This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of happiness from the real IELTS exam
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Dave
IELTS Essay: Happiness
Some people think personal happiness is directly related to economic success, while others believe this depends on other factors.
Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
Many are of the belief that happiness is a result of financial success, while others feel there are more crucial factors. In my opinion, a certain degree of financial stability is a basic requirement for happiness but is less important overall than one’s family and health.
Those who claim that happiness correlates highly with earnings argue that it affords individuals a higher standard of living. A person with a considerable salary is able to buy a nice house, provide for their family, and purchase luxuries ranging from good food and frequent holidays to expensive vehicles and fashionable clothing. Each item taken on its own only contributes a small degree of pleasure, however, such purchases add up to a generally content, comfortable and enjoyable lifestyle. If a person is inclined to equate pleasure with happiness, then there is a legitimate argument to be made for the pursuit of happiness being the pursuit of money.
However, the majority of individuals, wealthy and otherwise, would state that happiness is more a consequence of quality time with family and good health. A comfortable home filled with luxuries is enjoyable but the most sustained happiness comes from relationships. Someone who has lost touch with their family and has frayed interpersonal bonds with their relatives, is not likely to be able to fill such a void with physical possessions. Anecdotally, towards the end of life most people recognize that their happiest moments were spent in the presence of loved ones. Additionally, good health is a more powerful pre-condition for happiness since no amount of wealth can buy relief from chronic suffering.
In conclusion, happiness depends more on one’s relationship with their family and physical health rather than financial success. There are, naturally, exceptions as happiness is subjective and can be defined differently.
Analysis
1. Many are of the belief that happiness is a result of financial success, while others feel there are more crucial factors. 2. In my opinion, a certain degree of financial stability is a basic requirement for happiness but is less important overall than one’s family and health.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. Those who claim that happiness correlates highly with earnings argue that it affords individuals a higher standard of living. 2. A person with a considerable salary is able to buy a nice house, provide for their family, and purchase luxuries ranging from good food and frequent holidays to expensive vehicles and fashionable clothing. 3. Each item taken on its own only contributes a small degree of pleasure, however, such purchases add up to a generally content, comfortable and enjoyable lifestyle. 4. If a person is inclined to equate pleasure with happiness, then there is a legitimate argument to be made for the pursuit of happiness being the pursuit of money.
- 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.
1. However, the majority of individuals, wealthy and otherwise, would state that happiness is more a consequence of quality time with family and good health. 2. A comfortable home filled with luxuries is enjoyable but the most sustained happiness comes from relationships. 3. Someone who has lost touch with their family and has frayed interpersonal bonds with their relatives, is not likely to be able to fill such a void with physical possessions. 4. Anecdotally, towards the end of life most people recognize that their happiest moments were spent in the presence of loved ones. 5. Additionally, good health is a more powerful pre-condition for happiness since no amount of wealth can buy relief from chronic suffering.
- Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
- Explain your new main idea.
- Include specific details and examples.
- Continue developing it…
- as fully as possible!
1. In conclusion, happiness depends more on one’s relationship with their family and physical health rather than financial success. 2. There are, naturally, exceptions as happiness is subjective and can be defined differently.
- Summarise your main ideas.
- 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.
Many are of the belief that happiness is a result of financial success, while others feel there are more crucial factors. In my opinion, a certain degree of financial stability is a basic requirement for happiness but is less important overall than one’s family and health.
Those who claim that happiness correlates highly with earnings argue that it affords individuals a higher standard of living. A person with a considerable salary is able to buy a nice house, provide for their family, and purchase luxuries ranging from good food and frequent holidays to expensive vehicles and fashionable clothing. Each item taken on its own only contributes a small degree of pleasure, however, such purchases add up to a generally content, comfortable and enjoyable lifestyle. If a person is inclined to equate pleasure with happiness, then there is a legitimate argument to be made for the pursuit of happiness being the pursuit of money.
However, the majority of individuals, wealthy and otherwise, would state that happiness is more a consequence of quality time with family and good health. A comfortable home filled with luxuries is enjoyable but the most sustained happiness comes from relationships. Someone who has lost touch with their family and has frayed interpersonal bonds with their relatives, is not likely to be able to fill such a void with physical possessions. Anecdotally, towards the end of life most people recognize that their happiest moments were spent in the presence of loved ones. Additionally, good health is a more powerful pre-condition for happiness since no amount of wealth can buy relief from chronic suffering.
