of education is to educate children for the modern world. Schools should remove music and the arts from the curriculum so that students can concentrate on practical courses like computer technology. How much do you agree?

24. Education is a fundamental right. Thus, it should be free of cost for everyone regardless of personal wealth. Do you agree or disagree with it?

25. While few people believe that the education provided by universities helps graduates get better jobs. Others think that there are many wider advantages of education through universities. Elucidate upon these views and give your opinion. 

26. Do you align with the thought that educational activities must be incorporated into children’s free time? What do you think about this argument?

27. Co-ed schools are considered better than boys and girls being educated separately. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.

28. Some people believe that the traditional approach in the modern classroom is better than a teaching methodology based on experiential learning. Do you agree or disagree?

29. University students should pay the full cost for their own study because a university education benefits individuals rather than society. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

30. Is teaching people over 65 to use computers the best way to spend government money? To what extent do you agree?

31. Nowadays, not enough students choose science subjects at university in many countries. Why is this? What effects does this have on society?

32. Some feel that movies and TV shows are a good way to study history despite their lack of historical accuracy at times. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

33. The most important aim of science ought to be to improve people’s lives.

34. Government money should be used to support children in school for sports rather than to support professional sports and arts that perform for the general public.

Topics on Society

35. Homeless individuals are a part of most societies. Some individuals believe that giving them money is the greatest way to assist them. What percentage would you agree with?

36. It is observed in many countries that women do not feel the need to get married. Locals believe that women have started earning and have become independent as they have their own source of income, thus, they do not require the financial security that marriage brings. Up to what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

36. It is always believed that globalization has both advantages as well as disadvantages. State prominent advantages as well as disadvantages in your opinion.

37. Traditional ways of living are being lost as modern civilization develops. Is it crucial to maintain our old ways of living?

38. Over the last decade, it was majorly seen that people were eager to move from rural areas toward urban areas. What do you think has caused this? What problems can this bring up?

39. Every culture around us has made its mark in history in one or the other way. Why do you think it is important to familiarise the next generation with history?

40. Some people spend more and some spend less for wedding parties, birthday parties, and other celebrations. Is it a waste of money or a social requirement? Include specific details and examples to support your choice.

41. Some people believe that in the near future, there will be no borders between countries, while others feel that national borders will always remain. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

42. The teenage years are the happiest times of most people’s lives. Others think that adult life brings more happiness in spite of greater responsibilities. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

43. People who have original ideas provide much greater value to society than the ones who copy others. Do you agree or disagree?

44. Is it good for childrens that parents provide them with everything they ask for?

45. Advancements in technology have made it possible for many people to work from home nowadays? What do you think are the effects on employees working from home?

46. Some people think that social networking sites have a huge negative impact on both individuals and society. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

47. The best way to reduce poverty in developing countries is by giving up to six years of free education so that they can at least read, write and use numbers. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

48. Some argue that patriotism is the primary cause of wars globally. Others feel that it serves to prevent less ethical politicians from running a country and starting wars.

49. Many think that religion should be taught in schools while others think it should be avoided

50. Some feel that cities should be designed to be beautiful while others feel their functionality is more important. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion

IELTS Essay Topics Related to Food and Eating Habits 

51. Preservatives and chemicals are present in many prepared meals and processed foods. What benefits can this have? Do you believe the benefits outweigh the drawbacks?

52. Many children around us are obese and overweight. What according to you has led to this common problem amongst children? What measures can be taken to resolve this? 

53. To cope with the pace of the fast-moving world, many of us have now started to replace main meals with fast food. What according to you are the advantages of this step that have to outweigh the disadvantages? 

54. Over the past few years, the media has portrayed the image of a young woman as a thin lady. What according to you are the problems caused by this conception? 

55. Due to the severe repercussions of eating fast food on a daily basis, some people think that the only way to prevent this is to ban fast food. Do you agree or disagree with the statement?

56. In many countries, fast food is becoming cheaper and more widely available. Do the disadvantages of this outweigh the advantages?

57. People often argue that eating junk food has led to an unhealthy lifestyle. This problem has become more common among young people these days. Do you agree or disagree that junk food is the cause of the issue? 

58. Governments in many countries have recently introduced special taxes on foods and beverages with high levels of sugar. Some think these taxes are a good idea while others disagree. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

59. Today’s society provides people with various ways to lose weight, such as special diets or exercise regimes. Many people believe though that poor food and today’s lifestyle should be addressed first. What is your opinion?

60. In many countries today, the eating habits and lifestyles of children are different from those of previous generations. Some people say this has had a negative effect on their health in many countries today, the eating habits and lifestyles of children are different from those of previous generations. Some people say this has had a negative effect on their health. What is your opinion?

61. Nowadays, an increasing number of people with health problems are using alternative medicines and treatments instead of visiting their normal doctor.

Topics on Communication and Personality 

62. Individuals and businesses alike are choosing to communicate professionally or socially via technology rather than in person. Talk about the benefits and drawbacks of using technology for communication.

63. Some people fail in school but end up being successful in life. What do you think is important in life- performing well in school or being successful after school? 

64. With the advent of the internet, texting has become the modern way of communicating due to which face-to-face communication will become a thing of the past. To what extent do you agree? 

65. With the help of the internet, many people have now started to communicate with others online comfortably rather than confronting them face to face. According to you, what are the advantages as well as disadvantages of communicating online? 

66. Due to frequent slang or short forms used in the modern way of texting, people have started believing that this is the death of grammar and spelling. Discuss both sides of the argument.

67. New-age Celebrities from Instagram and TikTok are more famous for their glamorous lifestyle than their achievements. Does this affect the children who follow them? State your opinion.

68. Some people prefer to keep their private life separate from their work while others spend their leisure time with their colleagues. Discuss both views and give your opinion

69. Has modern technology made it easier to download copyrighted music and books?

70. Some children spend hours every day on smartphones. Why is this the case? Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

71. It is important for people to take risks, in both their professional lives and personal lives.

72. The best way to make the road transport of goods safer is to ask drivers to take a driving test each year.

73. Fewer young people play sports these days.

IELTS Essay Topics Related to Crime and Punishment 

74. Some nations are having trouble keeping up with rising crime rates. Many individuals believe that the best solution to decrease crime is to have more police officers on the streets. How much do you concur?

75. People believe that certain criminals should be made to do community service instead of putting them behind bars. Up to what extent do you agree? 

76. To what extent do you think that technology has played a role in decreasing the crime rate? 

77. In some societies, the crime rate committed by teenagers is increasing. Thus, the people believe that they should receive punishments like adults. According to you what are the disadvantages of it?

78. Do you agree or disagree that having more police on the streets will decrease the overall crime rate of a country?

79. Studies show that most young children who commit crimes have been abused in some way by their parents.

80. Many studies show that poor people are more likely to be involved in petty and serious crimes than people who come from higher-income groups. Do you agree?

81. What is the importance of stable family structures in preventing crime in a country? State your opinion.

82. Are strict punishments for driving offences the key to reducing traffic accidents or are other ways necessary? Give your opinion.

83. Prison is the common way most countries try to solve the problem of crime. However, a more effective solution is to provide the public with a better education.

Other Questions

Apart from these category-wise questions, here are some other general IELTS essay topics:

84. Some people believe that one of the most beneficial inventions like mobile phones has somehow disrupted our social lives. What is your view on this statement?

85. Being a young mind, do you agree that people should take advice from elders rather than from the younger ones? Support your answer with valuable points 

86. The increasing dependency of people on their mobile phones is a positive or negative development in society? 

87. Some people think that wearing a uniform at work is essential whereas others think that it is unnecessary. Present your views on both sides of the argument.

88. Have you ever lived away from your parents? Describe your living situation and explain its advantages and disadvantages. Include specific details and examples to support your choice.

90. Some people prefer to work in the same type of job throughout their lifetime while others like to change the type of job they do. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

91. Some people think that illegal Internet downloads are having a negative effect on the music industry. Others feel that they have little or no impact on artists. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

92. People who read for pleasure in their free time have a better imagination than those who prefer to watch TV. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

93. Children often complain that history lessons are boring because they are about a past that is dead. How can schools bring history alive for pupils?

94. People are waiting until their thirties to get married and have children these days. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

95. Some people say a car is the best way to travel through a city while others support travelling with bicycles. Discuss both sides and share your opinion.

96. Would you prefer working for a large company or a small one? Explain with specific reasons and examples.

97. Free public transport 24×7 is the best way for governments to solve the problem of traffic congestion. Do you agree or disagree?

98. Music has been and will continue to be the universal language of mankind. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

99. Online currencies have become more common in recent years. Why is this? Is this a positive or negative development?

100. Some people feel that cities should allow for spaces for graffiti while others feel it should be banned. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.

101. Always telling the truth is the most important consideration in any relationship between people. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

102. A rise in the standard of living in a country often only seems to benefit cities rather than rural areas.

103. Around the world, rural people are moving to cities and urban areas, so populations in the countryside are decreasing.

Types of IELTS Essays

IELTS essay themes are typically divided into a number of categories. The following sorts of essays are common in the IELTS exam :

Opinion Essays

You must express your thoughts on the suggested subject in this essay genre. Naturally, having prior knowledge of common subjects that are frequently included in the IELTS exam is the ideal method to achieve high marks in such essays.

Sample Questions:

• Most teenagers today own a smartphone. Provide your opinion to discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
• Crime novels and TV series have become quite popular in recent years. What is your opinion about these crime dramas?
• Developing nations often require international assistance. Many believe that this assistance should be monetary, while some think practical help and advice would be more beneficial. Discuss both these views along with your opinion.
• Many consider automobiles to be the biggest source of pollution in urban areas, while some believe industries are responsible for it. Explain both views and provide your opinion.
• Many people believe individuals involved with creative arts should be financially supported by the government. Some others believe they should find separate resources. Discuss each of the views and give your opinion.
• Some believe success in life comes from hard work, dedication, and motivation. While many believe success depends on other important factors like money and appearance. Discuss both views and provide your opinion. 
• Many think that governments should fund programs in search of life on other planets. However, others believe governments should focus on unresolved issues on the planet. Provide your opinion and discuss both views.

