IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics 2026: Topic Bank + Academic Vocabulary List
IELTS Task 2 covers the same seven topic areas in almost every sitting: technology, environment, education, health, society, economy, and government. This guide gives you 50+ real exam titles across all six question types, a 200-word academic vocabulary bank organised by function and topic area, and explains exactly what an AI examiner checks when scoring your Lexical Resource.
The 6 Task 2 question types
Every IELTS Writing Task 2 prompt falls into one of six types. The question type determines the essay structure - and the wrong structure will cost you Task Achievement marks regardless of how good your vocabulary is.
| Type | Signal phrase | Required structure |
|---|---|---|
| Opinion / Agree-Disagree | To what extent do you agree or disagree? | State your position clearly; support with 2 reasons; don't sit on the fence |
| Discussion | Discuss both views and give your opinion | One paragraph per view; one paragraph for your opinion |
| Problem / Solution | What problems does this cause? / What solutions can be suggested? | Causes or problems in one paragraph; solutions in the next |
| Advantages / Disadvantages | Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? | One side per paragraph; clear stance in the conclusion |
| Two-Part Question | Why is this? / How could this be solved? | Answer each question in its own paragraph; both must be addressed |
| Direct Question | Is this a positive or negative development? | State and support a clear position; avoid neutral essays |
Topic bank: 50+ real exam titles (2026)
Cambridge recycles topics on a predictable rotation. The titles below represent the clusters that appear in real exams - the phrasing changes slightly but the core argument rarely does. Practising three or four titles from each area means you will not face an unfamiliar topic on exam day.
Technology
- 1.Artificial intelligence will eventually replace most human workers. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- 2.People rely too heavily on technology for everyday tasks. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
- 3.Governments should control internet content to prevent misinformation. To what extent do you agree?
- 4.Social media has had a more negative than positive impact on society. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
- 5.Online learning will eventually replace traditional classroom education. To what extent do you agree?
- 6.Technology has made remote work possible. Is this a positive or negative development?
- 7.Why do many people find it difficult to disconnect from technology? How can this be addressed?
Environment
- 1.Governments should impose heavy taxes on companies that pollute the environment. To what extent do you agree?
- 2.Individual actions cannot prevent climate change - only government action can. Discuss both views.
- 3.What are the causes of environmental pollution in cities? What solutions can be suggested?
- 4.The benefits of renewable energy outweigh the costs of switching from fossil fuels. Do you agree?
- 5.Going vegetarian is the most effective individual action for the environment. To what extent do you agree?
- 6.Biodiversity in many regions has decreased sharply. Why? What steps can reverse this?
- 7.The best way to protect the environment is to raise the price of fuel. To what extent do you agree?
Education
- 1.Universities should focus on job-relevant skills rather than a broad academic education. To what extent do you agree?
- 2.Some parents educate children at home. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
- 3.Educational systems place too much emphasis on examinations. To what extent do you agree?
- 4.The gap in achievement between rich and poor students is increasing. Why? What can be done?
- 5.Students are less interested in science and maths. What are the causes? What solutions are there?
- 6.Private schools produce better outcomes than state schools. Discuss both views.
- 7.Children should learn their own country's history before world history. To what extent do you agree?
Health
- 1.Governments should ban all junk food advertising. To what extent do you agree?
- 2.Obesity is caused by lifestyle choices, not economic factors. To what extent do you agree?
- 3.Free healthcare should be available to all citizens. Discuss both views.
- 4.Mental health problems are becoming more common. What are the causes? What solutions exist?
- 5.People live longer than ever before. Is this a positive or negative development?
- 6.The benefits of regular physical exercise outweigh the time it requires. Do you agree?
Society & Culture
- 1.The gap between rich and poor is growing. What problems does this cause? What solutions are there?
- 2.The tradition of families eating together is disappearing. How does this affect society?
- 3.Immigration has more benefits for a host country than it has drawbacks. To what extent do you agree?
- 4.Young people identify more with a global identity than a national one. Is this positive or negative?
- 5.Crime rates are better reduced by addressing poverty than by punishing offenders. Do you agree?
- 6.International tourism causes more harm than good. Discuss both views.
- 7.The elderly are increasingly cared for in nursing homes. Is this a positive or negative development?
Economy & Government
- 1.The best way to reduce traffic congestion is to invest in public transport. To what extent do you agree?
- 2.Everyone should pay the same amount of tax. Others say tax should be based on income. Discuss both views.
- 3.Free trade between countries benefits the economy overall. Do you agree?
- 4.Governments should do more to protect traditional cultures. To what extent do you agree?
- 5.What are the causes of rising house prices in major cities? What can governments do?
- 6.Citizens should be required to perform a year of national service. To what extent do you agree?
Academic vocabulary by essay function
Lexical Resource counts for 25% of your Task 2 band. The examiner is looking for a wide range of vocabulary used accurately and naturally - not a list of rare words shoehorned into sentences where they don't belong. The words below are grouped by the function they serve in an essay, so you can reach for the right one at the right moment.