In conclusion, happiness depends more on one’s relationship with their family and physical health rather than financial success. There are, naturally, exceptions as happiness is subjective and can be defined differently.
Answers
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
result of caused by
financial success making money
crucial factors important elements
certain degree some amount of
financial stability have enough money
basic requirement minimum
overall generally
claim argue
correlates highly relates directly to
earnings argue money say
affords can pay for
higher standard of living good quality of life
considerable major
provide for allow for
purchase luxuries ranging from buy nice things including
frequent often
expensive vehicles pricey cars
fashionable clothing nice fashion
item taken on its own thing by itself
contributes adds to
small degree of pleasure a little enjoyment
add up contribute to
generally content overall happy
comfortable easy and nice
enjoyable lifestyle nice living standard
inclined likely to
equate pleasure make enjoyment equal to
legitimate argument clear case
pursuit of happiness trying to satisfy yourself
majority most of
otherwise or this will happen
state say
consequence result
quality time good time spent with
filled with full of
most sustained constant
relationships interpersonal connections
lost touch not talking to, estranged
frayed interpersonal bonds not on good terms with
relatives family members
void absence
physical possessions things
anecdotally from stories
recognize know
spent in the presence of loved ones around family
additionally also
pre-condition minimum requirement
since no amount of wealth as no level of money
buy relief purchase a reprieve
chronic suffering constantly hurt by
depends more on has more to do with
rather than instead of
naturally of course
exceptions cases outside the norm
subjective can be judged individually
defined differently described in different ways
Pronunciation
Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:
rɪˈzʌlt ɒv
faɪˈnænʃəl səkˈsɛs
ˈkruːʃəl ˈfæktəz
ˈsɜːtn dɪˈgriː
faɪˈnænʃəl stəˈbɪlɪti
ˈbeɪsɪk rɪˈkwaɪəmənt
ˈəʊvərɔːl
kleɪm
ˈkɒrɪleɪts ˈhaɪli
ˈɜːnɪŋz ˈɑːgjuː
əˈfɔːdz
ˈhaɪə ˈstændəd ɒv ˈlɪvɪŋ
kənˈsɪdərəbl
prəˈvaɪd fɔː
ˈpɜːʧəs ˈlʌkʃəriz ˈreɪnʤɪŋ frɒm
ˈfriːkwənt
ɪksˈpɛnsɪv ˈviːɪklz
ˈfæʃnəbl ˈkləʊðɪŋ
ˈaɪtəm ˈteɪkən ɒn ɪts əʊn
kənˈtrɪbju(ː)ts
smɔːl dɪˈgriː ɒv ˈplɛʒə
æd ʌp
ˈʤɛnərəli ˈkɒntɛnt
ˈkʌmf(ə)təbl
ɪnˈʤɔɪəbl ˈlaɪfˌstaɪl
ɪnˈklaɪnd
ɪˈkweɪt ˈplɛʒə
lɪˈʤɪtɪmɪt ˈɑːgjʊmənt
pəˈsjuːt ɒv ˈhæpɪnɪs
məˈʤɒrɪti
ˈʌðəwaɪz
steɪt
ˈkɒnsɪkwəns
ˈkwɒlɪti taɪm
fɪld wɪð
məʊst səsˈteɪnd
rɪˈleɪʃənʃɪps
lɒst tʌʧ
freɪd ˌɪntəˈpɜːsən(ə)l bɒndz
ˈrɛlətɪvz
vɔɪd
ˈfɪzɪkəl pəˈzɛʃənz
ˌænɪkˈdəʊt(ə)li
ˈrɛkəgnaɪz
spɛnt ɪn ðə ˈprɛzns ɒv lʌvd wʌnz
əˈdɪʃənli
priː-kənˈdɪʃən
sɪns nəʊ əˈmaʊnt ɒv wɛlθ
baɪ rɪˈliːf
ˈkrɒnɪk ˈsʌfərɪŋ
dɪˈpɛndz mɔːr ɒn
ˈrɑːðə ðæn
ˈnæʧrəli
ɪkˈsɛpʃənz
səbˈʤɛktɪv
dɪˈfaɪnd ˈdɪfrəntli
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:
Many are of the belief that happiness is a r__________f f_______________s, while others feel there are more c__________________s. In my opinion, a c________________e of f_____________________y is a b___________________t for happiness but is less important o________l than one’s family and health.