Discussion Essays

In the case of discussion essays, the candidates need to put forward an explanation for or against any given topic. Such essays are the most common to appear in the IELTS exam. 

Sample Questions: 

• Many believe living in big cities comes with more advantages than residing in the countryside. Do you agree or disagree with this?
• The shopping habits of people depend more on their age group than on any other factors. Do you agree or disagree with this? 
• More and more children and minors are becoming overweight in developed nations. This is a major problem for most wealthy countries. Explain the causes and impacts of this issue.
• The internet is a great invention that brings a host of advantages to the world population. However, there are several issues in terms of security and control of personal data. Do you agree or disagree with this?
• Advertising prevents originality in people and makes them look the same and do the same. Do you agree or disagree with this?
• Parents today often tend to organise extra classes on weekends or even after school. Do you believe this is at all useful? Or, do you think the education provided in school is sufficient?
• Some people believe that capital punishment should be done away with. Do you agree or disagree with this?
• Countries spend a lot of money on training individuals for sports competitions while some people believe that the money could be better spent on ordinary citizens. Do you agree or disagree?

Solution Essays

For solution essays, you will have to provide a solution to a particular issue. At times, questions might be provided as to why a specific issue has occurred, and candidates have to provide their opinion on the answer.

• The massive movement of people from agricultural areas to cities in search of employment can lead to serious problems in both places. What are the problems, and how can these be solved? 

Advantage or Disadvantage Essays

In this type of essay, students have to write about a particular topic’s positive and negative sides. Such essays test your argument construction skills and how well you can use English to communicate your views as clearly and coherently as possible. 

• International tourism has greatly benefited many places. However, there have been major concerns about its impact on the local environment and inhabitants. Do the negative impacts of international tourism outweigh the benefits?
• Some countries have recently passed laws to restrict the daily working hours of employees. Explain whether this will have a positive or negative impact.
• More and more people today are visiting extreme places such as Antarctica or the Sahara desert. What are the advantages or disadvantages of such travels?
• Social media is gradually replacing in-person face-to-face contact with many people worldwide. Do the benefits of social media outweigh the disadvantages? 
• Some countries allow old people to work at any age they want. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
• New technologies have changed the way children spend their free time. Do you think the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?

Direct Question Essays

For this type of essay, the topics will be provided as direct questions, which students have to answer based on their experiences and thoughts.

• Shopping used to be a routine domestic task in the past. However, today, it has become more of a hobby. Is this a positive trend?

How to Answer Task 2 Essays in IELTS Writing Section?

The strategies listed below can help students improve their capacity for answering essays in the Writing portion.

• Read and comprehend the question : Reading and comprehending the question thoroughly is the first step to writing task 2 essays with ease. Candidates typically respond to questions without fully understanding what is being asked of them. Candidates should thoroughly examine the question, determine the question’s type, and make an effort to determine its keywords. Finally, they should ensure that they fully comprehend the directions before attempting to respond. Candidates should thoroughly examine the question, determine the question’s type, and make an effort to determine its keywords. Finally, they should ensure that they fully comprehend the directions before attempting to respond.
• Plan the solution : Students must plan the format of their responses after fully comprehending the question. Candidates will be able to organise their thoughts and present a concise and well-rounded response as a result.
• Writing a Strong Introduction : An overview of the essay’s topic should be provided in the introduction. Make sure to draft a good start that summarises the article.
• Carefully curate the main body : The essay’s main body is where you must present all of the important information. Make your points in accordance with this and support them with justifications, examples, and other pertinent information. Once finished, you must provide a suitable summary.

Tips for IELTS Writing Task 2

The following advice can help candidates ace the IELTS Writing test:

• Be sure to go outside the box for solutions.
• There are two questions in the 60-minute Writing segment of the test. In order to easily respond to both questions within the allotted time, one should practise time management skills.
• Make as many connections as you can between the given topic and reality and current events.
• Avoid writing in a single paragraph at all costs. Where necessary, try to divide the divisions, and learn to connect each paragraph.

Thus, we hope that this blog on IELTS essay topics has now brought some clarity on what type of questions can be asked of you during the exam.

The scoring range of IELTS writing is 0-9. 

Individuals must avoid under-developing their ideas, keeping both sides of the argument incomplete, not linking the problems and solutions and lastly  being ambiguous. 

The IELTS Problem-Solution Essay can be segregated into an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. 

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IELTS Essay Questions 2021 Archive

Hey! This is an archive of all the reported IELTS Essay questions 2021. If you are looking for 50 questions from the most recent IELTS exams, then you should go to this page , which I update with new questions every month.

Please remember that what you will find here are the questions that have been reported by exam-takers from IELTS exams around the world. Even though I have used my experience as a trained exam creator to edit the prompts so that they are as close to the original exam question as possible, I can never guarantee that they are 100% the same.

Therefore, if you find one of these topics in your exam, you MUST read the real question carefully to make sure that you address it properly – changing just one word may make a huge difference to the focus of the essay.

What patterns can be seen in IELTS essay questions 2021?

As you will see from questions below, there have been a lot of opinion questions (both Discuss Both Sides and To What Extent ) in the Academic version of the test so far in 2021, but very few “new” topics.

In the General Training version, the test writers seem to making small changes to the wording of questions. These changes don’t actually affect what you are expected to do, but they may confuse some students. For example, in the past, you were always asked “Is this a positive or negative trend?” but recently the same question has been phrased as:

• Is this a good thing or a bad thing?
• Do you think this is right or wrong?
• Do you think this this a good or bad use of public money?

If you enter the exam room and feel confused by the question, my advice is always to simply answer the question that you have been given.

In both versions of the test, I have seen a definite move towards 2-part essay questions . Test-takers can find these tricky as they may ask you to answer two questions that you have never seen together before in one essay  i.e. you may be asked to give a cause of a trend and then comment on whether it is positive or negative.

I don’t think that these essays are particular difficult once you know how to organise them and write the introductions and conclusions. Click here to find out how to do this.

Listen to two IELTS experts discuss SIX reported essay  questions from 2021  

Academic IELTS Essay Questions 2021)

1.  Some people believe that companies should manufacture products that last for a long time. Others feel that the emphasis should be placed on producing goods that are cheap. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

2.  Some people think that when many imported films or TV programmes are shown in a country, it can improve the country’s culture. Others feel that it is better for a country to make and broadcast its own movies and TV shows. Discuss both sides and give your own view.

3.  Some people believe that charities should help people in need no matter where those people are in the world. Others feel that these organisations should only serve the people living in the country where they are based. Discuss both sides and give your own view.

4.  Some people believe that good teamwork is what makes companies successful . Others feel that it is more important to have a good leader. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

5.  Some people think watching TV series and films makes children more creative . Others think that it can actually lower their creativity. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

6.  Some people believe that visual images (such as photos and videos) provide enough evidence that a crime was committed. Others think that they are not enough on their own and other evidence is needed. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

7.  Some scientists think that computers will soon become more intelligent than humans.  To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

8.   Although there is a lot of software available today that can translate from one language to another , it is still necessary for people to learn a foreign language. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

9.   In many countries, governments spend a lot of money celebrating national holidays and festivals. However, some people think that spending money on these celebrations is a waste. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view? 

10.   When designing a building, the most important thing for architects to consider is the intended use of the building rather than its outward appearance. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

11.  Some people think that dangerous extreme sports such as rock climbing and sky-diving should be banned. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?

12. Some people believe that countries should produce the food to feed their population themselves and import as little as possible. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

13.  Some people think that it is a waste of time for school students to study nature . To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

14. In recent years, television has contributed most to changing people’s quality of life . To what extent do you agree or disagree?

15. In the future it may be necessary for us to live on another planets.  For this reason, some people believe that we should spend money now researching planets that could be a possible home, such as Mars.  To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Learn more about how IELTS essays are different to those that we write at school and university here:

17. Some  cities create extra housing by building tall buildings.  Other cities do this by building on wide areas of land. Which do you think is the best solution to the problem of housing? 

18. Many   people continue to use cars and motorcycles even though they know that they are bad for the environment. Why is this? What can be done to reduce the use of these vehicles?

19.  There are many female students who finish degrees in science and technology courses at university , but few move into the workplace after they graduate. Why is this? What measures can be taken to encourage them into work?

20 . In many cities the construction of new houses and office buildings is not controlled . This leads to people building in whatever style they want without thinking about design. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?  

21 . Young people are often influenced by their peers. Do the advantages of peer pressure outweigh the disadvantages? 

22. Many developing countries place a lot of importance on tourism.  Why is this? Do you think that this is a positive or negative development?

23. In the modern world, it is possible to shop, work, and communicate online without any face-to-face contact with other people. Is this a positive or negative development?

24. In the future, there will be a higher proportion of older people than younger people in many countries . Why is this? Is this a positive or negative development?

25. Some people believe that if an individual behaves in an anti-social manner, such as committing a crime, then society is to blame . What are the causes of anti-social behaviour? Who do you think is responsible?

Click here to watch the first three lessons in our IELTS Writing Course to see the difference that genuine expertise can make to your preparation. 

General Training IELTS Essay Questions 2021

1.  Some people believe that celebrating personal events is a waste of money. Others feel that these celebrations play an important role in the lives of individuals and in society as a whole. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

2.   Some people believe that traveling alone is the best way to experience a country or a culture . Others feel that it is better to travel with people you know. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

3.  Some people feel the best way to reduce the number of accidents on the road is to further limit the speed of vehicles. Others think that there are better ways to tackle this issue. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

4.   Some people think that older employees contribute most to the success of a company . Others think that younger people play a more vital role. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

5.   Some people believe schoolchildren should help to create rules in their schools . Others say teachers alone should decide what the rules are. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

6.   Some people think that students should learn a range of practical skills at school (such as car maintenance or managing money) alongside traditional subjects like maths and physics. Do you agree or disagree with this view?

7.  In cities, space for housing should be created by knocking down historic buildings. What is your opinion?

8.   Some people believe that  only employees who have worked at a company for a long time deserve to be promoted to a higher position.  What is your opinion about this?

9.   People’s behaviour (for example, their table manners and they way they dress) varies from country to country. When traveling to a different country, people should copy the behaviour and habits of the inhabitants of the country they  visit. Do you agree or disagree?

