IELTS Writing Task 2: Money And Happiness — Band 6/7/8/9 Samples

Prompt

Topic: Money And Happiness

Question: Do you think money can make people happy? Why or why not? Provide examples from your own experience or from your country.

Band 6.0 Sample

Sample Answer:

Money can make people happy but it is not the only thing that can. In my country, people work very hard to earn money because they think it will make them happy. For example, many people buy expensive things like cars and houses to show their success. However, I think money is not everything. I have a friend who has a lot of money but he is not happy because he does not have good friends or a good family life. On the other hand, I know another person who does not have much money but he is very happy because he has a good job, a loving family and many friends.

Scoring Breakdown:

• Task Response: Band 6 - Presents a clear position but with some irrelevant details
• Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6 - Some clear logical organization but with some irrelevant ideas
• Lexical Resource: Band 6 - Uses a mix of appropriate and inappropriate vocabulary
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6 - Makes frequent errors in grammar and punctuation

Band 7.0 Sample

Sample Answer:

The idea that money can buy happiness is widely debated. In my opinion, money can contribute to happiness but it is not the sole factor. For instance, in my country, many people believe that having a lot of money will make them happy. They spend a lot of time and effort to earn money and buy expensive things. However, I have seen that money cannot buy everything. I have a friend who is very rich but he is not happy because he does not have a good family life. On the other hand, I know a person who does not have much money but he is very happy because he has a good job, a loving family and many friends. Therefore, I think money can make people happy but it is not the only thing that can.

Scoring Breakdown:

• Task Response: Band 7 - Presents a clear position with relevant ideas and examples
• Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7 - Logical organization with some irrelevant ideas
• Lexical Resource: Band 7 - Uses a mix of appropriate and less accurate vocabulary
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7 - Makes occasional errors in grammar and punctuation

Band 8.0 Sample

Sample Answer:

The relationship between money and happiness is a complex one. While money can certainly contribute to happiness, it is not the only factor. In my country, there is a growing trend of people focusing on earning money and buying expensive things. However, I have observed that this does not necessarily lead to happiness. For example, I have a friend who is very wealthy but he is not happy because he does not have a good family life. On the other hand, I know a person who does not have much money but he is very happy because he has a good job, a loving family and many friends. Therefore, I believe that while money can contribute to happiness, it is not the only thing that can.

Scoring Breakdown:

• Task Response: Band 8 - Presents a clear and supported position with relevant ideas and examples
• Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8 - Logical organization with some irrelevant ideas
• Lexical Resource: Band 8 - Uses a mix of appropriate and less accurate vocabulary
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8 - Makes occasional errors in grammar and punctuation

Band 9.0 Sample

Sample Answer:

The notion that money can buy happiness has been widely debated. In my opinion, while money can contribute to happiness, it is not the sole factor. In my country, there is a growing trend of people focusing on earning money and buying expensive things. However, I have observed that this does not necessarily lead to happiness. For instance, I have a friend who is very wealthy but he is not happy because he does not have a good family life. On the other hand, I know a person who does not have much money but he is very happy because he has a good job, a loving family and many friends. Therefore, I believe that while money can contribute to happiness, it is not the only thing that can.

Scoring Breakdown:

• Task Response: Band 9 - Presents a clear and well-supported position with relevant ideas and examples
• Coherence and Cohesion: Band 9 - Logical organization with some irrelevant ideas
• Lexical Resource: Band 9 - Uses a mix of appropriate and less accurate vocabulary
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 9 - Makes occasional errors in grammar and punctuation

Vocabulary Highlights

1. Contribute (verb) - to help to cause or bring about something

• Example: Money can contribute to happiness.

1. Complex (adjective) - complicated or difficult to understand

• Example: The relationship between money and happiness is a complex one.

1. Trend (noun) - a general direction in which something is developing or changing

• Example: There is a growing trend of people focusing on earning money.

1. Observed (verb) - to watch or notice something carefully

• Example: I have observed that this does not necessarily lead to happiness.

1. Wealthy (adjective) - having a lot of money and possessions

• Example: I have a friend who is very wealthy.

1. Loving (adjective) - showing or feeling love

• Example: He has a loving family and many friends.

1. Factor (noun) - a circumstance, fact, or influence that contributes to a result

• Example: Money is not the only factor that can make people happy.

1. Notion (noun) - a belief or idea

• Example: The notion that money can buy happiness has been widely debated.

1. Debated (verb) - to discuss a subject in a formal manner

• Example: The notion that money can buy happiness has been widely debated.

1. Focus (verb) - to concentrate on something

• Example: There is a growing trend of people focusing on earning money.

1. Necessarily (adverb) - in a way that is necessary or required

• Example: This does not necessarily lead to happiness.

1. Job (noun) - a paid position of regular employment

• Example: He has a good job.

1. Family life (noun) - the life and activities of a family

• Example: He does not have a good family life.

1. Friends (noun) - people who are not part of your family but with whom you have a close and warm relationship

• Example: He has many friends.

1. Believe (verb) - to think that something is true or real

• Example: Many people believe that having a lot of money will make them happy.

1. Spend (verb) - to use time or money for a particular purpose

• Example: They spend a lot of time and effort to earn money.

1. Effort (noun) - physical or mental work, especially when difficult or painful

• Example: They spend a lot of time and effort to earn money.

1. Buy (verb) - to get something by paying money for it

• Example: They buy expensive things.

1. Thing (noun) - an object that one is not certain about

• Example: Money is not the only thing that can make people happy.

1. Example (noun) - a thing characteristic of its kind

• Example: I have a friend who is very wealthy but he is not happy.

Common Mistakes Students Make

1. Irrelevant Details: Including information that does not directly answer the question.
2. Lack of Examples: Failing to provide specific examples to support their arguments.
3. Poor Organization: Not structuring the essay in a logical and coherent manner.
4. Grammar and Punctuation Errors: Making frequent errors in grammar and punctuation.
5. Inappropriate Vocabulary: Using words that are not suitable for the context or that are not accurate.

Vocabulary for Money and Happiness

1. Wealth (noun) - a large amount of money or valuable possessions

• Example: He has accumulated great wealth over the years.

1. Prosperity (noun) - a successful and flourishing condition

• Example: The country's prosperity is evident in its thriving economy.

1. Affluence (noun) - the state of having a great deal of money

• Example: She grew up in a family of affluence.

1. Poverty (noun) - the state of being extremely poor

• Example: Poverty is a major issue in many parts of the world.

1. Contentment (noun) - a state of happiness or satisfaction

• Example: He found contentment in his simple life.

1. Joy (noun) - a feeling of great pleasure and happiness

• Example: She felt a deep joy when she saw her child.

1. Fulfillment (noun) - a feeling of satisfaction or happiness

• Example: He found fulfillment in his work.

1. Satisfaction (noun) - a sense of contentment or accomplishment

• Example: She felt a sense of satisfaction after completing her project.

1. Comfort (noun) - a state of physical ease and freedom from pain or constraint

• Example: He lived in great comfort.

1. Luxury (noun) - a state of great comfort and extravagant living

• Example: She enjoyed the luxury of a five-star hotel.

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