Every month a handful of Task 2 themes resurface in test centres around the world. The list below covers the ten themes we have seen most often in the last 90 days, drawn from Reddit r/IELTS exam reports, Writing9 and IELTSPodcast question logs, IELTS Liz's 2026 predicted-topics page, and recent posts on IELTS Advantage, IELTS Buddy and IELTS-Blog. None of the prompts below are republished exam questions. Each one has been paraphrased to stay on the same theme without breaching IELTS copyright, and each has a question type labelled so you can practise the format as well as the topic. Use this page as a focused practice plan for the next four weeks: pick three or four themes you find weakest, write a timed essay on each, and run it through a band-graded checker before moving on.
1. AI in Education
Artificial intelligence keeps appearing in March and April 2026 test reports as schools roll out tutoring tools and grading systems, and examiners want to see whether candidates can argue both sides cleanly.
Some people believe artificial intelligence will transform classrooms by personalising learning for every student. Others argue that AI tools weaken critical thinking and reduce contact between teachers and learners. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Question typeDiscussion essay
See Band 7 sample essay on this theme →
2. Biodiversity Loss
Reddit users sitting the test in March 2026 reported a question on the decline of plant and animal species, and UpScore IELTS flagged a near-identical version in their March round-up. Examiners are moving past generic "pollution" prompts towards systemic environmental questions.
In recent years many countries have seen a sharp decline in plant and animal species. What are the main causes of this decline, and what measures could governments and individuals take to address it?
Question typeProblem-solution essay
See Band 7 sample essay on this theme →
3. Government Versus Individual Responsibility for the Environment
This is the framing most often used to test environmental vocabulary in 2026: who should actually fix the problem. AllThingsIELTS and IELTS.net both list it as a high-frequency 2026 prompt and r/IELTS threads in March quoted close variants from sittings in India and the UAE.
Some people argue that only governments and large companies can meaningfully address environmental problems, and that individual actions make little difference. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Question typeOpinion essay
See Band 7 sample essay on this theme →
4. Housing and Home Ownership
Housing affordability is dominating the news in many test-taking countries, and the topic has come back into rotation. Writing9 lists a home-ownership prompt as a recent April 2026 question, and several Reddit r/IELTS users in March 2026 reported a two-part variant after sittings in India.
In many countries, owning a home rather than renting is seen as very important. Why might this be the case, and is this attitude a positive or negative development for society?
Question typeTwo-part question
See Band 7 sample essay on this theme →
5. Social Media and Mental Health
Mental health remains one of the most-tested 2026 themes, and the framing has shifted from "is social media bad" to a more balanced discussion of harm and benefit. SimplyIELTS published a 2026 mental-health post and r/IELTS exam reports in February and March from the UK and Australia mentioned this theme repeatedly.
Many people believe that social media platforms are damaging the mental health of young people. Others argue that these platforms offer real benefits such as connection and support. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Question typeDiscussion essay
See Band 7 sample essay on this theme →
6. Ageing Populations
Cambridge 18 introduced an ageing-population prompt that has since become a recurring 2026 question, and UpScore's March 2026 round-up included an adult-education variant tied to the same theme. Expect either an advantages-disadvantages framing or a problem-solution one.
In many developed countries, people are living longer than ever before. Do the advantages of having an increasing proportion of older people in society outweigh the disadvantages?
Question typeAdvantages and disadvantages essay
See Band 7 sample essay on this theme →
7. Overtourism and Cultural Heritage
Overtourism has become a global news story and IELTS has caught up: BabyCode published two 2026 model answers on the topic in the last quarter, and Reddit users in late February 2026 mentioned a tourism problem-solution question.
Popular tourist destinations are increasingly struggling with the effects of mass tourism on local communities and historic sites. What problems does overtourism cause, and what steps could be taken to manage it more sustainably?
Question typeProblem-solution essay
See Band 7 sample essay on this theme →
8. Remote Work and the Shorter Working Week
Both work-from-home and four-day-week framings have shown up in March 2026 r/IELTS reports, and IELTS Charlie published a shorter-working-week model answer earlier this year. Examiners are increasingly testing flexible-work vocabulary.
An increasing number of companies now allow employees to work from home or to follow a shorter working week. Do the advantages of these flexible working arrangements outweigh the disadvantages?
Question typeAdvantages and disadvantages essay
See Band 7 sample essay on this theme →
9. Children, Smartphones and Screen Time
The IELTS International 2026 page (last verified April 2026) lists screen-time as a recurring prompt, and Reddit r/IELTS users in March and April 2026 reported smartphone-and-children questions in opinion format.
Some people argue that parents should strictly limit the amount of time children spend on smartphones and other screens each day. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Question typeOpinion essay
See Band 7 sample essay on this theme →
10. University Degrees Versus Practical Skills
The "what is a university actually for" question keeps coming back. Magoosh's 2026 Task 2 guide highlights it as a high-frequency education prompt, and r/IELTS users in February 2026 reported a near-identical discussion question.
Some people think universities should focus on giving graduates the practical skills employers need. Others argue that the role of a university is to support knowledge and learning for their own sake. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Question typeDiscussion essay
See Band 7 sample essay on this theme →
How These Themes Shift From Month to Month
Trends move slowly. Roughly half of these themes (AI, environment, social media, ageing, education) reappear month after month with slight reframings. The other half rotate in based on news cycles: housing affordability, overtourism and the shorter working week have all gained ground in 2026 because they map directly onto stories candidates are reading every day. The practical takeaway is to organise your preparation around the durable themes first, then add the seasonal ones in the final weeks before your test.
We will publish a fresh list at the end of every month so you always know what is in rotation. Past months will be linked from the section below as they are released.
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Browse Other Months
Other monthly lists will be linked here as they are published.