10.  The best way to increase road safety is to make car drivers retake their driving test every year. Do you agree or disagree?

11.  Some people believe that family is more important than friends . What do you think?

12.  The Internet is the best place to find information . Do you agree or disagree?

13.  In many countries traditional customs are being lost.  Why do you think this is? What can parents and schools do to keep traditional customs alive? 

14.  People who are learning a foreign language can face a number of difficulties. What are some of these problems? In your opinion, what are the best ways to overcome these difficulties?

15. Young people today are often less polite and show less respect than previous generations . Why do you think this is? What can be done to solve this problem? 

16. Some people today struggle to use modern electronic technology such as smartphones and computers. W hy do you think this is? What can be done to solve this problem? 

17.  Nowadays, many people drive to work or school instead of walking, cycling or using public transport. Does this trend have more advantages or more disadvantages?

18. After finishing school, some students go travelling or work for a period of time instead of going directly to university . Do you think the advantages of gap years outweigh the disadvantages?

19.  Nowadays some parents give money to their children if they perform well at school . Do you think this is good or bad trend? 

20.  Most children want to watch the same TV programmes or play the same video games as their friends . Do you think parents should allow their children to do this?

21.  Governments spend a large amount of money every year on works of art ( for example, paintings & sculptures.) Do you think this this a good or bad use of public money?

22.  Many people today spend most of their free time at home watching TV series or movies instead of going out. Do you think this is right or wrong?

23. People nowadays send text messages more frequently than they talk the phone. What are the reasons for this trend? Do the advantages of texting outweigh the disadvantages?

24.  Children can learn many things from watching films or movies. What are some of the different things they can learn? Are these lessons always good for them?

25.  Playing team sports at school can teach students a number of lessons that are useful outside of sport. What values can students learn from playing team sports? How can they apply these values in the future? 

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Trending Essay Topics | Important Essay Topics for Competitive Exams

Essay writing is a part of various competitive exams. In most of the essay wring exams, trending topics are selected as subjects for essay writing. Here we have prepared a list of trending essay topics which are the most important essay topics for all upcoming competitive as well as academic exams.

• Trending Essay Topics
• Essay on PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana:  Read Here
• Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha: A Resolution to Ramrajya:  Read Here
• Essay on ICC World Cup 2023:  Read Here
• Essay on One Nation One Election:  Read Here

• Essay on Planet Vs Plastics:  Read Here
• Essay on Mission Chandrayaan-3:  Read Here
• Essay on Beat Plastic Pollution:  Read Here
• Essay on Solutions to Plastic Pollution:  Read Here
• Essay on Green Growth:  Read Here
• Essay on Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam:  Read Here
• Download PDF of these Essays:  Click Here
• Essay on e-₹UPI:  Read Here
• Essay on G20 Summit:  Read Here
• Essay on UPI Advantages and Disadvantages:  Read Here
• Essay on Cashless Economy:  Read Here
• Essay on NPA Crisis in India:  Read Here
• Essay on 5G Technology:  Read Here
• Essay on Non-performing Assets (NPA):  Read Here
• Essay on Astro Tourism:  Read Here
• Essay on PM SHRI School Scheme:  Read Here
• Meri Mati Mera Desh:  Read Here
• Essay on Artificial Intelligence (AI):  Read Here
• Essay on Commonwealth Games 2022:  Read Here
• Essay on Har Ghar Tiranga :  Read Here
• Essay on My Vision for India @ 2047:  Read Here
• Essay on Circular Economy:  Read Here  
• Essay on Menace of Fake News:  Read Here
• Essay on Power Crisis in India:  Read Here
• Essay on Freebie Politics:  Read Here
• Essay on Cryptocurrency:  Read Here
• Essay on Natural Farming:  Read Here
• Free and Fair Election:  Read Here  
• Governance 4.0 :  Read Here  
• Raising Legal Age of Marriage for Women :  Read Here  
• PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission :  Read Here  
• Electric Vehicle -The Future of Transport :  Read Here  
• Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav :  Read Here  
• Essay on Climate Change :  Read Here  
• Download PDF of these Essays:  Click Here  
• Corona and its impact on human life :  Read Here  
• E-lerning: The Future of Education System :  Read Here  
• AatmaNirbhar Bharat :  Read Here  
• Vocal for Local :  Read Here  
• Advantage and Disadvantage of Online Classes :  Read Here  
• Single Use Plastic ban :  Read Here  
• Addiction of Social Media :  Read Here  
• Causes of Environmental Pollution :  Read Here  
• Uniform Civil Code :  Read Here  
• Essay on Hate Speech:  Read Here   
• Role of Students in Eradication of Drugs :  Read Here  
• Why Population Control is necessary :  Read Here  
• International Trade: The bedrock of economic development:  Read Here    
• Impact of Poverty on Education :  Read Here  
• Importance of Education :  Read Here

The above essay topics are the  most important essay topics  for all competitive exams as well as academic exams. These essay topics are currently in focus and discussed by everyone due to its current relevance. Therefore, these essays are trending essay topics for all competitive exams.

In addition to these trending essay topics , here is a list of evergreen best essay topics that are very important.

Evergreen best essay topics

• Beat Plastic Pollution   (Click on the Topic to Read Essays)
• Meri Mati Mera Desh
• Hate Speech
• PM SHRI School Scheme
• Plastic Waste Management
• Envisioning India @2047
• Commonwealth Games 2022
• Women Empowerment
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Internet
• Essay on Menace of Fake News  
• Essay on Power Crisis in India
• Essay on Freebie Politics
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Argumentative Essay Guide

Argumentative Essay Topics

Last updated on: Dec 19, 2023

Argumentative Essay Topics - Compelling Ideas to Get Started

By: Jared P.

18 min read

Reviewed By: Melisa C.

Published on: Oct 22, 2019

Are you about to write an argumentative essay but still confused about the topic?

Argumentative essays help students learn more about the subject matter of a particular course. This kind of writing is a genuine key to learning argumentative skills. You must pay attention to your subject while choosing a strong topic for your essay.

But what if you don’t even know what to write about? 

Don’t worry! Here is a list of topics and tips to help you decide on the perfect topic for your argumentative paper. 

So read on and make choosing a topic easier!

On this Page

Argumentative Essay Topics for students

Argumentative essay writing is one common academic assignment that almost every student will get to draft. In order to help the students, we have prepared a list of argumentative topic ideas. Pick a topic that works the best for you.

Argumentative Essay Topics for Middle School

• What age is suitable for kids to start schooling?
• Should students be allowed to evaluate their teachers?
• Metal music should be banned due to its violent lyrics.
• What are the pros and cons of making friends virtually?
• Can we conserve energy as a society?
• Does playing violent video games contribute to making a person violent in real life too?
• How close is reality TV to real life?
• Do girls face more societal pressure than guys?
• What is the biggest challenge faced by students today?
• Should there be cash rewards for getting a good score on standardized tests?
• The rich should pay more taxes than the poor.
• Cartoons are better than movies.
• Teachers Vs. Parents: who plays a bigger role in shaping a child?

Argumentative Essay Topics for Grade 6 

Here are some argumentative essay topics for 6th-grade students:

• Should schools start later in the morning?
• Is confining wild animals within zoos a cruel practice?
• Should there be stricter laws for texting and driving?
• Are social media sites like Facebook and Twitter bad for our society?
• Should the voting age be lowered to allow young people a voice in democracy?
• Should the school year be longer or shorter? 
• Is it okay for children to play violent video games?
• Should cell phones be banned from schools?
• Should recycling become a mandatory practice in all households?

Argumentative Essay Topics for 7th Graders 

• Should schools provide free meals to all students?
• Are uniforms necessary for student success?
• Does standardized testing accurately measure student progress?
• Are after-school activities important for student development?
• Is there too much emphasis on social media in education today?
• Should schools place a stronger emphasis on physical education?
• Are required classes in high school helpful or harmful to students?
• Should all students have access to laptops and tablets in the classroom?
• Is technology taking away from traditional learning methods in the classroom?
• Should gym classes be mandatory for students?

Argumentative Essay Topics for Grade 8

Looking for argumentative essay topics for teenagers? Check out the ideas below: 

• Should the drinking age be lowered? Should the death penalty be abolished?
• Is it necessary for governments to fund childcare?
• Is there too much emphasis on standardized testing in schools?
• Are schools doing enough to prevent bullying from happening?
• Do adolescents need more sleep than adults?
• Should students be allowed to have cell phones in school?
• Is social media affecting the way we interact with each other?
• What should be done about the student loan crisis?

Argumentative Essay Topics for High School

• Is homeschooling better than the public school educational system?
• Smartphones help the learning process.
• Is co-education more advantageous than single-sex education?
• Are GMOs safe for human consumption?
• Is fast food healthy or a serious threat to physical health?
• Teenagers feel more comfortable talking on social media rather than face to face.
• Should it be legal to get a tattoo for kids younger than 18?
• Are standardized tests beneficial for school students?
• A negative high school experience you believe is important when it comes to personality.
• Does the education system prepare a student for the real world?
• Is there life after death?
• Our society works on gender equality.
• Subjects that should be removed from the high school program.
• Is hate crime growing in high school?

Argumentative Essay Topics for College Students

• Is the current taxation system effective or not?
• Are men paid more than women in our corporate sector?
• Should Shakespeare still be studied as part of the college curriculum?
• Is college tuition becoming way too expensive?
• Are test scores the only way to judge the competency of a student?
• Getting a College degree is worth the cost.
• Is the system of the electoral college still viable in the US?
• Youngsters on social networks don’t realize the significance of privacy on these online sites.
• Life is incomplete without faith.
• Students nowadays face greater social pressures compared to the past.
• Your past does not define you.
• What can be done about gun control in the United States?
• Is it ethical to genetically modify children to protect against diseases?
• Do we need more gender diversity in STEM programs?

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Argumentative Essay Topics for University Students 

• Should mental health services be made available for free?
• Is income inequality a necessary part of capitalism?
• Should the minimum wage be raised in all countries?
• Does technology have a positive or negative impact on mental health?
• Should universities be allowed to charge students for taking classes?
• Is it necessary for governments to fund space exploration?
• Should religion be taught in public schools?
• Are animal experiments necessary for medical progress?
• Should young students join a political party to enhance the democratic process?
• Does free speech help promote extremism in society?

