Originally published 2018. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
TL;DR — This page collects recently reported IELTS Listening 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 Listening Topics — 2026
Below are the most frequently reported listening topics and question types from recent IELTS exams. Topics are grouped by theme and ordered by frequency of appearance.
Section 1 — Everyday Conversations
Booking accommodation or travel arrangements
Registering for courses, memberships, or events
Making enquiries about services or facilities
Reporting issues or filing complaints
Arranging appointments or deliveries
Section 2 — Monologues on Daily Topics
Tours and visitor information at museums, parks, or heritage sites
Local council announcements about community services
Introductions to workplace policies or training programmes
Descriptions of facilities, events, or services
Section 3 — Academic Discussions
Students discussing research project plans
Tutorial conversations about essay feedback
Group discussions about study methods or course selection
A detailed guide to this IELTS Writing Task 2 essay type, with structure templates, useful vocabulary, and techniques to achieve Band 7+.
Originally published April 2018. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
In this post, we will look at a direct question essay example Business from the IELTS writing task 2 test.
Students often ask if the questions are repeated year after year and the answer is no, but the topics are. There are so many questions written each year, you may find your practice answering various questions on different topics. For example, you could write essays to answer questions about education or the environment, which benefits you because you learn vocabulary associated with those topics and develop ideas that can help you in your writing test. Practising writing IELTS task 2 essays on a range of topics is a great way to learn new vocabulary for those topics, but also to practice your essay structures. You begin to develop your ideas around those topics, thinking of examples and giving your opinions.
If you would like to purchase a 29 page PDF download that is easy to read and print out please take a look at the bookshop >
If you would like to learn how to structure a direct question essay please click the button below:
Take a look at the IELTS Writing Task 2 Direct Question Essay example below:
Business
Companies use a variety of methods to improve the sales of their products. What are those methods? Which is the most effective method?
Take a look at the model answer.
Many businesses choose an array of techniques to enhance the procurement of their merchandise. Firstly this essay will discuss how using the power of TV advertising can be effective and secondly, will discuss the use of social media as the most effective marketing tool.
On the one hand, many companies rely on advertisements, on TV, social media, google adwords and billboards in order to make their products well known. Once of the most popular methods – TV commercials often feature famous actors, sports stars and other well-known personalities, to try and persuade people to buy products, as fans of these people will be more likely to buy something that they are endorsing. For instance, a report by Procter and Gamble Philippines in 2017 revealed that their sales of detergent products reached an all-time high when they chose Kris Aquino as their product endorser.
On the other hand, the most effective modern method of advertising is online. Companies spend billions on Google Adwords and marketing through social media. The companies who use this method, are pushing their products in front of a huge audience, as social media apps are more widely used and downloaded than any TV station. They also have the chance of the product post going viral and being shared millions of times, which then promotes itself. For example, a study by the Philippine Business Club in 2015 reported that Twitter has been an effective tool in launching new products to the age group 18-25 since most young people are active on social media.
In conclusion, there are varieties of practices that can make a product popular with its consumers. The use of social media is the most effective tool in advertising in 2018 for it can reach all people in any part of the world.
(Word count – 287 / Band score 8)
The following video will give you contains sample Essay in audiovisual format.
Instructor Feedback on IELTS Direct Question Essay: Business
Task Achievement – The essay provides an answer to the question asked, supported by relevant examples.
Coherence and Cohesion – The answer has been divided into clear logical paragraphs and each main body paragraph only has one main idea. There are cohesive links between the main body paragraphs.
Lexical Resource – There is evidence of a wide range of vocabulary, with no errors in the text.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy – The answer has no grammatical errors. The sentences have a wide range of structures.
We hope you found this post helpful in helping you to study for the IELTS Test. Let us know in the comments or on the Facebook page if you have any questions. The best way to keep up to date with posts like this is to like us on Facebook, and then follow us onInstagramand Pinterest. We offer essay correction services, mock exams, and online courses. If you need help preparing for the IELTS Test, join the IELTS Achieve Academy and see how we can help you achieve your desired band score faster.
Take a look at the IELTS Direct Question Essay example below:
If you would like to purchase a 29 page PDF download that is easy to read and print out please take a look at the bookshop >
Education and Teaching
Fewer and fewer young people are choosing to become a teacher. Why do young people do not want to become teachers? How this could be changed?
