IELTS Writing Task 2: Happiness (Agree Disagree) — Band 6/7/8/9 Model Answers
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The Prompt
Some people believe that money is the key to happiness. Others argue that happiness comes from personal relationships. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Model Answers
Band 6.0 Answer
The question is about whether money or relationships make people happy. I think money is more important because it can buy things that make you happy. For example, you can buy a nice house or go on vacation. Also, money can help you afford better education and healthcare. However, some people say that relationships are more important. They say that having good friends and family makes you happy. But I disagree because money can also help you have better relationships. For example, you can take your family on vacation or buy gifts for your friends. In conclusion, I think money is more important for happiness.
Scoring Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): 5.0 - Presents a position but with limited development.
- Coherence & Cohesion (CC): 6.0 - Ideas are logically ordered but with some repetition.
- Lexical Resource (LR): 6.0 - Uses some appropriate vocabulary but with frequent errors.
- Grammatical Range & Accuracy (GRA): 6.0 - Uses simple sentence forms with frequent errors.
Band 7.0 Answer
The notion of happiness has been debated extensively, with some advocating that financial wealth is the primary source, while others contend that interpersonal relationships hold greater significance. This essay will explore both perspectives before presenting a personal stance.
Proponents of financial wealth argue that money can alleviate stress and provide comfort. For instance, a study by Cambridge Assessment English found that 70% of individuals reported reduced anxiety after achieving financial stability. Moreover, money enables access to better healthcare and education, which can enhance overall well-being. However, critics argue that relationships are more crucial. They posit that emotional support from family and friends can lead to long-term happiness, as evidenced by the fact that 80% of people in a 2025 ETS survey cited relationships as their primary source of joy.
In my view, while money can provide temporary comfort, it is the quality of relationships that fosters sustained happiness. For example, a wealthy individual without strong relationships may still feel lonely, whereas someone with a supportive network may find contentment despite financial struggles. Therefore, I believe that investing in relationships is more beneficial for long-term happiness.
Scoring Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): 7.0 - Presents a clear position with some development.
- Coherence & Cohesion (CC): 7.0 - Ideas are logically ordered with clear progression.
- Lexical Resource (LR): 7.0 - Uses a mix of appropriate vocabulary with some errors.
- Grammatical Range & Accuracy (GRA): 7.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with some errors.
Band 8.0 Answer
The pursuit of happiness is a universal goal, and the sources of happiness have been a subject of extensive debate. While some argue that financial prosperity is the key to happiness, others believe that meaningful relationships are more significant. This essay will delve into both perspectives before presenting a personal stance.
Advocates of financial wealth contend that money can provide security and comfort. For instance, financial stability can reduce stress and enable access to better healthcare and education. A 2025 ETS report indicated that individuals with higher incomes reported higher levels of life satisfaction. Moreover, money can facilitate experiences that bring joy, such as travel and leisure activities. However, critics argue that relationships are more crucial. They posit that emotional support from family and friends can lead to long-term happiness. Research by Cambridge Assessment English shows that individuals with strong social connections are more likely to report higher levels of well-being.
In my view, while money can provide temporary comfort, it is the quality of relationships that fosters sustained happiness. For example, a wealthy individual without strong relationships may still feel lonely, whereas someone with a supportive network may find contentment despite financial struggles. Therefore, I believe that investing in relationships is more beneficial for long-term happiness.
Scoring Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): 8.0 - Presents a clear position with thorough development.
- Coherence & Cohesion (CC): 8.0 - Ideas are logically ordered with clear progression and cohesive devices.
- Lexical Resource (LR): 8.0 - Uses a range of appropriate vocabulary with some sophistication.
- Grammatical Range & Accuracy (GRA): 8.0 - Uses a range of complex sentence forms with some errors.
Band 9.0 Answer
The quest for happiness is a perennial pursuit, and the debate over its sources has been extensively explored. While some assert that financial prosperity is the ultimate source of happiness, others argue that meaningful relationships hold greater significance. This essay will critically examine both perspectives before presenting a nuanced stance.
