IELTS Essay: Economic Progress
Many governments think that economic progress is their most important goal. Some people, however, think that other types of progress are equally important for a country.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Many today have made the argument that governments are overly focused on economic development to the detriment of more valuable areas of progress. In my opinion, though economic progress is often the catalyst for different forms of growth, the other areas are at least equally as important.
Supporters of economic progress point out its importance for individuals and societies generally. A thriving economy allows the average citizen to increase their quality of life in various ways. Individuals who are provided good jobs and lucrative opportunities are able to afford better healthcare, own a home potentially, purchase luxuries, and take holidays. In the aggregate, all these minor additions combine to ground a satisfied and happy life, though they are naturally not absolute guarantees. The clearest evidence of the value of this approach is that voters in democratic nations like the United States typically base their decisions primarily on economic factors.
However, economics is the basis for other areas of progress. This relates to education, standards of living, infrastructure, and, most importantly in the 21st century, the environment. In past centuries, individuals could be forgiven for considering economics to be the most important duty of governments. Today, the possibility that the Earth will face cataclysmic changes in the next century has dramatically shifted that calculus. Most researchers agree that overpopulation and the manufacturing and consumption of consumer goods are greatly exacerbating climate change and may lead to seismic disruptions for all life on Earth. Therefore, simply prioritizing the economic causes of a degrading environment would be short-sighted.
In conclusion, though economics is the basic foundation of modern civil societies, governments today should not neglect equally as crucial aspects such as the environment. The economy is means for enacting other reforms, not an end in itself.
Analysis
1. Many today have made the argument that governments are overly focused on economic development to the detriment of more valuable areas of progress. 2. In my opinion, though economic progress is often the catalyst for different forms of growth, the other areas are at least equally as important.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. Supporters of economic progress point out its importance for individuals and societies generally. 2. A thriving economy allows the average citizen to increase their quality of life in various ways. 3. Individuals who are provided good jobs and lucrative opportunities are able to afford better healthcare, own a home potentially, purchase luxuries, and take holidays. 4. In the aggregate, all these minor additions combine to ground a satisfied and happy life, though they are naturally not absolute guarantees. 5. The clearest evidence of the value of this approach is that voters in democratic nations like the United States typically base their decisions primarily on economic factors.
- Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
- Explain your main idea.
- Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
- Keep developing it fully.
- You can sometimes include the counterpoint here too.
1. However, economics is the basis for other areas of progress. 2. This relates to education, standards of living, infrastructure, and, most importantly in the 21st century, the environment. 3. In past centuries, individuals could be forgiven for considering economics to be the most important duty of governments. 4. Today, the possibility that the Earth will face cataclysmic changes in the next century has dramatically shifted that calculus. 5. Most researchers agree that overpopulation and the manufacturing and consumption of consumer goods are greatly exacerbating climate change and may lead to seismic disruptions for all life on Earth. 6. Therefore, simply prioritizing the economic causes of a degrading environment would be short-sighted.
- Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
- Explain your new main idea.
- Include specific details and examples.
- Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
- Continue your development.
- Finish strong.
1. In conclusion, though economics is the basic foundation of modern civil societies, governments today should not neglect equally as crucial aspects such as the environment. 2. The economy is means for enacting other reforms, not an end in itself.
- Summarise your main ideas.
- Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
Many today have made the argument that governments are overly focused on economic development to the detriment of more valuable areas of progress. In my opinion, though economic progress is often the catalyst for different forms of growth, the other areas are at least equally as important.
Supporters of economic progress point out its importance for individuals and societies generally. A thriving economy allows the average citizen to increase their quality of life in various ways. Individuals who are provided good jobs and lucrative opportunities are able to afford better healthcare, own a home potentially, purchase luxuries, and take holidays. In the aggregate, all these minor additions combine to ground a satisfied and happy life, though they are naturally not absolute guarantees. The clearest evidence of the value of this approach is that voters in democratic nations like the United States typically base their decisions primarily on economic factors.
However, economics is the basis for other areas of progress. This relates to education, standards of living, infrastructure, and, most importantly in the 21st century, the environment. In past centuries, individuals could be forgiven for considering economics to be the most important duty of governments. Today, the possibility that the Earth will face cataclysmic changes in the next century has dramatically shifted that calculus. Most researchers agree that overpopulation and the manufacturing and consumption of consumer goods are greatly exacerbating climate change and may lead to seismic disruptions for all life on Earth. Therefore, simply prioritizing the economic causes of a degrading environment would be short-sighted.
In conclusion, though economics is the basic foundation of modern civil societies, governments today should not neglect equally as crucial aspects such as the environment. The economy is means for enacting other reforms, not an end in itself.