Take a look at the model answer.
The number of college graduates who want to become professors is declining rapidly as the year’s progress. Firstly, this essay believes that students do not choose to become teachers because they think that this profession is not a high paying job and secondly, it will discuss possible solutions that could make teaching an attractive vocation. On the one hand, becoming a teacher is a very challenging career path. This is demanding work for they need a lot of patience and dedication in order to teach different kinds of personalities. In addition, the salary of a teacher is not enough to cover the costs of more than a one-person family and in order to make extra income, many teachers have second jobs. For instance, a study by the National Teachers Coalition in the Philippines in 2014 reported that 70% of secondary teachers in public schools in Metro Manila offered private study lessons outside of their school hours. On the other hand, the government should offer free scholarship grants for those students who want to pursue becoming a teacher. This could encourage them to choose the teaching profession for this would allow them to develop a career with many possibilities, once trained. The government could also raise the teaching salary to match other schools based in other countries. For example, a survey by the Department of Education in the Philippines in 2011 revealed that 6 out of 10 students chose to become a teacher after gaining a full scholarship program, with the understanding that they have to teach in their country for at least 2 years. In conclusion, to become a teacher is a noble profession. The government should compensate them for their tasks in helping future minds reach their potential. They need to offer support so that the teaching profession can continue to grow and develop.
(Word count – 306 / Band score 8)
The following video will give you contains sample Essay in audiovisual format.
Instructor Feedback on IELTS Direct Question Essay: Education and Teaching
Task Achievement – The essay provides an answer to the question asked, supported by relevant examples.
Coherence and Cohesion – The answer has been divided into clear logical paragraphs and each main body paragraph only has one main idea. There are cohesive links between the main body paragraphs.
Lexical Resource – There is evidence of a wide range of vocabulary, with no errors in the text.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy – The answer has no grammatical errors. The sentences have a wide range of structures.
We hope you found this post helpful in helping you to study for the IELTS Test. Let us know in the comments or on the Facebook page if you have any questions. The best way to keep up to date with posts like this is to like us on Facebook, and then follow us onInstagramand Pinterest. We offer essay correction services, mock exams, and online courses. If you need help preparing for the IELTS Test, join the IELTS Achieve Academy and see how we can help you achieve your desired band score faster.
A detailed guide to this IELTS Writing Task 2 essay type, with structure templates, useful vocabulary, and techniques to achieve Band 7+.
Originally published April 2018. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
In this post, we will look at a direct question essay example from the IELTS writing task 2 test. Students often ask if the questions are repeated year after year and the answer is no, but the topics are. There are so many questions written each year, you may find your practice answering various questions on different topics. For example, you could write essays to answer questions about education or the environment, which benefits you because you learn vocabulary associated with those topics and develop ideas that can help you in your writing test.
Practising writing IELTS task 2 essays on a range of topics is a great way to learn new vocabulary for those topics, but also to practice your essay structures. You begin to develop your ideas around those topics, thinking of examples and giving your opinions.
If you would like to purchase a 29 page PDF download that is easy to read and print out please take a look at the bookshop >
If you would like to learn how to structure a direct question essay please click the button below >
Nowadays, most people show more interest in popular actors rather than successful scientists. Firstly, this essay will discuss how exposure to social media is one of the reasons why this is occurring and secondly, discuss why movie actors are more recognizable to the general public than scientists.
On the one hand, the entertainment industry is widely promoted, from television, cinemas and in social media. Through the power of social media, many actors have their lives followed, so their fans can keep up to date with whatever they are doing. They often have millions of followers on Instagram posting photographs of themselves doing everyday tasks, allowing the public to have an insight into their lives. For instance, in 2017 Facebook and Instagram merged taking with them 90% of famous movie actors social media accounts, as opposed to lesser known public figures.
On the other hand, well-known movie actors are regularly placed in front of the general public, through movie theatres and television. This is a form of entertainment, that peaks our interest in them, to be followed, looked at and commented on. Many people do not follow recognised chemists or physicists in the same way as they are little known to the masses. Science is not an easy subject for most to get interested in and those who are, normally find that this is more of a niche area. For example, the University of London completed a survey in 2017 that asked students to tick the names of famous people they had heard of, with 90% choosing famous actors.
