How often does environment come up in IELTS Writing Task 2?

It's one of the most-tested themes. Examiners draw on it because it generates strong opinions while remaining accessible to candidates from any background. You can reasonably expect to encounter a environment question in practice tests and on the real exam.

What question types should I expect on environment?

All five Task 2 shapes are fair game: opinion (agree/disagree), discuss both views, problem-solution, two-part, and advantages-and-disadvantages. The same theme can appear in any of these shapes, so practise the same idea across multiple question types rather than memorising essays.

How specific do my examples need to be?

Specific enough to be falsifiable. "Many studies show X" is empty; "a 2019 OECD report on X found Y in Z country" is concrete. You don't need a real citation. Examiners reward the specificity of the claim, not the accuracy of the source. Naming a country, a year, or an industry counts.

Can I use the same vocabulary across all environment essays?

Topic-specific lexis matters. Each of the 23 questions below hides a slightly different angle, and Band 7+ vocabulary depends on naming the precise mechanism: "carbon-intensive industries" beats "polluters", "screen-mediated communication" beats "talking online".

🌱 Environment23 questionsReal reported + Cambridge

IELTS environment
essay questions.

23 Task 2 questions on environment. Click any question to open the full breakdown, examiner watch-outs, and a 40-minute mock.

About this theme

Climate change, plastic waste, deforestation, renewable energy, animal extinction, individual vs government responsibility. Environment prompts test whether you can argue past the easy emotional response. Examiners reward essays that pick one concrete mechanism (a tax, a ban, a behaviour shift) and trace its effects, rather than listing every green idea you know.

Task 2🌳 EnvironmentProblem & solution🔥 Hot

IELTS environmentessay questions.

“Tropical deforestation in countries like Brazil and Indonesia continues at an alarming rate. What are the causes, and what can be done?”

“Recycling at home has little impact compared to corporate action. To what extent do you agree?”

“Some people argue that climate change is the responsibility of individuals, while others think only governments can solve it. Discuss both views and give your opinion.”

“Some argue that reducing meat consumption is essential for the environment. Do you agree, and what can governments do?”

“Some people believe renewable energy will completely replace fossil fuels within a generation. To what extent do you agree?”

“Plastic waste threatens marine life. What are the causes, and what can governments do?”

“Many fish stocks around the world are collapsing because of overfishing. What are the main causes, and what can be done?”

“Many regions face severe water shortages. What are the main causes, and what can be done about it?”

“Some people argue zoos play a vital role in protecting endangered species; others believe they are cruel and unnecessary. Discuss both views.”

“The world's growing population is putting pressure on natural resources. What are the main causes, and what solutions can you suggest?”

“Many species are becoming extinct. What are the main causes, and what solutions can you suggest?”

“Some governments want to ban private cars from city centres. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?”

“The diagram shows the life cycle of a butterfly.”

“The pie chart shows global greenhouse gas emissions by sector in 2020.”

“The bar chart shows forest area as a percentage of total land area in five countries in 1990 and 2020.”

“The diagram shows how aluminium drinks cans are recycled and remanufactured.”

“The diagram illustrates the natural water cycle.”

“The pie charts show how the UK generated its electricity in 2000 and 2020.”

“The pie chart shows the share of global primary energy consumption by source in 2020.”

“The line graph shows the share of renewable energy in total final energy consumption in four countries from 1990 to 2020.”

“The line graph shows CO2 emissions per capita in four countries from 1990 to 2020.”

“The bar chart shows the share of renewable energy in total final energy consumption in five countries in 2010 and 2020.”

“The bar chart shows CO2 emissions per capita in five countries in 2010 and 2020.”

About environment in IELTS

IELTS environment
essay questions.