This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of whether or not executives in companies should receive a high salary.
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IELTS Essay: Salary
Some feel executives in large companies should receive high salaries while others think they are paid too much compared to ordinary workers.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Many believe that high-ranking executive positions deserve their exorbitant salaries, while others feel they earn disproportionately compared to normal workers. In my opinion, outsized compensation is unreasonable in a vacuum but makes sense given market dictates.
Detractors often argue the ratios defy justification. Recent publications have quoted figures showing executive positions, and CEOs in particular, makes hundreds of times what the average worker does. This includes their various remuneration packages and bonuses. It is hard to claim this money is deserved. Many CEOs work longer hours and graduated from top schools but their tangible impact can be marginal relative to the key driving forces behind product development and the many hard-working employees required for a business to thrive. Even the most ardent supporters of these practices would not claim their output is hundreds of times higher than a normal employee.
Nonetheless, this practice follows basic principles of supply and demand. The simple fact is that there is a nearly endless supply of average individuals to staff entry-level positions but capable executives are rarer. These high-ranking jobs require an extraordinary commitment in terms of hours that most are unwilling to invest and exceptional character qualities ranging from leadership skills to raw intelligence. Since the top positions in a company are hard to fill and the company has the finances to pay premium wages, it is logical that executive salaries outrage many workers and their bonuses that appear unjust. In fact, these payments have little relationship with justice and more to do with the economic realities of capitalism.
In conclusion, though their salaries seem outlandish, executives are more difficult to replace and deserve higher pay. This is an uncomfortable, but crucial, truth for the average person to accept.
Analysis
1. Many believe that high-ranking executive positions deserve their exorbitant salaries, while others feel they earn disproportionately compared to normal workers. 2. In my opinion, outsized compensation is unreasonable in a vacuum but makes sense given market dictates.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. Detractors often argue the ratios defy justification. 2. Recent publications have quoted figures showing executive positions, and CEOs in particular, makes hundreds of times what the average worker does. 3. This includes their various remuneration packages and bonuses. 4. It is hard to claim this money is deserved. 5. Many CEOs work longer hours and graduated from top schools but their tangible impact can be marginal relative to the key driving forces behind product development and the many hard-working employees required for a business to thrive. 6. Even the most ardent supporters of these practices would not claim their output is hundreds of times higher than a normal employee.
- Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
- Explain your main idea.
- Begin to develop it.
- Vary long and short sentences.
- Use more specific details for support.
- Conclude with a strong statement.
1. Nonetheless, this practice follows basic principles of supply and demand. 2. The simple fact is that there is a nearly endless supply of average individuals to staff entry-level positions but capable executives are rarer. 3. These high-ranking jobs require an extraordinary commitment in terms of hours that most are unwilling to invest and exceptional character qualities ranging from leadership skills to raw intelligence. 4. Since the top positions in a company are hard to fill and the company has the finances to pay premium wages, it is logical that executive salaries outrage many workers and their bonuses that appear unjust. 5. In fact, these payments have little relationship with justice and more to do with the economic realities of capitalism.
- Write another topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
- Explain the new main idea.
- Develop it clearly.
- Keep developing it. You can use a specific example or just argue logically.
- Summarise your argument.
1. In conclusion, though their salaries seem outlandish, executives are more difficult to replace and deserve higher pay. 2. This is an uncomfortable, but crucial, truth for the average person to accept.
- Summarise your main ideas and repeat your opinion.
- Add a final thought. Learn more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
Many believe that high-ranking executive positions deserve their exorbitant salaries, while others feel they earn disproportionately compared to normal workers. In my opinion, outsized compensation is unreasonable in a vacuum but makes sense given market dictates.
Detractors often argue the ratios defy justification. Recent publications have quoted figures showing executive positions, and CEOs in particular, makes hundreds of times what the average worker does. This includes their various remuneration packages and bonuses. It is hard to claim this money is deserved. Many CEOs work longer hours and graduated from top schools but their tangible impact can be marginal relative to the key driving forces behind product development and the many hard-working employees required for a business to thrive. Even the most ardent supporters of these practices would not claim their output is hundreds of times higher than a normal employee.
