How often does health 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 health question in practice tests and on the real exam.

What question types should I expect on health?

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 health essays?

Topic-specific lexis matters. Each of the 17 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".

🏥 Health17 questionsReal reported + Cambridge

IELTS health
essay questions.

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

About this theme

Public vs private healthcare, obesity, sleep deprivation, mental health, fast food, exercise, ageing populations. Health prompts reward specific causal chains: not "junk food is bad" but "subsidised corn makes processed food cheaper than vegetables, which raises obesity rates in low-income areas." Avoid hedging into "everything contributes" generalities.

Task 2🧠 HealthProblem & solution🔥 Hot

IELTS healthessay questions.

“Many workers hide mental-health problems from their employers. What are the causes, and what can be done?”

“Mental health problems among young people are increasing. What are the causes, and what solutions can you suggest?”

“Many manufactured food and drink products contain high levels of sugar, which causes many health problems. Sugary products should be made more expensive to encourage people to consume less sugar. Do you agree or disagree?”

“Antibiotic resistance is becoming a serious global threat. What are the main causes, and what can be done?”

“Many adults in developed countries do not get enough sleep. What are the causes, and what can be done?”

“Some argue all children should be required to be vaccinated; others believe parents should choose. Discuss both views.”

“Sedentary lifestyles are leading to a rise in serious diseases. What are the causes, and what can be done?”

“Some argue exercise is the key to losing weight, while others say diet matters more. Discuss both views and give your opinion.”

“Many governments have introduced taxes on sugary drinks. Is this an effective way to improve public health?”

“Some believe governments should spend more on preventing illness than on treating it. To what extent do you agree?”

“Some say healthcare should be entirely free; others believe individuals are responsible for their own health. Discuss both views.”

“Some people prefer traditional or alternative medicine over conventional treatment. What are the reasons for this, and is it a positive or negative trend?”

“The line graph shows the share of adults classified as obese in four countries from 1990 to 2020.”

“The line graph shows life expectancy at birth in five countries from 1990 to 2020.”

“The bar chart shows life expectancy at birth in six countries in 2010 and 2020.”

“The bar chart shows health expenditure per person in five countries in 2019.”

About health in IELTS

IELTS health
essay questions.