IELTS Writing Predictions Task 1 and Task 2 (2026)
IELTS Writing predictions 2026: 25 Task 2 prompts by essay type, 12 Academic Task 1 visuals and 8 GT letters, each with a plan, plus a timed drill week.
14 min readPublished Oct 28, 2026Updated Oct 31, 2026
Quick answer
This page now has 45 original practice tasks: 25 Task 2 prompts, 12 Academic Task 1 visuals and 8 GT letters. In our 2023-2026 packs, Task 2 types are spread almost evenly, so practise all five types instead of guessing one. These are predictions based on recurring patterns, not leaked questions.
| Task 2 type (Academic, 2023-2026 packs) | Prompts | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Opinion (agree or disagree) | 15 | 23% |
| Discuss both views | 15 | 23% |
| Advantages and disadvantages | 13 | 20% |
| Problem or cause and solution | 12 | 18% |
| Two-part question | 11 | 17% |
Counts: Daily English Pro 2023-2026 Academic Writing packs (66 Task 2 prompts), counted 31 October 2026. Format: IELTS.org Writing format.
Method and disclaimer
Writing predictions here mean high-frequency topic domains and essay types, not leaked prompts. Recent Academic packs recycle themes such as AI and education, remote work, environment, second-hand consumption, and social policy, framed as opinion, discussion, advantages, problem-solution or two-part questions.
Confirm Task 1 / Task 2 timing on IELTS test format (IELTS.org). Mark drafts against the IELTS Writing band descriptors (IELTS.org PDF). If you booked Writing on Paper, do at least half of your timed essays by hand.
Task 2 topic clusters for Q4 2026
Rotate essay types inside each cluster so you do not only practise agree/disagree. A cluster is “covered” when you can plan two different question types on it in under eight minutes each.
| Cluster | Typical angles | Essay types to rotate |
|---|---|---|
| Technology & work | AI in education, remote work, screen time | Opinion / Discussion / Two-part |
| Environment | Plastic, transport investment, climate education | Advantages / Problem-solution |
| Education | Online degrees, vocational vs university, homework | Discussion / Opinion |
| Society & lifestyle | Ageing populations, volunteering, advertising | Discussion / Two-part |
| Health | Fast food rules, mental health, school sport | Problem-solution / Opinion |
- Keep a one-line thesis template per essay type (agree, discuss both + opinion, outweigh, causes/solutions, two questions)
- Ban generic openings that never answer the instruction line
Task 1 forecast focus
Academic Task 1 predictions are about visual families more than topics: line/bar/pie/table, maps, processes, and mixed charts. General Training Task 1 stays letter tone: formal, semi-formal, informal for request, complaint, invitation, advice and similar purposes.
Visuals
Academic Task 1
Practise selecting key features, grouping data, and comparing without listing every number.
- •Task 1 Academic guide
- •Map and process weeks matter
- •Overview first, then details
Letters
General Training Task 1
Practise purpose + tone + bullet coverage under 20 minutes.
- •Formal vs informal openers
- •Cover every bullet
- •Clear call to action when needed
Task 2 prompt bank: 25 practice prompts by essay type
In our 2023-2026 Academic Writing packs, the 66 Task 2 prompts split almost evenly across five essay types (see the table at the top of this page), so practise all five rather than guessing one. The prompts below are original, written in the topic families that keep recurring; they are predictions based on patterns, not leaked questions. Each row gives a one-line plan that targets Task Response, the criterion most often capped by off-topic answers.
