All 12 topic chaptersWork & Career
IELTS Writing Task 2: Work & Career Essay Questions
Work questions are where personal experience pays off most directly, because nearly every candidate has some: job satisfaction versus salary, changing careers, remote work, whether long hours are ever worth it. Examiners can tell a real workplace detail from a manufactured one instantly. This chapter lists the current work and career questions and the essay types they favour — heavily opinion and discussion.
How this topic is examined
43 questions in the current bank fall under this chapter, split by essay type:
- Opinion (agree/disagree)23
- Discussion (both views)8
- Advantages & disadvantages7
- Causes / problems / solutions2
- Two-part question2
- Other1
High-frequency subtopics
Chapters are too broad to prepare directly — the working unit is the subtopic. These are the subtopics this chapter's questions cluster around:
- job satisfaction
- workplace stress
- stress reduction
- women in the workforce
- economic independence for women
- gender equality in the workplace
- work-life balance challenges
- benefits of social networking
- teamwork efficiency
- teamwork challenges
job satisfaction factors
Free taste — one subtopic's idea bank- Good income is crucial for job satisfaction as it addresses basic needs and elevates lifestyle.
- A sense of achievement derived from higher salaries makes employees feel valued and recognized.
- Job security and comprehensive benefits contribute significantly to employee well-being and loyalty.
Three of the idea sentences behind this subtopic. Inside the app, every subtopic in this chapter comes with a full idea bank and collocations, rebuilt around your own experience.
Questions in this chapter
Current questions in this chapter with free sample essays:
- Although countries with long average working hours are economically successful, this often has some negative social cons…
- Although modern technology has made international communication very easy, many business people still travel long distan…
- Ambition is often regarded as a desirable trait in today's society. How important is it for individuals who want to achi…
- An increasing number of people are changing careers during their working life. What do you think are the reasons for thi…
- Employers should provide their staff with at least four weeks of annual leave, as this can help employees perform better…
- If you want to be successful at work, you should have high-level computer skills. Do you agree or disagree?
- In many countries, a small number of people earn extremely high salaries. Some people believe that this is good for the…
- In many countries, more and more people are choosing to change their jobs frequently. Why do you think this is happening…
- Intelligence is the most important quality that a leader needs to have. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- It is a good idea for people to continue working in their old age, if they are able to do so. Do you agree or disagree?
- Large companies should pay higher salaries to CEOs and executives compared to other workers. To what extent do you agree…
- Leaders or directors of organizations are typically older people, but some believe that young individuals can also serve…
- Many businesses regularly bring out new versions of their products, encouraging customers to replace their old items wit…
- Many employees can now do their work from home using modern technology. However, this change may only benefit workers, n…
- Many people believe that salary is the most important factor when choosing a job. Do the advantages outweigh the disadva…
- Many people today are spending more and more time travelling to work or school. Some people believe this is a negative d…
- Many people try to achieve a work-life balance, but only a few succeed. What are the causes of this problem? What can be…
- Many young people's choice of future jobs is based on salary. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
- Most high-level positions in companies are filled by men, even though in many developed countries women make up over 50…
- Nowadays, many people have to work longer hours and they feel more stressed than before. What can employers do to make t…
- People who decide on a career path early in their lives and keep to it are more likely to have a satisfying working life…
- People who stay in the same job their whole lives are usually happier in their careers than those who change jobs often.…
- Professional workers like doctors, nurses and teachers make a greater contribution to society and should be paid more th…
- Some businesses are now hiring more and more older employees. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?
- Some people believe that being able to compete with others for career progression is more important. Others believe that…
- Some people believe that employers should not be concerned about the way their employees dress, but they should be conce…
- Some people believe that employers should only care about the quality of their employees' work, not what they wear. To w…
- Some people believe that museums and art galleries should focus on displaying local works rather than international art…
- Some people believe that only governments, and not private companies, should be responsible for scientific research. To…
- Some people believe that professional workers such as doctors, nurses, and teachers make a greater contribution to socie…
- Some people believe that studying at university or college is the best route to a successful career, while others believ…
- Some people believe that the only reason individuals work hard at their jobs is to earn money. To what extent do you agr…
- Some people think a job not only provides income but also a social life. Others think it is better to develop a social l…
- Some people think it is a good thing for senior managers to have much higher salaries than the other workers in a compan…
- Some people think that because the world needs more oil and gas, companies should explore for these fuels in remote, unt…
- Some people think that face-to-face business meetings have more benefits than drawbacks. Do the advantages outweigh the…
- Some people think that it is better to live and work in a foreign country, while others believe it is better to stay in…
- Some people think that men and women have different qualities. Therefore, certain jobs are suitable for men and some job…
- Some people think that success in life comes from hard work and determination, while others believe that factors such as…
- Some people think that the ability to compete with others for a successful career is more important. Others believe that…
- The only reason why people work hard is to earn money. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- There are more and more older workers working in companies. Does this trend have more advantages or disadvantages for a…
- Today people live longer after retiring from work. What problems does this cause for individuals and society? What can b…