Argumentative Essay Topics for O Levels 

• Should the government regulate the use of social media?
• Is the death penalty an effective way to prevent crime?
• Are online classes replacing traditional courses in schools?
• Do standardized tests accurately measure academic achievement?
• Should abortion be legalized in all countries?
• Do celebrity role models have a positive or negative influence on young people?
• Should school uniforms be mandatory in all schools?
• Should the Internet be censored by governments around the world?
• Should GMO foods be allowed in supermarkets?
• Does free trade help or harm developing economies?

Discover Captivating Topics in a Click!

Best Argumentative Essay Topics

Just as important as it is to create compelling content, choosing a great topic is equally important. If you want to score well in academics, you will have to impress your instructor with the best argumentative essay topics.

Below are some great topic ideas for you related to different fields. Choose the right topic for your essay and start the process.

Sports Argumentative Essay Topics

• Can video gamers be counted as true athletes?
• By participating in sports, can children be kept out of trouble?
• Should girls be allowed to participate in the same sports as boys?
• Should alternatives to steroids be legalized for professional athletes?
• Do you consider cheerleading a sport?
• Does your College spend a lot of money in the name of sports programs?
• Student-athletes should get money for playing.
• Betting on sports should be illegal.
• Sports events shouldn’t broadcast alcohol and tobacco ads.
• Are female athletes looked upon as sexual objects by the media?
• All athletes should be tested for drugs before their performance.
• Females should not be allowed to take part in extreme sports.
• Impact of bodybuilding on a woman’s body in old age.

Argumentative Essay Topics Education

• Parents should have an active role in their child's education.
• The grading system shouldn’t exist to judge a student’s abilities.
• Standardized tests should be abolished in schools.
• All students must wear a uniform in high school.
• Does technology benefit the educational system?
• Studying in a single-sex class is better than studying in a mixed one?
• All students must be made to learn a foreign language?
• Programming should be made compulsory for all students.
• Should students have sex education classes at school?
• Should schools have the right to test students for drugs?
• Girls should be equally encouraged to take part in sports in school.
• The world should have a uniform language.
• Hard work isn’t enough for being successful in a student’s life.
• Should teachers be allowed to physically discipline their students?
• How to bring change in the education system of the United States?

Social Media Argumentative Essay Topics

• Are social networks an effective platform for communication?
• Do people really get a job through LinkedIn?
• Is Facebook legally allowed to leak the private information of its users?
• Is it possible to earn a good amount of money from YouTube?
• Should Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter be banned permanently?
• Social media has successfully increased employment rates.
• Celebrity endorsements are unethical.
• Social media has destroyed real-life communication.
• Social media has made doing business easier.
• Blogging is an irrelevant profession.
• How is social media depicting beauty standards?
• How has social media become a major source of inferiority complex among teenagers?
• Is it possible to have a life without social media at this time?
• Should underaged children be allowed to own social media accounts?
• Pros and cons of social media.

Argumentative Essay Topics Technology

• Are cell phones harmful to the human race?
• Are spy applications invading the privacy of users?
• Are Millennials more dependent on computers than Baby Boomers?
• Is Typescript the future of front-end development?
• The impact of microwave tech on our biology.Technology has made us lazier.
• Should coding be taught from middle school?
• Cognitive Computers like Watson are unethical.
• Should a candidate’s social media profiles be considered in the hiring process?
• Children shouldn’t be given personal mobile phones.
• Self-driving cars and the future of transportation.
• Has technology made people less efficient?
• Technological advancements in the field of psychology.
• Is the future in the hands of Artificial Intelligence?
• Pros and cons of depending a lot on technology.

American History Argumentative Essay Topics

• What was the impact of European colonization on Native Americans?
• What was the role of women in the movement toward revolution?
• What were the key causes of the American Revolution?
• The key issues that caused conflict between North and South and led to the civil war?
• The effects of the Great Depression on the banking industry in America.
• Did the Civil Rights Movement reduce or lead to racial violence?
• Post World War II, how did America grow?
• 21st-century American foreign policy.
• Is Barack Obama the first American president who made history?
• Was slavery an inevitable part of the development of American society?
• Should the Indian Removal Act be considered an act of genocide?

Mental Health Argumentative Essay Topics 

• Are antidepressants overprescribed in modern society?
• Should mental health services be made free for all?
• Is social media affecting mental health negatively?
• Is there a stigma attached to seeking out mental health help?
• What role do genetics and environment play in determining mental illness?
• Can art and music therapy be effective treatments for mental illness?
• How can we tackle the stigma associated with mental illness?
• What can be done to reduce the prevalence of anxiety in young people?
• Should there be mandatory mental health education in schools?

Social Issues Argumentative Topics

• Should male workers receive paternity leave too?
• Is age a major factor in relationship success or failure?
• Is torture acceptable under any circumstance?
• What are the primary causes of down syndrome?
• What should the punishments be for failed parenting?
• A candidate’s appearance shouldn’t be considered in a job hiring process.
• Some common stereotypes in your society.
• Cheating is increasing every day.
• We are way too dependent on computers and technology.
• Is boredom the cause of getting into trouble?
• Beauty magazines should stop photoshopping models.
• Capitalism vs. socialism. What would benefit society more?
• Is the women’s rights movement justified?
• The real objectives of Feminism.
• Impact of homosexuality on society.

Argumentative Essay Topics Animals

• Hunting for fun and sports is unethical and must get banned.
• Aggressive dog breeds such as pit bulls should not be allowed as pets.
• Testing beauty products on animals is justifiable.
• Using monkeys for research in labs is a necessary evil.
• Wearing fur and leather shouldn’t be unethical.
• Is genetic modification of livestock beneficial?
• Animal dissection in medical school is a good way to learn.
• Owning pets reduces the risk of getting diseases. Do you agree?
• Emotional support animals can truly help lonely people.
• Keeping exotic animals as pets is inhumane.
• Stronger laws must be enforced against animal cruelty.
• Pros and cons of animal testing.
• How can the emotional support of animals help in treating mental problems?
• Significance of microchipping the pets.
• Rights enjoyed by the ESA owners.

Argumentative Research Paper Topics

• Ways to decrease childcare costs in the United States.
• Are literate people better parents?
• Challenges faced by female politicians.
• Is rehab effective for sex offenders?
• Is music a form of real art?
• Spanish is a simple language to learn.
• Schools should ban vending machines on-campus.
• Are teachers to blame when a student performs poorly?
• Are gender stereotypes encouraged by parents?
• Illegal immigrants and terrorism: is it related?
• Can imposing a tax on sugar help fight obesity.
• Should age be a factor in relationships?
• Do dreams have a symbolic meaning?
• Should South and North Korea become one?
• Can depression be cured using natural ways?

Unique Argumentative Essay Topics

Looking for some general argumentative essay topic ideas? Here is an ultimate list of great topics that can make your essay writing fun for you and your readers.

Controversial Argumentative Essay Topics

• Should same-sex marriage be legal in all 50 states within the United States of America?
• Is the feminist movement ruining the minds of young girls?
• Corruption and its effects on increasing wages.
• Hunting should be banned globally. Do you agree?
• Which is more beneficial for society, Communism or Capitalism?
• Should human cloning be allowed or not?
• Abortion – A pro-life or a pro-choice?
• Do anti-discrimination laws reinforce discrimination?
• Should patients be entitled to request medically-assisted suicide in cases of terminal illness?
• Can beauty standards be more inclusive?
• Workplace dating should not be allowed, and here’s why.
• Displaced immigrants and refugees should be given shelter by every country.
• Is vegan or vegetarian life good for health?
• Online dating has ruined the essence of old-school romance.
• Chocolate can help improve our bad mood.
• Is it ethical to eat meat?
• Mothers make better parents naturally.
• Politics can never be clean and fair.
• Should the drinking age be lowered?

Easy Argumentative Essay Topics

• Are girls more intelligent than boys?
• Parents of middle schoolers should control their internet.
• Was Johnny Depp the best choice for Burton’s Ed Wood?
• Do religious movements cause the outbreak of war?
• Are human beings the major source of global climate change?
• Is it ethical to have kids perform chores?
• Is using LEDs making a difference?
• How does being a vegan help the environment?
• Should teenage marriages be allowed?
• Social media has brought families closer. Is there any truth to this statement?
• If the House of Lords had veto power over the House of Commons, Britain would’ve been better off.
• It’s okay to date multiple people at the same time.
• HIV is falsely associated with homosexuals. Why?
• Why are the laws neglecting tobacco and alcohol?
• Most of the modern-time artists are one-hit wonders.

Fun Argumentative Essay Topics

• Is panda hugging a viable career option?
• Does Justin Bieber owe his success to negative PR?
• Is it true that a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach?
• Is the Bermuda Triangle a real thing?
• Is it okay for parents to lie to their children about Santa Claus?
• Did the feminist movement ever help you?
• How did the feminist movement ever help you?
• There is no such thing as organic food.
• How to make your roommate believe that moving out is the best option.
• Why should I join a different family?
• Fans should not judge players after losses or failures.
• Is social promotion a helpful practice?
• Is racism a natural condition of human society?
• Dieting must not be practiced by schoolers.
• Should tattoos be perceived as a social deviation?

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Argumentative Essay Topics 2022

• Are US elections always fair?
• Is the death penalty an effective punishment for criminals?
• Is it wise to replace soldiers with machines and artificial intelligence on battlefields?
• Should animals be used for performing experiments?
• Effects of terrorism on the foreign policy of the United States of America's cosmetic surgery worth the risks?
• What is your point of view on a terminally ill person having the right to assisted suicide?
• Life 100 years ago was much easier than it is today.
• Is religion a factor that contributes to war?
• A woman who doesn’t have enough resources to raise a child to be allowed to abort?
• Physical activities are the most convenient way to relax.
• The best way to enhance education is to decrease the number of classes.
• Sports classes should become mandatory for everybody.
• The pros and cons of using gadgets for studying purposes.
• What is the most important socio-political movement of the modern era?

