Originally published 2018. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
TL;DR — This page collects recently reported IELTS Writing exam questions and topics from test takers worldwide. Use these to identify trends, practise with realistic material, and focus your preparation on the most common themes. Updated regularly based on student reports.
Why Track Recent Exam Questions?
IELTS recycles and rotates questions across test centres worldwide. By studying recently reported topics, you can identify patterns and high-frequency themes that are likely to appear in upcoming tests. While the exact questions will differ, the topics and question types follow consistent patterns.
How We Collect This Data
Our database of recent exam questions comes from verified test-taker reports submitted through our community channels. We cross-reference multiple reports from different test centres to confirm accuracy before publishing. Each entry includes the approximate test date and the region where it was reported.
Recent Writing Topics — 2026
Below are the most frequently reported writing topics and question types from recent IELTS exams. Topics are grouped by theme and ordered by frequency of appearance.
Task 2 Essay Topics
- Technology and Society: Impact of social media on young people, automation replacing jobs, online learning vs traditional education
- Environment: Climate change responsibility (individuals vs governments), sustainable transport, plastic pollution solutions
- Health: Mental health awareness in workplaces, diet and lifestyle diseases, universal healthcare access
- Education: Gap years before university, arts vs sciences funding, importance of physical education
- Urbanisation: Housing affordability, traffic congestion solutions, preserving historical buildings
- Crime and Law: Rehabilitation vs punishment, juvenile crime prevention, surveillance technology and privacy
Task 1 Academic Topics
- Line graphs comparing economic indicators across countries
- Bar charts showing demographic changes over decades
- Process diagrams (manufacturing, natural cycles, recycling)
- Pie charts showing budget allocation or market share
- Maps showing urban development before and after
- Tables comparing statistical data across categories
Task 1 General Training Letter Types
- Semi-formal: Writing to a manager about a workplace issue
- Formal: Complaint letters to businesses or authorities
- Informal: Inviting a friend, describing a recent experience
How to Use These Topics for Preparation
- Identify patterns: Notice which themes appear repeatedly — these have the highest probability of appearing in your test.
- Practise with realistic material: Use these topics to create mock writing practice sessions.
- Build topic-specific vocabulary: For each common theme, prepare a set of relevant vocabulary and collocations.
- Time yourself: Simulate exam conditions using these topics to build speed and confidence.
Key Takeaways
- IELTS Writing questions follow predictable topic patterns that recur across test centres.
- Tracking recent exam reports helps you prioritise your preparation on high-frequency themes.
- Focus on building transferable skills rather than memorising specific answers.
- Combine recent topic analysis with structured practice using official IELTS materials.
Hello, I had my Academic Test in the UK (in London) in April 2018 and this was my writing task 2 question.
The key to solving the major environmental problems is simple – the present generation should have a less comfortable like for the sake of the future generation. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Thank you so much for sharing! 🙂
I had my test in India in April 2018/Academic
These days children are watching too much tv and playing computer games and some people think that this does not help to develop a child’s mental ability. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Thank you so much for sharing! 🙂
Following
Saudi Arabia
April 2018
Academic
Writing
Task 1 – About changes in the percentages of men and women in the workforce in different sectors
Task 2 – About whether people should be tested for driving yearly in order to ensure safer roads for transport. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Thank you so much for sharing! 🙂
Australia, Task 2 Academic – April 2018
Organised tours are planned to remote places and communities and its becoming more and more popular. Is it a positive or negative development for local people and the environment?
Thank you so much for sharing! 🙂
Dominican Republic
April 2018 – academic writing test
Some people prefer hobbies that require technology, while some prefer hobbies that do not require technology. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Thank you so much for sharing! 🙂
Location – India,
Test – General Training
Date – 9th April 2018
Task 1
Write a letter to inform your landlord about water problem which you are facing in your rented house.
What is the problem?
How is it affecting your life?
Say what you want the landlord to do
Task 2
In many societies more and more people are choosing to live on their own. What are the reasons behind this? Is it a positive or negative trend?
Thank you so much for sharing! 🙂
I had my test in Iran Tehran / April 2018 / Academic
Task 1 – Line graph – the percentage of water containing good chemicals in four countries of the UK including wales, Ireland, England and cotland between 1990 and 2012.
Task 2 – More people are interested in cosmetic surgery in order to improve their appearance. Why? Is it a positive or negative development?
Thank you so much for sharing! 🙂
HELLO! I had my test on 7th April in India (Academic)
Task 2 about "once children start school, teachers have more influence on their intellectual and social development than parents. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?"
Thank you so much for sharing! 🙂
Hi, I had my test in Dubai and it was General Training. I did it in April 2018.
Writing Task 1
Write a letter to your landlord about a problem you have with the water supply in your apartment.
-mention the issue
-the problems you face
-suggest what the landlord can do about it
Writing Task 2
more and more people choose to live alone these days. Give reasons for it. Do you think it is a positive or negative trend?
Thank you so much for sharing! 🙂
I had my Academic writing test in Nigeria in April.
Writing task 2 – The key to solving environmental problems is simple. The present generation should live a less comfortable life for the sake of future generations. Do you agree or disagree with this view?
Type of test – General Training.
April 2018
Location – Canada
Writing task 1
You and your friend are planning a picnic in the countryside. Write about –
– Which arrangements you have made
– Other activities that can be done
– How your friend can help with the arrangements
Writing Task 2
Some people think that people who are over 60 years of age should not work and retire earlier. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
General Training
USA / Chicago
May 2018
Writing Task 1
Your friend sent a guide book to you. You went on a vacation last week. Write a letter to your friend telling them about the vacation you went on.
You should include;
How much you enjoyed the vacation
How the guide book helped you
How you are going to return it
Writing Task 2
Many parents think that it is good to teach their children about money.
Why do you think it is important to teach them the value of money?
What are the ways that can help children learn about it?
Academic / May 2018 / Indonesia
Writing task 1 – a table and a line graph
Writing task 2 – emerging technology – does it reduce or increase the gap between rich people and poor people
Academic Test – Italy May 2018
Writing task 1 – describe a diagram representing the production of electricity from coal.
Writing task 2 – Some people say the internet is not necessary to live life to the full. What do you think?
Academic – I took the test in the UK on June 23rd
Task 1 – A bar chart comparing the percentage of people either in a local or rural area that takes 15 min or less to drive to different services.
Task 2 – Some people believe zoos are cruel to animals, others think they help to protect them. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Academic: venue:USA
Task 2: People are travelling more time daily either to work or to study.Some people argue that it gives more advantages and some disagree. Discuss both view and give your opinion
sajitha.
Hello,
Writing task 2 question/test 15th August
India
Some people believe that the latest technology, when used in the workplace, can enhance the lives of the workers, while others disagree.
Discuss both views and give your opinion. Â
General Training
18 August 2018
Doha-Qatar
Task 1
There are some problems with the changing rooms in a sports centre that you visit. Several complaints have been registered, but there is no success. Write a letter to the sports manager;
– What the problem is
– How you feel about the problem
– What steps you want the manager to take
Task 2
Some people believe that it is a good idea to have a uniform in the workplace. Do you agree or disagree?
Give some of your own examples and experiences.