An opinion question gives you a statement and asks how far you agree or disagree. The examiner wants one clear position held consistently from the introduction to the conclusion, with each body paragraph developing a single supported reason. The trap is sitting on the fence or switching sides halfway. The questions below are all agree/disagree prompts; pick one and commit to a stance.
The one rule
“To what extent” means your extent. A clear 100% position scores higher than a hedged 50/50.
On test day
It's one of the recognised Task 2 formats, so it's fair game on test day — but you can't reliably predict which one you'll be given. Treat every format as likely and practise across all of them rather than betting on a single type.
Templates
Learn the shape, not a script. A reliable structure for opinion (agree / disagree) questions saves planning time, but a memorised essay bolted onto the wrong prompt is penalised. Adapt the structure to the exact question in front of you.
Marking
Against the four official IELTS Writing criteria — task response, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource, and grammatical range and accuracy. Getting the format right mainly protects your task response score; the other three come down to your language.
Practice volume
Enough to make the format automatic, then stop drilling it in isolation. Once you can structure a opinion (agree / disagree) response without thinking, your time is better spent on the language criteria that actually move your band.
More Task 2 types
Attempt any opinion (agree / disagree) question in the exam workspace — 40 minutes on the clock, then a band for all four criteria in about 60 seconds. Starts with a 3-day free trial.
“Some people think that dangerous sports such as boxing, rock climbing, and skydiving should be banned. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”
“In many countries, people are eating more fast food and this is causing health problems. Some people think that governments should tax fast food to discourage people from eating it. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”
“In some countries, fathers are entitled to paternity leave after the birth of a child, while in others they are not. Some people argue that paternity leave should be made compulsory worldwide. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”
“Many young people now trust influencers more than traditional advertising. Is this a positive or negative trend?”
“Some argue major decisions should be made by referendum rather than by elected officials. To what extent do you agree?”
“Some argue multinational companies should pay tax in every country where they operate, not just where they are based. To what extent do you agree?”
“Many believe that schools should focus more on life skills such as cooking, budgeting, and basic law. To what extent do you agree?”
“Some predict that teachers will eventually be replaced by educational technology. To what extent do you agree?”
“High-rise buildings are the only practical solution to urban housing shortages. To what extent do you agree?”
“Traditional cuisines are disappearing under the influence of international fast-food chains. To what extent do you agree?”
“Recent years have seen the rise of commercial space tourism. Is this a positive or negative development for society?”
“Some argue that cities need more parks and green spaces, even if that means less housing. Do you agree or disagree?”
“Some people believe renewable energy will completely replace fossil fuels within a generation. To what extent do you agree?”
“Some experts argue that homework should be banned for primary-school children. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”
“City centres are unaffordable. The only fair fix is to limit luxury housing. To what extent do you agree?”
“Some people think that advertising aimed at children should be banned. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”
“Some people say that art and music should be compulsory subjects in secondary schools. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”
“Genetic engineering is increasingly used to modify food crops. Is this a positive or negative development?”
“Some governments require workers to take a minimum amount of annual leave. To what extent do you agree with this policy?”
“The COVID-19 pandemic exposed how dependent countries are on global supply chains. Should governments now prioritise domestic production?”
“Streaming services have changed how musicians earn money. Has this been good or bad for the music industry?”
“Podcasts have largely replaced traditional radio for many listeners. Is this a positive or negative development?”
“Some cities are encouraging more 24-hour businesses and activities. Is this a positive or negative development?”
“Highly skilled workers leaving developing countries for richer ones causes serious problems. To what extent do you agree?”
“In some countries, an increasing number of mothers return to work soon after having a child. Is this a positive or negative trend?”
“More people watch films at home via streaming services rather than at the cinema. Is this a positive or negative development?”
“Some cities are turning their centres into pedestrian-only zones. Is this a positive or negative development?”
“Some believe governments should spend more on preventing illness than on treating it. To what extent do you agree?”
“Many governments have introduced taxes on sugary drinks. Is this an effective way to improve public health?”
“Some say young people should be required to do volunteer work in their community. To what extent do you agree?”
“Some say tourists should make an effort to learn the language of countries they visit. To what extent do you agree?”
“Some predict cash will disappear entirely within a generation. Is this a positive or negative development?”
“Many city governments are spending more on public transport and less on roads. Is this a positive or negative trend?”
“Many governments are raising the retirement age as populations live longer. Is this a positive or negative development?”
“Some argue tourists should be required to learn about local customs before visiting a country. To what extent do you agree?”
“Some believe celebrities are poor role models for young people. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”
“Some say parents should be legally responsible for their children's behaviour. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”