| Essay type | Topic | Practice prompt | One-line plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opinion (agree or disagree) | Technology | Some people believe that children under the age of 12 should not be allowed to own a smartphone. To what extent do you agree or disagree? | Pick one clear position (for example, mostly agree) and repeat it in the introduction, both topic sentences and the conclusion. Body ideas: attention and sleep; safety and contact with parents. |
| Opinion (agree or disagree) | Environment | Governments should tax private cars much more heavily in order to reduce traffic and pollution. To what extent do you agree or disagree? | A partly-agree answer works well: taxes change behaviour, but only if public transport is a real alternative. Give one example city policy in general terms, without invented statistics. |
| Opinion (agree or disagree) | Education | University education should be free for every student who meets the entry requirements. To what extent do you agree or disagree? | Separate the principle (equal access) from the cost (who pays: taxpayers or graduates). A strong conclusion restates your view and the condition that limits it. |
| Opinion (agree or disagree) | Work | A four-day working week would benefit both employees and employers. To what extent do you agree or disagree? | Notice the prompt has two groups: employees and employers. Address both, or the Task Response score is capped. Ideas: wellbeing and retention; coverage and customer service. |
| Opinion (agree or disagree) | Culture | Governments should spend more money on protecting traditional crafts than on building new art galleries. To what extent do you agree or disagree? | Comparative prompts need a comparison in every paragraph, not two separate descriptions. Ideas: crafts disappear when masters retire; galleries attract tourism. |
| Discuss both views | Education | Some people think online learning is just as effective as classroom teaching, while others believe face-to-face lessons are essential. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. | One body paragraph per view, then your opinion stated in the introduction and conclusion (or a short third paragraph). Do not hide your view until the last line. |
| Discuss both views | Cities and transport | Some people believe cities should invest mainly in public transport, while others think building more roads is the best way to reduce congestion. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. | Explain the logic of each side fairly before judging. Useful contrast: roads give short-term relief, public transport changes long-term demand. |
| Discuss both views | Sport and government spending | Some people think hosting international sporting events such as the Olympics benefits a country, while others say it wastes public money. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. | Benefits: infrastructure, global image, tourism. Costs: debt, unused stadiums. A balanced opinion can depend on planning: 'only when venues have a long-term use'. |
| Discuss both views | Education | Some people say children should start learning a foreign language at primary school, while others think it is better to begin at secondary school. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. | Early start: pronunciation and confidence. Later start: stronger first-language base and more focused study. Support each with a short example, not a personal story only. |
| Discuss both views | Media | Some people believe celebrities have a responsibility to be good role models, while others argue that their private lives are their own business. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. | Distinguish public behaviour from private life; that distinction can be your opinion. Vocabulary support: media topic vocabulary. |
| Advantages and disadvantages | Technology | More and more people are using artificial intelligence tools to write emails and reports at work. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages? | 'Outweigh' requires a judgement: say which side is heavier in the introduction. Advantages: speed, clarity for non-native writers. Disadvantages: errors, weaker skills, privacy. |
| Advantages and disadvantages | Society | In many countries, more people are living alone than ever before. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend? | No 'outweigh' here, so a balanced essay is fine; an opinion is optional. Advantages: independence, freedom. Disadvantages: loneliness, housing demand, cost. |
| Advantages and disadvantages | Work | Many supermarkets now use self-service checkouts instead of cashiers. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages? | Consider three groups: shoppers, staff and the business. A good body paragraph names who gains and who loses, then explains the effect. |
| Advantages and disadvantages | Work | Some companies now allow employees to choose their own working hours. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this for companies and workers? | Again two groups are named, so cover both. Linking contrast: 'while flexible hours improve morale, they can make teamwork harder to coordinate'. |
| Advantages and disadvantages | Tourism | International tourism has grown rapidly in recent decades. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages for the local communities that receive tourists? | Keep the focus on local communities, not tourists themselves; drifting off-focus is a common Task Response error. Ideas: jobs and income versus rising rents and crowding. |
| Problem or cause and solution | Housing | In many cities, young adults cannot afford to buy or rent a home. What are the causes of this problem, and what solutions can you suggest? | Match each solution to a cause: limited supply leads to building more; investor demand leads to tax rules. Unmatched lists look memorised. |