Nonetheless, this practice follows basic principles of supply and demand. The simple fact is that there is a nearly endless supply of average individuals to staff entry-level positions but capable executives are rarer. These high-ranking jobs require an extraordinary commitment in terms of hours that most are unwilling to invest and exceptional character qualities ranging from leadership skills to raw intelligence. Since the top positions in a company are hard to fill and the company has the finances to pay premium wages, it is logical that executive salaries outrage many workers and their bonuses that appear unjust. In fact, these payments have little relationship with justice and more to do with the economic realities of capitalism.
In conclusion, though their salaries seem outlandish, executives are more difficult to replace and deserve higher pay. This is an uncomfortable, but crucial, truth for the average person to accept.
Answers
high-ranking executive positions top jobs like CEO, CFO, etc.
exorbitant salaries too high wages
earn disproportionately make too much
compared to relative to
outsized compensation making too much money
unreasonable in a vacuum not logical considered without context
makes sense logical
given considering
market dictates capitalism
detractors critics
ratios defy justification relative amounts can’t be defended
recent publications new studies, reports
quoted figures numbers mentioned
hundreds of times x100s
various remuneration packages different ways of receiving compensation
deserved just
tangible impact clear effect
marginal relative not much impact compared to
key driving forces main reason for
product development making better products
hard-working employees dedicated workers
thrive do really well
ardent supporters those in favour a lot
claim have the opinion
output what is produced
practice development
follows basic principles accords with what is normal
supply and demand relationship between what you have and what is wanted
simple fact basic truth
nearly endless supply almost infinite
entry-level positions starting-out jobs
capable executives good bosses
rarer less common
extraordinary commitment a lot put into
in terms of when it relates to
unwilling to invest will not put in
exceptional character qualities amazin characteristics
ranging from including
leadership skills being able to inspire confidence
raw intelligence mental ability
top positions big jobs
hard to fill difficult to find new employees
finances money
pay premium wages get a high salary
logical rational
outrage anger
appear unjust seem unfair
payments salary
little relationship with justice nothing to do with what is fair
economic realities of capitalism truths inherent to the free market system
seem outlandish appears disproportionate
uncomfortable unhappy
crucial very important
accept reconcile
Pronunciation
ˈhaɪˌræŋkɪŋ ɪgˈzɛkjʊtɪv pəˈzɪʃənz
ɪgˈzɔːbɪtənt ˈsæləriz
ɜːn ˌdɪsprəˈpɔːʃnɪtli
kəmˈpeəd tuː
ˈaʊtsaɪzd ˌkɒmpɛnˈseɪʃən
ʌnˈriːznəbl ɪn ə ˈvækjʊəm
meɪks sɛns
ˈgɪvn
ˈmɑːkɪt ˈdɪkteɪts.
dɪˈtræktəz
ˈreɪʃɪəʊz dɪˈfaɪ ˌʤʌstɪfɪˈkeɪʃən
ˈriːsnt ˌpʌblɪˈkeɪʃənz
ˈkwəʊtɪd ˈfɪgəz
ˈhʌndrədz ɒv taɪmz
ˈveərɪəs rɪˌmjuːnəˈreɪʃən ˈpækɪʤɪz
dɪˈzɜːvd
ˈtænʤəbl ˈɪmpækt
ˈmɑːʤɪnəl ˈrɛlətɪv
kiː ˈdraɪvɪŋ ˈfɔːsɪz
ˈprɒdʌkt dɪˈvɛləpmənt
ˈhɑːdˌwɜːkɪŋ ˌɛmplɔɪˈiːz
θraɪv
ˈɑːdənt səˈpɔːtəz
kleɪm
ˈaʊtpʊt
ˈpræktɪs
ˈfɒləʊz ˈbeɪsɪk ˈprɪnsəplz
səˈplaɪ ænd dɪˈmɑːnd
ˈsɪmpl fækt
ˈnɪəli ˈɛndlɪs səˈplaɪ
ˈɛntri-ˈlɛvl pəˈzɪʃənz
ˈkeɪpəbl ɪgˈzɛkjʊtɪvz
ˈreərə
ɪksˈtrɔːdnri kəˈmɪtmənt
ɪn tɜːmz ɒv
ʌnˈwɪlɪŋ tuː ɪnˈvɛst
ɪkˈsɛpʃənl ˈkærɪktə ˈkwɒlɪtiz
ˈreɪnʤɪŋ frɒm
ˈliːdəʃɪp skɪlz
rɔː ɪnˈtɛlɪʤəns
tɒp pəˈzɪʃənz
hɑːd tuː fɪl
faɪˈnænsɪz
peɪ ˈpriːmiəm ˈweɪʤɪz
ˈlɒʤɪkəl
ˈaʊtreɪʤ
əˈpɪər ʌnˈʤʌst
ˈpeɪmənts
ˈlɪtl rɪˈleɪʃənʃɪp wɪð ˈʤʌstɪs
ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ri(ː)ˈælɪtiz ɒv ˈkæpɪtəlɪzm
siːm aʊtˈlændɪʃ
ʌnˈkʌmfətəbl
ˈkruːʃəl
əkˈsɛpt
Vocabulary Practice
Remember and fill in the blanks:
Many believe that h_____________________________s deserve their e____________________________s, while others feel they e____________________________y c________________o normal workers. In my opinion, o____________________n is u_____________________m but m________________e g______n m______________s.
