This is my IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of a fixed income to support charity from the real exam.

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: Fixed Income to Support Charity

Everybody should donate a fixed amount of their income to support charity.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

The concept of philanthropy and charitable giving has gained significant attention in recent years. One prominent viewpoint suggests that everyone should contribute a fixed portion of their income to support charitable causes, although I would side with those holding the opposite opinion.

Charitable donations play a pivotal role in addressing poverty. When individuals allocate a fixed portion of their income, it ensures a steady flow of resources to organizations dedicated to poverty alleviation. For example, groups like Oxfam and UNICEF rely on public donations to implement projects that provide food, clean water, and healthcare services to impoverished communities. The consistent support from individuals enables these organizations to make a lasting impact, uplifting vulnerable populations and offering them a chance for a better future.

While the recommendation of mandatory donations has its merits, it is essential to acknowledge that individuals have diverse financial situations and priorities. Forcing every individual to donate a fixed portion of their income can be seen an infringement on personal freedom. In placing this burden on citizens, there may be a resultant backlash that does more harm than the originally intended good. Relatedly, it is important to recognize that there are alternative ways of supporting charitable causes, such as volunteering time and skills. Encouraging a culture of giving without imposing strict regulations may allow individuals to better choose the method that aligns with their personal circumstances and values.

In conclusion, the contention that everyone should donate a fixed amount of their income to support charity aligns with the ideal of an equitable society. However, it is crucial to consider individual circumstances and preferences, ensuring that the act of giving remains a voluntary and personally meaningful endeavor.

Analysis

1. The concept of philanthropy and charitable giving has gained significant attention in recent years. 2. One prominent viewpoint suggests that everyone should contribute a fixed portion of their income to support charitable causes, although I would side with those holding the opposite opinion.

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

1. Charitable donations play a pivotal role in addressing poverty. 2. When individuals allocate a fixed portion of their income, it ensures a steady flow of resources to organizations dedicated to poverty alleviation. 3. For example, groups like Oxfam and UNICEF rely on public donations to implement projects that provide food, clean water, and healthcare services to impoverished communities. 4. The consistent support from individuals enables these organizations to make a lasting impact, uplifting vulnerable populations and offering them a chance for a better future.

  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.

1. While the recommendation of mandatory donations has its merits, it is essential to acknowledge that individuals have diverse financial situations and priorities. 2. Forcing every individual to donate a fixed portion of their income can be seen an infringement on personal freedom. 3. In placing this burden on citizens, there may be a resultant backlash that does more harm than the originally intended good. 4. Relatedly, it is important to recognize that there are alternative ways of supporting charitable causes, such as volunteering time and skills. 5. Encouraging a culture of giving without imposing strict regulations may allow individuals to better choose the method that aligns with their personal circumstances and values.

  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. Finish the paragraph strong.

1. In conclusion, the contention that everyone should donate a fixed amount of their income to support charity aligns with the ideal of an equitable society. 2. However, it is crucial to consider individual circumstances and preferences, ensuring that the act of giving remains a voluntary and personally meaningful endeavor.

  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.

The concept of philanthropy and charitable giving has gained significant attention in recent years. One prominent viewpoint suggests that everyone should contribute a fixed portion of their income to support charitable causes, although I would side with those holding the opposite opinion.

Charitable donations play a pivotal role in addressing poverty. When individuals allocate a fixed portion of their income, it ensures a steady flow of resources to organizations dedicated to poverty alleviation. For example, groups like Oxfam and UNICEF rely on public donations to implement projects that provide food, clean water, and healthcare services to impoverished communities. The consistent support from individuals enables these organizations to make a lasting impact, uplifting vulnerable populations and offering them a chance for a better future.

While the recommendation of mandatory donations has its merits, it is essential to acknowledge that individuals have diverse financial situations and priorities. Forcing every individual to donate a fixed portion of their income can be seen an infringement on personal freedom. In placing this burden on citizens, there may be a resultant backlash that does more harm than the originally intended good. Relatedly, it is important to recognize that there are alternative ways of supporting charitable causes, such as volunteering time and skills. Encouraging a culture of giving without imposing strict regulations may allow individuals to better choose the method that aligns with their personal circumstances and values.

