This is my IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of financial matters.

If you sign up for my Patreon below, you will get access to many years’ worth of past EBook and PDFs – that are only available on Patreon here:

Patreon Ebooks

Dave

IELTS Essay: Financial Matters

In numerous nations, there is a growing trend for individuals to frequently discuss financial matters, such as their earnings or expenditures, in everyday conversation.

What are the reasons behind this phenomenon?

Is it advantageous or detrimental?

There is an increasing tendency for individuals in the modern world to openly discuss their finances in daily conversation. In my opinion, this is a result of a general lack of self-awareness and is decidedly negative given the opportunity cost it engenders.

The primary reason many people today are prone to talk about their financial dealings originates in society generally. In the past, a sense of modesty or concern for decorum might have compelled reticence. Today, some of the most widely discussed topics in the media, online, in film, and in literature concern cryptocurrencies, the real estate market, stock equities, the price of gold, and other investments. A person discussing these matters is likely only interested in subtle boasting or venting frustrations without awareness of the emotions or engagement of their interlocutor. The result over time has been that many people have developed a shameless habit.

In my view, discussion finances often precludes a number of more worthwhile topics of conversation. Since the majority of useful financial research can be conducted online or done in professional settings, there are more pressing areas that should be discussed in daily life. For example, two friends having a conversation at a cafe would derive greater value from telling stories, joking with one another, or delving into a more serious topic related to politics, the arts, or psychology. Such discussions are likely to develop their understanding of the world and their emotional intelligence. Discussion of money, on the other hand, wastes valuable time and energy for little concrete outcome.

In conclusion, the inclination to speak of one’s personal finances stems from a fundamentally modern self-indulgence and often prevents the discussion of more enjoyable or meaningful topics. Naturally, these generalizations do not apply to all individuals.

Analysis

1. There is an increasing tendency for individuals in the modern world to openly discuss their finances in daily conversation. 2. In my opinion, this is a result of a general lack of self-awareness and is decidedly negative given the opportunity cost it engenders.

1. Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
2. Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.

1. The primary reason many people today are prone to talk about their financial dealings originates in society generally. 2. In the past, a sense of modesty or concern for decorum might have compelled reticence. 3. Today, some of the most widely discussed topics in the media, online, in film, and in literature concern cryptocurrencies, the real estate market, stock equities, the price of gold, and other investments. 4. A person discussing these matters is likely only interested in subtle boasting or venting frustrations without awareness of the emotions or engagement of their interlocutor. 5. The result over time has been that many people have developed a shameless habit.

1. Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
2. Explain your main idea.
3. Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
4. Keep developing it fully.
5. Better to have more detail.

1. In my view, discussion finances often precludes a number of more worthwhile topics of conversation. 2. Since the majority of useful financial research can be conducted online or done in professional settings, there are more pressing areas that should be discussed in daily life. 3. For example, two friends having a conversation at a cafe would derive greater value from telling stories, joking with one another, or delving into a more serious topic related to politics, the arts, or psychology. 4. Such discussions are likely to develop their understanding of the world and their emotional intelligence. 5. Discussion of money, on the other hand, wastes valuable time and energy for little concrete outcome.

1. Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
2. Explain your new main idea.
3. Include specific details and examples.
4. Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
5. This essay is a bit long – aim for about 275 words.

1. In conclusion, the inclination to speak of one’s personal finances stems from a fundamentally modern self-indulgence and often prevents the discussion of more enjoyable or meaningful topics. 2. Naturally, these generalizations do not apply to all individuals.

1. Summarise your main ideas.
2. Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.

There is an increasing tendency for individuals in the modern world to openly discuss their finances in daily conversation. In my opinion, this is a result of a general lack of self-awareness and is decidedly negative given the opportunity cost it engenders.

The primary reason many people today are prone to talk about their financial dealings originates in society generally. In the past, a sense of modesty or concern for decorum might have compelled reticence. Today, some of the most widely discussed topics in the media, online, in film, and in literature concern cryptocurrencies, the real estate market, stock equities, the price of gold, and other investments. A person discussing these matters is likely only interested in subtle boasting or venting frustrations without awareness of the emotions or engagement of their interlocutor. The result over time has been that many people have developed a shameless habit.

