Ideas for Essay Topics
7-8-9-10-11-12/24
Source: http://ielts-simon.com
ielts360toefl@hotmail.com
01. Advertising:
positives, negatives
02. Animal Rights:
testing on animals, vegetarianism, zoos
03. Cities:
urbanization, problems of city life
04. Crime:
police, punishments/prisons, rehabilitation, capital punishment
05. Education:
studying abroad, technology in education, education in developing countries, higher education, home-schooling, bad behavior, corporal punishment, single sex education, streaming (grouping children according to ability)
06. Environment:
global warming, impact of humans on the environment, solutions to environment problems, waste/rubbish, litter, recycling, nuclear power
07. Family:
family size, working parents, negative effects on children, divorce, care for old people
Family Size--
Families in many countries are not as large as they used to be.
We tend to live in small nuclear families rather than large extended families.
Parents tend to have fewer children.
Young children are no longer expected to work.
Nowadays both parents often work.
It costs so much to bring children up.
It is more difficult to raise a large family.
Working Parents (also see 'gender' topic)--
Children and their parents seem to be less close these days.
Parents spend less time with their children.
Women traditionally stayed at home to cook, clean and look after children.
Nowadays both parents often work full time.
Children may be left alone, or with nannies or babysitters.
Busy parents have less contact with their children.
Many families no longer eat meals together.
Children spend more time with friends or surfing the Internet.
Negative Effects on Children--
The lack of closeness in families can have a negative effect on children.
Many parents have no idea how their children spend their time.
Friends, television and the Internet become the main influence on children's behavior.
Teenagers are influenced by peer pressure.
Some of them join gangs.
Juvenile delinquency is on the increase.
Parents should be more involved with their children's upbringing.
Young people need positive models.
Divorce--
In the past, divorce was unacceptable.
It was considered to be embarrassing for a family.
People stayed together for religious or family reasons.
Divorce is more socially acceptable nowadays.
It has become much more common.
Divorce can be extremely stressful.
Lone parents may face financial difficulties.
Many single parents have to rely on benefits paid by the government.
Divorce can have a negative effect on children.
Children from single-parent families are more likely to get lower grades or drop out of school.
The rise in divorce rates may be connected to some social problems.
Care for Old People--
Caring for elderly people was traditionally the responsibility of families.
Adults had to look after their elderly parents.
A woman's job was to stay at home taking care of her family.
Nowadays, fewer elderly people are looked after by their relatives.
Residential homes provide care for many elderly people.
Some families are unable to look after elderly relatives.
Families tend to be smaller these days, and women often have full-time jobs.
Residential homes provide a professional service for senior citizens.
Nurses are better trained than family members.
Care for Old People: Opinion--
The best form of care for the elderly depends on the family situation.
It depends on whether family members have the time resources.
We all have a responsibility towards the older people in our society.
Governments should invest money in facilities and training for care workers.
08. Gender:
gender and education, gender and work, women's and men's roles in the family
Gender and Education--
Men and women should have access to the same educational opportunities.
Males and females should be accepted according to their abilities.
It is wrong to discriminate against students because of their gender.
Gender should be irrelevant in education.
Students' achievements should depend on hard work and individual merit.
Gender and Work--
Women's and Men's roles in the family--
Men and women should have access to the same professional opportunities.
Both men and women should be able to pursue a career.
They should earn equal salaries.
They should be employed according to their abilities, qualifications and experience.
Traditionally women have been restricted to certain roles.
They were often employed as secretaries or receptionists.
Nowadays, a range of occupations are available to both sexes.
Career success depends on individual merit.
Some people argue that a mother should not work.
She should stay at home and bring up her children.
The father should be the breadwinner of the family.
Others believe that both parents should share these responsibilities.
Working women can take maternity leave during and after pregnancy.
Many mothers continue to work after this period.
Many fathers and mothers share their parenting and domestic responsibilities.
