Are memorised essay templates penalised?

PTE Essay Topics

Original PTE essay topics grouped by question type — agree or disagree, discuss both views, advantages and disadvantages — with a method for each.

How PTE essay prompts work

Write Essay gives you one prompt and 20 minutes to produce a 200 to 300 word argumentative response. The prompts fall into a small number of recurring question types, and recognising which type you are looking at decides your structure before you write a word. Since August 2025 the essay is reviewed by human experts for development and coherence, so a response that answers the wrong question type — arguing both sides when asked for your own opinion — loses marks no template can recover.

Practise by type, not by memorising answers

The point of practising with these prompts is to rehearse the shape of each question type, not to prepare fixed essays to reproduce. A memorised essay rarely fits the exact prompt you are given, and reviewers recognise scaffolding with thin argument for what it is. Draft against a timer, aim for the middle of the word range, and leave a few minutes to proofread. The prompts below are original and written for practice — the real exam will phrase things differently.

Practice prompts by question type

Agree or disagree

Some people believe that unpaid community work should be a compulsory part of every university degree. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Governments should spend more on public transport than on building new roads. Do you agree or disagree?
A country's success should be measured by the happiness of its citizens rather than by its economic growth. To what extent do you agree?
Remote working is better for both employees and employers than working in a shared office. Do you agree or disagree?

Discuss both views and give your opinion

Some argue that public money spent on the arts would be better directed to health and education. Others say the arts are essential to society. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Some people think children should begin formal schooling as early as possible; others believe they benefit from starting later. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Some believe advertising pushes people to buy things they do not need, while others see it as a useful source of information. Discuss both sides and give your view.
Some think tourism damages the places it depends on, while others believe it protects them by making them valuable. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Advantages and disadvantages

More families are choosing to live in large cities rather than in the countryside. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?
Many companies now let employees set their own working hours. What are the advantages and disadvantages of flexible working?
English has become the dominant language of international business and research. What are the benefits and drawbacks of one global language?
Online learning is replacing some traditional university teaching. What are the advantages and disadvantages of studying online?

Positive or negative development

In many countries people increasingly buy products and replace them after only brief use. Do you regard this as a positive or negative development?
Artificial intelligence is taking over tasks once done by people at work. Is this a positive or a negative development?
A growing number of people rely on social media as their main source of news. Do you consider this a positive or negative trend?
Many young people now delay major decisions such as careers and starting a family until much later in life. Is this a positive or negative development?

Problem and solution

Traffic congestion is worsening in many major cities. What problems does this cause, and what measures could reduce it?
Fewer young people are choosing careers in essential trades and manual skills. Why is this happening, and how could it be addressed?
Many people struggle to maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life. What causes this, and what could be done about it?
Plastic waste continues to accumulate despite recycling efforts. What are the causes of the problem, and which solutions would be most effective?

Frequently asked questions

Templates are not penalised as such, but human reviewers score development and coherence. An essay that is mostly scaffolding with little actual argument scores poorly on exactly the traits that matter most.