Argumentative Essay Topics 2023

The following are some amazing topics for argumentative essays. Have a look at them to get a better idea.

• Fast food is responsible for childhood obesity in the US.
• Is the United States ready for a female president?
• Parents need to be very friendly with their kids.
• Are smartphones harmful to our health?
• Education needs to be free for all.
• Is single-sex education still a good idea in 2020?
• Should all people pursue a university degree worldwide?
• Internet access must be unlimited and free.
• Modern education has to eliminate grading systems.
• Capitalism should acquire more socially significant policies.
• Tourist tax is mandatory to save cultural heritage.
• Kindergartens must introduce foreign language instruction.
• Is hunting good for environmental well-being?
• Using animals for research must be banned.
• Women perform better than men in official positions and occupations.

Choosing a Good Argumentative Essay Topic

So you know the importance of choosing the right topic when writing an argumentative essay.

But what are you going to write about?

You sure don’t want to pick an argumentative essay topic that everyone else is working on. And you don’t want to research an argumentative topic where information and data are impossible to find.

You hopefully want to write on a debatable topic that will interest both you and your reader. Here are the criteria we use to choose a topic for argumentative essays:

• It has to be interesting to the writer. You’ll be outlining, researching, and writing in-depth, so pick an engaging topic for your argument.
• Have some information to begin with. The more familiar you are with the subject area, the easier it will be for both you and the reader.
• The best argumentative essay topics are mostly controversial. If there’s no conflict and everyone agrees on everything, it won’t qualify as an argumentative essay.
• An arguable thesis statement can be created according to the topic.

What Makes a Good Argumentative Essay?

A good argumentative essay is one that presents a well-reasoned and logical argument. It should be supported by facts and evidence, not just speculation or opinion. To create an effective argumentative essay, the writer must provide a strong case for their position on any given topic.

Strong Introduction and Thesis 

The first element of a good argumentative essay is an interesting and clear introduction. This should introduce the topic in a way that engages readers and makes them want to learn more. 

It should also provide an overview of the writer's position on the issue, as well as any evidence they will be using to support their argument.

Good Research and Evidence 

Good argumentation requires good evidence. So a good argumentative essay should be backed up by research and evidence. 

If a writer is making an assertion, they must provide evidence to back it up. This could include physical evidence such as statistics or quotes from experts in the field, as well as logical arguments that support their position.

Organized Structure 

The structure of an argumentative essay is also important. It should be structured in a way that makes it easy to follow and understand. 

This could include using headings, subheadings, and bullet points to break up the text into more manageable pieces. In addition, it should have a clear flow of ideas, with each paragraph logically leading to the next.

Effective Conclusion 

Finally, a good argumentative essay should have an effective conclusion. This should provide a summary of the writer's main points and reiterate their position on the issue.  The conclusion should also leave readers with something to think about, leaving them informed and with new insight.

After reading our list, don’t be surprised if your mind starts coming up with additional topics for an argumentative essay. We recommend that you keep a notebook or journal handy to record these topic ideas for later.

These were some of the most interesting essay topics . Did you find a topic to write on?

Now, before you overwhelm yourself by jumping straight to the writing process, we have a helpful tip for you. Go through this detailed article to learn how to craft an argumentative essay effectively.

Seeking help from professionals is nothing to be ashamed of, especially when your grades are at stake. It is quite common for some students not to have a knack for writing. Also, some might not have the time to complete assignments.

If you can relate to such students, you should consider taking help from a reliable essay writing service such as 5StarEssays.com . You can simply request ‘ write my essay '. And we will have an expert essay writer to provide you with high-quality assignments regardless of type and field.

Or, use our AI Essay Generator , for AI powered writing help to guide your way!

Masters Essay, Literature

Jared P. is a renowned author and writing service provider with over fifteen years of experience in the publishing industry. He has a Ph.D. degree in English Literature and has spent his entire career helping students achieve their academic goals by providing expert writing assistance.

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IELTS Updates And Recent Exams

IELTS Updates And Recent Exams provide complete, efficient and intensive IELTS preparation material to help you achieve the dream score you need. IELTS Updates And Recent Exams upload all Recent IELTS Exam Questions across the globe.

50 Recent IELTS Exam Essay Questions | Recent IELTS Writing Task 2 Questions

50 recent ielts exam essay questions.

It is very important that when you sit down to practice writing IELTS, you only use "sincere" questions. This means using either questions from the IELTS Cambridge series, Makkar Task 2 or questions that were created by the exam writer like the ones in my 100 IELTS essay question posts. However, many students love to practice the recent IELTS exam essay questions, that is, topics that have been reported by those recently passed the exams.

Academic IELTS Essay Questions  

( january - april 2021 ).

1. Popular hobbies and interests change over time and are a reflection of fashion and trends, not indicators of what people actually want to do in their free time. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? 

                                                                                                           (Sample Answer)

2. Increased production of consumer goods causes damage to the environment. What are the reasons for this and suggest a possible solution?

                                                                                                           (Sample Answer)

3. In many nations, the percentage of older people is steadily increasing. Does this trend have more positive or negative effect on the society? 

                                                                                                            (Sample Answer)

4. Today more and more people are using computers and electronic devices to access information. Thus, there is no need to print newspapers, books or magazines anymore. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

                                                                                                            (Sample Answer)  

5. The best way to reduce crime among youngsters is to teach parents good parenting skills. Do you agree or disagree?

                                                                                                            (Sample Answer)  

6. Rising oil prices are the best way to deal with rising traffic and pollution problems. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? What other measures do you think can be effective? 

                                                                                                             (Sample Answer)

7. Some people believe that technology has made our lives more complicated and the solution is to live a simple life without technology. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

                                                                                                             (Sample Answer)  

8. When employers choose the best person for a job they should consider personal qualities, rather than qualifications and experience. To what extent do you agree or disagree? 

                                                                                                             (Sample Answer)

9. Some people believe that residents are responsible for keeping the roads clean and others say that it is the responsibility of the government. Discuss both views and give your opinion. 

10. Buying things online such as books, flight tickets and groceries is becoming more and more popular. Do the advantages of such purchases outweigh the disadvantages? 

                                                                                                             (Sample Answer)

11. The government should pay the cost of the course to everyone who wants to study at the university. To what extent do you agree or disagree? 

                                                                                                              (Sample Answer)

12. More and more people are shifting to cities from countryside. Do this have advantages or disadvantages on environment?

                                                                                                              (Sample Answer)  

13. In the past important knowledge of culture and history was stored in the museums. Nowadays information is freely available on the internet therefore is no longer need for museums. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

                                                                                                               (Sample Answer)

14. Some believe that schools should reward students who show the best academic results, while others think it is more important to reward students who show progress. Discuss both views and express your own opinion? 

                                                                                                               (Sample Answer)  

15. Nowadays, anyone can post information on the internet, even if it is incorrect. As a results, mostly the information we read is inaccurate. To what extent do you agree or disagree? 

                                                                                                                (Sample Answer)

16. Doctors recommend that older people exercise regularly. However, many older people do not exercise enough. What could be the reasons for this? What can be done to encourage them to physical activities?

                                                                                                                 (Sample Answer)  

17. Shopping is now one of the most popular forms of leisure activity for young adults in many countries. Why is this? It is a positive or negative development?

18. In many countries, the proportion of senior citizens is steadily increasing. Does this trend have more positive or negative impact on the society? 

                                                                                                                  (Sample Answer)  

19. Nowadays, some senior citizens prefer to live in retirement communities with others rather than living with their adult children. Is it a positive or negative development?

                                                                                                                  (Sample Answer)

20. Nuclear power is a better option to meet the increasing demand of energy. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

21. The world's most urgent problem is caused by overpopulation. Do you agree or disagree with the statement? 

                                                                                                                  (Sample Answer)

22. Some people believe that in school, children should be taught to recycle materials and avoid waste. Other people think that this should be taught to children at home. Discuss both views and give your own opinion? 

23. Nowadays people buy a lot of things, even if they don't really need them. Why do you think people buy unwanted things? Is this a positive or negative trend for a people and society?

                                                                                                                  (Sample Answer)     

24. Some schools start teaching foreign languages in primary school years. Do the advantages of teaching foreign languages to youngsters outweigh the disadvantages? 

                                                                                                                  (Sample Answer)   

25. In many nations, prison is the most common solution for crimes. However, many people think that better education system is the most effective way for people to prevent further crimes. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

                                                                                                                  (Sample Answer)  

26. Some individuals think that managers should make decisions in the company, while others think that employees should also be involved in the decision-making process too. Discuss both ideas and give your own opinion? 

                                                                                                                  (Sample Answer)   

27. Everyone should become vegetarian because they don't need to eat meat to have a healthy diet. Do you agree or disagree? 

                                                                                                                  (Sample Answer)    

28. Some people think it is important to plant more trees in the vacant areas of cities and town, while others says that housing facilities should be built instead. To what extent do you agree or disagree? 

                                                                                                                  (Sample Answer)

29. Some believe that climate change can negatively affect business. Others think that climate change can create more business opportunities. Discuss both perspectives and give your opinion?

                                                                                                                  (Sample Answer)   

30. Nowadays crime rates are increasing, especially among teenagers. What are the reasons behind this? How can we reverse this trend? What punishment do you think should be used?

General Training IELTS Essay Questions 

1. Today, many mothers take care of the family and do not go to work. Some people believe that the government should pay them their salaries. Do you agree or disagree with the statement?

2. Some people think that parents should limit their children's time to watch TV and play computer games and encourage them to read books. Do you agree or disagree?

3. More and more people are buying fashionable clothes these days. Does it have more negative or positive effects? Give reasons for your answer and include examples relevant to your experience.

4. The fact that huge amount of money are paid for works of art is unacceptable at a time when many people around the world live in poverty. Discuss this statement and give your opinion.

5. Nowadays youngsters are less polite and less respectful than in the past. What are the reasons for this? What can be done to solve this issue?

6. Some people think that public transport should be free, especially in big cities. Do you think public transport will have more advantages or disadvantages?

7. Many people believe that all student should do unpaid work in their free time to help the local community. They believe that this will benefit both the individual teenager and society as a whole. Do you agree or disagree?