D_____________s often argue the r________________________n. R________________________s have q_________________s showing executive positions, and CEOs in particular, makes h__________________s what the average worker does. This includes their v____________________________s and bonuses. It is hard to claim this money is d___________d. Many CEOs work longer hours and graduated from top schools but their t__________________t can be m__________________e to the k______________________s behind p________________________t and the many h_______________________s required for a business to t__________e. Even the most a_____________________s of these practices would not c______m their o_______t is hundreds of times higher than a normal employee.
Nonetheless, this p__________e f_________________________s of s_______________________d. The s___________t is that there is a n_______________________y of average individuals to staff e______________________s but c___________________s are r_______r. These high-ranking jobs require an e_____________________________t i_________________f hours that most are u___________________t and e_____________________________s r__________________m l____________________s to r__________________e. Since the t________________s in a company are h_____________l and the company has the f____________s to p___________________s, it is l__________l that executive salaries o_____________e many workers and their bonuses that a_________________t. In fact, these p__________s have l_____________________________e and more to do with the e____________________________m.
In conclusion, though their salaries s__________________h, executives are more difficult to replace and deserve higher pay. This is an u________________e, but c__________l, truth for the average person to a__________t.
Listening Practice
Learn more about this topic and practice listening with these ideas:
Reading Practice
Read more about it as well and use these activities to practice:
Speaking Practice
Answer the following questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:
Talk about a family business that you know. Include
What it is
Where it is located
If you go there
Writing Practice
Write about the related question below and check with my sample answer below:
Many believe that the best way to ensure a happier society is to reduce the difference in income earnings between the rich and poor.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Many today point out that chief executives deserve to take home large sums of wage. Personally, I believe wage disparity between the bosses and low-level workers can deteriorate the performance of a corporation.
On the one hand, the advocates of huge payouts to chief executives argue that the executives are commonly the top and the most experienced employees of a firm and show a level of talent that is unmatched by any other employee, and they need to accept an onerous responsibility. Had they not been paid more than the average workers, they would not accept the duty at all. Furthermore, the proponents of this idea also point out that the wage gap spurs average employees to put in more effort as they see the possibility of promotion with higher income.
On the other hand, the critics believe that corporations’ performance can suffer from this wage disproportion in the long-term. According to the opponents, the abnormally huge sums that are paid to CEOs can be paid to the most hardworking and determined employees as a bonus. Otherwise, the most determined employees who feel neglected might shrug off their responsibilities as they notice this unfairness. This is mainly the reason why Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Facebook, has consented to get only 1$ annually. Lavishing huge sums on chief executives, Zuckerberg believes, is unfair and might create resentment and disappointment as a result of which the entire business must pay.
