This is an archive of all the reported IELTS essay questions 2020. If you are looking for the most recent questions, then you should look at this page (which I update every month). Just to be clear, I have used my experience as a trained exam creator to edit these questions so that they are as close to the original exam question as possible.

However, if you have one of these questions in your exam, you MUST read the question carefully as it may be that it differs slightly. I also still recommend that you start your preparation with the questions in the Cambridge IELTS books as these are genuine past papers.

Academic IELTS Essay Questions 2020

1. Some people believe that students should be taught international news as a subject at school. Others feel that this would be a waste of valuable school time. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
2. Some people think that the best way to learn about business is to study a course at college or university. Others believe that there are other better ways to learn about business. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
3. Some people believe that having a conversation on a mobile phone in a public or crowded place should be banned. Others feel that we should be able to talk wherever we like. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
4. Some believe that charitable organisations should help people no matter where they live. Others argue that charities should only help those living in the country where the charity is based. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
5. Some people believe that having interviews is the best way to find new employees for a company. Others say that there are better alternative ways to appoint employees. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
6. Some people believe that individuals are born with leadership skills. Others say that these skills can be developed with experience. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
7. Some people believe that the government should financially support older members of society who have retired. Others feel that these people should pay to support themselves. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
8. Some people believe that teenagers should study all school subjects. Others argue that they should focus on only the subjects that they are good at or find most interesting. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
9. Some people believe that it is possible for a country to be economically successful and have a clean environment. Others argue that these two aims are not compatible. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
10. In some cultures, older people are valued most highly. In other cultures, youth is valued more. Discuss both views and give your opinion as to which age should be most valued.
11. Some people believe that individuals are responsible for their own personal happiness. Others argue that happiness can be affected by other factors. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
12. Some believe that charitable organisations should help people no matter where they live. Others argue that charities should only help those living in the country where the charity is based. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
13. Some educators believe that international school exchange visits are important for teenage children. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
14. Some people believe that rich countries should provide poorer countries with help that is not financial aid. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
15. Full-time university students spend most of their time in class or working on assignments. However, some people think that it is important for students to get involved in non-academic activities on campus as well (for example, to join a sports team or take part in drama). To what extent do you agree or disagree?
16. Too much money is spent on repairing old buildings instead of constructing new ones. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
17. The international community must act immediately to ensure that all countries reduce their consumption of fossil fuels, such as gas and oil. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
18. Spoken communication is always more powerful than written communication. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
19. Some people say that too much time and resources are spent on the protection of wild animals and birds. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
20. Some people think that if a country is already rich, further economic development will not result in its citizens being any happier. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
21. People across the world are more similar than they are different. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
22. The only reason to work hard is to earn money. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
23. The best way to solve environmental problems would be for the current generation to accept a simpler way of life for the sake of the next generation. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
24. Some people think that in order to produce a happy society, it is necessary to ensure that there is only a small difference between the earnings of the richest and poorest. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
25. Since most information about culture and history can be found online, museums are no longer needed. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
26. It was predicted that people in the 21st century would have much more free time than in the past. To what extent has this prediction come true? (BE CAREFUL WITH THIS ONE)
27. Scientific research should be funded by governments rather than commercial organisations. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
28. Some people think that in order to produce a happy society, it is necessary to ensure that there is only a small difference between the earnings of the richest and poorest. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
29. Recent advances in air travel have focused only on those sitting in first class and have left other passengers with no benefits. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
30. Some children find some particular school subjects difficult (for example maths or philosophy), so these subjects should be optional rather than compulsory. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
31. In recent years, television has contributed most to changing people’s quality of life. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
32. The most effective way to solve the current traffic and pollution problems in cities is to encourage people to move from the suburbs or countryside into the city centre. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
33. Many people depend on cars in their day-to-day life (for example, to drive to work). However, unrestricted car use has led to a number of problems. What are these problems? Should individuals be discouraged from using cars in order to reduce them?