Those who c________m that happiness c__________________y with e________________e that it a________s individuals a h_____________________________g. A person with a c_______________e salary is able to buy a nice house, p__________r their family, and p__________________s r________________m good food and f__________t holidays to e___________________s and f____________________g. Each i______________________n only c________________s a s_________________________e, however, such purchases a________p to a g______________________t, c_____________e and e____________________e. If a person is i__________d to e_________________e with happiness, then there is a l_________________________t to be made for the p____________________s being the pursuit of money.
However, the m_________y of individuals, wealthy and o___________e, would s______e that happiness is more a c______________e of q______________e with family and good health. A comfortable home f____________h luxuries is enjoyable but the m________________d happiness comes from r_______________s. Someone who has l_____________h with their family and has f__________________________s with their r__________s, is not likely to be able to fill such a v______d with p__________________________s. A________________y, towards the end of life most people r____________e that their happiest moments were s___________________________________s. A_______________y, good health is a more powerful p______________n for happiness s____________________________________h can b______________f from c______________g.
In conclusion, happiness d______________________n one’s relationship with their family and physical health r_____________n financial success. There are, n______________y, e____________s as happiness is s_____________e and can be d_____________________y.
Listening Practice
Learn more about this topic by watching videos from The New York Times YouTube channel below and practice with these activities:
Reading Practice
Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:
https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/the-10-happiest-countries-in-the-world
Speaking Practice
Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:
Happy Occasions
- How do people in your country celebrate happy occasions?
- Why do occasions usually make people happy?
- How important is the money spent on the occasion for making people happy?
- Is it a good idea to spend a lot of money on a birthday party?
- Is happiness today the same as it was in the past?
Writing Practice
Practice with the related IELTS essay topic below:
In recent times, economic growth has helped many become richer, both in developed and developing countries. However, those in developed countries are not as happy as they were in the past.
Why is this?
What can be learned from this?
Wonderful website
Thanks a lot!
Hello, in first body paragraph, the sentence ‘contributes a small degree of pleasure…..’ so, in such kind of sentence, when can we use contribute/contributes something or contributes to something? Do both have same meaning?e.g. contributes something and contributes to something?
They are similar – contributes to is adding to a bigger whole – contributes to the economy.
But contributes is the actual thing – contributes resources to the economy.
Great question, Sandra!
Thank you sir for making this clear!
No problem!
In 1st body paragraph, last sentence, if person is inclined to equate pleasure with happiness….. so, aren’t both same? Pleasure and happiness? Should not there be pleasure and wealth instead of pleasure and happiness?
That is a part of the question.
I think most people would say that pleasure is a part of happiness, but not the full equation.
That there are other, more satisfying elements that make up happiness.
It’s a topic for a longer essay, like most IELTS essays, so you can really just touch on it and give an opinion.
Thank you. Your website contains all topics and top notch vocabulary. Best essays .
You’re welcome as always Sandra!
There is an argument about whether individual happiness depends on being rich in money or not. In my opinion, I consider that money is not the main reason for happiness. Although wealth can solve many problems, hope is the core of happiness.
It is not necessary for rich people to worry about their survival. Money can buy more than enough commodities, such as food, clothes, or even an estate, which results in lives without being hungry or homeless. Moreover, rich people can also entertain themselves with powerful computers, new styles of wind coats, and global trips. They enjoy the toppest entertainment in the world, which can bring them happiness indeed. However, rich people may consider money so important that any single missing coin may lead to depression.
A positive attitude decides the happniess from the root. If we consider that a bright future will come, we are not fatigue. For example, a poor young graduate who just received an offer from his first selected company leads to pleasure in the mouth because his future is promising and hopeful. It is also the reason why people with huge fortunes feel happy. Furthermore, a boss of a monopoly may feel pessimistic if the company appears to be breaking apart. It is clear that money does not determine happiness, but hope does.
In sum, money can bring happiness in some cases, but hope is the origin of happiness. As a result, we should try our best to have better lives and fill ourselves with a positive attitude.
Could be a little more academic, Gakki but strong overall.
Also the phrase to begin the 3rd paragraph is a little strange…
Thanks for your feedback! I’ll keep trying.
The root cause of Happiness is TRUTH. If you back to truth
Happiness , Health , Wealth success much more back to you!
Sounds about right!
Please give feedback-
People have had different views about the definition of happiness. While some assert that joyousness in life is linked to the level of success a person has achieved, others are of opinion that other possibilities play an important role in determining happiness. This essay will discuss both perspectives in the forthcoming paragraphs. I, however, side with the latter view.