In conclusion, it is true that the chief executives are the most skilled and gifted employees, but this does not justify the huge pay they are given, and the gap in wage might disappoint the average employees which in turn will deteriorate the performance of the corporation. I believe the wage disparity must be narrowed by lifting the pay ratio of all employees.
Great opinion, Hooshmand, and I love the point about responsibility in the 2nd paragraph – wish I had thought of that for my essay!
Awesome essay as usual but I feel like the argument could have been much more convincing with some specific examples (Bezos versus his warehouse workers making minimum wage comes to mind).
Yes, thank you – I agree a more specific example would make it much stronger!
Huge differences between the wages are a big issue these days, but not a logical issue which is taking place by some people in the society as everyone is getting the wages on the basis of his education and experience.
Chief executive has to get huge salary as they are holding much experience with good knowledge about the business and the can easily handle the business with efficient way. However low ranked workers want much but they have nothing. For instance, much experience, good quality education and the knowledge of mangement the way executive has. And definitely the job also differs. Chief executives are paid alot but work less as compared to low ranked workers who work a lot and paid less but that doesn’t mean that there discrimination. Their value and character differs.
In conclusion, I would say chief executive with good quality are less and low ranked workers are a lot in society. here comes the point of demand. So demand for chief executive is more than the low ranked workers and vice versa.
Some good ideas but it isn’t quite in the style of a full essay yet, Munsie.
Keep working hard and improving!
Some people believe that top-executive in the organizations deserve to get high payment compared to other employment, while others think that this different is too much than normal workers.
The First group think that high salaries must be. Firstly They have reasons that relevant to different responsivities. Executives have more serious responsibilities than normal worker. Their decisions are very crucial for company. They are key people at company. In the other words they are responsible for important decisions which affect succession organization. Because of high stress and work pressure they deserve to more well- payment than other workers. Secondly executes usually have better capabilities like high university degree and rare skills compared to ordinary employment. Different qualification cause to different salaries.
The Second group believe that some salaries are too much. They claim that some high salaries is not proportional to tasks. Some executives receive too much income for their title of position and not related to their responsivities. Moreover having close relationship with CEO is one of the main reasons for high salaries than considering competencies. This group think that amount of incomes have not determined based types duties and qualification.
In conclusion, it is true that different position at organizations have different salaries because all of duties at companies donot have equally imporatance for that. In addition there are always different between competency of people at companies and it must consider at amount of salaries. But I truly believe that different incomes at companies must be equally.
hi. why didn’t you comment for me? I’m beginner learner.
anyway thank you.
Sorry, Ledia, there are lots of comments so I don’t always get to all of them right away.
Your writing is good but be careful with your punctuation and try to make your examples more specific – real if possible!
Keep it up, Ledia!
While some people believe that CEO’s and top executives deserve higher salaries than ordinary workers, others are of the opinion that it is unfair for the bosses of these multinational corporations to earn sky high salaries in contrast to an average worker. Both sides will be discussed in this essay; however, I believe that higher salaries of top level executives are justifiable.
First of all we need to understand that it is not an easy task to maintain and run a large corporation. Top management needs to ensure that company runs smoothly and generates enough profit to be economically viable. Otherwise it will bankrupt and go out of work and with it all the workers who work there. So it is one of the reasons that bosses deserve to get paid more than ordinary workers. Secondly these top executive have spent a great part of their life studying and working hard to achieve this position. They usually have a high university qualification for which they studies very hard and also have a required work experience of years if not decades.
On the other hand it can be argued that a common workers salary in contrast to their boss is so low that they can’t even afford common necessities of daily life. While bosses live in large palace like homes with lavish lifestyles, simple workers are barely able to pay their monthly rent. Besides many people who work in these corporations work for long shifts and usually their work is more demanding and time consuming and in return they get paid very unreasonable wages.
So in conclusion I think that top executives do deserve higher salaries because of the responsibilities they carry on their shoulders but the present salaries of common worker are too low and need to be raised so they too can live a happy and better lifestyle.
Great work, Tele!
Careful with some informal expressions like ‘sky-high’ and contractions.
Otherwise good ideas!