8. Sugar consumption is too harmful. Some say it is the responsibility of the government to limit the intake of sugar, while others say that it is individual who are responsible. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

9. Some people think that University education is necessary for every one where as other people think that it is not necessary for every one.

10. Nowadays people buy many things that are not relevant for them? Why this is happening? Is this negative or positive development for the society and for the individual?

11. In many nations, the legal driving age is 18 years old. Some people think this is the right age to drive, while others say the minimum age should be 25. Discuss both ideas and give your opinion.

12. Today, thanks to advanced medicine, people are living longer. Because of this, it is predicted that the number of older people will be higher than the number of young people. Do the advantages of the high life expectancy outweigh the disadvantages?

13. Some say that playing sports helps prepare children for future work, others disagree. Discuss both the perspectives and give your opinion.

14. Some people think that the government should spend taxpayer money on cultural events like music or art exhibition. Others think it's a wastage of money. Discuss both perspectives and give your opinion.

15. In many countries youth are more aggressive and abusive than in the past. Why is this happening? What can be done to improve the situation?

16. Numerous guardians gripe of savagery against their youngsters through computer games, TV programs, and other media networks. For what reason is this occurrence? What could be the answer to this?

17. A fair amount of people, learning in a group is the most crucial method, while others prefer individual learning. Discuss both pros and cons. What is your opinion?

18. The government must implement a tax on junk food to improve the overall health of the citizens. Do you think this action reduces the consumption of junk food?

19. Nowadays the participation in sports is decreasing continuously. What are the major causes of this trend? How to encourage people to participate in sports?

20. Numerous individuals think that its hard to talk and present before a crowd of people. It is accepted that this should be instructed at school. For what reason is it significant? To what extent do you agree or disagree with the given statement and give your ideas?

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• WRITING TASK 2
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IELTS writing task 2 topics 2021 with answer | Sample questions

• 19th February 2021 23rd April 2021

2021-02-13 People used to live in the same city throughout their lives, but now they change where they live several times. What is the cause? Do you think it is a positive or negative trend? Type: Direct Question

2021-02-13 Some people believe that too many resources and attention are devoted to the protection of wild animals and birds. To what extend do you agree or disagree? Type: Agree & Disagree

2021-02-06 Nowadays, it is more convenient and easier for people to travel to other countries. Is this a positive or negative development? Type: Advantages & Disadvantages

2021-01-30 More and more plastic waste has polluted cities, countrysides, and oceans. What problems does it cause and what measures can be taken? Type: Direct Question

2021-01-23 When you learn a foreign language, all four skills (listening, reading, speaking, and writing) are equally important. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Type: Agree & Disagree

2021-01-21 Surveys show that in many countries, people are living longer but increased life expectancy has many implications for ageing individuals and society as a whole. What are the possible effects of longer living for individuals and society? Type: Direct Question

2021-01-16 A lot of young people do not know how to manage their money when graduating from high school. What do you think are the reasons? What can be done to teach them this important skill? Type: Direct Question

2021-01-09 Some people argue that holding sporting events is beneficial to countries’ development. However, other people hold the opposite opinion. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Type: Discussion

2021-01-09 Some people think that hard work helps in achieving financial success while others think it is not the only thing that contributes to financial success. Discuss both views and give your opinion. Type: Discussion

2021-01-09 Some people think new homes need to be built with private outdoor space such as a garden, yard, or balcony. Do you think this is more advantageous or more disadvantageous? Type: Advantages & Disadvantages

2021-01-09 Some people think the spread of multinational companies and globalization produce positive outcomes for everyone. Do you agree or disagree with the statement? Type: Agree & Disagree

2020-12-31 Directors of large organizations earn much higher salaries than ordinary employees do. Some people think it is necessary, but others hold that it is unfair. Discuss both views and give your own opinions. Type: Discussion

2020-12-26 Fast food is becoming one part of life everywhere, this has bad effects on our lifestyles and diet. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Type: Agree & Disagree

2020-12-26 In many countries, people wear more western-style clothes(suits and jeans) than their traditional clothes. Why? Is it a positive or negative development? Type: Cause

2020-12-20 Today, more and more people use robots to do tasks at home and at work. Do you think it is a positive or negative development? Why? Type: Opinion

2020-12-20 Some people think governments should spend money on measures to save languages with few speakers from dying out completely. Others think this is a waste of financial resources. Discuss both views and give your opinion. Type: Discussion

2020-12-19 Nowadays young people are admiring media and sports stars, even though they do not set a good example. Do you think this a positive or negative development? Type: Opinion

2020-12-12 Nowadays, celebrities are more famous for their glamour and wealth than for their achievements, and this has set a bad example for young people. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Type: Agree & Disagree

2020-12-06 Although there is a lot of translation software available, learning a language still could be advantageous. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Type: Agree & Disagree

2020-12-05 Some people think that the government should invest more money in teaching science than other subjects to make progress. Do you agree or disagree? Type: Agree & Disagree

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100 Essay Topics for 2024

• Government’s Vision of Amrit Kaal
• Central Bank Digital Currency by RBI
• How important is flow of money for the economy?
• Need of the Hour is to Maximize Possibilities of Agriculture in India
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EDUCATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES

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INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

• Russia-Ukraine War and its impact on geopolitics
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• G20 New Delhi Summit
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• Rising Chinese hegemony in Indo-Pacific and implications for India
• Climate Diplomacy and COP 28
• NASA’s Artemis Program
• IMEEEC and its prospects

PHILOSOPHICAL/ ABSTRACT

• A smooth sea never makes a good sailor
• Hour work week
• Light at the end of the tunnel is not an illusion, the tunnel is.
• Is humanity enough to handle crises and serve people in need?
• Is being vegetarian the way to go for the world?
• Happiness is not an ideal of reason, but of imagination.
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• War is the ultimate Price we pay for lasting Peace
• Artificial Intelligence is Not All Evil – It can Promote Social Good Too
• Our World is in a Surplus of Multilateral Challenges and a Deficit of Solutions.
• The worst form of inequality is to try to make unequal things equal

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

• Does India need more missiles or more industries?
• Genetically Modified Crops
• National Infrastructure Pipeline
• How will the FASTag project help in improving the logistics and transport sector?

SOCIAL ISSUES (Society, Gender, Caste)

• Lack of civic sense among Indians is pushing the country backwards
• Media’s duty is to inform public, not manufacture opinion
• Urban exclusion of migrant workers in India is a reality and needs urgent robust policy measures.
• Women who seek to be equal with men lack ambition
• Economic Growth and Development are shaped by the societies in which they operate.
• Social media is the fourth pillar of democracy
• How does a leader impact the destiny of his country?
• The Cry of Transgenders
• Caste Census: Equity or casteism?
• One Nation, One Ration Card
• Legalizing Betting in India
• The ‘Dunki’ route to illegal migration
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• Group Discussions
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• Past Experiences

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PTE Essay Topics List – Latest Essay Topics for PTE 2021 – 2022

PTE Essay Topics – Hello everyone, we are sharing with you the PTE essay list which will help you in PTE Exam preparation. We have the collection of essay from the recently held exams. Our team also researched the following given PTE current essay topics and tried to prepare the best possible answer. Check out PTE Essay Topics with Answers and you will also get to know about PTE repeated essays.

These pte essay writing topics were asked in previous PTE Exams. Click on the following PTE essay topics with answers. These are intended to be the most important essays on latest topics which we have seen in PTE writing section on the repetitive basis. By practising these pte essays you can achieve robust grip in the essay. Students who want to go abroad need to work on PTE essay samples for a better score. We have added pte essay writing tips to enhance your essay writing skills.

[UPDATED] PTE Essay Topics with Answers

Here we are posting latest pte writing topics for PTE exam. We include PTE Essay Topics 2018 – 2019 and latest PTE Essay Topics 2020 – 2021. Now there is noneed to go anywhere else to find PTE Essay Topics with Answers for real exam. At the end of Essay Topics in PTE, we managed to provide PTE Essay Topics with answers pdf free download that will help you score well. Here is the list of PTE essays.

New PTE Essay Topics

PTE ESSAY TOPICS 2021 – 2020 [List]

1. Company’s top level authorities should get their employees in decision making process pte essay

2. Do you think English will remain to be a global language despite globalisation pte essay

3. Positive and negative effects of technology through mass media pte essay

4.  Many young people nowadays are imitating celebrities in sports and movies. In your opinion, is this good or bad? Support your point of view with reasons and examples from your own experience. You should write 200-300 words on “PTE Essay Imitating Celebrities”.

5.  Environment danger pte essay

6. As global trade increases between different countries, many daily necessities are produced in other countries. Such goods are usually transported a long distance. Do the benefits of this trend outweigh its drawbacks? 

7. Women Empowerment Essay

8.  Some people think that governments should spend as much money as possible on developing, innovation, science and technology. Other people disagree and think that this money should be spent on more basic needs. Which one of these opinions do you agree with?

9.  The effective way to deal with unemployment is to introduce rapid urbanization pte essay

10.  Mass media pte essay

11. In developing countries tourism has disadvantages or advantages pte essay

12.  Mobile phones and the Internet are very useful for old people. However, this section of the population is the fewer users of mobile phones and the Internet. In what ways can mobile phones and the Internet be useful to old people? How can the old people be encouraged to use this new technology?

13.  Some people think that students benefit from going to private secondary schools. Others, however, feel that private secondary schools can have a negative effect on society as a whole. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

14.  Essay on migration pte essay

15.  Nowadays the way many people interact with each other has changed because of technology. In what ways has technology affected the types of relationships that people make? Has this been a positive or negative development?

16.  Without a doubt written formal examination is used widely as assessment criteria in most of the educational institutes for decades. The most question as to whether the formal written assessment is still valid?

17.  The only thing that interferes with my learning is toy education- Einstein. or Education is the biggest barrier in my learning – Einstein. What does he mean by that? And do you think he is correct?

18.  Learning a new language at an early age is helpful for children. Is it more positive for their future aspect or have some adverse effects. Agree or disagree? Advantages or disadvantages?