    

34. People today rarely interact with their neighbours, and this is having a harmful effect on local communities. What are the possible causes of this trend? What can be done to address it?
35. Despite the environmental concerns raised by scientists, people are still not changing their lifestyles. Why is this? What can be done to encourage people to protect the environment more?
36. In some countries, criminal trials are shown to the public on television. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?
37. 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?
38. Nowadays many celebrities receive higher salaries than senior politicians. Why is this?  Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
39. Writing today is less formal than it was in the past. What are the causes of this change? Is this a positive or negative development?
40. Throughout history, people have dreamed of living in a perfect society but nobody has agreed on what an ideal society would look like. What do you think is the most important element needed to make a society perfect? How can the ideal society be achieved?

What trends did we see in IELTS Academic Writing 2020?

My observation of this year’s Academic IELTS essay questions so far is that there are a lot of Discuss Both Sides and To What Extent questions (as usual), but some of the topics (charitable organisations, financing retirement, international school exchange trips) have never been used before. If you have never spent time thinking about these topics before, it might be hard to come up with good ideas for them on the spot.  (And I pity the poor test-takers who had to think about what makes a society perfect in 40 minutes!!!). 

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Want to listen to two IELTS experts discuss FIVE of these questions and explain the ideas and organisation they would use to answer them? Then listen to this episode of the My IELTS Classroom Podcast!

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General Training IELTS Essay Questions 2020

1. Adults today do not do enough exercise. Some people believe that showing major sports events like the Olympics or the Football World Cup on television encourages people to exercise. Others argue that there are better ways to encourage adults to move more. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
2. Some people think the most important skill for nurses is having good medical knowledge. Others believe there are other more important qualities. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
3. Some people think that school children should be asked to work individually in class. Others believe that working in small groups is better. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
4. Some people believe that it is best to do the same type of work throughout your life. Others feel that it is beneficial to change jobs often. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
5. Some people believe that successful sports teams are always those with the strongest or fittest players. Others think that success depends more on the team’s mental strength. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
6. Some people think that job satisfaction is the most important factor when looking for a job. Others think that having job security is more important. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
7. Some people think it is good to raise children in a city. Others argue that it is better for children to grow up in the countryside. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
8. Some people prefer the lifestyle and activities offered when living in a cold environment. Others prefer a hot environment. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
9. Some people believe academic success depends mostly on having a good teacher. Others argue that it is the attitude of the student that matters most. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
10. Some people prefer being physically active in their free time. Others think it is better to choose hobbies that are mentally challenging (such as crosswords and chess). Discuss both views and give your opinion.
11. Some people think that it is good for younger people to make their own decisions about their day to day life (such as what they wear or eat). Others feel that these decisions should be made with the help of their parents. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
12. Some people believe that it is important to spend time developing a successful career. Others argue that it is more important to spend time with friends and family than at work. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
13. Some parents believe that children today spend too much time looking at screens. Others argue that this is necessary in the modern world. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
14. Some people think that schools should give prizes for academic successes. Others argue that it is more important for schools to give prizes for other achievements (for example, for sports, music and behaviour). Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
15. Some people believe that children should be involved in educational activities in their free time. Others argue that this puts too much academic pressure on a child. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
16. Some people believe that all company decisions should be made by managers. Others feel that it is better to include employees when making decisions. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
17. Some people think that the government should put a tax on unhealthy food to encourage people to eat more healthily. Do you agree or disagree?
18. Some people think the news has no real connection to people’s lives, so reading newspapers or watching news programmes on television is a waste of time. Do you agree or disagree?
19. There is less communication between family members today than in the past. Do you agree or disagree?
20. Some people believe that the government should be responsible for taking care of disadvantaged members of society (for example, the unemployed or those who are homeless). Do you agree or disagree?
21. There are many benefits for young people who travel to other countries. Do you agree or disagree?
22. Some believe that modern inventions have brought more problems than benefits.  Do you agree or disagree?
23. It is better if an extended family (for example, aunts, uncles, grandparents) are involved in a child’s upbringing than just parents alone.  Do you agree or disagree?
24. The age at which people have children has risen. Some people believe that this may cause problems for both these families and the societies they live in. What is your opinion about this?
25. Some people believe that schools should teach children how to grow and cook food. What is your opinion about this?
26. Some people believe that there should be a law which prevents young people under the age of 18 being outside after midnight. Do you agree or disagree?
27. Many people think that the most important things in life are free (i.e. they cannot be bought). Do you agree or disagree?
28. Some people believe that all students should be made to have an unpaid job in their free time. Do you agree or disagree? 
29. Mobile phones and the Internet are used by millions of people every day, but old people use these forms of technology the least. In what ways can mobile phones and the Internet be helpful for older people? What measures can be taken to encourage older people to use them more?
30. Nowadays, people are not as fit and active as they used to be in the past which creates health issues in the long-run. Why do you think this is? What measures can be taken to solve this problem?
31. More and more waste and pollution is created every year. How are people affected in their everyday life by this trend? What can individuals do to help limit the problem?
32. The youth crime rate is rising rapidly in many countries. What are the reasons for this trend? What can parents and teachers do to solve it?
33. In some countries, people waste a lot of the food that they buy in shops and restaurants. Why do you think this is? What can be done to solve this problem?
34. Nowadays people are less fit and healthy than they were in the past, which could affect their long term health. Why do you think this is? What can be done to solve this problem? 
35. The amount of violence in computer games, TV programmes and other leisure activities have increased and, as a result, parents are worried about the effect this is having on their children. How harmful is this development? What can be done to address this situation?