They contribute equally to childcare, cooking and cleaning.
Some women many have better career prospects than their husbands.
Traditional gender roles are gradually changing.
Families can divide roles and responsibilities in the most convenient way.
09. Genetic Engineering:
positives, negatives, genetically modified foods
Genetic engineering is the practice of manipulating the genes of an organism.
It is used to produce crops that are more resistant to insects and diseases.
Some genetically modified crops grow more quickly.
It may become possible to change human beings' genetic characteristics.
Scientists may use genetic engineering to cure diseases.
Inherited illnesses would no longer exist.
Genes could be changed before a baby is born.
It could also be possible to clone human organs.
We could all have replacement body parts.
Humans could live longer, healthier lives.
There are ethical concerns about human genetic engineering.
Parents might want to choose their children's characteristics.
This would be unnatural.
It would be unacceptable in most religions.
Soldiers could be cloned from the genes of the strongest people.
Clones might even be developed like robots to do certain jobs.
Clones might even be developed just for organ replacements.
Society and human evolution would change completely.
Currently, human engineering is prohibited.
There may be risks involved in the genetic engineering of foods.
GM crops might change whole ecosystem.
Food chains could be broken if crops are resistant to predators.
Organic foods are produced without chemicals or genetic modifications.
Organic farming may be slower and more expensive.
However, the environment is not damaged by fertilizers or pesticides.
10. Global Issues:
problems in developing countries, how to help developing countries, immigration, multicultural societies, globalization
Problems in Developing Countries--
Developing countries face a range of problems.
Standards of healthcare and education are low.
Life expectancy in developing countries is usually lower than in developed countries.
There is a lack of infrastructure, employment and good quality housing.
Many people are forced to live in poverty.
Food, drinking water and basic medicines are in short supply.
How to Help Developing Countries--
Richer nations can help by investing in long-term projects.
Governments and charities can help bu building new houses and schools.
Globalization may also help in developing countries.
Multi-national companies can create jobs in developing countries.
On the other hand, many people emigrate to find work in richer countries.
They often send money back home to their families.
This money helps to improve the standard of living in developing countries.
Immigration--
Some people move to another country in search of a better life.
Many immigrants come from less developed countries.
Richer, more industrialized countries may offer opportunities for employment.
Free healthcare and schooling are available in some developed countries.
Other people migrate to a foreign country to improve their academic qualifications.
Positives of Immigration and Multi-cultural Societies--
From an economic perspective, immigration can be extremely positive.
Many immigrants have skills that are needed in the country they move to.
Immigrants who find work contribute to the economy of their new country.
Many immigrants send money home to help family members.
Immigration also creates cultural diversity.
People of many different nationalities learn to live together.
This can help people to become more open-minded and tolerant.
Negatives of Immigration--
Some people believe that immigrants take jobs that should go to local people.
Some immigrant workers work longer hours for less money.
Companies might pay lower salaries to immigrant workers.
Unemployment rates could rise if there are too many immigrants.
Opinions about Immigration--
Immigration can help the economy of a country.
It can create multi-cultural societies.
However, immigration needs to be controlled.
In many countries, immigrants need visa or work permit.
Governments should stop companies from exploiting immigrant workers.
Foreign and local workers should have the right to equal pay and conditions.
Positives of Globalization--
Multi-national companies do business across the world.
For example, companies like MacDonald's can be seen on high streets in most cities.
Goods are produced in one country and sold in many others.
A global economy means free trade between countries.
This can strengthen political relationships.
Globalization can also create opportunities for employment.
It encourages investment in less developed countries.
It could reduce poverty in the developing world.
Negatives of Globalization--
Globalization is not always beneficial to everyone.
Companies can move to countries where labor is cheap.
This creates job losses.
Employees cannot be confident that they have stable jobs.
Companies sometimes exploit their employees in developing countries.
Global trade creates more waste and pollution.
The Future of Globalization--
There should be global regulations for salaries and working conditions.