In my view, discussion finances often precludes a number of more worthwhile topics of conversation. Since the majority of useful financial research can be conducted online or done in professional settings, there are more pressing areas that should be discussed in daily life. For example, two friends having a conversation at a cafe would derive greater value from telling stories, joking with one another, or delving into a more serious topic related to politics, the arts, or psychology. Such discussions are likely to develop their understanding of the world and their emotional intelligence. Discussion of money, on the other hand, wastes valuable time and energy for little concrete outcome.

In conclusion, the inclination to speak of one’s personal finances stems from a fundamentally modern self-indulgence and often prevents the discussion of more enjoyable or meaningful topics. Naturally, these generalizations do not apply to all individuals.

Answers

For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:

Here are synonyms for each line:

1. There is an increasing tendency for

• There is a growing inclination for

1. in the modern world

• in contemporary society

1. openly discuss their finances in daily conversation

• candidly talk about their financial matters in everyday discussions

1. this is a result of

• this is due to

1. general lack of self-awareness

• overall deficiency in self-awareness

1. decidedly negative given the opportunity cost it engenders

• distinctly disadvantageous considering the opportunity cost it creates

1. prone

• inclined

1. financial dealings originates in society generally

• financial transactions stem from societal norms

1. a sense of modesty

• an air of humility

1. concern for decorum
   • regard for propriety
2. compelled reticence
   • enforced restraint
3. most widely discussed topics
   • most frequently talked-about subjects
4. media
   • press
5. cryptocurrencies
   • digital currencies
6. real estate market
   • property market
7. stock equities
   • shares
8. investments
   • financial placements
9. matters
   • issues
10. subtle boasting
    • understated bragging
11. venting frustrations
    • expressing discontent
12. awareness
    • consciousness
13. engagement
    • involvement
14. interlocutor
    • conversation partner
15. The result over time has been that
    • Consequently, over time
16. developed a shameless habit
    • acquired an unabashed practice
17. precludes
    • prevents
18. worthwhile
    • valuable
19. the majority of
    • most
20. financial research
    • economic analysis
21. conducted
    • performed
22. professional settings
    • work environments
23. pressing areas
    • urgent issues
24. derive greater value from
    • gain more benefit from
25. delving into
    • exploring
26. develop their understanding of the world
    • enhance their comprehension of the world
27. emotional intelligence
    • emotional acuity
28. wastes valuable time and energy for little concrete outcome
    • squanders precious time and effort with minimal tangible results
29. inclination
    • tendency
30. stems from a fundamentally modern self-indulgence
    • arises from a fundamentally contemporary self-gratification
31. prevents
    • hinders
32. meaningful
    • significant
33. Naturally
    • Obviously
34. generalizations
    • broad statements

Pronunciation

Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:

ðeər ɪz ən ɪnˈkriːsɪŋ ˈtɛndənsi fɔː

ɪn ðə ˈmɒdᵊn wɜːld

ˈəʊpᵊnli dɪˈskʌs ðeə ˈfaɪnænsɪz ɪn ˈdeɪli ˌkɒnvəˈseɪʃᵊn

ðɪs ɪz ə rɪˈzʌlt ɒv

ˈʤɛnᵊrᵊl læk ɒv sɛlf-əˈweənəs

dɪˈsaɪdɪdli ˈnɛɡətɪv ˈɡɪvᵊn ði ˌɒpəˈʧuːnəti kɒst ɪt ɪnˈʤɛndəz

prəʊn

faɪˈnænʃᵊl ˈdiːlɪŋz əˈrɪʤɪneɪts ɪn səˈsaɪəti ˈʤɛnᵊrᵊli

ə sɛns ɒv ˈmɒdɪsti

kənˈsɜːn fɔː dɪˈkɔːrəm

kəmˈpɛld ˈrɛtɪsᵊns

məʊst ˈwaɪdli dɪˈskʌst ˈtɒpɪks

ˈmiːdiə

ˈkrɪptəʊˌkʌrᵊnsiz

rɪəl ɪˈsteɪt ˈmɑːkɪt

stɒk ˈɛkwɪtiz

ɪnˈvɛstmənts

ˈmætəz

ˈsʌtᵊl ˈbəʊstɪŋ

ˈvɛntɪŋ frʌsˈtreɪʃᵊnz

əˈweənəs

ɪnˈɡeɪʤmənt

ˌɪntəˈlɒkjətə

ðə rɪˈzʌlt ˈəʊvə taɪm hæz biːn ðæt

dɪˈvɛləpt ə ˈʃeɪmləs ˈhæbɪt

prɪˈkluːdz

ˌwɜːθˈwaɪl

ðə məˈʤɒrəti ɒv

faɪˈnænʃᵊl rɪˈsɜːʧ

kənˈdʌktɪd

prəˈfɛʃᵊnᵊl ˈsɛtɪŋz

ˈprɛsɪŋ ˈeəriəz

dɪˈraɪv ˈɡreɪtə ˈvæljuː frɒm

ˈdɛlvɪŋ ˈɪntuː

dɪˈvɛləp ðeər ˌʌndəˈstændɪŋ ɒv ðə wɜːld

ɪˈməʊʃᵊnᵊl ɪnˈtɛlɪʤᵊns

weɪsts ˈvæljəbᵊl taɪm ænd ˈɛnəʤi fɔː ˈlɪtᵊl ˈkɒŋkriːt ˈaʊtkʌm

ˌɪnklɪˈneɪʃᵊn

stɛmz frɒm ə ˌfʌndəˈmɛntᵊli ˈmɒdᵊn ˌsɛlfɪnˈdʌlʤᵊns

prɪˈvɛnts

ˈmiːnɪŋfᵊl

ˈnæʧᵊrᵊli

ˌʤɛnᵊrᵊlaɪˈzeɪʃᵊnz

Vocabulary Practice

I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:

T___________________________r individuals i_________________d to o_____________________________________________n. In my opinion, t______________________f a g__________________________s and is d______________________________________________s.

The primary reason many people today are p__e to talk about their f______________s o____________________________y. In the past, a__________________________y or c________________m might have c_______________e. Today, some of the m_________________________s in the m_____a, online, in film, and in literature concern c______________________s, the r________________________t, s____________s, the price of gold, and other i___________s. A person discussing these m_______s is likely only interested in s__________g or v_________________s without a______________s of the emotions or e____________t of their i_____________r. T______________________________t many people have d_______________________t.

In my view, discussion finances often p_________s a number of more w____________e topics of conversation. Since t_________________f useful f______________h can be c__________d online or done in p______________s, there are more p____________s that should be discussed in daily life. For example, two friends having a conversation at a cafe would d_________________________m telling stories, joking with one another, or d___________o a more serious topic related to politics, the arts, or psychology. Such discussions are likely to d________________________________________d and their e____________________e. Discussion of money, on the other hand, w_____________________________________________________e.

In conclusion, the i____________n to speak of one’s personal finances s________________________________________e and often p_________s the discussion of more enjoyable or m__________l topics. N___________y, these g________________s do not apply to all individuals.

Listening Practice

Learn more about this topic by watching from YouTube below and practice with these activities:

Reading Practice

Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:

https://www.bogleheads.org/#:~:text=Bogleheads.org%20%E2%80%93%20Investing%20advice%20inspired%20by%20John%20Bogle&text=The%20Bogleheads%C2%AE%20emphasize%20starting,plan%20regardless%20of%20market%20conditions.

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:

Work-life balance (IELTS Speaking Part 3)

Question 1: What kinds of jobs do young people not want to do in your country?

Question 2: Who is best at advising young people about choosing a job: teachers or parents?

Question 3: Is money always the most important thing when choosing a job?

Question 4: Do you agree that most people nowadays are under pressure to work longer hours and take less holiday?

Question 5: What is the impact on society of people having a poor work-life balance?

Question 6: Could you recommend some effective strategies for governments and employers to ensure people have a good work-life balance?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related IELTS essay topic:

It is important for everyone, including young people, to save money for their future.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

IELTS Cambridge 19 Essay: Save Money for the Future