Answers
Many today have made the argument some today point out that
overly focused on economic development to the detriment of care too much about money and that hurts
more valuable areas of progress places that are more important to develop
though economic progress is often the catalyst for different forms of growth despite the fact economics is the reason that other areas can develop typically
other areas are at least equally as important they are of the same importance
Supporters of economic progress point out those in favor of finance argue
importance value
generally overall
A thriving economy allows the average citizen to a good economy lets normal people
increase their quality of life in various ways improve standards of living a variety of aspects
provided given
lucrative opportunities good chances
afford better healthcare go to better hospitals
own a home potentially buy a house possible
purchase luxuries buy nice things
take holidays go on vacation
In the aggregate combined
all these minor additions combine to ground a satisfied and happy life these little factors add up to be the basis of happiness
naturally not absolute guarantees of course don’t mean it will happen 100%
The clearest evidence of the value of this approach is that the best support for this way of thinking is
voters in democratic nations like the United States residents in countries like the USA
typically base their decisions primarily on economic factors usually vote because of how the economy is doing
basis foundation
relates to concerns
infrastructure buildings, roads, schools, etc.
most importantly in the 21st century crucially today
In past centuries in the past
individuals could be forgiven for considering it was understandable to think
most important duty of governments the main responsibility
face cataclysmic changes in the next century things might get really bad over the next 100 years
dramatically shifted that calculus greatly changes one’s way of thinking about it
overpopulation too many people
manufacturing and consumption of consumer goods using products
greatly exacerbating climate change making global warming worse
may lead to seismic disruptions for all life on Earth can greatly hurt all animals and plants
simply merely
economic causes financial roots
degrading environment worsening nature
short-sighted not long-term thinking
the basic foundation of modern civil societies the basis of the world today
should not neglect equally as crucial aspects ought to not forget about other key areas
such as the environment including nature
The economy is means for enacting other reforms economics is a way to achieve other things
not an end in itself not just to be pursued for its own purpose
Pronunciation
Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:
ˈmɛni təˈdeɪ hæv meɪd ði ˈɑːgjʊmənt
ˈəʊvəli ˈfəʊkəst ɒn ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk dɪˈvɛləpmənt tuː ˈdɛtrɪmənt ɒv
mɔː ˈvæljʊəbl ˈeərɪəz ɒv ˈprəʊgrəs
ðəʊ ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ˈprəʊgrəs ɪz ˈɒf(ə)n ðə ˈkætəlɪst fɔː ˈdɪfrənt fɔːmz ɒv grəʊθ
ˈʌðər ˈeərɪəz ɑːr æt liːst ˈiːkwəli æz ɪmˈpɔːtənt
səˈpɔːtəz ɒv ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ˈprəʊgrəs pɔɪnt aʊt
ɪmˈpɔːtəns
ˈʤɛnərəli
ə ˈθraɪvɪŋ i(ː)ˈkɒnəmi əˈlaʊz ði ˈævərɪʤ ˈsɪtɪzn tuː
ˈɪnkriːs ðeə ˈkwɒlɪti ɒv laɪf ɪn ˈveərɪəs weɪz
prəˈvaɪdɪd
ˈluːkrətɪv ˌɒpəˈtjuːnɪtiz
əˈfɔːd ˈbɛtə ˈhɛlθkeə
əʊn ə həʊm pəʊˈtɛnʃəli
ˈpɜːʧəs ˈlʌkʃəriz
teɪk ˈhɒlədeɪz
ɪn ði ˈægrɪgɪt
ɔːl ðiːz ˈmaɪnər əˈdɪʃ(ə)nz ˈkɒmbaɪn tuː graʊnd ə ˈsætɪsfaɪd ænd ˈhæpi laɪf
ˈnæʧrəli nɒt ˈæbsəluːt ˌgærənˈtiːz
ðə ˈklɪərɪst ˈɛvɪdəns ɒv ðə ˈvæljuː ɒv ðɪs əˈprəʊʧ ɪz ðæt
ˈvəʊtəz ɪn ˌdɛməˈkrætɪk ˈneɪʃənz laɪk ðə jʊˈnaɪtɪd steɪts
ˈtɪpɪk(ə)li beɪs ðeə dɪˈsɪʒənz ˈpraɪmərɪli ɒn ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ˈfæktəz
ˈbeɪsɪs
rɪˈleɪts tuː
ˈɪnfrəˌstrʌkʧə
məʊst ɪmˈpɔːtəntli ɪn ðə ˈtwɛnti fɜːst ˈsɛnʧʊri
ɪn pɑːst ˈsɛnʧʊriz
ˌɪndɪˈvɪdjʊəlz kʊd biː fəˈgɪvn fɔː kənˈsɪdərɪŋ
məʊst ɪmˈpɔːtənt ˈdjuːti ɒv ˈgʌvnmənts
feɪs ˌkætəˈklɪzmɪk ˈʧeɪnʤɪz ɪn ðə nɛkst ˈsɛnʧʊri
drəˈmætɪk(ə)li ˈʃɪftɪd ðæt ˈkælkjʊləs
ˌəʊvəˌpɒpjʊˈleɪʃən
ˌmænjʊˈfækʧərɪŋ ænd kənˈsʌm(p)ʃən ɒv kənˈsjuːmə gʊdz
ˈgreɪtli ɛksˈæsə(ː)beɪtɪŋ ˈklaɪmɪt ʧeɪnʤ
meɪ liːd tuː ˈsaɪzmɪk dɪsˈrʌpʃənz fɔːr ɔːl laɪf ɒn ɜːθ
ˈsɪmpli
ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ˈkɔːzɪz
dɪˈgreɪdɪŋ ɪnˈvaɪərənmənt
ʃɔːt-ˈsaɪtɪd
ðə ˈbeɪsɪk faʊnˈdeɪʃən ɒv ˈmɒdən ˈsɪvl səˈsaɪətiz
ʃʊd nɒt nɪˈglɛkt ˈiːkwəli æz ˈkruːʃəl ˈæspɛkts
sʌʧ æz ði ɪnˈvaɪərənmənt
ði i(ː)ˈkɒnəmi ɪz miːnz fɔːr ɪˈnæktɪŋ ˈʌðə ˌriːˈfɔːmz
