Many of the topics for the issue task deal with government in some way, especially in regard to government policies related to societal function -- for example, funding the arts or passing laws to preserve the environment. In particular, two of the six question types lend themselves to the government topic by asking the test-taker to consider the merits of described policies or recommendations, such as, "Governments should focus on solving the immediate problems of today rather than on trying to solve the anticipated problems of the future."
Education is another common issue task topic, given that the majority of test-takers have experienced post-secondary schooling. Many education topics deal with the best way to run schools, such as the merits of a national curriculum before college or how schools should encourage students to select fields of study. All six question types are used for education topics. For example, several of the question types require a test-taker to take a position on a given statement, such as, "Formal education tends to restrain our minds and spirits rather than set them free."
Some of the possible topics deal with society or human nature in general. These topics usually require a test-taker to think about how people should act as individuals and in groups. For example, the exam might ask students to consider how the use of more technology will affect humankind's ability to think independently, or whether cities or rural areas provide the best snapshot of life in a society. These prompts tend to be more broad and generic, such as, "People's behavior is largely determined by forces not of their own making." However, responses must still include specific examples to illustrate the test-taker's perspective.
Though topics from all categories may deal with leadership, there are also specific prompts about the best ways to lead and how leaders influence others. For example, the test might ask students whether leaders in any industry should have a term limit, or whether the best leadership style is to compromise or to stick to one's own principles. A common question type for this topic requires test-takers to explain the extent to which a statement may be true -- for example, "The greatness of individuals can be decided only by those who live after them, not by their contemporaries."