In conclusion, movie actors are regularly put in front of the masses, encouraging them to follow them on social media, whereas science and its researchers hold less interest as this is more of a niche subject.
(Word count – 294 / Band score 8)
The following video will give you contains sample Essay in audiovisual format.
Instructor Feedback on IELTS Direct Question Essay: Society
Task Achievement – The essay provides an answer to the question asked, supported by relevant examples.
Coherence and Cohesion – The answer has been divided into clear logical paragraphs and each main body paragraph only has one main idea. There are cohesive links between the main body paragraphs.
Lexical Resource – There is evidence of a wide range of vocabulary, with no errors in the text.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy – The answer has no grammatical errors. The sentences have a wide range of structures.
We hope you found this post helpful in helping you to study for the IELTS Test. Let us know in the comments or on the Facebook page if you have any questions. The best way to keep up to date with posts like this is to like us on Facebook, and then follow us onInstagramand Pinterest. We offer essay correction services, mock exams, and online courses. If you need help preparing for the IELTS Test, join the IELTS Achieve Academy and see how we can help you achieve your desired band score faster.
Take a look at the IELTS Direct Question Essay example below:
If you would like to purchase a 29 page PDF download that is easy to read and print out please take a look at the bookshop >
Education:
Some people think that children should be homeschooled when they are very young while others think it is better for them to attend a kindergarten. Which do you think is better?
Certain individuals believe that children should be educated at home from an early age whereas others consider enrolling them into a pre-school. In my view, I think that small children should attend a daycare centre. Firstly this essay will discuss the main benefit of being homeschooled and secondly, discuss the value of children attending a preschool. On the one hand, homeschooling is an option for parents to introduce education to their sons and daughters at an early age. This is done in the convenience of their own home thus can save time, energy and money that is often used when attending a normal school setting. In addition, this practice can be very effective because the attention is focused on one individual or a small group if they have siblings. This can allow the parents to teach a wide range of subjects to their child, which may be more advanced than the preschool program. For example, DEPED in the Philippines in 2017 reported that 89% of parents in the survey would choose to homeschool their children. On the other hand, a child is like a sponge at an early age, they easily absorb information and enrolling them into a pre-school can help them to learn, not only the basics but how to form social relationships. Exposing them to other children the same age can teach them how to mingle and how to form bonds. Pre-school teaches them not only how to read or write the alphabet but how to have a routine, which can teach them to become responsible. For instance, the BBC news reported in 2016 that pre-school children in the UK learn everyday tasks, like cleaning up after themselves, how to tie shoelaces and social manners. In my opinion, I believe that although homeschooling is effective I still consider pre-school to be more beneficial. This practice can expose children to other children, which is an important part of their development as humans. Furthermore, it also teaches them the value of responsibility which is a great foundation for moulding them into a responsible human being. For instance, an article in Family Matters magazine in 2016 reported that children who underwent pre-schooling were more focused and were eager to learn new skills versus children who were homeschooled. In conclusion, even though homeschooling can have benefits, it is far greater for children to attend preschool, so they can interact with their peers and learn how to have a daily routine.
(Word count – 412 / Band score 8)
The following video will give you contains sample Essay in audiovisual format.
Instructor Feedback on IELTS Direct Question Essay: Education
Task Achievement – The essay provides an answer to the question asked, supported by relevant examples.
Coherence and Cohesion – The answer has been divided into clear logical paragraphs and each main body paragraph only has one main idea. There are cohesive links between the main body paragraphs.
Lexical Resource – There is evidence of a wide range of vocabulary, with no errors in the text.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy – The answer has no grammatical errors. The sentences have a wide range of structures.
We hope you found this post helpful in helping you to study for the IELTS Test. Let us know in the comments or on the Facebook page if you have any questions. The best way to keep up to date with posts like this is to like us on Facebook, and then follow us onInstagramand Pinterest. We offer essay correction services, mock exams, and online courses. If you need help preparing for the IELTS Test, join the IELTS Achieve Academy and see how we can help you achieve your desired band score faster.