Proponents of financial wealth argue that money can provide security and comfort. Financial stability can reduce stress and enable access to better healthcare and education. A 2025 ETS study revealed that individuals with higher incomes reported higher levels of life satisfaction. Moreover, money can facilitate experiences that bring joy, such as travel and leisure activities. However, critics contend that relationships are more crucial. They posit that emotional support from family and friends can lead to long-term happiness. Research by Cambridge Assessment English indicates that individuals with strong social connections are more likely to report higher levels of well-being.
In my view, while money can provide temporary comfort, it is the quality of relationships that fosters sustained happiness. For example, a wealthy individual without strong relationships may still feel lonely, whereas someone with a supportive network may find contentment despite financial struggles. Therefore, I believe that investing in relationships is more beneficial for long-term happiness. This perspective is supported by the fact that 80% of people in a 2025 ETS survey cited relationships as their primary source of joy.
Scoring Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): 9.0 - Presents a clear position with thorough development and critical analysis.
- Coherence & Cohesion (CC): 9.0 - Ideas are logically ordered with clear progression and sophisticated cohesive devices.
- Lexical Resource (LR): 9.0 - Uses a wide range of appropriate vocabulary with sophistication.
- Grammatical Range & Accuracy (GRA): 9.0 - Uses a wide range of complex sentence forms with minimal errors.
Vocabulary Highlights
- Allevate (verb): To make less severe or intense. Example: Financial stability can alleviate stress.
- Proponent (noun): A person who advocates a theory, proposal, or course of action. Example: Proponents of financial wealth argue that money can provide security.
- Contend (verb): To maintain or assert in a debate or controversy. Example: Critics contend that relationships are more crucial.
- Posit (verb): To put forward as an explanation or hypothesis. Example: They posit that emotional support from family and friends can lead to long-term happiness.
- Facilitate (verb): To make an action or process easy or easier. Example: Money can facilitate experiences that bring joy.
- Sustained (adjective): Continuing for an extended period or maintained at a particular level. Example: The quality of relationships fosters sustained happiness.
- Invest (verb): To devote time, effort, or resources to something. Example: Investing in relationships is more beneficial for long-term happiness.
- Perennial (adjective): Lasting or existing for a long or apparently infinite time; enduring or continually recurring. Example: The quest for happiness is a perennial pursuit.
- Nuanced (adjective): Characterized by subtle or precise distinctions. Example: This essay will present a nuanced stance.
- Critical (adjective): Expressing adverse or disapproving comments or judgments. Example: This essay will critically examine both perspectives.
- Sophistication (noun): A high degree of complexity or refinement. Example: The essay uses a wide range of appropriate vocabulary with sophistication.
- Cohesive (adjective): Unified or connected. Example: Ideas are logically ordered with clear progression and cohesive devices.
- Stance (noun): A person's position or point of view. Example: This essay will present a nuanced stance.
- Advocate (verb): To support or recommend something publicly. Example: Advocates of financial wealth argue that money can provide security.
- Facilitate (verb): To make an action or process easy or easier. Example: Money can facilitate experiences that bring joy.
- Allevate (verb): To make less severe or intense. Example: Financial stability can alleviate stress.
- Proponent (noun): A person who advocates a theory, proposal, or course of action. Example: Proponents of financial wealth argue that money can provide security.
- Contend (verb): To maintain or assert in a debate or controversy. Example: Critics contend that relationships are more crucial.
- Posit (verb): To put forward as an explanation or hypothesis. Example: They posit that emotional support from family and friends can lead to long-term happiness.
- Facilitate (verb): To make an action or process easy or easier. Example: Money can facilitate experiences that bring joy.
Common Mistakes
- Lack of Clear Position: Many students fail to present a clear position in their introduction, leading to a lower task response score.
- Repetition: Repeating the same ideas or vocabulary can make the essay seem less cohesive and reduce the lexical resource score.
- Inadequate Development: Providing only one or two sentences to support each point can result in a lower task response score.
- Grammatical Errors: Frequent grammatical errors can lower the grammatical range and accuracy score.
- Poor Vocabulary Choice: Using inappropriate or incorrect vocabulary can reduce the lexical resource score.
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