IELTS Writing Task 2: Happiness (Two Part Question) — Band 6/7/8/9 Model Answers

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The Prompt

Topic: Happiness Task: Some people believe that happiness is simply a matter of luck, while others argue that it is a result of hard work and determination. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Model Answers

Band 6 Answer

Scoring Breakdown:

• Task Response (TR): 5.0 - Presents a position but with limited development
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 6.0 - Logical but with some unclear progression
• Lexical Resource (LR): 6.0 - Uses some less common vocabulary but with some errors
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 6.0 - Attempts complex structures but with frequent errors

Answer:

Happiness is something that everyone wants, but people have different ideas about how to achieve it. Some think it is just luck, while others believe it comes from hard work. I agree with the second view.

On one hand, some people say happiness is about luck. For example, winning the lottery or being born into a rich family can make people happy. However, this happiness is often short-lived. Money and luck can bring temporary joy, but they do not guarantee long-term happiness.

On the other hand, many people believe that happiness comes from hard work and determination. For instance, achieving a goal like graduating from university or getting a good job can bring lasting happiness. These achievements require effort and perseverance, but they lead to a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

In conclusion, I think happiness is more about hard work than luck. While luck can bring temporary happiness, it is the effort we put into our goals that brings true and lasting joy.

Band 7 Answer

Scoring Breakdown:

• Task Response (TR): 7.0 - Presents a clear position with some development
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 7.0 - Logical organization with some cohesive devices
• Lexical Resource (LR): 7.0 - Uses a mix of common and less common vocabulary appropriately
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 7.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with some errors

Answer:

The question of what brings happiness has been debated for a long time. Some people attribute happiness to luck, while others believe it is the result of hard work and determination. I tend to agree with the latter view.

Those who believe happiness is a matter of luck often point to instances where fortunate events bring joy. For example, inheriting a large sum of money or meeting the love of one's life can bring immense happiness. However, this type of happiness is often fleeting. It depends on external circumstances that can change at any moment.

Conversely, people who argue that happiness comes from hard work and determination cite examples of personal achievements. For instance, completing a challenging project at work or overcoming a difficult obstacle can bring a deep sense of satisfaction. These achievements are the result of effort and perseverance, and they provide a more stable and lasting form of happiness.

In my opinion, happiness is more likely to come from hard work and determination. While luck can bring temporary happiness, it is the effort we put into our goals that brings true and lasting joy. Therefore, I believe that people should focus on working hard and setting achievable goals to find happiness.

Band 8 Answer

Scoring Breakdown:

• Task Response (TR): 8.0 - Presents a clear position with thorough development
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 8.0 - Logical organization with effective use of cohesive devices
• Lexical Resource (LR): 8.0 - Uses a range of vocabulary appropriately with some sophistication
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 8.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with some errors

Answer:

The notion of happiness has been a subject of debate for centuries. Some individuals believe that happiness is purely a matter of luck, while others argue that it is the result of hard work and determination. I firmly believe that happiness is more likely to come from the latter.

Proponents of the idea that happiness is a matter of luck often cite examples of sudden windfalls or fortunate events. For instance, winning a large sum of money in a lottery or meeting a life partner can bring immense joy. However, this type of happiness is often transient. It relies on external circumstances that can change abruptly, leaving individuals feeling empty and dissatisfied.

On the other hand, those who believe that happiness comes from hard work and determination point to the sense of accomplishment that follows achieving personal goals. For example, graduating from a prestigious university or securing a high-paying job can bring a deep sense of satisfaction. These achievements are the result of sustained effort and perseverance, and they provide a more stable and enduring form of happiness.

In conclusion, I strongly believe that happiness is more likely to come from hard work and determination. While luck can bring temporary happiness, it is the effort we put into our goals that brings true and lasting joy. Therefore, I believe that people should focus on setting achievable goals and working hard to attain them to find happiness.

