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What essay topics will I need to write about in my IELTS, TOEFL or TOEIC test?

ScottsEnglishScottsEnglish Administrator Posts: 1,296 admin ✭✭✭✭✭✭✭
edited March 2016 in Writing
Do you know what you will have to write about in your IELTS, TOEFL or TOEIC test?

We have included some past topics from the IELTS, TOEFL and TOEIC tests below.  Review them and consider how you would respond.

Why not write about one topic in the weeks leading up to your test?  Remember, you need to write 250-300 words about these topics.  You must write under strict time limits.  For IELTS, it's 250 words in 40 minutes, for TOEFL and TOEIC it's 300-350 words in 30 minutes.

Past IELTS Academic (Ac) and General Training (G.T.) topics:


1. In recent years children have been given more freedom than in the past. Do you think this is a positive or a negative development? (Ac).

2. In some countries students spend about 5 hours a day in school and in other countries they study less. Does a shorteer school day have more advantages or disadvantages? (Ac)

3. Nowadays children are experiencing increased educational, social and commercial pressure. What are the reasons for this? What can be a solution to reduce the pressure? (Ac)

4. People should be allowed to keep all the money they earn and spend it on themselves, instead of paying part of their salaries in taxes.  Do you agree or disagree with this statement?  (Ac)

5. Some believe that advertisements of toys and snacks have a huge negative impact on children, and therefore, advertising to children should be banned. Do you agree or disagree with the statement? (Ac)

6. Some people think that younger generations are becoming less and less polite. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? (G.T).

7. Some people think that only staff who have worked in a company for a long time should be promoted to higher positions. Do you agree or disagree? (G.T)

8. Some people say that television is useful for education purposes, while others says it is useful only for entertainment. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.  (G.T.)

9. Many people believe that public transportation should be available free of charge in major cities. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this idea? (G.T.)

10. Nowadays, more and more people are using consumer goods such as refrigerators and washing machines. Are there more advantages or disadvantages to this? 


Past TOEFL topics:


1. It is sometimes said that borrowing money from a friend can harm or damage the friendship. Do you agree? Why or why not? Use reasons and specific examples to explain your answer.

2. Movies are popular all over the world. Explain why movies are so popular. Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer.

3. Is the ability to read and write more important today than in the past? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

4. Playing games teaches us about life. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

5. What do you consider to be the most important room in a house? Why is this room more important to you than any other room? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

6. Only people who earn a lot of money are successful. Do you agree or disagree?  Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

7. Some people think that children should begin their formal education at a very early age and should spend most of their time on school studies. Others believe that young children should spend most of their time playing. Compare these two views. Which view do you agree with? Why?

8. If you were asked to send one thing representing your country to an international exhibition, what would you choose? Why? Use specific reasons and details to explain your choice.

9. Which is more important for success: the natural ability you are born with or hard work? Explain your opinion, using specific reasons and examples.

10. Face-to-face communication is better than other types of communication, such as letters, e-mail, or telephone calls. Do you agree or disagree?  Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.


Past TOEIC topics:


1. Groups or organizations are an important part of some people’s lives.  Why are groups or organizations important to people? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your answer.

2. 
At some companies, the IT department saves a copy of all staff e-mails and monitors web sites visited on the Internet. Do you agree or disagree that companies should be permitted to do this? Provide reasons or examples to support your opinion.

3. 
 In some professions and occupations, such as in the health-care profession, employees must often work very long shifts of twelve or more hours. What is your opinion about this practice? Give reasons or examples to support your opinion.

4. 
Many companies periodically test their employees to make sure their on-the-job skills stay sharp. Do you think this is a good policy? Why or why not? Give reasons and examples to support your opinion.

5. 
Some people like to work at jobs that are exciting and full of challenges. other people prefer jobs where the work is routine and predictable. What kind of job would you prefer and why?

6. There are many ways to find a job: newspaper advertisements, internet job search websites, and personal recommendations. What do you think is the best way to find a job? Give reasons or examples to support your opinion.

7. 
What are the advantages and disadvantages of working in the same place as other members of your family?  Give reasons or examples to support your opinion.

8. Shopping on the Internet is bad for local businesses.  People should make more of an effort to support businesses in their local area.  Give reasons or examples to support your opinion.

9. Would you prefer to work longer hours on a daily basis and, as a result, have more vacation time? Give your opinion and explain why.

10. 
Some employees enjoy working alone. Others like to work with a team of coworkers. Which do you prefer? Give reasons or examples to support your opinion.


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