| Problem or cause and solution | Health | Rates of childhood obesity are rising in many countries. What are the main causes, and what measures could be taken to address the problem? | Causes: diet, screen time, less outdoor play. Measures: school meals, sugar taxes, safe play spaces. Vocabulary: health topic vocabulary. |
| Problem or cause and solution | Society | Many people today feel lonely even though they are constantly connected online. Why is this the case, and what can be done about it? | This is cause plus solution in disguise ('why' plus 'what can be done'). Explain the paradox clearly: online contact can replace, not add to, face-to-face time. |
| Problem or cause and solution | Environment | The amount of plastic waste in the oceans is increasing. What problems does this cause, and how can they be solved? | 'Problems' means effects, not causes. Effects: wildlife, food chain, tourism. Solutions at three levels: individuals, companies, governments. |
| Problem or cause and solution | Food and farming | Fewer young people are choosing to work in farming. What problems could this cause, and what could be done to encourage more young people into agriculture? | Problems: food security, ageing rural areas. Solutions: technology that makes farming modern, training grants. Keep each solution specific and realistic. |
| Two-part question | Media | Many people now get their news from social media rather than from newspapers or television. Why is this happening? Is it a positive or negative development? | Answer both questions with roughly equal weight: one paragraph each. Your judgement in question two should appear in the introduction too. |
| Two-part question | Society | In some countries, people are choosing to have children later in life. Why is this happening? What effects does this have on families and society? | Reasons: education, careers, housing costs. Effects: split into families and society, as the prompt does. Avoid judging unless asked. |
| Two-part question | Consumerism | Some people prefer to buy second-hand clothes and furniture. Why do they do this? Should governments encourage this trend? | Reasons: price, sustainability, unique style. Government question needs a clear yes or no plus one practical measure (for example, tax relief for repair shops). |
| Two-part question | Culture | Many museums and historical sites now offer virtual tours online. Why is this? Do you think virtual visits will ever replace real ones? | Prediction questions reward hedged language: 'are unlikely to fully replace', 'may become a complement'. Give a reason the real visit still matters. |
| Two-part question | Crime | Crime committed by young people is a concern in many places. What are the main reasons young people commit crimes? What is the most effective way to prevent this? | 'Most effective' asks you to choose one solution and defend it, not list five. Vocabulary: crime topic vocabulary. |
Task 1 forecast bank: 12 Academic visuals and 8 General Training letters
Academic Task 1 in our packs leans towards charts (40 of 120), processes (22), line graphs (19) and maps (15), while General Training letters are mostly semi-formal (67 of 120). The tasks below follow that mix. Write at least 150 words in about 20 minutes, and remember that Task 2 carries twice the weight of Task 1, so do not overspend time here.
| Task type | Practice task | What the examiner looks for |
|---|---|---|
| Academic: line graph | The graph shows the average daily screen time of teenagers in three countries between 2010 and 2025. | Overview: overall direction plus the highest and lowest country. Group countries with similar trends in one paragraph. Write a two-sentence overview of the main trends; do not list every number. |
| Academic: line graph | The graph shows the percentage of electricity generated from coal, wind and solar power in one country from 2000 to 2025. | The crossover point (when renewables overtake coal) is the key feature; name the approximate year and use overtake or surpass. Write a two-sentence overview of the main trends; do not list every number. |
| Academic: bar chart | The bar chart compares the number of international students in five cities in 2015 and 2025. | Compare cities, not years one by one. Highlight the largest increase and any city that fell. Write a two-sentence overview of the main trends; do not list every number. |
| Academic: bar chart | The chart shows how many hours per week men and women in four age groups spend exercising. | Two variables (gender and age): choose one main grouping for paragraphs and mention the other inside each paragraph. Write a two-sentence overview of the main trends; do not list every number. |
| Academic: pie charts | The pie charts show how an average household in one country spent its income in 1995 and 2025. | Use proportion language (a quarter, just over a third, the largest share). Report what grew, what shrank and what stayed stable. Write a two-sentence overview of the main trends; do not list every number. |
| Academic: table | The table gives information about library visits, book loans and e-book downloads in four cities in 2024. | Pick three or four meaningful comparisons, such as the city with high visits but low loans. Tables punish copying every figure. Write a two-sentence overview of the main trends; do not list every number. |
| Academic: table | The table shows the percentage of commuters using cars, buses, trains and bicycles in one city in 2005, 2015 and 2025. | Treat it like a line graph in disguise: describe each mode's direction over time, then compare the modes. Write a two-sentence overview of the main trends; do not list every number. |
| Academic: mixed charts | The line graph shows visitor numbers to a coastal town from 2015 to 2025, and the pie chart shows the main reasons people visited in 2025. | The overview must cover both visuals in one or two sentences. Give each visual its own body paragraph. Write a two-sentence overview of the main trends; do not list every number. |