Band 9 Answer

Scoring Breakdown:

• Task Response (TR): 9.0 - Presents a clear position with thorough, supported, and extended development
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 9.0 - Logical organization with effective use of cohesive devices
• Lexical Resource (LR): 9.0 - Uses a wide range of vocabulary appropriately with sophistication
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 9.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with flexibility and accuracy

Answer:

The pursuit of happiness is a universal human endeavor, and the sources of happiness have been a subject of much debate. Some individuals attribute happiness to luck, while others argue that it is the result of hard work and determination. I firmly believe that happiness is more likely to come from the latter.

Those who believe that happiness is a matter of luck often point to instances where fortunate events bring joy. For example, inheriting a large sum of money or meeting the love of one's life can bring immense happiness. However, this type of happiness is often fleeting. It depends on external circumstances that can change abruptly, leaving individuals feeling empty and dissatisfied.

Conversely, people who argue that happiness comes from hard work and determination cite examples of personal achievements. For instance, completing a challenging project at work or overcoming a difficult obstacle can bring a deep sense of satisfaction. These achievements are the result of effort and perseverance, and they provide a more stable and enduring form of happiness.

Moreover, the pursuit of personal goals often involves overcoming obstacles and facing challenges. The process of working towards these goals can be rewarding in itself, as it allows individuals to develop their skills and build their confidence. This sense of accomplishment and self-improvement can bring a deep and lasting sense of happiness.

In conclusion, I strongly believe that happiness is more likely to come from hard work and determination. While luck can bring temporary happiness, it is the effort we put into our goals that brings true and lasting joy. Therefore, I believe that people should focus on setting achievable goals and working hard to attain them to find happiness.

Vocabulary Highlights

1. Attribute (verb): to regard something as being caused by something else

• Example: Many people attribute their success to hard work and determination.

1. Transient (adjective): lasting only for a short time; impermanent

• Example: The happiness brought by winning the lottery is often transient.

1. Perseverance (noun): steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success

• Example: Achieving personal goals requires perseverance and effort.

1. Enduring (adjective): lasting over a long period of time

• Example: The happiness brought by personal achievements is often enduring.

1. Windfalls (noun): a sudden, unexpected piece of good fortune

• Example: Winning the lottery is an example of a financial windfall.

1. Fleeting (adjective): lasting for a very short time

• Example: The happiness brought by luck is often fleeting.

1. Sustained (adjective): continuing for an extended period or maintained at a certain rate or level

• Example: Achieving personal goals requires sustained effort.

1. Immense (adjective): extremely large in size or extent

• Example: Meeting the love of one's life can bring immense joy.

1. Dissatisfied (adjective): not pleased or content with something

• Example: The happiness brought by luck can leave individuals feeling dissatisfied.

1. Secure (verb): to obtain something that is desired or needed

• Example: Securing a high-paying job can bring a deep sense of satisfaction.

1. Prestigious (adjective): commanding respect through achievements or qualities

• Example: Graduating from a prestigious university can bring a sense of accomplishment.

1. Stable (adjective): not likely to change or move in an unwanted way

• Example: The happiness brought by personal achievements is often stable.

1. Pursuit (noun): the act of pursuing or following something

• Example: The pursuit of personal goals can be rewarding in itself.

1. Obstacles (noun): a thing that blocks one's way or prevents or hinders progress

• Example: Overcoming obstacles can bring a deep sense of satisfaction.

1. Confidence (noun): the feeling or belief that one can have faith in or rely on someone or something

• Example: The process of working towards goals can build one's confidence.

Common Mistakes

1. Lack of Clear Position: Some students fail to present a clear position on the issue, making their argument weak and unclear.

1. Insufficient Development: Students often present their arguments without providing enough examples or explanations, leading to a lack of depth in their response.

1. Poor Vocabulary Choice: Using simple or repetitive vocabulary can make the response less engaging and less likely to achieve a high band score.

1. Grammatical Errors: Frequent grammatical errors can distract the reader and make the response difficult to understand, leading to a lower band score.

1. Lack of Coherence and Cohesion: Poor organization and lack of cohesive devices can make the response difficult to follow, leading to a lower band score.

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