LibraryThis page contains 35 band 9 model essays for IELTS Writing Task 2. Every essay has been reviewed by former IELTS examiners from our team at IELTSPodcast.
Each model answer shows you what a top-scoring response looks like for a specific question type. Study how the essays are structured, how ideas are developed, and how vocabulary is used in context.
In our experience helping thousands of students, the most effective way to use sample essays is to read the question first, plan your own answer, and then compare it with the model. This builds your ability to think through essay questions under pressure.
The essays are organised by question type. Pick the type you find most difficult and start there.
- Agree or disagree
- Discuss both views and give your opinion
- Advantages and disadvantages
- Problems and solutions
- Positive or negative development
1. Agree or disagree?
- Some people believe that technology has made man more social. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
- Some people think that a person improves their intellectual skills more when doing group activities. To what extent do you agree? Use specific details and examples to explain your view.
- In some countries, the number of shootings increase because many people have guns at home. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
- Some people believe that international sporting events are the ideal opportunity to show the world the qualities of the hosting nation. Others believe that these events are mainly a large unjustifiable expense. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- Crime is a big problem in the world; many believe that nothing can be done to prevent it. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give your own opinion.
- Doing an enjoyable activity with a child can develop better skills and more creativity than reading. To what extent do you agree? Use reasons and specific examples to explain your answer.
- Improvements in health, education and trade are essential for the development of poorer nations. However, the governments of richer nations should take more responsibility for helping the poorer nations in such areas. To what extent do you agree?
- Advances in health and biology and other areas of society in the last 100 years have transformed the way we live as well as postponing the day we die. There is no better time to be alive than now. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
- The world is consuming natural resources faster than they can be renewed. Therefore, it is important that products are made to last. Governments should discourage people from constantly buying more up-to-date or fashionable products. To what extent do you agree with this statement?
- Some people believe that children’s leisure activities must be educational, otherwise, they are a complete waste of time. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your experience.
- Many governments in the world spend large amounts of money on art, which helps to improve the quality of people’s lives. However, governments should spend money on other things rather than art. Do you agree or disagree? Give your opinion.
2. Discuss both views and give your point of view?
- NEW SEPTEMBER 2022: Some people believe that professionals such as doctors and engineers should be required to work in the country where they did their training. Others believe they should be free to work in another country if they wish. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
- Nowadays most green energy is becoming evermore prevalent in both developed and developing countries. Some argue they greatly reduce costs and are better for the environment, others believe they are a serious threat to energy security. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
- Some people are of the opinion that children should be rewarded for good behaviour. Others think they should be punished for bad behaviour. Discuss both views and give your personal opinion and reasons.
- Some people think that keeping pets is good for children while others think it is dangerous and unhealthy. Which opinion do you agree with? Discuss both options and give examples.
- Some people think that secondary school children should study international news as one of the school subjects. Other people think that it is a waste of valuable school time. What do you think? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
- Some products can be made quickly by a machine. Other items take a long time to be made by hand. As a buyer, which do you prefer and why? Give specific details and examples in your answer.
- Some people think women should be given equal chances to work and excel in their careers. Others believe that a woman’s role should be limited to taking care of the house and children. Which opinion do you agree with and why? Include specific details and examples to support your choice.
- Most schools are planning to replace sports and exercise classes with more academic sessions. How will this change affect children’s lives in your view?
- Some people think that schools have to be more entertaining, while others think that their sole purpose is to educate. Which do you agree with? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
- Some people think that it is acceptable to use animals in medical research for the benefit of human beings, while other people argue that it is wrong.
- Should humans adapt to technology or should technology be adapted to us? Is technology making us intellectually weaker or more intelligent?
- Do copyright laws limit creativity or reward it? Would society function better without such rules and regulations?
- Should education and healthcare be free of charge and funded by the government, or should it be the responsibility of the people to pay for these services? Discuss the above and give your opinion using examples.
3. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages
- Is it good for children to start using computers from an early age and spend long hours on them? Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
- Some people think high school graduates should travel or work for a period of time instead of going directly to study at university. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both approaches. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
4. Two questions, for example: Why is this happening? Is this a positive or negative development?
- These days some people spend a lot of money on tickets to go to sporting or events. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
- Some people like to travel outside their country. Others would rather travel to tourist spots in their own country first, before travelling abroad. Which do you prefer to do and why? Include specific details and examples to support your choice.
- Women can do everything that men can and they even do it better. They also can do many things that men cannot. But it is a fact that their work is not appreciated as much as men’s, although they have to sacrifice a lot for their family and career… It is said: “A woman’s place is in the home.” What do you think?
5. Discuss the problems and possible solutions OR discuss the causes and what problems it causes?
- People are using a lot of online language translation apps. Do the benefits of this outweigh the disadvantages?
- Obesity is a serious problem in many countries, especially in rich countries. Discuss ways to solve the problem. Provide specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
- Today, the quality of life in large cities is decreasing. Discuss the causes and solutions.
- Research shows that global warming is caused by human activity. What are the possible effects of climate change and what can governments and individuals do to reduce these?
- In many countries, recently young single people have been living far from their parents, from the time they began studies or work and until they married. Do you think there are more advantages or disadvantages to this trend?
- Traditional schooling is out of date, boring and stifles a child’s natural talents, various professionals have pushed for an education revolution. Are there alternatives in the education system? Is traditional education doing more harm than good?
Take a look at some of our writing tasks to help you prepare for your IELTS exam, and if you need more help, we have a course that is guaranteed to help you pass IELTS. Practicing IELTS writing task 2 essays is very important for your exam preparation.
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Get feedback on your writing
Reading model essays is a strong start. Across the essays we have corrected, the most common reason students stay at band 6 is they repeat the same sentence structures and vocabulary throughout their response.
If you want to find out exactly where you are losing marks, try our free essay check for a quick score estimate. For detailed feedback from former IELTS examiners, see our essay correction service.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How to score band 9 in IELTS writing?
You can score band 9 in IELTS writing by following these steps:
- Make sure you understand the question and answer what is being asked.
- Plan out your essay before you start writing
- Write your essay, review it and then “rewrite” it.
- Get feedback on your essays and find out where you may be losing points.
- Improve your language skills.
Read this post for more tips.
How do you write a band 9 essay?
Answer the question fully and stay focused throughout. Use clear paragraphing with a topic sentence at the start of each body paragraph. Your ideas should flow logically from one to the next. You need a wide range of vocabulary used accurately, and your grammar should be nearly error-free.
From the essays our former examiners have reviewed, the students who score highest are those who plan before they write. Spend three to four minutes planning your essay structure before you start.
How can I get band 9 in IELTS writing?
Read model answers and study how they are structured. Then practise writing your own essays under timed conditions. Compare your work with the model answers on this page to spot gaps in your vocabulary and argumentation.
The biggest jumps in band score come from getting specific feedback on your writing. Our essay correction service gives you detailed comments from former IELTS examiners on each of the four marking criteria.
Can you get band 10 in IELTS?
No. The highest band score in IELTS is 9. Most top universities require band 7 or 7.5 for admission. A perfect score is not necessary and very few candidates achieve it.
Band 9 IELTS Essay Samples: 35 Model Answers for Writing Task 2 (Free PDF) | IELTSPodcast
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