| Academic: maps | The maps show the centre of a small town in 2000 and today. | Overview: the general direction of change (more pedestrian, more commercial). Organise by area and use passive forms: was replaced by, was converted into. Write a two-sentence overview of the main trends; do not list every number. |
| Academic: maps | The plans show a university campus before and after a new library and sports area were built. | Use location language (to the north of, adjacent to, in place of). Mention what stayed the same as well as what changed. Write a two-sentence overview of the main trends; do not list every number. |
| Academic: process | The diagram shows how rainwater is collected, filtered and stored for household use. | Overview: number of stages, the start point and the end product. Use the passive and sequencers (first, after this, finally). Write a two-sentence overview of the main trends; do not list every number. |
| Academic: process | The diagram shows the life cycle of a honeybee. | Natural cycles use the active voice more than manufacturing processes. Say clearly that the cycle repeats. Write a two-sentence overview of the main trends; do not list every number. |
| GT letter: complaint (formal) | You bought a kitchen appliance online, but it stopped working after a week. Write a letter to the company. In your letter, say what you bought, describe the problem and say what you would like the company to do. | Formal tone: Dear Sir or Madam, Yours faithfully. Firm but polite; state the action you want (refund or replacement) clearly in the final bullet. |
| GT letter: request (semi-formal) | Write a letter to your manager asking to change your working hours for three months. In your letter, explain why you need the change, suggest a new schedule and say how your work will be covered. | Semi-formal: Dear Ms Lee, Kind regards or Yours sincerely. The third bullet (cover) is what makes the request persuasive; give it a full paragraph. |
| GT letter: apology (informal) | You missed a friend's birthday dinner. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter, apologise, explain what happened and suggest a way to make up for it. | Informal: Hi Sam, contractions, warm tone. Apologise early, keep the explanation brief and make the make-up plan specific (a day, a place). |
| GT letter: invitation (informal) | Invite a friend to stay with you during a festival in your town. In your letter, describe the festival, suggest some plans and tell your friend what to bring. | Paint the festival with two vivid details. Plans can use 'we could' and 'how about'. End with a friendly call to reply. |
| GT letter: advice (informal) | A friend is moving to your city for a new job. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter, give advice about where to live, explain how to get around and suggest ways to meet people. | Vary advice structures: you should, it might be worth, I'd recommend, if I were you. One short reason per tip. |
| GT letter: enquiry (formal) | Write a letter to a language school about an evening course. In your letter, describe your current level, ask about the timetable and fees, and ask whether students receive a certificate. | Use indirect questions for politeness: 'I would be grateful if you could tell me...', 'Could you let me know whether...'. |
| GT letter: job application (formal) | You saw an advertisement for a part-time job at a local museum. Write a letter to apply. In your letter, say which job you are applying for, describe your relevant experience and explain when you are available. | Name the position in the first line. Match experience to the job (customer service, languages) and give exact availability. |
| GT letter: thanks and feedback (semi-formal) | You recently stayed at a hotel, and the staff helped you when you became ill. Write a letter to the hotel manager. In your letter, describe what happened, thank the staff and suggest how they could be recognised. | Semi-formal gratitude: specific actions beat general praise. The suggestion bullet can be modest (a mention in the staff newsletter). |
Timed drill plan (one week)
- 1Days 1-2 - Plan onlyFour Task 2 themes: 8-minute outlines (position, two reasons, example, conclusion). No full essay yet.
- 2Days 3-4 - Full Task 2Two timed essays (40 minutes). Submit one typed draft to Writing Checker, then rewrite the outline once by hand if you might sit Writing on Paper.
- 3Days 5-6 - Task 1Two Academic visuals or two GT letters, 20 minutes each. Check overview quality and bullet coverage.
- 4Day 7 - Combined mini mockTask 1 + Task 2 back to back in 60 minutes using prompts from the 2026 pack.
Prep checklist
- You can name your essay type from the instruction line in under 20 seconds
- Task 2 plans always answer every task noun (problems, causes, both views, outweigh)
- Task 1 includes a clear overview
- You practised in the same input mode as your booking (typed vs handwritten)
- You opened both Task 1 and Task 2 packs for your module year
Frequently asked questions
Do you publish tomorrow’s exact Writing questions?+
No. We publish theme clusters and link to recent-prompt packs for practice. Exact exam papers are not released in advance.
Is Task 2 more important than Task 1?+
Task 2 carries more weight in the Writing score, but a weak Task 1 still pulls the skill band down. Rotate both every week.
Should General Training candidates use Academic predictions?+
Use shared Task 2 theme clusters, but practise GT letters for Task 1 and prefer General packs for prompt lists.
How many essays per week are enough?+
Two timed Task 2 essays plus two Task 1 responses is a solid default, with planning-only drills on other days.
Where do I find model essays?+
Attempt the 2026 Writing pack first, then unlock models if you use Pro, or use structure guides such as Task 2 without copying whole essays.