    

36. Nowadays, when people have to travel abroad for work, many take their family members with them on a business trip. What are the advantages and disadvantages for the individual and his or her family members who travel together?
37. In some countries, people prefer to rent a house than buy one. What are the advantages and disadvantages of renting a property?
38. In many countries it is common for parents to give their children pocket money. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this practice? 
39. In some countries, people prefer to rent a house than buy one. What are the advantages and disadvantages of renting a property?
40. Some people decide to move to another country when they retire. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this practice? 
41. Many university students have part-time jobs while they study. Is this a good or a bad thing?
42. Nowadays people have many consumer goods in their home (such as a refrigerator or washing machine). Is this trend a positive or negative development?
43. Most children have to complete homework when they are at school. Is this a good or a bad thing?
44. Many university students have part-time jobs while they study. Is this a good or a bad thing?
45. In some countries, young people leave home as soon as they finish school. Is this a good or a bad thing?
46. In the past, people wore clothes that were unique to their own culture. Today, people all over the world wear the same types of clothes. Is this trend a positive or negative development?
47. The world of work is changing rapidly and people cannot depend on having the same job or the same working conditions for life. What are the possible causes of this rapid change? How can people prepare for work in the future?
48. Many people are choosing to move to cities. Why is this happening? Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?
49. The world of work is changing rapidly and people cannot depend on having the same job or the same working conditions for life. What are the possible causes of this rapid change? How can people prepare for work in the future?
50. Some sports are extremely dangerous for those who play them. Why do people participate in such sports? What measures could they take to minimise the risks involved?
51. Most companies use interviews to hire new employees. What other ways could be used? What do you think is the best way?
52. In the past, people wore clothes that were unique to their own culture. Today, people all over the world wear the same types of clothes. Is this trend a positive or negative development?

What trends did we see in IELTS GT Writing 2020?

A lot of the General Training essay topics this year have been seen many times in IELTS (healthy food, moving to cities, work, etc). However, there were a lot of 2-Part and positive/negative questions in 2020, so be sure that you know how to approach these question-types, as they tend to be overlooked.

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OK – those were the IELTS essay questions 2020. I will try to update this every month so that you can be sure you have ideas for every possible IELTS question in your exam. Well, maybe not to every question, but at least by practicing with these, you will have sharpened your idea-generation skills. Plus, you can help me by adding any questions that you can remember from a recent IELTS exam in the comments below.