Governments should impose laws to protect the environment.
11. Government and Society:
what government can do, public services, censorship, video cameras in public places
What Governments Can Do--
Governments provide public services like healthcare and education.
They support people who are living in poverty or unable to work.
Governments raise money by taxing working people.
They can impose taxes.
They can introduce new laws.
They can create jobs.
They can regulate the activities of companies such as banks.
They should provide funding for schools.
They are also responsible for the security and well-being of their citizens.
They control armed forces and police forces.
Public Services--
Governments pay the salaries of public sector workers like police officers and teachers.
The necessary money is raised by taxing people's income.
Free education and healthcare may be provided by the state.
Some governments control public transport and even TV channels.
In other countries, these services are provided by private companies.
Some people believe that competition between private companies is good.
It helps to improve quality while bringing prices down.
Other people think that essential services should be free.
This means that governments should pay for them.
Censorship: Opinion--
Givernments can censor what the public sees or reads in the media.
To a certain extent censorship is necessary.
We should use censorship to protect children from violent images.
Some computer games involve killing people or committing crimes.
The Internet also needs to be controlled.
Many websites show pornography and violence.
There should be limits for websites and computer games.
Parents need to take responsibility for checking what their children watch.
It is impossible for governments to control everything we see.
Video Cameras in Public Places--
The use of CCTV is becoming widespread.
Video cameras have been installed in many public places.
They are supposed to protect us and deter criminals.
However, many people think that this surveillance violates our privacy.
We should not be treated like criminals.
12. Guns and Weapons:
gun ownership and possession, police and guns, nuclear weapons, armed forces
Why Guns Should Be Legal--
In some countries like the United States, people are allowed to own firearms.
Individuals have the right to protect themselves.
People can use guns in self-defence.
This deters criminals.
Why Gun Ownership Should Be Illegal--
There is a risk of accidents with guns.
The number of violent crimes increases when guns are available.
Criminals may be armed.
The police then need to use guns.
Suicide rates have been shown to rise when guns are available.
Guns create violent societies with high murder rates.
Why Police Should Use Guns--
Many criminals use weapons.
The threat of a gun can deter criminals.
Police officers can force a criminal to surrender.
It is easier to arrest someone and avoid physical violence.
The police may shoot violent criminals in self-defence.
They can protect the public.
They can shoot an escaping criminal who poses a serious danger to the public.
Why Police Should Not Carry Guns--
There is a risk of accidents and mistakes.
The police might shoot an unarmed criminal or an innocent person.
Accidents can happen in public places.
There are several alternatives to guns (e.g. tear gas, sprays and electric shock weapons)
Only special police units should use guns.
Nuclear Weapons--
Nuclear weapons are capable of destroying whole cities.
A nuclear war between two countries would destroy both countries.
Nuclear weapons are used as a deterrent.
They prevent wars from starting.
Nuclear Weapons: Opinion--
Nuclear weapons should be prohibited.
Governments should limit the production of nuclear weapons.
There is a danger of nuclear weapons being obtained by terrorists.
Nuclear weapons cannot be used against terrorist organizations.
13. Health:
diet, exercise, state health systems, private healthcare, alternative medicine, stress
14. Housing and Architecture:
state housing, old buildings, modern/green buildings
15. International Language:
English as an international language
16. Money:
money and society, consumerism
17. Personal Development:
happiness, success, nature or nurture
18. Sport and Leisure:
professional/competitive sport, sport salaries, sport and politics
19. Tourism:
positives, negative effects on environment, future of tourism
20. Traditions and Modern Life:
losing traditional skills, traditional customs
21. Transport:
traffic problems and solutions, public transport, road safety
22. Television, Internet and Mobile Phones:
positives and negatives, internet compared to newspapers and books
23. Water:
importance of clean water, water supply, water should be free, bottled water
24. Work:
same job for life, self-employment, unemployment, work/life balance, technology and work, child labor