19.  Positive and negative effects of mass communication pte essay

20.  The information revolution has changed the ways of mass communication and had some negative and positive effects on individuals’ lives as well as on society. To what extent you are agreed or disagree? or Communication has changed significantly in the last ten years pte essay

21.  In the last century when a human astronaut first arrived on the Moon he said: “Space exploration is a big step for mankind”. But some people think it makes little difference to our daily life. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

22.  The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn. Agree or Disagree?

23.  People attend college or university for many different reasons (for example, new experiences, career preparation, or to increase knowledge). Why do you think people attend college or university? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

24.  Some developing countries invite large multinational companies to open offices and factories in order to help their economy pte essay

25. Xenophobia has accelerated rapidly in the western countries pte essay

26.  Foreign languages should be compulsory in the primary school pte essay

27.  People hold different views about the purpose of schools.  Some argue that schools should provide students with more interesting courses or activities yet opponents believe otherwise. Write an essay in around 200 – 300 words.

28.  Governments should give financial support to creative artists such as painters and musicians pte essay

29.  Globalisation pte essay

30.  With the help of technology, students nowadays can learn more information and learn it more quickly pte essay

31. A woman’s place is in the home – argumentative pte essay on gender equality

32.  These days, the issue of international marketing has grown its importance especially in the world of manufacturing facilities and even education overseas or across the globe. International Marketing PTE essay.

33.  Should the government spend money on art pte essay

1. Trying to save endangered species from extinction is waste of valuable resources, Do you agree or disagree?

2.  In some countries, the number of shooting massacres is on the rise because many people have guns at home, to what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

3. Many parents these days work in other countries, taking their families with them, Do you think advantages of the development outweigh its disadvantages?

4.  What are mass communications? What are the means of mass communication or what are the advantages and disadvantages of it? What is your opinion?

5. Children’s education is expensive. In some countries, the government pays some of or all of the cost. Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

6. Whether university level students should stay at home or at school accommodation? Do you agree or disagree?

7. Some people think that it is important to use leisure time for activities that develop the mind, such as reading and doing crossword puzzles, Discuss with examples.

8. Do you think consumers should avoid over packaged goods or it is the responsibility of the producer to avoid extra packaging of products?

9. Some people think that studying from the past teaches us nothing about today’s life, Others argue that the history is a value source of information, Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

10. Today, the high sales of popular consumer goods reflect the power of advertising and not the real needs of the society in which they are sold, To what extent do you agree or disagree?

11. Today more people are travelling than ever before, why is this the case, what are the benefits of travelling to travelers?

12. Some people think that human needs for farmland, housing, and industry are more important than saving land for endangered animals. Do you agree or disagree with this point of view? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

13.  Many people think that regions affect successful person. What is your opinion about native region and accomplished person’s influence on the region he belongs to.

14. Fresh water resources diminish in large cities in the world each year, What are the causes of this crucial problem? What are the solutions?

15. Even though globalization affects the world’s economies in a very positive way, its negative side should not be forgotten. Discuss.

16. In many countries, children are engaged in different kinds of paid work. Some people regard this as completely wrong, while others consider it a valuable work experience, important for learning and taking responsibility. What is your opinion?

17. In some parts of the world, it’s becoming increasingly popular to try to find out the history of their own family. Do you think it’s a positive or negative development?

18. Some people think that schools should select students according to their academic abilities, while others believe that it is better to have students with different abilities studying together, Discuss both views and state your own opinion.

19. Throughout the history, people dream to build a perfect society while they haven’t agreed how the ideal society would be like. What is the most important element you think to make a perfect society? How do people do to achieving an ideal society?

20. Some experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a foreign language at primary school rather than secondary school. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples.

21.  In many parts of the world today there is a profitable market for products which lighten or whiten people’s skin. Outline the reasons for using such products and discuss what effects they have in terms of health and society.

PTE Essays – Latest PTE Repeated Essays Solved Questions Answers 2021

Opinion essay.

1. Company Top level Authorities should or should not take employees suggestions or ideas to take any decisions. Discuss.

2. Some people think that zoos are cruel and should be closed. However, some people think that zoos are useful for protecting rare animals. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

3. Learning English at school is often seen as more important than learning local languages. If these are not taught, many are at risk of dying out. In your opinion is it important for everyone to learn English. Should we try to ensure the survival of local languages and if so how?

4.  Some people think job satisfaction is more important than job security. But others believe that people cannot always enjoy their jobs and having a permanent job is more important. Discuss both views and give your opinion?

5.  It is better for children to choose jobs that are similar to their parents jobs than to choose jobs that are very different from their parent’s job.

6.  Some people think that success is the best measure of intelligence, while others think that intelligence can be measured in other ways. What is your opinion?

7.  Some people think that parents should teach children how to be good members of society. Others, however, believe that school is the place to learn this. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

8.  When a country develops its technology, the traditional skills and ways of life die out. It is pointless to try and keep them alive. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

9.  Blood sports have become a hot topic for debate in recent years. As society develops it is increasingly seen as an uncivilized activity and cruel to the helpless animals that are killed. All blood sports should be banned. Discuss the main arguments for this statement and give your own opinion.

10.  Logging of the rain forests is a serious problem and it may lead to the extinction of animal life and human life. Discuss.

11.  Genetic engineering is an important issue in modern society. Some people think that it will improve people’s lives in many ways. Others feel that it may be a threat to life on earth. Discuss both opinions and give your opinion?

12.  Some working parents think that child care centers provide the best care for children who are still too young to go to school. Other working parents think that family members such as grandparents will be better carers for their children. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

13. Everyone should adopt a vegetarian diet because eating meat can cause serious health problems. What is your opinion? Should we all become vegetarians. Write an argumentative essay on vegetarianism vs meat eating.

14.  Will modern technology such as the internet ever replace book or the written words as the main source of information?

15.  In some countries the average worker is obliged to retire at the age of 50, while in others is obliged to retire until they are 65 or 70. Until what age do you think people should be encouraged to remain in paid employment?

16. Should developing countries concentrate on improving industrial skills or should they promote education first? What is your opinion?

17. Some people believe that children should never be educated at home by their parents. What is your opinion?

18.  Having more money and less free time is better than earning less money and having more free time. Discuss both views and state your opinion.

19. Parents should be held responsible for their children’s actions essay

20.  Men do most of the high-level jobs. Should the government encourage a certain percentage of these jobs to be reserved for women?

21. Should government intervene in family planning

22. Marketing strategy for big companies should be placed on offer and discounts essay

23. Computers have made life easier and more convenient essay

24. Do you think customer should avoid over packaged products

25. Should parents be held morally and legally responsible for the actions of their children?

AGREE DISAGREE ESSAY TOPICS 2021

1. Successful sports stars and glamorous film stars are a role model for youngsters. Do u support it or not? (Agree/Disagree)

2. Leaders are born or made. Discuss.

3.  Some people believe that government wastes too much money on space exploration and research while there are still many problems on earth. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the view.

4.  The older generations tend to have very traditional ideas about how people should live, think and behave. However, some people believe that these ideas are not helpful in preparing younger generations for modern life. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

5.  Nuclear energy is a better choice for meeting increasing demand. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

6.  There are social, medical and technical problems associated with the use of mobile phones. What forms do they take? Do you agree that the problems outweigh the benefits of mobile phones?

7.  Currently, there is a trend towards the use of alternative forms of medicine. However, at best these methods are ineffective, and at worst they may be dangerous. To what extent do you agree with this statement?

8.  Smoking should be banned in all public places. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

9.  Air traffic is increasingly leading to more noise, pollution, and airport construction. One reason for this is the growth in low-cost passenger flights, often to holiday destinations. Some people say that government should try to reduce air traffic by taxing it more heavily. Do you agree or disagree?

10.  Some people say that rich nations should help poor countries with their basic needs like food and education while others oppose the idea and argue that the poor nation themselves should try to improve their condition. Do you agree with the idea that rich and developed nations should help the poor nations?

11. Is education the single most important factor in the development and success of a country? Do you agree with the statement?

12.  The threat of nuclear weapons maintains the world peace. Nuclear power provides cheap and clean energy. The benefits of nuclear technology far out-weight the disadvantages. Do you agree or disagree?

13.  The first car appeared on British roads in 1888. By the year 2000, there may be as many as 28 million vehicles on British roads. Alternative forms of transport should be encouraged and international las introduced to contrôle car ownership and car use. To what agree do you agree or disagree? Excessive use of cars and alternate form of transportation.

14. Sports classes should be sacrificed in high school in favour of academic subjects. Do you agree or disagree?

15. Do actions speak louder than words essay? Do you agree with this statement?

16. It is usually foolish to get married before completing your studies

17. Books are losing importance as a source of information and entertainment

18. Students should be required to stay in school until 18

19. Does television remove loneliness or not essay

20. Nowadays tv has become an essential part of life

21. Role of native place behind successful person essay

22.  Nowadays, people spend too much time at work to the extent that they hardly have time for their personal life. Discuss.

23.  Imitating celebrities in sports and movies good or bad? do you agree?

PTE ESSAY TOPICS CAUSES SOLUTIONS 

1.-  Nowadays, sending children to boarding school is becoming increasingly popular. Some people think that it is beneficial for students to go to private secondary schools. What is the reason? Do you think it is a positive development?

2.  An increasing number of professionals, such as doctors and teachers, are leaving their own poorer countries to work in developed countries. What problems does this cause? What solutions can you suggest to deal with a situation?

3.  Many offenders commit more crimes after serving the first punishment. Why is this happening, and what measures can be taken to tackle this problem?

4.  Stress is now a major problem in many countries around the world. What are some of the factors in modern society that cause this stress, and how can we reduce it?

5.  Nowadays more and more older people who are looking for work have to compete with younger people for the same jobs. What problems does this cause? What are some possible solutions?

6. More and more people are becoming seriously overweight. Some people say that the price increase of fattening foods will solve this problem. Discuss the causes and effects. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

7.  Euthanasia is no longer acceptable in the modern society. discuss

8.  Tobacco, mainly in the form of cigarettes, is one of the most widely-used drugs in the world. Over a billion adults legally smoke tobacco every day. The long-term health costs are high for smokers themselves, and for the wider community in terms of health care costs and lost productivity. Do government have a legitimate role to legislate to protect citizens from the harmful effects of their own decisions to smoke, or are such decisions up to the individual?