nɒt ən ɛnd ɪn ɪtˈsɛlf
Vocabulary Practice
M__________________________________t that governments are o_______________________________n e______________________________________f m_________________________s. In my opinion, t______________________________________r d______________________________h, the o______________________________________________t.
S__________________________________________t its i______________e for individuals and societies g__________y. A____________________________________________________o i___________________________________s. Individuals who are p__________d good jobs and l_______________________s are able to a________________________e, o____________________________y, p____________________s, and t____________s. I_______________e, a______________________________________o g_______________________________e, though they are n___________________________s. T___________________________________________________t v______________________________________s t___________________________________________s.
However, economics is the b_______s for other areas of progress. This r________o education, standards of living, i_________________e, and, m_____________________________y, the environment. I_______________s, i___________________________________________________g economics to be the m____________________________s. Today, the possibility that the Earth will f___________________________________y has d_________________________s. Most researchers agree that o_______________n and the m_____________________________________s are g_______________________________e and m_____________________________________________h. Therefore, s______y prioritizing the e___________________s of a d_______________________t would be s___________d.
In conclusion, though economics is t__________________________________________s, governments today s___________________________________________________________t. T____________________________________________s, n____________________________f.
Listening Practice
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheEconomist
Reading Practice
https://sustainabilitymag.com/top10/top-10-greenest-countries-2
Speaking Practice
Work (Model answer available on my Patreon)
- Are you student or are you working now?
- What do you like about your job/school at the moment?
- What job would you like to do in the future?
Writing Practice
Developing the economy will always damage the environment.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Dear Dave,
Hope everything is going well. First of all, I would like to thank you for sharing these great model essays with us.
I think this sentence needs improvement. “Many today have made the argument that governments are overly focused on economic development to detriment of more valuable areas of progress.”
The idiomatic expression “to the detriment of somebody/something” is the acceptable form in English. I feel the article “the” should be added to the aforesaid sentence to make it grammatically correct.
Apart form this, let’s take a look at this sentence in the 2nd Body Paragraph.
“Most researchers agree that overpopulation and the manufacturing and consumption of consumer goods is greatly exacerbating climate change and may lead to seismic disruptions for all life on Earth.”
I think “subject-verb agreement” doesn’t match in this sentence.
Best regards,
Hpjat
Dear Dave,
Hope everything is going well. First of all, I would like to thank you for sharing these great model essays with us.
I think this sentence needs improvement. “Many today have made the argument that governments are overly focused on economic development to detriment of more valuable areas of progress.”
The idiomatic expression “to the detriment of somebody/something” is the acceptable form in English. I feel the article “the” should be added to the aforesaid sentence to make it grammatically correct.
Apart from this, let’s take a look at this sentence in the 2nd Body Paragraph.
“Most researchers agree that overpopulation and the manufacturing and consumption of consumer goods is greatly exacerbating climate change and may lead to seismic disruptions for all life on Earth.”
I think “subject-verb agreement” doesn’t match in this sentence.
Best regards,
Hojat
Thanks Hojat – to the detriment of – is a fixed expression and I didn’t even notice the ‘the’ wasn’t in there – updated!
My pleasure, Dave.
Hi Dave
Thank you for sharing this great essay
You’re welcome, Madina!
Please l need free task one and two essays