In conclusion, the contention that everyone should donate a fixed amount of their income to support charity aligns with the ideal of an equitable society. However, it is crucial to consider individual circumstances and preferences, ensuring that the act of giving remains a voluntary and personally meaningful endeavor.

Answers

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

concept: notion
philanthropy: benevolence
charitable giving: altruistic donations
gained significant attention: garnered substantial interest
One prominent viewpoint suggests that: One prevailing perspective posits that
contribute a fixed portion of their income: donate a predetermined percentage of their earnings
support charitable causes: endorse philanthropic endeavors
I would side with those holding the opposite opinion: I would align myself with those advocating a different standpoint
play a pivotal role in addressing poverty: play a crucial part in tackling poverty
allocate: distribute
ensures: guarantees
steady flow of resources: consistent supply of resources
organizations dedicated to poverty alleviation: institutions committed to alleviating poverty
rely on public donations: depend on contributions from the public
implement projects: execute initiatives
healthcare services: medical assistance
impoverished communities: underprivileged populations
consistent support: unwavering assistance
make a lasting impact: create a durable impression
uplifting vulnerable populations: empowering disadvantaged groups
offering them a chance for a better future: providing them an opportunity for a brighter tomorrow
recommendation: suggestion
mandatory donations: obligatory contributions
merits: advantages
acknowledge: recognize
diverse financial situations: varied economic circumstances
priorities: preferences
Forcing: compelling
infringement: violation
personal freedom: individual liberty
In placing this burden on: By imposing this responsibility on
resultant backlash: consequent negative response
harm: damage
originally intended good: initially envisioned benefit
Relatedly: In a related vein
recognize: acknowledge
alternative ways of: other means of
volunteering time and skills: offering one’s time and expertise
Encouraging: Promoting
culture of giving: atmosphere of generosity
imposing strict regulations: enforcing stringent rules
method: approach
aligns with: corresponds to
personal circumstances and values: individual situations and principles
contention: disagreement
aligns with the ideal of an equitable society: corresponds to the vision of a fair society
crucial: vital
consider: contemplate
preferences: inclinations
ensuring: guaranteeing
act of giving: gesture of generosity
personally meaningful endeavor: personally significant undertaking