On the one hand, it is nearly irrefutable to say that money can create joyfulness. In other words, money is an instrument which helps people to purchase things which can generate happiness and gratification. It allows people to be content through things, be it material possessions like cars, houses and jewelry, or buying wonderful experiences, such as vacations. Furthermore, when people’s physiological needs have been met, they would likely have achieved contentment in life. Unlike impoverished people, rich people do not have to worry about the means of meeting their basic needs. Therefore, the wealthy populace are assumed to be full of felicity since they have enough opulence to spend on things that bring happy feelings to them.
On the other hand, many people feel that loving familial relationships and excellent health are imperative for people to be joyous. People who have strong family ties are less stressed and generally in better moods because family members are not only caring but also supportive. If someone is going through any difficulties, it is the family that will stand behind them as a strong supporter and try to eradicate the problem. Secondly, people’s health is very significant. A healthy person will not be constantly bothered by pain in various body parts. Despite the fact that money can help to buy medical treatments, it does not guarantee a complete cure. For instance, if a billionaire is suffering from chronic ailments such as cancer, in spite of spending an inordinate amount of wealth, he may or may not be cured fully. Thus, having robust health is essential for people to be happy from within.
In conclusion, although financial success can assist in acquiring materialistic items engendering personal happiness, in my opinion, harmonious family relationships and a healthy body are stronger alternatives that make people’s lives happy.
Sure, Ram – a littl on the long side – try to get it down to about 275 words.
Also some vocabulary is being mis-used like joyous.
Love your examples!
Thanks Dave.
Does happiness is owned nowadays? Although, few people supports that the economic growth drives-in joy in an individual’s lives, others put forward several other sources of happiness. In my view, definitely money is paramount to happiness but certainly, there are few other requisite needs to be fulfilled in human life in order to achieve satisfaction more than happiness alone.
Supporters of the thought that “money can buy happiness” are generally mistaken for the over assumptions than reality of life. Money is needed in every transaction of materialistic items that is pre-requisite for the survival. Although, happiness is sum of the difference between the expectation and reality to be true, in general. It puts ones at very ease in life when he holds wealth in abundance. Capability to fulfill not just basic needs but also desires brings loads of excitements. But the problem with this approach is that the factors that define happiness keeps changing with time.
Opponents of the thought that “wealth is happiness” are more likely has defined joy with some other intrinsic caliber of an individual to possess satisfaction. Though, being poor or facing misery is not noble for anyone but to pertain needed balance of everything as a whole is something leads ones to satisfaction. Certainly, there is no match to love for Lord that outweighs any materialistic needs. Moreover, social and emotional support are largely the dominant factor to define satisfaction, therefore the happiness. For an instance, Elon Musk had made a statement on social media that him despite of being a richest person in
In conclusion, Joy cannot always buy or measured with economic development of the person but that comes from inside a character of the person in different forms like satisfaction.
Does happiness is owned nowadays? Although, few people supports that the economic growth drives-in joy in an individual’s lives, others put forward several other sources of happiness. In my view, definitely money is paramount to happiness but certainly, there are few other requisite needs to be fulfilled in human life in order to achieve satisfaction more than happiness alone.
Supporters of the thought that “money can buy happiness” are generally mistaken for the over assumptions than reality of life. Money is needed in every transaction of materialistic items that is pre-requisite for the survival. Although, happiness is sum of the difference between the expectation and reality to be true, in general. It puts ones at very ease in life when he holds wealth in abundance. Capability to fulfill not just basic needs but also desires brings loads of excitements. But the problem with this approach is that the factors that define happiness keeps changing with time.
Opponents of the thought that “wealth is happiness” are more likely has defined joy with some other intrinsic caliber of an individual to possess satisfaction. Though, being poor or facing misery is not noble for anyone but to pertain needed balance of everything as a whole is something leads ones to satisfaction. Certainly, there is no match to love for Lord that outweighs any materialistic needs. Moreover, social and emotional support are largely the dominant factor to define satisfaction, therefore the happiness. For an instance, Elon Musk had made a statement on social media that him despite of being a richest person in the world, feels despaired when not able to make home at dinners with his family.
In conclusion, Joy cannot always buy or measured with economic development of the person but that comes from inside a character of the person in different forms like satisfaction.
Good work, Anubhav!
Careful with capitalizing words that are not proper nouns. Nice examples too, but some little grammar mistakes will bring your score down.
Keep working hard!
What is the band score of this essay approximately?
I have written all these essays so they are band 9 examples, Sasan!
Superb!
Thanks.
You’re welcome!