9. Migration from villages to cities essay

10.  Overpopulation in most developing countries in Asia and Africa is a problem. If these countries do not try to control the population immediately, they will face serious problems. What are your suggestions to control population?

11. Roles of governments companies and individuals to combat climate change essay

12. Global warming is one of the most serious issues that the world is facing today.

ADVANTAGE DISADVANTAGE ESSAY TOPICS FOR PTE

1. Nowadays TV has become an essential part of life. Medium to spread news & awareness and for some, it acts as a companion. What is your opinion about this?

2. In some countries, governments are encouraging industries and businesses to move out of the cities and into regional areas. Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

3.  Some people think that good health is very important to every person, so medical services should not be run by profit-making companies. Do the disadvantages of private health care outweigh the advantage?

4.  There is an increasing trend around the world to have a small family rather than a large family.What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of having a small family rather than a large family?

5.  Many men and women are making the decision to have children later in life. Why is this trend occurring? What are the impacts of this development on both family and society?

6. What are the advantages and disadvantages of extreme or adventure sports

7. Modes of communication have changed drastically essay

8. Pros and cons of hiring foreign workers

9.  Some people think placing advertisements in schools is a great resource for public schools that need additionally funding, but others think it exploits children by treating them as a captive audience for corporate sponsors.

10. Increasing global trade products essay

11. Employee involvement in decision making advantages disadvantages

ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY TOPICS FOR PTE

1. Mothers are better parents than fathers argumentative essay

2. Should libraries invest in technology or books essay

3. Right amount of motivation and practice can train better than classroom training.

4.  Are famous people treated unfairly by media.

5.  In some countries around the world, voting is compulsory. Do you agree with notion of compulsory voting? Or If Voting is compulsory in democratic society, what conclusions can we draw about ‘Nature of Democracy’?

6. What are the greatest inventions of the 20th century among medicine, aeroplane and computers, why?

7. Extreme sports argumentative essay

1.  The environment we are living in is in danger due to various problems. So who do u think Should be responsible to solve it? Is it the governments, organisation or each individuals?

2. Most people accept that we now live in globalized world but not everyone agrees that this is beneficial. To what extent is globalization a positive or negative development?

3.  With the development of technology and science, some people believe that there is no great value of artists such as musicians and painters. What are the things artists can do but the scientist cannot? Why should we encourage the art area?

4.  Many old buildings protected by law are part of a nation’s history. Some people think they should be knocked down and replaced by news ones. How important is it to maintain old buildings? Should history stand in the way of progress?

5.  What is the best invention of the last 100 years? The computer, antibiotics, the airplane, and explain why?

6.  You are given climate as the field of study. Which area will you prefer? Explain why you picked up the particular area for your study?

7.  Do the dangers derived from the use of chemicals in food production and preservation outweigh the advantages? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own experience or knowledge.

8.  Should rich countries forgive poor countries debt?

9.  The more time people use the internet, the less time they spend with real human being.

10. Any recent invention that you think proved beneficial or detrimental to society. discuss

11. Should discrimination against older workers be made illegal essay

12. The average life expectancy in many developed countries is increasing

13.  Value added by travel in Education. Is travel a necessary component of education or not ? Will student sitting at home have more knowledge?

14.  The ownership of cars should be restricted to one per family in order to reduce traffic congestion and pollution. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

15.  Large shopping malls are replacing small shops. What is your opinion about this? Discuss with appropriate examples.

16. Should English be the universal language? Discuss

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Let's draft two! Jaguars double up on LSU stars by selecting WR Thomas Jr. and DT Smith early

By mark long, associated press | posted - april 27, 2024 at 7:45 p.m..

Estimated read time: Less than a minute

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Former LSU teammates Brian Thomas Jr. and Maason Smith are reuniting 600 miles east of Baton Rouge after the Jacksonville Jaguars selected them in consecutive rounds of the NFL draft. Thomas, a receiver, went in the first and Smith, a defensive tackle, went in the second. It's the third time in franchise history — second in four years — that Jacksonville chose college teammates in the opening two rounds. The Jags can only hope Thomas and Smith deliver like the other four. Tight end Marcedes Lewis and running back Maurice Jones-Drew reunited in 2006 after playing together at UCLA. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne reunited in 2021 after starring at Clemson.

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Nfl draft attendance record set with more than 775,000 fans attending the event in detroit, related topics, more stories you may be interested in.

Buffalo Bills take a chance on English rugby player Travis Clayton with their last pick in NFL draft

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Advancing social justice, promoting decent work ILO is a specialized agency of the United Nations

Main Figures on Forced Labour

27.6 million

people are in forced labour.

US$ 236 billion

generated in illegal profits every year.

3.9 million

of them are in State-imposed form of forced labour.

of them are women and girls (4.9 million in forced commercial sexual exploitation, and 6 million in other economic sectors).

of them are children (3.3 million). More than half of these children are in commercial sexual exploitation.

3 times more

risk of forced labour for migrant workers.

• Victims of forced labour include 17.3 million exploited in the private sector; 6.3 million in forced commercial sexual exploitation, and 3.9 million in forced labour imposed by State.
• The Asia and the Pacific region has the highest number of people in forced labour (15.1 million) and the Arab States the highest prevalence (5.3 per thousand people).
• Addressing decent work deficits in the informal economy, as part of broader efforts towards economic formalization, is a priority for progress against forced labour.

Source: 2022 Global Estimates

Forced Labour Observatory

The Forced Labour Observatory (FLO) is a database that provides comprehensive global and country information on forced labour, including on international and national legal and institutional frameworks; enforcement, prevention and protection measures, as well as information related to access to justice; remedies, and cooperation.

Global Reports

2021 Global Estimates of Modern Slavery: Forced Labour and Forced Marriage

The latest estimates show that forced labour and forced marriage have increased significantly in the last five years, according to the International Labour Organization, Walk Free and the International Organisation for Migration.

• Full Report
• Executive Summary
• Press Release
• Third estimates: Modern Slavery (2017)
• Second estimates: Forced Labour (2012)
• First estimates: Forced Labour (2005)

Profits and Poverty: The Economics of Forced Labour (2024)

The study investigates the underlying factors that drive forced labour, of which a major one is illegal profits.

• Press release
• First edition of the report and second estimates (2014)
• First estimates of illegal profits from forced labour (2005)

Main Statistical Tools on Forced Labour

• Hard to See, Harder to Count: Guidelines for Forced Labour Surveys
• Ethical Guidelines for Research on Forced Labour
• Evidence Gap Map on Forced Labour
• Global Research Agenda (child labour, forced labour and human trafficking)

ICLS and forced labour

The International Conference of Labour Statisticians (ICLS) is the authoritative body to set global standards in labour statistics. During its 20th meeting, in October 2018, the ICLS adopted the "Guidelines concerning the measurement of forced labour". The intent of the guidelines is to facilitate the process of testing the measurement of forced labour in different national circumstances and/or measurement objectives.

• Guidelines concerning the measurement of forced labour (ICLS 2018)
• Measurement of forced labour: stocktaking and way forward (ICLS 2023 Room document 22)
• All ICLS documents

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A record-high share of 40-year-olds in the U.S. have never been married

As of 2021, 25% of 40-year-olds in the United States had never been married. This was a significant increase from 20% in 2010, according to a new Pew Research Center analysis of Census Bureau data.

Pew Research Center conducted this analysis to look at changing marriage rates among 40-year-olds in the United States from 1850 to 2021. This analysis uses decennial census data and the American Community Survey (ACS). The ACS is the largest household survey in the U.S., with a sample of more than 3 million addresses. Collected by the Census Bureau since 2001, it covers the topics previously included in the long form of the decennial census. The ACS is designed to provide estimates of the size and characteristics of the nation’s resident population.

These large datasets allow for reliable estimates of outcomes for people at a given age.

The data on cohabitation comes from the Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey (CPS) 2022 Annual Social and Economic Supplement.

The microdata files used for this analysis were provided by the Integrated Public Use Microdata Series (IPUMS) from the University of Minnesota. IPUMS standardizes variable names and coding across years as much as possible, making it easier to analyze the data over time. The first census after the American Revolution occurred in 1790. IPUMS has decennial census samples from 1850 on. The 1850 and 1860 census samples only include the free population.

Marriage has long been a central institution in the lives of Americans. In 1980, just 6% of 40-year-olds had never been married. But people born from the 1960s onward have been increasingly delaying marriage , and a growing share are forgoing it altogether.

The 2021 data marks a new milestone in that decadeslong trend .

While many unmarried 40-year-olds are living with a romantic partner, most are not. In 2022, 22% of never-married adults ages 40 to 44 were cohabiting.

The share of 40-year-olds in 2021 who had never married varied by the following demographic characteristics:

• Gender: A higher share of men than women had never married.
• Race and ethnicity: Black 40-year-olds were much more likely to have never married than Hispanic, White and Asian 40-year-olds.

• Education level: 40-year-olds without a four-year college degree were more likely to have never married than those who had completed at least a bachelor’s degree. One-third of those with a high school diploma or less had never married, compared with 26% of those with some college education and 18% of those with a bachelor’s degree or more education.

The overall decrease in the share of 40-year-olds who have married is especially notable because the share of 40-year-olds who had completed at least a bachelor’s degree was much higher in 2021 than in 1980 (39% vs. 18%). More-highly educated 40-year-olds are more likely to have married, but the growth of this group has not reversed the overall trend of delaying or forgoing marriage.

To be sure, we can’t assume that if someone has not married by age 40, they never will. In fact, about one-in-four 40-year-olds who had not married in 2001 had done so by age 60. If that pattern holds, a similar share of today’s never-married 40-year-olds will marry in the coming decades.

• Family & Relationships
• Marriage & Divorce
• Older Adults & Aging
• Unmarried Adults

Richard Fry is a senior researcher focusing on economics and education at Pew Research Center

Few East Asian adults believe women have an obligation to society to have children

Among parents with young adult children, some dads feel less connected to their kids than moms do, how teens and parents approach screen time, most east asian adults say men and women should share financial and caregiving duties, among young adults without children, men are more likely than women to say they want to be parents someday, most popular.

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