Pronunciation

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

ˈkɒnsɛpt 
fɪˈlænθrəpi 
ˈʧærətəbᵊl ˈɡɪvɪŋ 
ɡeɪnd sɪɡˈnɪfɪkᵊnt əˈtɛnʃᵊn 
wʌn ˈprɒmɪnənt ˈvjuːpɔɪnt səˈʤɛsts ðæt 
kənˈtrɪbjuːt ə fɪkst ˈpɔːʃᵊn ɒv ðeər ˈɪnkʌm 
səˈpɔːt ˈʧærətəbᵊl ˈkɔːzɪz 
aɪ wʊd saɪd wɪð ðəʊz ˈhəʊldɪŋ ði ˈɒpəzɪt əˈpɪnjən 
pleɪ ə ˈpɪvətᵊl rəʊl ɪn əˈdrɛsɪŋ ˈpɒvəti 
ˈæləʊkeɪt 
ɪnˈʃɔːz 
ˈstɛdi fləʊ ɒv rɪˈsɔːsɪz 
ˌɔːɡᵊnaɪˈzeɪʃᵊnz ˈdɛdɪkeɪtɪd tuː ˈpɒvəti əˌliːviˈeɪʃᵊn 
rɪˈlaɪ ɒn ˈpʌblɪk dəʊˈneɪʃᵊnz 
ˈɪmplɪmənt ˈprɒʤɛkts 
ˈhɛlθkeə ˈsɜːvɪsɪz 
ɪmˈpɒvərɪʃt kəˈmjuːnətiz 
kənˈsɪstᵊnt səˈpɔːt 
meɪk ə ˈlɑːstɪŋ ˈɪmpækt 
ʌpˈlɪftɪŋ ˈvʌlnᵊrəbᵊl ˌpɒpjəˈleɪʃᵊnz 
ˈɒfərɪŋ ðɛm ə ʧɑːns fɔːr ə ˈbɛtə ˈfjuːʧə 
ˌrɛkəmɛnˈdeɪʃᵊn 
ˈmændətᵊri dəʊˈneɪʃᵊnz 
ˈmɛrɪts 
əkˈnɒlɪʤ 
daɪˈvɜːs faɪˈnænʃᵊl ˌsɪʧuˈeɪʃᵊnz 
praɪˈɒrətiz 
ˈfɔːsɪŋ 
ɪnˈfrɪnʤmənt 
ˈpɜːsᵊnᵊl ˈfriːdəm 
ɪn ˈpleɪsɪŋ ðɪs ˈbɜːdᵊn ɒn 
rɪˈzʌltᵊnt ˈbæklæʃ 
hɑːm 
əˈrɪʤᵊnᵊli ɪnˈtɛndɪd ɡʊd 
rɪˈleɪtɪdli 
ˈrɛkəɡnaɪz 
ɒlˈtɜːnətɪv weɪz ɒv 
ˌvɒlənˈtɪərɪŋ taɪm ænd skɪlz 
ɪnˈkʌrɪʤɪŋ 
ˈkʌlʧər ɒv ˈɡɪvɪŋ 
ɪmˈpəʊzɪŋ strɪkt ˌrɛɡjəˈleɪʃᵊnz 
ˈmɛθəd 
əˈlaɪnz wɪð 
ˈpɜːsᵊnᵊl ˈsɜːkəmstɑːnsɪz ænd ˈvæljuːz
kənˈtɛnʃᵊn 
əˈlaɪnz wɪð ði aɪˈdɪəl ɒv ən ˈɛkwɪtəbᵊl səˈsaɪəti 
ˈkruːʃᵊl 
kənˈsɪdə 
ˈprɛfᵊrᵊnsɪz 
ɪnˈʃɔːrɪŋ 
ækt ɒv ˈɡɪvɪŋ 
ˈpɜːsᵊnᵊli ˈmiːnɪŋfᵊl ɪnˈdɛvə 

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:

The c_______ of p___________y and c________________g has g________________________n in recent years. O__________________________________________t everyone should c______________________________________e to s_____________________________s, although I w_______________________________n.

Charitable donations p_______________________________y. When individuals a_________e a fixed portion of their income, it e____s a s_________________________s to o______________________________n. For example, groups like Oxfam and UNICEF r__________________________s to i_______________s that provide food, clean water, and h_________________s to i_________________________________s. The c_____________________t from individuals enables these organizations to m___________________________t, u___________________________s and o_______________________________________e.

While the r____________________n of m__________________s has its m__________s, it is essential to a______________e that individuals have d_______________________________s and p____________s. F________g every individual to donate a fixed portion of their income can be seen an i_____________________t on p___________________m. I______________________n citizens, there may be a r__________________h that does more h____m than the o__________________d. R_________y, it is important to r________e that there are a__________________________f supporting charitable causes, such as v__________________s. E_____________g a c______________g without i______________________s may allow individuals to better choose the m_________d that a_________h their p_______________________________________s.

In conclusion, the c_____________n that everyone should donate a fixed amount of their income to support charity a_________________________________________________y. However, it is c________l to c________r individual circumstances and p_____________s, e__________g that the a___________g remains a voluntary and p_________________________________r.

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:

Speaking Practice

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

Charity

  1. Why do people do charity for others?
  2. Is charity always altruistic or can it be selfish?
  3. What kinds of charities are there in your country?
  4. Do corporations in your country contribute to charity?
  5. Should charities be allowed to make a profit?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related IELTS essay topic:

Some people think that famous people can help international aid organizations to draw attention to important problems. Others believe that the celebrities can make the problems seem less important.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Get the Ebook on my Patreon.

Recommended For You