While you cannot predict the exact Task 2 question, the same 30 broad topics appear in IELTS exams with remarkable regularity. Preparing ideas, vocabulary, and arguments for these themes before the exam means you spend less time thinking during the exam and more time writing. This guide identifies the 30 most common topics and provides key arguments and vocabulary for each.
1Technology and Society Topics
1. Artificial intelligence and employment — Advantage: increased efficiency; Disadvantage: job displacement. Key words: automation, algorithm, machine learning, redundancy, upskilling. 2. Social media and communication — Pro: connectivity, information access; Con: misinformation, mental health. Key words: platform, algorithm, digital well-being, polarisation. 3. Online privacy — Pro: data protection laws; Con: surveillance capitalism. Key words: data breach, encryption, consent, digital footprint. 4. Technology in education — Pro: accessible learning resources; Con: reduced critical thinking. Key words: e-learning, digital literacy, engagement, distraction. 5. Screen time and children — Risk: developmental harm; Benefit: educational content. Key words: neurological development, social skills, parental regulation.
2Education Topics
6. University fees — Free education supporters: social mobility; Opponents: cost burden to taxpayer. 7. Gap year — Benefits: maturity, cultural exposure; Risks: momentum loss. 8. Boarding school — Pro: independence, discipline; Con: family separation. 9. Single-sex schools — Pro: gender-specific learning; Con: lack of gender interaction preparation. 10. Vocational vs academic education — Skills-based argument vs academic breadth. Key words: apprenticeship, critical thinking, industry-readiness, curriculum. 11. Standardised testing — Pro: objective measure; Con: teaching to the test. 12. Foreign language learning — Benefits: cognitive, cultural, economic. Key words: multilingualism, neural plasticity, global citizenship.
3Environment and Health Topics
13. Climate change action — Individual vs systemic responsibility. 14. Plastic pollution — Sources: overconsumption, inadequate recycling. Solutions: regulation, biodegradable alternatives. 15. Urban green space — Benefits: mental health, biodiversity, air quality. 16. Vegetarian/vegan diet — Environmental benefit: lower carbon footprint; Health benefits; Cultural considerations. 17. Universal healthcare — Arguments: equity, prevention, economic productivity vs cost. 18. Obesity — Causes: ultra-processed food, sedentary lifestyle; Solutions: taxation, education. 19. Mental health awareness — Reduction of stigma, increased services, workplace wellbeing programmes. 20. Ageing population — Economic impact on welfare systems; Solutions: immigration, retirement age adjustment.
4Society, Economy and Globalisation Topics
21. Income inequality — Causes: globalisation, automation; Solutions: progressive taxation, living wage. 22. Immigration — Economic contributions vs social integration challenges. 23. Tourism — Environmental degradation vs economic development. 24. Gender equality — Workplace, political representation, education. 25. Crime and punishment — Rehabilitation vs deterrence. 26. Death penalty — Ethical arguments, deterrence evidence, wrongful conviction risk. 27. Volunteering — Community benefit, personal development. 28. Advertising — Influence on children, consumerism, cultural homogenisation. 29. Sport and government funding — Health benefits, national identity vs opportunity cost. 30. Globalisation — Cultural homogenisation vs economic development and poverty reduction.
🎯 Key Takeaway
Do not try to memorise arguments for all 30 topics at once. Start with the five you are most unfamiliar with and build 3–4 strong arguments per topic per week. In the exam, you will likely encounter a topic you have prepared — and the time saved by not having to generate ideas from scratch is time spent writing a more developed, higher-scoring response.