Stating a position / opinion
| Word / phrase | Example in context |
|---|---|
| contend | I contend that... |
| assert | It can be asserted that... |
| maintain | Many experts maintain that... |
| posit | Some economists posit that... |
| submit | I submit that the evidence points to... |
Adding a supporting point
| Word / phrase | Example in context |
|---|---|
| furthermore | Furthermore, research suggests... |
| moreover | Moreover, the data indicates... |
| in addition | In addition, governments could... |
| a further consideration | A further consideration is... |
| compounding this | Compounding this is the fact that... |
Conceding / contrasting
| Word / phrase | Example in context |
|---|---|
| nevertheless | Nevertheless, critics argue... |
| notwithstanding | Notwithstanding these concerns... |
| conversely | Conversely, others believe... |
| paradoxically | Paradoxically, this policy may... |
| that said | That said, there are cases where... |
Cause and effect
| Word / phrase | Example in context |
|---|---|
| precipitate | This has precipitated a sharp rise in... |
| engender | Inequality engenders social unrest. |
| exacerbate | Inaction will exacerbate the problem. |
| alleviate | Investment can alleviate poverty. |
| mitigate | Regulations can mitigate the damage. |
| give rise to | Automation gives rise to new industries. |
| stimulate | Competition stimulates innovation. |
Giving examples
| Word / phrase | Example in context |
|---|---|
| exemplify | This is exemplified by... |
| illustrate | Nordic countries illustrate this well. |
| corroborate | Studies corroborate this view. |
| underscore | These findings underscore the need for... |
| demonstrate | The data demonstrates that... |
Qualifying / hedging
| Word / phrase | Example in context |
|---|---|
| arguably | This is arguably the most effective approach. |
| predominantly | The problem is predominantly urban. |
| invariably | Poverty invariably limits opportunity. |
| considerably | Costs have risen considerably. |
| to a certain extent | To a certain extent, both sides are correct. |
Concluding
| Word / phrase | Example in context |
|---|---|
| ultimately | Ultimately, the responsibility lies with... |
| in conclusion | In conclusion, it is evident that... |
| fundamentally | Fundamentally, this is a question of... |
| it is clear that | It is clear that action is required. |
| on balance | On balance, the benefits outweigh... |
Vocabulary by topic area
Beyond general essay language, each topic area has its own specialist vocabulary. Using the right domain-specific word signals topic knowledge and earns Lexical Resource marks at Band 7+.
Technology
- proliferation - rapid spreading (of smartphones)
- automation - replacement of tasks by machines
- algorithm - a set of rules a computer follows
- disruptive - changing an industry fundamentally
- surveillance - monitoring behaviour
- digitisation - converting to digital format
- cybersecurity - protection of digital systems
Environment
- depletion - reduction of a natural resource
- biodiversity - variety of living things in a habitat
- anthropogenic - caused by human activity
- mitigation - reducing the severity of a problem
- sustainability - using resources without depleting them
- ecosystem - community of interacting organisms
- greenhouse emissions - gases trapping heat
Education
- pedagogy - the theory and practice of teaching
- curriculum - subjects taught in a school or course
- attainment - level of academic achievement
- literacy - ability to read and write proficiently
- numeracy - ability to work with numbers
- vocational - related to a specific job or trade
- holistic - developing the whole person, not just skills
Health
- prevalence - how common a disease or condition is
- sedentary - involving little or no physical activity
- wellbeing - state of being healthy and comfortable
- intervention - action taken to change a situation
- morbidity - rate of disease in a population
- preventive medicine - stopping illness before it starts
- nutrition - process of taking food for health
Society & Culture
- inequality - unfair differences in wealth or opportunity
- social cohesion - unity within a community
- urbanisation - growth of cities at the expense of rural areas
- marginalised - treated as less important or peripheral
- social mobility - movement between economic classes
- demographic - statistical data about a population
- cultural integration - combining different cultural groups
Economy & Government
- disparity - a great difference in level or quality
- expenditure - money spent by an organisation or government
- globalization - worldwide integration of economies
- subsidise - support an industry financially
- legislation - law or set of laws
- accountability - responsibility for one's actions
- austerity - strict spending cuts to reduce debt
How AI examiner scoring reads your vocabulary
Lexical Resource is one of the four criteria that determines your Writing band - each criterion counts for 25%. When an AI examiner reads your essay, it is checking for three specific things under this criterion:
Range
How many different words do you use? A Band 6 essay often repeats the same 30-40 words. A Band 7+ essay demonstrates a wider repertoire, including the kind of topic-specific vocabulary in this guide.
Accuracy
Are words used in the right context with the right collocation? 'Make a pollution' is wrong; 'cause pollution' is correct. AI feedback flags misused collocations that human readers might overlook.
Naturalness
Does the vocabulary feel forced? Stuffing rare words into unnatural sentences loses marks. 'The proliferation of automobiles has engendered congestion' is natural. 'Cars proliferate the roads' is not.
The difference between Band 6 and Band 7 Lexical Resource is rarely about knowing more words. It is about using the words you know accurately and appropriately. AI feedback from an IELTS writing checker catches the specific collocations and overused words that are dragging your Lexical Resource band down - which is something you cannot easily see yourself when re-reading your own writing.
Band 6 vs Band 7 - the vocabulary difference
Band 6 (limited range, repetition)
“Technology is very important in modern life. Technology helps people do many things. Many people use technology every day because it is useful and helpful.”
Band 7 (varied, topic-specific)
“The proliferation of digital devices has fundamentally altered how individuals manage daily tasks. This widespread adoption has engendered both convenience and over-dependence in equal measure.”
Using academic vocabulary naturally
The biggest vocabulary mistake IELTS candidates make is learning words in isolation and then inserting them wherever a sentence appears. Examiners call this “vocabulary stuffing” and it can actually lower your Lexical Resource band because it signals that you do not fully understand how a word works.
- Learn collocations, not just words. “Mitigate the effects” is correct. “Mitigate the problem” is marginally acceptable. “Mitigate the issue” is awkward. Learn which nouns a verb collocates with.
- Replace your most-repeated words first. If you use “important” three times, replace one with “significant”, one with “pivotal”, and keep one instance of “important”. Variety, not complexity, earns the marks.
- Use topic vocabulary in the body, not the conclusion. Academic terms like “biodiversity” and “pedagogy” should appear where you are making your argument, not as decoration in the conclusion.
- Check your collocations with a practice test. When AI feedback flags a collocation error, it shows you the exact word pairing - which is faster than reading a grammar book.
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